cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence of prolonged length of stay after orthotopic liver transplantation and its influence on outcomes.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only effective treatment for end-stage liver disease. Although most patients do well and are discharged promptly, some require prolonged length of stay (PLOS). The prevalence of PLOS, associated factors, and their impact on survival are not well defined. We reviewed our adult OLT database for patients who survived > 30 days. PLOS was defined as hospitalization > 30 days following OLT. Of 521 OLT recipients, 68 (13%) had PLOS with a median duration of 50 days versus only 10 days for patients discharged within 30 days. Significant differences in pre-OLT variables between patients with and without PLOS included the mean wait list time (P = 0.001), hospitalization at the time of OLT (P = 0.001), and prior OLT (P = 0.041). Factors independently associated with PLOS included intensive care unit status at the time of OLT [odds ratio (OR), 4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6-10.4], OLT prior to Model for End-Stage Liver Disease implementation (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.04-5.26), in-hospital post-OLT bacterial infection (OR, 9.34; 95% CI, 4.65-18.86), gastrointestinal bleeding (OR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.4-14.08), renal failure (OR, 10.86; 95% CI, 5.07-23.25), and allograft rejection (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.23-11.11). One-year graft survival and patient survival were significantly less in those with PLOS (for both, P < 0.0001). Among PLOS patients, factors independently associated with increased 1-year mortality were donor age (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.009-1.13), primary diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (OR, 6.89; 95% CI, 1.40-34.48), in-hospital post-OLT bacterial infection (OR, 13.3; 95% CI, 2.11-83.33), and cardiac complications (OR, 20.4; 95% CI, 1.51-250; c-statistic for the model, 0.85). In conclusion, PLOS following OLT is associated with a significant decrease in survival despite a marked increase in cost and resource utilization. Efforts to modify those factors that contribute to PLOS may reduce this event, improve survival, and reduce OLT-associated costs. Liver Transpl 15:273–279, 2009. © 2009 AASLD.
Research on Improving GNSS Level Fitting Accuracy of Multi-Faceted Function

We use various multi-faceted functions to improve fitting accuracy of GNSS level fitting. Propose a method to select kernel function, determine smooth coefficient and a law to choose kernel function node for improving fitting accuracy. We give a formula to calculate smooth coefficient and test it in plain area. The formula has practical significance to improve fitting accuracy and stability of the results.
Headquarters‐foreign subsidiary control relationships: three conceptual frameworks

When a corporation establishes a subsidiary in a foreign country, its managers must decide how much control they need to maintain over the subsidiary′s managers. A headquarters‐foreign subsidiary control relationship (HSR) can be one of centralization or decentralization. The first framework proposes that national culture influences the HSR. The second framework posits that certain situational factors influence the HSR in all countries. The third framework puts forth the idea that either too much centralization or too much decentralization eventually leads to organizational ineffectiveness. Therefore, effective HSRs are those which are balanced. A balanced HSR is attained when headquarters (HQ) managers make decisions based on: an understanding of the cultural and other needs of foreign subsidiary managers; an understanding of the needs of specific organizational situations; and an organizational global vision, core values, and cultural principles which are shared by all subsidiary managers.
POLARIZATION AND ANGULAR CORRELATION IN THE PRODUCTION AND DECAY OF PARTICLES OF SPIN 1/2 AND SPIN 3/2

Some relationships describing the angular correlation and polarization effects in the production and subsequent decay of particles of arbitrary spins are given. They are specialized to the cases of production and decay of particles of spin \textonehalf{} and $\frac{3}{2}$. Expressions for the angular distribution and polarization of the decay products are reduced to tractable forms involving the physical vectors of the problem and a minimal number of parameters describing the production and decay interactions. The information that may be obtained from the analysis of the angular correlations of the decay products is discussed.
Thermomechanical and chemical properties of SiC–C functionally gradient coatings on graphite

Functionally gradient coatings (FGC) represent a new class of composite materials in which the chemical composition and/or structure have been intentionally graded to overcome interfacial discontinuities. When depositing FGCs for applications requiring a homogeneous coating over the entire surface of the material, conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques produce discontinuities that compromise the coating’s integrity. We have developed an innovative cold wall CVD apparatus specifically designed to overcome these problems. The key feature of the design is to employ electromagnetic fields that simultaneously heat and levitate the substrate. This technique has been applied to the fabrication of SiC–C functionally gradient coatings on graphite and C/C composites. By controlling the flow rates of the reactant gases (SiCl4, C3H8, and H2), a gradient coating can be grown to a tailored compositional profile and thickness. Thermomechanical, chemical, and oxidation properties of the SiC–C FGCs are ch...
A preliminary time-of-flight neutron diffraction study on amicyanin from Paracoccus denitrificans.

Crystals of the blue copper protein amicyanin suitable for neutron diffraction were grown by the sitting-drop method, followed by repeated macroseeding using solutions prepared with D{sub 2}O. Although the crystal sizes were the same, crystals grown using solutions made up in H{sub 2}O in the initial stages of macroseeding and solutions with D{sub 2}O in later stages did not diffract neutrons well. However, when the protein was initially exchanged with buffered D{sub 2}O and then crystallized and also macroseeded using solutions made up in D{sub 2}O throughout, the crystals diffracted neutrons to high resolution. One of those crystals was used to collect a data set to a resolution of 1.9 {angstrom}.
Study of heat and mass transfer in pipe flows with non-newtonian fluids

Abstract Experimental results are reported for the mass transfer in pipe flow for an aqueous 4% sodium chloride solution under Newtonian and non-Newtonian conditions. The non-Newtonian runs were carried out with concentrations of 50 and 1000 wppm of Polyox WSR 301. For the non-Newtonian flows there is a significant reduction in the mass transfer.
Restrictions on the zeroes of Lagrange interpolants to analytic functions

We consider restrictions on the zeroes of Lagrange interpolants to analytic functions in bounded convex regions G. First we prove that if all linear interpolants (with distinct nodes in [Gbar]) vanish only in G, and if all quadratic Taylor interpolants to f have both zeroes in [Gbar] then f must be linear. The key to our proof is the fact that compact convex domains in the plane have the fixed point property. Our second result says that if all interpolants with nodes in G have all their zeroes in G, f is either linear or non-continuable past the boundary of G. Our proof relies on Jentsch's Theorem and the Gauss-Lucas Theorem (which depends on the convexity of G). Finally we consider the class TUG of analytic function in G such that every Lagrange interpolant to f is univalent in G. Such functions turn out to be analytic in a region (E (G)), that properly contains G, where E(G) is the envelope of G (defined in Section 3). We also show that there are non-polynomials in TUG by investigating an appropriate Ba...
Analytical Dispersion Force Calculations for Nontraditional Geometries.

Presented in this paper are first-principle-based approximate macroscopic models of the van der Waals adhesion force for a variety of particle shapes interacting with an infinite cylinder. In particular, expressions for the van der Waals adhesion force and interaction energy are developed for a (1) spherical particle/infinite cylinder, (2) disk-like particle/infinite cylinder, (3) disk-like particle oriented edgewise to an infinite cylinder, and (4) a deformed slice/infinite cylinder. The models presented depict expected trends in the behavior of both the force of adhesion and the interaction energy between different geometric configurations. These results are also used to demonstrate the impact of contact time on the adhesion force for cylindrical fibers in contact with a disk-shaped particle. After long time intervals where the disk-like particles have remained in contact with the cylinder, the adhesion force may lead to significant deformation of the attached particle. Hence, the adhesion force for a fourth geometric set which represents the most likely scenario for attached particles with long contact times is developed. As will be shown, this scenario results in the highest values of adhesion force and interaction energy.
Experimental signals for supersymmetric decays of the W and Z boxons

Abstract A model independent analysis of the particle spectrum and the interaction vertices of supergravity GUT models is given. The analysis interpolates between the models which produce SU(2) × U(1) breaking at the tree level and those where SU(2) × U(1) is broken dynamically from renormalization group loop corrections. General relations for wino and zino masses are obtained. The decays of W and Z into photino, wino and zino modes and their branching ratios in various leptonic and hadronic channels are discussed for theories which possess a light photino.
Encountering New Information and Perspectives: Constructing Knowledge in Conference Contexts

Abstract Conference contexts are settings where participants often encounter new, unfamiliar information and perspectives. Conference organizers can benefit from understanding how adult learners interact with new ideas and concepts. This study is based on research conducted within a conference focused on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Data analysis resulted in an emerging model for conference learning. Engagement and Intention to Act constitute two overarching categories that represent two major reactions conference participants reported in response to new information or perspectives. Each broad category includes three to four related reactions to conference content. Leap to New Idea serves as a category that bridges the two major categories. The model has potential to aid conference planners in reaching their goals and objectives related to participant learning.
A theoretical study of the chorismate synthase reaction.

Density functional calculations (B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)) were carried out to investigate the mechanism of the anti-1,4-elimination of phosphate from 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate 1 that is catalyze...
A model for sensorimotor control and learning

A model for motor learning, generalization, and adaptation is presented. It is shown that the equations of motion of a limb can be expressed in a parametric form that facilitates transformation of desired trajectories into plans. These parametric equations are used in conjunction with a quantized multidimensional memory organized by state variables. The memory is supplied with data derived from the analysis of practice movements. A small computer and mechanical arm are used to implement the model and study its properties. Results verify the ability to acquire new movements, adapt to mechanical loads, and generalize between similar movements.
Purification of lanthanides for large neutrino detectors: Thorium removal from gadolinium chloride

Abstract Metal-loaded liquid scintillators are the detectors of choice for various neutrino experiments. Procedures have been developed to transfer metals into organic liquids by solvent extraction or direct dissolution of a metallic compound. Traces of natural radioactivity introduced into the scintillator with the metal may produce undesirable backgrounds. Measurements using a 229Th tracer indicate that the inclusion of a pH-controlled partial hydrolysis and filtration prior to the preparation of a gadolinium-loading compound can reduce thorium by a factor of ∼100. This “self-scavenging” procedure has the advantage that it uses only reagents encountered in the production process. Addition of non-elemental scavengers such as iron, or the use of solvent extraction or ion exchange procedures can be avoided. It also improves the optical transmission in the blue region by removing traces of iron. This purification method has potential applications to the large-scale production of other metal-loaded liquid scintillators and for the removal of traces of thorium in the industrial production of lanthanides.
Current Treatment Options: Impact of Cytogenetics on the Course of Myelodysplasia

The heterogeneity of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has driven the search for unifying biologic and clinical features that would stratify patients into distinct prognostic and therapeutic subgroups. Cytogenetics has been shown to impact the course of myelodysplasia. Despite the presence of non-random cytogenetic abnormalities in approximately 50% of MDS patients, it is significant that only a proportion of metaphases may contain the abnormality. Clonality studies however show that the karyotypically normal metaphases are still part of the MDS clone. This would suggest that the chromosomal abnormality may not be the initiating lesion in MDS, and that the gross karyotypic changes represent clonal evolution in a genetically unstable population. Yet, as will be described below, specific cytogenetic abnormalities are associated with clinically and biologically distinct forms of the disease, most notable in the response of del(5q) patients to lenalidomide. One possible explanation for the appearance of non-random mutational events could relate to the interaction of MDS cells with their microenvironment. Whatever the initiating lesion in the MDS stem cell, the end result is a clonal expansion where the marrow becomes populated by the monoclonal progeny of this cell. Interaction of these cells with a microenvironment which has been shown to be rich in pro-apoptotic cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa), leads to increased genetic instability. Hypoxia mediated decrease in DNA repair enzymes could further accelerate mutational events culminating in accumulation of multiple chromosomal abnormalities. Some of these chromosomal changes are associated with increased sensitivity to specific drugs. Lenalidomide has shown a high degree of efficacy in MDS patients with del(5q), although the target for the drug is unknown since a small but significant subset of MDS patients without del(5q) abnormality also respond to the drug. In contrast, the molecular target for imatinib mesylate is known; mutations in tyrosine kinase receptor family of genes found in patients with t(5;12) and del(4q12) make these individuals sensitive to the drug. Patients with isolated trisomy 8 have an immune component to the disease phenotype which can be targeted by cyclosporine and or anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), especially in the presence of a PNH (paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinurea) clone. In the absence of these specific cytogenetic abnormalities described above, the two FDA approved hypomethylating agents 5 azacytidine and decitabine should be considered as therapeutic alternatives.
Consensus and Federalism in Contemporary African Political Philosophy

(2015). Consensus and Federalism in Contemporary African Political Philosophy. Philosophical Papers: Vol. 44, Facing death, pp. 103-119.
Assessing the quality of regression estimates through a test for signal-to-noise and its application to detecting harmful collinearity

Abstract This paper explores a technique for assessing the quality of least-squares estimates based on the intuitively appealing concept of signal-to-noise. A test for adequate signal-to-noise is developed which complements the usual tests of significance and confidence regions. Under frequently encountered circumstances this test detects data inadequacies causing inflated parameter variances. From this a test for harmful collinearity and/or ‘short data’ is developed and illustrated with an equation from the Michigan Quarterly Econometric Model. Tables of critical values for the test are provided in an appendix.
UNKNOTTING NUMBERS AND MINIMAL KNOT DIAGRAMS

We show there is an infinite number of knots whose unknotting numbers can only be realized through a sequence of crossing changes on a nonminimal projection, if ambient isotopies between crossing changes are not allowed. In this process, the question arises one crossing change at a time is made, always on a minimal projection, in order to obtain the unknotting number of a knot.
The contributions of Carl R. Rogers to a philosophical praxis of dialogue

(1990). The contributions of Carl R. Rogers to a philosophical praxis of dialogue. Western Journal of Speech Communication: Vol. 54, Rhetoric and historiography, pp. 125-147.
Perseverance: The meaning of patient education in psychiatric nursing

This phenomenological study was undertaken to discern the meaning psychiatric nurses attach to their patient education experiences. Although patient education crosses all nursing specialty areas, no studies have attempted to describe how it is unique to psychiatric nursing. Hermeneutic analysis of audiotaped, semistructured, in-depth interviews revealed three themes, The Teaching Way, Being In-Between, and Seeing Inside, which, when taken together, formed one constitutive pattern: perseverance. The results indicate that psychiatric nurses are very much involved in educating their patients and that the process differs from traditional expectations of learning readiness. There is also an apparent need to educate students about the realities of health care settings and how to deal with them. The researcher, herself a psychiatric nurse, came away from this tudy with a renewed respect for nurses' commitment to patient education, for their ability to use themselves as therapeutic tools, and for their ability to practice from within political settings which seldom encourage or reward nurses for patient education. Further studies are needed to explore how nurses deal with the political realities affecting their practices and how they maintain their commitment to patient care under such circumstances.
Influence of size and aggregation on the reactivity of an environmentally and industrially relevant nanomaterial (PbS).

Rarely observed nanoparticle dissolution rate data have been collected and explained for an environmentally and industrially relevant nanomaterial (PbS, the mineral galena) as a function of its particle size and aggregation state using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and solution analysis. Under identical anoxic acidic conditions (pH 3 HCl), it has been determined that the dissolution rate of PbS galena varies by at least 1 order of magnitude simply as a function of particle size, and also due to the aggregation state of the particles (dissolution rates measured are 4.4 × 10−9 mol m−2 s−1 for dispersed 14 nm nanocrystals; 7.7 × 10−10 mol m−2 s−1 for dispersed 3.1 μm microcrystals; and 4.7 × 10−10 mol m−2 s−1 for aggregated 14 nm nanocrystals). The dissolution rate difference between galena microparticles and nanoparticles is due to differences in nanotopography and the crystallographic faces present. Aggregate vs. dispersed dissolution rates are related to transport inhibition in ...
Binge-eating disorder

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is a newly defined eating disorder that has a significant effect on an individual's emotional and physical health and is an important public health problem. It is important for primary care providers to have a better understanding of BED—its signs and symptoms, medical concerns, diagnosis, and treatment. The lifetime prevalence of BED was determined to be 3.5% in women and 2.0% in men. Patients may be of normal weight but most are obese. It may be associated with other psychiatric disorders. It is characterized by binge eating even when not hungry until uncomfortably full, eating alone, and feeling embarrassed about the amount of food eaten. The main treatment modalities include psychotherapy and pharmaceutical agents; although, psychotherapy especially cognitive behavior therapy has been shown to be more beneficial. More studies to determine which modality can produce long-term remission are needed.
A new cytotoxin specific for the target cells of corticotropin-releasing factor

To develop a cytotoxic agent selective for pituitary corticotropes, an analog of CRF, [Nle21,38, Arg36] rat(r) CRF, was conjugated to the plant toxin gelonin using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. In a two-step synthesis, glutaraldehyde was first coupled to the amino-terminal of the CRF analog. This was then reacted with gelonin to form a product, which contained 20 mol [Nle21,38, Arg36]rCRF/mol gelonin, as indicated by amino acid analysis. Efficacy and specificity of the gelonin- [Nle21,38, Arg36]rCRF conjugate were assessed in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells 3 days after a 12-h exposure to the cytotoxic conjugate, CRF, or gelonin. While pretreatment with the cytotoxic gelonin-[Nle21,38, Arg36]rCRF conjugate decreased cellular ACTH content by 74%, pretreatment with appropriate concentrations of CRF had no significant effect on cellular ACTH content. The ACTH secretory response to 2.5 nM CRF was completely eliminated by pretreatment with the gelonin- [Nle21,38, Arg36]rCRF conjugate; in contr...
Survey of Interactions between Middle Ear and Inner Ear

Diseases with interaction between the middle ear and inner ear include 1) congenital anomalies, 2) trauma, 3) infection/inflammation, 4) tumors, 5) granulomas, 6) ototoxic eardrops, 7) cochlear implants, 8) otosclerosis, 9) Meniere's disease-decompensated, and Meniere's disease with perilymphatic fistula, and 10) perilymphatic hypertension. Clinical and pathological characteristics are briefly categorized in this survey. The clinical utility of exploratory tympanotomy in diagnosis and treatment of middle ear pathology and middle ear/inner ear interactions is commented upon.
Pulse Shaping by Triple Differentiation in Nuclear Pulse Amplifiers

Pulse shaping by triple differentiation is described as a technique for reducing the recovery time following heavily overloading signals in nuclear pulse amplifiers. Tests performed on a low-noise pulse amplifier containing triple RC differentiation show recovery to the amplifier noise level in two nonoverloaded pulse widths following a 4,000X pulse amplitude overload. Experimental data is presented to show that the noise level when compared with single RC operation is worse by 1.6X to 3X, depending on the number of low-pass filter sections used in the shaping networks and the type of noise being observed.
Simulations of Metal Oxidation in Lead Bismuth Eutectic at a Mesoscopic Level

The corrosiveness of lead bismuth eutectic (LBE), as an ideal coolant candidate in reactors and accelerator driven systems (ADSs), presents a critical challenge for safe applications. One of the effective ways to protect the materials is to form and maintain a protective oxide film along the structural material surfaces by active oxygen control technology. The oxidation of metals in LBE environment has been investigated numerically at a mesoscopic scale. A novel stochastic cellular automaton (CA) model has been proposed considering the transport of oxygen along the grain boundaries. The proposed mesoscopic CA model has been mapped with the experimental data. A parametric study was conducted in order to check the importance of the main explicit parameters of the mesoscopic model. The boundary condition at the far end of the specimen has been investigated for the CA model. The model has benchmarked with the analytical solution and with the previous work of a pure diffusion process, and significant agreement has been reached. The developed CA model can be used to solve diffusion problem.
Prompting Democratic Transitions From Abroad: International Donors and Multi-Partyism in Tanzania

It is generally accepted that the international donor community influences the politics of recipient states. In particular, donor calls for political liberalization are seen to have had, and continue to have, effects upon democratization in countries dependent upon international economic assistance. Such democratic contingency tied to aid suggests that the continuation of aid flows, and possibly an increase in aid transfer sums, occurs in response to political liberalization. It also implies the threat of decreases in, or even cessation of, foreign aid should the recipient state fail to implement political reform. This research assesses the role that the donor community plays in recipient states’ transition to democracy, focusing on Tanzania as a case study. Tanzania, a major recipient of foreign aid, underwent fundamental political reform in 1992. This study combines analysis of fluctuations in bilateral aid flows to Tanzania with interpretations of the causal role played by donor pressure from the persp...
Dissociation of a product of a surface reaction in the gas phase: XeF2 reaction with Si.

Xenon difluoride interacts with $\mathrm{Si}(100)2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1$ by atom abstraction, whereby a dangling bond abstracts a F atom from ${\mathrm{XeF}}_{2}$, scattering the complementary XeF. Partitioning of the reaction exothermicity produces sufficient XeF rovibrational excitation for dissociation to occur. The resulting F and Xe atoms are shown to arise from dissociation of XeF in the gas phase by demonstrating that the angle-resolved velocity distributions of F, Xe, and XeF conserve momentum, energy, and mass. This experiment documents the first observation of dissociation of a surface reaction product in the gas phase.
Topological Effects in Bridge-Mediated Electron Transfer Between Redox Molecules and Metal Electrodes

Electron-transfer rates between ferrocene and gold were measured for a series of alkanethiolate-based monolayers in which ferrocene groups were linked to gold via bridges that included phenyl rings...
Knee Discomfort in a 38-year-old Man

A 38-year-old, previously healthy, nonsmoking man has been referred to you for evaluation of digital clubbing (Fig 1, 2), which was noted during a routine pre-employment physical examination. He also has an abnormal knee radiograph (Fig 3). His only complaint is aching pain and the feeling of swelling just above his knees for about 6 months. He also volunteers the information that his fingers look no differently now than they did when he was a teenager. Physical examination is normal, except that he appears older than his stated age and has skin changes and clubbing of 10 digits, as shown in the accompanying figures. Which of the following tests will be needed to establish his diagnosis?
1,1′-DIACETYLFERROCENE MONOTOSYLHYDRAZONE AND 1,1′-DIACETYLFERROCENE DITOSYLHYDRAZONE

(1970). 1,1′-DIACETYLFERROCENE MONOTOSYLHYDRAZONE AND 1,1′-DIACETYLFERROCENE DITOSYLHYDRAZONE. Organic Preparations and Procedures: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 167-169.
Single-stage versus multi-stage pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease: Practice trends and outcomes in infants

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate surgical treatments and outcomes in a multi-institutional cohort of neonates with Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Methods Using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) from 1999 to 2009, neonates diagnosed with HD were identified and classified as having a single stage pull-through (SSPT) or multi-stage pull-through (MSPT). Diagnosis and classification algorithms and clinical variables and outcomes were validated by multi-institutional chart review. Groups were compared using logistic regression modeling and propensity-score matched analysis to account for baseline differences between groups. Results 1555 neonates with HD were identified; 77.2% underwent SSPT and 22.8% underwent MSPT. Misclassification of disease or surgical treatment was p =0.03). Compared to SSPT, patients undergoing MSPT had significantly lower birth weights and higher rates of prematurity, non-HD gastrointestinal anomalies, enterocolitis, and preoperative mechanical ventilation. Patients undergoing MSPT had significantly higher rates of readmissions (58.5 vs. 37.9%) and additional operations (38.7 vs. 26%). Results were consistent in the propensity-score matched analysis. Conclusion Most neonates with HD undergo SSPT. In patients with similar observed baseline characteristics, MSPT was associated with worse outcomes suggesting that some infants currently selected to undergo MSPT may have better outcomes with SSPT. However, there remains a subgroup of MSPT patients who were too ill to be adequately compared to SSPT patients; for this subgroup of severely ill infants with HD, MSPT may be the best option.
A Microcomputer-Based Evaluation Subsystem for the Textual Component of an Instructional System

The purpose of this study was to extend the notion of evaluation to determine and improve the reliability and validity of an evaluation instrument. This process was facilitated by a microcomputer testing program designed to collect performance data of both students and the evaluation instrument. The study was conducted in two cycles. In the first cycle, potentially flawed items were identified. These items were then pulled from the test pool and examined by the instructional staff. Thirty-four items out of the 120 test items were flagged as being potentially faulty items. These flagged items fell into five categories: 1) items containing more than one correct answer, 2) items which were incorrectly keyed, 3) items with no correct answers, 4) items with “give-away” answer foils, and 5) items in which no flaws were identified. The faulty items were revised by the instructional staff and reinserted in the test pool. In cycle two of the study, the entire test pool, including the revised items, was readministe...
Suppurative extensor tenosynovitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Suppurative tenosynovitis is a rare infection, occurring almost exclusively in the flexor tendon sheath as a posttraumatic event. We report the case of a systemically ill woman with suppurative tenosynovitis of the extensor tendons caused by Staphylococcus aureus . Early recognition of this unusual infection may prevent unnecessary morbidity.
The Ultrastructure of Zosterodasys agamalievi (Ciliophora: Synhymeniida)

The cell surface of the synhymeniid ciliate, Zosterodasys agamalievi, consists of shallow kinetal grooves separated by low cortical ridges. Numerous electron-opaque bodies are located in the cortical ridges, inside the kinetal grooves, and are distributed in parallel rows between adjacent kineties. Well-developed alveoli are present beneath the cell surface membrane. Zosterodasys agamalievi has a single micronucleus and a homomerous macronucleus. The infraciliature of the somatic monokinetid consists of an anteriorly-directed kinetodesmal fiber, a well-developed divergent postciliary microtubular ribbon, radially-oriented transverse microtubules, and a short striated rootlet, which extends anteriorly from the base of the kinetosome into the cell. Zosterodasys agamalievi has a perioral band of paired cilia, the synhymenium, that winds obliquely across the ventral surface of the body, just posterior to the cytostome. The infraciliature of the anterior kinetosome of the synhymenium consists of two postciliary microtubules; a well-developed, divergent postciliary ribbon of microtubules and a short kinetodesmal fiber are associated with the posterior kinetosome. The cytopharynx is supported by 14-16 nematodesmata which are capped distally by a capitulum. The cytopharynx is bound proximally by a fibrous sheath and is lined by radially-arranged microtubular ribbons. No obvious oral ciliature is present.
STRESS ANALYSIS AND CONTACT PROBLEMS FOR AN ELASTIC QUARTER-PLANE

On applique la technique de Sneddon pour trouver une solution formelle. Cette solution sert pour calculer les champs des contraintes dans le quart plan. On evalue la precision de la methode de Hetengi aupres du coin. Les solutions fondamentales pour des charges ponctuelles sont superposees pour resoudre le probleme du contact. On etudie le contact hors du coin, la contrainte de contact au coin est formulee sous forme close dans le cas d'une indentation rigide
Antimicrobial activity of gatifloxacin tested against 1676 strains of ciprofloxacin-resistant gram-positive cocci isolated from patient infections in North and South America.

Abstract Gatifloxacin (formerly AM-115) is a new 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone with an expanded spectrum against Gram-positive cocci and some anaerobes. To assess this new agent's activity, a collection of 1,676 Gram-positive cocci were selected for resistance to ciprofloxacin (≥4 μg/mL) and tested against gatifloxacin and 18 other compounds by reference broth microdilution methods. The strains (approximately 23,000 total isolates from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program) were from significant blood stream, respiratory tract, wound, and urinary tract infections in patients in North (38 hospitals) and South (10 hospitals) America. Against Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium , gatifloxacin inhibited only 16% and 10% of strains compared with 12% and 5% for recently released trovafloxacin, respectively. Among Staphylococcus aureus (90% oxacillin-resistant) strains, gatifloxacin was more active (67% susceptible at ≤4 μg/mL) than trovafloxacin (59%) or sparfloxacin (4%). Gatifloxacin had a wider spectrum than trovafloxacin against coagulase-negative staphylococci especially S. epidermidis, 2% versus 58% resistance. The glycopeptides, chloramphenicol and rifampin were most active. Against all genus/species groups with more than 100 sample strains (1,566), high-level resistance to gatifloxacin and trovafloxacin (>4 μg/mL) was not significantly different (41.7% versus 39.1%; p > 0.05). Emerging resistance to the fluoroquinolones remains a clinical problem among Gram-positive species, and gatifloxacin seems to be active in vitro against many of these contemporary strains isolated in the Americas.
Computer simulation of a shock-absorbing pneumatic cylinder

Abstract A mathematical simulation model of a double-acting pneumatic cushioning cylinder, designed to absorb periodic shock loads, is presented, which is based on the following assumptions: ideal equation of state, isentropic flow through a port-bleed orifice, isentropic compression process, single degree of freedom piston-cylinder dynamics, and the energy-equivalent linear damping. Because of the non-linear differential equation and a requirement for simultaneous iterative solution, a computer simulation model is employed to predict pressure and motion time histories, and cylinder performance indices. Predictions for both untuned and tuned cylinder example cases are compared with measurements. Good correlations between simulation and experiment are evident even though empirical models for discharge coefficients and damping have been used. The computer simulation has been successful in evaluating a number of products, and thus can be used as a design tool. However, more experimental work must be done to improve its prediction capabilities.
Effect of motion on tracer activity determination in CT attenuation corrected PET images: A lung phantom study

Respiratory motion is known to affect the quantitation of 18FDG uptake in lung lesions. The aim of the study was to investigate the magnitude of errors in tracer activity determination due to motion, and its dependence upon CT attenuation at different phases of the motion cycle. To estimate these errors we have compared maximum activity concentrations determined from PET/CT images of a lung phantom at rest and under simulated respiratory motion. The NEMA 2001 IEC body phantom, containing six hollow spheres with diameters 37, 28, 22, 17, 13, and 10 mm, was used in this study. To mimic lung tissue density, the phantom (excluding spheres) was filled with low density polystyrene beads and water. The phantom spheres were filled with 18FDG solution setting the target-to-background activity concentration ratio at 8:1. PET/CT data were acquired with the phantom at rest, and while it was undergoing periodic motion along the longitudinal axis of the scanner with a range of displacement being 2 cm, and a period of 5 s. The phantom at rest and in motion was scanned using manufacturer provided standard helical/clinical protocol, a helical CT scan followed by a PET emission scan. The moving phantom was also scanned using a 4D-CT protocol that provides volume image sets at different phases of the motion cycle. To estimate the effect of motion on quantitation of activities in six spheres, we have examined the activity concentration data for (a) the stationary phantom, (b) the phantom undergoing simulated respiratory motion, and (c) a moving phantom acquired with PET/4D-CT protocol in which attenuation correction was performed with CT images acquired at different phases of motion cycle. The data for the phantom at rest and in motion acquired with the standard helical/clinical protocol showed that the activity concentration in the spheres can be underestimated by as much as 75%, depending on the sphere diameter. We have also demonstrated that fluctuations in sphere's activity concentration from one PET/CT scan to another acquired with standard helical/clinical protocol can arise as a consequence of spatial mismatch between the sphere's location in PET emission and the CT data.
Perception of coarticulatory cues in the speech of children with profound hearing loss and children with normal hearing.

Two experiments investigated the perception of coarticulatory cues in the speech of children with profound hearing loss and children with normal hearing. To examine anticipatory coarticulation, fiv...
Hair photobooth: geometric and photometric acquisition of real hairstyles

We accurately capture the shape and appearance of a person's hairstyle. We use triangulation and a sweep with planes of light for the geometry. Multiple projectors and cameras address the challenges raised by the reflectance and intricate geometry of hair. We introduce the use of structure tensors to infer the hidden geometry between the hair surface and the scalp. Our triangulation approach affords substantial accuracy improvement and we are able to measure elaborate hair geometry including complex curls and concavities. To reproduce the hair appearance, we capture a six-dimensional reflectance field. We introduce a new reflectance interpolation technique that leverages an analytical reflectance model to alleviate cross-fading artifacts caused by linear methods. Our results closely match the real hairstyles and can be used for animation.
Transient Down-Modulation of CD20 by Rituximab in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Lymphoid cells in most patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), when treated with rituximab, become CD20-. This is thought to be due to masking of CD20 by rituximab. We used specific antimouse immunoglobulin antibodies to detect rituximab on the surface of CLL lymphocytes and we demonstrate that rituximab is rarely detectable after therapy. Only 3 of 65 patients with CLL had rituximab detectable on their lymphocytes after rituximab therapy despite the fact that most had no detectable CD20 expression. In vitro mixing of CLL or Raji cells with rituximab demonstrated that rituximab was detectable on the surface of cells due to its binding to CD20. However, the addition of plasma led to the down-modulation of CD20 expression, and the rituximab became undetectable. This down-modulation of CD20 protein expression was associated with a down-modulation of CD20 mRNA. CLL cells that lost their CD20 expression regained CD20 expression after 24 hours in culture. These data suggest that rituximab therapy leads to a substantial but transient down-modulation of CD20 expression and that negativity for CD20 in cells from patients treated with rituximab is not necessarily due to CD20 masking. The importance of this down-modulation in the efficacy of current therapy with rituximab needs further investigation.
Presidential address: response to the presentation of the presidential plaque.

I WILL always cherish this plaque. It is a focus for my remarks which contain two points I would address especially to young people who now ask me about their careers and their hopes for the future. Candor begets candor, and my reply is usually to tell them parts or all of my experience. The sum of my experience is that there is no linearity about one”s career except for a lucky few and that, except for another lucky few, their well-being as endocrinologists and scientists is related to the basic discontinuity of science. Both ideas come as a bit of a surprise because, not having experienced them, they are not in their consciousness. As for my career, I knew definitely that I wanted to be a scientist after studying chemistry in high school, despite parental pressure to be practical and become a doctor. This might have been my generation gap which I promptly widened by refusing to go to a traditional Ivy League college and instead went to a small Episcopalian preministerial school—St. Stephen”s College—whe...
A Comparison of Web and Mail Survey Response Rates

The Internet (also called the World Wide Web or the Web) is increasingly looked at as a means of surveying the public (Couper 2000). Possible advantages of using the Internet include cost savings associated with eliminating the printing and mailing of survey instruments (Cobanoglu, Warae, and Morec 2001) as well as time and cost savings of having returned survey data already in an electronic format. For special populations that regularly use the Internet, the Web has been found to be a useful means of conducting research (Couper, Traugott, and Lamias 2001; Sills and Song 2002). In some instances, a mixedmode strategy has been suggested as a means for exploiting the advantages of Web surveys and minimizing nonresponse (Dillman 2000; Schaefer and Dillman 1998). To reliably use a mixed-mode strategy (e.g., mail surveys and Web surveys) or to select among alternative survey modes, researchers must understand and demonstrate the equivalency and complementarity, or relative strengths of alternative modes (Dillman 2000). Researchers have used survey response rates as one measure of equivalency. Some studies suggest that in populations with access to the Internet, response rates for e-mail and Web surveys may not match those of other survey methods (Cook, Heath, and Thompson 2000; Couper 2000). Apparent differences in response rates for Web surveys and mail surveys have many causes or explanations. One explanation for these differences in response rates may be the fact that less time and attention have been devoted to developing and testing motivating tools to increase Web survey response, compared to the time spent studying tools employed in mail surveys (e.g., the use of personalization, precontact letters, follow-up postcards, and incentives). The widely followed elements of the “tailored design method” for mail surveys (Dillman
Tetrairidium, a four-atom cluster, is readily visible as a density label in three-dimensional cryo-EM maps of proteins at 10-25 A resolution.

Heavy metal clusters derivatized to bind to designated chemical groups on proteins have great potential as density labels for cryo-electron microscopy. Smaller clusters offer higher resolution and penetrate more easily into sterically restricted sites, but are more difficult to detect. In this context, we have explored the potential of tetrairidium (Ir4 )a s a density label by attaching it via maleimide linkage to the C-terminus of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid protein. Although the clusters are not visible in unprocessed cryo-electron micrographs, they are distinctly visible in three-dimensional density maps calculated from them, even at only partial occupancy. The Ir4 label was clearly visualized in our maps at 11‐14 A resolution of both size variants of the HBV capsid, thus confirming our previous localization of this site with undecagold (Zlotnick, A., Cheng, N., Stahl, S. J., Conway, J. F., Steven, A. C., and Wingfield, P. T., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94, 9556‐9561, 1997). Ir4 penetrated to the interior of intact capsids to label this site on their inner surface, unlike undecagold for which labelling was achieved only with dissociated dimers that were then reassembled into capsids. The Ir4 cluster remained visible as the resolution of the maps was lowered progressively to ,25 A. r 1999 Academic Press
Local hemostatic agents (and techniques).

Historically, control of bleeding in the mouth has been a challenge to oral surgeons who treat patients with acquired, idiopathic and congenital bleeding disorders. This discussion focuses on the local measures currently utilized to control bleeding in the oral cavity. It is the author's contention that the use of adjunctive local measures can make dental surgery safe for patients suffering from platelet dysfunction and from coagulation disorders, and safe as well for those patients with inhibitors to the usual corrective measures for their congenital coagulopathy. Different techniques and agents have different property characteristics, but when judiciously utilized the practitioner can derive tremendous benefit from them for the bleeding patient.
Phase estimation with nonunitary interferometers: Information as a metric

Determining the phase in one arm of a quantum interferometer is discussed taking into account the three nonideal aspects in real experiments: nondeterministic state preparation, nonunitary state evolution due to losses during state propagation, and imperfect state detection. A general expression is written for the probability of a measurement outcome taking into account these three nonideal aspects. As an example of applying the formalism, the classical Fisher information and fidelity (Shannon mutual information between phase and measurements) are computed for few-photon Fock and N00N states input into a lossy Mach-Zehnder interferometer. These three nonideal aspects lead to qualitative differences in phase estimation, such as a decrease in fidelity and Fisher information that depends on the true value of the phase.
Advanced and authenticated marking schemes for IP traceback

Defending against distributed denial-of-service attacks is one of the hardest security problems on the Internet today. One difficulty to thwart these attacks is to trace the source of the attacks because they often use incorrect, or spoofed IP source addresses to disguise the true origin. In this paper, we present two new schemes, the advanced marking scheme and the authenticated marking scheme, which allow the victim to trace-back the approximate origin of spoofed IP packets. Our techniques feature low network and router overhead, and support incremental deployment. In contrast to previous work, our techniques have significantly higher precision (lower false positive rate) and fewer computation overhead for the victim to reconstruct the attack paths under large scale distributed denial-of-service attacks. Furthermore the authenticated marking scheme provides efficient authentication of routers' markings such that even a compromised router cannot forge or tamper markings from other uncompromised routers.
Temporal modulation of x-rays using MEMS micromirrors

Investigations into temporal development of far-from-equilibrium processes can tremendously benefit from ultra-fast x-ray pulses with picosecond time resolution and high pulse repetition rates. Current x-ray modulation techniques fall short of providing solutions for generating such ultra-fast x-rays. However, x-ray modulators based on MEMS micromirrors are promising candidates for this challenge. Design, fabrication and characterization of such a micromirror are presented in this paper. Testing of this micromirror in an x-ray beamline demonstrates its feasibility for generating ultra-fast x-rays.