cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Paradox of Proof: A Semiotic and Language-Based Critique

Our established system of judicial proof is currently displaying the limits of its theory and practice: Academics are identifying paradox in the theory of evidence, there are signs of suboptimal evidence decisions, and the emergence of new social networks and platforms are legitimating a developing theory and practice of adequate proof that is outside our conventionally-defined legal system. This paper interprets judicial proof in semiotic terms and places our Modern-based legal system within a sequence of phases of social development the evolution of which, it is claimed, is marked by the emergence of disruptive language systems. The paper proposes a model premised on the theory that our current system of judicial proof is an expression of a Modern, socially-dominant, text-based language system, offering that current digital-based, disruptive changes to this system should reconfigure our conceptions and practice of proof. The model provides the framework for understanding the growing paradox and limitation in our current system, for rethinking the process of proof in trials, and for expanding our concepts of law and proof. The paper further suggests that contemporary society is experiencing the limits of our current, Modern-based system of judicial proof. The model attempts to advance understanding in response, by positioning this experience within an emerging Post-Modern system that presages profound changes in the identity, institutions and legitimation of proof.
The translation that keeps pace with the times and foreign language education

Translation and foreign language teaching have always been inseparable. Without translation, there is no educational materials source; without education, there is no continuation of translation. In the following content, the following article will try to analyze the relationship between translation and foreign language education, the development status, and the training of translation professionals in China from the perspective of the relationship between translation and foreign language teaching and the current situation.
Best practices for conducting and writing mixed methods research in social pharmacy

Abstract Mixed method approaches are increasingly being used in social pharmacy research due to its potential to uncover insights that are not possible with separate quantitative and qualitative studies. Despite their increasing use, there are some limitations in these publications. Typically, specific mixed method designs are not chosen, quantitative and qualitative data are not systematically integrated, and the credibility or validity of the approach is not addressed. In this paper, we discuss mixed method designs and their applications in social pharmacy. Different integration techniques and legitimation types are detailed. We describe new methodological developments and provide examples from recent mixed method studies in social pharmacy. Finally, we also provide recommendations for planning, conducting, reporting, and evaluating mixed method studies. We suggest that researchers interested in conducting mixed method studies follow recommended guidelines and obtain training in mixed methods to ensure that rigorous mixed method studies are conducted in social and administrative pharmacy.
Parental concerns of children with ASD by age: A qualitative analysis

Abstract Background Eliciting parents’ concerns about their children is an important initial step in the ASD diagnostic process. This information is often collected through forced-choice questionnaires utilizing professional terminology and may limit the potential concerns that can be reported. Parent concern studies to date have largely used deductive qualitative methods with only one age group of children. Inductive qualitative studies are needed to examine parental concerns of children with ASD across age groups with one coding scheme. Method We used an inductive qualitative analysis process to analyze concerns reported by parents of children ages 1–11 years on intake forms (n = 455) at an urban outpatient ASD specialty clinic. Analyses were based on three age groups (toddler, preschooler, middle childhood). Results Using conventional content analysis, 12 categories of concerns emerged from parents’ responses: communication, social, behavioral/emotional, cognition, life skills, atypical behaviors, sensory, academic, health, seeking diagnostic clarity or resources, developmental, and motor skills. We found that parents reported the same concerns about their children across age groups in six of the 12 categories. The biggest difference in reported concerns across age groups was that parents of children in the preschooler and middle childhood groups reported a greater number of concerns related to mental health than parents of toddlers. Conclusion Our analysis yields specific information about similarities and differences in parents’ concerns depending on their child’s age. Ensuring that ASD evaluations are tailored to children’s unique needs has implications for timely diagnosis and access to care.
Change in Invasively Measured Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure After Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Is Associated With Heart Failure Readmission.

Background: Pre-existing pulmonary hypertension is associated with poor outcomes after transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) for mitral regurgitation (MR). However, the impact of an immediate change in mean pulmonary artery pressure (delta mPAP) following TMVr on outcomes is unknown. Methods: Patients who underwent TMVr from December 2015 to February 18, 2020 at our institution for symptomatic 3-4+ MR and who had invasive hemodynamics measured immediately pre- and post-TMVR were included. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to examine the association of delta mPAP (post-TMVr - pre-TMVr mPAP) with the primary endpoint of heart failure (HF) readmission at 1 year. Secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality and the composite endpoint of HF readmission or all-cause mortality at 1 year. Results: Among 55 patients, 55% were men, mean age was 72 ± 14.2 years, and mean delta mPAP was -1.4 ± 8.2 mm Hg. Overall, HF readmission occurred in 14 (25%), death in 10 (18%), and the composite endpoint in 20 (36%) patients. In multivariable analyses, higher delta mPAP was significantly associated with HF readmission (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00 - 1.21; P = 0.04). delta mPAP was not associated with death (HR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.96 - 1.14; P = 0.33), though there was a numerical but statistically non-significant trend towards the composite endpoint (HR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.00 - 1.13; P = 0.06) driven by HF readmission. Conclusion: Higher delta mPAP immediately following TMVr was associated with increased HF readmission at 1 year. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate these data and further explore the utility of delta mPAP as a novel hemodynamic parameter to predict post-TMVR outcomes. Cardiol Res. 2021;12(5):302-308 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/cr1284
How Influential are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Youths?: Analyzing the Immediate and Lagged Effect of ACEs on Deviant Behaviors

Although the effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on antisocial behaviors is well established in the literature, limited research, if any, has analyzed the effect that ACEs have on behaviors at two different times. Limited research also has analyzed the effect that specific ACEs have on deviant behaviors after statistically controlling for respondents’ protective factors. This study expands the literature in this area by analyzing in a sample of 555 adolescents the immediate and lagged effect that individual ACEs, and exposure to a number of ACEs, have on three deviant behaviors after controlling for respondents’ protective factors not previously examined in ACEs studies. Results obtained from multivariate logistic regression models revealed that stealing things was predicted by being hit hard, being sexually molested, and having lived with a depressed or suicidal individual; and receiving threats over the internet predicted physical fights. Only being hit hard and living with an alcoholic had a lagged effect on smoking marijuana. Results also showed that the protective factors of school connection, anger management skills, and parental supervision reduced the effect of ACEs on the behaviors analyzed. Research, theory, and policy implications are discussed.
SU-F-207-06: CT-Based Assessment of Tumor Volume in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Purpose: To determine the potential utility of computed tomography (CT) scans in the assessment of physical tumor bulk in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma were used for this study. A CT scan was acquired for each patient prior to surgical resection of the tumor (median time between scan and surgery: 27 days). After surgery, the ex-vivo tumor volume was measured by a pathologist using a water displacement method. Separately, a radiologist identified and outlined the tumor boundary on each CT section that demonstrated tumor. These outlines then were analyzed to determine the total volume of disease present, the number of sections with outlines, and the mean volume of disease per outlined section. Subsets of the initial patient cohort were defined based on these parameters, i.e. cases with at least 30 sections of disease with a mean disease volume of at least 3mL per section. For each subset, the R- squared correlation between CT-based tumor volume and physical ex-vivo tumor volume was calculated. Results: The full cohort of 28 patients yielded a modest correlation between CT-based tumor volume and the ex-vivo tumor volume with an R-squared value of 0.66. In general, as the mean tumor volume per section increased, the correlation of CT-based volume with the physical tumor volume improved substantially. For example, when cases with at least 40 CT sections presenting a mean of at least 2mL of disease per section were evaluated (n=20) the R-squared correlation increased to 0.79. Conclusion: While image-based volumetry for mesothelioma may not generally capture physical tumor volume as accurately as one might expect, there exists a set of conditions in which CT-based volume is highly correlated with the physical tumor volume. SGA receives royalties and licensing fees through the University of Chicago for computer-aided diagnosis technology.
Chemical isolation and characterization of different cellulose nanofibers from cotton stalks

Recently, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) have received wide attention in green nanomaterial technologies. Production of CNFs from agricultural residues has many economic and environmental advantages. In this study, four different CNFs were prepared from cotton stalks by different chemical treatments followed by ultrasonication. CNFs were prepared from untreated bleached pulp, sulfuric acid hydrolysis, and TEMPO [(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl) oxy radical]-mediated oxidation process. Physical and chemical properties of the prepared CNFs such as morphological (FE-SEM, AFM), structural (FTIR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were investigated. Characterization results clearly showed that the method of preparation results in a significant difference in the structure, thermal stability, shape and dimensions of the produced CNFs. TEMPO-mediated oxidation produced brighter and higher yields (>90%) of CNFs compared to other methods. FE-SEM and AFM analysis clearly indicated that, TEMPO-mediated oxidation produced uniform nano-sized fibers with a very small diameter (3-15 nm width) and very small length (10-100 nm). This was the first time uniform and very small nanofibers were produced.
A bidding mechanism for Web-based agents involved in information classification

The impact of the World Wide Web on providing an easy information access is clearly evident in all aspects of today’s life. As attractive as the information availability is, due to its sheer volume, it creates an information-overload on users. Agent-based collaborative filtering is a technique used to effectively counter this burden. For agents to collaborate successfully, and maintain an overall progress of the entire interconnected environment, a governing mechanism is necessary. In this article, we present an economic framework based on a bidding mechanism for agents to communicate and negotiate with each other, thereby achieving collaborative information classification. D-SIFTER, a system developed using this economic framework, is described along with various experiments and their results.
Hammond Cards, Inc: The Creative Acquisition

This case is designed to show the interconnection between operations management, markets and strategic cost management. The central integration point in this case is the relationship between the selection of an operations/production strategy and its impact on profitability. The case deals with the proposed acquisition of Creative Designs by Hammond Cards. The two companies have different manufacturing operations and different customer profiles. Hammond produces simple and standard-sized greeting cards that are packaged in sets of 20 cards to a package. Hammond's business model is low margin high volume. In contrast, Creative Designs specializes in so-called studio cards. These are high-end greeting cards sold individually at retail. Creative's production operations are optimized for high margin-moderate volume production. Since the two production operations have essentially the same production steps, Hammond is hoping to exploit the synergy by sharing the peak demand across the two plants and to transfer best practices between plants. It also hopes to exploit the different distribution channels and customer segments that Creative will bring and thus smooth out seasonal demand fluctuations and allow efficient management of inventory. The students are asked to take the role of consulting team hired by the CEO of Hammond to make certain that the expected benefits from the merger will be forthcoming. The case requires students to evaluate the operations of both Hammond and Creative. By analyzing cycle time, demand fluctuations, capacity bottlenecks, and quality management they are expected to form a judgment about the potential benefits from the merger. It turns out that though the plan to offload excess demand from Hammond to Creative is a good idea, it needs several modifications to be effectively implemented. To test the profit impact of the joint operations, the strategic cost analysis uses a new order from a customer as a test case to determine which of the two plants is best suited to produce the cards and which customer is the most profitable for this particular design. The answers are counter intuitive. Even though the Hammond plant is cheaper for production and the Creative customer less expensive to serve, the high prices commanded by Creative customers means selling to them regardless of the production site. The case has both separable discipline specific as well as integrative learning objectives that include understanding the need for a balance between operational efficiencies, cost efficiencies, and customer service costs in increasing profitability.
Generic programming using STL

The course content and methodology of a senior-level, computer science software engineering course is described and analyzed with respect to general education goals. The general education model in use is briefly described and the potential application of software engineering in that model is explored in detail. With only minor revisions, the course may be used simultaneously as a writing intensive, oral communication intensive and critical thinking intensive course simultaneously.
Observations from 1982 of facular limb darkening and excess solar oblateness

Observations of facular regions on 35 days during 1982 obtained with the Extreme Limb Photometer are reported. The data were obtained at a wavelength of 0.53 microns with two apertures, No. 1 covering 36 arcsec and No. 2 covering 11 arcsec, inwards from the limb. The mean contrast of the faculae closer to the limb (aperture 2) is 1.51 + or - 0.23 times that from aperture No. 1. This contrast ratio can be fit to a 1/ms curve. These results are consistent with those from 1975 and 1979 observations and may be consistent with the facular limb-darkening function determined by Libbrecht and Kuhn (1984, 1985) if the data are normalized by the area of the solar surface. However, no calibrations or corrections are required to obtain the mean facular contrast presented here.
Modeling of Commuter Category Aircraft Seats Under Crash Loading

This paper describes the development of a non-linear finite element model of a commuter category aircraft seat designed to explore the issue of energy absorption in severe, but survivable, crashes. Using a reference seat, the paper presents a description of the model and the results of finite element modeling of the seat at increasingly severe impact velocities. The paper presents the results of a parallel experimental program, conducted to validate the model, in which instrumented crash dummies were drop tested in the reference seat at the same impact velocities as the simulation. Experimental results are reported for passenger lower lumbar loading, peak pelvic acceleration, and seat structural loading.
South American Climate Variability and Change: Remote and Regional Forcing Processes

Physical processes that lead to variations in South American climate are discussed. Basic features of the present day South American climatology are presented from modern observations, including a survey of the most prominent circulation and precipitation features and a decomposition of the continental-scale moisture balance, to provide a foundation for considering variability. Our current understanding of regional and remote forcing of South American climate and its variability, with references to Holocene and LGM climate, are reviewed with reference to how the South American monsoon and other features of today’s climate operate. The purpose is to support the interpretation of the geological proxy data and a process-based understanding of the paleoclimate record of Holocene and LGM climate variations of the South American climate.
Object-oriented software: theory, practice, and implementation

There are several themes underlying the object-oriented paradigm. Although these themes are not unique to object-oriented technology, they are particularly well supported in object oriented systems. The paper discusses some of these themes, including: abstraction, encapsulation, combining data and behavior, data and behavior sharing, emphasis on object structure rather than procedure structure, and software synergy.
Inhibition of transient outward current by intracellular ion substitution unmasks slow inward calcium current in cardiac Purkinje fibers.

The ionophore nystatin was used to replace intracellular K+ with Cs+ in calf Purkinje fibers. Such replacement inhibited the transient outward current, and unmasked a large slow inward current (Isi). These results support the involvement of K+ as a charge carrier of the transient outward current, and suggest a method for better analysis of Isi.
Phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic study of bisantrene in refractory pediatric solid tumors.

Fourteen patients with pediatric malignant solid tumors, median age 15 years, received 22 courses of bisantrene in a Phase I study. Dosage escalations ranged from 10 to 120 mg/m2 daily for 5 consecutive days. Toxicity included myelosuppression and phlebitis. A sensitive (detection limit of 2 ng/ml) and specific HPLC method was developed to quantitate bisantrene in patient's plasma and urine. Peak plasma concentrations at the end of 60 minute infusions ranged from 568 ng/ml at 10 mg/m2 to 6800 ng/ml at the 100 mg/m2 dosage. The elimination half life (T 1/2β) averaged about 10 hours but increased to 20 hours in a patient with liver disease. Only 2.4–10% of the bisantrene dose was eliminated in the urine suggesting that the liver may be the major route of elimination for this antineoplastic anthracene derivative.
Distributive Politics and the Persistence of Amtrak

Since its inception, Amtrak has required large federal operating and capital subsidies yet has maintained strong congressional support even in periods of record federal deficits. The benefits of Amtrak services accrue primarily to passengers and labor along its routes, and hence, like a pork-barrel program, Amtrak provides particularistic benefits at the expense of taxpayers. Based on the hypothesis that the politics of Amtrak are largely distributive, this paper investigates congressional action in 1979 that would eliminate or preserve Amtrak routes and hence the distribution of benefits and the corresponding subsidy. The theory is tested using six roll-call votes some of which pertained to specific routes and others of which pertained to Amtrak as a whole. The estimates for those votes that pertain to specific routes indicate that members of Congress from those districts affected voted in favor of preserving train service. For those votes that pertain to Amtrak as a whole, the data on the distributive c...
Oncology nursing: Five decades of growth

Oncology nursing has evolved as a specialty over the past five decades. The focus of this article is the evolution of oncology nursing discussed within the context of historical changes in the definition of nursing, regulation of the profession, and educational preparation. The specialty has had an orderly progression from on-the-job training to continuing education to academic preparation. The practical and progressive ways in which the professional organizations, oncology nurse educators, and oncology nurse researchers have responded to the needs of cancer patients and families are discussed. Oncology specialty organizations now have a combined membership of approximately 15,000, which attests to the viability of the specialty.
High-yield synthesis of milligram amounts of isotopically enriched methylmercury (CH3198HgCl)

Isotopically enriched CH3198HgCl (MeHgCl) has been synthesized from commercially available elemental 198Hg (96% isotopic purity). Elemental mercury is first converted to HgCl2 and subsequently reacted with methylcobalamin to produce MeHgCl. The resulting MeHgCl is isolated from the reaction mixture by successive extractions with toluene and dried over Na2SO4. The product structure was verified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and the isotopic composition was determined by GC–inductively coupled plasma MS. The yield obtained is 99%. The proposed method allows preparation of milligram quantities of MeHgCl in one step, minimizing the cost of this synthesis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theory and Use of Centrifugal Partition Chromatography

Abstract Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) is a variant of countercurrent chromatography (CCC). As in CCC, two immiscible liquids are used. The first liquid is the stationary phase, the second is the mobile phase. The liquid stationary phase is held in channels engraved in seveal polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) plates. One hundred channels are engraved on each PCTFE plate. Four PCTFE plates are assembled together in a cartridge. Up to 12 cartridges (4800 channels) can be loaded in the rotor of a centrifuge. The centrifugal field, generated by the spinning rotor, holds the stationary phase sufficiently that a mobile phase can be pumped through in (Figure 1). The system is analyzed in detail.
Direct evidence of the mechanism for the electro-oxidation of urea on Ni(OH)2 catalyst in alkaline medium

Abstract The electrochemical oxidation mechanism of urea on a Ni(OH)2 catalyst in alkaline medium was investigated using in situ surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that the urea oxidation follows a catalyst regeneration mechanism. In the proposed mechanism, Ni(OH)2 is electrochemically oxidized to NiOOH that mediates the urea oxidation reaction. During the urea oxidation process, the catalytically active NiOOH is chemically reduced to the inactive Ni(OH)2 by urea, concurrently, urea is chemically oxidized to its products. The inactive Ni(OH)2 is electrochemically oxidized to NiOOH due to the prevailing high oxidation potential thus regenerating the catalyst for further oxidation of urea molecules.
Inclusion of albumin as a target in therapy guidelines: guidelines for chronic kidney disease.

Inclusion of albumin as a target in therapy guidelines: Guidelines for chronic kidney disease. Slowing the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as a fundamental management goal has been greatly assisted by the development of clinical practice guidelines under the aegis of the National Kidney Foundation, through the K/DOQI process. Reductions in urinary protein and albumin excretion play important roles in these treatment strategies, with numerous studies describing short- and long-term successes in these endeavors. These approaches may also reduce the risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality, and of developing new onset diabetes mellitus. With enhanced sensitivity assays for urinary albumin, and the near-term availability of point-of-service testing, we will have the opportunity to address reduction of urinary albumin excretion as a defined goal and critical element in management of CKD. Carefully conducted clinical trials are needed to establish the utility of these assays, and to define optimal strategies for reducing urinary albumin excretion. With the successful outcomes of these studies, the reduction of urinary albumin excretion will receive its due emphasis in the management of patients with CKD.
Library and information literacy instruction in Israeli colleges and universities: A preliminary survey

Library instruction is universal in post-secondary educational institutions in Israel. Information literacy instruction is in its infancy. Israeli students experience significant difficulties in using English language resources.
Atomic-scale properties of low-index ZnO surfaces

Abstract Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an important material in heterogeneous catalysis and has recently attracted interest as a wide band-gap semiconductor for electro-optical devices. The surfaces and interfaces of ZnO are critical for understanding the mechanistics of surface chemical reactions and for the fabrication of high quality hetero- and homoepitaxial films with long-term stability. The surfaces of the main low-index planes, i.e., surfaces with (0 0 0 1), (0 0 0 1 ), (1 0 1 0), (1 1 2 0) and (1 1 2 1) orientations are characterized with high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy and compared to first-principles total-energy calculations.
Beliefs about Dietary Factors in Breast Cancer Prevention among American Women, 1991 to 1995

Abstract Objective. To estimate the percentage of American women in various demographic groups who believe or have heard that dietary factors have a role in breast cancer prevention and to assess changes between 1991 and 1995. Methods. Telephone surveys were conducted of random samples of 509 women in 1991 and 510 women in 1995. Subjects were asked questions with increasing prompting to gauge their beliefs about the role of dietary factors in breast cancer prevention. Results. The percentages of women citing dietary factors (reducing intake of fat or meat or increasing intake of vegetables, fruit, fiber, or vegetarian meals) as reducing the risk of developing breast cancer were 20% in 1991 and 23% in 1995. These numbers were lower among young, poor, and less educated women. When specifically prompted to consider dietary steps, the number citing such factors increased to 37% in 1991 and to 52% in 1995. Conclusion. The belief that there is a role for dietary factors in breast cancer is far from universal among American women, although some measures of the awareness of dietary factors increased significantly between 1991 and 1995. Women are more likely to cite mammography and breast self-examination as preventive steps, even though both are designed for detection rather than prevention. Additional efforts are needed to provide information on cancer prevention, particularly to young, poor, and less educated women, and to clarify the role of prevention as distinct from cancer detection.
Swine Manure-Based Pilot-Scale Algal Biomass Production System for Fuel Production and Wastewater Treatment—a Case Study

Integration of wastewater treatment with algae cultivation is one of the promising ways to achieve an economically viable and environmentally sustainable algal biofuel production on a commercial scale. This study focused on pilot-scale algal biomass production system development, cultivation process optimization, and integration with swine manure wastewater treatment. The areal algal biomass productivity for the cultivation system that we developed ranged from 8.08 to 14.59 and 19.15–23.19 g/m2 × day, based on ash-free dry weight and total suspended solid (TSS), respectively, which were higher than or comparable with those in literature. The harvested algal biomass had lipid content about 1.77–3.55 %, which was relatively low, but could be converted to bio-oil via fast microwave-assisted pyrolysis system developed in our lab. The lipids in the harvested algal biomass had a significantly higher percentage of total unsaturated fatty acids than those grown in lab conditions, which may be attributed to the observed temperature and light fluctuations. The nutrient removal rate was highly correlated to the biomass productivity. The NH3-N, TN, COD, and PO4-P reduction rates for the north-located photo-bioreactor (PBR-N) in July were 2.65, 3.19, 7.21, and 0.067 g/m2 × day, respectively, which were higher than those in other studies. The cultivation system had advantages of high mixotrophic growth rate, low operating cost, as well as reduced land footprint due to the stacked-tray bioreactor design used in the study.
22-year-old man with abdominal pain and rash.

ileum. Ninety percent of patients suffering from Crohn's disease have terminal ileal disease.' Likewise, 90% of pa­ tients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis have involvement on either side of the ileocecal valve. The site of bowel involve­ ment and the ethnic origin of the patient justify consideration of tuberculosis. PAN, a vasculitis of medium-sized vessels, may affect the gastrointestinal tract, but selective involve­ ment of the terminal ileum would be highly atypical. There­ fore, PAN would be least likely in our patient. Behcet's disease, when it involves the gastrointestinal tract, most frequently affects the ileocecal region and may be strikingly similar to Crohn's disease.' Hence, it remains a consider­ ation in our patient. Y. enterocolitica infection can manifest with selective involvement of the terminal ileum and proxi­ mal colon, may resemble acute appendicitis clinically, and is most common in children. Because of the unusual initial manifestation of illness in our patient, however, yersiniosis should be considered. Five days later, approximately 2 weeks postoperatively, the patient experienced diffuse body aches followed closely by recurrence of abdominal pain (similar to the earlier epi­ sode) and was readmitted to the local hospital. Assessment included reperformance of esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which revealed diffuse hemorrhagic gastritis. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showed edema of the cecum and ascending colon. A petechial rash that involved the distal extremities, especially the dorsum of the wrist, developed at the end of 3 weeks of illness, At this point, he was transferred to our institution. The past medical history was remarkable for the presence of occasional hematochezia related to internal hemorrhoids. The patient denied having a family history of inflammatory bowel disease. He had not been taking any medication before the onset of the illness. Since the onset of the current illness, he had received ranitidine, metoclopramide hydro­ chloride, prochlorperazine, hydroxyzine, vitamin K, hep­ arin, acetaminophen, meperidine hydrochloride, mesal­ amine, and cefoxitin. Use of both mesalamine and cefoxitin had been discontinued at the time of his transfer to our institution. Physical examination was remarkable for the presence of a petechial rash on the flexor and extensor surfaces of the distal third of the lower extremities and the forearm, with more prominent involvement of the flexor surface. The
Restricting the Conformational Heterogeneity of RNA by Specific Incorporation of 8-Bromoguanosine

In an effort to reduce the conformational heterogeneity of RNA, the modified nucleobase 8-bromoguanosine (8BrG) was introduced into oligonucleotides having the hairpin tetraloop motif YNMG (Y = U or C and M = C or A). Purine nucleobases with bromine at position eight are known to preferentially adopt the syn conformation as nucleosides. The hairpin tetraloop motif YNMG was chosen as a model system because it has a syn guanosine at position four of the loop that is essential for thermodynamic stability. Thermodynamic and structural characterization of modified oligonucleotides with the hairpin sequences UUCG, CGCG, and CGAG by UV-melting and NMR spectroscopy revealed that 8BrG substitution has a small effect upon the hairpin conformation, while the duplex conformation is strongly destabilized (ΔΔG°37 ≈ +4.7 kcal mol-1), thus inhibiting dimerization. These results support a model in which 8BrG substitution shifts the hairpin−duplex equilibrium constant toward the hairpin conformation by destabilizing the du...
Constant strain rate testing of a G10 laminate composite through optimized Kolsky bar pulse shaping techniques

Pulse-shaping techniques have been used for many years now in Kolsky bar testing of brittle materials. The use of pulse shapers allow the experimentalist to conduct high strain rate tests on brittl...
Anterior cervical arthrodesis using an osteoconductive scaffold: The use of beta-tricalcium phosphate with local bone marrow aspirate in over 100 patients

One-hundred and twenty-three consecutive low-risk patients undergoing anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion at 1, 2, or 3 levels, for either myelopathy or radiculopathy, were treated by a single surgeon using a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) spacer containing an osteoconductive putty consisting of a
Race, parental history of hypertension, and patterns of cardiovascular reactivity in women.

This study examined the interaction of race and parental history of hypertension on patterns of cardiovascular responses among women. Two stressors were used that produce different patterns of cardiovascular reactivity: mental arithmetic, primarily a beta-adrenergic stimulus, and the cold face stimulus, which evokes alpha-adrenergic (i.e. vascular) activity. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, forearm blood flow, and forearm vascular resistance were assessed before, during, and after arithmetic and cold face stimulus. Both tasks produced the expected patterns of cardiovascular adjustment, although no Black-White differences occurred during arithmetic. However, Black subjects did show a slower recovery of diastolic blood pressure following arithmetic. The cold face stimulus produced significantly greater changes in systolic blood pressure in the Black than in the White women. Parental history of hypertension did not relate significantly to reactivity. The results provide limited support for the idea that Black females exhibit a greater pressor response than White females to a stimulus that produces primarily vascular rather than cardiac changes. These findings are discussed in relation to previous findings with males and with respect to their implications for the role of reactivity in Black-White differences in hypertension prevalence.
The Application of a New Tank Containment System to ULTRA-Large LNG Carriers

The maximum size of LNG Carriers on order has doubled in the past few years. These ULTRA-large LNG Carriers introduce a number of unique problems because of their size, such as liquid sloshing and the requirement that they must stay within the current draft restriction of 12.2 m even as their deadweight doubles. This means that their length, beam and/or block coefficient must be increased more than for ships without draft restrictions. It also suggests that because of the draft restriction there may be a practical size limit for LNG Carriers. This also impacts efficient propulsion, building, and operating costs. Another somewhat lesser problem is the significant increase in the above water profile area. The paper examines the size problem and reports on the benefits of the Cubic Doughnut tank containment system on the supporting ship design. The new tank containment system is described for its specific advantages for large capacity LNG Carriers, but it is noted that these benefits also apply to existing size LNG Carriers, LPG Carriers, and Floating LNG/Oil and LNG Production and Storage Offshore Units.
Alterations in sodium and potassium in red blood cells and plasma during the malaria infection (Plasmodium lophurae).

Abstract 1. 1. During the course of infection of Plasmodium lophurae (avian malaria) in white Pekin ducklings the red blood cell sodium concentration was significantly elevated in parasitized animals (14·0±1·32 mM; mean ± S.E.M.) as compared to normal animals (8·8 ± 0·72 mM); the plasma potassium level was also significantly increased in malarious ducklings (5·4 ± 0·29 mM) when compared to normal ducklings (2·9 ± 0·18 mM). 2. 2. Cation concentrations of P. lophurae more closely resembled those of the duck erythrocyte than of duck plasma.
Use of a Rate‐Limited Ultrafiltration Circuit with Centrifugal Ventricular Assist

: Renal insufficiency and pulmonary edema are frequently observed in patients who require centrifugal ventricular assist for postcardiotomy ventricular failure. We describe a technique of using a rate-limited ultrafiltration device in parallel with the assist device circuit to remove excess intravascular volume.
Normal frontal lobe gray matter-white matter CT volume ratio in children

We attempted to establish a computed tomographic value representing the normal volume ratio of gray matter to white matter (G/W) in children in order to have a baseline for studying various developmental disorders such as white matter hypoplasia. The records of 150 children 16 years of age or younger who had normal cranial computed tomography were reviewed. From these a group of 119 were excluded for various reasons. The remaining 31 were presumed to have normal brains. Using the region of interest function for tracing gray and white matter boundaries, superior and ventral to the foramen of Munro area, measurements were determined for consecutive adjacent frontal slices.Volumes were then calculated for both gray and white matter. A volume ratio of 2.010 (σ=0.349), G/W, was then derived from each of 31 children. The clinical value of this ratio will be determined by future investigation.
Possible use of a narrow-field star tracker on the New Millennium SSI mission

A separated spacecraft interferometer (SSI) demonstration mission with three spacecraft has been proposed for flight under the NASA New Millennium Technology Development Program. Both the rotation rate of the interferometer about the normal to the plane containing the three spacecraft and the orientation in the plane must be determined accurately in order to permit the detection of white light fringes from sources that have visual magnitudes as high as possible. It presently is planned to use signals from tracking the science object plus other auxiliary information to determine the interferometer rotation rate dθ/dt and the angular position θ . We have investigated a possible supplementary approach that makes use of a combined beacon tracker and narrow-field star tracker on one of the two collector spacecraft. A very small beacon mounted on the other collector spacecraft can be viewed with respect to a reference star nearly 180 degrees away to determine dθ/dt and θ for the interferometer. Beacon/star tracker observations over roughly an hour appear sufficient to determine the sweep rate for starlight fringes in the interferometer to adequate accuracy and to detect the fringes.
Global snow cover monitoring with spaceborne K/sub u/-band scatterometer

This paper presents a study to demonstrate the potential of a spaceborne K/sub u/-band scatterometer to monitor global snow cover. Global Ku-band data were acquired by the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT) operated on the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS) from September 1996 to June 1997. NSCAT backscatter patterns aver the northern hemisphere reveals boundaries between different snow classes, defined by the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hanover, NH, snow classification system at different times of the snow season. They show the evolution of the backscatter signature throughout the entire seasonal snow cycle. Within the snow extent determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Washington, DC, and Climate Prediction Center (CPC), operational snow product, Ku-band backscatter data expose detailed features and rapid changes as observed in in-situ snow depth data from surface weather stations in U.S., Canada, and Russia. Sensitivity of Ku-band backscatter to snow conditions is illustrated with the dramatic change over the U.S. northern plains and the Canadian prairie region corresponding to the snow event leading to the 1997 Flood of the Century. They discuss snow field experiments and data analysis plan to understand snow scattering mechanisms, to interpret snow backscatter, and to derive its relationship with snow physical parameters.
Use of high-field intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging to enhance the extent of resection of enhancing and nonenhancing gliomas.

BACKGROUND Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (IoMRI) is used to improve the extent of resection of brain tumors. Most previous studies evaluating the utility of IoMRI have focused on enhancing tumors. OBJECTIVE To report our experience with the use of high-field IoMRI (1.5 T) for both enhancing and nonenhancing gliomas. METHODS An institutional review board-approved retrospective review was performed of 102 consecutive glioma patients (104 surgeries, 2010-2012). Pre-, intra-, and postoperative tumor volumes were assessed. Analysis was performed with the use of volumetric T2 images in 43 nonenhancing and 13 minimally enhancing tumors and with postcontrast volumetric magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo images in 48 enhancing tumors. RESULTS In 58 cases, preoperative imaging showed tumors likely to be amenable to complete resection. Intraoperative electrocorticography was performed in 32 surgeries, and 14 cases resulted in intended subtotal resection of tumors due to involvement of deep functional structures. No further resection (complete resection before IoMRI) was required in 25 surgeries, and IoMRI showed residual tumor in 79 patients. Of these, 25 surgeries did not proceed to further resection (9 due to electrocorticography findings, 14 due to tumor in deep functional areas, and 2 due to surgeon choice). Additional resection that was performed in 54 patients resulted in a final median residual tumor volume of 0.21 mL (0.6%). In 79 patients amenable to complete resection, the intraoperative median residual tumor volume for the T2 group was higher than for the magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo group (1.088 mL vs 0.437 mL; P = .049), whereas the postoperative median residual tumor volume was not statistically significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION IoMRI enhances the extent of resection, particularly for nonenhancing gliomas.
Evidence that ethanol-induced impairment of roto-rod performance is not mediated by opioid mechanisms

Abstract 1. The performance of mice, trained to remain on a roto-rod, was significantly impaired by both morphine and ethanol. The behavioral impairment was dose dependent. 2. Naloxone (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) was found to antagonize only the morphine-induced impairment of roto-rod performance. 3. Animals made tolerant to morphine did not perform better than non-tolerant animals when challenged with ethanol, but did perform better when challenged with morphine. As such, no cross tolerance developed between ethanol and morphine in this model. 4. These results suggest that the ethanol-induced impairment of roto-rod performance is not mediated via opioid mechanisms.
Tracing the user experience of participation

Digital applications and web-based user experiences increasingly incorporate social web technologies that enable the user to become a participant, or someone who actively co-constructs content, context, and meaning in digital ecosystems. This paper explores the user experience of participation by establishing a working definition of the concept and discussing why it is important to researching and designing digital communication tools. The case study presented in this paper explores the ways that user-generated content produced with the game LittleBigPlanet and the community that this content supports are intricately linked to local inventions embedded within cultural practices that improve support people's efforts to learn how to participate within the social web ecosystem. I demonstrate that participation relies on one's ability to coordinate with other participants via social web ecosystems in order to explore digital tools and perform knowledge work. Thus, the user experience of participation can be traced to these local inventions and the culturally situated practices of participants that leverage digital applications to develop, document, and share knowledge with each other. The conclusion to this paper offers preliminary concepts necessary to defining the user experience of participation and to theorizing participation as a critical component of researching and designing social web ecosystems.
Computation of differential seismograms and iteration adaptive regularization in prestack waveform inversion

Seismic waveform inversion is a highly challenging task. Nonlinearity, nonuniqueness, and robustness issues tend to make the problem computationally intractable. We have developed a simple regularized Gauss‐Newton–type algorithm for the inversion of seismic data that addresses several of these issues. The salient features of our algorithm include an efficient approach to sensitivity computation, a strategy for band‐limiting the Jacobian matrix, and a novel approach to computing regularization weight that is iteration adaptive. In this paper, we first review various forward modeling and differential seismogram computation algorithms and then evaluate different strategies for choosing the regularization weight. Under the assumption of locally 1D earth models, we design an efficient algorithm by rearranging recursion formula in the reflection matrix approach to compute plane wave seismograms and the Frechet derivative matrix as a by‐product of forward modeling. We then demonstrate that in a gradient‐descent–...
Obesity perception by health care providers--can it influence patient safety?

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC) defines obesity as a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or greater. According to the CDC, 36% of US adults are obese as well as 17% of US children and adolescents. Among ethnic groups, the highest percentages of obesity affect nonHispanic blacks (49.5%). The prevalence of obesity among the US young has tripled since 1980. Obesity is known to be associated with multiple health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. As such, its impact on health care delivery and outcomes can be very influential. Although many people appreciate the relationship of obesity to both diabetes and heart disease, many lack the understanding of its influence on other health issues like stroke, arthritis, cancer, sleep apnea, and other issues.