cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Propagating knapsack constraints in sublinear time

We develop an efficient incremental version of an existing cost-based filtering algorithm for the knapsack constraint. On a universe of n elements, m invocations of the algorithm require a total of O(n log n+mk log(n/k)) time, where k ≤ n depends on the specific knapsack instance. We show that the expected value of k is significantly smaller than n on several interesting input distributions, hence while keeping the same worst-case complexity, on expectation the new algorithm is faster than the previously best method which runs in amortized linear time. After a theoretical study, we introduce heuristic enhancements and demonstrate the new algorithm's performance experimentally.
Fear of Oversight: The Fundamental Failure of Business-like Government

This article discusses the National Performance Review's (NPR's) broad-reaching effort to reinvent government by making it more businesslike, focusing on its successful effort to reform the Federal procurement process. The article shows that the reformed system couples greatly increased buyer discretion with dramatically reduced oversight of government spending - both internal and external. This article asserts that this combination erodes the public's confidence in the procurement system, violates established norms, and is antithetical to a host of Congressional mandates and policies. More particularly, the article provides empirical evidence of the dramatic, sustained reduction in government contract related litigation during the 1990's. The article expresses concern because the trend coincided with two significant changes: (1) a large-scale Congressionally-mandated reduction in acquisition personnel, which materially reduced internal oversight, and (2) the sweeping NPR re-invention initiatives, which considerably increased purchaser discretion. The article offers a provisional list of explanations for the decrease in litigation. It asserts that, in this context, litigation - a form of external monitoring initiated by private attorneys general - is a public good. Reduced litigation relating to the award and performance of the government's contracts threatens the public's trust in the reinvention agenda. Litigants, in this context, serve the public interest while pursuing their own self interest. Moreover, the need for the private sector to provide this service increases as internal oversight decreases. The article suggests that, despite the success of procurement reform, the current paradigm elevates its facially attractive norms - efficiency and discretion - at the expense of other established, yet apparently undervalued, norms that guide the procurement system, e.g., transparency, integrity, and competition. It cautions that businesslike government has diluted existing internal and external oversight mechanisms and threatened sustained public confidence in the procurement system.
Coordination of 2,2'-bipyridyl and 1,10-phenanthroline to substituted ytterbocenes: An experimental investigation of spin coupling in lanthanide complexes

Addition of 2,2'-bipyridyl to diamagnetic (Me5C5)2Yb(OEt2) gives the brown adduct (Me5C5)2Yb(bipy). The solution 1H NMR and electronic absorption spectra show that the bipyridyl complex is paramagnetic, containing a bipyridyl radical anion, which can also be detected in the solid-state infrared spectrum and by the single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. However, the measured magnetic moment, which varies from less than 1 muB at 5 K to 2.5 muB at 300 K, is higher than expected for (Me5C5)2YbII(bipy0) and less than expected for (Me5C5)2YbIII(bipy-). An electron exchange model for spin coupling between Yb(III), with electron configuration 4f13, and the single unpaired electron in the bipyridyl radical anion is presented, based on comparison with the iodide salt [(Me5C5)2YbIII(bipy0)]+[I]-. Comparing the magnetic susceptibility of (Me5C5)2Yb(phen) with its iodide salt shows similar behavior with phenanthroline as ligand. The extent of paramagnetism and therefore the exchange coupling is changed by the nature of the substituents on the cyclopentadienide rings; electron-withdrawing SiMe3 groups favor Yb(II), while electron-donating alkyl groups stabilize the Yb(III) species. The molecular structures of many of the compounds have been determined in the solid state, and the bond distances and angles are consistent with the interpretation of the magnetism. The ring substituents, and therefore the different magnetic environments about the ytterbium center, also influence the rate of intermolecular exchange of the heterocyclic base ligands in solution; when the ligand is reduced, it exchanges more slowly than in the diamagnetic compounds.
Unifying vascular information in intensity-based nonrigid lung CT registration

Image registration plays an important role within pulmonary image analysis. Accurate registration is critical to post-analysis of lung mechanical properties. To improve registration accuracy, we utilize the rich information of vessel locations and shapes, and introduce a new similarity criterion, sum of squared vesselness measure difference (SSVMD). This metric is added to three existing intensity-based similarity criteria for nonrigid lung CT image registration to show its ability in improving matching accuracy. The registration accuracy is assessed by landmark error calculation and distance map visualization on vascular tree. The average landmark errors are reduced by over 20% and are within 0.7 mm after adding SSVMD constraint to three existing intensity-based similarity metrics. Visual inspection shows matching accuracy improvements in the lung regions near the thoracic cage and near the diaphragm. Experiments also show this vesselness constraint makes the Jacobian map of transformations physiologically more plausible and reliable.
Systematic literature review: An analysis of administrative strategies to engage providers in hospital quality initiatives

Abstract Provider engagement in hospital quality initiatives is receiving increased attention in a pay-for-performance era. The traditional hospital–physician alignment structure has not promoted provider engagement in system-wide quality initiatives. This systematic literature review analyzes provider engagement strategies. Selected articles were required to introduce administrative strategies that engage providers in hospital quality initiatives. A PubMed search uncovered 196 articles using the following keywords: “provider* OR physician*, AND hospital*, AND quality, AND engage*. Providers were defined as physicians, fellows, residents, physician assistants, or advanced practice nurses. The following filters were applied during the search: English language, humans, and published in the last 5 years. A total of 45 articles met the inclusion criteria. The reported strategies comprised financial incentives, public or private reporting, removing barriers, provider leadership, and hospital-provider alignment. Each reported strategy demonstrated gains within a quality initiative. However, it remains unclear whether these surrogate measures reflected provider engagement or other phenomena.
Selective up-regulation of NMDA-NR1 receptor expression in myenteric plexus after TNBS induced colitis in rats.

N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) spinal cord receptors play an important role in the development of hyperalgesia following inflammation. It is unclear, however, if changes in NMDA subunit receptor gene expression in the colonic myenteric plexus are associated with colonic inflammation. We investigated regulation of NMDA-NR1 receptor gene expression in TNBS induced colitis in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (150 g–250 g) were treated with 20 mg trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) diluted in 50% ethanol. The agents were delivered with a 24 gauge catheter inserted into the lumen of the colon. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after induction of the colitis, their descending colon was retrieved for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; a subset of animals' distal colon was used for two-dimensional (2-D) western analysis and immunocytochemistry. NR1-exon 5 (N1) and NR1-exon 21 (C1) appeared 14, 21 and 28 days after TNBS treatment. NR1 pan mRNA was up-regulated at 14, 21, and 28 days. The NR1-exon 22 (C2) mRNA did not show significant changes. Using 2-D western analysis, untreated control rats were found to express only NR1001 whereas TNBS treated rats expressed NR1001, NR1011, and NR1111. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated NR1-N1 and NR1-C1 to be present in the myenteric plexus of TNBS treated rats. These results suggest a role for colonic myenteric plexus NMDA receptors in the development of neuronal plasticity and visceral hypersensitivity in the colon. Up-regulation of NMDA receptor subunits may reflect part of the basis for chronic visceral hypersensitivity in conditions such as post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome.
Water relations and physiological ecology of the salt marsh snail, Melampus bidentatus say

Abstract Field and laboratory studies were conducted on the water relations of the high intertidal snail Melampus bidentatus Say (Pulmonata: Ellobiidae) in the Little Sippewisset Marsh, Cape Cod (Mass., U.S.A.). Densities of Melampus in the upper 12% of the intertidal zone averaged about 1300 snails/m2. A size gradient of snails was found, with large snails (5–12 mm shell length) occupying both upper and lower extremes of tidal height. Adult snails (>5 mm) undergo semilunar migrations, such that during neap tidal cycles the center of peak density shifts 2 m lower in the marsh from that of spring tidal cycles. Juvenile snails appear to remain in the dense vegetation of mid-range. During dry conditions in the field, snails contained 15% less body water compared with normally hydrated snails. Laboratory studies on desiccation (controlled temperature and humidity, still air) showed water loss to be inversely proportional to shell length and relative humidity (RH). Immature snails regulate water loss poorly; few survive for more than 12 h in 0–75% RH (20°C). In contrast, adults survive for 48 h or more in ⩽ 50% RH and remained alive in 97% RH for at least 14 days, despite the loss of up to 40% body water. Adult snails placed in ≈0% RH for 27–36 h were remarkably tolerant to desiccation, with an LD50 near 80% body water loss. Melampus rehydrates rapidly when provided with free water; from a level of 50% body water loss, snails reached 90% normal water content within 0.75 h. Adult Melampus can survive submergence in sea water for at least 10 days and in fresh water for 3 days and can tolerate −12°C for several days. These studies demonstrate some of the physiological and behavioral adaptations to the rhythmicity of the tides and to the extremes in other physical factors found in the high intertidal zone. The significance of these adaptations in Melampus, and the fitting of its primitive, marine reproductive strategy to an amphibious lifestyle, are discussed in relation to the transitional status of this snail in the movement of molluscs from marine origins to land and freshwater habitats.
Caloric Restriction Delays Disease Onset and Mortality in Rhesus Monkeys

Caloric restriction (CR), without malnutrition, delays aging and extends life span in diverse species; however, its effect on resistance to illness and mortality in primates has not been clearly established. We report findings of a 20-year longitudinal adult-onset CR study in rhesus monkeys aimed at filling this critical gap in aging research. In a population of rhesus macaques maintained at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, moderate CR lowered the incidence of aging-related deaths. At the time point reported, 50% of control fed animals survived as compared with 80% of the CR animals. Furthermore, CR delayed the onset of age-associated pathologies. Specifically, CR reduced the incidence of diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and brain atrophy. These data demonstrate that CR slows aging in a primate species.
Nuclear DNA content of Hydrastis canadensis L. and genome size stability of in vitro regenerated plantlets

Knowing the genome size is an important step towards deciding and planning for genome sequencing of a given species. Using flow cytometry, nuclear DNA content of Hydrastis canadensis was estimated, and genome size stability of its in vitro regenerated plantlets were assessed. The nuclear DNA content of H. canadensis was estimated to be 2.62 ± 0.020 pg/2C. This is the first report to estimate nuclear DNA content of H. canadensis; therefore this study provides valuable information that will facilitate genome sequencing and subsequent molecular studies of this economically important medicinal plant. Comparison of genome size between in vitro regenerated (explant source was from wild plants) and wild plants of H. canadensis did not reveal any significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in nuclear DNA content. This suggests that micropropagation of H. canadensis, even after numerous sub-culturing and long-term culture periods produced in vitro plantlets with a stable genome size. These results provide further evidence that micropropagation techniques have the potential to be used as a source of planting stock, along with seeds, for restoring locally threatened H. canadensis wild populations and for commercial cultivation to supply the growing herbal market.
Interventions to reduce medication prescribing errors in a paediatric cardiac intensive care unit.

To identify and reduce medication-prescribing errors by introducing systematic physician education and post-cardiac surgery admission prescription forms. Errors were defined as: incomplete prescriptions; potential adverse drug events (ADEs), i.e. either intercepted or non-intercepted incorrect prescriptions not resulting in an ADE; and incorrect prescriptions that resulted in ADEs. Two baseline blinded pre-intervention data collection periods of 4 weeks and 1 week were followed by implementation of a post-cardiac surgery templated physician order and prescription form and systematic physicians' education. Twelve post-intervention data collections of 1-week duration were completed over a 3-year period and were either blinded or informed with reinforcement of physicians' education. Tertiary paediatric cardiac intensive care unit. A total of 3648 prescriptions were evaluated at baseline (mean ± SD of 687 ± 8 per week) and 811 ± 129 prescriptions during each post-intervention period. Total baseline errors of 16.8% decreased to 8.4% after the first blinded data collection and to 4.8% at the final data collection (p < 0.001). The occurrence of incomplete prescriptions fell from 15.3% at baseline to 3.6% at final data collection (p < 0.001); intercepted potential ADEs fell from 1.3% to 1.1%; non-intercepted potential ADEs fell from 0.17% to zero; and post-operative prescribing errors fell from 44% to 4.6% (p < 0.001), with the major reduction seen in incomplete prescriptions. The incidence of incomplete prescriptions significantly improved with education of physicians and use of post-cardiac surgery templated physician order and prescription forms. There was no impact on potential ADEs.
Special Issue Introduction: Adding insult to injury: Climate change and the inequities of climate intervention

Climate change will injure vulnerable communities. In response, coordinated global action has emerged to mitigate climate change, to gauge and map climate-related risks, and to plan for adaptation, which in turn has opened new avenues of funding, power, knowledge and opportunity. The identification of climate risks, analysis and diffusion of ‘impact’ scenarios, incorporation of carbon into economic regimes, and interventions to enhance adaptive capacity will necessarily be experienced differently by different groups. As climate-related crises produce winners and losers, so may discourses and plans made to avert such crises. In the process both the bio-physical events and the social responses shape and reshape social stratification and the distribution of risk. They produce new inequalities and needs for new kinds of responses to guard against injustice. From the emergence of desalination water projects and contested water access, to relocation planning in the Arctic and the South Pacific due to sea-level rise, to increasingly centralized forest management; mitigation and adaptation responses and interventions create their own critical outcomes. This essay and the articles in this special issue examine some new opportunities and risks associated with climate-change discourses and interventions. This special issue shows that vulnerable communities may be at risk of material injury following climate change or climate change intervention; and, be further insulted and injured by lack of representation and recognition, and by misrecognition as simplified, stereotyped victims in local, national and international climate conversations. Using a mixture of theoretical insight and case study research, this collection of articles explores the injuries of climate change as it applies to both direct physical stress scenarios and exposure to adaptation and mitigation policies and planning, as well as the discursive insults of being discounted, stereotyped, or ignored.
National estimates of mortality rates for radical pancreaticoduodenectomy in 25,000 patients.

Background Recent publications suggest an inverse relationship between mortality rates in the Whipple procedure for periampullary cancer and hospital volume/teaching status.
A long-term review of Z-plasty technique for repair of split earlobes

Split earlobe injuries are relatively common in individuals with pierced ears. Complete lobe clefts occur from either sudden pull injuries or from chronic traction. A variety of techniques exist for the plastic surgeon to reconstruct this area. In surgical repair, maintenance of lobule contour and prevention of notching are of the highest importance. The objective of this study is to present the technique, results, and outcomes of our split earlobe patients. A 10-year retrospective review of one surgeon’s (I.T.J) split earlobe cases was performed. Repairs involved resection of the edges of the split area followed by a Z-plasty at the edge of the lobe. We perform a complete closure without preservation of the original piercing hole. Re-piercing is performed after at least a month. Forty-three patients were included, and eight had bilateral involvement. Average follow-up of the patients was around 4 months. A variety of etiologies were responsible for the split. One patient developed hematoma and infection which was resolved with antibiotics. Another patient developed notching and required revision surgery. The other 41 patients in our study were noted to have satisfactory form and function after surgery—meaning a well-rounded and well-contoured lobe without notching. No patient had recurrence of the notching. For complete split earlobe injuries, a full-thickness excision is advised and closure is achieved by a Z-plasty. Secondary re-piercing is performed. We have had no recurrences, the rate of revision is very low, and all who save one patient (97%) were satisfied with the result.
Optical properties of water in the near infrared.

The real n (ν) and imaginary k (ν) parts of the complex refractive index Nˆ = n + i k of water at 27 °C have been determined from measurements of spectral reflectance at near-normal incidence and from measurements of the transmittance of water in carefully constructed absorption cells. Values of n (ν) are reported in graphical and tabular form for the spectral region 3800–27 800 cm−1; values of the Lambert absorption coefficient α(ν) are presented graphically and in tabular form, along with k (ν) for the region 3800–14 500 cm−1. Upper limits of k (ν) are established for the region 14 500–27 800 cm−1. The results are compared with earlier studies.
Keeping Their Attention: Innovative Strategies for Nursing Education

Providing nursing education in clinical and other educational settings presents several challenges. Changes in learners, vast amounts of material to be taught, and decreasing educational resources require increased effectiveness of nurse educators and each educational experience. Current teaching strategies may be enhanced to meet learners' expectations and address the reduced attention spans characteristic of today's learners. This article provides 20 strategies and additional helpful hints to increase learner engagement, improve retention of material, and make nursing education more enjoyable for instructors and learners.
Diffusion of Aromatic Hydrocarbons in n-Alkanes and Cyclohexanes

The translational diffusion constants, D, of biphenyl, diphenylacetylene, diphenylbutadiyne, anthracene, pyrene, rubrene, perylene, and coronene have been determined in the n-alkanes using capillary flow techniques. Pyrene and rubrene were also studied in cyclohexane and several of its derivatives. The solutes showed varying degrees of deviation from the Stokes−Einstein (SE) relation (D = kBT/6πηr); the values of the hydrodynamic radius r decrease as the viscosity η increases. The data can be fitted to D/T = A/ηp with p < 1 (p = 1 for the SE relation). The values of p increase as the solute size increases. In the n-alkanes, they range from p = 0.718 ± 0.004 for biphenyl to p = 0.943 ± 0.014 for rubrene; the largest value (p = 0.982 ± 0.019) is found for rubrene in the cyclohexanes. The D values have been compared with reorientational results and molecular dynamics calculations; they have also been fitted to the Doolittle−Cohen−Turnbull free volume equation. A correlation between the p values and the resul...
Scattering of Bending Waves by Open and Closed Cracks and Joints in a Fluid-Loaded Elastic Plate

An analysis is made of the scattering of bending waves on a thin, fluid-loaded elastic plate by open and closed rectilinear cracks and joints. The scattered field includes transmitted and reflected waves on either side of the crack or joint, together with sound radiated into the fluid. The system is equivalent to two coplanar, semi-infinite plates whose edges meet at the crack or joint. The crack/joint is closed when the gap between the edges is small enough for there to be no flux of fluid from one side of the plate to the other (it being assumed that the free edges of a crack can vibrate without contact). An open crack/joint behaves as a monopole source when the flux is non-zero. For an open crack at frequencies $\omega $ below the coincidence frequency $\omega \_{\text{c}}$ of the plate, it is predicted that the intensity of the sound generated by the monopole is significantly larger than that scattered when the crack is closed. In the case of a crack in a steel plate in water the difference can exceed 10 dB at $\omega \approx $ 0.3$\omega \_{\text{c}}$, and increases rapidly as $\omega $ decreases. The acoustic efficiency of a joint at which the flexural motion of the plate is inhibited (by clamping or rib-stiffening, for example) is not significantly altered when the joint is open; small reductions are predicted at low frequencies for a joint in a steel plate in water.
Cascadable high-performance optic switches and optical logic based on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

The paper describes the design of high-performance vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with a low series resistance, low threshold voltage and power dissipation, and high differential quantum efficiency. The integration of these VCSELs with heterojunction phototransistors and photothyristors yielded a new family of high-performance optical switches that can perform switching, logic, regeneration, and memory functions. Moreover, the switches are cascadable and functionally integrable.
On estimating the hydraulic properties of soil, Part 2. A new empirical equation for estimating hydraulic conductivity for sands

A new empirical equation to estimate hydraulic conductivity is proposed, based on a large set of measured data for hydraulic properties of soil. The equation is simpler and more accurate than the series-parallel model. Under conditions of insufficient data, the new equation provides a good estimation of hydraulic conductivity for sands. For the same class of soils, another empirical equation is proposed to estimate the power N in the Averjanov-Irmay function.
Attentional capture by abrupt onsets and feature singletons produces inhibitory surrounds.

Two experiments found that form discriminations to a target item were inhibited when the target appeared adjacent to an attentionally salient item. Experiment 1 manipulated the attentional salience of an irrelevant color singleton through the attentional set adopted by the subjects. Color singletons captured attention when the target was itself a feature singleton, but not when the target was defined as a conjunction of features. Attentional capture was accompanied by an inhibitory region (i.e., slowed target reaction times), which dissipated with distance from the color singleton. In Experiment 2, the attentional salience of abrupt onsets and color singletons was compared. Irrelevant abrupt onsets captured attention, whereas irrelevant color singletons failed to capture attention. Again, an inhibitory region surrounded the attentionally salient abrupt onsets, but not the color singletons. The results are discussed in the context of current models of visual spatial attention and suggest a distinction between attentional preparation and attentional selection.
SU-E-T-330: Evaluation of Prostate Edema and Seed Migration via Seed Position Change from Consequent Post-Implant CT Scan in Prostate Brachytherapy

Purpose: To evaluate prostate edema and seed migration based on seed position change determined from post‐implant CT scans.Methods: Early stage prostate cancer patients with permanent seed implant brachytherapy were acquired post‐implant CT scans on Day‐0 and Day‐30, respectively. Seeds coordinates(x,y,z) were determined directly from those CTs and were sorted to different slices according to their z coordinates. The prostate center (xc,yc,zc) was the mathematic average of the coordinates for all seeds for one CT scan. Distance from each seed to the prostate center and weighted distance, defined as fraction of seeds in a certain distance to the prostate center, were calculated and compared between at day‐0 and at day‐30. Slice center was the average coordinates of all seeds in that slice. We assume the boundary of the edema is determined by the largest convex polygon constructed by those seeds having largest distance to the slice center at each direction. The area (A) of the convex polygon was summation of (xiyi+1−xi+1yi), where xi and yi were the ith seed coordinate on the apex. We further assume the edema is the summation of volume [Vi=(Ai+Ai+1+(Ai*Ai+1)0.5)*hi/3] between each slice, where hi was distance between adjacent slices. Results: Distance from prostate center to each seed, volumes between adjacent slices and the total volumes show the shrinkage of the prostate from day‐0 to day‐30. Population weighted distance was 2.1 and 1.9 cm on subsequent CTs. The volume ratio of the edema ranged from 1.3 to 1.7 from day‐0 and day‐30 CTs. Conclusion: Post‐implant edema increased the prostate volume by factors ranging from 1.3 to 1.7. The results showed that the distance index method was consistent with that of volume calculation in the evaluation of the edema change. The method proposed in this study can be used to evaluate seed migration and edema change.
A novel method for detecting neutrons using low density high porosity aerogel and saturated foam

Abstract As a result of the recent shortage of 3 He for neutron detection, several new detectors have been proposed as viable alternatives. Thin-film coated diodes and boron-lined proportional counters are suggested options, but both suffer from the “wall-effect”, where only one interaction product can be measured per event. The “wall-effect” greatly reduces the neutron detection efficiency of the device. A new method is presented using low-density high-porosity materials where both reaction products can escape the absorber and contribute to a single event. Measuring both reaction products simultaneously greatly increases the detection efficiency of the device. Experimentally obtained pulse-height spectra from saturated foam and borosilicate aerogel detectors are presented. Aerogel is a low-density solid, typically less than 50 mg/cm 3 , and can be developed with 10 B in the structure. The thermal neutron response pulse-height spectrum from borosilicate aerogel is presented. Additionally, polyurethane foam, another low-density high-porosity material, was saturated with LiF and B 2 O 3 to levels greater than 20 percent by weight and tested as a neutron detection medium. The foam saturated with 4.5 percent 6 LiF was cut into 10 sheets, each 2 mm thick, and a neutron response pulse-height spectrum was collected. The thermal neutron detection efficiency was measured to be 7.3 percent, and the neutron to gamma-ray rejection ratio, acquired using a 137 Cs gamma-ray source, was calculated to be 1.71×10 6 . Theoretical calculations also show that neutron detection efficiencies above 60 percent can be easily achieved using enriched 6 LiF foam at 20 percent or higher saturation levels.
Statistical Properties of Estimates of the Moments of Laser Scintillation

Abstract The random fluctuations of laser scintillation are described by the probability density function (PDF) of irradiance. Many models for a general PDF have been proposed, and a common method of analysis has been the comparison of the moments of the PDF with experimental data. The statistical behaviour of these estimates for the moments is determined by simulation of actual experimental procedures assuming various models for the true PDF. Realizations for histograms (estimates of the PDF) of digitized data are generated using binomial random deviates. Each realization for the histogram generates a realization for the moments. The PDF of these estimates for the moments is approximated by producing a histogram of a large number of such realizations. These results are compared with recent theoretical predictions. Higher moments are shown to be a poor description of the random process for typical experimental conditions. The effects of amplifier saturation are also investigated with the same simulations....
TREATMENT OF ACUTE RISE OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN WITH NIFEDIPINE

Eleven children aged 0.1 to 17 years (median 10 years) were treated with sublingual application of the calcium entry blocker nifedipine. Dose ranged between 0.22 to 0.76 mg/kg (mean 0.38 mg/kg). Nine children had renal hypertension, one pheochromocytoma and one aortic coarctation. Eight children were under chronic antihypertensive treatment. One hour following application of nifedipine systolic blood pressure fell significantly from 162±19 to 125±11 mmHg (x ± SD) and diastolic from 122±13 to 88±16 mmHg in 8 children with renal hypertension (aged 4 to 17 years). Blood pressure remained at this level for about 6 hours. Heart rate rose from 93±17 to 106±24 beats per min. 1 hour after nifedipine and returned to 96±15 4 hours after drug administration. Whereas plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone and plasma arginine-vasopressin did not change in response to nifedipine, plasma noradrenaline rose significantly from 467±285 to 595±269pg/ml. In two infants (5 weeks and 7,5 months of age) systolic blood pressure fell by 40 and 50 mmHg, respectively. One child with pheochromocytoma had an excellent blood pressure response to nifedipine, however, the effect lasted only 4 hours. Nifedipine given sublingually was well tolerated also in infants and appears to be an effective and safe drug in the treatment of acute elevations of blood pressure.
Directed Vertical Alignment Liquid Crystal Display with Fast Switching

We describe a directed vertical alignment (VA) display mode based on a nematic liquid crystal (LC) doped with a chiral dopant and confined between two substrates, one of which is pretreated, say, by unidirectional rubbing or photoalignment. The design allows one to eliminate umbilical defects that appear during switching of the conventional VA cells and thus to obtain better contrast. Switching is ∼30% faster than for VA cells when optimized concentration of a chiral dopant is added and LC molecules at one of the substrates are slightly tilted from the cell normal due to the unidirectional surface treatment.
Energy Policy and Sustainability in Sunbelt Cities in the United States

This paper focuses on those policies that facilitate energy and environmental improvements in Sunbelt cities. Such policies ultimately provide a means of achieving the elusive goal of urban sustainability. Cities have common energy concerns that impact the urban environment. These concerns are manifested in urban policies and programs designed to achieve results such as reducing energy usage, improving the environment and facilitating interaction. This research deals with policies that impact urban sustainability in general and energy use in particular. Cities that are earnestly pursuing specific policies, such as energy management or sustainable development, often have an array of activities directed toward achieving these goals. The purpose of this paper includes: Providing a descriptive comparison of specific environmental and energy related policies in 25 selected Sunbelt cities based on the observed practices and activities; Identifying attributes for policy indicators across the selected cities that...
Accuracy of four clinical diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative dementias.

Objective: To evaluate the inter-rater reliability and validity of clinical diagnostic criteria for neurodegenerative dementias. Background: Inter-rater accuracy of the diagnosis of AD has been explored, but there are few accuracy studies for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and frontotemporal lobe dementia (FTD). Furthermore, there have been no simultaneous accuracy studies in a mixed sample of patients with cortical and subcortical neurodegenerative processes. Methods: Four experienced clinicians reviewed first-visit clinical data abstracted from the records of 40 pathologically diagnosed demented subjects. They were asked to apply the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for AD, the NINDS-SPSP clinical criteria for PSP, the Lund and Manchester criteria for FTD, and the Consensus Guidelines for the Clinical Diagnosis of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Results: The generalized κ for AD was 0.73, for PSP 0.82, for FTD 0.75, and for DLB 0.37. The κ pool test showed a statistically significant difference between DLB and the other disease processes, and no differences were observed among AD, FTD, and PSP. The mean sensitivity for AD was 95%, for PSP 75%, for FTD 97%, and for DLB 34%. The mean specificity for AD was 79%, for PSP 98.5%, for FTD 97%, and for DLB 94%. Conclusions: We found improved inter-rater reliability for the diagnosis of AD among clinicians compared with earlier studies. Similarly, there was a near-perfect and substantial inter-rater agreement for the diagnosis of PSP and FTD. The sensitivity for the diagnosis of AD was high, although clinicians overdiagnosed this condition. However, there was a reasonable accuracy for the diagnosis of PSP and FTD. Heterogeneity of the clinical presentation of DLB significantly affected inter-rater agreement and accuracy. The use of multiple diagnostic criteria for cortical and subcortical dementia increases the level of clinical diagnostic accuracy.
Optical guiding and the relative phase in free-electron lasers

Abstract The relationship between the relative phase (defined as the shift in the wavenumber from the vacuum value integrated over the interaction length) and optical guiding in the free-electron laser is studied. The relative phase must be positive for the refractive guiding of the signal. The relative phase is studied from the standpoint of the low gain regime, and is found to be negative at the low frequency end of the gain band and to increase with increasing frequency until it turns positive at a frequency approximately 10% below the frequency of peak gain. Thus, optical guiding is indicated over a large portion, but not all, of the gain band. A quantitative measure of the optical guiding of the signal is obtained by an analytic formulation of the guiding of the signal, based upon a separable beam approximation in which the evolution of the signal is determined by a Green's function analysis. It is shown that the analytic result is in substantial agreement with the calculation of the relative phase.
Risks of Radiation Exposure in the Endoscopy Suite: Principles, Cautions, and Risks to Patients and Endoscopy Staff

Fluoroscopy, which uses x-rays to create an image, is a necessity in the endoscopy suite for various procedures, most commonly endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). X-rays, high-energy electromagnetic waves, are considered a weak carcinogen, and beyond a threshold level of exposure (ie, 50 mSv) are believed to result in an increased risk of cancer. This risk applies to the patient, the endoscopist, and other staff in the suite. A thorough understanding of the physical principles underlying fluoroscopy is imperative so that radiation exposure to the patient and other personnel can be minimized. Of primary importance are the operating parameters of the fluoroscope (ie, voltage and current), the length of fluoroscopy beam-on time, and appropriate shielding. The concept of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) should govern the use of fluoroscopy. Equivalent radiation doses to both patients and staff during ERCP have been reported. For patients, these compare favorably with doses from similar imaging exams which they may undergo. For endoscopists, the doses fall well below acceptable annual exposure limits.
Investigating the effect of high spring incidence of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) on early autumn incidence

A pandemic H1N1 infection wave in the USA occurred during spring 2009. Some hypothesized that for regions affected by the spring wave, an autumn outbreak would be less likely or delayed compared to unaffected regions because of herd immunity. We investigated this hypothesis using the Outpatient Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Network, a collaboration among the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health departments, and care providers. We evaluated the likelihood of high early autumn incidence given high spring incidence in core-based statistical areas (CBSAs). Using a surrogate incidence measure based on influenza-related illness ratios, we calculated the odds of high early autumn incidence given high spring incidence. CBSAs with high spring ILI ratios proved more likely than unaffected CBSAs to have high early autumn ratios, suggesting that elevated spring illness did not protect against early autumn increases. These novel methods are applicable to planning and studies involving other infectious diseases.
Efficient Computing of Regression Diagnostics

Abstract Multiple regression diagnostic methods have recently been developed to help data analysts identify failures of data to adhere to the assumptions that customarily accompany regression models. However, the mathematical development of regression diagnostics has not generally led to efficient computing formulas. Conflicting terminology and the use of closely related but subtly different statistics has caused confusion. This article attempts to make regression diagnostics more readily available to those who compute regressions with packaged statistics programs. We review regression diagnostic methodology, highlighting ambiguities of terminology and relationships among similar methods. We present new formulas for efficient computing of regression diagnostics. Finally, we offer specific advice on obtaining regression diagnostics from existing statistics programs, with examples drawn from Minitab and SAS.
Principles of a Clean Operating Room Environment

Optimizing the operating room environment is necessary to minimize the prevalence of arthroplasty infection. Reduction of bacterial contamination in the operating room should be a primary focus of all members of the operating room team. However, in recent years, there has been a decline in the emphasis of the basic principles of antisepsis in many operating rooms. The purpose of this review is to highlight important considerations for optimizing the operating room environment. These principles should be actively promoted by orthopedic surgeons in their operating rooms as part of a comprehensive approach to minimizing arthroplasty infection.
Notes on France's Response to Her Declining Rate of Demographic Growth

For at least three quarters of a century the Devil of Declining Growth has been present at French council tables, at policy-making conferences, and in the minds of strategically situated decision makers. The Devil has not always been present in the flesh, since that is not the way of devils. But he has always been at the shoulders of the holders of power, and they have usually taken him into account implicitly when not explicitly.
Recognition of individual heart rate patterns with cepstral vectors

Heart rate patterns may contain diagnostic as well as forensic information. To test these possibilities, individual heart rate patterns were represented as heart-rate cepstral vectors (HRCVs) computed in 12 dimensions via linear predictive coding (LPC) of brief segments of heart rate. A library of codebook vectors was computed for 12 cardiac patients from a standard ECG database. Statistical classification of subjects was based on the minimal weighted distances between test and codebook vectors. Weights were based on the ratio of inter- to intrasubject variances of their cepstral coefficients. Results showed that: (1) HRCV coefficients adequately reproduced the HRV spectrum, and (2) HRCV distances could be used to identify individuals within the group with a reliability of 93%. Thus, heart rate variations are an individual characteristic that can be represented as a single 12-dimensional vector.
Detection of arbitrarily large dynamic ground motions with a dense high-rate GPS network

[1] We describe the detection of teleseismic surface waves from the 3 November 2002 Mw 7.9 Denali fault earthquake in Alaska with a dense network of 1 Hz GPS stations in southern California, about 3900 km from the event. Relative horizontal displacements with amplitudes in excess of 15 mm and duration of 700 seconds agree with integrated velocities recorded by nearby broadband seismometers with an rms difference of 2–3 mm. The displacements are derived from independent 1 Hz instantaneous positions demonstrating that a GPS network can provide direct measurements of arbitrarily large dynamic and static ground horizontal displacements at periods longer than 1 s and amplitudes above 2 mm, with an inherent precision (signal to noise) that improves indefinitely with amplitude without clipping and in real time. High-rate, real-time GPS networks can enhance earthquake detection and seismic risk mitigation and support other applications such as intelligent transportation and civil infrastructure monitoring.
Epidermal growth factor signaling via Ras controls the Smad transcriptional co-repressor TGIF.

Smad transcription factors mediate the actions of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) cytokines during development and tissue homeostasis. TGF-β receptor-activated Smad2 regulates gene expression by associating with transcriptional co-activators or co-repressors. The Smad co-repressor TGIF competes with the co-activator p300 for Smad2 association, such that TGIF abundance helps determine the outcome of a TGF-β response. Small alterations in the physiological levels of TGIF can have profound effects on human development, as shown by the devastating brain and craniofacial developmental defects in heterozygotes carrying a hypomorphic TGIF mutant allele. Here we show that TGIF levels modulate sensitivity to TGF-β-mediated growth inhibition, that TGIF is a short-lived protein and that epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling via the Ras–Mek pathway causes the phosphorylation of TGIF at two Erk MAP kinase sites, leading to TGIF stabilization and favoring the formation of Smad2–TGIF co-repressor complexes in response to TGF-β. These results identify the first mechanism for regulating TGIF levels and suggest a potential link for Smad and Ras pathway convergence at the transcriptional level.
Double-orifice mitral valve: A study of 27 postmortem cases with developmental, diagnostic and surgical considerations

What is double-orifice mitral valve anatomically and embryologically? In 27 postmortem cases, an anomaly of the tensor apparatus was always found. These malformations may be summarized as: (1) chordal ring; (2) accessory papillary muscle or muscles; (3) subdividing muscular ridge; (4) fused papillary muscles (parachute mitral valve); (5) crossing chordae tendineae; and (6) central fibrous subdivision. More than 1 of these anomalies often coexisted per case. Double-orifice mitral valve almost always consisted of abnormal holes in essentially normal leaflets, rather than of abnormal fibrous bridges or adhesions between normal leaflets. Since these fibrous "bridges" between the smaller accessory orifice and the larger main orifice are composed of mitral leaflet tissue and chordae, not fibrous adhesions, these bridges should not be transected surgically, to avoid iatrogenic mitral regurgitation. The accessory (smaller) orifice was at the anterolateral commissure in 11 cases (41%), at the posteromedial commissure in 12 (44%) and there was a central fibrous subdivision with approximately equal-sized orifices in 4 (15%). The atrioventricular (AV) canal was normally divided in 12 cases (44%) and a common AV canal was present in 15 (56%). When the accessory orifice was at the anterolateral commissure, the AV canal usually was normally divided (8 of 11, 73%). But when the accessory orifice was at the posteromedial commissure, a common AV canal almost always was present (11 of 12, 92%). Functionally, the mitral valve was normal in 13 (48%), regurgitated in 7 (26%) and stenotic in 7 (26%). The key to the diagnostic and surgical understanding of the double-orifice mitral valve is the underlying tensor apparatus.
Serum proteins of germ-free rats fed water-soluble diets.

Abstract : The report presents data on serum proteins of germfree rats fed a chemically defined, water-soluble 'antigen free' diet which was filter-sterilized. This type of diet, composed almost entirely of low-molecularweight compounds and free of material of bacterial origin, should further reduce the level of reticuloendothelial system activity because of the absence of stimulation caused by high-molecular-weight substances and by killed and disintegrated microbial agents. The results indicate that, although most of the reticuloendothelial system stimulating material presumably occurring in the heat-sterilized solid-type diet is obviously absent in the filter-sterilized water-soluble formula, little if any further reduction in gamma-globulin levels is seen in germ-free rats fed this diet. Data obtained from germfree guinea-pigs have demonstrated the strong reticuloendothelial system stimulating effect of certain solid diets. It is possible that this effect of solid diets is much less noticeable in the germ-free rat.
Tracking CO 2 plume migration during geologic sequestration using a probabilistic history matching approach

Tracking the migration of the CO2 plume is essential in order to better manage the operation of geologic sequestration of CO2. However, the large cost of most monitoring technologies, such as time-lapse seismic, limits their application. We investigated the application of a probabilistic history matching methodology using routine measurements of injection data, which are affected by the presence of large-scale heterogeneities, as an inexpensive alternative to track the migration of CO2 plume in an aquifer. The approach is demonstrated first through a synthetic example in which the ability to detect the presence of flow barriers was tested. In a second example, we applied our method to the In Salah field, one of the largest geological sequestration projects in the world, where the main direction of high permeability features was inferred. The accuracy and reproducibility of the results show that our approach for assisted history matching is an economic and viable option for plume monitoring during geologic CO2 sequestration.