cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient- and Disease-Specific Factors Associated With Operative Management of de Quervain Tendinopathy.

Purpose It remains unclear which factors, patient- or disease-specific, are associated with electing to undergo operative management for de Quervain tendinopathy. Our null hypothesis was that no patient- or disease-specific factors would be associated with the choice of surgical treatment of de Quervain tendinopathy. Methods We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients diagnosed with de Quervain tendinopathy over 3 years by 1 of 3 fellowship-trained hand surgeons at an urban academic institution. Descriptive statistics were calculated for patient baseline and disease-specific characteristics. Cohorts were compared using bivariate analysis for all collected variables. Binary logistic regression with backward stepwise term selection was performed including independent predictors identified by bivariate analysis. Results A total of 200 patients were identified for inclusion. Bivariate analysis revealed that surgically treated patients were significantly more likely to have Medicaid insurance, psychiatric illness history, and disabled work status. Regression analysis revealed an association between surgical treatment and 2 of the factors evaluated: Medicaid insurance status and psychiatric illness history. Conclusions Psychiatric illness and Medicaid insurance status are associated with undergoing surgical release of the first dorsal compartment. These findings support the use of a biopsychosocial framework when treating patients with de Quervain tendinopathy. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic IV.
California Conceptualism's About-Face

This essay considers the renewal of “deadpan routines” by Conceptual artists in the early 1970s. Allen Ruppersberg, William Leavitt, and William Wegman, among other California Conceptualists, drew ...
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIPOPROTEIN (A), MITRAL ANNULAR CALCIFICATION, AND MITRAL STENOSIS IN A LARGE COHORT OF DYSLIPIDEMIA PATIENTS

Several studies have described the relationship between lipoprotein (a) (LP[a]) and development, as well as progression, of calcific aortic stenosis. However, little is known about whether or not LP(a) is linked to mitral annular calcification (MAC) and mitral stenosis (MS). We retrospectively
Pre-eclampsia and Hypertension

Hypertension is the commonest medical disorder in the pregnant population worldwide. It accounts for significant global morbidity and mortality and will also account for a significant number of preterm deliveries (15%). The incidence appears to be increasing due to increasing maternal age, obesity and women with pre-existing medical disorders such as diabetes, essential hypertension and renal disease. Antenatal management focuses around early detection, treatment with appropriate agents in pregnancy, maternal and fetal monitoring and planned delivery. Despite improvements in outcome for these women there are still women who die as a result of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and in a significant number of these patients there is evidence of substandard care.
A dynamic mixture model to detect student motivation and proficiency

Unmotivated students do not reap the full rewards of using a computer-based intelligent tutoring system. Detection of improper behavior is thus an important component of an online student model. To meet this challenge, we present a dynamic mixture model based on Item Response Theory. This model, which simultaneously estimates a student's proficiency and changing motivation level, was tested with data of high school students using a geometry tutoring system. By accounting for student motivation, the dynamic mixture model can more accurately estimate proficiency and the probability of a correct response. The model's generality is an added benefit, making it applicable to many intelligent tutoring systems as well as other domains.
The Input Stage

The Input Stage takes as input a user specification template consisting of a set of technology constraints and produces the problem description used in the Selection Stage. This problem description consists of an ordered set of tasks and subtasks that define the router design process. For each task, the Input Stage generates a set of candidate solution options. These options correspond to ADL algorithm representations or to data structure representations. Options are generated by applying router domain knowledge to the user specification. This chapter discusses some operational issues, the types of knowledge used, and examples of typical rules in the Input Stage.
Extending Motion Detection to Track Stopped Objects in Visual Multi-Target Tracking

Various solutions to visual multi-target tracking have been proposed, but many of them are not capable of running in real time from a moving camera on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). We present a tracker that runs in real time and tracks multiple objects while accounting for camera motion on a UAV. Our algorithm is capable of processing over 10 frames per second on a $\mathbf{1280x720}$ video sequence. We utilize Recursive-RANSAC, an efficient algorithm for tracking multiple objects in clutter. Our work combines motion detection with optical flow and feature matching to allow stationary objects to be tracked. We use a feature prioritization algorithm to reduce computational complexity and spatial redundancy. We also present a ghost track reduction method which prevents tracking non-existent objects when true objects are no longer visible. We demonstrate the performance of our tracker on a moving camera video sequence. Video results are available at https://youtu.be/6bXjKb_-6qY.
La Inacción de Estados Unidos en la Antártica durante la era heroica. Una mirada desde las sociedades científicas norteamericanas

International expeditions during the so-called Antarctic heroic age were key for the political future of the white continent. Nevertheless, while the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Norway and other nations carried out significant efforts to strengthen their presence in the region, the United States -by then an emerging power- did not participate in the process. According to the above, this paper aspires to identify some of the reasons for the US Antarctic behavior, and -especially- it examines the perspectives that some of the most influential American scientific societies adopted toward the US Antarctic inaction during the first decade of the 20th century. This exploratory work is mostly based on press materials, official documents, and articles appeared in journals and bulletins belonging to the scientific societies under analysis
Objective Measures of Communication Behavior Predict Clinical Performance.

Objective Effective teamwork and communication are critical to patient outcomes, and subjective assessment tools have been studied in predicting team performances. However, inherent biases remain while using subjective assessment tools. This study hypothesizes that objective communication features can assess and predict clinical performance. Design Forty 3rd-year medical students participated in the Acute Care Trauma Simulation as the role of doctor, teaming up with a nurse confederate and a simulated patient. Participants conducted postoperative patient management, patient care diagnoses, and treatment. Audio from all team members were recorded, speech variables (e.g., speech duration, number of conversations, etc.) were extracted, and statistical analyses were performed to associate communication with clinical performance. Setting This study was performed at the simulation center located at Fairbanks Hall, Indiana University School of Medicine. Participants Data from forty 3rd-year medical students were collected and analyzed. Results Majority (67%) of the communications were initiated by student. Speech ratio, intensity, and frequency of communications differed when students communicate with nurse than with patient (e.g., student communication to patient had higher intensity than nurse). Increasing frequency of check-backs between student and nurse (p Conclusion Objective communication features can predict medical trainee's clinical performance and provide an objective approach for simulation-based trauma care training.
Efficient main-memory top-K selection for multicore architectures

Efficient Top-k query evaluation relies on practices that utilize auxiliary data structures to enable early termination. Such techniques were designed to trade-off complex work in the buffer pool against costly access to disk-resident data. Parallel in-memory Top-k selection with support for early termination presents a novel challenge because computation shifts higher up in the memory hierarchy. In this environment, data scan methods using SIMD instructions and multithreading perform well despite requiring evaluation of the complete dataset. Early termination schemes that favor simplicity require random access to resolve score ambiguity while those optimized for sequential access incur too many object evaluations. In this work, we introduce the concept of rank uncertainty, a measure of work efficiency that enables classifying existing solutions according to their potential for efficient parallel in-memory Top-fc selection. We identify data reordering and layering strategies as those having the highest potential and provide practical guidelines on how to adapt them for parallel in-memory execution (creating the VTA and SLA approaches). In addition, we show that the number of object evaluations can be further decreased by combining data reordering with angle space partitioning (introducing PTA). Our extensive experimental evaluation on varying query parameters using both synthetic and real data, showcase that PTA exhibits between 2 and 4 orders of magnitude better query latency, and throughput when compared to prior work and our optimized algorithmic variants (i.e. VTA, SLA).
Crosslinked fluoropolymers exhibiting superior high-temperature energy density and charge–discharge efficiency

The electrification of transport requires dielectric materials capable of operating efficiently at high temperatures to meet the increasing demand of electrical energy storage at extreme conditions. Current high-temperature dielectric polymers rely on the incorporation of wide bandgap inorganic fillers to restrain electrical conduction and achieve high efficiencies at elevated temperatures. Here, we report a new class of all-polymer based high-temperature dielectric materials prepared from crosslinking of melt-processable fluoropolymers. The crosslinked polymers exhibit larger discharged energy densities and greater charge–discharge efficiencies along with excellent breakdown strength and cyclic stability at elevated temperatures when compared to the current dielectric polymers. The origins of the marked improvement in the high-temperature capacitive performance are traced to efficient charge-trapping by a range of the molecular trapping centers resulting from the crosslinked structures. In addition, the implementation of melt-extrudable polymers would enable scalable processing that is compatible with the current fabrication techniques used for polymer dielectrics, which is in sharp contrast to the dielectric polymer composites with inorganic fillers.
Cophonologies by Ph(r)ase

Phonological alternations are often specific to morphosyntactic context. For example, stress shift in English occurs in the presence of some suffixes, -al, but not others, -ing: , , . In some cases a phonological process applies only in words of certain lexical categories. Previous theories have stipulated that such morphosyntactically conditioned phonology is word-bounded. In this paper we present a number of long-distance morphologically conditioned phonological effects, cases where phonological processes within one word are conditioned by another word or the presence of a morpheme in another word. We provide a model, Cophonologies by Phase, which extends Cophonology Theory, intended to capture word-internal and lexically specified phonological alternations, to cyclically generated syntactic constituents. We show that Cophonologies by Phase makes better predictions about the long-distance morphologically conditioned phonological effects we find across languages than previous frameworks. Furthermore, Cophonologies by Phase derives such effects without requiring the phonological component to directly reference syntactic features or structure.
Single-cell deconstruction of post-sepsis skeletal muscle and adipose tissue microenvironments

Background Persistent loss of skeletal muscle mass and function as well as altered fat metabolism are frequently observed in severe sepsis survivors. Studies examining sepsis-associated tissue dysfunction from the perspective of the tissue microenvironment are scarce. In this study, we comprehensively assessed transcriptional changes in muscle and fat at single-cell resolution following experimental sepsis induction. Methods Skeletal muscle and visceral white adipose tissue from control mice or mice 1 day or 1 month following faecal slurry-induced sepsis were used. Single cells were mechanically and enzymatically prepared from whole tissue, and viable cells were further isolated by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Droplet-based single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq; 10× Genomics) was used to generate single-cell gene expression profiles of thousands of muscle and fat-resident cells. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify and compare individual cell populations in both tissues. Results In skeletal muscle, scRNA-seq analysis classified 1438 single cells into myocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, macrophages, neutrophils, T-cells, B-cells, and dendritic cells. In adipose tissue, scRNA-seq analysis classified 2281 single cells into adipose stem cells, preadipocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, dendritic cells, B-cells, T-cells, NK cells, and gamma delta T-cells. One day post-sepsis, the proportion of most non-immune cell populations was decreased, while immune cell populations, particularly neutrophils and macrophages, were highly enriched. Proportional changes of endothelial cells, neutrophils, and macrophages were validated using faecal slurry and cecal ligation and puncture models. At 1 month post-sepsis, we observed persistent enrichment/depletion of cell populations and further uncovered a cell-type and tissue-specific ability to return to a baseline transcriptomic state. Differential gene expression analyses revealed key genes and pathways altered in post-sepsis muscle and fat and highlighted the engagement of infection/inflammation and tissue damage signalling. Finally, regulator analysis identified gonadotropin-releasing hormone and Bay 11-7082 as targets/compounds that we show can reduce sepsis-associated loss of lean or fat mass. Conclusions These data demonstrate persistent post-sepsis muscle and adipose tissue disruption at the single-cell level and highlight opportunities to combat long-term post-sepsis tissue wasting using bioinformatics-guided therapeutic interventions.
Social multipliers and the Covid-19 epidemic: Analysis through constrained maximum entropy modeling

Abstract Social multipliers occur when individuals’ actions influence other individuals’ actions so as to lead to amplified aggregate effects. Epidemic infections offer a dramatic example of this phenomenon since individual actions such as social distancing and masking that have small effects on individual risk can have very large effects in reducing rates of infection when they are widely adopted. This paper uses the info-metric method of constrained maximum entropy modeling to estimate the impact of social multiplier effects in the Covid-19 epidemic with a model that infers the length of infection, the rate of mortality, the base infection factor, and reductions in the infection factor due to changes in social behavior from data on daily infections and deaths. When the model takes account of the rate of reporting of infections, it produces two scenarios of epidemic dynamics: one in which reporting is low, under 10%, the estimated infection is correspondingly large, and immunity effects play a significant role in stabilizing the epidemic; and a second where reporting rates are close to 100%, and the epidemic is controlled mostly by changes in social behavior.
Age-dependent decrease in TRPM4 channel expression but not trafficking alters urinary bladder smooth muscle contractility.

During development, maturation, or aging, the expression and function of urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM) ion channels can change, thus affecting micturition. Increasing evidence supports a novel role of transient receptor potential melastatin-4 (TRPM4) channels in UBSM physiology. However, it remains unknown whether the functional expression of these key regulatory channels fluctuates in UBSM over different life stages. Here, we examined TRPM4 channel protein expression (Western blot) and the effects of TRPM4 channel inhibitors, 9-phenanthrol and glibenclamide, on phasic contractions of UBSM isolated strips obtained from juvenile (UBSM-J, 5-9 weeks old) and adult (UBSM-A, 6-18 months old) male guinea pigs. Compared to UBSM-J, UBSM-A displayed a 50-70% reduction in total TRPM4 protein expression, while the surface-to-intracellular expression ratio (channel trafficking) remained the same in both age groups. Consistent with the reduced total TRPM4 protein expression in UBSM-A, 9-phenanthrol showed lower potencies and/or maximum efficacies in UBSM-A than UBSM-J for inhibiting amplitude and muscle force of spontaneous and 20 mM KCl-induced phasic contractions. Compared to 9-phenanthrol, glibenclamide also attenuated both spontaneous and KCl-induced contractions, but with less pronounced differential effects in UBSM-A and UBSM-J. In both age groups, regardless of the overall reduced total TRPM4 protein expression in UBSM-A, cell surface TRPM4 protein expression (~80%) predominated over its intracellular fraction (~20%), revealing preserved channel trafficking mechanisms toward the cell membrane. Collectively, this study reports novel findings illuminating a fundamental physiological role for TRPM4 channels in UBSM function that fluctuates with age.
Towards Wholeness: Exploring the Transformative Healing of the Creative Process with Dr. Patricia Allen

Creativity emerges in all walks of life and disciplines, requiring diverse approaches and ways of thinking. This article series has taken a wide view to exploring creativity through interviews with experts in different fields (Keenan-Lechel and Henriksen 2019). Beyond disciplinary diversity, it is valuable to think broadly about the types of purposes that creativity relates to. Here, we focus on the work of Dr. Patricia (Pat) Allen, a noted art therapist who uses art and creativity toward mental, emotional, and spiritual wholeness. Her expertise relates to artistic, healing, and therapeutic purposes—and she shares ideas about how education and technology have a role in this. Our conversation offered an illuminating perspective on the role of creativity in healing and wellness, and the education possibilities. We distilled the wide-ranging discussion into themes that include: building systems to support human need; connection to the creative source; rethinking art therapy through the Open Studio Process educational applications for creative wellness; and the affordances of technology for creativity and healing.
Evaluating relationships between plants, water chemistry, and denitrification potential in palustrine freshwater marshes

Abstract Wetlands are hotspots for various biogeochemical processes, including denitrification. Despite its ecological and economic importance, denitrification has proven difficult to measure. Plant community composition, water chemistry, and physical habitat characteristics are all known to play roles in regulating denitrification rates in wetlands. By investigating these relationships, we sought to not only better understand the factors related to denitrification within wetlands, but to build a predictive model capable of estimating the denitrification potential of those wetlands in a more accessible and efficient manner. To accomplish this, we combined a survey of 27 inland marshes throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula with a genetic analysis of denitrification potential within their soils. We found that denitrification, and the spatial variation therein, did not vary significantly between vegetation types at either the individual replicate or site levels. Dissolved oxygen and specific conductance were strong predictors of denitrification potential at all levels of analysis, while correlations with plant community composition varied amongst vegetation types. Spatial variation in denitrification potential, both vertically through the soil column and horizontally across the marshes, was most strongly correlated with plant community composition. Lastly, the metric-based predictive model constructed from these relationships was found to be highly predictive of denitrification potential. This model represents both a more accessible method for estimating denitrification in wetlands, and a framework for building similar models in other wetland systems.
FOCAS: Practical Video Super Resolution using Foveated Rendering

Super-resolution (SR) is a well-studied technique for reconstructing high-resolution (HR) images from low-resolution (LR) ones. SR holds great promise for video streaming since an LR video segment can be transmitted from the video server to the client that then reconstructs the HR version using SR, resulting in a significant reduction in network bandwidth. However, SR is seldom used in practice for real-time video streaming, because the computational overhead of frame reconstruction results in large latency and low frame rate. To reduce the computational overhead and make SR practical, we propose a deep-learning-based SR method called Fo veated Cas caded Video Super Resolution (focas). focas relies on the fact that human eyes only have high acuity in a tiny central foveal region of the retina. focas uses more neural network blocks in the foveal region to provide higher video quality, while using fewer blocks in the periphery as lower quality is sufficient. To optimize the computational resources and reduce reconstruction latency, focas formulates and solves a convex optimization problem to decide the number of neural network blocks to use in each region of the frame. Using extensive experiments, we show that focas reduces the latency by 50%-70% while maintaining comparable visual quality as traditional (non-foveated) SR. Further, focas provides a 12-16x reduction in the client-to-server network bandwidth in comparison with sending the full HR video segments.
A functional equation with involution related to the cosine function

Let G be an abelian group, $${\mathbb{C}}$$ be the field of complex numbers, $${\alpha \in G}$$ be any fixed element and $${\sigma : G \to G}$$ be an involution. In this paper, we determine the general solution $${f, g : G \to \mathbb{C}}$$ of the functional equation $${f(x + \sigma y + \alpha) + g(x + y + \alpha) = 2f(x)f(y)}$$ for all $${x, y \in G}$$ .
Web Page Ranking Based on Events

Search results of web search engines are displayed according to their ranking function, which is a function of the in-links and the out-links of the web page. Users are generally overwhelmed by the thousands of results retrieved by the search engine, few of which are useful. Most of the search engine users are interested in the latest information about the searched keywords. Such pages containing the latest information about an event (or incident) are not always ranked high by the search engines due to the lack of sufficient in-links pointing to these web pages. For example, if a search query “DaWaK” is given to Google, the users are generally interested in the latest information i.e., the home page of DaWaK 2004 conference, which is not ranked in the top 10 results returned by Google. In this paper we address the problem of ranking the web pages based on events (or incidents) related to the searched keywords. We provide a method for finding patterns that constitute events in the search results returned by a conventional search engine and then rank the web pages based on these event patterns. We also describe a mechanism whereby our technique can be used inside the ranking function of a conventional search engine such as Google. We provide experimental results that validate the efficiency and use of our technique in capturing the user intentions.
Molecular Line Mapping of OMC-1

We present new, fully sampled maps of the molecular emission from CO, 1 3CO, and HCN in the Orion Molecular Cloud. The high resolution of the maps (< 1 arcmin) reveals considerable structure in the molecular gas that is related to the HII region surrounding the Trapezium.
Dose Dependency for Absorption and Elimination Rates of Theophylline Implications for Studies of Bioavailability

Dose dependency for absorption and elimination rates of theophylline were examined by administering 2-mg/kg and 6-mg/kg doses of a theophylline solution to 8 adult volunteers. The area under the concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity after the lower dose was 84% of that calculated after the higher dose. This is associated with a decrease in the slope of the terminal portion of the elimination curve to varying degrees after the higher dose in all 8 patients (p less than 0.001). A significantly smaller fraction of the higher dose was absorbed at 15 minutes (0.46 vs. 0.77, p less than 0.002), but the differences were trivial by 30 to 45 minutes. Dose dependency for elimination may cause changes in a steady-state serum concentration during multiple dosing that is disproportionately larger than changes in dosage. In addition, the slower elimination at higher serum concentrations may confound the assessment of bioavailability of slow-release formulations when the doses used result in a substantial disparity in the range of serum concentrations attained for the slow-release formulation and the reference. The use of unequal doses adjusted to provide similar peak serum concentrations appears to minimize this potential error.
Hypoglycemia and Unilateral Pulmonary Edema in a Newborn

A case of cardiomegaly with unilateral pulmonary edema is presented. The predisposing etiologies were severe hypoglycemia and a hypertonic glucose infusion into a branch of the left lower lobe pulmonary vein. Resolution resulted following maintenance of adequate glucose levels, vigorous cardiopulmonary support, and repositioning of the catheter tip in the inferior vena cava. The pathophysiologic mechanism was direct endothelial injury with an osmotic diuresis. The role of the release of a vasoactive substance was postulated.
Current State-of-The-Art and Future Directions in Systems Biology

Systems Biology offers the promise of decoding genetic information, optimizing pharmaceutical design, and aiding in the development of precision medicine. These advances require the bimodal approach of deriving information from experimental data and integrating such information via computational modeling. However, choosing an appropriate experimental assay and computational model is paramount to the accuracy and relevancy of the output. Here, we delve into the fundamental concept of several commonly used modeling approaches, their advantages and limitations, as well as potential applications. We review and compare experimental assays used in systems biology, based on the throughput, simplicity and possibility for quantification. In addition, we review current experimental models used in conjunction with assays to provide parameters and/or validation for computational modeling. Lastly, we present applications of systems biology in medicine: case studies, clinical opportunities, and future directions of systems biology
Present and Forthcoming UV Missions

Over the past 40 years, UV telescopes and spectrographs have improved by many orders of magnitude in some key parameters that govern their ability to perform useful observations. This article surveys the characteristics of past, present and future UV missions, with an emphasis on parameters that are important for our capacity to make abundance determinations in different circumstances.
Assessing the Continuum of Care Pathway for Maternal Health in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

We assess how countries in regions of the world where maternal mortality is highest—South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa—are performing with regards to providing women with vital elements of the continuum of care. Using recent Demographic and Health Survey data from nine countries including 18,036 women, descriptive and multilevel regression analyses were conducted on four key elements of the continuum of care—at least one antenatal care visit, four or more antenatal care visits, delivery with a skilled birth attendant and postnatal checks for the mother within the first 24 h since birth. Family planning counseling within a year of birth was also included in the descriptive analyses. Results indicated that a major drop-out (>50 %) occurs early on in the continuum of care between the first antenatal care visit and four or more antenatal care visits. Few women (<5 %) who do not receive any antenatal care go on to have a skilled delivery or receive postnatal care. Women who receive some or all the elements of the continuum of care have greater autonomy and are richer and more educated than women who receive none of the elements. Understanding where drop-out occurs and who drops out can enable countries to better target interventions. Four or more ANC visits plays a pivotal role within the continuum of care and warrants more programmatic attention. Strategies to ensure that vital services are available to all women are essential in efforts to improve maternal health.
Quantitative discrimination of the nano-pore-structure of cement paste during drying: New insights from water sorption isotherms

Abstract A new ability to quantitatively evaluate the complex pore system of cement pastes, using water sorption isotherms, is used to illuminate: (a) evolutions of microstructure during drying, (b) the mechanisms that control drying shrinkage, and (c) a novel method to compute the original w/c (i.e., water-to-cement ratio, mass basis). Each of these points has significant implications on concrete performance and durability in engineering practice. We show that irreversible changes in the nanostructure during first drying are associated with changes in the pores that empty between ≈ 85-and-45% relative humidity (RH). It is also shown that water in the interlayer space (e.g., similar to clays) of the binding calcium–silicate–hydrate (C–S–H) phase, does not empty until drying below ≈ 25% RH. However, this water, once removed, does not completely re-saturate the pore spaces even at nearly 100% RH — for time scales on the order of weeks. With the ability to specifically identify the volume of pores associated with the C–S–H gel, as opposed to the larger capillary pores and the smaller interlayer spaces, a method for computing the original w/c (and hence cement content), of cementitious material is proposed. These results suggest improved methods for evaluating and modeling the engineering behavior of cement-based materials.
Increasing drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a medical center---what about in Taiwan overall?

Mutation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in resistance to tuberculosis drugs occurs spontaneously and at random,1 but clinically relevant drug resistance is associated with antituberculosis treatment, appears by selective multiplication of resistant mutants during treatment (acquired resistance), and by transmission of drug-resistant organisms (primary resistance). Proper use of antituberculosis drugs is essential in preventing drug resistance in tuberculosis. The prevalence and trend of drug resistance in tuberculosis is an important indicator of the quality of tuberculosis services.2–8 In 1994, the World Health Organization and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease launched the Global Project on Antituberculosis Drug Resistance Surveillance. The objectives of the Global Project are to measure the prevalence of antituberculosis drug resistance worldwide using a standardized methodology, to monitor the trend of drug resistance, to study the correlation between the level of drug resistance and treatment policies in different settings, and to evaluate the efficiency of treatment programs.9 To date, four global reports on antituberculosis drug resistance in the world have been published.2–5 Guidelines for surveillance of drug resistance in tuberculosis emphasize the following principles:9 1. The sample of specimens should be representative of the tuberculosis patients in the country/geographical setting under study and the sample size should be determined to permit standard epidemiologic analysis. 2. The patient’s history should be carefully obtained to determine whether or not the patient has previously received antituberculosis drugs, which is essential to distinguish between drug resistance among new cases and that among previously treated cases. 3. Optimal laboratory performance should be ensured and maintained through links with a supranational reference laboratory. Several facility-based surveys on drug resistance in tuberculosis in Taiwan were published in past decades.10–19 These reports indicated the importance of and the interest in this subject. However, the findings of these facility-based investigations cannot be generalized to the overall population of tuberculosis patients with certainty and have a limited role in monitoring the trend of drug resistance in tuberculosis. Surveys undertaken with a nationwide representative sample may be more widely applicable. An article, published in the March 2008 issue of this journal, which reported increasing drug resistance of M. tuberculosis in a medical center in northern Taiwan highlighted the problems.18 Su et al18 reported the prevalence of drug resistance in a total of 611 non-duplicate M. tuberculosis isolates from culture-proven tuberculosis cases
The Influence of Stable Stratification on the Thermally Driven Tropical Boundary Layer

Abstract Simple linearized models of the steady, thermally driven, axially symmetric motion of a stably stratified fluid on a rotating sphere are used to study the near-equator behavior of the boundary 1ayer. It is found that the inclusion of the stratification introduces the natural horizontal length scale L of the geometric mean of the radius of the earth and a global Rossby radius of deformation. The tropical boundary layer is found to have constant finite depth over a length scale O(L) from the equator through pressure boundary layering. The baroclinicity of the fluid is important for the interior flow also for a length scale O(L) from the equator. Therefore, the inclusion of stable stratification is likely to be necessary in simple models describing features of the intertropical convergence zone. An approximate solution to the boundary layer equations using a method devised by Kuo (1973) are compared to “exact” solutions. Kuo's method is found to introduce significant errors.
Gastrointestinal metabolism and transport of pesticidal carbamates

Published evidence pertaining to gastrointestinal absorption and metabolism of pesticidal carbamates will be reviewed. The major body of evidence will come form investigations conducted by the author on N-methylcarbamate pesticides with rats; few investigations directly involving the gastrointestinal system have been reported by other research groups. Results derived from in vitro and isolated in vivo preparations show that pesticidal carbamates are absorbed and metabolized by gastrointestinal tissues. Numerous gastrointestinal metabolites have been separated; some have been identified and their behavior in the gut characterized; these data will be included in the review to the extent they have been published. The absorptive and metabolic capacities of the gastrointestinal system vary from one region to another. The author draws from evidence obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies and proposes the events that occur between carbamate ingestion and the appearance of the compound and/or its metabolites in the portal blood or mesenteric lymph. In this endeavor, the author acknowledges that superimposition of the metabolic precursory substrate-product sequence on the sequential physiologic steps from ingestion to defecation produces a complex situation which is difficult if not impossible to study meaningfully by investigation of one tissue component at a time (i.e., epithelial uptake, epithelial metabolism, mucosal to serosal transport, etc.).
Overview of the risk analysis approach and terminology: the merging of science, judgment and values

Abstract Risk assessment is a process for identifying adverse consequences and their associated probability. As applied to impacts on human health from contaminant residuals in food, risk assessment involves four steps — (i) determination of exposure media (food) contaminant concentrations; (ii) exposure assessment; (iii) toxicity assessment; and (iv) risk characterization. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of the risk assessment process and identify terminology and methods. In the area of public health protection, risk assessment has proven most useful when applied to endpoints with high negative value (or negative utility) — such as disasters and irreversible diseases such as cancer and birth defects. Less success has been attained when it is applied to reversible and/or threshold-type diseases such as muscle dysfunction and neurological effects. We will consider why this is and what this implies for the application of risk assessment to a broader range of human diseases and low likelihood impacts. An important issue in health risk assessment is how precisely we can characterize the distribution among individuals and/or species of potential effects and whether this level of precision favours one or another action.
Toward multi-language, multi-component interface contract enforcement

This paper describes current work aimed at helping scientists gain confidence in software built from emerging component technologies through the automated enforcement of interface contracts. These contracts consist of assertions required to hold before and after interface methods are executed. Runtime contract enforcement is a well-known technique for enhancing testing and debugging, but is typically considered too expensive for deployment. Prior work investigated strategies intended to retain an application's high performance while enforcing contracts during plug-and-play component deployment. The associated studies involved single-component implementations in C and C++.Current efforts seek to expand and harden the Babel middleware toolkit's contract support. The emphasis is on enforcement across all supported languages. Example clients and implementations have been added to the Babel source code distribution for nearly every supported language combination. Preliminary work on programs utilizing multiple classes and Common Component Architecture-compliant components has also been performed.
Insertions of electrophiles into metal hydride bonds. Reactions of (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)H2 with activated alkynes to produce η2-alkene complexes

Abstract The dihydride complex (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)H2 (1) reacts with the electron deficient alkynes phenylacetylene (PhCCH), diphenylacetylene (PhCCPh), methyl propiolate (HCCE, E=CO2Me), dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate (ECCE, DMAD) and hexafluoro-2-butyne (F3CCCCF3) to produce in all cases η2-olefin complexes of the hydrogenated alkyne (2a–j). The complexes (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(η2-methacrylate) (2a, 2b), (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(η2-styrene) (2c, 2d) and (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(η2-cis-stilbene) (2e, 2f) exist as pairs of rotamers that do not interconvert. The reaction of 1 with PhCCPh also produces (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(η2-trans-stilbene) (2g) at higher temperatures. Insertion of F3CCCCF3 into 1 occurs stereoselectively to yield (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(η2-trans-hexafluoro-2-butene) (2h). A mixture of cis- and trans- insertion products is observed in the reaction of 1 with ECCE to yield (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(η2-fumarate) (2i) and (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(η2-maleate) (2j) complexes. A crossover experiment using 1 and 1-d2 with DMAD shows only d0 and d2 η2-olefin products, demonstrating that both hydrogens come from the same molecule of 1. A second crossover experiment using (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(η2-fumarate)-d2 and free dimethylfumarate shows no evidence for incorporation of the free olefin. The vinyl hydride intermediates (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(CRCHR)H are observed below −20°C for R=E and at room temperature for R=CF3. Cyclic voltammetry of the metal complex 1 and of the substituted alkynes shows irreversible behavior and half-wave redox potentials E1/2 are reported. CHCl3 quenching of the vinyl hydride products from the reaction of 1 with F3CCCCF3 yields crystals of the complex (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)[trans-C(CF3)CH(CF3)]Cl (5a) which was established as the trans complex by X-ray crystallography.
A1 adenosinergic modulation alters the duration of maximal dentate activation.

Abstract The role of adenosine systems in the initiation and termination of seizures was examined using a unique marker for limbic seizures — maximal dentate activation (MDA). At 10 mg/kg 2-chloroadenosine shortened the duration of MDA, a measure of seizure terminating processes. The selective A 1 agonist, cyclopentyladenosine, at 3 mg/kg, blocked the increase in duration of MDA, while the A 1 antagonist, 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (0.05 mg/kg) had the opposite effect. None of the compounds tested altered the time to onset of MDA, a measure of processes that initiate seizures. Therefore, modulation of A 1 adenosine systems appears to alter seizure termination much more than seizure initiation.
Identifying substance abuse in maltreating families: A child welfare challenge

Studies of the link between parental substance abuse and child maltreatment suggest that chemical dependence is present in at least half of the families who come to the attention of child welfare authorities for child abuse and neglect. Parental substance abuse is thought to be a primary factor in greatly increased rates of children entering foster care over the past decade. It is also a clear risk factor for child mental health problems and poor developmental outcomes in children. At the same time, however, minimal attention is often given to training child protective services workers and other child welfare personnel in identifying and confronting substance abuse in families on their caseloads. The authors explore standardized methods developed for screening for substance abuse among various populations and suggest ways of adapting these screening devices for families reported for child maltreatment. They identify assessment and treatment considerations in substance abusing families as well.
Direct simulation of the motion of solid particles in Couette and Poiseuille flows of viscoelastic fluids

This paper reports the results of direct numerical simulation of the motion of a two-dimensional circular cylinder in Couette flow and in Poiseuille flow of an Oldroyd-B fluid. Both neutrally buoyant and non-neutrally buoyant cylinders are considered. The cylinder's motion and the mechanisms which cause the cylinders to migrate are studied. The stable equilibrium position of neutrally buoyant particles varies with inertia, elasticity, shear thinning and the blockage ratio of the channel in both shear flows. Shear thinning promotes the migration of the cylinder to the wall while inertia causes the cylinder to migrate away from the wall. The cylinder moves closer to the wall in a narrower channel. In a Poiseuille flow, the effect of elastic normal stresses is manifested by an attraction toward the nearby wall if the blockage is strong. If the blockage is weak, the normal stresses act through the curvature of the inflow velocity profile and generate a lateral force that points to the centreline. In both cases, the migration of particles is controlled by elastic normal stresses which in the limit of slow flow in two dimensions are compressive and proportional to the square of the shear rate on the body. A slightly buoyant cylinder in Couette flow migrates to an equilibrium position nearer the centreline of the channel in a viscoelastic fluid than in a Newtonian fluid. On the other hand, the same slightly buoyant cylinder in Poiseuille flow moves to a stable position farther away from the centreline of the channel in a viscoelastic fluid than in a Newtonian fluid. Marked effects of shear thinning are documented and discussed.
Junius Bouton Bird (1907–1982)

Junius Bird, who died at his home in New York City on April 2, 1982, after a brief bout with cancer, had been a guiding force in American archeology for nearly half a century. His work on the early occupation of South America and on numerous aspects of Andean technology, especially textiles, set new standards of excellence and innovation. There were major projects in south Chile (Bird 1938), north Chile (Bird 1943), and at Huaca Prieta on the Peruvian North Coast (Bird 1948). He also maintained an active interest in the archeology of North America and, in his last years, conducted research in Panama. He was a pioneer in the development and use of absolute chronologies. His unending curiosity about the world around him made him one of
Clinical relevance of serial quantitative analysis of hematopoietic chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in children for severe aplastic anemia

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is a well-established treatment modality for children with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Treatment failures are rare and mostly caused by graft rejection. Increasing mixed chimerism represents a stage at the very beginning of graft rejection, where immunological intervention might be an effective prophylactic approach. To substantiate this, we: (1) monitored peripheral blood cells from children with SAA after allo-SCT and performed pre-emptive immunotherapy in patients with increasing MC. In all, 23/34 courses of 32 children with SAA after allo-SCT showed a complete chimerism (CC) throughout and 10/34 developed different types of mixed chimerism (MC). Altogether, 4/10 with MC spontaneously developed decreasing MC, 2/10 courses persisted with low proportions of autologous cells below 30% (stable-MC), 4/10 developed increasing MC and one patient showed an autologous recovery. All patients with CC, decreasing MC or stable MC remained in continuous complete remission (CCR). In all, 2/4 patients with increasing MC developed graft rejection. Based on these observations, 2/4 new patients with increasing MC received low-dose DLIs prophylactically, and remained in CCR without any GVHD. These results substantiate that low-dose DLI in children with SAA and increasing MC can prevent graft rejection with a calculable risk to induce severe GVHD.
The Changing Role of the President as a Fiscal Leader.

This chapter examines challenges and options available to community college presidents as their institutions increasingly rely on unstable revenue streams. Presidents, particularly those at institutions with limited access to strong local tax support, require new and expanded fiscal leadership skills.
Percutaneous tracheotomy: Griggs technique

The Griggs percutaneous tracheotomy is a technique that is safe and cost effective, and can be done rapidly at the bedside. The Griggs percutaneous tracheotomy is unique in its utilization of a guidewire dilator forceps. The indications for Griggs percutaneous tracheotomy are identical to those used for open tracheotomy and include prolonged intubation, pulmonary toilet, and upper airway obstruction. Fiberscopic visualization has been promoted by some to potentially decrease complications. In this article, the indications, contraindications, technique, and complications of the Griggs method will be discussed.
A jackknife interpretation of the continuous updating estimator

Abstract Recent work on Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimators has suggested that the continuous updating estimator is less biased than the commonly used two-step estimator. We show that the continuous updating estimator can be interpreted as jackknife estimator. The interpretation gives some insight into why there is less bias associated with this estimator.