cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring the concerns of cancer patients with low platelet counts: the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Thrombocytopenia (FACT-Th) questionnaire

The specific concerns of people with low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) have not been characterized well in the literature and as a result proper measurement of patient-reported concerns is lacking. We report on the development and validation of questions specifically targeted to patients with thrombocytopenia that can be added to the more general concerns in the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. An 18-item FACT-Thrombocytopenia Subscale (ThS) was rated and evaluated by thrombocytopenic patients at baseline during a validation study of 40 thrombocytopenic and 43 nonthrombocytopenic cancer patients. To evaluate responsiveness, patients completed a battery of self-report measures including the FACT-Th and were followed up for change in platelet count over 2 weeks. All subscales and aggregated scores showed high internal consistency at initial assessment and at retesting. Convergent and divergent validity were demonstrated by predicted relationships between FACT-Th subscales and mood, mental and physical component scores of the SF-36, and social desirability. The ThS differentiated patients with low platelets from those with normal platelet counts and good performance from poor performance status patients. The FACT-Th is a reliable and valid measure for assessing the impact of thrombocytopenia on patients’ lives. It can distinguish cancer patients with and without thrombocytopenia and is responsive to increase in platelet count over time. The FACT-Th may therefore prove useful as a measure of self-reported symptoms and concerns related to thrombocytopenia in clinical trials evaluating new pharmacologic agents and/or platelet transfusion practice.
Improvisation in Human Service Management and Scholarship

Consider the following scenarios: A piano trio is in the last evening of a five night run of performances at a jazz club. As with previous nights, the trio plays two sets. Right before they begin t...
NONSURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF NON-SMALL-CELL LUNG CANCER

Bronchogenic carcinoma represents the leading cause of death for males and females in the United States. In the year 2000, an estimated 164, 100 cases of carcinoma of the lung and bronchus will occur. Approximately 157, 000 patients with this disease will die of lung cancer. Interestingly, lung cancer deaths continue to rise for females but have gradually fallen for males in the United States. 1 Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for lung cancer. Stages I and II are specifically well suited to surgical resection. Cure rates range from 70% to 30% in patients with stage I and II disease who are subjected to surgical resection. 28 The role of surgical resection remains somewhat controversial in patients with more advanced stages. A thorough discussion regarding the indications for surgical resection in patients who have regionally advanced disease is beyond the scope of this article. Nonsurgical therapy for non–small-cell lung cancer should be considered for all patients with regionally advanced disease (stage III) and in some patients with medical contraindications to resection with earlier stage disease. This article discusses the indications, outcomes, and management of patients who are not candidates for surgical resection, either because of a medical contraindication or because of locally or regionally advanced non–small-cell lung cancer.
GLC Analysis of Chloramphenicol: A Collaborative Study

A GLC method for the assay of chloramphenicol was subjected to a rigorous collaborative study. An overall recovery of 100.1 ± 2.97% for three samples from 14 participating laboratories was obtained.
Client-Controlled Case Information: A General System Theory Perspective

The author proposes a model for client control of case information via the World Wide Web built on principles of general system theory. It incorporates the client into the design, resulting in an information structure that differs from traditional human services information-sharing practices. Referencing general system theory, the concepts of controller and controlled system, as well as entropy and negentropy, are applied to the information flow and autopoietic behavior as they relate to the boundary-maintaining functions of today's organizations. The author's conclusions synthesize general system theory and human services values to lay the foundation for an information-sharing framework for human services in the 21st century.
Do physicians have adequate knowledge of child sexual abuse? The results of two surveys of practicing physicians, 1986 and 1996

The objective of this study was to to determine if physician knowledge of and biases regarding child sexual abuse (CSA) have changed since 1986. A questionnaire, previously used in 1986, was mailed to 370 physicians who see children in Columbus, Ohio. More respondents in 1996 correctly denied an association between specific sociologic factors and the likelihood of CSA. Seventy-two percent of physicians indicated that they check the genitalia of prepubescent females more than 50% of the time, versus 77% in 1986. Physicians who see more than 25 pediatric patients per week were significantly more likely to check the genitalia (p < .001), whereas physicians with more than 10 years experience were less likely to check genitalia (p < .05). Physicians surveyed in 1996 were more knowledgeable about socioeconomic and behavioral aspects of CSA but continued to be deficient in identifying prepubescent female genital anatomy and in reporting suspected abuse. Education is necessary to correct these deficits.
IGF-1 Modulates N and L Calcium Channels in a PI 3-Kinase-Dependent Manner

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have long been associated with proliferation in non-neural cells, although they are also expressed in postmitotic neurons. We demonstrate that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) induces within seconds a large, tyrosine-kinase-dependent increase in calcium channel currents in cerebellar granule neurons. Separation of channel subtypes reveals that, while P, Q, and R channels are unaffected, N and L channel activities are strongly potentiated at specific membrane voltages: N currents triple at depolarized potentials, while L currents rapidly increase 4-fold at hyperpolarized potentials. Moreover, transient expression of dominant-negative and wild-type phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase (PI 3-kinase) subunits, as well as application of specific inhibitors, demonstrates that PI 3-kinase is an essential and rate-limiting messenger in this signaling pathway. Our results indicate that N and L calcium channels are downstream targets of neuronal RTKs and suggest that RTK modulation may control calcium-dependent processes, such as neurotransmitter release and IGF-1-dependent differentiation or survival.
The effects of dietary cholesterol-lowering on psychological symptoms: A randomised controlled study

The relationship of plasma cholesterol-reducing interventions to emotional states, such as depression and hostility, remains a topic of debate. The present study employed a randomised, controlled design, and was conducted at a clinical research center to test the effect of dietary cholesterol-lowering on psychological symptoms. Ten women and eight men were randomly assigned to one of two counterbalanced diet cycles (low-fat versus high-fat diet; isocaloric; 6 weeks each; separated by a washout period). Analyses for repeated measures revealed that the low-fat diet significantly reduced total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, when compared with baseline and the high-fat diet. As expected, weight remained unchanged. Ratings of depression, hostility and global severity of psychological symptoms as measured by the SCL-90-R also improved significantly on the low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate diet when compared with baseline. These results suggest that plasma cholesterol-lowering in the context of a low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate diet may have a beneficial effect on psychological symptoms.
Boson-exchange potentials and the nucleon potential energy in nuclear matter

We report a calculation of the nucleon potential energy in nuclear matter based upon a one-boson-exchange potential which is obtained from a fit to the two-nucleon scattering data. We evaluate the potential energy in the Hartree-Fock approximation and also perform a calculation which includes the effects of nucleon-nucleon correlations. We find large correlation corrections and conclude that calculations making use of the Hartree (or Hartree-Fock) approximation require the use of effective coupling constants which differ from those determined in a fit to scattering data. These effective constants would include effects of correlations in an implicit fashion.
Deferoxamine attenuates acute hydrocephalus after traumatic brain injury in rats.

Acute post-traumatic ventricular dilation and hydrocephalus are relatively frequent consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Several recent studies have indicated that high iron levels in brain may relate to hydrocephalus development after intracranial hemorrhage. However, the role of iron in the development of post-traumatic hydrocephalus is still unclear. This study was to determine whether or not iron has a role in hydrocephalus development after TBI. TBI was induced by lateral fluid-percussion in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Some rats had intraventricular injection of iron. Acute hydrocephalus was measured by magnetic resonance T2-weighted imaging and brain hemorrhage was determined by T2* gradient–echo sequence imaging and brain hemoglobin levels. The effect of deferoxamine on TBI-induced hydrocephalus was examined. TBI resulted in acute hydrocephalus at 24 h (lateral ventricle volume: 24.1 ± 3.0 vs. 9.9 ± 0.2 mm3 in sham group). Intraventricular injection of iron also caused hydrocephalus (25.7 ± 3.4 vs. 9.0 ± 0.6 mm3 in saline group). Deferoxamine treatment attenuated TBI-induced hydrocephalus and heme oxygenase-1 upregulation. In conclusion, iron may contribute to acute hydrocephalus after TBI.
Proposed modification of the criterion for the region of validity of the inverse-power expansion in diatomic long-range potentials

Abstract A modified internuclear distance criterion, R LR- m , as the lower bound for the region of validity of the inverse-power expansion of the diatomic long-range potential is proposed. This new criterion takes into account the spatial orientation of the atomic orbitals while retaining the simplicity of the traditional Le Roy radius, R LR for the interaction of S state atoms. Recent experimental and theoretical results for various excited states in Na 2 suggest that this proposed R LR- m is an appropriate generalization of R LR .
The Use and Misuse of the Coefficient of Variation in Organizational Demography Research

Demographic heterogeneity is a central theoretical construct in organizational demography research. The most commonly used measure of demographic heterogeneity is the coefficient of variation. The author critically evaluates the rationale for using this measure and shows that the use of the coefficient of variation raises a number of methodological and interpretive problems. Empirical analyses of turnover suggest that using the coefficient of variation may lead to incorrect conclusions about the effects of demographic heterogeneity.
SOMATOMEDIN GENERATING ACTIVITY OF THE 20,000-DALTON VARIANT OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE

The 20,000-dalton variant of human growth hormone stimulated production of somatomedins in the hypophysectomized rat. Somatomedin activity was measured by a radioreceptor assay. The results indicate that the insulin-like activities of human growth hormone that are greatly diminished in the variant are not prerequisites for somatomedin production.
Complications of hip fracture surgery on patients receiving clopidogrel therapy

Clopidogrel (Plavix®) may influence patient safety during fracture surgery. Our study examines the incidence of complications for patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty on clopidogrel therapy. All patients, who underwent hemiarthroplasty between 2005 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were placed in two comparative groups based on the use of clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy. Records were reviewed for patient demographics, ASA score, pre and postoperative hemoglobin, time to surgery, length of stay, bleeding events, transfusions and complications. Comparative statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test and Student’s t test, using P < 0.05 to identify statistical significance. A total of 203 charts were reviewed, of which 162 patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria. One hundred and twelve females and 50 males with mean age of 84 years were identified. The clopidogrel group consisted of 15 (9.3 %) patients and the nonclopidogrel group 147 (90.7 %). The clopidogrel group had more comorbidities resulting in a significantly higher ASA score (3.9 vs. 2.9), and lower preoperative hemoglobin (11.3 vs. 12.0). There was no significant difference identified in time to surgery, intraoperative blood loss, hemoglobin on days 1–3, or number of transfusions received between groups. Patients on clopidogrel were seen to have significantly longer hospital stays (10.6 vs. 7.4 days). However, a similar rate of wound and bleeding related complications (6.7 vs. 6.1 %) was seen. The optimal treatment for hip fracture patients on antiplatelet therapy is unclear. However, in this study there appears to be no significant difference with regards to bleeding and bleeding related wound complications, suggesting it is safe to proceed with hemiarthroplasty for patients receiving clopidogrel.
The World Bank Administrative Tribunal's External Sources of Law: A Retrospective of the Tribunal's First Quarter-Century (1981–2005)

The jurisprudence of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal has grown and evolved dramatically over its first quarter-century. Mr. Hansen's study comprehensively surveys the numerous doctrinal contributions provided by external sources during this time. Organized under rubrics suggested by Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, which sets out that Court's sources of law, Mr. Hansen's study reviews: (i) the roles of the contract of employment, Bank rules, international treaties and national laws in the composition of the pactum established between a staff member and the Bank; (ii) the development of binding custom from the practices of the Bank, other institutions and national governments; (iii) the Tribunal's use of general legal principles drawn from other legal systems; and (iv) the Tribunal's use of international and domestic tribunal precedents. Extensively footnoted, Mr. Hansen's study is intended for both academics and practitioners specializing in international administrative law and dispute settlement.
The effect of variations in nurse staffing on patient length of stay in the acute care setting

This study examines the relationship between nurse staffing and patient length of stay (LOS). Data were collected on nurses employed and patients admitted to one of four study units located in two Midwest hospitals. Three nursing variables (hours per patient day [HPPD], skill mix, and nursing expertise) were collected through survey and administrative forms. The nursing data were then linked with patient-specific characteristics (deviation from expected LOS) to test the relationship at the patient level of analysis. Average HPPD was a positive predictor of deviation from expected LOS, whereas overall expertise was a negative predictor of deviation from expected LOS. Higher staffing levels may result in patients being discharged sooner than expected. Nurse administrators must consider the quantity as well as quality of staff when determining optimal staffing levels. Unit staffing levels must include nurses who have both experiential and theoretical knowledge in order to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
Enhanced new production observed from the diurnal cycle of nitrate in an oligotrophic anticyclonic eddy

A diurnal study in an anticyclonic eddy provides the first evidence of nutrient dynamics consistent with the observed trends in solar radiation, oxygen concentration changes, and estimates of the eddy diffusive flux of nitrate from nitracline. A new production rate of 24 mmol C m -2 d -1 was determined from nitrate inventory changes at nM levels in the mixed layer using a liquid waveguide technique combined with eddy diffusion estimates across the base of the mixed layer from temporal changes in the vertical penetration of SF 6 . The new production supported by nitrate from deepening of the mixed layer after storm events is two times larger than that from the daily diffusive flux. Our results demonstrate that new production in the oligotrophic ocean can be enhanced by a supply of nitrate through the eddy turbulence-induced diffusive flux and entrainment during storms.
Application of the correlation-crystal-field delta-function model in analyses of Pr3+(4f2) energy-level structures in crystalline hosts

Abstract The 4f 2 electronic energy-level structures observed for Pr 3+ in seven different crystalline host materials are analyzed and compared. The analyses are based on a model Hamiltonian that includes consideration of both one-electron crystal-field (CF) and two-electron correlation-crystal-field (CCF) interactions. Special attention is given to the importance of CCF interactions in determining the crystal-field energy-level structures observed within particular anomalous multiplet manifolds of Pr 3+ , such as the 1 D 2 and 1 G 4 multiplets, which typically exhibit crystal-field energy-level structures that cannot be explained in terms of `standard' one-electron CF interaction models. It is shown in the present study that the apparently anomalous behavior of these multiplets can be explained in terms of two-electron CCF effects. It is further shown that the relevant CCF effects can be satisfactorily modeled by use of a highly restricted `delta-function' form of the general two-electron CCF model Hamiltonian, where the dominant two-electron correlation effects are assumed to arise from spin-paired electrons occupying the same angular orbital. Incorporation of this restricted CCF model Hamiltonian into the modeling calculations requires the introduction of only one or two additional parameters beyond those required for the standard one-electron CF modeling calculations, and satisfactorily resolves the major discrepancies between observed and calculated crystal-field splittings for the anomalous 1 D 2 and 1 G 4 multiplet manifolds in the energy-level structures of LaCl 3 :Pr 3+ , GdCl 3 :Pr 3+ , Cs 2 NaPrCl 6 , Cs 2 NaYCl 6 :Pr 3+ , LiYF 4 :Pr 3+ , LiBiF 4 :Pr 3+ , and CsCdBr 3 :Pr 3+ .
Dewetting of Reactive CaMgSiO4 Glass Films on Single-Crystal MgO(001) Substrate

The early stages of dewetting of a reactive silicate (CaMgSiO 4 ) film on a ceramic (MgO) substrate were studied by scanning probe microscopy. Subsequent interactions between the glass phase and an underlying single-crystal substrate, such as dissolution/re-precipitation of substrate material at the glass-ceramic interface and evaporation of silicate phase, were investigated by observing selected areas of the specimens through a series of annealing-quenching cycles. Implications deduced from the CaMgSiO 4 -MgO equilibrium phase diagram on the process of dissolution/re-precipitation of MgO are briefly discussed.
Partitioning solar radiation into direct and diffuse, visible and near-infrared components

Abstract Measurements of total and diffuse, solar and visible (photosynthetically active, PAR) irradiance were made during portions of the summer months of 1979, 1980, and 1981 near Scottsbluff, NE. The objective of this experiment was to obtain equations to predict direct beam and diffuse irradiance in both the visible (PAR) and near-infrared wave bands from measurements of only the total incoming solar radiation. Relationships for potential values of direct and diffuse, visible and near-infrared radiation were established from “clear day” experimental data. Estimates of total visible (PAR) and near-infrared radiation were made by partitioning the measurement of solar radiation using estimates of potential visible and potential near-infrared radiation. Estimates of direct components in the visible and near-infrared were made with relationships developed from the experimental data. There was good agreement between predicted and measured values of the various components of solar radiation. In addition, a correction term for the measurement of diffuse solar radiation with a silicon cell pyranometer was developed.
Parametric study of unsteady-state flow modulation in trickle-bed reactors

Abstract Unsteady-state liquid flow modulation (periodic operation) was investigated for hydrogenation of alpha-methylstyrene to cumene in a hexane solvent over 0.5% Pd on alumina spheres. This test reaction was run under both gas and liquid reactant-limited conditions. It is shown that periodic liquid flow modulation can alter the supply of liquid and gaseous reactants to the catalyst and result in reactor performance different from that obtained under steady-state conditions. The effect of key parameters such as extent of gas/liquid limitation, total cycle period, cycle split, and liquid mass velocity were investigated experimentally to demonstrate the cause–effect relationships in periodic operation. Performance enhancement was observed for a wide range of operating conditions under gas reactant limitation. It was strongly dependent upon the extent of catalyst wetting under liquid-limited conditions. The feasibility of achieving improved reactor performance is shown to depend on the extent of reactant limitation, the cycle period and split, mean liquid mass velocity, and the improvement of liquid maldistribution by periodic operation. Moreover, performance enhancement is dependent upon the induced flow modulation frequency and this is discussed in relation to the natural frequency of the governing process.
Contingent Selves: Love and Death in a Buddhist Society in Nepal

This article involves several layers of investigation meant to be mutually illuminating. At the core of my discussion is an ethnographic analysis of beliefs about the self (which I define for these purposes as the perceived locus of identity and experience) among Gurungs in Nepal, framed by a discussion of local interpretations of Buddhism and the ways in which these impinge on concepts of self. Surrounding this analysis is an examination of the shared tenets of the philosophic system of Buddhism expressed in many varied locales and a consideration of the implications of Buddhist philosophy for debates about the contingency of knowledge and the apprehension of truth, especially in relation to questions of representation and understandings of self. The acknowledgment or even valorization of contingency in Buddhist contexts has powerful implications for the experience of self and constructions of relationship. Giving Buddhist psychology the dignity it is due as an intellectual system commensurate in sophistication with psychological paradigms in the West, I compare Buddhist conceptions of self and other with ideas expressed in object-relations theory in psychoanalysis.' Both Buddhist and object-relations theories of the psyche take a highly contextualized approach to the self and demonstrate the complexity and ambiguity of self-other boundaries, though they diverge in their ultimate aims. Their contrasts and their areas of convergence offer insights into the deep interrelationship between subjective experience, social forms, and relations of power that should be of value and interest to anthropologists.
TU-G-217A-07: Magnetic Nanoparticle Quantitation: Compensating for Relaxation Effects

Purpose: Our hypothesis was that the weight of magnetic nanoparticles could be accurately estimated from the magnetic spectroscopy of nanoparticleBrownian motion (MSB) signal. Quantification is critical to bio‐sensing and histology and is becoming more important in medicalimagining. A nanoparticleassay is important in histology and bio‐sensing where antibody targeted magnetic nanoparticles are used to mark specific protein expression. Quantitative imaging of magnetic nanoparticles is also important in applications including hyperthermia and nanoparticledrug delivery. Two factors make quantitative estimates very difficult to achieve: relaxation effects that change the signal produced by each nanoparticle and non‐nanoparticle iron that confuses mass spectroscopy measurements. We introduce a method only sensitive to nanoparticleiron that compensates for relaxation effects that achieves quantitative estimates of the number of magnetic nanoparticles in a sample. Methods: Samples with varying quantities of iron oxide nanoparticles (100 nm mean hydrodynamic diameter) and varying quantities of glycerol were prepared. The samples contained from 1.46 mg to 0.05 mg nanoparticles and from 0% to 27% glycerol. MSB signals were recorded for each sample. The relaxation time was calculated using previously reported methods. The MSB signals were then shifted in frequency to compensate for the change in relaxation time. The scaling of the normalized MSB signal that approximates the reference sample is the weight of nanoparticles present in the sample. The apparatus used was built for 1.5 mL liquid samples; a system for smaller samples would be more sensitive. Results: The RMS percentage error in the weight of nanoparticles was 4.9%. The RMS error in the weight of nanoparticles was 0.018 mg iron. Other sources of iron such as blood did not bias the estimates. Conclusions: The method presented makes accurate MSB estimates of the weight of nanoparticles. Acknowledgement: NIH‐NCI 1U54CA151662‐01 NIH‐NCI 1U54CA151662‐01
Comparison of the specificity of 3-(p-Trifluoromethylphenoxy)-N-methyl-3-phenypropylamine and chlorimipramine as amine uptake inhibitors in mice

Abstract The ability of 3-(p-triflouromethylphenoxy)-N-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine amine hydrochloride (Lilly 110140) and chlorimipramine to block uptake into serotoninergic and noradrenergic neurons was determined by their antagonism of serotonin depletion in brain by p-chloroamphetamine and norephrine depletion in heart by 6-hydroxydopamine, respectively. Lilly 110140 blocked serotonin depletion with an ED 50 of 0.4 mg/kg and had no effect on norepinephrine depletion at doses up to 32 mg/kg. Chlorimipramine antagonized both serotonin depletion and norepinephrine depletion with ED 50 values of 10 and 6 mg/kg, respectively.
Inconsistencies and disconnects

The gap between the perception and reality of the technology skills of first-year college students raises questions about the role of state curriculum standards.
Scattering of EM wave by a narrow gap in a grounded dielectric layer

The authors approximate the total electric field in the discontinuity region with the electric field in a zero-width gap, and then calculate the first- and the second order iterative approximations to that field, as well as the far zone field, for a narrow gap. The approximate results agree very well with the MoM (method of moments) EFIE (electric field integral equation) solutions. The first-order approximation to the far field is expressed in a closed form in terms of elementary functions, and the second-order is expressed as an integral representation. However, the MoM requires calculation of the matrix elements by integration followed by solution of linear equations. Thus, the approximate method is much more computationally efficient than the MoM. >
Morphological convergence of the prey-killing arsenal of sabertooth predators

Sabertooth members of the Felidae, Nimravidae, and Barbourofelidae are well-known for their elongated saber-shaped canines. However, within these groups, there is a wide range of independently derived tooth shapes and lengths, including dirk-tooth and scimitar-tooth morphs. In conjunction with the saberteeth, forelimbs were also used to subdue prey. Thus, there may be a functional link between canine shape and forelimb morphology. Because there are no living sabertooth forms for comparison, extant felids make a good proxy for examining the morphology of these extinct organisms. Here, I examine the forelimb morphology of different sabertooth groups from across North America; I address whether forelimb morphologies are associated with tooth morphologies, and whether these associated tooth and forelimb morphologies are convergent among different families. To answer these questions, I analyzed six functional indices of the forelimbs and two canine characters for 13 species of sabertooth predators and 15 extant felid species. Results indicate that sabertooth morphs with longer, thinner canines show more robust limb proportions. These patterns were convergent among sabertooth felids, nimravids, and barbourofelids, and indicate a positive functional relationship between saber elongation and increased forelimb robustness. This suggests that sabertooth carnivorans demonstrated niche partitioning of predation strategies according to canine shape and corresponding forelimb morphology.
Swan neck presternal peritoneal dialysis catheter: five-year experience in children

ObjectivesTo reduce the incidence of exit-site infection (ESI) a new peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter, the Swan neck presternal catheter (SNPC), composed of abdominal and presternal parts joined b...
Energy dynamics in a turbulent channel flow using the Karhunen‐Loéve approach

The dynamical equations for the energy in a turbulent channel flow have been developed by using the Karhunen-Loeve modes to represent the velocity field. The energy balance equations show that all the energy in the flow originates from the applied pressure gradient acting on the mean flow. Energy redistribution occurs through triad interactions, which is basic to understanding the dynamics. Each triad interaction determines the rate of energy transport between source and sink modes via a catalyst mode. The importance of the proposed method stems from the fact that it can be used to determine both the rate of energy transport between modes as well as the direction of energy flow. The effectiveness of the method in determining the mechanisms by which the turbulence sustains itself is demonstrated by performing a detailed analysis of triad interactions occurring during a turbulent burst in a minimal channel flow. The impact on flow modification is discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction Model for 30-Day Hospital Readmissions Among Patients Discharged Receiving Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy

Background. Factors associated with readmission for patients prescribed outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) at hospital discharge have not been definitively identified. The study aim was to develop a model of 30-day readmissions for OPAT patients. Methods. A database comprising 782 OPAT patients treated between 2009 and 2011 at a single academic center was created. Variables collected included patient demographics, comorbidities, infections, and antibiotic classes. Final model discrimination was assessed using the c-statistic, and calibration was examined graphically. Results. Mean patient age was 58 years (range, 18–95 years), 43% were women, and the most common diagnoses were bacteremia (24%), osteomyelitis (20%), and pyelonephritis (13%). The unplanned 30-day readmission rate was 26%. The leading indications for readmission were non–infection related (30%), worsening infection (29%), and new infection (19%). The final regression model consisted of age (odds ratio [OR], 1.09 per decade; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99–1.21), aminoglycoside use (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.17–4.57), resistant organisms (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.03–2.36), and number of prior hospital discharges without intravenous antibiotics in the past 12 months (OR, 1.20 per prior admission; 95% CI, 1.09–1.32). The c-statistic was 0.61 and the highest-risk quintile of patients had almost a 3-fold higher rate of readmission compared to the lowest. Conclusions. Patients prescribed OPAT are at risk for readmission. A subgroup of patients at especially high risk can be identified using easily obtainable clinical characteristics at the time of hospital discharge. More intensive interventions to prevent OPAT readmissions should be targeted and tested with those at highest risk.
Achieving a Minimum Learning Platform for All: critical queries influencing strategies and policy options

L'auteur presente une typologie de quatre populations-cibles d'individus concernes par la sous-qualification. Cette classification divisee en deux grandes categories permet de proposer les politiques de prevention et de remediation adaptees a leurs besoins.
High-Temperature Fatigue Fracture Initiation in MgO Single Crystals

The fatigue response of single-crystal MgO in compressive-compressive loading was characterized at 800° and 1300°C. Fracture initiation mechanisms were observed for specimens loaded in and directions; these loading directions independently activated the primary and secondary slip systems, respectively. For both loading directions, failure at 800°C resulted from cleavage cracks formed between parallel slipbands and that at 1300°C occurred at slipband intersections. At both temperatures, (111) slip was observed for cyclic loading in the direction.
Competition versus monopoly in the provision of police

This article discusses the changing landscape of US crime, and both describes and evaluates the growth of private security in total security provided. Since the mid-1970s violent and basic property crimes have constantly declined while the number of economic crimes like identity theft, counterfeit goods and cyber misdeeds increased substantially. Monopolistic police have not addressed the changing landscape of crime and continue to deliver their traditional services. As market forces have limited influence on government, private security that is highly competitive and client oriented has been quicker to adopt technology and management innovations and address the new types of crime. Private police are estimated to be three times larger than public law enforcement. The article concludes that the increased penetration of private security is socially beneficial by improving efficiency, delivering client-oriented services and forcing police to improve their performance.
JPL Thermal Design Modeling Philosophy and NASA-STD-7009 Standard for Models and Simulations - A Case Study

The Standard JPL thermal engineering practice prescribes worst-case methodologies for design. In this process, environmental and key unce rtain thermal parameters (e.g., thermal blanket performance, interface conductance, optical properties) are stacked in a worst case fashion to yield the most hot- or cold-biased tempe rature. Thus, these simulations would represent the upper and lower bounds. This, effecti vely, represents JPL thermal design margin philosophy. Uncertainty in the margins and the absolute temperatures is usually estimated by sensitivity analyses and/or by compari ng the worst-case results with “expected” results. Applicability of the analytical model for specific design purposes along with any temperature requirement violations are documented in peer and project design review material. In 2008, NASA released NASA-STD-7009, Standard for Models and Simulations. The scope of this standard covers the development and maintenance of models, the operation of simulations, the analysis of the results, traini ng, recommended practices, the assessment of the Modeling and Simulation (M&S) credibility, and the reporting of the M&S results. The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) project thermal control system M&S activity was chosen as a case study determining whether JPL practice is in line with the standard and to identify areas of non-compliance. This paper summarizes the results and makes recommendations regarding the application of this standard to JPL thermal M&S practices .
Positive Health Practices and Perceived Health Status in Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among the components of perceived health status and positive health practices in a sample of 211 adolescents, aged 15 to 21, using canonical variate analysis. All subjects completed the General Health Rating Index, which measures current health, prior health, health outlook, and resistance to illness; and the Personal Lifestyle Questionnaire, which measures exercise, nutrition, relaxation, safety, substance use, and health promotion. Four canonical variates emerged in the statistical analysis, two of which had statistically significant canonical correlations. Implications for nursing practice and research are discussed along with the findings.
Police Courtroom Testimony: Fourth Amendment Intrusions on Persons & Things & Fifth Amendment Confessions

This 66-page CLE (continuing legal education) brochure is titled “Police Courtroom Testimony: Fourth Amendment Intrusions on Persons & Things & Fifth Amendment Confessions.” It was most recently presented to the Baltimore County Police Department in 2009. Topics include (1) a checklist and preparation for courtroom testimony, (2) the range of police-citizen encounters from “mere accosting” to “stop/detention” to “full custodial arrest,” (3) “stop/detention,” (4) distinguishing Fourth Amendment intrusions at the “stop/detention” level versus the “arrest” level is based on the degree of intrusion, (5) arrest, (6) warrants, (7) consent searches, (8) Fifth Amendment privilege against compelled self-incrimination, (9) constitutional due process voluntariness under a totality of circumstances, (10) Maryland common law promises and inducements, (11) Miranda v. Arizona and Miranda warnings, (12) charging documents, and (13) pretrial suppression motions and hearings.
Prescription Drug Abuse.

This article presents current statistics on nonmedical use of both categories of prescription medications by high school and college students. The incidence of nonmedical use of prescription medications continues to increase among high school and college students. Two categories of drugs that are commonly used for reasons other than those for which the drugs are prescribed are those used for pain and those prescribed for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Demographic and behavioral characteristics of students who are most likely to engage in intentional abuse of stimulants and pain medications as well as stated motivations for use are presented. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessing the Seriousness of Social Problems

Recognition of anomalies in “normal science” results in the collapse of accepted paradigms. Anomalies are apparent in prevailing definitions of social problems. To many sociologists, social problems are conditions considered undesirable by significant numbers of people. This definition precludes or obscures distinctions between spurious and genuine (objective) social problems and between minor and serious ones. The paper proposes the use of scientific knowledge and values for identifying social problems and for determining their seriousness. Three ways of assessing seriousness are proposed. Primacy refers to the causal impact or multiplicity of influences of social problems. The magnitude of social problems refers to their extent or frequency. Severity concerns the degree or level of harmfulness. Scientific criteria are less ethnocentric, less erratic, and less influenced by vested interests than those of the public. Using public opinion as the criterion is a more knowledge-free than value-free definition of social problems.
Towards achieving relentless reliability gains in a server marketplace of teraflops, laptops, kilowatts, and "cost, cost, cost"...: making peace between a black art and the bottom line

As we are catapulted into the maelstrom of 21st century server class teraflops, kilowatts, "1000 way" integration, Maturity at Birth TTM pounding, and screaming cost pressure - reliance on the rote, sequential, and evolutionary legacy processes to attain marketplace quality & reliability (Q&R) demands position test & reliability as the impediment to maintaining the industry's rate of advancement. Test and screens effectiveness erosion, insatiable customer expectations (reliability) and demands (function), perpetual revolutionary technology advancements, and the juggernaut of system integration, pose ominous threats to meeting the system reliability demands of the future. Full integration at day 1 and end2end reliability solutions are foundational to successfully exceeding marketplace Q&R expectations in the 21st century
Integration and Characterization of Low Carbon Content SiO x C y H z Low κ Materials for < 0.18μm[ Dual Damascene Application

A CVD-based low κ film was evaluated for inter-metal dielectric in < 0.18 μm generation devices. The film was deposited by conventional rf PECVD method using organosilane compound and oxygen. The measured dielectric constant of the film was 2.7∼2.75. The κ value of the film was stable over several weeks and the moisture absorption was minimal. The chemical composition was in the form of SiOxCyHz, where the carbon content was less than 5 atomic %. Blanket film integration study was conducted to find out the manufacturing compatibility. The largest increase in κ value occurred during etching and ashing steps. However, SIMS compositional analysis revealed that the damage from these steps were limited to within top 300 A, and the initial low κ value was recovered after the top damaged layer was removed by CMP. The final integrated dielectric constant was less than 3.0. The film density was measured as 1.4, compared to 2.3 g/cm3 of conventional SiO2. The low density of the film resulted from the termination of SiO2 network structures by Si-CH3 and Si-H.
A neuropeptide circuit that coordinates sperm transfer and copulation duration in Drosophila

Innate behaviors are often executed in concert with accompanying physiological programs. How this coordination is achieved is poorly understood. Mating behavior and the transfer of sperm and seminal fluid (SSFT) provide a model for understanding how concerted behavioral and physiological programs are coordinated. Here we identify a male-specific neural pathway that coordinates the timing of SSFT with the duration of copulation behavior in Drosophila. Silencing four abdominal ganglion (AG) interneurons (INs) that contain the neuropeptide corazonin (Crz) both blocked SSFT and substantially lengthened copulation duration. Activating these Crz INs caused rapid ejaculation in isolated males, a phenotype mimicked by injection of Crz peptide. Crz promotes SSFT by activating serotonergic (5-HT) projection neurons (PNs) that innervate the accessory glands. Activation of these PNs in copulo caused premature SSFT and also shortened copulation duration. However, mating terminated normally when these PNs were silenced, indicating that SSFT is not required for appropriate copulation duration. Thus, the lengthened copulation duration phenotype caused by silencing Crz INs is independent of the block to SSFT. We conclude that four Crz INs independently control SSFT and copulation duration, thereby coupling the timing of these two processes.
Does anhedonia in schizophrenia reflect faulty memory for subjectively experienced emotions

The authors evaluated whether self-reported trait anhedonia in schizophrenia reflects faulty memory, such that patients are capable of experiencing pleasure while engaged in enjoyable activities but underestimate their pleasure in recalling these experiences. Thirty schizophrenia patients and 31 nonpatient control participants rated their emotional responses to pleasant and neutral foods and film clips and completed a surprise recall task for their emotions after a 4-hr delay. Despite reporting elevated trait anhedonia, patients did not significantly differ from control participants in immediate pleasant emotional responses to the stimuli or in delayed recall for these experiences. In-the-moment pleasure and short-term retention for emotional experiences thus appear to be relatively intact in schizophrenia. Alternative explanations for the hedonic deficit in this disorder are discussed.
Efficacy of digital rectal examination after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Purpose: Digital rectal examination is widely performed for following patients with localized prostate cancer after definitive therapy. This examination has marginal efficacy for detecting initial prostate cancer and postoperative recurrence. To determine the efficacy of digital rectal examination in terms of new information provided after radiotherapy we analyzed the results of digital rectal examination in the followup of patients with prostate cancer after radiotherapy.Materials and Methods: We performed a nonrandomized study in 235 consecutive patients with prostate cancer followed at a large tertiary care military hospital between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1999. All patients had been treated with prostate radiotherapy and had no evidence of metastatic disease at the first visit within that interval. Digital rectal examination was done at followup and the main outcome measure was new information provided by that examination.Results: A total of 1,544 digital rectal examinations were performed in...
Development of Polyphenylene—Oxide Film for Selective Encapsulation in Microelectronics

Corrosion control of microelectronic devices which operate in high humidity is essential for reliability. A selective encapsulation method based on the electrochemical synthesis of polyphenylene-oxide (PPO) film has been investigated. The monomer is electrochemically polymerized and simultaneously deposited on the device surface to form an adherent coating. Electrical properties of PPO coatings on gold substrates subjected to water immersion and voltage bias were measured. The influence of coating thickness, adhesion promoter, and substrate cleanliness were investigated and optimized. In the early stage of biased immersion, coating failure was mainly caused by defects at the metal-polymer interface, whereas failure after extended testing was due to the slow degradation of polyphenylene-oxide in an aqueous media.
Detection of organic vapors with active and passive sensors: a comparison

Many organic compounds of medium complexity have their most characteristic spectral features in the 8–12-μm region of the IR. Both active and passive sensors can be used for detection of these compounds. The active systems are based on pulsed CO2 lasers and direct detection sensors operated in either the distributed (range resolved) or topographic reflector modes. Passive sensors are based on natural temperature differences which exist between the background and target cloud. The effects of throughput, collecting aperture size, electronic bandwidth, background noise, speckle noise, laser energy, and temperature difference are discussed for active and passive spectral sensors. The noise equivalent concentration path length product is used to define performance for both passive and active sensors. The computed results are compared to recently published reports.
Demonstration of space-resolved x-ray Thomson scattering capability for warm dense matter experiments on the Z accelerator

Abstract Experiments on the Sandia Z pulsed-power accelerator have demonstrated the ability to produce warm dense matter (WDM) states with unprecedented uniformity, duration, and size, which are ideal for investigations of fundamental WDM properties. For the first time, space-resolved x-ray Thomson scattering (XRTS) spectra from shocked carbon foams were recorded on Z. The large (>20 MA) electrical current produced by Z was used to launch Al flyer plates up to 25 km/s. The impact of the flyer plate on a CH2 foam target produced a shocked state with an estimated pressure of 0.75 Mbar, density of 0.52 g/cm3, and temperature of 4.3 eV. Both unshocked and shocked portions of the foam target were probed with 6.2 keV x-rays produced by focusing the Z-Beamlet laser onto a nearby Mn foil. The data are composed of three spatially distinct spectra that were simultaneously captured with a single spectrometer with high spectral (4.8 eV) and spatial (190 µm) resolutions. Detailed spectral information from three target locations is provided simultaneously: the incident x-ray source, the scattered signal from unshocked foam, and the scattered signal from shocked foam.