cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review of additive manufacturing and densification techniques for the net- and near net-shaping of geometrically complex silicon nitride components

Abstract Silicon nitride (Si3N4) is an advantageous material due its unique combination of mechanical, thermal, chemical, and electrical properties both at ambient and elevated temperatures. Because of these properties there are a wide range of applications for Si3N4 components. Applications include heat exchangers, environmental barrier coatings, osteointegration scaffolds, radomes, and integrated circuitry. Such applications often require geometric complexity for efficient and/or effective operation. However, traditional ceramics processing methods such as hot-pressing or die extrusion are typically limited to simple axis-symmetric shapes. With the advent of additive manufacturing, there has been significant advancement into the forming of geometrically complex Si3N4 components. This review documents additive manufacturing advancements that have demonstrated, or are capable of, fabricating Si3N4 components with complex geometry.
Navajo Nation Brain Drain: An Exploration of Returning College Graduates' Perspectives

Navajo Nation Brain Drain: An Exploration of Returning College Graduates’ Perspectives Quintina Bearchief Adolpho Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, BYU Doctor of Philosophy American Indian tribes face the phenomenon known across the world as the brain drain. They invest millions of dollars in educating their members, only to have little return on their investments. Many nation members leave reservations to get postsecondary education but never return, contributing to the brain drain. Those who get education off the reservation and choose to return are the exceptions to this rule. Although there is an abundance of literature regarding the brain drain across the world, there has been little research done with American Indians. In order to begin to understand the brain drain phenomenon this study analyzed unstructured qualitative interviews of 17 Navajo Nation members who left their reservation, obtained a degree and returned to work on the reservation. Themes resulting from the hermeneutic analysis of texts that describe the reason why these individuals returned were (a) Family Support, (b) Cultural Identity, (c) Simple Lifestyle, (d) Community and (e) Reservation Economy. The analysis found that constant, lengthy, and meaningful relationships were motivating factors in drawing participants back to contribute to their reservations. Those principles and teachings in the home of these returnees prompts further research in indentifying the reasons they were drawn back to their American Indian communities.
A bidirectional reliable transport mechanism for wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSN), bidirectional end-to-end reliability can only be achieved if every event is reported to the sink and every query (or task) of the sink is delivered to the sensing field successfully. Although sensor networks may provide redundant detection and reporting, this does not guarantee end-to-end reliability. In many applications, the lack of bidirectional reliability may impair event detection and cause inappropriate data collection. In this paper, we introduce a new bidirectional reliable transport mechanism for WSN which addresses both sensor-to-sink and sink-to-sensor reliable transport that is not provided by existing protocols. Bidirectional reliability is achieved by transmitting ACK/NACK packets between the sink and essential sensors that cover the entire sensing field. Essential nodes are selected using a weighted-greedy algorithm based on the residual energy of sensors and rotated in time. Therefore, end-to-end reliable communication is accomplished between the sink and the essential sensors having higher residual energy, while incurring low overhead due to control messages and retransmissions. Moreover, we incorporate a distributed congestion control mechanism. When a congestion is detected, non-essential nodes receive alarm messages from the essential ones, and they temporarily stop reporting events to regulate excessive traffic. Therefore, our approach not only achieves bidirectional end-to-end reliability, but also is effective in congestion control. The performance evaluation of the proposed mechanism is provided by simulation experiments
Network Load Monitoring in Distributed Systems

Monitoring the performance of a network by which a real-time distributed system is connected is very important. If the system is adaptive or dynamic, the resource manager can use this information to create or use new processes. We may be interested to determine how much load a host is placing on the network, or what the network load index is. In this paper, a simple technique for evaluating the current load of network is proposed. If a computer is connected to several networks, then we can get the load index of that host for each network. We can also measure the load index of the network applied by all the hosts. The dynamic resource manager of DeSiDeRaTa should use this technique to achieve its requirements. We have verified the technique with two benchmarks - LoadSim and DynBench.
Damping and dynamic elastic modulus of ceramics and ceramic-matrix composites at elevated temperatures

Due to the need for strong and lightweight materials that can operate at much higher temperatures than those of conventional metals and alloys, there has been a significant development of advanced composite materials in recent years. Ceramics and ceramic-matrix composites are playing an increasingly important role in this area. In order to use these materials efficiently, their mechanical properties must be known: stiffness and damping are two of the most useful material properties. The objective of this paper is to report the measurements of the damping and dynamic elastic modulus of certain ceramics and ceramic-matrix composites at elevated temperatures. The materials that have been studied are fused quartz, recrystallized alumina, a carbon glass lamellar composite, and reaction-bonded silicon carbide. The Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Composite Oscillator Technique (PUCOT), suitably modified for elevated-temperature measurements, was used to determine these properties. Measurements were done in the frequency range of 40 to 80 kHz and the temperature range of 21 to 600°C.
Spatial change detectors for semiconductor manufacturing

In this paper, we address the problem of detecting process changes by monitoring spatially distributed data in semiconductor manufacturing processes. A specific question treated in this paper is how to extract information from the spatial data for change detection when we do not know what information contained in the data is useful. We adopt the idea investigated by Zamel and Hinton of using neural networks to extract information which is not known a priori. The result shows that this approach works much better than the simple mean for process changes detection.
Rate of Calcium Binding and Uptake in Normal Animal and Failing Human Cardiac Muscle: MEMBRANE VESICLES (RELAXING SYSTEM) AND MITOCHONDRIA

Cardiac relaxing system (CRS) and mitochondria were isolated by a modified rapid procedure from human, rabbit, and dog. Relaxing system (sarcoplasmic reticulum) was also isolated from white and red skeletal muscles for comparative purposes. Rapid kinetic measurements were made with a dual-beam spectrophotometric assay procedure. Maximum calcium binding (absence of oxalate), expressed as nmoles calcium/mg protein in 5 minutes at 25°C, for rabbit heart and red and white skeletal muscles were approximately 40, 58 and 170, respectively. The calcium binding constant for rabbit CRS was 2 x 106 M-1. The estimated initial binding rates (nmoles calcium/mg protein/minute) of cardiac, white and red skeletal muscle relaxing systems were 256, 1440 and 182, respectively. The rate constant (M-1 sec-1) of CRS was about 2400, which falls between white and red skeletal muscle preparations. Human cardiac muscle from recipients obtained at the time of transplantation yielded CRS with slower rates of accumulation of calcium and very little calcium release, compared to normal animal heart preparations. ATP was the most effective of four nucleoside triphosphates in supporting calcium binding and uptake. Calcium binding and release and calcium uptake of CRS were temperature-sensitive. The energies of activation of binding and uptake were 10.5 kcal mole-1 and 22.5 kcal mole-1, respectively. Under specific conditions, heart mitochondria accumulated calcium at a rate faster than CRS. Mitochondria could also release accumulated calcium.
News form and the media environment: a network of represented relationships

US newspapers did not assume their modern form until well into the 20th century. Through the 1880s, all but the largest metropolitan dailies limited themselves to four pages in length and featured very little illustration. Until the 1920s, most dailies crowded dozens of items on their front pages, producing a Darwinian struggle for the citizen’s attention. By the 1960s, newspapers came to look fully modern, with all the cues of expert explanation incorporated into their appearance and organization, accommodating a citizenry with little time or inclination to read. Soon after that, the modern moment began to erode. For the most part, historians have ignored these changes in appearance, implicitly judging the form of news to be insignificant compared with the movement of information through the newspaper or the explicit engagement of news-workers in the political realm. This is a mistake. The form of news has as much to do with its work in the world as its content does. Changes in form signal deep changes in the role the newspaper has played in the civic life of the nation.
Autocrine-mediated ErbB-2 kinase activation of STAT3 is required for growth factor independence of pancreatic cancer cell lines

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines, MIA PaCa-2, and UK Pan-1, were used to investigate the role of ErbB2 in PDAC oncogenesis. Both these cell lines exhibit exogenous growth factor-independent proliferation that was attributed to the production of autocrine growth factors and/or overexpression of growth factor receptors. The exogenous growth factor-independent phenotype displayed by these PDAC cell lines was dependent on ErbB2 kinase activity since treatment of cells with tyrphostin AG879 prevented serum-free media (SFM) induction of cell proliferation. We determined that ErbB2 kinase contributed to aberrant cell cycle regulation in PDAC through the induction of cyclin D1 levels and the suppression of p21(Cip1) and p27(Kip1). Inhibition of ErbB2 kinase led to cell cycle arrest marked by an increased association of p27(Kip1) with cdk2 and reduced levels of phosphorylated pRb. We further observed constitutive STAT3 activation in the PDAC cell lines and an increase in STAT3 activation upon stimulating quiescent cells with SFM. Inhibitors of ErbB2 kinase blocked STAT3 activation, whereas inhibition of EGFR kinase led to a slight reduction of STAT3 activation. STAT3 was coimmunoprecipitated with ErbB2. SFM stimulation caused an increase in the association of ErbB2 and STAT3, which was blocked by inhibition of ErbB2 kinase. Expression of a STAT3 dominant negative prevented SFM-stimulated cell proliferation of MIA PaCa-2 cells, suggesting that activation of STAT3 by ErbB2 is required for a growth factor-independent phenotype of these cells. Consistent with this observation in PDAC cell lines, we found that most PDAC tumor specimens (10 of 11) showed constitutive activation of STAT3 and that ErbB2 was readily detected in most of these tumors (nine of 11). We believe that these findings indicate a novel mechanism of oncogenesis in PDAC and may suggest future therapeutic strategies in the treatment of PDAC.
Sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lenses: outcomes of two approaches. The 2014 Yasuo Tano Memorial Lecture

We sought to assess the clinical outcomes and complications of two approaches to scleral fixation of intraocular lenses (IOLs): transconjunctival fixation through trocar cannulas and fixation using scleral tunnels created with a microvitreoretinal (MVR) blade. This retrospective chart review was comprised of 23 eyes that received scleral fixation of a three-piece IOL with concurrent pars plana vitrectomy between June 2012 and June 2014. Scleral fixation was performed either by transconjunctival fixation through trocar cannulas (cannula fixation) or by the creation of scleral tunnels using an MVR blade (tunnel fixation). The preoperative and postoperative corrected distance visual acuities (CDVA), spherical equivalents (SE), and complications were evaluated. 15 cannula fixations and 8 tunnel fixations were performed. Mean follow-up was 353 days (Range: 94 – 790 days). Fifteen IOLs were fixated 2 mm posterior to the limbus. Seven IOLs were fixated 1.5 mm posterior to the limbus, and one IOL was fixated 0.75 mm posterior to the limbus. Mean preoperative CDVA was logMAR 1.17 (Snellen 20/297), and mean postoperative CDVA was logMAR 0.37 (Snellen 20/47) (p <0.0001). At last follow-up, none of the IOLs have dislocated or subluxed and there has been no erosion of the subconjunctival haptics. Scleral fixation of IOLs using trocar cannulas or scleral tunnels is an effective surgical option for the treatment of aphakia or IOL dislocation. Both techniques result in significant visual improvement with minimal postoperative complications.
Serious games, gamification and game engines to support framework activities in engineering: Case studies, analysis, classifications and outcomes

Recently many global well-known companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Adobe, Cisco, Siemens, SAP, Google, Accenture, American Express, Caterpillar, PWC started an implementation of full-scale games and/or gamified applications to support their main business activities, processes and functions in “serious” areas such as management, simulations of complex physical objects and phenomena, engineering, project management, quality management, HR management, corporate training, marketing, and other areas. The particular objectives of performed multi-aspect research project on serious games and serious gamified applications in industry were to 1) identify and analyze best cases of use of serious games and gamification of main business processes in industry, 2) identify possible classifications of main types and attributes of serious games and serious gamified applications used in industry, and 3) identify serious game engines and platforms and classify their main features. This paper presents the research findings and outcomes relevant to specified project objectives.
Finite Size Effects in Ordered Macroporous Electrodes Fabricated by Electrodeposition into Colloidal Crystal Templates

Ordered macroporous electrodes (OMEs) formed by template synthesis have physical properties that are determined by the template. For colloidal crystal templates, these structures are inverse replicas of the fcc crystal structure with pore dimensions determined by the particle diameter in the colloidal crystal. The dimensions of the solid phase are determined by the interstitial space between the particles in the crystal. Here we demonstrate finite size effects in ordered macroporous gold electrodes. The adsorption of octadecane thiol is used to demonstrate that for structures fabricated from colloidal crystals with particle sizes less than 500 nm the resistance is dominated by surface scattering.
Reliability-based structural optimization using interactive graphics

Abstract Virtually all reliability-based structural optimizations are performed in a batch computer environment. In doing so, no intermediary information during the optimization process is provided and the designer has no input during this process. This paper focuses on the use of interactive graphics in reliability-based optimization of structural systems. Through the use of interactive graphics a mechanism for allowing the designer to have full control on the optimum design process is provided. A computer program for reliability-based structural optimization involving user-machine interactions based on displayed information is described. Two numerical examples in which structural weight and system reliability histories are interactively monitored illustrate the advantages of the proposed approach.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 183*

Abstract The 1975 evaluation of A=183 has been revised using experimental decay and reaction data received by the date given below.
A Coupled Polarization-Matrix Inversion and Iteration Approach for Accelerating the Dipole Convergence in a Polarizable Potential Function†

A coupled polarization-matrix inversion and iteration (CPII) method is described to achieve and accelerate the convergence of induced dipoles for condensed phase systems employing polarizable intermolecular potential functions (PIPF). The present PIPF is based on the Thole interaction dipole model in which all atomic pair interactions are considered, including those that are directly bonded covalently. Although induced dipoles can be obtained both by inverting a 3N × 3N polarization-matrix where N is the number of polarizable sites, or by a direct iterative approach, the latter approach is more efficient computationally for large systems in molecular dynamics simulations. It was found that induced dipole moments failed to converge in the direct iterative approach if 1−2, 1−3, and 1−4 intramolecular interactions are included in the Thole model. However, it is necessary to include all intramolecular interactions in the Thole model to yield the correct molecular anisotropic polarizability tensor. To solve th...
Interaction of Dislocations with an Applied Stress in Anisotropic Crystals

The equilibrium shape of a dislocation segment between two pinning points in the same glide plane is calculated. The assumption is made that the dependence of the dislocation self-energy on the geometry of the dislocation line can be expressed by using an energy per unit length, $E$, which is a function only of the angle, $\ensuremath{\theta}$, between the Burgers vector and the tangent to the dislocation. Only glide of the dislocation, not climb, is considered. The results obtained are compared with those for elastically isotropic crystals. It is found that the character of the dislocation shape is altered considerably if $E+\frac{{d}^{2}E}{d{\ensuremath{\theta}}^{2}}$ can be negative. It is suggested that the change in sign of this quantity is associated with diffusionless phase changes.
Intrathecal baclofen therapy: complication avoidance and management.

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy is an accepted treatment modality for spasticity and dystonia. Several complications related to ITB have been described, including mechanical malfunctions, infections, cerebrospinal fluid fistula, and baclofen withdrawal or overdose. In this study, we present our institutional experience with ITB therapy, emphasizing complication avoidance and lessons learned. The charts of 87 patients treated with ITB therapy were retrospectively reviewed. The primary surgical technique, complication type and timing, method of treatment, and outcome were analyzed. Thirteen out of 76 (17.1%) patients primarily treated at our department had 25 complications. The first complication occurred 17.5–30.9 months (mean 24.2 ± 6.7) after the pump implantation. Additional four patients with pumps placed elsewhere had six complications and were subsequently treated by our group. The main complications were: catheter fracture (11), subcutaneous fluid collection (5), lumbar wound/CSF infection (3), lumbar catheter or connector protrusion (3), pump malfunction (3), distal catheter migration outside the thecal sac (2), and baclofen withdrawal (1). Of the patients in the NYULMC group, six were treated by a single surgical procedure, six underwent multiple surgical procedures, and one was managed conservatively. In retrospect, changing the surgical technique, or adding an abdominal binder may have prevented 17 complications (54.8%). There were two deaths that were unrelated to the ITB therapy. ITB therapy is associated with complications, many of which require additional surgery. Some of these complications are avoidable by adhering to a strict surgical technique and a proper criterion for patient selection.
Building Cultural Competence in the Child Welfare Workforce: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

Cultural competence training has been suggested as one way to help address the over-representation of children of color in the child welfare system. This article describes findings from a mixed-methods study of specialized training in cultural competence knowledge, attitudes, and skills for experienced caseworkers in public child welfare. Results indicate training participants had statistically significant increases in knowledge across all topic areas related to cultural competence. Of particular note is the increase in participant knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and related changes in working with families and individuals.
Effects of posttrial electrical stimulation of hippocampus and caudate nucleus on maze learning in the rat

Abstract Ten rats with bilateral, monopolar electrodes in hippocampus or caudate nucleus received electrical stimulation (ES) following massed or spaced training trials on a number of maze problems. Animals receiving hippocampal ES after spaced trials showed significantly better retention than comparably trained caudate stimulated or normal controls. Under massed trials only the rats receiving hippocampal ES showed significant disruption of learning. Threshold voltage required for response, and sequence of observed behavior were quantitatively and qualitatively different for hippocampus and caudate nucleus. Hypotheses proposing shifts in motivational level or aversiveness of ES could not satisfactorily explain the results. The data suggest that memory trace consolidation can be facilitated or disrupted by postrial ES.
Noise generated by a thin wing in a turbulent jet.

Linearized equations of motion describing a compressible, unsteady, viscous gas under the influence of an externally applied fluctuating force field are examined. The response of the medium is split into a near-field viscous wake mode and a far-field acoustic wave mode. The resulting modal equations are then used to predict both the undulating viscous wake and the far-field acoustic wave emitted by a thin wing (modeled by a dipole force field) in a cylindrical slug jet. The directivity pattern of the acoustic wave which propagates into the quiescent region beyond the jet is compared with available experiments. The peak frequency of the broad-band noise generated by upstream turbulence is also calculated and compared to published data.
Computer-aided molecular design using Tabu search

Abstract A detailed implementation of the Tabu search (TS) algorithm for computer-aided molecular design (CAMD) of transition metal catalysts is presented in this paper. Previous CAMD research has applied deterministic methods or genetic algorithms to the solution of the optimization problems which arise from the search for a molecule satisfying a set of property targets. In this work, properties are estimated using correlations based on connectivity indices, which allows the TS algorithm to use several novel operators to generate neighbors, such as swap and move, which would have no effect with a traditional group contribution-based approach. In addition, the formulation of the neighbor generation process guarantees that molecular valency and connectivity constraints are met, resulting in a complete molecular structure. Results on two case studies using TS are compared with a deterministic approach and show that TS is able to provide a list of good candidate molecules while using a much smaller amount of computation time.
Fixation and choice selectivity during discrimination transfer

The Ss received training to compound stimuli in the presence of redundant, but related, stimuli with either simultaneous or go I no-go presentation. During transfer, the two elements of the compounds were presented separately to permit differential fixations. Patterns of selective fixations emerged early in training, with S fixating the reinforcing stimulus more frequently than the other stimuli. Amount of training lowered fixation frequency during transfer, but did not alter the pattern of selective fixations. Selective fixation of related redundant stimuli during training was related to fixation and choice selectivity during transfer.
Atherogenic Lipids Induce Adhesion of Human Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells to Macrophages by Up-regulating Chemokine CX3CL1 on Smooth Muscle Cells in a TNFα-NFκB-dependent Manner

Recent genetic evidence has implicated the adhesive chemokine CX3CL1 and its leukocyte receptor CX3CR1 in atherosclerosis. We previously proposed a mechanism involving foam cell anchorage to vascular smooth muscle cells because: 1) CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 are expressed by both cell types in mouse and human atherosclerotic lesions; 2) foam cells are reduced in lesions in cx3cr1-/-apoE-/- mice; and 3) proatherogenic lipids (oxidized low density lipoprotein [oxLDL] and oxidized linoleic acid derivatives) induce adhesion of primary human macrophages to primary human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) in vitro in a macrophage CX3CR1-dependent manner. Here we analyze this concept further by testing whether atherogenic lipids regulate expression and function of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 on CASMCs. We found that both oxLDL and oxidized linoleic acid derivatives indirectly up-regulated CASMC CX3CL1 at both the protein and mRNA levels through an autocrine feedback loop involving tumor necrosis factor α production and NF-κB signaling. Oxidized lipids also up-regulated CASMC CX3CR1 but through a different mechanism. Oxidized lipid stimulation also increased adhesion of macrophages to CASMCs when CASMCs were stimulated prior to assay, and a synergistic pro-adhesive effect was observed when both cell types were prestimulated. Selective inhibition with a CX3CL1-specific blocking antibody indicated that adhesion was strongly CASMC CX3CL1-dependent. These findings support the hypothesis that CX3CR1 and CX3CL1 mediate heterotypic anchorage of foam cells to CASMCs in the context of atherosclerosis and suggest that this chemokine/chemokine receptor pair may be considered as a pro-inflammatory target for therapeutic intervention in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Effectiveness of typhoid vaccination in US travelers

Typhoid vaccination is recommended in the United States before travel to countries where typhoid fever is endemic, though little information is available on its effectiveness in travelers. We estimated typhoid vaccination effectiveness (VE) by comparing vaccination status in cases of typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever (Salmonella Paratyphi A infection, against which typhoid vaccine offers no protection) reported in the United States. We included travelers to Southern Asia and excluded persons <2 years old and cases in which vaccination status was not reported. From 2008 through 2011, 744 eligible cases (602 typhoid, 142 paratyphoid A) were reported to CDC. Typhoid vaccination was reported for 5% (29/602) of typhoid patients and for 20% (29/142) of paratyphoid A patients. Estimated VE was 80% (95% confidence interval, 66–89%). Because of missing data, we could not estimate VE for specific vaccines. We demonstrated moderate effectiveness of typhoid vaccination in US travelers, supporting vaccination recommendations.
Role of complement in host defense against bacterial infection

This short review will highlight three areas of current research on the role of complement in bacterial infection. These are i) the use of mice with targeted disruption of complement genes to study infectious disease models; ii) studies on the interactions between bacterial virulence factors and complement regulatory proteins; and iii) the description of a novel strategy by which mycobacteria promote complement activation and use complement receptors to gain entry into macrophages.
Molecules that function in the steps of fertilization.

Fertilization, the union of mature male and female gametes, requires a precise series of cell–extracellular matrix and cell–cell interactions. It is therefore not surprising that many of the molecules with key roles in fertilization have signaling or adhesive functions. In many cases, the molecular mechanisms of germ cell interactions have important parallels in somatic tissue development and function. Fig. 1 shows a generalized scheme for sperm–egg interactions divided into four sequential steps. After sperm have located the egg, they bind to the egg coat. This initial interaction is similar to the interactions that somatic cells have with their surrounding extracellular matrix. Sperm binding to the egg coat induces the exocytosis of the acrosomal vesicle (acrosome reaction). Sperm then penetrate the egg coat with the aid of enzymes formerly contained in the acrosomal vesicle as well as mechanical force generated by sperm motion. Once under the egg coat, sperm bind and fuse with the egg plasma membrane. This union activates the quiescent egg to commit its stored resources to the developmental program of a new individual. It should be noted that the events depicted in Fig. 1 will vary considerably in detail or may be completely absent in the fertilization of different species. In this review, we examine each of the steps of fertilization with an emphasis on the underlying molecular mechanisms. This is not meant to be an exhaustive review of fertilization model systems and implicated proteins. Rather, we survey the most well studied molecules of fertilization. For more extensive reviews or details on specific species see Yanagimachi [1], Vacquier [2] and Wassarman [3,4]. Most of what is currently know about fertilization comes from studies with marine invertebrates and mammals because of the ease of collecting gametes or the relevance to human fertility. However, important advances in our understanding of fertilization have also come from diverse systems such as green alga, flies, worms and frogs [5–8]. In fact, genetic approaches to the study of sperm–egg interactions in systems such as Drosophila and C. elegans promise to rapidly add to the list of molecules that mediate fertilization [6,7].
115 Ethical considerations in translating epidemiologic evidence into medical practice

Abstract PURPOSE: Much epidemiologic and prevention research has provided evidence to support the delivery of a variety of clinical preventive services. It has been difficult, however, to translate this research into practice. The purpose of the present study was to compare usual care with a new intervention model for integrating clinical preventive services. METHODS: Physicians were randomized to a “physician reminder” (usual care) group or a “single-standard of nursing” (intervention) group. Prevention services needs were those recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force on the basis of a critical review of the available evidence. The main outcome measure was the percentage of needed preventive services initiated. RESULTS: Implementation of the study was approved by the medical leadership on the condition that nurses provide back-up for the usual care arm. The requirement for back-up by nurses in the usual care arm was to insure that participants did not leave the clinic without receiving services deemed necessary by the clinical staff. In all, there were 495 participants in the intervention group and 493 in the usual care group. Without back-up for the usual care arm, 9,291 of 9,380 (99%) of needed services would have been initiated at first contact in the intervention group versus an estimated 1,769 of 9,517 (19%) in the usual care group. With back-up, participants in the usual care arm received the same services as those in the intervention arm. CONCLUSION: Intervention studies that address new ways to translate epidemiologic and clinical prevention evidence into practice are fundamentally different from classical trials, since from the standpoint of the researcher, the “usual care” arm is sub-standard while the “intervention” arm reflects the best available evidence. Since researchers cannot ethically block participants from receiving care that their clinicians believe to be necessary, providers in the usual care arm must be free to make improvements, even if (as in the present instance) the usual care decision is to replicate the intervention protocol. These considerations may have implications for designing future translational research.
A STUDY OF PITUITARY FUNCTION AFTER INTRASELLAR IMPLANTATION OF 90YTTRIUM.

90Yttrium, contained in plastic cylinders, was implanted into the pituitary gland in 90 patients by the transnasal route through the anterior sellar wall. Thirty-three cases are reported in which follow-up endocrine laboratory studies were done 6 weeks or later postoperatively and tentative clinical evaluations were made. Twenty-nine of the patients had metastatic breast cancer, 2 had acromegaly, and 2 had Cushing's syndrome. The degree of hypopituitarism induced was evaluated by preoperative and postoperative measurements of protein-bound iodine (PBI), basal metabolic rate (BMR), urinary gonadotropins, 17-ketosteroids (17-KS), and 17-hydroxycorticoids (17-OHCS). Based on the urinary excretion of 17-OHCS in response to administered Metopirone postoperatively, 21 of the 29 patients with metastatic breast cancer had severe hypopituitarism, and most had subjective and/or objective benefit from the operation. Eight of the 29 patients judged by response to Metopirone had residual pituitary function ranging fro...
Acute confusional state in the emergency department: consider a common zebra

Abstract Acute confusional states represent neurologic emergencies with broad differential diagnoses, including toxic ingestions, subarachnoid hemorrhage, stroke, encephalitis, and confusional migraine. Particularly in the adolescent period and in children with Lennox-Gastaut, nonconvulsive status epilepticus is a relatively uncommon but well-described clinical entity. Clinical hallmarks include a dazed affect, limited or monosyllabic verbal responses, difficulty following commands, occasional automatisms, but normal vital signs and no tonic clonic movements. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus encompasses absence status epilepticus as well as other forms of status epilepticus. Clinical recognition of absence status epilepticus in the emergency department can be difficult, but early confirmation can promote early resolution, prevent unwarranted investigation, and avoid unnecessary treatment for unrelated conditions. We discuss 2 cases of absence status, with a review of the literature and a proposed algorithm for acute confusional state.
ANCHORING AND GRAMMAR EFFECTS IN JUDGMENTS OF SENTENCE ACCEPTABILITY

This study examined the relation between anchoring effects, as demonstrated in 1992 by Nagata, and grammar-based effects in judgments of sentence acceptability. 35 subjects judged the acceptability of target sentences representing six different syntactic types. There were highly robust differences among these sentence types arising from differences in sentence structure. For one group of subjects the target sentences were mingled with a long list of highly acceptable sentences (High Anchor Set). A second group saw the same target sentences with an Anchor Set in which one-third of the sentences were of very low acceptability (Mixed Anchor Set). Target sentences seen in the context of the Mixed Anchor Set were judged more acceptable (an anchoring effect); however, the effect of Anchor Set did not interact with other factors. The relative acceptability of the six target types was unchanged in the two anchor conditions. Implications for the psychological theory of sentence judgments are considered. In particu...
Some properties of poly[bis(halophenoxy)phosphazenes]

Abstract The morphology and structure of poly[bis(halophenoxy)phosphazenes] (PBHPP) with F, Cl and Br substituents in the para- or meta-phenoxy positions have been investigated. The size and position of halogen atoms have a significant influence on the thermotropic transition of the polymer. Most PBHPP exhibit polymorphism. Monoclinic and orthorhombic three-dimensional crystalline forms and the location of the two-dimensional mesophase depend upon the chemistry and thermal history of each polymer specimen. Most of the physical properties may be related to the location of the thermotropic transition of the polyphosphazene, which can be expressed as a linear function of the substituent size. Polyphosphazene crystallization behaviour appears to depend upon the position and size of halogen atoms, and the growth of well defined crystals becomes difficult with enhanced side-group size. Surprisingly, thick or bulk specimens of PBHPP comprise globules of comparatively uniform size, which depend upon the sample preparation conditions and the kind of halogen atom present in the side-group. The dimensions of these globules may be increased by heat treatment and with an increase in crystallinity of each polymer specimen. The globules exhibit a bundle-like texture even in drawn PBHPP films.
MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES IN PODOSPORA ANSERINA

A B S T R A C T Perithecium development in Podospora anserina begins with the formation of a coiled ascogonial initial that arises as a lateral branch from a vegetative hypha. Hyphae grow up around the initial, forming an envelope that will become the ascocarp wall. As the ascocarp increases in size, several layers of thin-walled pseudoparenchyma cells form inside the wall, especially at the apex of the ascocarp. Paraphyses arise both from the base of the ascocarp and from the innermost layer of pseudoparenchyma cells and grow inward and upward, completely filling the centrum with tightly packed filaments. During development of the ascocarp the ascogonium proliferates to form ascogenous hyphae along the base of the centrum. Asci arise from the ascogenous hyphae and grow up among the paraphyses. Meristematic growth at the ascocarp apex results in the formation of an ostiole lined with periphyses. Centrum structure in P. anserina could be interpreted as intermediate between the Xylaria and Diaporthe types.
Plasma waves at Venus

Many significant wave phenomena have been discovered at Venus with the plasma wave instrument flow on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter. It has been shown that whistler-mode waves in the magnetosheath of the planet may be an important source of energy for the topside ionosphere. Plasma waves are also associated with thickening of the ionopause current layer. Current-generated waves in plasma clouds may provide anomalous resistance resulting in electron acceleration, possibly producing aurora. Ion-acoustic waves are observed in the bow shock, and appear to be a feature of the magnetotail boundary. Lastly plasma waves have been cited as evidence for lightning on Venus.
Lead-induced hypertension. III. Increased hydroxyl radical production

Lead-induced hypertension has previously been shown to be closely associated with an increase in reactive oxygen species in low lead (100 ppm)-treated rats. The present study has attempted to define the specific moiety involved by noting the blood pressure (BP), reactive oxygen species (MDA-TBA), hydroxyl radical, and nitrotyrosine responses to infusion of the reactive oxygen species scavenger dimethylthiourea. Dimethylthiourea, a reputed scavenger of hydroxyl radical, normalized BP and MDA-TBA in the lead-treated rats but had no effect in normal control animals. MDA-TBA, hydroxyl radical, and nitrotyrosine, the tissue end product of peroxynitrite, were reduced to or toward normal by dimethylthiourea. The results, therefore, are consistent with the suggestion that either hydroxyl radical or peroxynitrite may be the reactive species affected by lead.
A parachute system for upper atmospheric studies

The Goddard Space Flight Center's Sounding Rocket Division successfully flight tested a high altitude, low velocity, 63.5 foot cross parachute system. The system was developed to provide a platform for atmospheric studies at altitudes higher than those attainable with balloons. This paper represents the approach taken to determine the necessary conditions for a successful apogee deployment of the parachute. The test flight deployed the parachute system at an apogee altitude of 61 kilometers. Post-flight results of rocket and parachute performance are compared to the preflight analyses.
Quantitative changes in calretinin immunostaining in the cochlear nuclei after unilateral cochlear removal in young ferrets

Neurons of the cochlear nuclei receive axosomatic endings from primary afferent fibers from the cochlea and have projections that diverge to form parallel ascending auditory pathways. These cells are characterized by neurochemical phenotypes such as levels of calretinin. To test whether or not early deafferentation results in changes in calretinin immunostaining in the cochlear nucleus, unilateral cochlear ablations were performed in ferrets soon after hearing onset (postnatal day [P]30–P40). Two months later, changes in calretinin immunostaining as well as cell size, volume, and synaptophysin immunostaining were assessed in the anteroventral (AVCN), posteroventral (PVCN), and dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). A decrease in calretinin immunostaining was evident ipsilaterally within the AVCN and PVCN but not in the DCN. Further analysis revealed a decrease both in the calretinin-immunostained neuropil and in the calretinin-immunostained area within AVCN and PVCN neurons. These declines were accompanied by significant ipsilateral decreases in volume as well as neuron area in the AVCN and PVCN compared with the contralateral cochlear nucleus and unoperated animals, but not compared with the DCN. In addition, there was a significant contralateral increase in calretinin-immunostained area within AVCN and PVCN neurons compared with control animals. Finally, a decrease in area of synaptophysin immunostaining in both the ipsilateral AVCN and PVCN without changes in the number of boutons was found. The present data demonstrate that unilateral cochlear ablation leads to 1) decreased immunostaining of the neuropil in the AVCN and PVCN ipsilaterally, 2) decreased calretinin immunostaining within AVCN and PVCN neurons ipsilaterally, 3) synaptogenesis in the AVCN and PVCN ipsilaterally, and 4) increased calretinin immunostaining within AVCN and PVCN neurons contralaterally.
Coevolving influence maps for spatial team tactics in a RTS game

Real Time Strategy (RTS) games provide a representation of spatial tactics with group behaviour. Often tactics will involve using groups of entities to attack from different directions and at different times of the game, using coordinated techniques. Our goal in this research is to learn tactics which are challenging for human players. The method we apply to learn these tactics, is a coevolutionary system designed to generate effective team behavior. To do this, we present a unique Influence Map representation, with a coevolutionary technique that evolves the maps together for a group of entities. This allows the creation of autonomous entities that can move in a coordinated manner. We apply this technique to a naval RTS island scenario, and present the successful creation of strategies demonstrating complex tactics.
Blood pressure, pulse rate, and rhythm measurement using ionic polymer-metal composite sensors

The need for more enhanced blood pressure (BP), pulse rate and rhythm senors has given rise to the possibility of using ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) sensors. In this study we propose to use the IPMC sensors to measure systolic and diastolic BP, pulse rate and rhythm. The proposed IPMC sensors take advantage of the endo-ionic mobility within the polymer- metal composite by converting normal and shear load inputs into an induced voltage output across the thickness of the IPMC sensor. The fabricated IPMC sensors are suitable to be installed on the inner surface of a cuff and, therefore, both systolic and diastolic BP, pulse rate, and rhythm can be measured. An added benefit is the ability of measuring 'pulse rhythm' which give a more amplified look at heart irregularities which a typical pulse rate sensor is unable to show. Our data shows IPMC sensors can produce consistent and reliable BP readings, pulse rate, and rhythm. Typically, a linear relationship between applied maximum load and induced maximum voltage was obtained. This result can be easily translated into good BP reading.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Kriging in a finite domain

Adopting a random function model {Z(u),u e study areaA} and using the normal equations (kriging) for estimation amounts to assume that the study areaA is embedded within a infinite domain. At first glance, this assumption has no inherent limitations since all locations outsideA are of no interest and simply not considered. However, there is an interesting and practically important consequence that is reflected in the kriging weights assigned to data contiguously aligned along finite strings; the weights assigned to the end points of a string are large since the end points inform the infinite half-space beyond the string. These large weights are inappropriate when the finite string has been created by either stratigraphic/geological limits or a finite search neighborhood. This problem will be demonstrated with numerical examples and some partial solutions will be proposed.
Bridging theory and practice in peace education: The Notre Dame University peace education experience

Amidst a raging war in Central Mindanao and the historical biases and prejudices between Muslims and Christians, peace education as a curricular offering, pioneered by Notre Dame University, seeks to educate students to be more open and tolerant of diversity and to promote active nonviolence as an effective means for positive change.