cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Bayesian Framework for Estimating the Risk Ratio of Hospitalization for People with Comorbidity Infected by the SARS-CoV-2 Virus

Abstract Estimating the hospitalization risk for people with certain comorbidities infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is important for developing public health policies and guidance based on risk stratification. Traditional biostatistical methods require knowing both the number of infected people who were hospitalized and the number of infected people who were not hospitalized. However, the latter may be undercounted, as it is limited to only those who were tested for viral infection. In addition, comorbidity information for people not hospitalized may not always be readily available for traditional biostatistical analyses. To overcome these limitations, we developed a Bayesian approach that only requires the observed frequency of comorbidities in COVID-19 patients in hospitals and the prevalence of comorbidities in the general population. By applying our approach to two different large-scale datasets in the U.S., our results consistently indicated that cardiovascular diseases carried the highest hospitalization risk for COVID-19 patients, followed by diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, and obesity, respectively. Significance Statement We developed a novel Bayesian approach to estimate the hospitalization risk for people with comorbidities infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Our results indicated that cardiovascular diseases carried the highest hospitalization risk for COVID-19 patients, followed by diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, and obesity, respectively.
Impact on microbiology laboratory turn-around-times following process improvements and total laboratory automation

ABSTRACT Introduction The impact of workflow changes and total laboratory automation (TLA) on microbiology culture processing time was evaluated in an academic-affiliated regional hospital. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of microbiological data in a research database was performed to compare turnaround time (TAT) for organism identification (ID) before and after implementation of TLA (2013 versus 2016, respectively). TAT was compared using χ2 test for categorical variables and log-transformed t-test for continuous variables. Results A total of 9,351 pre-defined common and clinically important positive mono-bacterial culture results were included in the analysis. Shorter TAT (hours) in 2016 compared to 2013 (p Conclusions Total laboratory automation and workflow changes—including process standardization—facilitate shorter organism ID TAT across specimen sources.
Review of Fracture Healing and Outcomes Assessment

Background/Objective: Long bone fractures are of the most common and costly medical traumas humans experience. Adequate characterization of the fracture healing process and development of potential medical interventions generally involves fracture induction operations on animal models of varying treatment or genetic groups, then analyzing relative repair success via synthesis of diverse assessment methodologies. This review discusses the procedures, relevant parameters, special considerations, and key correlations of these major methodologies of fracture repair quantification. Methods: A literature review was conducted for articles discussing the procedures or identifying correlations between each of the major fracture healing assessment methodologies. Results: These methodologies include biomechanical testing, which provides the most direct quantification of skeletal functionality; micro-computed tomography, which enables high resolution visualization of fracture callus architecture; histology which helps elucidate the intricate processes underlying fracture repair; and x-ray which offers a non-invasive and clinically relevant view of fracture repair progress. Each of these methodologies measure parameters directly correlating to restored functionality of fractured bone. Conclusion: When appropriately integrated, synthesis of relevant parameters from each methodology of fracture repair assessment enables a comprehensive understanding of varying fracture healing outcomes and associated causalities. Scientific/Clinical Policy Impact and Implications: This review may guide the interpretation and planning of fracture healing studies utilizing murine models.
Waveguide Laser Amplifier Operation in the Submillimeter Wavelength Region

An optically pumped, submillimeter wavelength, waveguide laser has been designed to operate as a regenerative amplifier. Small-signal gains of 9 dB have been measured for cw operation on the 372.8 μm transition of CH 3 CN. System design and operating characteristics of the oscillator-amplifier configuration are described.
Deep reinforcement learning for dynamic control of fuel injection timing in multi-pulse compression ignition engines:

Conventional compression-ignition (CI) engines have long offered high thermal efficiencies and torque across a wide range of loads, but often require extensive exhaust gas treatment that decreases ...
On the Nineteenth-Century Origins of Significance Testing and P-Hacking

This paper examines the development of Laplacean practical certainty from 1810, when Laplace proved his central limit theorem, to 1925, when Ronald A. Fisher published his Statistical Methods for Research Workers. Although Laplace's explanations of the applications of his theorem were accessible to only a few mathematicians, expositions published by Joseph Fourier in 1826 and 1829 made the simplest applications accessible to many statisticians. Fourier suggested an error probability of 1 in 20,000, but statisticians soon used less exigent standards. Abuses, including p-hacking, helped discredit Laplace's theory in France to the extent that it was practically forgotten there by the end of the 19th century, yet it survived elsewhere and served as the starting point for Karl Pearson's biometry. The probability that a normally distributed random variable is more than three probable errors from its mean is approximately 5%. When Fisher published his Statistical Methods, three probable errors was a common standard for likely significance. Because he wanted to enable research workers to use distributions other than the normal – the t distributions, for example – Fisher replaced three probable errors with 5%. The use of "significant" after Fisher differs from its use by Pearson before 1920. In Pearson's Biometrik}, a significant difference was an observed difference that signified a real difference. Biometrika's authors sometimes said that an observed difference is likely or very likely to be significant, but they never said that it is very significant, and they did not have levels of significance. Significance itself was not a matter of degree. What might this history teach us about proposals to curtail abuses of statistical testing by changing its current vocabulary (p-value, significance, etc.)? The fact that similar abuses arose before this vocabulary was introduced suggests that more substantive changes are needed.
Fine-tuned repression of Drp1-driven mitochondrial fission primes a ‘stem/progenitor-like state’ to support neoplastic transformation

Gene knockout of the master regulator of mitochondrial fission, Drp1, prevents neoplastic transformation. Also, mitochondrial fission and its opposing process of mitochondrial fusion are emerging as crucial regulators of stemness. Intriguingly, stem/progenitor cells maintaining repressed mitochondrial fission are primed for self-renewal and proliferation. Using our newly derived carcinogen transformed human cell model, we demonstrate that fine-tuned Drp1 repression primes a slow cycling ‘stem/progenitor-like state’, which is characterized by small networks of fused mitochondria and a gene-expression profile with elevated functional stem/progenitor markers (Krt15, Sox2 etc) and their regulators (Cyclin E). Fine tuning Drp1 protein by reducing its activating phosphorylation sustains the neoplastic stem/progenitor cell markers. Whereas, fine-tuned reduction of Drp1 protein maintains the characteristic mitochondrial shape and gene-expression of the primed ‘stem/progenitor-like state’ to accelerate neoplastic transformation, and more complete reduction of Drp1 protein prevents it. Therefore, our data highlights a ‘goldilocks’ level of Drp1 repression supporting stem/progenitor state dependent neoplastic transformation.
A multimode programming strategy for VLSI boards

Achieving high fault coverage on VLSI boards is increasingly difficult with existing hardware and software tools. In-circuit testers cannot detect an important percentage of existing faults. Functional testers are difficult to program, resulting in long start-up delays and high programming costs. This paper describes an innova tive programming strategy for modern microprocessor boards which uses a combination of new and existing hardware and software tools to increase fault coverage and reduce programming effort.
Organic Compounds, Cellulose Conversion

Introduction Relationship between Structural Features of the Cell Wall and Cellulolytic Enzymes Cellulose Pretreatment Alkaline Treatment Steam Treatment with or without SO2 Dilute Acid Pretreatment Cellulase Mode of Action of T. reesei Cellulase Components Production of Cellulase Supplementation of Cellulases Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation Supraoptimal Temperature Fermentation Improvement of the SSF Process Xylose Fermentation Inhibitors Biomass Fractionation Bibliography Keywords: cellulase; cellulose; ethanol; hemicellulose; pretreatment; simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF); xylose
A statistical theory of power line detection in polarimetric MMW SAR images

The coherence between the co- and cross-polarized backscatter components is used as the detection parameter in a statistical polarimetric power line detection algorithm. In this paper, detection criteria based on clutter backscattering coefficients, power line size, and aspect angle with respect to the radar, as well as the number of independent samples are formulated. The performance of the algorithm for mapping power lines in SAR images is demonstrated using a number of low-grazing incidence polarimetric SAR images at 35 GHz.
Motion control in dynamic multi-robot environments

This paper presents the motion control system used by CMUnited-98, the small-size league champion at RoboCup-98. The robotic soccer team consists of five robots that aim at achieving specific goals while navigating in a limited space shared with the five other opponent robots. We introduce our motion control algorithm, which allows a general differential-driven robot to accurately reach a target point with a desired orientation in an environment with multiple moving obstacles. We describe how the features of our motion controller help to build interesting and robust behaviors. We also briefly compare our system to other motion control techniques and include descriptions and illustrations of the performance of our fully-implemented motion control algorithm.
Control of central and peripheral tolerance by Aire.

The negative selection of self-reactive thymocytes depends on the induction of tissue-specific antigens by medullary thymic epithelial cells. The autoimmune regulator (Aire) protein plays an important role in turning on these antigens, and the absence of even one Aire-induced tissue-specific antigen in the thymus can lead to autoimmunity in the antigen-expressing target organ. Recently, Aire protein has been detected in peripheral lymphoid organs, suggesting that peripheral Aire plays a complementary role here. In these peripheral sites, Aire was found to regulate the expression of a group of tissue-specific antigens that is distinct from those expressed in the thymus. Furthermore, transgenic antigen expression in extrathymic Aire-expressing cells (eTACs) can mediate deletional tolerance, but the immunological relevance of Aire-dependent, endogenous tissue-specific antigens remains to be determined.
Role of the surgeon in quality and safety in the operating room environment

Medical errors in the OR can result in substantial morbidity, poor functional outcomes and mortality. They are associated with significant increases in direct and indirect healthcare costs. In addition, errors in the OR associated with harm often have a profound negative impact on the patient, their family, and the medical providers' psychological and social well being. The majority of medical errors are believed to be preventable. Rarely, an error is the result of an isolated single failure in the delivery of care. More commonly, multiple linked processes contribute to the error. Poorly designed systems of care delivery, poor information and knowledge transfer, ambiguous communication between providers and poor coordination of care are frequently identified as the underlying drivers of errors. Solving the problem is as complex as the causes. Raising awareness that an error is more than an individual's problem or behavior is the first step toward a solution. Thoughtful planning in developing systems of care delivery through optimizing and leveraging the knowledge of the team members that provide care is the single most important defense against medical errors. Surgeons play an important role in facilitating the development of and empowering the teams they work through their active participation and effective leadership within the operating room team.
From clients to stakeholders: A philosophical shift for fish and wildlife management

Abstract Fish and wildlife management in North America has been experiencing a fundamental philosophical shift among professional managers and policy makers about who are the beneficiaries of management. This has been reflected in broadening notions of who should be considered in decision making; not just traditional clients who pay for and receive services of managers, but all stakeholders in fish and wildlife management. The term “stakeholder”; has emerged to represent any citizen potentially affected by or having a vested interest (a stake) in an issue, program, action or decision leading to an action. The stakeholder approach in management decision making recognizes a larger set of beneficiaries of management (including, in concept, future generations) than the traditional concepts of constituencies and clients, or customers, a term currently popular among fish and wildlife agencies. The stakeholder approach requires: (1) identification of important stakeholders, (2) flexibility in selection of method...
The design and construction of a NMR microscopy probe

The design and construction of a probe for proton NMR microimaging studies of small objects, in particular single cells less than 1 mm in diameter, at 8.5 T is described. The probe incorporates a novel RF assembly and novel semishielded quadrupolar gradient coils. The design criteria are discussed and some preliminary results presented.
Another Look at OCLC's Potential for Special Libraries.

The issue of OCLC benefits for special libraries is discussed in terms of “find rates.” A stratified random sample revealed that 21% of a special collection's holdings were in the OCLC data base and were scattered among 95 libraries. This low find rate is useful for documenting the uniqueness of the special collection and the lack of existing bibliographic control for such material. The study suggests that special libraries consider OCLC participation when find rates are low based on considerations other than cost savings for technical services.
Early detection of bacterial antigens by counterimmunoelectrophoresis.

Counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) is described as a rapid and specific method for early detection of bacterial antigens. This simple and reliable technique was applied to samples of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 67 patients in whom neonatal septicemia or bacterial meningitis was initially suspected. Seven out of 11 patients with culture-proven bacterial infections had positive CIE determinations before results of routine microbiological cultures were available. CIE was especially helpful in children treated with antibiotics prior to admission. All negative CIE results in proven bacterial infections were due to non-available antisera for the specific antigens detected by routine blood or CSF cultures. Shortcomings of the method and a future CIE diagnostic program are discussed.
Excess volumes of binary mixtures of tetrachloromethane with some aromatic liquids at 298.15 K

Abstract A successive dilution dilatometer was used to redetermine the excess volumes of tetrachloromethane + toluene, + o -xylene, + m -xylene, + p -xylene, + ethylbenzene, + mesitylene, and + chlorobenzene at 298.15 K. The new results are compared with previously published data.
Detection of labeled abasic sites in damaged DNA by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence.

Removal of nucleobases from the DNA backbone leads to the formation of abasic sites. The rate of abasic site formation is significantly increased for chemically damaged nucleobases. Thus, abasic sites serve as general biomarkers for the quantification of DNA damage. Herein, we show that capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) can be used to detect the amount of abasic sites with very high sensitivity. For proof of concept, DNA was incubated with methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) and the damaged bases were removed by incubation at 80 °C. The resulting abasic sites were then tagged with a fluorescent aldehyde-reactive probe (FARP). The DNA was precipitated with ethanol, and then analyzed by CE-LIF. CE-LIF and HPLC analysis shows that the fluorescently tagged DNA (DNA-FARP) had a peak area directly proportional to the amount of N-7 methyl guanines. The CE-LIF method had a detection limit of 1.2 abasic sites per 1,000,000 bases or ca. 20 attomoles of abasic sites. This provides a general method for detecting DNA damage that is not only faster but also has comparable or better sensitivity than the alternative ELISA-like method.
Magnetic Resonance-Based Imaging in Animal Models of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, such as magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), have recently been applied to the study of both normal and abnormal structure and neurochemistry in small animals. Herein, findings from studies in which these methods have been used for the examination of animal models of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are discussed. Emphasis is placed on results of imaging studies in fetal and postnatal mice that have highlighted the developmental stage dependency of prenatal ethanol exposure-induced CNS defects. Consideration is also given to the promise of methodological advances to allow in vivo studies of aberrant brain and behavior relationships in model animals and to the translational nature of this work.
Frothability characterization of residual organic solvents

Organic solvents were evaluated through the determination of froth volume and bubble collapse rate in a froth column meter under various solvent dosages and aeration rate levels. There is a non-linear relationship between the froth volume and the gas flow rate for polyglycol ether type solvents. It is inappropriate to apply the concept of linearity retention time to describe the frothing characteristics of polyglycol ethers. Two new parameters are derived to characterize the foam stability and non-persistency of the frothers. The new parameters are initial dynamic froth index (IDFI) and initial dynamic froth collapse rate (IDCR). IDFI represents the froth volume formation properties, and can be used to relate to the ultimate recovery, Rm, and the flotation rate constant, K. IDCR describes the non-persistency of the froth, and can be used to relate to the quality of flotation concentrates. IDFI value depends on chemical structure and molecular weight of a solvent. Increasing solvent molecular weight and number of hydrophobic groups increases the IDFI value. Both ultimate recovery and flotation rate constant can be maintained at a desirable level, if the solvent dosage is applied in the amount to give the same product value of IDFI and solvent dosage. The selection of potential frothers from solvents tested is made by using IDFI and IDCR and comparing with laboratory fine coal flotation performance.
Determining the Contribution of Glycosaminoglycans to Tendon Mechanical Properties with a Modified Shear-Lag Model

Tendon has a complex hierarchical structure composed of both a collagenous and a non-collagenous matrix. Despite several studies that have aimed to elucidate the mechanism of load transfer between matrix components, the roles of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) remain controversial. Thus, this study investigated the elastic properties of tendon using a modified shear-lag model that accounts for the structure and non-linear mechanical response of the GAGs. Unlike prior shear-lag models that are solved either in two dimensions or in axially symmetric geometries, we present a closed-form analytical model for three-dimensional periodic lattices of fibrils linked by GAGs. Using this approach, we show that the non-linear mechanical response of the GAGs leads to a distinct toe region in the stress-strain response of the tendon. The critical strain of the toe region is shown to decrease inversely with fibril length. Furthermore, we identify a characteristic length scale, related to microstructural parameters (e.g. GAG spacing, stiffness, and geometry) over which load is transferred from the GAGs to the fibrils. We show that when the fibril lengths are significantly larger than this length scale, the mechanical properties of the tendon are relatively insensitive to deletion of GAGs. Our results provide a physical explanation for the insensitivity for the mechanical response of tendon to the deletion of GAGs in mature tendons, underscore the importance of fibril length in determining the elastic properties of the tendon, and are in excellent agreement with computationally intensive simulations.
Expression stability of putative reference genes in equine endometrial, testicular, and conceptus tissues

Background Quantitative RT-PCR data are commonly normalized using a reference gene. A reference gene is a transcript which expression does not differ in the tissue of interest independent of the experimental condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of mRNA expression levels of putative reference genes in three different types of equine tissue, endometrial, testicular, and conceptus tissue.
Crack growth resistance behavior of a functionally graded material: computational studies

Abstract This paper describes crack growth resistance simulation in a ceramic/metal functionally graded material (FGM) using a cohesive zone ahead of the crack front. The plasticity in the background (bulk) material follows J2 flow theory with the flow properties determined by a volume fraction based, elastic–plastic model (extension of the original Tamura–Tomota–Ozawa model). A phenomenological, cohesive zone model with six material-dependent parameters (the cohesive energy densities and the peak cohesive tractions of the ceramic and metal phases, respectively, and two cohesive gradation parameters) describes the constitutive response of the cohesive zone. Crack growth occurs when the complete separation of the cohesive surfaces takes place. The crack growth resistance of the FGM is characterized by a rising J-integral with crack extension (averaged over the specimen thickness) computed using a domain integral (DI) formulation. The 3-D analyses are performed using WARP3D, a fracture mechanics research finite element code, which incorporates solid elements with graded elastic and plastic properties and interface–cohesive elements coupled with the functionally graded cohesive zone model. The paper describes applications of the cohesive zone model and the DI method to compute the J resistance curves for both single-edge notch bend, SE(B), and single-edge notch tension, SE(T), specimens having properties of a TiB/Ti FGM. The numerical results show that the TiB/Ti FGM exhibits significant crack growth resistance behavior when the crack grows from the ceramic-rich region into the metal-rich region. Under these conditions, the J-integral is generally higher than the cohesive energy density at the crack tip even when the background material response remains linearly elastic, which contrasts with the case for homogeneous materials wherein the J-integral equals the cohesive energy density for a quasi-statically growing crack.
Influence of hypophysectomy and starvation on blood glucose levels in the newt, Notophthalmus viridescens.

Blood glucose and liver glycogen levels were determined in hypophysectomized, sham-operated and unoperated control animals all of which had been starved for 10–15 days. The results show that starvation causes a significant decrease in newt blood glucose and that this decrease is not enhanced by hypophysectomy or sham-operation during a 15-day period. These data indicate that effects of short periods of hypophysectomy on regenerating tissues are probably not due to a drop in available carbohydrate. However, the data do not indicate what the possible effects of long-term hypophysectomy on blood glucose would be.
The right thing to do with the wrong thing.

Contemporary clinical trial design, of which the paper from Edwards Lifesciences is but one example [1], seeks to expose the fewest patients to a less safe or less effective treatment, including prosthetic heart valve therapy [2]. For this reason, it is the right thing to apply more efficient trial designs to heart valve assessment, including to those designs using objective performance criteria (OPCs) rather than randomized arms to establish noninferiority.
Methods for efficient correction of complex noise in outdoor video rate passive millimeter wavelength imagery

Passive millimeter wavelength (PMMW) video holds great promise, given its ability to see targets and obstacles through fog, smoke, and rain. However, current imagers produce undesirable complex noise. This can come as a mixture of fast shot (snowlike) noise and a slower-forming circular fixed pattern. Shot noise can be removed by a sim- ple gain style filter. However, this can produce blurring of objects in the scene. To alleviate this, we measure the amount of Bayesian surprise in videos. Bayesian surprise measures feature change in time that is abrupt but cannot be accounted for as shot noise. Surprise is used to attenuate the shot noise filter in locations of high surprise. Since high Bayesian surprise in videos is very salient to observers, this reduces blurring, particularly in places where people visually attend. Fixed pattern noise is removed after the shot noise using a combination of non- uniformity correction and mean image wavelet transformation. The com- bination allows for online removal of time-varying fixed pattern noise, even when background motion may be absent. It also allows for online adapta- tion to differing intensities of fixed pattern noise. We also discuss a method for sharpening frames using deconvolution. The fixed pattern and shot noise filters are all efficient, which allows real time video processing of PMMW video. We show several examples of PMMW video with complex noise that is much cleaner as a result of the noise removal. Processed video clearly shows cars, houses, trees, and utility poles at 20 frames per second. © 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). (DOI:
Evidence for a direct effect of temperature and thyroid hormone on myelinogenesis in vitro

The effect of thyroxine on myelinogenesis in vitro of cerebella obtained from newborn rats and mice was tested. Cerebella were explanted and maintained in tissue culture under standard conditions described by Bornstein and Murray (1958) and Bunge et al. (1962). Thyroxine was added to the culture medium in concentrations of 1.5–3 μg per milliliter of feed. Cultures were maintained at 36°C, 32°C, and 30°C, respectively. The most consistent effect observed was acceleration of myelinogenesis in the presence of thyroxine in cultures grown at optimum temperatures. In cultures maintained at reduced temperatures, the differentiation of cells into neurons and glial elements was delayed, but eventually took place. Myelin formation was, however, almost completely suppressed. The presence of thyroxine in cultures grown at low temperatures increased the incidence of myelinogenesis, but the amount formed was smaller than that obtained in control cultures grown at optimal temperature. Shifting cultures from low to optimum temperature resulted in quick recovery of myelinogenesis. Maintenance of myelin in fully differentiated cultures was severely inhibited in thyroxine-supplemented medium, that was not renewed several times during a 12-day period. These observations are interpreted as suggesting that one of the stimuli for myelinogenesis may be a metabolic signal, mediated probably via enzymes sensitive to thyroid hormone for their rate of synthesis.
Hilbert's tenth problem is of unification type zero

We show that the problem of finding integer solutions to a polynomial equation over the integers has unification type zero, i.e. there exist polynomial equations which have unifiers, but which have no minimal and complete set of unifiers: In particular, it is shown that the equation uv=w+z has no minimal and complete set of solutions.
Structural design considerations for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility

To assess the design feasibility of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) and to identify parameters that might impose constraints on performance such as frequencies of vibration, structural concepts for both the telescope and spacecraft are developed and evaluated. Trade studies of key design features are carried out using FEM and analysis. In most cases, the margin of safety was greater than 0.50. An example of stress in the octagonal equipment bus panels is shown. The strap-supported mass is predicted to deflect 6 mm relative to the outer shell when subjected to 8.0 G in the X direction, and to deflect about 5 mm in the Y and Z directions when subjected to 10.0 G. Deflections for the top of the solar panel are predicted to be about 35 mm when subjected to the 10.0 G quasi-static load in the Z direction. The liquid helium tank, thermal isolation, and primary mirror and mount are discussed.
The Impact of Rapid Automatized Naming and Phonological Awareness on the Reading Fluency of a Minority Student Population

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between phonological awareness (PA) and rapid automatized naming (RAN) on the reading fluency (RF) of students from traditionally underrepresented groups. The study included 86 participants attending 1st through 4th grade within an inner-city charter school located in a high-poverty, urban environment. The majority of participants were of African American descent (97%). This study moved beyond previous research by employing structural equation modeling to investigate the relationship between RAN, PA, and RF. The results from the analyses suggested that RAN and PA were valid and reliable predictors of participants' RF. RAN was also found to account for more variance in the prediction of reading fluency than phonological awareness alone. The results also suggest that RAN is a member of the phonological awareness family, within this homogenous population; thus, the double-deficit hypothesis was not supported. Further, the findings from the study provi...
Radiation exposure among patients with the highest CT scan utilization in the emergency department

The risk of cancer from computed tomography (CT) scan radiation is a rising concern in the medical field. Our objectives were to determine how many patients received more than ten CT scans in an academic emergency department (ED) over the course of 7 years and to quantify their radiation exposure and lifetime attributable risk of cancer. An electronic chart review was performed at our urban academic institution with an annual census of 110,000 patients. All patients who underwent a CT scan performed during ED management between the dates of January 2001 and December 2007 were identified. Specific predetermined data elements (e.g., subject demographics, type of CT scan) were extracted by two researchers blinded to hypothesis, using a preformatted data form. After identifying patients with more than ten CTs performed during the study period, radiation exposure was calculated based on accepted and reported radiation doses for the respective anatomic CTs, and lifetime attributable cancer risk was calculated based on the seventh report of the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VII) projections. Over the 7-year study period, 24,393 patients received 34,671 CT scans. The vast majority of patients (17,909) received a single CT. Twenty-six (0.1 %) patients received more than ten CTs totaling 374 scans with an average radiation exposure of 83.4 mSv. The maximum lifetime attributable risk for any individual in this cohort was 1.7 % above the baseline cancer risk. Among those undergoing CT imaging in our ED, high-exposure patients (greater than ten scans) constituted a significant minority, while more than one in four patients underwent more than one CT scan during the study period. While the presumed overall risk of radiation-induced cancer continues to be low, it is important for the emergency physician to use clinical knowledge as well as concern for the patient when utilizing radiographic imaging. Increasing attributable cancer risk may have important public health implications in the future, regardless of the low individual risk.
The two cultures of policy: A review essay

American Foreign Policy: A Contemporary Introduction, by Thomas L. Brewer. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1986. 317 pp. +xiii. $14.95 paper. The Politics of Policy Making in Defense and Foreign Affairs Conceptual Mod els and Bureaucratic Politics, by Roger Hilsman. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Pren tice-Hall, 1987. 326 pp. + ix paper. Making Public Policy: A Hopeful View of American Government, by Steven Kelman. New York: Basic Books, 1987. American Social Welfare Policy: Reassessment and Reform, by Marc L. Miringoff and Sandra Opdycke. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1986. 169 pp. + xvii. ?2395 cloth. Poverty and Public Policy: An Analysis of Federal Intervention Efforts, by Michael Morris and John B. Williamson. Westport and London: Greenwood Press, 1986. 237 pp. +xii. $35.00 cloth. American Social Welfare Policy. Dynamics of Formulation and Change, by David A. Rochefort. Boulder and London: Westview Press, 1986. 206 pp. + xii. paper.
Analysis of a variable volume intra-aortic balloon pump in a mock circulatory system

Abstract The primary objective of any mechanical circulatory assist device is to maintain a suitable cardiac output by: (a) reducing the work load of the heart, (b) increasing blood flow to the myocardium, or (c) supplementing the pumping function of the heart. Currently there exists a diversity of opinion about balloon pumping as a satisfactory method of assisting the failing circulation. Most of the studies and evaluations of balloon pumps have been conducted in vivo using either experimental animals or human patients; however, some in vitro studies have been reported. This paper presents the following: (1) a mock circulatory system suitable for in vitro testing of balloon pumps, (2) a mathematical analysis of intra-aortic balloon pumps, and (3) preliminary studies of a variable volume intra-aortic balloon pump comparing the theory and experimental data obtained in the mock circulatory system.
Ultrastructural observations of initial calcification in dentine and enamel.

An electron microscopic study of developing mandibular molars of Swiss-Webster mice indicates that the pattern of initial hydroxyapatite formation in dentine is identical with woven bone. Initial calcification loci are the cellular extensions or “buds” of odontoblasts into the predentine. Many of these cellular elements have intact plasma membranes when crystallization has just begun. These membranes disappear when calcification is more extensive. Hydroxyapatite growing radially from these initial calcification loci becomes spheroidal. These spheroids coalesce to form seams of the first formed dentine, mantle dentine. Later circumpulpal calcification develops from the previously formed territorial zone of calcified mantle dentine. When mantle dentine forms a continuous layer, the basement lamina underlying the ameloblasts disappears. Pre-enamel protein is secreted which almost immediately calcifies. The first enamel crystals are coextensive with hydroxyapatite of dentine at the dentino-enamel junction. The dentinal hydroxyapatitic territorial domain appears to be the source of secondary crystallization growth centers for enamel crystals.
Measurement of low levels of normal uranium in water and urine by liquid scintillation alpha counting

Abstract The amounts of normal uranium in water and in urine have been measured as low as 0.1 μg/ml (6×10 −8 μCi/ml) by liquid scintillation counting methods. An emulsifier system was used to incorporate up to 5 ml of an aqueous solution in a 15 ml counting solution (10 ml of scintillation cocktail plus 5 ml of aqueous solution) with 100% counting efficiency for the alpha particles from the 234 U, 235 U and 238 U radionuclides. Use of a multichannel analyzer allows corrections for the presence of short-lived beta emitters in the uranium decay chain.
Deletion analysis of cspA of Escherichia coli: requirement of the AT‐rich UP element for cspA transcription and the downstream box in the coding region for its cold shock induction

In order to analyse the mechanism of cold shock induction of CspA, a major cold shock protein of Escherichia coli, deletion analysis of the cspA gene was carried out. It was found that (i) the AT-rich sequence (-47 to -38) upstream of the cspA -35 region may act as the UP element playing a crucial role in cspA transcription at both 37 degrees C and 15 degrees C; (ii) the unusually long 5'-UTR of the cspA mRNA has negative effects on cspA expression at 37 degrees C; and (iii) in contrast, the 5'-UTR exerts a positive effect on mRNA stabilization at low temperature. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the 14 base downstream box (DB) locating 12 bases downstream of the initiation codon of the cspA mRNA and complementary to a region near the decoding region of 16S rRNA was essential for the mRNA translation during the growth lag acclimation phase immediately after cold shock. During this phase, translation of non-cold shock gene mRNAs is blocked, since they require cold shock-specific ribosomal factors for the formation of the translation initiation complex. It is proposed that DB in cold shock mRNAs allows the formation of a stable initiation complex at low temperature in the absence of the cold shock ribosomal factors.
The htrA (degP) Gene of Listeria monocytogenes 10403S Is Essential for Optimal Growth under Stress Conditions

This report describes a mutant of Listeria monocytogenes strain 10403S (serotype 1/2a) with a defective response to conditions of high osmolarity, an environment that L. monocytogenes encounters in some ready-to-eat foods. A library of L. monocytogenes clones mutagenized with Tn917 was generated and scored for sensitivity to 4% NaCl in order to identify genes responsible for growth or survival in elevated-NaCl environments. One of the L. monocytogenes Tn917 mutants, designated strain OSM1, was selected, and the gene interrupted by the transposon was sequenced. A BLAST search with the putative translated amino acid sequence indicated that the interrupted gene product was a homolog of htrA (degP), a gene coding for a serine protease identified as a stress response protein in several gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. An htrA deletion strain, strain LDW1, was constructed, and the salt-sensitive phenotype of this strain was complemented by introduction of a plasmid carrying the wild-type htrA gene, demonstrating that htrA is necessary for optimal growth under conditions of osmotic stress. Additionally, strain LDW1 was tested for its response to temperature and H2O2 stresses. The results of these growth assays indicated that strain LDW1 grew at a lower rate than the wild-type strain at 44°C but at a rate similar to that of the wild-type strain when incubated at 4°C. In addition, strain LDW1 was significantly more sensitive to a 52°C heat shock than the wild-type strain. Strain LDW1 was also defective in its response to H2O2 challenge at 37°C, since 100 or 150 μg of H2O2 was more inhibitory for the growth of strain LDW1 than for that of the parent strain. The stress response phenotype observed for strain LDW1 is similar to that observed for other HtrA− organisms, which suggests that L. monocytogenes HtrA may play a role in degrading misfolded proteins that accumulate under stress conditions.
The 16O(6Li, dγ)20Ne reaction

Abstract The discrepancy between observed reaction streghts and those predicted from SU(3) considerations in the 16O(6Li, d) reaction has been studied. The effects of both 16O ground state correlations and of inelastic couplings on the reaction strengths are included. Particle-gamma angular correlations are presented as a test of the reaction predictions. It is found that inclusion of both the ground state correlations and the inelastic coupling does help to resolve the theoretical- experimental discrepancy, and results in generally improved representations of both cross section and angular correlation data.
Formation of metastable N2(A3Σ+u in the charge transfer reaction of N+2 with NO

Abstract Emission of NO γ-bands has been observed in a mixture of N+2 and NO. The results indicate the production of N2(A3Σ+u) in the resonance charge transfer reaction N+2 + NO → N2(A) + NO+ followed by N2(A)+ No → N2 + NO* (γ-band).
Success and Spirituality in the New Business Paradigm

The article discusses a study we conducted on the concept of success with mid- and senior-level executives in a federal government agency. Contrary to our expectation that the study’s participants ...
Reactor Cavity Cooling System Facility Shakedown and RELAP5-3D Model Validation

A small scale water-cooled experimental facility was built in order to study the complex thermohydraulic phenomena taking place in the Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) during the normal operation (steady-state case) an during accident scenario when forced convection is lost. The facility represents a portion of the reactor vessel with nine stainless steel coolant risers. The pipes are connected via cold and hot manifolds to a water tank located on top of the cavity. Due to the complexity of the expected thermal hydraulic phenomena, a RELAP5-3D input deck was prepared in order to predict the main thermohydraulic parameters, mainly coolant flow rate and temperatures. During the facility shakedown, the coolant flow was constantly monitored in order to observe the natural circulation startup phase and some interesting features of the coolant behavior were observed. The comparison of the preliminary experimental results from a test run with the prediction of the RELAP5-3D simulations helped validating the assumptions and simplifications adopted in the model for future simulations of steady-state and transients, and confirmed the potentiality of the system code for analysis of such systems. In the present paperwork, a detailed description of the experimental facility and the RELAP5-3D model are provided. Preliminary experimental results from different test runs are described and compared with the RELAP5-3D simulation results.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Risk of Intracranial Hemorrhage Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Objectives This study was designed to study racial/ethnic differences in the risk for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and the effect of warfarin on ICH risk among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Background Nonwhites are at greater risk for ICH than whites in the general population. Whether this applies to patients with AF and whether warfarin therapy is associated with comparable risk of ICH in nonwhites are unknown. Methods We retrospectively identified a multiethnic stroke-free cohort hospitalized with nonrheumatic AF. Warfarin use and anticoagulation intensity were assessed by searching pharmacy and laboratory records. Crude ICH event rates were calculated by Poisson regression. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to assess the independent effect of race/ethnicity on ICH after adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and warfarin exposure. Results Between 1995 and 2000, we identified 18,867 qualifying AF hospitalizations (78.5% white, 8% black, 9.5% Hispanic, and 3.9% Asian) and 173 qualifying ICH events over 3.3 years follow-up. Achieved anticoagulation intensity was lower among blacks but not different between the other groups. Warfarin was associated with increased ICH risk in all races, but the magnitude of risk was greater among nonwhites. There were no gender differences. The hazard ratio for ICH with whites as referent was 4.06 for Asians (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.47 to 6.65), 2.06 for Hispanics (95% CI 1.31 to 3.24), and 2.04 (95% CI 1.25 to 3.35) for blacks. Conclusions Nonwhites with AF were at greater risk for warfarin-related ICH. Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians were at successively greater ICH risk than whites.
Automatic video indexing via object motion analysis

To assist human analysis of video data, a technique has been developed to perform automatic, content-based video indexing from object motion. Moving objects are detected in the video sequence using motion segmentation methods. By tracking individual objects through the segmented data, a symbolic representation of the video is generated in the form of a directed graph describing the objects and their movement. This graph is then annotated using a rule-based classification scheme to identify events of interest, e.g., appearance/disappearance, deposit/removal, entrance/exit, and motion/rest of objects. One may then use an index into the motion graph instead of the raw data to analyse the semantic content of the video. Application of this technique to surveillance video analysis is discussed.
Weather-Related Indices of Autumn–Winter Dabbling Duck Abundance in Middle North America

Abstract Research on effects of key weather stimuli influencing waterfowl migration during autumn and winter is limited. We investigated relationships between changes in relative abundances of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and other dabbling ducks (Anas spp.) and weather variables at midlatitude locations in North America. We used waterfowl survey data from Missouri Conservation Areas and temperature and snow cover data from the Historical Climatology Network to evaluate competing models to explain changes in relative abundance of ducks in Missouri, USA, during autumn–winter, 1995–2005. We found that a cumulative weather severity index model (CumulativeWSI; calculated as mean daily temp − degrees C + no. of consecutive days with mean temp ≤0° C + snow depth + no. of consecutive days with snow cover) had the greatest weight of evidence in explaining changes in relative abundance of ducks. We concluded the CumulativeWSI reflected current and cumulative effects of ambient temperatures on energy expenditure by...