cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic Resection for Colon Cancer — The End of the Beginning?

Technological advances, which are followed by long periods of catch-up while clinicians learn how to use the new techniques appropriately, often precede true medical progress. Such certainly appears to be the case for minimally invasive surgery. Early on, surgeons were hampered by having to steady the laparoscope with one hand and look through a small lens while performing surgery with the other hand. Advances in laparoscopic surgery were facilitated by a series of innovations that allowed true video surgery, in which two surgeons work together with both hands to perform operations. In the late 1990s, surgeons began to use minimally . . .
Normal incidence infra-red absorption from intersub-band transitions in p-type GaInAs/AlInAs quantum wells

Infra-red intersub-band absorption measurements were performed on p-type Ga/sub 0.47/In/sub 0.53/As/Al/sub 0.48/In/sub 0.52/As multiquantum wells using normally incident radiation. Several strong intersub-band absorption peaks were observed in the wavelength range 6-12 mu m. The transition from the impurity bound state to the extended state was observed for the first time. >
Noise in Fourier self-deconvolution.

A general formula for computing changes in the signal-to-noise ratio of a spectrum resulting from the Fourier self-deconvolution procedure is derived. Self-deconvolution reduces the intrinsic halfwidths of lines by a factor K, which is in practice limited by the noise in the spectrum. With the help of the derived formula, the rate of decrease in the SNR as a function of K for eight different smoothing (apodization) functions is studied. With high K values there are significant differences in the SNR as a result of the use of different smoothing functions. With K = 4 difference of more than 1 order of magnitude between two extreme cases is demonstrated, and with K = 5 a difference of almost 2 orders of magnitude in the SNR is predicted.
Fusion patterns of liposomes formed from stratum corneum lipids

Stratum corneum lipid liposomes formed from epidermal ceramides (40%), cholesterol (25%), palmitic acid (25%), and cholesteryl sulfate (10%), when exposed to hypertonic medium, form flattened liposomes. Epidermal acylglucosylceramides (AGCs) and acylceramides (ACs) cause aggregation and fusion of these flattened vesicles. This could serve as a model to study (a) the fusion of membranous disks in the intercellular space of the stratum corneum and (b) the roles of AGCs and ACs in the assembly of lamellar structures in the epidermis.
Predictable time-sharing for DryadLINQ cluster

This paper addresses the scheduling problem that popular data parallel programming systems such as DryadLINQ and MapReduce are facing today. Designing a cluster system in a multi-user environment is challenging because cluster schedulers must satisfy multiple, possibly conflicting, enterprise goals and policies. Particularly for these new types of data-intensive applications, it continues to be a challenge to simultaneously achieve both high throughput and predictable end-to-end performance for jobs (e.g., predictable start/end times). The conventional approach of scheduling these types of jobs is to attempt to determine a best mapping between a task and a node before the job executes, and the scheduling system ceases to be involved for a given job once the job starts executing. Instead, as described in this paper, we define a reactive containment and control mechanism for scheduling and executing distributed tasks, schedule the jobs, and then continually monitor and adjust resources as the job executes. More specifically, a DryadLINQ task in our system is contained in virtual machine and distributed controllers regulate progress of the task at runtime. Using online, feedback-controlled VM CPU scheduling, our system provides a job a capability to speed-up or slow-down progress of concurrent sub-tasks so that the job can make predictable progress while sharing system resources with other jobs. The new capability allows an enterprise to enforce flexible scheduling policies such as fair-share and/or prioritizing jobs. Our evaluation results using five well-known DryadLINQ applications show the implemented distributed controllers achieve high throughput as well as predictable end-to-end performance.
Discovery of the Meanings, Expressions, and Practices Related to Malaria Care Among the Maasai

Purpose: Although malaria is preventable and treatable, morbidity and mortality from this disease continue among the Maasai of Southern Kenya. Prior to this study, the Maasai’s generic and professional malaria care/cure practices were largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to discover, describe, and systematically analyze meanings, expressions, and practices that promote culturally congruent malaria care among this population. Design: The qualitative, ethnonursing research method was used to conduct in-depth examination of the Maasai ethnohistory and culture relevant to malaria care and analyze data from 48 interviews conducted in Maasailand. Findings: Guided by the “culture care theory,” four themes were discovered related to Maasai community, traditional, spiritual, and professional care/cure practices. These significant findings filled a research gap and contribute to nursing knowledge and caring practice. Practice Implications: These study findings have implications for culturally congruent ma...
Control-Oriented Planar Motion Modeling of Unmanned Surface Vehicles

This paper describes a comparison of experimentally identified dynamic models for the planar motion of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV). The objective is to determine a model which is rich enough to enable effective motion planning and control, simple enough to allow straight forward parameter identification, and general enough to describe a variety of hullforms and actuator configurations. Starting from a three degree-of-freedom nonlinear model obtained from physical principles, we consider four simplified variants: (1) a linear model obtained by linearizing about straight, constant-speed motion, (2) a first order steering model (for turn rate) coupled with a first order speed model, (3) a second order steering model (for turn rate and sideslip angle), coupled with a first order speed model, and (4) a nonlinear model for low speed operation. The paper provides analysis of system identification data collected from field trials of three USV platforms in Summer 2010. The platforms represent three distinct control system implementations: a servo-actuated outboard engine, a servo-actuated jet-drive thruster, and differential thrusters.
The Raman spectra of solid xenon tetrafluoride and its adduct with xenon difluoride

The Raman spectra of the solids XeF4 and XeF2·XeF4 show effects arising in intermolecular vibrational coupling. Assignments based on factor group analysis are proposed, and the influence of intermolecular forces on the spectra of these and related compounds is discussed.
Methylene-Only Subspectra in 13C CPMAS Using a New Double Quantum Filtering Sequence

Abstract Methodology for the assignment of 13 C CPMAS spectra is still in its infancy. Previous methods of CPMAS spectral editing have utilized differences in the strength of the 13 C– 1 H dipolar interaction or the rate and spin thermodynamics of crosspolarization from protons to carbon, to differentiate between quaternary, tertiary, and methylene carbons. We introduce a different approach, which is based on the fact that double-quantum coherence develops between the protons of a methylene group considerably faster than between most other proton spin pairs in an organic solid. We generate this coherence, filter it, convert it back to single quantum, and then crosspolarize selectively to carbon, followed by a short period of reversed crosspolarization to null out unwanted coherence generated from longer distance spin pairs. The sequence has been named DQCP. While the signal-to-noise of this method is poorer than ordinary CP, it is comparable to previous methods for generating methylene-only spectra, and the technique is straightforward and easy to implement.
Cancer Genome Landscapes

Over the past decade, comprehensive sequencing efforts have revealed the genomic landscapes of common forms of human cancer. For most cancer types, this landscape consists of a small number of “mountains” (genes altered in a high percentage of tumors) and a much larger number of “hills” (genes altered infrequently). To date, these studies have revealed ~140 genes that, when altered by intragenic mutations, can promote or “drive” tumorigenesis. A typical tumor contains two to eight of these “driver gene” mutations; the remaining mutations are passengers that confer no selective growth advantage. Driver genes can be classified into 12 signaling pathways that regulate three core cellular processes: cell fate, cell survival, and genome maintenance. A better understanding of these pathways is one of the most pressing needs in basic cancer research. Even now, however, our knowledge of cancer genomes is sufficient to guide the development of more effective approaches for reducing cancer morbidity and mortality.
Simultaneous measurement of 24Na and 42K in biological systems: a simplified technique.

Abstract A convenient method for the simultaneous measurement of 24 Na and 42 K was devised utilizing a sodium iodide crystal and a Geiger-Mueller tube. The necessary equipment is available in most institutions and allows for the biological evaluation of these isotopes without chemical separation or expensive instrumentation.
Synthesis and biophysical evaluation of 3'-Me-α-L-LNA - Substitution in the minor groove of α-L-LNA duplexes.

Abstract The synthesis and biophysical evaluation of 3′-Me-α- l -LNA is reported. The synthesis of the nucleoside building block phosphoramidite was accomplished starting from diacetone glucose. The 3′-Me group was introduced in the desired configuration by hydride mediated opening of an exocyclic epoxide. Inversion of the 2′-hydroxyl group was achieved by means of an oxidation/reduction sequence followed by cyclization onto a 5′-leaving group to assemble the [2.2.1] ring system. Biophysical evaluation of 3′-Me-α- l -LNA modified oligonucleotides showed good duplex thermal stabilizing properties which were similar to α- l -LNA. Mismatch discrimination experiments revealed that 3′-Me-α- l -LNA possess slightly enhanced discrimination properties for the GU wobble base-pair as compared to related nucleic acid analogs.
A compilation of the absorption cross-sections of SO2 from 106 to 403 nm

Abstract Available spectrophotometric data on absorption cross-sections of SO2 for the gas phase from 106 to 403 nm at 293 ± 10 K have been evaluated and, where necessary, converted to a digital form. Plotting and comparing various overlapping data sets has demonstrated that systematic errors in wavelength and cross-section exist in the data sets. A scheme, which uses newer data sets that were recorded over limited wavelength ranges, to correct the wavelengths and cross-sections of older data sets, is discussed. In one region photoplate data were compared with spectrophotometric data. The spectral regions where reinvestigation is warranted are discussed. A data file of the cross-sections of SO2 was assembled from 106.1 to 403.7 nm at a resolution of 0.1 nm.
Niche Defense Among Learned Gentlemen: Notes on Organizational Inertia in Universities.

It is suggested that considerable insight into the difficulties presently encountered by universities can be understood if they are examined as "natural communities" rather than "managed organizations" as those latter terms are applied to modern and industrial business enterprises. It is also suggested that the organizational structure of universities can be viewed as a system of ecological regulators which permit a community of specialists to work together in the university setting. One of the consequences of such structural arrangements is a high degree of organizational conservatism within the universities. Another consequence is a series of information overload phenomena. The advantages and disadvantages of alternative methods of organization are suggested.
Head morphogenesis of bacteriophage T4 III. The role of gene 20 in DNA packaging

Abstract The product of gene 20 plays two important roles in bacteriophage T4 head formation: first, in the formation of the prehead assembly initiation complex, second, in the packaging of DNA into the cleaved head. The second function was revealed after the isolation of a cold-sensitive ( cs ) mutant of gene 20. Empty, fully cleaved heads accumulating in 20 cs -infected cells can be packaged with DNA to form mature phage after shift up to 42°. The accumulation of 200 S DNA and the formation of empty phages (ghosts) in the 20 cs -infected cells suggest that 20 cs empty heads are not attached to concatemeric DNA inside the cell. The phenotype of the 20 cs mutation resembles that of 17 ts or 17 am mutations and a second site suppressor mutation in gene 17 was found which overcomes the 20 cs mutation. These results suggest an intimate relationship between these two gene products which probably interact directly during DNA packaging. Both p17 and p20 also appear to be involved in collar and whisker assembly, suggesting location of p20 at the head-tail juuction.
Hidden Truths and Cultures of Secrecy: Reflections on Gender and Ethnicity in the Study of Religion

My research narrative begins in India in 1972. In the winter of that year I visited an ashram that had recently been established in a high rise apartment building in a wealthy section of Bombay known as Beach Candy. I had gone to the ashram expressly to meet the spiritual teacher, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, whose Sunnyasin movement had just begun to attract followers from the West. Among the small cadre of devotees who lived in his burgeoning spiritual community was a close cousin who had recently come to India to study with Bhagwan.1 My cousin now called herself by a Hindu name, she wore only orange clothing, and her speech was punctuated with phrases of adoration for the Oxford educated guru. The day I visited the ashram, Bhagwan was giving a talk to a number of academics from the United States, and although I was merely a 70s traveler, making my way from West to East, he agreed to let me join the group of Western intellectuals. I remember clearly how excited my cousin was as she prepared the room for Bhagwan's entry. Her own small room in the ashram bore a plaster cast of his feet, but, as she explained, this religious icon paled in comparison with the actual feet of the spiritual master whose body contained the essence of spiritual enlightenment. I had been at the ashram about an hour when Bhagwan, young, thin, and bearded, entered the room, taking his place on a chair that was designated for him alone. The guests were assembled on floor cushions and he smiled down at each of us as he greeted his waiting audience. After a moment of silence, Bhagwan began to speak quietly about his philosophy of life and the meaning of
Maneuvering in the Complex Path from Genotype to Phenotype

Human disease phenotypes are controlled not only by genes but by lawful self-organizing networks that display system-wide dynamics. These networks range from metabolic pathways to signaling pathways that regulate hormone action. When perturbed, networks alter their output of matter and energy which, depending on the environmental context, can produce either a pathological or a normal phenotype. Study of the dynamics of these networks by approaches such as metabolic control analysis may provide new insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of complex diseases.
Collaborative Development of Large Bayesian Networks

Bayesian networks (BN) have been shown to be a very effective form of models for diagnostic assistants. However, the difficulties creating a BN model for complex domains have been a barrier to their use. We present a methodology and supporting software for rapid and robust development of BN models for diagnostic systems. Our approach uses a layered structure of BN and custom node types. These reduce the complexity of the models without degrading their fidelity. Together with keyword tags and policy based conflict resolution, they make it possible to develop subsystem models that are merged into a single integrated model. Extracting and re-merging the subsystem models allows cyclic development by appropriate domain experts. We have developed an editor for the model that can be used directly by the domain expert without assistance of a knowledge engineer. The expert enters the domain information into simple tables. The BN file used for reasoning and other BN computations is created automatically by the editor.
Violence prevention: A community approach

Violence among children and adolescents has been elevated to the status of a public health problem in the United States today. Pediatric nurse practitioners are in a unique position to play a major role in violence prevention. This article describes the impact of violence on the preschool child including developmental and behavioral issues. Violence prevention must be all-inclusive as a routine component of anticipatory guidance for preschool children and their families. Ways to integrate violence prevention into a primary care approach are addressed. Community-based outreach programs that further buffer the impact of violence on these children are discussed.
Detection of fission fragments by a parallel plate avalanche counter in the presence of an intense electron beam

Abstract We show that the detection of fission fragments by a parallel plate avalanche counter is unaffected by the presence of an intense electron background, and thus represents an excellent method for measuring the fission fragments in (e, e'f) coincidence experiments.
Gel electrophoresis of partially purified cytochromes P450 from liver microsomes of variously-treated rats.

Abstract Liver microsomes and partially purified cytochromes P450 prepared from untreated animals or those injected with phenobarbital, or 3-methylcholanthrene, or polychlorinated biphenyls, were subjected to slab-gel SDS-electrophoresis. There were observed marked differences, after these treatments, in the gel-electrophoresis patterns of the induced cytochromes P450 in the microsomes and partially purified preparations.
Initial Experience with Transvenous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Lead Systems: Operative Morbidity and Mortality

Introduction of non-thoracotomy lead systems™ (Medtronic, Inc.) for the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has expanded the indications for use of this mode of therapy. Patients previously considered “too ill” to undergo a thoracotomy as well as patients who are at a high risk for developing sudden death but without previous cardiac arrest, are now considered candidates. The initial experience with the non-thoracotomy lead system at our institution was analyzed for morbidity and mortality. Thirty-four patients underwent attempted intravascular lead implantation, with 30 having initial successful implantation (88.2%). There were 23 males; average ejection fraction (EF) was 38.6%. Three patients developed pulmonary edema and low output immediately after the procedure. Three patients developed electromechanical dissociation during defibrillation threshold testing. A prolonged testing time for the non-thoracotomy lead system was noted when compared to the thoracotomy system (57.39 vs 32.30 min; P < 0.0000). There were more intraoperative morbidities with the non-thoracotomy leads than with the thoracotomy system. There were no perioperative deaths. The potential consequences of prolonged anesthesia time and extensive defibrillation threshold testing should be considered when choosing the route of ICD implant, the type of anesthesia, and the intraoperative testing protocol for each patient.
Slow slip event at Kilauea Volcano

Early in the morning of 1 February 2010 (UTC; early afternoon 31 January 2010 local time), continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) and tilt instruments detected a slow slip event (SSE) on the south flank of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii. The SSE lasted at least 36 hours and resulted in a maximum of about 3 centimeters of seaward displacement. About 10 hours after the start of the slip, a flurry of small earthquakes began (Figure 1) in an area of the south flank recognized as having been seismically active during past SSEs [Wolfe et al., 2007], suggesting that the February earthquakes were triggered by stress associated with slip [Segall et al., 2006].
The effect of cross-sectional velocity and concentration variations on suspended sediment transport rates in tidal creeks

Instantaneous suspended sediment transport rates over numerous tidal cycles have been determined for two tidal creeks in South Carolina: Town Creek, North Inlet, and Bass Creek, Kiawah Island. Three different calculation methods were employed: (1) area-integrated product of sediment concentration, velocity, and sample subarea (Method I, the true transport rate); (2) product of instantaneous channel cross-section area, cross-sectionally averaged velocity, and cross-sectionally averaged concentration (Method II); and (3) product of instantaneous discharge and sediment concentration at a single, near-surface, mid-channel sample location (Method III). Logistical and financial constraints at times dictate use of Method III rather than the more rigorous Method I. Deviations between Method II (and/or III) and Method I as a percentage of the Method I transport rates can be large (up to 120%). Fortunately the largest percent deviations occur at times of low Method I transport. As a result, linear regressions of Method I transport rates against those of Methods II or III yield correlation coefficients r 2 > 0·9. Thus Method II or III transport rates can be corrected by regression analysis to give reliable estimates of the Method I transport rate. Accordingly, it may be possible to calculate tidal residual suspended sediment transport rates for the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site at North Inlet using daily water sample data, providing an accurate hypsometric model can be developed for estimating instantaneous discharge from continuous tide data.
Laparoscopic resection of splenic artery aneurysms.

Background Laparoscopic techniques used to manage asymptomatic splenic artery aneurysms have been reported infrequently.
Sports-related concussion among high school athletes in West Central Florida

Background Sports concussion among children and adolescents has been recognised as an important public health concern. Research shows that these groups are at increased risk for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)-related issues such as delayed recovery and long-term sequelae. Aims/Objectives/Purpose The purpose of this study was to collect and report concussion data from high school athletes enrolled in four public high schools in west-central Florida. Methods Sports-related injury data (including concussion incidence) were collected from 9 August to 12 December 2010 utilising professional sports injury surveillance software. The surveillance system captured exposure and risk factor information of high school athletes. Four certified athletic trainers (ATCs) were hired by the Sports Medicine and Athletic Related Trauma (SMART) Institute of the University of South Florida to collect the data. The ATCs exported the information to the university once a week for analysis. Results/Outcome There were 24 sports-related concussions reported during the data collection period. The majority of concussions took place during football competitions and practices (87.5%). The concussed athletes were mostly males (95.83%) and juniors (33.33%) followed by freshman (25%). The leading level of play for injury was varsity (66.67%) followed by junior varsity (JV) (33.33%). The leading concussion symptom was headache (21.59%) followed by dizziness/unsteadiness (15.91%) and sensitivity to light/visual disturbances (11.36%). The leading reported concussion time was 1–3 days (37.5%). Players returned to play mostly within 7–9 days (68.75%). Significance/Contribution to the Field These data will serve to inform future research and practice to prevent concussions among high school athletes.
Does believing that everyone else is less ethical have an impact on work behavior

Researchers consistently report that individuals see themselves acting far more ethically than comparable others when confronted with ethically uncertain work-related behaviors. They suggest that this belief encourages unethical conduct and contributes to the degeneration of business ethics; however, they have not specifically investigated the consequences of this belief. If undesirable work behaviors actually do occur, educators and other ethics advocates would be strongly encouraged to dispel this widely held notion. In the present study, data was collected from college students and practicing accountants regarding how they and others would respond to ten ethical scenarios. Participants' perceptions were calculated and correlated to their decision in a hypothetical business case. Analysis indicated that individuals, regardless of age, gender, or work status, see themselves acting far more ethically than others. It also disclosed significant association between participants' own attitudes and the case response, but no significant association between the response and their attitudes relative to those perceived to be held by others. Believing that everyone else is less ethical, therefore, appears to have little impact on work behavior.
Applications of the medial femoral condyle free flap for foot and ankle reconstruction.

Background:Avascular necrosis (AVN) or persistent nonunion occurs in situations of poor vascular supply. Some specific situations that plague the foot and ankle surgeon are talus nonunion, talus AV...
Medical school affiliations with Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers: attitudes of medical center leadership

Affiliations between Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] medical centers and colleges of medicine are important to both parties. Recently, the values and costs of these relations have come under increasing scrutiny. In this study, the authors attempted to determine the attitudes of local VA medical center leadership members toward these affiliations. A mail survey of directors, associate directors, and chiefs of staff of VA medical centers was undertaken. Respondents were asked to score their agreement or disagreement with each of eight statements defining various features and values of VA-medical school affiliations. Scores were reported on a Likert scale of 1 (strongly agree) to 7 (strongly disagree). Strongly positive general attitudes toward VA-university affiliations were found from the results. Mean scores averaged 2.02. However, responses to statements identifying specific concerns with these affiliations (eg, diversion of resources away from VA toward university goals and the lower status of VA-based faculty) were less positive. More positive general attitudes and less negativity about specific concerns were expressed by chiefs of staff than by medical center directors or associate medical center directors and by leaders of highly affiliated medical centers than by leaders of other types of centers. Therefore, local VA medical center leaders have very positive general attitudes toward university affiliations. However, specific problem areas do exist. These issues and attitudes are important for leaders of both the VA health-care system and academic medical centers to consider when developing and implementing local and national policies.
Nonsmooth analysis on partially ordered vector spaces: the subdifferential theo ry

On obtient de nouvelles caracterisations des operateurs localement 0-Lipschitz et en meme temps une etude comparative de Penot complete qui n'inclut pas la theorie de Clarke
OOPSLA 2002: Reconsidering custom memory allocation

Programmers hoping to achieve performance improvements often use custom memory allocators. This in-depth study examines eight applications that use custom allocators. Surprisingly, for six of these applications, a state-of-the-art general-purpose allocator (the Lea allocator) performs as well as or better than the custom allocators. The two exceptions use regions, which deliver higher performance (improvements of up to 44%). Regions also reduce programmer burden and eliminate a source of memory leaks. However, we show that the inability of programmers to free individual objects within regions can lead to a substantial increase in memory consumption. Worse, this limitation precludes the use of regions for common programming idioms, reducing their usefulness.We present a generalization of general-purpose and region-based allocators that we call reaps. Reaps are a combination of regions and heaps, providing a full range of region semantics with the addition of individual object deletion. We show that our implementation of reaps provides high performance, outperforming other allocators with region-like semantics. We then use a case study to demonstrate the space advantages and software engineering benefits of reaps in practice. Our results indicate that programmers needing fast regions should use reaps, and that most programmers considering custom allocators should instead use the Lea allocator.
Deficiency mapping of the 93D heat-shock locus in Drosophila melanogaster

The 93D heat shock locus was mapped relative to an overlapping series of deficiencies of the 93D region by three criteria: the ability of the deleted chromosomes to puff at 93D, the ability of the deleted chromosomes to synthesize RNA from the 93D region after a temperature shift and the presence of heat shock RNA sequences at 93D as assayed by in situ hybridization. The results are essentially the same by all three criteria. Chromosomes with deficiencies that did not extend distal to 93D4 puffed and incorporated 3H-uridine after a temperature shift, and were labelled at 93D following in situ hybridization of heat shock RNA from tissue culture cells. All the other deficiency chromosomes tested failed to puff and to incorporate 3H-uridine following a temperature shift and did not show hybridization in this region after in situ hybridization with heat shock RNA. The heat shock locus was mapped to the overlapping region of Df(3R)eGp4and Df(3R)GC14 just outside the inverted region of In(3R)GC23.
Quasiparticle scattering and local density of states in graphite

We determine the effect of quasiparticle interference on the spatial variations of the local density of states in graphite in the neighborhood of an isolated impurity. A number of characteristic behaviors of interference are identified in the Fourier transformed spectrum. A comparison between our results and scanning tunneling microscopy experiments could provide a critical test of the range (of energy) of applicability of the Fermi liquid description of graphite, where some evidence of the breakdown of Fermi liquid theory has recently been discussed. Moreover, given the similarity between the band structures of graphite and that of nodal quasiparticles in a $d$-wave superconductor, a comparison between results in the two materials may be useful for understanding the physics of the cuprates.
Double-lined nomogram of cervical dilatation in Chinese primigravidas.

By studying normal labors in 500 Chinese primigravidae, a nomogram has been constructed to show the normal progression of cervical dilatation starting from cervical os of 3 cm dilatation. Paralleled “alert” lines and “action” lines were derived from this nomogram. Clinical evaluation of this double-lined nomogram showed that poor progression of cervical dilatation resulting in an abnormal outcome can be predicted at earlier stages. the use of this nomogram together with the partogram greatly improved the management of labor in the individual patient and the guidance of the labor ward as a whole.
Mechanical Circulatory Support for Advanced Heart Failure Where Does It Stand in 2003

Today, the lifetime risk of developing heart failure is 1 in 5 for both men and women.1 This high risk underscores the need for effective therapies to treat terminal heart failure unresponsive to conventional treatment. Cardiac transplantation, when possible, offers not only significant palliation but also a real opportunity for meaningful long-term survival. However, posttransplantation mortality and morbidity have improved little over the past decade, and because of the shortage of suitable donor organs, this therapy will never have more than a minimal epidemiological impact on heart failure. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the editors or of the American Heart Association. To expand the therapeutic options for treating end-stage heart failure, the National Institutes of Health initiated research in the mid-1970s designed to develop mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices that could provide destination therapy for this condition. The devices developed from this program were first used clinically, however, as bridges to transplantation in the mid-1980s. These implantable MCS devices have now been employed as a bridge to transplantation in more than 4000 patients worldwide. In 2002, on the basis of the results of the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Chronic Heart failure (REMATCH) trial,2 implantable MCS systems were approved for destination therapy in patients who were not acceptable candidates for cardiac transplantation. Despite these advances, numerous questions remain about the ultimate goals of MCS and the role of this technology in treating heart failure. Who are the best candidates for these devices, and what should be the therapeutic goals in each case? What adjuncts can be expected to maximize the benefits of MCS? How can future devices best be developed and studied? To illustrate where this technology stands in 2003 and how it can be expected to develop, …
Update on emerging infections: News from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Emergency physicians should be aware of the following changes and shifts in emphasis that differentiate this set of guidelines from its predecessors. Changes related to the transmission of HIV: • The CDC is concerned with the unnecessary use of long courses of HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) drug regimens in health care providers who are exposed to blood and/or body fluids from non–HIV-infected source patients. The new guidelines encourage the use of the rapid HIV test to determine the source’s HIV status in real time, thereby eliminating more than 1 dose of antiviral PEP to health care providers exposed to HIVnegative blood. The guidelines emphasize that when rapid HIV testing is not available, it is imperative that the health care provider be given a 48to 72-hour follow-up visit, at which time any prescribed PEP can be discontinued if the source’s HIV status is negative. • The CDC is also concerned that 3-drug therapy, with its higher incidence of complications, is being overused. Three-drug therapy is now limited to cases in which the skin is punctured with an object from a source known to be HIV positive. Decision tables have been revised and nomenclature changed to clarify which health care providers should be offered no PEP, 2-drug PEP, or 3-drug PEP. • At the same time, an emphasis is placed on the following: the consideration of the health care provider’s preexisting medical conditions and pregnancy status; the potential for drug interactions and side effects; and the potential for HIV drug resistance when Editor’s note: This article is part of a regular series on emerging infections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the EMERGEncy ID NET, an emergency department–based and CDC-collaborative surveillance network. Important infectious disease public health information with relevance to emergency physicians is reported. The goal of this series is to advance knowledge about communicable diseases in emergency medicine and foster cooperation between the front line of clinical medicine and public health agencies.
A Metal-Insulator-Metal based two-dimensional triangular lattice photonic band-gap structure

We present a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal with subwavelength light confinement in the transverse direction perpendicular to the planar structure based on the metal-insulator-metal (MIM) configuration. Periodic modulation in the dielectric region of MIM waveguides creates forbidden frequency ranges, known as photonic band-gaps. Using a modified two dimensional plane wave expansion (PWE) technique, we calculate the band structure of the plasmonic photonic crystal. The resulting band structure is verified by finite-difference time-domain simulations. We show that the band-gap of the slab-like MIM-based photonic crystal is wider than the band-gap of the two dimensional dielectric photonic crystal. The MIM-based photonic crystal structure presents a solution to the problem of degradation of band-gap and light escaping in two-dimensional slab photonic crystals.
Turnitin.com and the scriptural enterprise of plagiarism detection

Abstract In this essay, I analyze Turnitin.com, http://www.turnitin.com >, as a form of anti-plagiarism therapy, demonstrating some of the ways the service maps identity and manages transgression in accordance with traditional values pertaining to authorship and intellectual property. I propose a broad-based approach to Turnitin.com that addresses the many historical, institutional, economic, cultural, and pedagogical factors informing current debates about plagiarism and plagiarism detection. In particular, I argue, first, that Turnitin.com reifies identity categories via plagiarism discourse disguised as educational content. Secondly, Turnitin.com socializes student writers toward traditional notions of textual normality and docility. And third, Turnitin.com represents a new phase in the bureaucratization of composition instruction consistent with past administrative practices and reflective of emerging corporate management alliances in higher education.
Using geographically weighted regression models to estimate annual average daily traffic

Annual average daily traffic (AADT) is important information for many transportation planning, design, operation, and maintenance activities and for funding allocation. Many studies have attempted AADT estimation by using various methods, such as the factor approach, regression analysis, and artificial neural networks. An application of geographically weighted regression (GWR) methods for estimating AADT is presented. GWR models allow model parameters to be estimated locally instead of globally, as in the case of ordinary linear regression (OLR) analysis. The spatial variation of the parameter estimates and the local R2 from the GWR models were investigated, and the AADT estimation errors were analyzed. Compared with OLR models, the GWR models were more accurate and were useful for studying the effects of the regressors at different locations.
Choice behavior on discrete trials: a demonstration of the occurrence of a response strategy.

Three pairs of pigeons were trained to peck at two keys presented simultaneoulsy in discrete trials with intertrial intervals of 1, 22, or 120 sec. Left-key responses incremented the probability of reinforcement for the first right-key response and, conversely, right-key responses incremented the probability of reinforcement for the first left-key response. In terms of relative response rates, it was found that all birds' choices were described by a momentary maximizing strategy, but this fact was not reflected in the detailed sequential statistics for birds with the longer (22 or 120 sec) intertrial intervals. It was hypothesized that choice behavior, in general, may be accurately described by a momentary maximizing sequence, but that prior failures to demonstrate this were due to “errors” in executing the momentary maximizing sequence. These misappropriated responses, which are hypothesized to be randomly distributed among the responses defining the momentary maximizing sequence, caused successive choices to appear to be statistically independent when, in fact, they were not.
A novel PLL system based on adaptive resonant filter

When connecting the grid-connected power electronics systems to the utility system, one of the most important aspects to be considered is the synchronization with the grid system in phase and frequency. The synchronized speed and accuracy depend on the technology used in the phase-looked loop (PLL) system. Different kinds of PLL technologies have been published in recent years. A novel PLL structure is presented in this paper. The proposed PLL is based on synchronous reference frame (SRF) with a simple structure comparing with other SRF strategies. By adding an adaptive resonant filter in the conventional SRF - PLL system, the proposed PLL system can track the grid frequency and phase angle accurately with high dynamic response. This PLL system can be used for the grid system with unbalanced and harmonic distortion. Another advantage of the proposed PLL system is that even there is phase fault the gird frequency and phase angle can be tracked accurately. Simulation results by Matlab/Simulink are given in this paper.
Hybrid frequency-polarization shift-keying Modulation for optical transmission

In this paper, we propose a new modulation scheme based on combining frequency and polarization modulated signals, which we will refer to as hybrid frequency-polarization shift keying (FPolSK). The FPolSK modulation is basically an extension of the conventional M-PolSK modulation over orthogonal domains. This expansion enables representing signal constellation points over multidimensional space, which ensures increasing the geometric distances between these points, and in turn, improving the system power efficiency. On the other hand, compared with M-FSK modulation, FPolSK improves the bandwidth efficiency by employing less number of orthogonal frequencies to represent information symbols. Moreover, FPolSK is extremely useful for implementing communication systems that have limitations in power and bandwidth usage. This advantage comes from the fact that FPolSK inherently enables selecting the appropriate number of orthogonal frequencies that convey with system constraints. The contribution in this paper is threefold. First, we propose a design for the transmitter and the receiver of the FPolSK technique. Second, we perform analysis for the system power and bandwidth efficiencies. Third, we derive an expression for the system power spectral density (PSD). A performance comparison between the FPolSK modulation technique and previously developed techniques is also presented in this paper. Our results reveal that the proposed modulation scheme performs better than M-PolSK, M-DPSK, and M-FSK modulation schemes in terms of both power and bandwidth efficiencies. We have also found that same bandwidth efficiency can be obtained using different FPolSK modulation formats, and the PSD of the FPolSK modulation does not contain discrete components that are considered as a waste of power. Finally, the effects of the laser phase noise and fiber dispersion on the performance of the proposed modulation are also discussed in detail.
Tumor response to radiotherapy is dependent on genotype-associated mechanisms in vitro and in vivo

We have previously shown that in vitro radiosensitivity of human tumor cells segregate non-randomly into a limited number of groups. Each group associates with a specific genotype. However we have also shown that abrogation of a single gene (p21) in a human tumor cell unexpectedly sensitized xenograft tumors comprised of these cells to radiotherapy while not affecting in vitro cellular radiosensitivity. Therefore in vitro assays alone cannot predict tumor response to radiotherapy. In the current work, we measure in vitro radiosensitivity and in vivo response of their xenograft tumors in a series of human tumor lines that represent the range of radiosensitivity observed in human tumor cells. We also measure response of their xenograft tumors to different radiotherapy protocols. We reduce these data into a simple analytical structure that defines the relationship between tumor response and total dose based on two coefficients that are specific to tumor cell genotype, fraction size and total dose. We assayed in vitro survival patterns in eight tumor cell lines that vary in cellular radiosensitivity and genotype. We also measured response of their xenograft tumors to four radiotherapy protocols: 8 × 2 Gy; 2 × 5Gy, 1 × 7.5 Gy and 1 × 15 Gy. We analyze these data to derive coefficients that describe both in vitro and in vivo responses. Response of xenografts comprised of human tumor cells to different radiotherapy protocols can be reduced to only two coefficients that represent 1) total cells killed as measured in vitro 2) additional response in vivo not predicted by cell killing. These coefficients segregate with specific genotypes including those most frequently observed in human tumors in the clinic. Coefficients that describe in vitro and in vivo mechanisms can predict tumor response to any radiation protocol based on tumor cell genotype, fraction-size and total dose. We establish an analytical structure that predicts tumor response to radiotherapy based on coefficients that represent in vitro and in vivo responses. Both coefficients are dependent on tumor cell genotype and fraction-size. We identify a novel previously unreported mechanism that sensitizes tumors in vivo; this sensitization varies with tumor cell genotype and fraction size.
Numerical investigation of radiated emissions mechanisms in single-chip packages

Presents preliminary results for a new way of addressing radiated emissions from packaged electronic systems. We have validated the FDTD methodology for determining the peak radiation frequencies for a simple microstrip transmission line structure. Also, we have demonstrated the impact of placing ground pins between the signal and absolute ground planes on the radiation characteristics of a microstrip line capacitively coupled to an absolute ground. The placement and location of grounding pins is critical to the reduction of EMI.
Admission predictors of academic dismissal for provisional and traditionally admitted students

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify admission variables associated with dismissal for academic reasons. Methods A retrospective review of students accepted from 2000–2009 was conducted ( n = 1,019). The students included traditional students (1–5, n = 817) and provisional students (admitted directly from high school, 0–6, n = 202). Results For traditional students, Pharmacy College Admission Test, interview, pre-pharmacy grade point average (GPA), and pre-pharmacy science/math hours were associated with failure to complete the program for academic reasons. For provisional students, overall GPA, science/math GPA, English American College Testing (ACT), and reading ACT predicted failure to complete the program for academic reasons. However, composite ACT score did not predict academic dismissal for provisional students. Conclusion Predictors of academic dismissal may vary for professional degree programs depending upon students' entry point into the program (e.g. immediately post-high school, 1–2 years of college). However, GPA for prior coursework, college or high school, may be a consistent predictor across entry points into the program.
Measurement and modeling of MOS transistor current mismatch in analog IC's

This paper presents a new methodology for measuring MOS transistor current mismatch and a new transistor current mismatch model. The new methodology is based on extracting the mismatch information from a fully functional circuit rather than on probing individual devices; this extraction leads to more efficient and more accurate mismatch measurement. The new model characterizes the total mismatch as a sum of two components, one systematic and the other random. For our process, we attribute nearly half of the mismatch to the systematic component, which we model as a linear gradient across the die. Furthermore, we present a new model for the random component of the mismatch which is 60% more accurate, on average, than existing models.