cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Institutional review of the implementation and use of a Clostridium difficile infection bundle and probiotics in adult trauma patients

Abstract Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common cause of healthcare associated infections contributing to morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of the implementation of a CDI bundle along with probiotic utilization. Methods A retrospective review of trauma admissions from 2008 to 2014 was performed. The CDI bundle was implemented in stages from 2009 through 2014 with probiotics initiated in 2010. The bundle included changes in cleaning practices, education, screening, and contact precautions. Results 4632 (49%) patients received antibiotics with 21% receiving probiotics. Probiotic use was associated with increased age, male sex, more severely injured, and antibiotic use. CDI incidence decreased from 11.2 to 4.8 per 1000 admissions, p = .03. Among patients who received antibiotics CDI incidence decreased from 2.2% to 0.7%, p = .01. Conclusions We report the largest series of a CDI bundle implementation including probiotics. During the period of adoption of these interventions, the incidence of CDI decreased significantly.
Unique Factorization and the Euclidean Algorithm

The integers larger than 1 are of two types: the composite integers which can be written as a product of two integers larger than 1 and the prime integers (or primes) which cannot. This book revolves around two questions: Given a composite integer, how do we find a decomposition into a product of integers larger than 1? How do we recognize a prime integer? Our investigation of these questions begins approximately 300 B.C. in the Greek city of Alexandria in what is today Egypt. There Euclid wrote his great work “Elements”, best known for its treatment of geometry but also containing three books on the properties of the integers.
5 – Impingement of a coherent jet normal to a rigid surface

Publisher Summary This chapter explains impingement of a coherent jet normal to a rigid surface. The primary issue of a coherent vertical jet is with respect to the thickness of the liquid film that flows radially across the planar surface. The planar surface is a smooth disk concentric with the axis of the jet or a plane of infinite extent. The ensuing flow should be axisymmetric. If the jet flow is laminar and steady, the typical observation is that the radial flow across the disk consists of two regions. The flow is rapid near the jet axis and the liquid film is quite thin. There is a narrow annular region over which the film thickness rapidly increases if the radius of the disk is large enough. This chapter illustrates an approximate approach for determining some features of this flow. The analysis of Watson is mainly followed which is based on a boundary layer approximation to the flow field. The primary goal of the hydraulic jump procedure is to obtain an estimate of the position at which the jump occurs. For surface leaning, liquid jets are often used.
Familial subepithelial corneal amyloidosis (gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy): exclusion of linkage to lactoferrin gene.

PURPOSE Because corneal tissue with familial subepithelial corneal amyloidosis (FSCA; gelatinous drop-like dystrophy of the cornea) contains lactoferrin the possibility that the FSCA gene was the human lactoferrin (hLF) gene was investigated. Due to contradictory published information we also mapped the hLF gene. METHODS We mapped the hLF gene using a genomic clone of the entire hLF gene as a probe by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Utilizing PCR primers that are specific to the hLF gene, we also mapped the hLF via radiation somatic cell hybrid analysis. Linkage of the FSCA gene to the hLF gene was evaluated by genetic linkage analysis using polymorphic markers within and in the vicinity of the hLF gene. RESULTS The hLF gene mapped to the short arm of chromosome 3 at 3p21. Linkage analysis using polymorphic markers for hLF and haplotype analysis of the 3p21 loci indicates that the FSCA gene is not linked to the 3p21 locus. CONCLUSIONS The gene for FSCA is not the hLF gene in these families.
Neutronic design of a fission converter-based epithermal neutron beam for neutron capture therapy

To meet the needs for neutron capture theory (NCT) irradiations, a high-intensity, high-quality fusion converter-based epithermal neutron beam has been designed for the MITR-II research reactor. This epithermal neutron beam, capable of delivering treatments in a few minutes with negligible background contamination from fast neutrons and photons, will be installed in the present thermal column and hohlraum of the 5-MW MITR-II research reactor. Spent or fresh MITR-II fuel elements will be used to fuel the converter. With a fission converter power of {approximately}80 kW using spent fuel, epithermal fluxes (1 eV < E < 10 keV) in excess of 10{sup 10} n/cm{sup 2} {center_dot} s are achievable at the target position with negligible photon and fast neutron contamination, i.e., <2 {times} 10{sup {minus}11}cGy-cm{sup 2}/n. With the currently available {sup 10}B delivery compound boronophenylalanine-fructose, average therapeutic ratios of {approximately}5 can be achieved using this beam for brain irradiations with deep effective penetration ({approximately}9.5 cm) and high dose rates of up to 400 to 600 RBE cGy/min. If NCT becomes an accepted therapy, fission converter-based beams constructed at existing reactors could meet a large fraction of the projected requirements for intense, low-background epithermal neutron beams at a relatively low cost. The resultsmore » of an extensive set of neutronic design studies investigating all components of the beam are presented. These detailed studies can be useful as guidance for others who may wish to use the fission converter approach to develop epithermal beams for NCT.« less
Pathogenesis of and New Therapies for Hepatitis D

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection of humans was first reported in 1977, and now it is now estimated that 15–20 million people are infected worldwide. Infection with HDV can be an acute or chronic process that occurs only in patients with an hepatitis B virus infection. Chronic HDV infection commonly results in the most rapidly progressive form of viral hepatitis; it is the chronic viral infection that is most likely to lead to cirrhosis, and it is associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. HDV infection is the only chronic human hepatitis virus infection without a therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Peginterferon alfa is the only recommended therapy, but it produces unsatisfactory results. We review therapeutic agents in development, designed to disrupt the HDV life cycle, that might benefit patients with this devastating disease.
Predictive Value of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient for Graft Hemodynamics in Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement is known to correlate with the severity of portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis. This retrospective study investigated the clinical value of preoperative measurement of HVPG in patients who underwent adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and its predictive value for hepatic hemodynamics after graft reperfusion. For this study, 75 patients who underwent adult-to-adult LDLT were divided into 2 groups (HVPG <16 mm Hg or HVPG ≥16 mm Hg) to investigate the correlation between preoperative HVPG and characteristics and surgical outcomes of the patients, including portal vein flow (PVF) and hepatic artery flow (HAF) after graft reperfusion. In total, 35 (46.7%) patients had an HVPG ≥16 mm Hg. These patients had significantly higher international normalized ratio values, serum creatinine levels, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores compared with the 40 patients with HVPG <16 mm Hg. They also had higher rates of variceal bleeding, encephalopathy, and intractable ascites as well as lower serum albumin levels and platelet counts compared with those patients with HVPG <16 mm Hg. Portal inflow modulation (PIM) was frequently performed in the patients with HVPG ≥16 mm Hg compared with those with HVPG <16 mm Hg. No significant differences in surgical outcomes after LDLT were found between these 2 groups except for postoperative ascites. Preoperative HVPG showed a positive correlation with PVF and a negative correlation with HAF after graft reperfusion (false discovery rate [FDR] P = 0.08 and FDR P = 0.08, respectively). In linear regression analyses, preoperative HVPG was independently associated with PVF after graft reperfusion. In conclusion, our findings indicate that preoperative HVPG is associated with hepatic hemodynamics after graft implantation in LDLT. HVPG as a routine preoperative evaluation may be helpful for surgical planning of PIM.
Analysts’ annual earnings forecasts and changes to the I/B/E/S database

I/B/E/S is a common source of analyst earnings forecast data, and the reliability of these data is important for practice and academic research. Examining a common sample period, we compare annual earnings forecasts across two versions of the I/B/E/S detail file, one made available in 2009 and the other made available in 2015. We find substantial differences in the contents of these two versions of the detail file as well as significant differences in the attributes of the earnings forecasts available in each version. Specifically, the earnings forecasts in the more recent version are more accurate and less biased, and they identify substantially different firms as meeting or just beating analysts’ expectations than those in the older version. To highlight the potential impact of these differences, we show that the economic magnitude of the effects of analyst experience and brokerage size on earnings forecast accuracy change by over 30% when we use the more recent version. Additional analyses suggest that the differences across versions of the detail file are ongoing. In contrast, we find that different versions of the summary file exhibit only minor differences over time. We also find significant differences in the properties of consensus earnings forecasts calculated from the individual earnings forecasts available in the detail file and consensus earnings estimates from the summary file. Finally, we provide guidance to researchers using I/B/E/S for analyst earnings forecast data.
Towards a Mathematical Model of the Brain

This article presents an idealized mathematical model of the cerebral cortex, focusing on the dynamical interaction of neurons. The author proposes a network architecture more consistent with neuroanatomy than in previous studies, borrows ideas from nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and calls attention to the fact that the brain is a large and complex dynamical system. The ideas proposed are illustrated with a realistic model of the visual cortex.
Predicting transport characteristics of hyperuniform porous media via rigorous microstructure-property relations

Abstract This paper is concerned with the estimation of the effective transport characteristics of fluid-saturated porous media via rigorous microstructure-property relations. We are particularly interested in predicting the formation factor F , mean survival time τ, principal NMR (diffusion) relaxation time T1, principal viscous relaxation time Θ1, and fluid permeability k. To do so, we employ rigorous methods to estimate the fluid permeability and these other transport properties of “hyperuniform” and nonhyperuniform models of porous media from microstructural information. Disordered hyperuniform materials are exotic amorphous states of matter that have attracted great attention in the physical, mathematical and biological science but little is known about their fluid transport characteristics. In carrying out this investigation, we not only draw from ideas and results of the emerging field of hyperuniformity, but from homogenization theory, statistical geometry, differential equations (spectrum of Laplace and Stokes operators), and the covering and quantizer problems of discrete geometry. Among other results, we derive a Fourier representation of a classic rigorous upper bound on the fluid permeability that depends on the spectral density to infer how the permeabilities of hyperuniform porous media perform relative to those of nonhyperuniform ones. We find that the velocity fields in nonhyperuniform porous media are generally much more localized over the pore space compared to those in their hyperuniform counterparts, which has implications for their permeabilities. Rigorous bounds on transport properties suggest a new approximate formula for the fluid permeability that provides reasonably accurate permeability predictions of a certain class of hyperuniform and nonhyperuniform porous media. These comparative studies shed new light on the microstructural characteristics that determine the transport properties of general porous media. Our findings also have implications for the design of porous materials with desirable transport properties.
Nonlinear radar: a historical overview and a summary of recent advancements

A broad review of publications relevant to nonlinear radar is conducted. The principle-of-operation of nonlinear radar is summarized and applications for this technology are listed. Targets addressed by this type of radar follow a power-series model, and from this model a nonlinear radar range equation is derived. An extensive survey of publicly-available literature, including specifications for systems already tested, guides the design of harmonic radar for finding electronics. The authors have combined a stepped-frequency architecture with harmonic radar to create a system which is capable of imaging and tracking nonlinear targets with very high clutter rejection.
Prenatal and early childhood exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and non-medical use of prescription drugs: A retrospective cohort study in Cape Cod, MA.

Abstract Background Between 1968 and 1983, public drinking water supplies of Cape Cod, Massachusetts were contaminated with the chlorinated solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE). We previously found an affinity for risk-taking behaviors, including the use of illicit drugs, following prenatal and early childhood exposure to PCE. Using newly collected data, we investigated the risk of non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) following prenatal and early childhood PCE exposure. Methods Participants were identified from a retrospective cohort study ("Cape Cod Health Study”) via cross-matching birth certificates and water system data. The original self-administered questionnaire gathered data on demographics, work and medical history, and alcohol and illicit drug use from 618 individuals (363 exposed and 255 unexposed). The follow-up survey added questions on non-medical use of prescription pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives. A validated leaching and transport model was used to estimate exposure to PCE exposure in drinking water. Results There was a wide distribution of cumulative prenatal and early childhood PCE exposure levels (range: 0.04 g–3722.2 g). PCE exposed subjects had a 1.92-fold increase in risk of any non-medical use of prescription drugs [Adjusted RR: 1.92, (95% CI: 1.31, 2.83)]. Furthermore, the association followed a dose-response relationship where the risk of NMUPD was higher for those exposed to PCE levels greater than or equal the median level versus those exposed to levels less than the median [Adjusted RR: 2.05 (95% CI: 1.34, 3.15) vs. 1.83 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.79) (p-value for trend Conclusion We found that prenatal and early childhood exposure to PCE was associated with a moderate increase in the risk of NMUPD. Exposed subjects had dose-related increased risks of NMUPD of pain relievers, tranquilizers, and stimulants. This study has a number of limitations and is the first to report this association. Additional longitudinal studies of populations exposed to PCE during early life should be conducted to examine its long-term neurotoxic effects.
Conceptual Fuel Element Design Candidates for Conversion of High Flux Isotope Reactor with Low-Enriched Uranium Silicide Dispersion FUEL

Engineering design studies are underway to assess the feasibility of converting the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) to operate with low-enriched uranium silicide dispersion (LEU3 Si2 -Al) fuel. These studies are supported by the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Material Management and Minimization. A systematic approach employing neutronic and thermal-hydraulic analyses has been performed with the ORNL Shift and HFIR Steady State Heat Transfer Code tools, respectively, to predict reactor performance and thermal safety margins for proposed LEU3 Si2 -Al fuel designs. The design process was initiated by generating an optimized design with fabrication features identified from previous studies that result in excellent performance and safety metrics. The approach continued by substituting a single fabrication feature anticipated to be difficult to manufacture with another feature expected to perform an analogous function to that of the removed feature. Four conceptual fuel element design candidates, with various fabrication features, for conversion of HFIR with 4.8 gU/cm3 LEU3 Si2 -Al fuel have been generated and shown to meet pre-defined performance and safety metrics. Results to date indicate that HFIR could convert with the subject fuel system and meet performance and safety requirements if, among other considerations, fabrication of the specific design features are demonstrated and qualification of the fuel is complete under HFIR-specific conditions.
Tough Life after Prison: An Analysis of 19 Former Prisoners in Malaysia

Undeniably, some former prisoners have succeeded in reintegrating themselves back into society and have also ceased any further criminal activities. However, this journey is difficult for former prisoners, particularly when their families do not welcome their return or when they fail to secure a steady job. This study was conducted to understand the challenges and obstacles faced by former prisoners during reintegration process using protective factor as an indicator. A qualitative approach was adopted in this study, whereby 19 former prisoners were interviewed to enhance the understanding of this issue. Based on the findings obtained, it was revealed that only three respondents met the characteristics of a person who had successfully desisted from committing a crime. This finding proved that desistance from crime among former prisoners is challenging. Thus, the criminal justice system in Malaysia towards the reintegration of former prisoners should be improved accordingly to prevent any failure or potential issue for the betterment of former prisoners. The recommendation of this study is to introduce a community-based post-release program as a social intervention in Malaysia criminal justice system. The limitation of this study is in the discussion done only from the perspective of former prisoners. There is a need to conduct studies from the perspective of social workers, counsellors and volunteers in the NGOs involved in helping former prisoners throughout the process of reintegration. Keywords: Desistance, Recidivism, Former Prisoner, Reintegration, Risk Factor, The Protective Factor
Make No Little Plans: The Lucian Leape Institute

Despite encouraging progress in the early years of the patient safety movement, it soon became evident that there were deeper issues that needed to be addressed. We realized that we were not going to make health care safe by making process changes one by one, even powerful changes such as eliminating CLABSI or implementing the surgical checklist.
Acid resistance of metakaolin-based, bamboo fiber geopolymer composites

Abstract This study focuses on calcined kaolin, commercial sodium silicate, and Amazonian bamboo to make geopolymer. The durability of geopolymer matrix (GP) and bamboo fiber geopolymer composite (GPBF) materials was analyzed by studying the resistance to the exposure to sulfuric and hydrochloric acids at concentrations from 0 to 15 wt%, testing two different geometry of samples. The microstructure of the raw and composite materials was investigated by X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Geopolymer formation was confirmed by X-ray diffraction with a characteristic amorphous hump at 28° two theta and a few crystalline peaks of quartz. Visual appearance, mass change, and compressive strength behavior of all GP and GPBF samples immersed in 0, 5, 15 wt% of H2SO4 and HCl for 7, 28, and 112 days were investigated. GP and GPBF did not change in appearance, and no mass loss was observed in 0% acid (100% water) solution pH 12, an alkali solution due to partial dissolution of NaOH from the GP matrix, denoting durability in water. GP mass loss increased with varying sulfuric acid concentrations from 5, 10, and 15 wt%, resulting in values of 2.7%, 3.5%, and 4.4%, respectively. In general, the GP and GPBF specimens experienced higher compressive strength degradation when exposed to H2SO4 than to HCl. GP and GPBF can safely be applied as construction materials in applications exposed up to 15 wt% sulfuric or hydrochloric acid environments, including in sewage systems.
An Al-based Spatial Knowledge Graph for Enhancing Spatial Data and Knowledge Search and Discovery

Geospatial data has been widely used in Geographic Information Systems to understand spatial relationships in various application domains such as disaster response, agriculture risk management, environmental planning, and water resource protection. Many data sharing platforms such as NASA Open Data Portal and USGS Geo Data portal have been developed to enhance spatial data sharing services. However, enabling intelligent and efficient spatial data sharing and communication across different domains and stakeholders (e.g., data producers, researchers, and domain experts) is a formidable task. The challenges appear in building meaningful semantics between data products using spatiotemporal similarity measures to efficiently help users find all the relevant data and information at the space-time scale. In this paper, we developed a novel AI-based graph embedding algorithm to build semantic relationships between different spatial data sets to enable efficient and accurate data search. We applied the graph embedding algorithm to 30,000 NASA metadata records to test our algorithm's performance. In the end, we visualized the knowledge graph using the Neo4j database graphical user interface.
Issues in Reusable ADA Library Tools

This current research program on software reuse is investigating library tools fordescribing,classifying,cataloging, organizing and managing Ada reusable software components. The major research results are the development and prototyping of classification methods and the evaluation of library tools for software reuse generally, and Ada components for management information systems specifically. The prototype system integrates the Faceted Classification Scheme (FCS) and conceptual closeness maps. Future research areas include the development of tools for reusable components libraries and expert systems for software development with natural language interfaces.
CAD for Fashion Design

1. Introduction. 2. Computers and the Fashion Industry. 3. From Sketch to Market: How CAS Systems Are Used. 4. Design in Context: Understanding the Marketplace. 5. Color. 6. Fabric: The Designer's Medium. 7. Silhouette. 8. Putting It All Together: Presentation and Graphics. Glossary. Bibliography. Footnotes. Index.
When Volunteering Doesn’t Cut It: A critical examination of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Surveillance and Trends in the United States.

Background. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, including Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, are newly emerging pathogens of public health importance. Currently no nationally representative or mandatory surveillance or reporting system exists to examine trends of these important pathogens. Objective. The purpose of the current study was to estimate trends in overall microbial burden and carbapenem resistance in E. coli and K. pneumoniae and to understand the extent to which hospitals which report to voluntary surveillance systems represent all hospitals in the United States. Design. We conducted a descriptive study to compare the hospitals participating in voluntary reporting systems of the University HealthSystem Consortium and the National Healthcare Safety Network with the Healthcare Utilization Project’s Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative sample of hospital discharges. Methods. Descriptive analyses examined hospital characteristics (region, bed size, hospital control, teaching status, case mix index) and patient characteristics (age, sex, race/ethnicity, admission source, admission type, discharge status, primary payer) of participant hospitals versus all US hospitals. ICD-9-CM codes identified discharges coded for E. coli and K. pneumoniae diagnoses; linear regression was used to evaluate trends in overall microbial burden of E. coli and K. pneumoniae in all US Hospitals and US Academic Centers. Trends in E. coli and K. pneumoniae resistance to carbapenem were also evaluated in hospitals participating in voluntary surveillance systems (n=13). Results. Between 2002 and 2007, slight increasing trends in burden of both E. coli and K. pneumoniae were observed (E. coli: slope = 0.0537; K. pneumoniae slope = 0.0168). Hospitals participating in voluntary surveillance systems are larger and care for fewer elderly patients than all US hospitals. Conclusions. These results suggest that hospitals that participate in voluntary surveillance systems like the National Healthcare Safety Network and the University HealthSystem Consortium may underrepresent trends in smaller hospitals, as well as those that treat elderly patients. Increasing overall burden of infection due to these isolates only reinforces the importance carbapenem resistance in E. coli and K. pneumoniae. This important public health threat may warrant the creation of a national, mandatory reporting system for these and other antimicrobial resistant organisms.
Dimer-tetramer equilibrium in Adair fitting.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a procedure that can answer the question of how high a hemoglobin (Hb) concentration is needed to provide reasonable estimates of the Adair constants. The induced errors are systematic and do not get cancelled out by measuring more binding isotherms. For a given Hb system they will occur in the same direction and magnitude for every experiment. Consequently, they are expected to bias any conclusions based on the values of the Adair binding constants. Neglecting the dimeric species induces systematic errors in the evaluation of the Adair binding constants even at high Hb concentrations. The induced systematic errors expected for Hb A 0 has different magnitudes and directions from the induced systematic errors expected for Hb Kansas. Thus, these results cannot be used to predict the expected uncertainties for other Hb, mutants, or buffer conditions.
Predictors of youth after-school involvement: The role of congruence between perceived early community and family supportive control

The objective of the present study was twofold: 1) to understand how perceived community and family supportive control during early adolescence were associated with late adolescent after-school involvement while controlling for self-selection factors for a sample of low-income, urban, minority adolescents; and 2) to examine how congruency between the perceived community and family contexts influenced after-school involvement overtime. Three waves of data from the Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three-City Study were used (N = 528; Ages 16-20 at Wave 3). First, a series of lagged Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to determine if exposure to early community and family supportive control was linked with late adolescent after-school involvement. Results show that early after-school involvement and being male were linked to increases in after-school involvement over time. A trend-level main effect for perceived community supportive control was found, whereby adolescents living in areas with high community supportive control decreased their involvement over time. Secondly, to determine if there were differential effects of environmental congruency for youth in after-school involvement, dummy categories for the environmental congruence groups were included in an additional hierarchical regression. Adolescents living in incongruent environments, specifically living in areas perceived as being low in community supportive control and high in family supportive control significantly increased after-school involvement compared to those living in environments with average supportive control overtime. Results are presented separately by adolescents’ gender and ethnicity as well. Implications for early intervention are explored.
Electrical observation of subband formation in graphene nanoribbons

We report the experimental observation of subband formation in graphene nanoribbons, where conductance becomes quantized due to the lateral quantum confinement. We show that this quantization in graphene nanoribbons can be observed at temperatures as high as 80 K and channel lengths as long as $1.7\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\text{m}$. The observed quantization is in agreement with that predicted by theoretical calculations.
Low cost distributed actuation in large-scale ad hoc sensor-actuator networks

Distributed actuation is a major application of sensor networks that relies on the information provided by the sensors and the ability of the actuators to change the environment, to try to achieve a set of desired conditions. In large scale ad hoc distributed sensor-actuator networks, traditional centralized control algorithms are undesirable due to limiting factors such as scaling, delays associated with collecting information, and energy consumption. To tackle distributed actuation problems in wireless sensor networks, groups of sensors and actuators can first be matched (clustered) efficiently and then the problem posed and solved in localized manners. In this paper, given a set of sensors and controllable sources of superposable phenomena (e.g. light and heat), we first formulate and optimally solve the distributed sensor-actuator problem as an instance of centralized quadratic programming. We then investigate localized heuristics that can achieve near optimal results while trading off message exchanges and energy consumption for accuracy and latency in obtaining the results. We also briefly discuss the clustering algorithm used as a heuristic for solving the matching problem associated with matching the sensors to the proper actuators. Light sensors and sources are used throughout the paper as an illustrating application.
Occult Spontaneous Esophageal Perforation: Unusual Clinical and Radiographic Presentation

We report a unique presentation of spontaneous esophageal perforation or Boerhaave's syndrome. Our patient had no risk factors predisposing her to barogenic rupture of the esophagus, and she had none of the "classic" presenting signs. She was asymptomatic, and her clinical course appeared to be chronic. Her chest roentgenogram demonstrated bilateral thick-walled cavities with air-fluid levels. Computerized axial tomography of the chest and swallow of meglumine diatrizoate (Gastrografin) showed the cavities and esophagus to communicate. This patient's presentation and radiographic studies extend the reported description of Boerhaave's syndrome.
Synthesis of the principal components of the sex attractant from male Ips confusus frass: 2-methyl-6-methylene-7-octen-4-ol, 2-methyl-6-methylene-2,7-octadien-4-ol, and (+)-cis-verbenol

Abstract We have synthesized the three terpene alcohols previously identified as the principal components of the sex attractant produced by the bark beetle, Ips confusus. The compounds are: 2-methyl-6-methylene-7-octen-4-ol (I), 2-methyl-6-methylene-2,7-octadien-4-ol (II), and (+)-cis-verbenol (XIII).
Preparation of 1-silyl- and 1,3-disilyl-adamantanes

Abstract 1-Dimethylsilyl- and 1,3-bis(dimethylsilyl)adamantane have been prepared in low yield by Wurtz reaction of dimethylchlorosilane with 1-chloroadamantane or 1,3-dichloroadamantane, respectively. On the other hand, reaction of phenyldimethylsilyllithium with 1-bromoadamantane or 1,3-dibromoadamantane gives essentially quantitative yields of 1-phenyldimethylsilyladamantane or 1,3-bis(phenyldimethylsilyl)adamantane, respectively.
The presence of cyclic AMP, and its effects on oral regeneration and in situ ciliary regeneration in stentor coeruleus

We have found cyclic AMP in the large, heterotrichous ciliate Stentor coeruleus in amounts per milligram protein similar to those found in another ciliate, Tetrahymena pyriformis. The possible function of cyclic AMP in Stentor was first examined by determining its effects on oral regeneration, the process by which Stentor can replace a missing oral apparatus in eight to ten hours. Once begun (by brief exposure to a 15% sucrose solution, causing shedding of the oral apparatus) regeneration follows eight specific morphological stages visible with the dissecting microscope. Continuous exposure of regenerating cells to either N6, 2′-0-dibutyryl adenosine cyclic 3′:5′-monophosphate (DBC) or theophylline begun at the onset of oral regeneration (stage 0) caused delays in the completion of regeneration. The delays induced by DBC occurred in the early stages prior to stage 5. Regenerating cells exposed to DBC or theophylline at various stages of development were delayed, even at stages 5 and 6. Both DBC and theophylline reversibly bleached the cortical pigment of the cells. Guanosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP), AMP, GMP, and sodium butyrate neither delayed oral regeneration nor bleached the cortical pigment. Excess extracellular calcium ions alone had no effect on oral regeneration, but 10 mM calcium and DBC caused more delay than DBC alone. Thus, the delay of oral regeneration in Stentor caused by cyclic AMP may involve calcium ions. To determine if cyclic AMP can retard in situ ciliary regeneration by Stentor, as it does in Tetrahymena, a new technique, more accurate than past methods, was developed to monitor ciliary regrowth. Using this procedure we found that both DBC and theophylline significantly delayed the in situ ciliary regeneration by Stentor.
Interface Micromotion of Uncemented Femoral Components from Postmortem Retrieved Total Hip Replacements

Axial torsional loads representative of gait and stair climbing conditions were applied to transverse sections of 8 uncemented postmortem retrievals and a high-resolution imaging system with digital image correlation was used to measure local micromotion along the bone-implant interface. For 7 components that were radiographically stable, there was limited micromotion for gait loading (1.42 ± 1.33 μm) that increased significantly (P = .0032) for stair climb loading (7.32 ± 9.96 μm). A radiographically loose component had motions on the order of 2.3 mm with gait loading. There was a strong inverse relationship between the amount of bone-implant contact (contact fraction) (P = .001) and micromotion. The uncemented components had greater contact fraction (41.8% ± 14.4% vs 11.5% ± 10.2%, P = .0033) and less median micromotion (0.81 ± 0.79 μm vs 28.8 ± 51.1 μm) compared to a previously reported study of cemented retrievals.
Intervention-Based Assessment: Evaluation Rates and Eligibility Findings

A statewide sample of Ohio schools employing Intervention-Based Assessment (IBA) reported rates of multifactored evaluation for special education, eligibility findings, and the proportion of children receiving interventions outside of general education classroom settings. Results were compared with data reported for an earlier version of prereferral intervention, Intervention Assistance Teams (IATs). Unlike IAT, IBA required documentation and analysis of interventions in the process of determining special education eligibility. Results favored IBA over IAT in proportions of children on team caseloads who underwent multifactored evaluation and were found eligible for special education, but not for proportion of children receiving interventions in general education settings. Implications of these findings for school-based problem-solving efforts are discussed.
Screening for type 2 diabetes: Self monitoring of blood glucose: the cost to patients.

Simon et al found that glucose self monitoring by patients with non-insulin treated type 2 diabetes increased NHS costs without benefiting glycaemic control.1 Less intensive and more intensive self monitoring cost ₤92 (€117; $182) and ₤84 more than usual care. Financial cost is just one factor to consider when weighing the benefits and …
Effects of dexamethasone and cortisone with X-ray irradiation on transformation of C3H 10T1/2 cells

Hormones can influence carcinogenesis in experimental animals1 and it has been proposed that sex hormones may act like tumour-promoting agents in their ability to enhance the incidence of cancer2. On the other hand, it has been observed that the glucocorticoid hormone, dexamethasone, suppresses the enhancement of chemical carcinogenesis in vivo2 and of transformation in vitro3 brought about by exposure to the tumour-promoting agent, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). We report here that the glucocorticoid hormones, cortisone and dexamethasone, do not suppress radiation transformation of C3H 10T½ cells in vitro. Indeed, cortisone induces transformation of cells by itself, and increases the yield of radiation-induced transformants in a synergistic fashion.
The role of natural language in a multimodal interface

Although graphics and direct manipulation are effective interface technologies for some classes of problems, they are limited in many ways. In particular, they provide little support for identifying objects not on the screen, for specifying temporal relations, for identifying and operating on large sets and subsets of entities, and for using the context of interaction. On the other hand, these are precisely strengths of natural language. This paper presents an interface that blends natural language processing and direct manipulation technologies, using each for their characteristic advantages. Specifically, the paper shows how to use natural language to describe objects and temporal relations, and how to use direct manipulation for overcoming hard natural language problems involving the establishment and use of context and pronominal reference. This work has been implemented in SRI's Shoptalk system, a prototype information and decision-support system for manufacturing.
Simulation and Correlation of Durability Test on an Automotive Rear Suspension

This paper documents the Finite Element (FE)–based durability simulations and correlation with rig test for an automotive rear suspension. The rig test is developed and conducted on the rear suspension subject to road load per durability schedule. Analytical simulations indicate that the upper weld beads of both left and right sleeves to T–beams are potential failure locations. The correlation shows that the predicted fatigue life is one order lesser than the tested fatigue life. However, the experiment shows that a crack appears at the upper weld bead on the right sleeve connected to the T-beam where is exactly as simulation predicted. It is observed that the rigid modeling of welds is feasible in the simulation. The validated rig fatigue life simulation reduces the development time and cost on the common rear suspensions.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Multitasking versus multiplexing: Toward a normative account of limitations in the simultaneous execution of control-demanding behaviors.

Why is it that behaviors that rely on control, so striking in their diversity and flexibility, are also subject to such striking limitations? Typically, people cannot engage in more than a few—and usually only a single—control-demanding task at a time. This limitation was a defining element in the earliest conceptualizations of controlled processing; it remains one of the most widely accepted axioms of cognitive psychology, and is even the basis for some laws (e.g., against the use of mobile devices while driving). Remarkably, however, the source of this limitation is still not understood. Here, we examine one potential source of this limitation, in terms of a trade-off between the flexibility and efficiency of representation (“multiplexing”) and the simultaneous engagement of different processing pathways (“multitasking”). We show that even a modest amount of multiplexing rapidly introduces cross-talk among processing pathways, thereby constraining the number that can be productively engaged at once. We propose that, given the large number of advantages of efficient coding, the human brain has favored this over the capacity for multitasking of control-demanding processes.
Inhomogeneities in silicon carbide distribution in stirred liquids—a water model study for synthesis of composites

Abstract An experimental study was conducted on the mixing quality of two-phase slurries in the model SiC–water system using a gravimetric technique with a view to determining the influence of impeller geometry and baffles on the uniformity of distribution of SiC in the mixture. A three-blade paddle with different blade angles and a variable-pitch blade impeller (A-3) were used for stirring the mixture at various rotational speeds. The results show that SiC concentration variation during stirring in the absence of baffles was 7.5 vol.%, whereas in the presence of four vertical baffles the concentration variation was reduced to 2 vol.%. The power consumption for homogeneous mixing varied between 17.5 and 175 W vol.−1 depending upon the type of impeller and its rotational speed. A semi-empirical correlation for obtaining uniform mixing has been developed based on the Reynolds number, the power number and the Froude number for stirred SiC–water slurries. The results on inhomogeneity of silicon carbide in water concentration during mixing are in close agreement with the modeling studies by previous workers on the water–SiC system, and with limited experimental studies on the real molten aluminum–SiC system used to cast metal–matrix composites.
Chrysanthemum like carbon nanofiber foam architectures for supercapacitors

Three-dimensional (3D) chrysanthemum-like carbon nanofiber (CCNF) foam architectures were synthesized on highly porous nickel foam via a one-step ambient pressure chemical vapor deposition process by introducing a mixture of precursor gases (H2 and C2H2). The as-synthesized 3D foam architectures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, which demonstrate high porosity and a densely packed nature of the hierarchical carbon nanostructures. Symmetrical electrochemical double-layer capacitors were fabricated using electrodes based on the CCNF foam architectures. Cyclic voltammetry, charge–discharge measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were conducted to determine the performance metrics. The supercapacitors (SCs) demonstrate a high areal capacitance of 1.37 F/cm2 (gravimetric specific capacitance: 23.83 F/g), which leads to superior values for per area energy density (0.19 Wh/cm2) and power density (141.77 W/cm2). In addition, capacitance retention of ∼100% over 13,000 charge–discharge cycles demonstrates the high electrochemical stability of this type of carbon nanostructure foam for high areal capacitance SCs.
Changes in synthesis of specific proteins following axotomy: Detection with two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis

Changes in protein synthesis during development and following axotomy were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The two major postganglionic nerves emerging from the superior cervical sympathetic ganglia (SCSG) of adult rats were either cut or crushed unilaterally. At intervals ranging from 1 to 112 days after surgery both SCSG were removed and incubated for 1 hr in the presence of 14C-leucine. Proteins were extracted and subjected to two-dimensional electrophoretic separation and autoradiography. With this technique, proteins are separated on the basis of isoelectric point and molecular weight. Also, intact SCSG from 1, 2, 7, and 14 day old rats were labeled and analyzed. It was found that a minority of the separated proteins exhibited some detectable change in relative rate of synthesis following axotomy. Actin exhibited a slight (less than 20%) increase in relative synthesis rate while tubulin did not change significantly. There were small but significant differences in the protein patterns following nerve crush, as opposed to nerve cut. Comparison of protein synthesis patterns from developing rat SCSG with those from intact and from axotomized adult SCSG failed to demonstrate any marked similarity between the developmental and the axotomy patterns.
Diabetic Retinopathy: A Review

Summary This review has provided a chronologic background to our current understanding of diabetic retinopathy: epidemiologically, pathophysiologically, and in terms of treatment modalities. Our options for sight-saving and/or restoration have been greatly expanded over a short period of time, and continue to be explored. Current large-scale multi-center studies promise to yield invaluable information in this regard. The scientific community, working in concert will ultimately conquer the ravages of diabetes. For the moment, however, the battle is far from over.
Spherical, monodisperse, functional bridged polysilsesquioxane nanoparticles.

A method for the synthesis of functional hybrid nanoparticles of uniform size is reported. 1,1‘-bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]-4,4‘-bipyridinium iodide and N,N‘-bis[(3-trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine bridged polysilsesquioxane spherical, monodisperse nanoparticles are prepared utilizing inverse water-in-oil polymerization methods where nanoparticle size can be influenced by adjusting the interfacial tension and monomer concentration. The former are electrochemically active and can be utilized in display devices. Both are polycationic and can be used as carriers for polyanions such as DNA and construction of layer-by-layer architectures.
The Effect of Lubricants on Gear Tooth Scuffing

This paper discusses the effect of some lubricant variables and other relevant factors on gear tooth scuffing. Scuffing is defined as any form of scoring or abrasion of the tooth surface due to metal-to-metal contact. The scuff-limited load is defined as the tooth load at which an arbitrary amount of the working tooth area is scuffed. The factors considered include lubricant bulk viscosity, lubricant type and deterioration, test gear and test machine variables, gear speed, the location and rate of lubricant supply, lubricant supply temperature, and the presence of inert gas atmospheres. The results are compared with, and examined in the light of, other published data. Contributed by the ASLE Technical Committee on Gears and Gear Lubrication and presented at the ASLE Gear Symposium held in Chicago, January, 1959. Presented at the ASLE Gear Lubrication Symposium, Chicago, Illinois, January 26 and 27, 1959.