cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining lead as the premiere environmental health issue for children in America: criteria and their quantitative application.

The principal environmental health issue for American children is pervasive lead poisoning from the many decades of lead contamination. Available scientific evidence cementing lead's premiere ranking is voluminous, multifaceted, and compelling. This evidence, however, requires organization into a clear and coherent body of science before it can be fully recognized or comprehended by either the scientific community or the general public and its representatives: public health officials, regulators, policy makers, and legislators. An attempt at such organization is presented and begins with the premise that there exist clear, objective criteria by which a premiere environmental health issue can be defined. A second premise is that these criteria sort themselves into three categories which cover the full spectrum of toxic contaminant-population relationships. They are: (1) economic and sociopolitical, (2) scientific and public health, and (3) societal risk assessment criteria. The first set of criteria includes economic and historical centrality, primacy of economic over public health considerations, a relatively narrow decision-making framework, and controlled flow of information on the toxicant, especially its negative impacts. The second set of criteria is also orthodox in scope: the toxicant should be indestructible, should accumulate in both the environment and the body, and should be a multimedia contaminant; it should produce toxicity in numerous organs with little impediment; toxicity should be produced with low/no threshold in huge numbers of the most vulnerable; and finally, effects should persist in the critical target organ(s). There is a third, more globally encompassing, set of criteria important for present-day requirements for risk assessment; e.g., the contaminant should produce full-spectrum population-wide as well as individual toxicity. Evidence for societal harm should be compelling. It should typify the increasing importance of the elements of preventive over clinical medicine and the substance should bring to bear the cost-benefit analysis of macro plus micro health risk. Lead exposure and toxicity is conclusively shown to meet ALL of these criteria and is the premiere environmental health threat to America's children.
Impatience and accumulation

In studying the concept of impatience Koopmans [8] was led to a useful class of preference orderings which generalises the familiar class of additively separable preferences. These aggregator preference orderings (see Definition 2.3) exhibit a richer variety of behaviour for the various concepts of impatience that can be associated with preference orderings among commodity sequences over time and provide a formal framework for the analysis of impatience along the lines of Irving Fisher [6, Chap. IV]. Beals and Koopmans [ 1 ] studied the paths of capital accumulation that arise from such preference orderings in an economy with a single (capital) good, a simple recursive technology set and a single representative consumer. They showed that if the rate of impatience (Definition 2.5) decreases whenever consumption in the first period is increased (Assumption BS’), then the optimal path of capital accumulation has a simple asymptotic behaviour-it converges to a steady state that depends only on the rate of return (Eq. (3.1)) associated with the constant path from the given initial condition. Our objective is to provide an extension of this earlier analysis.’ Section 2 lays out the basic assumptions on technology and preferences. In Section 3, after establishing in a natural abstract setting the basic continuity properties of an optimal path (Theorem 3.1) we show that an alternative condition (Assumption 5) leads to the same asymptotic behaviour (Lemma 3.3-Theorem 3.8). This restriction on impatience expresses in an alternative form Fisher’s idea that an increase in consumption in early periods (the first two periods) reduces impatience.
The Effects of Composition and Aging on the Martensite and Magnetic Transformations in Ni-Fe-Ga Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Alloys

The martensite and magnetic transformations in Ni-Fe-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys are very sensitive to both alloy chemistry and thermal history. A series of Ni-Fe-Ga alloys near the prototype Heusler composition (X2YZ) were used to investigate how the martensite and magnetic transitions change with alloy composition and isothermal aging above and below the B2/L21 ordering temperature. Calorimetry and magnetometry were employed to measure the martensite transformation temperatures and Curie temperatures. Compositional variations of only a few atomic percent result in martensite start temperatures and Curie temperatures that differ by about 230 and 35 K, respectively. Aging a Ni53Fe19Ga28 alloy for 3600 seconds at various temperatures shifts the martensite start temperature and the Curie temperature by almost 70 K. Transmission electron microscopy investigations were conducted on the aged Ni53Fe19Ga28 alloy. The considerable variations in the martensite and magnetic transformations in these alloys are discussed in terms of microstructural differences resulting from alloy chemistry and aging treatments.
Mannose-Binding Lectin Binds to Amyloid Protein and Modulates Inflammation

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a soluble factor of the innate immune system, is a pattern recognition molecule with a number of known ligands, including viruses, bacteria, and molecules from abnormal self tissues. In addition to its role in immunity, MBL also functions in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. We present evidence here that MBL binds to amyloid β peptides. MBL binding to other known carbohydrate ligands is calcium-dependent and has been attributed to the carbohydrate-recognition domain, a common feature of other C-type lectins. In contrast, we find that the features of MBL binding to Aβ are more similar to the reported binding characteristics of the cysteine-rich domain of the unrelated mannose receptor and therefore may involve the MBL cysteine-rich domain. Differences in MBL ligand binding may contribute to modulation of inflammatory response and may correlate with the function of MBL in processes such as coagulation and tissue homeostasis.
American Association of Chemistry Teachers: A New Layer of Support for Teachers of Chemistry

This editorial outlines the impetus, goals, and benefits of the newly launched American Association of Chemistry Teachers.
Crystal Structures of Activated G-Protein Coupled Receptors

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are seven-helix transmembrane proteins that constitute the largest family of membrane proteins in the human genome. GPCRs are responsible for the majority of signal transduction events involving hormones and neurotransmitters across the cell membrane. Activating ligands (agonists) promote binding to and nucleotide exchange by a heterotrimeric G-protein, which dissociates and interacts with downstream effectors. GPCRs are highly dynamic structures, and for many years they resisted crystallization efforts. A number of methods, including protein engineering, lipid-based crystallization, and microfocus x-ray beamlines have enabled the recent explosion of GPCR structures. The majority of these structures are in the inactive state, and efforts to obtain an agonist-bound active-state GPCR structure have proven difficult due to the inherent instability of this state in the absence of a G protein. I will discuss the strategies that have enabled crystal structure determination of the β2-adrenergic and M2 muscarinic receptors in their activated states, and discuss key features of the coupling between agonist binding and conformational changes that enable interaction with G proteins.
Changes in cation permeability in the galactose--exposed rabbit lens.

The incubation of a lens in a medium containing 30 m m galactose for 21 hr results in an increase in the rate of K exchange. The exposure of the lens to high levels of galactose leads to an increase in both rates of uptake and exit of K in the lens. These changes apparently are initiated by an increase in cation permeability, which is compensated for by the accleration of cation pump activity. The increase in cation permeability, as studied in the 85 Rb run-out experiments, can be prevented in the galactose-exposed lens by appropriate increases in tonicity of the medium. It is suggested that the increase in permeability is due to the osmotic swelling resulting from the intracellular accumulation of dulcitol in the galactose-exposed lens.
Clinical and Electroencephalographic Evidence for Sites of Origin of Seizures with Diffuse Electrodecremental Pattern

A diffuse electrodecremental ictal pattern (DEP) has been associated with tonic seizures and, less often, with other forms of epilepsy and has been considered to reflect a generalized seizure disorder of diffuse cortical or subcortical (brainstem) origin. In some seizures associated with DEP, however, focal ictal manifestations have been observed. We reviewed the records of all patients admitted to our seizure monitoring unit for 3 years and detected 39 patients with seizures associated with DEP. In 23 of 39 patients, clinical ictal behaviors resembled seizures of unilateral supero/mesiofrontal lobe origin and interictal EEG showed a prominent unilateral frontal component. Nine of 39 had complex absences (CA)/complex partial seizures (CPS); 4 of them were of unilateral frontal lobe origin. Seven of 39 patients had tonic or atonic seizures. Seven patients were studied further with subdural electrodes. Ictal onsets showed a high-frequency frontal lobe discharge. We conclude that in a subgroup of patients a generalized electrodecremental pattern on scalp EEG results from a regional cortical high-frequency ictal discharge originating in a single frontal lobe.
Green Tea Polyphenols in drug discovery - a success or failure?

Green tea is made from unfermented dried leaves from Camellia sinensis and has been consumed by humans for thousands of years. For nearly as long, it has been used as a folk remedy for a wide array of diseases. More recently, a large number of in vitro and in vivo scientific studies have supported this ancient contention that the polyphenols from green tea can provide a number of health benefits. As these compounds are clearly safe for human consumption and ubiquitous in the food supply, they are highly attractive as lead compounds for drug discovery programs. However, as drugs, they are far from optimum. They are relatively unstable, poorly absorbed, and readily undergo a number of metabolic transformations by intestinal microbiota and human enzymes. Further, as these compounds target a wide array of biological systems, in vivo testing is rather difficult as effects on alternative pathways need to be carefully eliminated. The purpose of this review is to discuss some of the challenges and benefits of pur...
Biological Defects and Special Education — an Issue in Personnel Preparation

This article examines the relationship between biological defects and educational aptitude and achievement. The author maintains that the intellectual consequences of biological impairment take 2 general forms in young children: (a) a pervasive effect resulting in a general diminishment of intellectual ability and (b) a selective impairment affecting discrete abilities or functions without a noticeable lowering of intellectual status. Highlights from research on malnutrition, neural tube defects, and pre-maturity are cited in relation to instances of general impairment, while selected case studies are used to illustrate instances of selective impairment. A methodology for the assessment of biologically based learning problems drawn from neuropsychology is presented. Dr. Reed argues for the significance of biological factors for educational practice. Knowledge of the biological antecedents of behavioral and/or educational problems is potentially useful for formulation of long-range educational goals, the e...
Flow-level stability of multihop wireless networks using only MAC-layer information

It is by now well-known that wireless networks with file arrivals and departures are stable if one uses α-fair congestion control and back-pressure based scheduling and routing. In this paper, we examine whether α-fair congestion control is necessary for flow-level stability. We show that stability can be ensured even with very simple congestion control mechanisms, such as a fixed window size scheme which limits the maximum number of packets that are allowed into the ingress queue of a flow. A key ingredient of our result is the use of the difference between the logarithms of queue lengths as the link weights. This result is reminiscent of results in the context of CSMA algorithms, but for entirely different reasons.
Assessment of a surgery clerkship's performance evaluation system.

Abstract Background: This study was designed to examine the validity of a surgery clerkship’s performance evaluation system. The study also assessed faculty members’ confidence in how clerks are evaluated and promotion decisions made. Methods: Student files from five classes (n = 339) were analyzed. A 25-item published survey designed to study faculty perceptions of a student evaluation system was distributed. Chi-square tests of independence and descriptive statistics were used. Results: Faculty survey results showed faculty perceptions of strengths and weaknesses in the evaluation system. Significant relationships were found with prior performance indicators and clerkship performance yielding evidence of concurrent and predictive validity. Conclusions: Findings provide guidance for enhancing how clerks are evaluated as well as specific profiles of students who may need special attention or additional challenges during the surgery clerkship. This study provides a model for other clerkships to assess their student evaluations systems.
Rapid Colorimetric Identification and Targeted Photothermal Lysis of Salmonella Bacteria by Using Bioconjugated Oval‐Shaped Gold Nanoparticles

Salmonella bacteria are the major cause for the infection of 16 million people worldwide with typhoid fever each year. Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains have been isolated from various food products. As a result, the development of ultrasensitive sensing technology for detection and new approaches for the treatment of infectious bacterial pathogens that do not rely on traditional therapeutic regimes is very urgent for public health, food safety, and the world economy. Driven by this need, we report herein a nanotechnology-driven approach that uses antibody-conjugated oval-shaped gold nanoparticles to selectively target and destroy pathogenic bacteria. Our experiments have shown the use of a simple colorimetric assay, with an anti-salmonella antibody conjugated to oval-shaped gold nanoparticles, for the label-free detection of S. typhimurium with an excellent detection limit (10(4) bacteria per mL) and high selectivity over other pathogens. When bacteria conjugated to oval-shaped gold nanoparticles were exposed to near-infrared radiation, a highly significant reduction in bacterial cell viability was observed due to photothermal lysis. Ideally, this nanotechnology-based assay would have enormous potential for rapid, on-site pathogen detection to avoid the distribution of contaminated foods.
Introduction to EMC and type approval for wireless devices-a preview of the IEEE representative advisory committee special session on wireless device approval

This is an introduction to the special session hosted by the IEEE EMC society representative advisory committee on EMC and type approval requirements for wireless devices. This session provides an overview of the current and some of the proposed EMC and type approval requirements for devices such as spread spectrum, cellular phones and PCS.
Comicboarding: using comics as proxies for participatory design with children

Comicboarding is a participatory design method that uses specially created comic books to generate engaging, productive brainstorming sessions with children. By leveraging known plot formats, interaction styles, and characters in comics, researchers can elicit ideas even from children who are not accustomed to brainstorming, such as those from schools were rote learning is the norm. We conducted an experiment using two variants of the comicboarding methodology with 17 children in China, where traditional participatory design may fail in the face of local cultural practices. The results suggest that comicboarding holds promise for co-design with children.
A BIST approach for testing FPGAs using JBITS

This paper explores the built-in self test (BIST) concepts to test the configurable logic blocks (CLBs) of static RAM (SRAM) based FPGAs using Java Bits (JBits). The proposed technique detects and diagnoses single and multiple stuck-at faults in the CLBs while significantly reducing the time taken to perform the testing. Previous BIST approaches for testing FPGAs use traditional CAD tools which lack control over configurable resources, resulting in the design being placed on the hardware in a different way than intended by the designer. In this paper, the design of the logic BIST architecture is done using JBits 2.8 software for Xilinx Virtex family of devices. The test requires seven configurations and two test sessions to test the CLBs. The time taken to generate the entire BIST logic in both the sessions is approximately 77 seconds as compared with several minutes to hours in traditional design flow.
SEUSS and SEUSS-LIKE Transcriptional Adaptors Regulate Floral and Embryonic Development in Arabidopsis

Multimeric protein complexes are required during development to regulate transcription and orchestrate cellular proliferation and differentiation. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) SEUSS (SEU) gene encodes a transcriptional adaptor that shares sequence similarity with metazoan Lim domain-binding transcriptional adaptors. In Arabidopsis, SEU forms a physical complex with the LEUNIG transcriptional coregulator. This complex regulates a number of diverse developmental events, including proper specification of floral organ identity and number and the development of female reproductive tissues derived from the carpel margin meristem. In addition to SEU, there are three Arabidopsis SEUSS-LIKE (SLK) genes that encode putative transcriptional adaptors. To determine the functions of the SLK genes and to investigate the degree of functional redundancy between SEU and SLK genes, we characterized available slk mutant lines in Arabidopsis. Here, we show that mutations in any single SLK gene failed to condition an obvious morphological abnormality. However, by generating higher order mutant plants, we uncovered a degree of redundancy between the SLK genes and between SLK genes and SEU. We report a novel role for SEU and the SLK genes during embryonic development and show that the concomitant loss of both SEU and SLK2 activities conditions severe embryonic and seedling defects characterized by a loss of the shoot apical meristem. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SLK gene function is required for proper development of vital female reproductive tissues derived from the carpel margin. We propose a model that posits that SEU and SLK genes support organ development from meristematic regions through two different pathways: one that facilitates auxin response and thus organ initiation and a second that sustains meristematic potential through the maintenance of SHOOTMERISTEM-LESS and PHABULOSA expression.
Smooth muscle fascicular reorientation is required for esophageal morphogenesis and dependent on Cdo.

Postnatal maturation of esophageal musculature involves proximal-to-distal replacement of smooth muscle with skeletal muscle by elusive mechanisms. We report that this process is impaired in mice lacking the cell surface receptor Cdo and identify the underlying developmental mechanism. A myogenic transition zone containing proliferative skeletal muscle precursor cells migrated in a proximal–distal direction, leaving differentiated myofibers in its wake. Distal to the transition zone, smooth muscle fascicles underwent a morphogenetic process whereby they changed their orientation relative to each other and to the lumen. Consequently, a path was cleared for the transition zone, and smooth muscle ultimately occupied only the distal-most esophagus; there was no loss of smooth muscle. Cdo−/− mice were specifically defective in fascicular reorientation, resulting in an aberrantly proximal skeletal–smooth muscle boundary. Furthermore, Cdo−/− mice displayed megaesophagus and achalasia, and their lower esophageal sphincter was resistant to nitric oxide–induced relaxation, suggesting a developmental linkage between patterning and sphincter function. Collectively, these results illuminate mechanisms of esophageal morphogenesis and motility disorders.
Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Over the past two decades, considerable progress in technology and clinical research methods have led to advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of acute venous thromboembolism. Despite this, however, the diagnosis is still often missed and preventive methods are often ignored. Published guidelines are useful, but are limited by the existing evidence base so that controversies remain with regard to topics such as duration of anticoagulation, indications for placement and removal of inferior vena caval filters, and when and how to administer thrombolytic therapy. The morbidity and mortality of this disease remain high, particularly when undiagnosed. While preventive approaches remain crucial, the focus of this review is on the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to acute venous thromboembolism, with an emphasis on acute pulmonary embolism.
A structured approach for synthesizing planners from specifications

Plan synthesis approaches in AI fall into two categories: domain-independent and domain-dependent. The domain-independent approaches are applicable across a variety of domains, but may not be very efficient in any one given domain. The domain-dependent approaches can be very efficient for the domain for which they are designed, but would need to be written separately for each domain of interest. The tediousness and the error-proneness of manual coding have hither-to inhibited work on domain-dependent planners. In this paper we describe a novel way of automating the development of domain dependent planners using knowledge-based software synthesis tools. Specifically, we describe an architecture called CLAY in which the Kestrel Interactive Development System (KIDS) is used in conjunction with a declarative theory of domain independent planning, and the declarative control knowledge specific to a given domain, to semi-automatically derive customized planning code. We discuss what it means to write declarative theory of planning and control knowledge for KIDS, and illustrate it by generating a range of domain-specific planners using state space and plan space refinements. We demonstrate that the synthesized planners can have superior performance compared to classical refinement planners using the same control knowledge.
Maximum tunnelling distance in MNOS devices theory

Previous theories of the direct tunnelling mode behaviour of MNOS memory devices have assumed a monoenergetic trap distribution and have variously predicted that the time dependence of the total charge transfer is either exponential, assuming all tunnelling to occur from a fixed distance, or logarithmic, assuming that the trap density is constant through the entire thickness of the nitride. We first show that the former theory is a special case of the latter. To remove an internal inconsistency from this model we then postulate that the trap density is negligible beyond some maximum tunnelling distance. From this simple concept a more general and physically satisfactory result is derived which incorporates the previous ones, and predicts a value of approximately 34 A for the maximum tunnelling distance. Fruhere Theorien des direkten Tunnelns von MNOS-Speicherelementen nahmen eine monoenergetische Trapverteilung an und haben verschiedentlich vorhergesagt, das die Zeitabhangigkeit der gesamten Ladungsubertragung entweder exponentiell ist, unter der Annahme, das alles Tunneln bei einer festen Distanz auftritt, oder logarithmisch, unter der Annahme, das die Trapdichte konstant ist uber der gesamten Dicke des Nitrids. Es wird zuerst gezeigt, das erstere Theorie ein Spezialfall der letzteren ist. Um eine innere Inkonsistenz aus diesem Modell zu entfernen, wird postuliert, das die Trapdichte jenseits einer bestimmten maximalen Tunneldistanz vernachlassigbar ist. Aus diesem einfachen Konzept wird ein allgemeineres und physikalisch befriedigendes Ergebnis abgeleitet, das die fruheren Ergebnisse enthalt und einen Wert von ungefahr 34 A fur die maximale Tunneldistanz vorhersagt.
Dietary carbohydrate intake and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in at-risk women and men.

Background— The quality and quantity of dietary carbohydrate intake, measured as dietary glycemic load (GL), is associated with a number of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and, in healthy young women, is related to increased high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations. Our objective was to determine if GL is related to hsCRP and other measures of CVD risk in a population of sedentary, overweight, dyslipidemic middle-aged women and men enrolled in an exercise intervention trial (STRRIDE). Methods— This was a cross-sectional evaluation of the relationships between measures of dietary carbohydrate intake, calculated from food frequency questionnaire data, and CVD risk factors, including plasma hsCRP, measured in 171 subjects. Results— After adjusting for energy intake, GL and other measures of carbohydrate intake were not independently related to hsCRP (P>0.05 for all). In analyses performed separately for each gender, only the quantity of carbohydrate intake was independently related to hsCRP (R 2 =0.28; P<0.04), and this relationship was present for women but not for men. The strongest relationship identified between GL and any CVD risk factor was for cardiorespiratory fitness (R 2 =0.12; P<0.02); an elevated GL was associated with a lower level of fitness in all subjects, and this relationship persisted even when the findings were adjusted for energy intake and gender (R 2 =0.48; P<0.03). Conclusions— In middle-aged, sedentary, overweight to mildly obese, dyslipidemic individuals, consuming a diet with a low GL is associated with better cardiorespiratory fitness. Our findings suggest that the current literature relating carbohydrate intake and hsCRP should be viewed with skepticism, especially in the extension to at-risk populations that include men.
The prognosis and pathogenesis of severe lupus glomerulonephritis

Background The International Society of Nephrology/ Renal Pathology Society classification (ISN/RPS) of lupus glomerulonephritis (GN) divides diffuse GN (>/=50% involvement) into diffuse segmental (IV-S) and diffuse global GN (IV-G). This division tests whether the pathogenesis and clinical outcomes are the same as when similar patients are classified using the World Health Organization (WHO) classification into severe segmental (WHO III >/=50%) and diffuse global (WHO-IV) GN. Methods Thirty-nine renal biopsies with WHO class IV and 44 with WHO III >/= 50% were reclassified using the ISN/RPS and were correlated with pathogenesis and outcome. Results There were 22 biopsies with ISN/RPS class IV-S. ISN/RPS class IV-G comprises two morphologically discrete classes of renal biopsies: 39 biopsies originally classified as WHO class IV (WHO-IV) and 22 that switched from WHO III >/=50% to ISN/RPS class IV-G (IV-Q). We will analyze IV-S, IV-Q and WHO-IV separately. WHO-IV had significantly more immune aggregate deposition than IV-S and IV-Q. WHO-IV had lower serum complements C3 (P = 0.05) and C4 (P = 0.05) than patients with IV-Q. Patients with WHO-IV had more remissions (56%) than IV-Q (23%) (P = 0.01), and stable renal function at the last follow-up was less frequent in patients with IV-Q (18%) than IV-S (50%, P = 0.05) and WHO-IV (62%, P = 0.001). Renal survival and renal survival without end-stage renal disease were different when the patients were diagnosed as WHO classes III >/=50% and IV, but the outcomes for ISN/RPS class IV-S and IV-G (WHO-IV plus IV-Q) were not different. Conclusions WHO III >/=50% and WHO-IV lupus GN are not congruent with ISN/RPS IV-S and IV-G. The ISN/RPS minimizes pathological and outcome differences between classes IV-S and IV-G which results in the loss of informational content from the renal biopsies. ISN/RPS does not detect pathogenetic or clinical differences among patients with severe lupus GN.
Bourdieu, Wharton and changing culture in The Age of Innocence

Although critics often attribute the failure of Edith Wharton's characters to achieve happiness to dichotomous, even mutually exclusive causes - that is, to deficiency of character or to force of circumstance - the theories of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu help to illuminate the more complex cultural and literary project at the heart of Wharton's work. Bourdieu's notions of field, habitus and capital speak to the dynamic rather than static nature of social relations in The Age of Innocence, Wharton's penultimate novel about conflict between stultifying social conventions and imagined but seldom realized escapes from such restrictions. Bourdieu's work helps us to see how Wharton embraces fluid rather fixed notions of culture in both her fiction and life. Vacillating throughout the novel between love for May Welland and for Ellen Olenska, Newland Archer stands at a crossroads between the fields of marriage and romance - between social convention and individual desire. Pulled by the competing demands of...
Proof of the Peierls Instability in One Dimension

Frohlich and Peierls showed that a one-dimensional system with a half-filled band can lower its ground-state energy by a dimerization from period l to period 2. It was an open question whether or not this dimerization was exact, i.e., whether additional symmetry breaking would further lower the energy. We prove that the dimerization is exact for a periodic chain of infinitely massive, harmonically bound atoms with nearest-neighbor electron hopping matrix elements that vary linearly with the aearestneighbor distance.
Laparoscopic repair of chronic intrathoracic gastric volvulus.

Abstract Background. Totally intrathoracic gastric volvulus is an uncommon presentation of hiatal hernia, in which the stomach undergoes organoaxial torsion predisposing the herniated stomach to strangulation and necrosis. This may occur as a surgical emergency, but some patients present with only chronic, non-specific symptoms and can be treated electively. The aim of this study is to describe a comprehensive approach to laparoscopic repair of chronic intrathoracic gastric volvulus and to critically assess the pre-operative work-up. Methods. Eight patients (median age, 71 years) underwent complete laparoscopic repair of chronic intrathoracic gastric volvulus. Symptoms of epigastric pain and early satiety were universally present. Five patients had reflux symptoms. The diagnostic evaluation included a video esophagogram, upper endoscopy, 24-hour pH measurement, and esophageal manometry in all patients. Operative results and postoperative outcome were recorded and follow-up at 1 year included a barium swallow in all patients. Results. All patients had documented intrathoracic stomach. Five of 8 patients had a structurally normal lower esophageal sphincter. All 4 patients with reflux esophagitis on upper endoscopy had a positive 24-hour pH study, and 2 of these patients had a structurally defective lower esophageal sphincter on manometry. None of the patients had preoperative evidence of esophageal shortening. All procedures were completed laparoscopically. The procedure included reduction of the stomach into the abdomen, primary closure of the diaphragmatic defect, and the construction of a short, floppy Nissen fundoplication. There were no major complications. One patient required repair of a trocar site hernia 6 months postoperatively. At 1-year follow-up, there were no radiologic recurrences of the volvulus. One patient complained of temporary swallowing discomfort and another had recurrent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms caused by a breakdown of the wrap. All other patients remained asymptomatic during follow-up. Conclusions. The repair of chronic gastric volvulus can be accomplished successfully with a laparoscopic approach. A preoperative endoscopy and esophagogram are crucial to detect esophageal stricture or shortening, and manometry is needed to access esophageal motility; pH measurements do not affect operative strategy. The procedure should include a Nissen fundoplication to treat preoperative GERD, to prevent possible postoperative GERD, and to secure the stomach in the abdomen. The procedure is safe but technically challenging, requiring previous laparoscopic foregut surgical expertise. (Surgery 2000;128:784-90.)
The experiences of New Orleans college administrators, faculty and students during and following Hurricane Katrina

We provide a preliminary report on the Hurricane Katrina-related experiences of New Orleans-based college administrators, faculty and approximately 300 business students. What can be learned about the issues centring upon the role of the university in a disaster situation? We draw upon the work of Donahue and O'Keefe (2007), which emphasised the need for universities to fulfil a support function while, at the same time, retaining emphasis upon the academic mission. Our emphasis is on the role of online instruction as a vehicle for meeting both sets of needs. We discuss the academic aspects of online teaching with examples from an online course.
A simplified single branch BPSK receiver structure employing a novel digital image rejection technique

A novel digital image suppression technique for binary phase shift keying (BPSK) receivers, based on independent component analysis (ICA), is presented. The technique requires only one antenna and a single downconversion path. The highly selective image rejection filter at the RF stage is eliminated. Also, the resulting receiver's complexity is much lower than that of quadrature or dual-antenna receivers. Simulation results confirm that the performance of the simplified receiver is comparable to the other more complex receivers.
Hotel daily occupancy forecasting with competitive sets: a recursive algorithm

Purpose – This paper aims to improve the accuracy of hotel daily occupancy forecasts – an essential element in the revenue management cycle – by proposing and testing a novel approach. The authors add the hotel competitive-set’s predicted occupancy as an input of the individual property forecast and, using a recursive approach, demonstrate that there is a potential for significant reduction in the forecasting error. Design/methodology/approach – The paper outlines the theoretical justification and the mechanism for this new approach. It applies a simulation for exploring the potential to improve the accuracy of the hotel’s daily occupancy forecasts, as well as analysis of data from a field study of two hotel clusters’ daily forecasts to provide empirical support to the procedure’s viability. Findings – The results provide strong support to the notion that the accuracy could be enhanced. Incorporating the competitive set prediction by using either a genetic algorithm or the simple linear regression model i...
Mineragraphy of Gold-Quartz-Sulphide Reefs of Hutti Gold Mines, Raichur District, Mysore State

The gold deposits at Hutti situated on the north western fringe of Hutti-Maski Schist belt are of gold-quartz-sulphide reef type. A detailed study has shown three distinct stages of mineralization. Minerals formed during the first stage are rutile, pyrite (with traces of gold) arsenopyrite, specularite, quartz (reef and vein type) and carbonate. Minerals of the second stage are pyrrhotite. chalcopyrite, sphalerite. galena and gold. Minerals of the third stage are pyrite, calcite and quartz found along numerous minor faults (slips) and major faults. Based on the textural and associational criteria, three generations of gold are distinguished. They are: 1. Gold-pyrite association. 2. Gold-aresenopyrite-quarrz association. 3. Gold-sphalerite-quartz association. The study has further shown that only the gold of the second and third generations constitute the lode. Gold is in the native state and no tellurides are present.
Maximizing higher derivatives of unknown maps with extremum seeking

We generalize the Newton-based extremum seeking algorithm, which, through measurements of an unknown map, maximizes the map's higher derivatives. Specifically, we propose a method for choosing the demodulation signals of a sinusoidally perturbed estimate, such that the extremum seeking algorithm maximizes the n th derivative only through measurements of the map. The Newton-based extremum seeking approach removes the dependence of the average convergence rate on the unknown Hessian of the higher derivative. This dependence is present in standard gradient-based extremum seeking while the average convergence rate of our parameter estimates is user-assignable. Our design stems from the existing multivariable Newton-based extremum seeking algorithm where a differential Riccati equation estimates the inverse Hessian of the function to be maximized. Algebraically computing a direct estimate of the inverse Hessian is susceptible to singularity, where-as employing the Riccati filter removes that potential. We prove local stability of the algorithm for general nonlinear maps via averaging theory.
Residual Toxicity of Three Phosphorous Insecticides to the Boll Weevil

The residual toxicity of 3 phosphorous insecticides to the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, was determined hourly for 24-48 hours by using field cages made of ice cream cartons. The cages were an improvement over those formerly used and should facilitate such studies of similar chemicals and insects. Azinphosmethyl at 0.25 lb per acre was effective for 12-24 hours and at 0.5 lb per acre, for more than 24 hours. Methyl parathion at 0.25 and 0.5 lb per acre was effective for only 2-4 and 4-6 hours, respectively. Malathion at 0.5 lb per acre gave residual kill for 4-6 hours; at 2 lb per acre it was effective for more than 24 hours.
Symmetric and Asymmetric Double Cantilever Beam Methods for Interfacial Adhesion Strength Measurement in Electronic Packaging

This paper discusses Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) test methods that were developed for characterizing adhesion strength of several critical interfaces in advanced microelectronic packaging. Those interfaces include silicon-epoxy underfill and solder resist-epoxy underfill. A unique sample preparation technique was developed for DCB testing of each interface in order to avoid the testing challenges specific to that interface—for example, silicon cracking and voiding in silicon-underfill samples and cracking of solder resist films in solder resist-underfill samples. Additionally, asymmetric DCB samples (i.e., different cantilever beam thickness on top compared to the bottom) were found to be more effective in maintaining the crack at the interface of interest and in reducing the occurrence of cohesive cracking when compared to symmetric DCB samples. Several case studies using DCB for material selection and assembly process optimization are also discussed. Furthermore, fractography results from SEM examination of the fractured surfaces are also presented for better understanding of the failure mode.
Congenital Heart Disease: Its Impact on Pregnancy

With careful medical management, many women with congenital heart disease—even those in the highest risk group—can tolerate pregnancy and have healthy infants. Surgical correction of congenital cardiac anomalies has made a major contribution in this respect, although inheritable characteristics of the parental disease may still pose some risk for the offspring.
Effects and side effects of penicillin injection in huanglongbing affected grapefruit trees

Trunk injection with penicillin has been tested to control citrus huanglongbing (HLB), but side effects and environmental safety must be assured before approval of penicillin injection can be considered. We investigated effects of penicillin injection on densities of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) in leaves, as well as culturable bacterial populations in rhizospheres and petioles of grapefruit trees in field and greenhouse experiments. Trees were injected with penicillin G, and leaf and root concentrations were assessed in bioassays with Bacillus subtilis. Las densities were determined by qPCR, and bacteria were isolated on a low carbon medium from roots plus rhizosphere and surface-sterilized petioles at various times after penicillin injection. Selected bacterial isolates were tested for penicillin resistance (20 μg/mL) and glyphosate resistance (7000 μg/mL), because glyphosate is widely used and cross-resistance against antibiotics had been documented. One month after penicillin injection half of the greenhouse trees were inoculated with Phytophthora nicotianae. Cycle threshold (Ct) values of Las in old and young leaves significantly increased 90 days after trunk injection with penicillin. Bacterial populations in petioles and root-rhizospheres initially increased after penicillin injections, probably due to nutrient release, then returned to control levels after one week. Penicillin resistance was common in isolates from penicillin-injected and control trees (30–94%). Significantly more glyphosate resistant than sensitive isolates were penicillin resistant (81% versus 52%). Phytophthora root rot was not increased after penicillin injection. Thus, side effects of penicillin injection tested here were minimal, while Las titers were reduced after three months.
Accountability, Inequality, and Achievement: The Effects of the No Child Left Behind Act on Multiple Measures of Student Learning

Scholars continue to debate whether gains on the state tests used for accountability generalize to other measures of student achievement. Using panel data on students from a large urban school district, we estimate the impact of accountability pressure related to the No Child Left Behind Act on two measures of academic achievement: the state test and an “audit” test that is not tied to the accountability system. Overall, we find that accountability pressure is associated with increased state test scores in math and lower audit math and reading test scores. However, the sources of state and audit test score divergence varied by students’ race. Black students in schools facing the most accountability pressure made no gains on state tests, and their losses on audit math tests were twice as large as those of Hispanic students. These findings highlight the importance of better understanding the mechanisms that produce heterogeneous effects of accountability pressure across achievement measures and subgroups.
Adverse Reactions to Skin Testing and Immunotherapy with Hymenoptera Venoms and Whole-Body Extracts

Skin testing and venom immunotherapy utilized for the diagnosis and treatment of Hymenoptera and imported fire ant allergy can be associated with adverse events ranging from mild, local reactions to systemic allergic reactions. A variety of factors increases the risk of these reactions and should be considered prior to skin testing, in vitro testing, or initiation of venom immunotherapy. Female gender, diagnosis of a mast cell activation disorder or elevated baseline serum tryptase, the use of honeybee or yellow jacket venoms, and rush or ultra-rush protocols are all associated with increased risk of a systemic allergic reaction. Continued use of some cardiovascular medications, such as β-blockers and ACE inhibitors, may also increase risk or make systemic allergic reactions more difficult to treat, but this is controversial. This chapter summarizes the evidence regarding local and systemic allergic reactions associated with venom and imported fire ant whole-body extract skin testing and immunotherapy and provides recommendations to treat and possibly prevent such reactions.
Tribology of Solid Lubricants

Over the last seven decades, extreme operating conditions encountered in many industrial and engineering applications—particularly those within the aerospace industry—have driven the evolution of more advanced commercial lubricants. While many long-standing lubrication techniques utilize liquid or grease-type lubricants, new tribological applications have developed over the last 70 years that have led to the development of lubricants derived from solid materials and coatings with self-lubricating properties. Many tribological applications require two surfaces to slide over one another in relative motion, resulting in friction and wear, such as in cutting and forming operations, gears, bearings, and engine parts. Increasingly, more of these applications are operating in extreme environments (such as high vacuum, microgravity, high/low temperatures, extreme pressure, space radiation, and corrosive gas environments) that are beyond the tolerable and usable domain of liquid and grease-based lubricants. This has propelled the development of dry/solid lubricants that are nonvolatile and can withstand such extreme environmental conditions. In this chapter, a review of the state of solid lubrication and the utilization of solid lubricants as powder transfer films, thin film coatings, colloidal mixtures, and composite matrices are presented for the field of tribology.
Operationalizing Interprofessional Education in the Clinical Workplace

Clinical workplace interprofessional education (IPE) is distinguished from classroom IPE by its emphasis on patients rather than learners as top priority. Drawing on the expertise of 59 educators and clinicians from across the USA and multiple health professions, we summarized critical variables associated with IPE success in the clinical workplace including leadership, clinical site readiness, need for shared language across professions, defining scope of supervised practice, and value added by IPE trainees. Derived from experience and the literature, these IPE workplace variables should be considered by those deliberating, implementing, sustaining, and/or expanding IPE into the clinical workplace.
Age-Specific Host Utilization in the Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

Larval growth and survival of the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americana F., was assessed on its preferred host, black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrhart), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.), white oak (Quercus alba L.), and white pine (Pinus strobus L.), and on the herbaceous biennial poison hemlock (Conium maculatum L.). Larvae grew largest and had the greatest pupation and survival rates when fed black cherry and white oak. They did not grow well on black locust or white pine, but survival rates were relatively high, suggesting that both plant species could potentially serve to sustain tent caterpillar populations. Growth and survival was so low on hackberry and poison hemlock that they pose little chance of sustaining outbreaking caterpillar populations.