cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Survey of Electronic Health Record (EHR) Variables Associated with Postoperative Delirium: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Introduction Delirium is a common post-operative complication in critically ill patients, displaying transient changes in consciousness, inattention, awareness, and organized thought. Not a lot is known about the specific causes of this condition, as it is a complex physiologic state that is currently being unraveled to determine any correlation with imbalances in homeostasis. Objective The aim of this systematic review is to report on and summarize risk factors associated with the development of postoperative delirium in critically ill adult patients. Methods This systematic review assessed studies reporting on risk factors for postoperative delirium in critically ill patients. PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases were searched for studies. Observational or interventional studies reviewing predictors for postoperative delirium in delirious versus non-delirious patients were included. Results Fifty potential risk factors were identified and divided into eight subgroups. The significance of a specific risk factor for postoperative delirium was found to depend on the patient population in question, but consistently cited significant risk factors across cohorts included high mortality risk, abnormal laboratory values, and use of vasopressors, analgesics, thiopentones, propofol, and benzodiazepines. There was not enough evidence found to definitively state the significance of type of surgery being performed or cognitive impairment on development of this condition. Conclusion Several risk factors were found to be significantly associated with the development of postoperative delirium, including high risk of mortality, specific medication use, and abnormal laboratory values. Further research needs to be performed to fully define the importance of these individual risk factors across broad critical care population.
Importance and strength of environmental controllers of soil organic carbon changes with scale

Abstract Spatial heterogeneity in environmental factors on the land surface moderates exchanges of water, energy, and greenhouse gases between the land and the atmosphere. However, appropriately representing this heterogeneity in earth system models remains a critical scientific challenge. We used a large dataset of environmental factors (n = 31) representing soil-forming factors, field observations of soil organic carbon (SOC) (n = 6213), and a machine-learning algorithm (Cubist) to analyze the scaling behavior of SOC across the conterminous United States. We found that various environmental factors are significant predictors of SOC stocks at different spatial scales. Out of the 31 environmental factors we investigated, only 13 were significant predictors of SOC stocks at spatial scales ranging from 100 m to 50 km. Overall, topographic variables had higher influence at finer scales, whereas climatic variables were more important at coarser scales. The model performance worsened with increasing scale or the spatial resolution of prediction (R2 = 0.38–0.65). The strength of environmental controls (median regression coefficient) on SOC weakened with scale, and we represented them using mathematical functions (R2 = 0.38–0.98). Both the mean and variance of SOC stocks decreased linearly with increasing the scale in soils of the conterminous United States. Fitted linear functions accounted for 81% and 82% of the variability in the mean and variance of SOC, respectively. We also found linear relationships among mean and high-order moments of SOC (R2 = 0.51–0.97). Improved understanding of the scaling behavior of SOC stocks and their environmental controllers can improve earth system model benchmarking and may eventually improve representation of the spatial heterogeneity of land surface biogeochemistry.
An extension of Tychonoff’s fixed point theorem to pseudonorm adjoint topological vector spaces

In this paper, we introduce a type of pseudonorms and quasi-pseudonorms on real vector spaces. By these concepts, we introduce the concept of pseudonorm adjoint topological vector spaces, which inc...
Distinct evolutionary trajectories of V1R clades across mouse species

Many animals rely heavily on olfaction to navigate their environment. Among rodents, olfaction is crucial for a wide range of social behaviors. The vomeronasal olfactory system in particular plays an important role in mediating social communication, including the detection of pheromones and recognition signals. In this study we examine patterns of vomeronasal type-1 receptor (V1R) evolution in the house mouse and related species within the genus Mus. We report the extent of gene repertoire turnover and conservation among species and clades, as well as the prevalence of positive selection on gene sequences across the V1R tree. By exploring the evolution of these receptors, we provide insight into the functional roles of receptor subtypes as well as the dynamics of gene family evolution. We generated transcriptomes from the vomeronasal organs of 5 Mus species, and produced high quality V1R repertoires for each species. We find that V1R clades in the house mouse and relatives exhibit distinct evolutionary trajectories. We identify putative species-specific gene expansions, including a large clade D expansion in the house mouse. While gene gains are abundant, we detect very few gene losses. We describe a novel V1R clade and highlight candidate receptors for future study. We find evidence for distinct evolutionary processes across different clades, from largescale turnover to highly conserved repertoires. Patterns of positive selection are similarly variable, as some clades exhibit abundant positive selection while others display high gene sequence conservation. Based on clade-level evolutionary patterns, we identify receptor families that are strong candidates for detecting social signals and predator cues. Our results reveal clades with receptors detecting female reproductive status are among the most conserved across species, suggesting an important role in V1R chemosensation. Analysis of clade-level evolution is critical for understanding species’ chemosensory adaptations. This study provides clear evidence that V1R clades are characterized by distinct evolutionary trajectories. As receptor evolution is shaped by ligand identity, these results provide a framework for examining the functional roles of receptors.
68 Ga-DOTATATE Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Quantification Predicts Response to Somatostatin Analog Therapy in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

BACKGROUND Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are the frontline antitumor therapy in advanced well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). A subset of patients demonstrate early disease progression on SSA therapy, yet the currently known predictors for treatment failure lack specificity to affect therapeutic decision. SSAs target tumor somatostatin receptors, the level of which can be quantitatively assessed with 68 Ga-DOTATATE positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT). We investigated the ability of 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT to predict response to SSA therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS The records of 108 consecutive patients with well-differentiated grade 1-2 GEP-NETs on SSA monotherapy who received 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scans were retrospectively reviewed to obtain baseline characteristics, 68 Ga-DOTATATE maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and progression-free survival (PFS) data. The optimal SUVmax cutoff for patient stratification was obtained with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. PFS in the high versus low SUVmax groups was compared with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The effects of baseline characteristics and SUVmax on PFS were examined with univariate and multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS 68 Ga-DOTATATE SUVmax predicted therapeutic failure with sensitivity and specificity of 39% and 98%, respectively. SUVmax of <18.35 was associated with shorter PFS, which was reproduced in the subgroup analysis of SSA-naive patients. Low SUVmax was the only predictor of early treatment failure (hazard ratio, 6.85) in multivariate analysis, as well as in the subgroup analysis of grade 2 GEP-NETs. CONCLUSION Low SUVmax on 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT independently predicts early failure on SSA monotherapy in patients with well-differentiated grade 1-2 GEP-NET. Patients with lack of expected benefit from SSA therapy can be readily identified using routine 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT with very high specificity. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Based on 68 Ga-DOTATATE positron emission tomography-computed tomography imaging, clinicians can better inform patients on the expected benefit of somatostatin analog therapy for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, especially when access to the therapy is difficult, and offer proactive discussion on alternative management options.
In Search of a Twenty-First Century Education Renaissance after a Global Pandemic

The COVID-19 Pandemic renewed interest on the question of what goals should be pursued by schools in a world rapidly changing and uncertain. As education leaders developed strategies to continue to educate during the Pandemic, through alternative education arrangements necessitated by the closure of schools, the question of re-prioritizing curriculum became essential. In addition, the anticipated disruptions and impacts that the Pandemic would cause brought the question of what capacities matter to the fore. This chapter reviews the history of mass education and examines the role of the United Nations and other international organizations advocating for schools to educate the whole child and to cultivate the breath of skills essential to advance individual freedoms and social improvement. The chapter makes the case that the aspiration to cultivate a broad range of competencies is not only necessary to meet the growing demands of civic and economic participation, but also critical to close opportunity gaps.
Status of MiniBooNE

MiniBooNE is a neutrino oscillation experiment now running at Fermilab. The experiment will search for muon neutrino to electron neutrino oscillations in order to make a conclusive statement about the yet-unconfirmed evidence for oscillations presented by the LSND experiment. Preparations for the start of running were completed over the summer of 2002, and MiniBooNE observed its first neutrino events in late August.
In situ single-cell activities of microbial populations revealed by spatial transcriptomics

Abstract Microbial populations and communities are heterogeneous, yet capturing their diverse activities has proven challenging at the relevant spatiotemporal scales. Here we present par-seqFISH, a targeted transcriptome-imaging approach that records both gene-expression and spatial context within microscale assemblies at a single-cell and molecule resolution. We apply this approach to the opportunistic bacterial pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, analyzing ∼600,000 individuals across dozens of physiological conditions in planktonic and biofilm cultures. We explore the phenotypic landscape of this bacterium and identify metabolic and virulence related cell-states that emerge dynamically during growth. We chart the spatial context of biofilm-related processes including motility and kin-exclusion mechanisms and identify extensive and highly spatially-resolved metabolic heterogeneity. We find that distinct physiological states can co-exist within the same biofilm, just a few microns away, underscoring the importance of the microenvironment. Together, our results illustrate the complexity of microbial populations and present a new way of studying them at high-resolution.
Routine activity theory and malware, fraud, and spam at the national level

Email spam is one of the primary means to facilitate the perpetration of internet fraud and the distribution of malware. The present research sought to examine the impact of routine activity theory at the national level on three forms of cybercrime perpetrated through email spam. A sample of 871,146 spam email messages sent in 2012 were divided into three categories: fraudulent emails, emails spreading malware, and non-serious spam emails. The measures were then aggregated by country and five measures of routine activity theory at the national level were tested for their impact on cybercrime among 120 nations. Concurrent with prior research, the results indicated that internet users per capita positively predicted all three forms of cybercrime. Unlike previous research, GDP presented a different relationship amongst all three outcomes: positive for spam, negative for fraud, and nonsignificant for malware. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Dimeric lipo-α/sulfono-γ-AA hybrid peptides as broad-spectrum antibiotic agents

There is an urgent need to develop novel antibiotic agents that can combat emerging drug resistance. Herein, we report the design and investigation of a class of short dimeric antimicrobial lipo-α/sulfono-γ-AA hybrid peptides. Some of these peptides exhibit potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity toward both clinically related Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The TEM study suggests that these hybrid peptides can compromise bacterial membranes and lead to bacterial death. Membrane depolarization and fluorescence microscopy studies also indicate that the mechanism of action is analogous to host-defense peptides (HDPs). Furthermore, the lead compound shows the ability to effectively inhibit biofilms formed from MRSA and E. coli. Further development of the short dimeric lipo-α/sulfono-γ-AA hybrid peptides may lead to a new generation of antimicrobial biomaterials to combat drug resistance.
Approximate analog computing with metatronic circuits

Analog photonic solutions offer unique opportunities to address complex computational tasks with unprecedented performance in terms of energy dissipation and speeds, overcoming current limitations of modern computing architectures based on electron flows and digital approaches. The lack of modularization and lumped element reconfigurability in photonics has prevented the transition to an all-optical analog computing platform. Here, we explore, using numerical simulation, a nanophotonic platform based on epsilon-near-zero materials capable of solving in the analog domain partial differential equations (PDE). Wavelength stretching in zero-index media enables highly nonlocal interactions within the board based on the conduction of electric displacement, which can be monitored to extract the solution of a broad class of PDE problems. By exploiting the experimentally achieved control of deposition technique through process parameters, used in our simulations, we demonstrate the possibility of implementing the proposed nano-optic processor using CMOS-compatible indium-tin-oxide, whose optical properties can be tuned by carrier injection to obtain programmability at high speeds and low energy requirements. Our nano-optical analog processor can be integrated at chip-scale, processing arbitrary inputs at the speed of light. All-optical platforms hold potential for fast and efficient analog computing, but are limited by their size and poor reconfigurability. Here, a zero-index nanophotonic platform enables post-Moore’s law analog optical computing, processing data with high throughput and low-energy levels.
Health Economics and Services for Children with Mental Health Problems in the Usa

Managed care in the United States has had a profound and lasting effect on the practice of child psychiatry. Many have experienced the changes as traumatic. In many cases, managed care has led to less total expenditures on children’s mental health, briefer treatments, and significant changes in the child psychiatrist’s role. Acute services such as inpatient and residential have often been impacted the most substantially. The child psychiatrist’s role has changed markedly in many managed care markets, with a far greater emphasis on diagnosis and psychopharmacology and a corresponding decrease in emphasis on psychotherapy. This may be particularly true for psychotherapeutic techniques which tend to be longer term such as psychodynamic psychotherapy. Despite these changes, which at best have been received with ambivalence, there are some changes which are seen by many as positive or potentially positive. For example, in some managed care markets, there has been an increase in the availability of intermediate levels of care, such as partial, intensive outpatient and wrap-around services. There also has been an increased focus on evidence and outcome-based decision making. Although this area is arguably in its infancy with many of the outcome measures today being relatively crude, this area clearly holds substantial potential for improving the field.
Do Host-Specific Toxins Affect Single Ion Channels?

We studied the effect of victorin C, a cyclic peptide and the major host-specific toxin of Cochliobolus victoriae (Macko et al., 1985) on single ion channels of oat protoplasts. In susceptible oat cultivars, the toxin induces the same disease symptoms as the pathogen. These include a rapid loss of cell electrolytes (Wheeler and Black, 1965) and membrane depolarization (Novacky and Hanchey, 1974). We hypothesize that changes in membrane permeability might be due to the interaction of victorin C with ion channels in the plasmalemma. We consequently used the patch-clamp method (Hamill et al., 1981) to investigate channel activities in oat protoplasts in the presence and absence of toxin. The main questions we tried to answer during these studies were: does victor in C form new channels in the plasmalemma of oat cells? Are the properties of existing channels changed under the influence of the toxin?
Development of hydroxyapatite coating on porous titanium via electro-deposition technique

Titanium disks were fabricated with a porous surface layer and a dense inner core by utilizing microwave sintering. Hydroxyapatite (HA) was electro-deposited on the surface of the titanium. The electrolyte consisted of Ca(NO 3 ) 2 .4H 2 O and NH 4 H 2 PO 4 . This initial investigation examined the effect of current (0.2 and 0.4 Amperes) and duration (1, 5, 10 and 30 minutes) on coating morphology and phase evolution. The capability of electodeposition technique to infiltrate the pores of the titanium substrate was also considered. The interconnected surface pores allowed for infiltration of the HA coating as seen through scanning electron microscopy. Uniform coating of HA was best achieved with lower current values (0.2 Ampere) as it reduced the evolution of hydrogen gas during the coating. The application of pulsed current further improved the uniformity of the coating. Phase analysis of the coating, via X-ray Diffraction, revealed the presence of calcium hydroxide during the initial stages of the electro-deposition process.
Towards a research agenda for enterprise crowdsourcing

Over the past few years the crowdsourcing paradigm has evolved from its humble beginnings as isolated purpose-built initiatives, such as Wikipedia and Elance and Mechanical Turk to a growth industry employing over 2 million knowledge workers, contributing over half a billion dollars to the digital economy. Web 2.0 provides the technological foundations upon which the crowdsourcing paradigm evolves and operates, enabling networked experts to work collaboratively to complete a specific task. Enterprise crowdsourcing poses interesting challenges for both academic and industrial research along the social, legal, and technological dimensions. In this paper we describe the challenges that researchers and practitioners face when thinking about various aspects of enterprise crowdsourcing. First, to establish technological foundations, what are the interaction models and protocols between the Enterprise and the crowd. Secondly, how is crowdsourcing going to face the challenges in quality assurance, enabling Enterprises to optimally leverage the scalable workforce. Thirdly, what are the novel (Web) applications enabled by Enterprise crowdsourcing.
Expressive Three-valued Truth Functions

The expressive truth functions of two-valued logic have all been characterized, as have the expressive unary truth functions of finitely-many-valued logic. This paper introduces some techniques for identifying expressive functions in three-valued logics.
Historical Research by Elizabeth Ann Danto

Once a well-respected form of scholarship within academic social work, historical analysis increasingly has lost visibility and legitimacy within the discipline over the last several years. Elizabe...
Biomechanical Analysis of Flat and Oblique Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy for Recurrent Patellar Instability

Both flat (Elmslie-Trillat) and oblique (Fulkerson) osteotomy techniques are successful in treating patellar instability episodes by moving the tibial tubercle medially. The oblique osteotomy also results in anterior displacement that decreases patellofemoral forces. Recent reports have described proximal tibial fractures occurring during early weightbearing after oblique osteotomy. We performed oblique and flat osteotomies on 13 pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric knees. The knees were then tested to failure on a materials testing system by exerting a load through the quadriceps tendon at a rate of 1000 N/sec to simulate a stumble injury. The failure mechanism for flat osteotomies was more likely to be tubercle "shingle" fracture, while oblique osteotomies more frequently failed through a tibial fracture or fixation failure in the posterior tibial cortex. Mean load to failure was significantly higher in the flat osteotomy specimens (1639 N versus 1166 N), as was total energy to failure (224 N.m versus 127 N.m). There was no significant difference in stiffness (87 N/cm versus 74 N/cm). We recommend the flat osteotomy for patients with isolated recurrent patellar instability and the oblique osteotomy in patients who have concomitant patellofemoral pain or articular degenerative changes. When an oblique osteotomy is used, we recommend postoperative brace protection and restricted weightbearing until the osteotomy heals.
Consumer-resource interactions and the evolution of migration.

Theoretical studies have demonstrated that selection will favor increased migration when fitnesses vary both temporally and spatially, but it is far from clear how pervasive those theoretical conditions are in nature. While consumer-resource interactions are omnipresent in nature and can generate spatial and temporal variation, it is unknown even in theory whether these dynamics favor the evolution of migration. We develop a mathematical model to address whether and how migration evolves when variability in fitness is determined at least in part by consumer-resource coevolutionary interactions. Our analyses show that such interactions can drive the evolution of migration in the resource, consumer, or both species and thus supplies a general explanation for the pervasiveness of migration. Over short time scales, we show the direction of change in migration rate is determined primarily by the state of local adaptation of the species involved: rates increase when a species is locally maladapted and decrease when locally adapted. Our results reveal that long-term evolutionary trends in migration rates can differ dramatically depending on the strength or weakness of interspecific interactions and suggest an explanation for the evolutionary divergence of migration rates among interacting species.
Results of multimodal treatment for desmoplastic small round cell tumors.

Abstract Purpose: Desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCTs) are rare aggressive neoplasms that frequently present with large symptomatic intraabdominal masses. We examined the effects of multimodal therapy including induction chemotherapy, aggressive surgical debulking, and external beam radiotherapy on patients with DSRCT. Methods: Institutional Review Board permission was obtained. Sixty-six patients were diagnosed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and or cytogenetics as having DSRCT at our institution from July 1, 1972, to July 1, 2003. Data were collected on patient demographics, presenting symptoms, tumor location and extent, treatment regimen, and overall survival. Results: A majority of patients were male (91%), Caucasian (85%), and with a median age of 19 (7-58) years old at diagnosis. The most common presenting complaint was an intraabdominal mass (64%). In 63 patients (96%), the primary tumor was located in the abdomen or pelvis. Thirty-three (50%) had positive lymph nodes and 27 (41%) had distant parenchymal metastases at diagnosis. Overall, 3- and 5-year survivals were 44% and 15%, respectively. Twenty-nine of these patients (44%) underwent induction chemotherapy (P6), surgical debulking, and radiotherapy. Three-year survival was 55% in those receiving chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy vs 27% when all 3 modalities were not used ( P P Conclusions: Multimodal therapy results in improved survival in patients with DSRCT. Aggressive surgical resection of these extensive intraabdominal neoplasms correlates with improved patient outcome.
The Role of πσ* Excited States in Electron-Induced DNA Strand Break Formation: A Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory Study

Mechanisms of low-energy electron attachment to the DNA and subsequent single-strand break (SSB) formation are of crucial importance to understand the DNA damage. In the present study, we used time-dependent density functional theory (TD-BH&HLYP/6-31G*) to explore the mechanism of SSB, in detail, by calculating the lowest excited states of 5‘-dTMPH radical anion considered as a model of DNA. The C5‘−O5‘ bond dissociation of 5‘-dTMPH radical anion was considered as the reaction coordinate along the potential energy surface of 5‘-dTMPH. The dissociative σ* state, mainly localized on the phosphate of the 5‘-dTMPH radical anion, is considered responsible for the SSB formation in DNA. Our work predicts that in this DNA model system there are available π* and σ* excited states, near 2 eV, which can couple vibronically and lead to a DNA single strand break via the dissociative σ* surface.
Effects of dopamine D1 receptor blockade in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex or lateral dorsal striatum on frontostriatal function in Wistar and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with dysfunctional prefrontal and striatal circuitry and dysregulated dopamine neurotransmission. Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR), a heuristically useful animal model of ADHD, were evaluated against normotensive Wistar (WIS) controls to determine whether dopamine D1 receptor blockade of either prelimbic prefrontal cortex (plPFC) or lateral dorsal striatum (lDST) altered learning functions of both interconnected sites. A strategy set shifting task measured plPFC function (behavioral flexibility/executive function) and a reward devaluation task measured lDST function (habitual responding). Prior to tests, rats received bilateral infusions of SCH 23390 (1.0 μg/side) or vehicle into plPFC or lDST. Following vehicle, SHR exhibited longer lever press reaction times, more trial omissions, and fewer completed trials during the set shift test compared to WIS, indicating slower decision-making and attentional/motivational impairment in SHR. After reward devaluation, vehicle-treated SHR responded less than WIS, indicating relatively less habitual responding in SHR. After SCH 23390 infusions into plPFC, WIS expressed the same behavioral phenotype as vehicle-treated SHR during set shift and reward devaluation tests. In SHR, SCH 23390 infusions into plPFC exacerbated behavioral deficits in the set shift test and maintained the lower rate of responding in the reward devaluation test. SCH 23390 infusions into lDST did not modify set shifting in either strain, but produced lower rates of responding than vehicle infusions after reward devaluation in WIS. This research provides pharmacological evidence for unidirectional interactions between prefrontal and striatal brain regions, which has implications for the neurological basis of ADHD and its treatment.
SCROTAL DOG BITES

Purpose: Dog bites to the scrotum are rare but they potentially result in morbidity if improperly managed.Materials and Methods: Between 1991 and 1999 we treated 4 men and 3 boys with dog bites to ...
Application of artificial intelligence in clinical microbiology

Abstract Timely and accurate information from the microbiology laboratory is essential for the care of patients. The collection of hospital-acquired infection rates, identification of antibiotic-resistant organisms, and detection of inappropriate antibiotic use as well as the selection of the most appropriate antibiotics are also dependent on information obtained from the microbiology laboratory. The use of computers in medicine is relatively new but many of the functions of the microbiology laboratory have already been improved by computer methods. The integration of microbiology data to hospital information systems and the application of artificial intelligence allows hospital personnel to continuously monitor patients and identify situations that would not be feasible by manual methods.
On the optimization of constrained functions: comparison of sequential gradient-restoration algorithm and gradient-projection algorithm

The problem of minimizing a function fnof(x) subject to the nonlinear constraint @f(x) = 0 is considered, where fnof is a scalar, x is an n-vector, and @f is a q-vector, with q < n. The sequential gradient-restoration algorithm (SGRA: Miele, [1, 2]) and the gradient-projection algorithm (GPA: Rosen, [3, 4]) are considered. These algorithms have one common characteristic: they are all composed of the alternate succession of gradient phases and restoration phases. However, they are different in several aspects, namely, (a) problem formulation, (b) structure of the gradient phase, and (c) structure of the restoration phase. First, a critical summary of SGRA and GPA is presented. Then, a comparison is undertaken by considering the speed of convergence and, above all, robustness (that is, the capacity of an algorithm to converge to a solution). The comparison is done through 16 numerical examples. In order to understand the separate effects of characteristics (a), (b), (c), six new experimental algorithms are generated by combining parts of Miele's algorithm with parts of Rosen's algorithm. Thus, the total number of algorithms investigated is eight. The numerical results show that Miele's method is on the average faster than Rosen's method. More importantly, regarding robustness, Miele's method compares favorably with Rosen's method. Through the examples, it is shown that Miele's advantage in robustness is more prominent as the curvature of the constraint increases. While this advantage is due to the combined effect of characteristics (a), (b), (c), it is characteristic (c) that plays the dominant role. Indeed, Miele's restoration provides a better search direction as well as better step-size control than Rosen's restoration.
The design process for a pumpkin balloon: structural synthesis, structural analysis, and analytical assessment of some critical design issues

Abstract Effects of varying parameters in the design of super-pressure balloons of the “pumpkin” shape such as gore design, tendon stiffness, and structural lack-of-fit between tendons and gore seams are exhibited in analytical studies. The importance of an accurate representation of Poisson's effect for the film is demonstrated. Important design aspects that affect load paths and robustness of the design are discussed together with their resolution and quantification where applicable.
Creeping wave propagation constants for impedance boundary conditions

Formulas are obtained for creeping wave propagation constants on objects described by impedance boundary conditions. The solutions contain the impedance as a parameter and are asymptotic in the product of wave number and radius.
Sorption nonequilibrium during solute transport

Abstract The effects of pore-water velocity, solute hydrophobicity, and sorbent organic-carbon content on sorption nonequilibrium during solute transport were evaluated. Nonequilibrium transport was observed to increase with pore-water velocity, solute hydrophobicity, and sorbent organic-carbon content. Nonequilibrium transport of neutral organic compounds was not detected with low organic-carbon (TOC = 0.33 g kg−1) aquifer material, but was detected on higher organic sorbents from the unsaturated zone (TOC = 2.6 g kg−1) and the soil surface (TOC = 6.9 g kg−1). For solute-sorbent combinations yielding retardation factors > 2, nonequilibrium during transport was observed. After experimentally accounting for slow solute diffusion in the aqueous phase and isotherm nonlinearity as potential contributors to nonequilibrium solute transport, sorption nonequilibrium was attributed to slow solute diffusion within the organic-carbon matrix.
Proteins of transcription factor ISGF-3: one gene encodes the 91-and 84-kDa ISGF-3 proteins that are activated by interferon alpha.

Abstract ISGF-3 is an interferon-dependent positive-acting transcription factor that is cytoplasmically activated, possibly through direct interaction with the interferon receptor. The factor has been purified, its component proteins have been separated, and its peptide sequences have been obtained. From the sequences, degenerate oligonucleotide probes were constructed to screen for cDNA clones. Sequencing of the selected clones shows that the 91- and 84-kDa components represent two forms of a previously unknown (to our knowledge) protein. Several antibodies raised against these proteins prove that they indeed do encode protein components of ISGF-3. This work provides reagents to explore the modification of this cytoplasmically activated transcription factor.
Transient analysis of free-electron lasers with discrete radiators

In the linear regime before saturation, we solve the one-dimensional, classical free-electron laser equations, maintaining the longitudinal discreteness of the electrons throughout the analysis. We then take the limit in which the beam of discrete electrons is approximated by a continuum fluid. In the continuum limit, we recover the Green function used by Wang and Yu in their treatment of self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE). For a bunched electron beam, we discuss both incoherent and coherent SASE. We also discuss the field radiated from a bunch whose length is short compared to the radiation wavelength. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Coherent control of plasmonic spectra using the orbital angular momentum of light

This study proposes a method to control the frequency-dependent scattering spectra from plasmonic spheres via the conservation of incident orbital angular momentum (OAM) in classical light scattering. By providing controllable distributions of OAM content, fractional vortex beams allow selective tailoring of Fano features present in coherent scattering processes. The applicability of this control methodology is briefly discussed in the context of plasmonic crystals that recent studies have shown possess modes described by a well-defined OAM content.
On the Mechanism of Hydrolysis of Phosphate Monoesters Dianions in Solutions and Proteins

The nature of the hydrolysis of phosphate monoester dianions in solutions and in proteins is a problem of significant current interest. The present work explores this problem by systematic calculations of the potential surfaces of the reactions of a series of phosphate monoesters with different leaving groups. These calculations involve computational studies ranging from ab initio calculations with implicit solvent models to ab initio QM/MM free energy calculations. The calculations reproduce the observed linear free energy relationship (LFER) for the solution reaction and thus are consistent with the overall experimental trend and can be used to explore the nature of the transition state (TS) region, which is not accessible to direct experimental studies. It is found that the potential surface for the associative and dissociative paths is very flat and that the relative height of the associative and dissociative TS is different in different systems. In general, the character of the TS changes from associ...
Temporal patterns of mediator release during developing cutaneous late-phase reactions.

Background Several inflammatory mediators have been found released in sites of cutaneous late phase reactions (LPR). However, the temporal pattern of their release during LPR development has not been characterized. Objective Determine hourly accumulation of mediator release in comparison with gross and inflammatory cell responses during developing LPR. Methods Skin chamber appended to sites of allergen and diluent control challenge with hourly collections. Then, study of exuding leucocytes in chamber bases. Results In the allergen-challenged sites, histamine release peaked in the first hour, then low level release over the next 5 h. Lactoferrin release from neutrophils started by the second hour, likely associated with released IL-8. Eosinophil cationic protein levels started increasing slightly later. The percentage of exuding leucocytes which were activated was significantly higher in the allergen challenge sites than in the control challenge sites Conclusions Both gross LPR and local inflammatory cell responses in the skin start soon after the immediate mast cell activation in IgE-mediated responses. Such inflammatory responses include leucocyte activation and mediator release.
Spatial power combining for high-power transmitters

This article surveys recent progress in the development of high-power microwave and millimeter-wave solid-state sources using spatial power-combining techniques. Several promising topologies are discussed, and four technology demonstrations are presented that have emerged from recent research in academia and industry. We also include a brief discussion of potential applications and systems insertion issues.
Menopausal status influences ambulatory blood pressure levels and blood pressure changes during mental stress.

BACKGROUNDFrequent and large cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses to psychological stress are thought to enhance an individual's risk for cardiovascular diseases. Preliminary data suggest that levels of reproductive hormones affect the magnitude of stress responses, perhaps contributing to the protective effect of ovarian hormones on premenopausal women's rates of coronary heart disease.METHODS AND RESULTSHealthy middle-aged men and premenopausal and postmenopausal women performed a series of standardized mental and physical challenges while blood pressure, heart rate, plasma catecholamines, lipids, and lipoproteins were measured. Subjects then wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor during two consecutive workdays. Results showed that postmenopausal women had larger mean +/- SEM stress-induced increases in systolic blood pressure (24.7 +/- 2.2 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (14.3 +/- 1.0 mm Hg) compared with either premenopausal women (16.9 +/- 1.3 and 10.2 +/- 0.9 mm Hg) or men (17.7 +/- 1...
New Award Recognizes Exemplary Research Made Possible by Ocean Drilling

AGU announces the establishment of a new award, the Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize, which will be given “in recognition of outstanding transdiciplinary research accomplishment in ocean drilling.” The honoree must be within 15 years of having earned a Ph.D.
A study on the epidemiology of asthma in children in Philadelphia: The relation of weather and air pollution to peak incidence of asthmatic attacks☆

Abstract A continuing study of the possible correlations between weather patterns, air pollution, and bronchial asthma in a group of asthmatic children was carried out at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. During the 676 days of the study, 1,346 patients were seen. There was an average of 2.5 visits of patients for treatment of acute bronchial asthma in 24 hours, with a standard deviation of less than two. On any day we considered there to be significant increase in asthmatic attacks when 5 or more patients were seen in the Receiving Ward for treatment of asthma. (The number on these days ranged from 5 to 14 per 24 hours.) There were 70 such 24 hour periods. There was a threefold greater incidence of bronchial asthma during days of noteworthy high air pollution. There was a greater incidence of bronchial asthma during days of high barometric pressure over Philadelphia (this was a four-fold increase). There were 117 days during the study when there was a combination of high pressure and an increase in atmospheric pollution. Thirty of the 70 days of increased frequency of asthma (43 per cent) coincided with these days. With these combined conditions, meteorologic factors of stagnant air plus noteworthy days of high air pollution, the asthma incidence was found to rise to nine times the rate found on the control days of cleaner and less stagnant air. Of the 280 days which had neither high barometric pressure nor increased air pollution, there were only 8 days (3 per cent) with an increased frequency of asthma (p was less than 0.001). Occurrence of stable weather conditions with stagnant air over Philadelphia seems to correlate with peak incidences of bronchial asthma. There are indications that the increased air pollution associated with these weather conditions is a causative factor. It is suggested that an asthma index may be derived from meteorologic and air pollution data to help predict such peak incidences.
Decorated dislocations in SI-GaAs as revealed by dark field NIR transmission microscopy

Abstract Using NIR transmission microscopy with dark field illumination and computational image processing, it was possible to reveal decorated dislocations in doped n-type and doped as well as undoped SI GaAs. The NIR analysis is characterized by simplicity and speed; it is non-invasive and amenable to fab-line operation.
U.S. Households With Children Are Exposed to Nonpersistent and Persistent Food Insecurity

The objective of this study was to quantify and describe the extent to which children are exposed to food insecurity across middle childhood in the United States. Specifically, we aimed to longitudinally identify (1) the prevalence of nonpersistent and persistent food insecurity in households with children between kindergarten and eighth grade and (2) possible disparities in the prevalence of nonpersistent and persistent food insecurity in households with children between kindergarten and eighth grade. Data were obtained from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten data set. We found that many households with children in the United States experience nonpersistent and persistent food insecurity and considerable disparities exist between population groups.
Gauging the effectiveness of US identity theft legislation

Purpose – To examine identity theft in the United States and to provide an overview and assessment of recent legislation designed to assist identity theft victims and punish offenders.Design/methodology/approach – Statistics on the prevalence of identity theft are included, as well as details from a fact‐based, fairly typical case of identify theft. An overview of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) and the Identity Theft Penalty Act (ITPEA) are provided, and the provisions of each act are analyzed.Findings – It will take time to determine to what extent the provisions in FACTA and ITPEA will prevent or reduce identity theft. No doubt, in the future, there will amendments to both acts.Research limitations/implications – Future empirical studies could inform all interested parties by examining the impact of the FACTA and ITPEA over a multi‐year time frame. Moreover, cross‐cultural comparisons focusing on the ways in which other nations address identity theft will also shed light on the is...
Age and gender differences in substance screening may underestimate injury severity: a study of 9793 patients at level 1 trauma center from 2006 to 2010

Abstract Background Although the relationship between psychoactive substance use and injury is known, evidence remains conflicting on the impact of substance use on clinical outcomes after injury. We hypothesized that preinjury substance use would negatively impact clinical outcomes. Methods National Trauma Registry American College of Surgeons identified patients (n = 9793) presenting to Duke Hospital from 2006 to 2010. Logistic regression models assessed potential predictors of receiving substance screening, mortality, length of stay, ventilator requirement, intensive care admission, or emergency department disposition. Results Forty-seven percent (4607/9793) of patients received blood alcohol screen (BAS) and 31% (3017/9793) received urine drug screen (UDS). Men were more likely to receive both BASs (P 45 y OLLA (26.8%, 95% CI: 24.5%–29.3%). After controlling for potential confounders neither alcohol, nor tetrahydrocannabinol, nor cocaine was predictive of mortality, ventilator requirement, length of stay, or emergency department disposition, but a higher alcohol level (P = 0.0174) predicted intensive care admission. Conclusions Females and those aged >45 y are less likely to receive BASs and UDSs. Differential screening that is biased may place patients at risk for receiving inadequate care.
Analysis of EHL Circular Contact Shut Down

In this paper, an isothermal study of the shut down process of elastohydrodynamic lubrication under a constant load is performed. The surface mean velocity is decreased linearly from the initial steady state value to zero. The details of the pressure and film thickness distributions in the contact area are discussed for the two stages of shut down process, namely the deceleration stage and the subsequent pure squeeze motion stage with zero entraining velocity. The nature of the balance between the pressure, the wedge and the squeeze terms in Reynolds equation enables an analytical prediction ofthe film thickness change on the symmetry line of the contact in the deceleration period, provided that the steady state central film thickness relationship with velocity is known. The results indicate that for a fixed deceleration rate, if the initial steady state surface mean velocity is large enough, the transient pressure and film thickness distributions in the deceleration period solely depend on the transient velocity. The pressure and film thickness at the end of the deceleration period are then the same and do not depend on the initial steady state velocity. From the same initial steady state velocity, larger deceleration rates provide higher central pressure increase, but also preserve a higher film thickness in the contact area at the end of the deceleration period. Later in the second stage when the axisymmetric pressure and film thickness patterns typical of pure squeeze motion form, the pressure distribution in the contact area resembles a Hertzian contact pressure profile with a higher maximum Hertzian pressure and a smaller Hertzian half contact width. As a result, the film thickness is close to a parabolic distribution in the contact area. The volume of the lubricant trapped in the contact area is then estimated using this parabolic film thickness profile.