cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON OF MAGNITUDE ESTIMATION AND INTERVAL SCALING OF LOUDNESS

Summary.--To identify whether equal-appearing interval or magnitude estimation scaling resulted in a data ser with a closer correlation co the physical stimuli involved 20 young adults completing rwo tasks. In Task 1 subjects used a 7-point equal-appearing interval loudness of 18 10-sec. samples of babble speech, presented randomly at intensities of 5 to 90 dB SPL. In Task 2 subjects used magnitude estimation scaling to rate these stimuli, presented in a randomized order. Analysis showed significanrly high correlations for both scaling methods and the stimuli (Spearman rho= 1.00 and .99, respectively). Subjects can use either form of scahg to rate changes in loudness. In the behavioral sciences research designs often include procedures which require subjects to use various schg techniques. These techniques are often employed when subjects are asked to rate psychophysical stimuli. Following a brief set of instructions on how to apply the particular rating scale to the experimental task, the subjects are then presented the psychophysical stimd and are required to rate them according to those instructlons. One method of scahg commonly employed in research is equal-appearing interval scahg, also called category scahg or partition scahg (Stevens, 1974). These scahg techniques require the subject to assign each stimulus item a number from a finite set of numbers designated by the researcher. From an operational standpoint the subject must cognitively divide the continuum of the dimension being scaled into equal segments or partitions in a linear fashion. Each stimulus item being scaled is then assigned an appropriate value based on its relative position along the continuum. The scale most frequently used has seven partitions or points along a linear continuum, with number one representing the minimal degree of the dimension being scaled, and number seven representing [he greatest (Doyle, 1987). The listener must first perceive the stimulus or behavior and then immediately sort it and compare it with other stimuli from the dimension being scaled. Accurate and consistent scahg requires that the listener be uniform in partitioning each stimulus item along the numerically finite continuum. Although widely used and generally accepted as a valuable research tool, the equal-appearing interval method of scahg appears to have lirnita
First Raman spectroscopy observation of magnetic field induced structural phase transition in TmPO4 crystals.

Abstract Raman spectra measurements of the TmPO4 crystal under external magnetic fields up to 10T are presented. At temperatures lower than 20K the magnetic field induced structural transition theoretically predicted earlier is observed. The appearance of a new finite frequency Raman mode in the spectra at the critical magnetic field is the main characteristic of the phase transition manifestation.
Resting Heart Rate Influences Right Ventricular Volume in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of heart rate (HR) on right ventricular end-diastolic volume indexed to body surface area (RVEDVi) in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). In this cross-sectional study, an institutional database search identified all patients with repaired TOF who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and had a Holter study within 3 months. The association of HR on Holter, HR at the time of CMR, and other clinical and CMR parameters on RVEDVi was explored with univariate and then multivariable models. In the study group (n = 161, median age 23 years), a lower mean Holter HR was associated with a larger RVEDVi (p = 0.004). In a model that also included pulmonary regurgitation fraction, tricuspid regurgitation grade, RV ejection fraction, age at CMR, and gender, mean Holter HR remained associated with RVEDVi (p < 0.0001); for a decrease of 1 bpm, mean RVEDVi increased by 1.09 ml/m2. When limiting to those with a Holter within 5 days of CMR (n = 70), the impact of mean Holter HR on RVEDVi was stronger (−1.9 ml/m2/bpm). HR at time of CMR had a significant but less pronounced relationship to RVEDVi (−0.58 ml/m2/bpm, p = 0.002). In conclusion, in repaired TOF patients, a lower HR was significantly associated with a larger RVEDVi. This relationship was stronger with a shorter time interval between the Holter and CMR, and stronger for the mean HR on Holter than for the HR at CMR. Accounting for HR in the interpretation of RVEDVi may impact decisions regarding pulmonary valve replacement and the interpretation of serial CMR data.
Timeout punishment: Rate of reinforcement and delay of timeout☆

Abstract Responding of rhesus monkeys on either of two concurrently available response levers in the first link of a response chain caused the alternate lever to retract and produced a stimulus light. Responding in Link 2 on the remaining lever in the presence of the light produced food. Subsequently timeout (retraction of both levers) was made contingent upon the last response in Link 1 on one lever. Timeout suppressed antecedent responding on the timeout lever and produced a relatively higher rate of responding on (preference for) the alternate response lever. The preference for the nontimeout lever was maintained when rates of reinforcement on the two levers were equated and appeared not to be related to overall rates of reinforcement within sessions. In a second experiment, the degree of suppression on the timeout lever was found to be directly related to the immediacy of the timeout with respect to the punished response.
The seemingly intractable ecological responses of invertebrates in North American wetlands: a review.

Invertebrates play important ecological roles in wetlands, but what factors control their dynamics are poorly established. I review available research conducted in 14 areas of North America where invertebrates have received the most attention. Studies indicate that hydrology, plant factors, anthropogenic disturbance, and predation are the most important controls on wetland invertebrates, but little consensus emerged about how these factors influence invertebrate communities. Findings were often equivocal, contradictory, or inconclusive, either within or among areas. Considerable evidence indicated that wetland invertebrates are resilient, generalist organisms, and a lack of response may reflect insensitivity to environmental variation. However, numerous studies also indicated distinct responses by some invertebrates in some wetlands, although consistent patterns were often lacking. This suggests that wetland invertebrates might be very sensitive to environmental variation, but interactions can be complex and difficult to predict. Either conclusion means that generalizations about how invertebrates in wetland respond ecologically will be difficult to generate without careful study.
Endocrine and cardiovascular influences of converting enzyme inhibition with SQ 14225 in hypertensive patients in the supine position and during head-up tilt before and after sodium depletion.

In this study we examined the effects of the orally active angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor SQ 14225 (Captopril) on blood pressure, heart rate, plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine, PRA, aldosterone, cortisol, and serum potassium in 15 sodium-repleted hypertensive patients in the supine position and during 30 min of head-up tilt; in 3 patients the same investigations were repeated after sodium deprivation. On normal sodium intake, a short term treatment with SQ 14225, at average doses of 480 ± 60 mg⁄day, reduced mean supine blood pressure by 19 ± 3 mm Hg (P < 0.001); this change was associated with an increase in PRA of 12.2 ± 3.2 ng⁄ml.h (P < 0.001), a fall in plasma aldosterone of 4.8 ± 1.9 ng⁄100 ml (P < 0.01), and a concurrent rise in serum potassium of 0.26 ±0.1 meq⁄liter (P ⁄ 0.05). Supine heart rate and plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine and cortisol were unchanged. Although in control tilt studies the mean blood pressure was unchanged in all patients, during converting enzyme inhibition (C...
LDR vs. HDR brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer: the view from radiobiological models.

Purpose: Permanent LDR brachytherapy and temporary HDR brachytherapy are competitive techniques for clinically localized prostate radiotherapy. Although a randomized trial will likely never be conducted comparing these two forms of brachytherapy, a comparative radiobiological modeling analysis proves useful in understanding some of their intrinsic differences, several of which could be exploited to improve outcomes. Methods and Materials: Radiobiological models based upon the linear quadratic equations are presented for fractionated external beam, fractionated 192Ir HDR brachytherapy, and 125I and 103Pd LDR brachytherapy. These models incorporate the dose heterogeneities present in brachytherapy based upon patient-derived dose volume histograms (DVH) as well as tumor doubling times and repair kinetics. Radiobiological parameters are normalized to correspond to three accepted clinical risk factors based upon T-stage, PSA, and Gleason score to compare models with clinical series. Tumor control probabilities (TCP) for LDR and HDR brachytherapy (as monotherapy or combined with external beam) are compared with clinical bNED survival rates. Predictions are made for dose escalation with HDR brachytherapy regimens. Results: Model predictions for dose escalation with external beam agree with clinical data and validate the models and their underlying assumptions. Both LDR and HDR brachytherapy achieve superior tumor control when compared with external beam at conventional doses (<70 Gy), but similar to results from dose escalation series. LDR brachytherapy as boost achieves superior tumor control than when used as monotherapy. Stage for stage, both LDR and current HDR regimens achieve similar tumor control rates, in agreement with current clinical data. HDR monotherapy with large-dose fraction sizes might achieve superior tumor control compared with LDR, especially if prostate cancer possesses a high sensitivity to dose fractionation (i.e., if the α/β ratio is low). Conclusions: Radiobiological models support the current clinical evidence for equivalent outcomes in localized prostate cancer with either LDR or HDR brachytherapy using current dose regimens. However, HDR brachytherapy dose escalation regimens might be able to achieve higher biologically effective doses of irradiation in comparison to LDR, and hence improved outcomes. This advantage over LDR would be amplified should prostate cancer possess a high sensitivity to dose fractionation (i.e., a low α/β ratio) as the current evidence suggests.
Atom promotion and bond properties in the hydrogen and the lithium molecules

In the process of forming the hydrogen molecule, the interacting atoms apparently undergo significant “promotion”, in the course of which there occurs contraction of each atom's electronic density distribution. Although this step in itself is energetically unfavourable, it appears to be a key factor in building up the charge density in the internuclear region. In forming the lithium molecule, the atoms apparently do not undergo promotion to any significant extent. It is suggested that the difference in the degrees of atom promotion in the formation of these two molecules is an important reason for the great disparity in the strengths of their bonds.
Child-Care Practices: Effects of Social Change on the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Antibiotic Resistance

The increasing number of mothers of young children in the work force and the resultant escalated use of child-care facilities has had a marked effect on the epidemiology of infectious diseases in young children. Children attending child care are at high risk for respiratory and gastrointestinal tract illnesses. The high prevalence of infectious diseases in the child-care setting is accompanied by high usage of antibiotics, which in turn has resulted in spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms. The infectious disease standards of the American Public Health Association/American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines were developed to prevent and limit transmission of infectious diseases in the child-care setting. Adherence to these standards is essential but will not completely eliminate the increased risk of infectious diseases in child-care settings. New challenges need to be addressed to assure that optimal health promotion and disease prevention is practiced in child-care settings. We approach the 21st century with a vast amount of medical knowledge, molecular technology, highly effective vaccines, and powerful antimicrobial agents. However, at the same time we face many unsolved serious problems, such as preventing or controlling the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms that adversely affect our ability to treat infectious diseases. Further research is needed concerning the relations between child care, the use of antibiotics, and transmission of antibiotic-resistant organisms in order to design and implement the most effective strategies for preventing or controlling antibiotic resistance. The potential risk for transmission of HIV in the child-care setting also needs to be recognized, and procedures to prevent transmission of blood-borne pathogens need to be followed. Monitoring compliance with national standards for child-care facilities, dissemination of information concerning infectious diseases and use of antibiotics, and development and use of new vaccines are strategies which should be used to help protect the health of children in child-care environments.
Are acidic and basic groups in buried proteins predicted to be ionized

Ionizable residues play essential roles in proteins, modulating protein stability, fold and function. Asp, Glu, Arg, and Lys make up about a quarter of the residues in an average protein. Multi-conformation continuum electrostatic (MCCE) calculations were used to predict the ionization states of all acidic and basic residues in 490 proteins. Of all 36,192 ionizable residues, 93.5% were predicted to be ionized. Thirty-five percent have lost 4.08 kcal/mol solvation energy (DeltaDeltaG(rxn)) sufficient to shift a pK(a) by three pH units in the absence of other interactions and 17% have DeltaDeltaG(rxn) sufficient to shift pK(a) by five pH units. Overall 85% of these buried residues (DeltaDeltaG(rxn)>5DeltapK units) are ionized, including 92% of the Arg, 86% of the Asp, 77% of the Glu, and 75% of the Lys. Ion-pair interactions stabilize the ionization of both acids and bases. The backbone dipoles stabilize anions more than cations. The interactions with polar side-chains are also different for acids and bases. Asn and Gln stabilize all charges, Ser and Thr stabilize only acids while Tyr rarely stabilize Lys. Thus, hydroxyls are better hydrogen bond donors than acceptors. Buried ionized residues are more likely to be conserved than those on the surface. There are 3.95 residues buried per 100 residues in an average protein.
Inconsistent maximum likelihood estimators for the Rasch model

Abstract The paper proves the inconsistency of the maximum likelihood estimators of the parameters of interest in the Rasch model when the number of nuisance parameters grows to infinity.
Abstract B48: Integrin α6 S-nitrosylation induces prostate cancer cell migration by loss of adhesion to laminin-1

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American males. Elevated nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase levels are associated with the progression of prostate tumors. S-nitrosylation, a reversible nitric oxide post-translational modification of cysteines, was investigated here. This report showed that low dose nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase induced the migration of prostate cancer cells, which was blocked using selective integrin alpha 6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors. Furthermore, both nitric oxide donor and inducible nitric oxide synthase targeted integrin alpha 6 for S-nitrosylation on cysteine 86 in prostate cancer cells. Nitric oxide reduced prostate cancer cell adhesion to laminin-1 and integrin alpha 6 binding to laminin beta 1 but theses effects were not seen after mutation of cysteine 86 in integrin alpha 6. S-nitrosylation of integrin alpha 6 cysteine 86 ultimately led to increased migration of prostate cancer cells, which is a potential mechanism of prostate cancer metastasis. Citation Format: Jared Isaac, Ying Wai Lam, Pheruza Tarapore, Shuk-mei Ho. Integrin α6 S-nitrosylation induces prostate cancer cell migration by loss of adhesion to laminin-1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr B48.
The relation of hydration status to declarative memory and working memory in older adults.

Objectives Prior studies have suggested a relationship between dehydration and poor cognitive performance. The present study examined the relationships among hydration status, declarative memory and working memory skills, and blood pressure in a sample of older community dwelling females.
A SAT-based solver for Q-ALL SAT

Although the satisfiability problem (SAT) is NP-complete, state-of-the-art solvers for SAT can solve instances that are considered to be very hard. Emerging applications demand to solve even more complex problems residing at the second or higher levels of the polynomial hierarchy. We identify such a problem, called Q-ALL SAT, that arises in a variety of applications. We have designed a solution algorithm for Q-ALL SAT that employs a SAT solver and thus exploits the recent advances of SAT solvers. In addition, a heuristic is applied to reduce the number of instances that are to be solved by the SAT solver. A learning scheme improves the performance of that heuristic. Test results of a first implementation of the proposed algorithm confirm that this is a very promising approach.
Nuclear proteins bind conserved elements in the abscisic acid-responsive promoter of a rice rab gene.

Abstract We have previously shown that the expression of a rice gene, rab-16A, is responsive to abscisic acid (ABA) and osmotic stress in plant tissues and cultured suspension cells. We demonstrate here that transcriptional elements between -294 and -52 of this gene are sufficient to confer ABA-dependent expression on the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene in rice protoplasts. Sequence motifs within this 242-base-pair region of the rab-16A gene are conserved among the 5' upstream regions of other ABA-responsive genes. Gel retardation and DNAse I experiments show nuclear factor(s) binding to these sequences. This correlative data indicate that these motifs are involved in the transcription of the rab genes and suggest that they may be ABA-responsive-elements (ABREs).
Agency Games in Cold War Washington: Politics and Gender in No Way Out

Abstract A Washington-based, political film may critique the politics of its time on one level and, yet, buy into those politics on another. One such film, No Way Out (1987), from the time of Ronald Reagan's presidency, reveals characteristic contradictions between liberal, anti-Reaganite Cold War politics and conservative, traditionalist gender roles.
Mandible and hyoid bone movements during speech.

Relatively little is known about the extent to which speech-related movements of the mandible and hyoid bone involve rotation and translation. Data were derived from an existing high-speed cineradi...
Energy efficient audio IC technologies for consumer applications

In order to prolong battery life in portable devices or to conserve electricity in noon-portable devices, energy efficiency has become a key design parameter in audio IC for consumer applications. This paper describes several recent advances in audio IC designs for higher energy efficiency and also outlines directions for future improvements.
Reproduction growth and mortality of the holothurian cucumaria pseudocurata

Certain phases of the ecology of a sea cucumber (Cucumaria pseudocurata Deichmann, 1938) population at Shell Beach, Sonoma County, California (USA), were investigated. The sea cucumber is a brooder, lays large (1 mm diameter) yolky eggs, which undergo direct development. It forms large aggregations in the rocky intertidal zone, extending from the lower boundary of the Mytilus californianus beds to about zero tide-level. The gonad cycle was followed from September, 1970 to January, 1972. Spawning occurred in January, 1971 and January, 1972. The holothurians produce from 1 to as many as 340 eggs, depending on the size of the individual; they completely spawn-out in a few days. Hatching takes place about 1 month after egg laying. The main sources of mortality are predation by the sea star Pycnopodia helianthoides and wave action. Survival of the young is negatively correlated with density of the aggregation. C. pseudocurata increases in weight 10 to 30 fold in the first year, but much more slowly in later years. Individuals live perhaps 5 years or more, and do not become reproductive until about the third year. Dispersal is accomplished by the young being washed away to a suitable new habitat. The upper range of the intertidal distribution is determined by exposure to air, and the lower range by P. helianthoides predation.
Hyperthermia‐induced vascular injury in normal and neoplastic tissue

The sequential morphologic alterations in normal skeletal muscle in rats, Walker 256 tumors in rats, and transmissible venereal tumors (TVT) in dogs following microwave-induced hyperthermia (43 degrees C and 45 degrees C for 20 minutes), were studied by histologic and ultrastructural examination. Normal muscle and Walker 256 tumors showed edema, congestion, and hemorrhage at 5 minutes post-heating (PH), followed by suppuration, macrophage infiltration, and thrombosis at 6 and 48 hours PH, and finally by regeneration and repair by 7 days PH. Vascular endothelial damage and parenchymal degeneration were present 5 minutes PH. Progressive injury occurred for at least 48 hours PH. Two hyperthermia treatments separated by a 30- or 60-min cooling interval, were applied to Walker 256 tumors in a subsequent study. Increased selective heating of tumor tissue versus surrounding normal tissue, and increased intratumoral steady state temperatures were found during the second hyperthermia treatment. Canine TVTs were resistant to hyperthermia damage. These results suggest that vascular damage contributes to the immediate and latent cytotoxic effects of hyperthermia in normal tissue and some types of neoplastic tissue, and that selective heating of neoplastic tissue occurs in tumor tissue with disrupted microvasculature.
Masking as a mechanism for evaporative loss of trace analyte, especially after solid-phase extraction

Using a Pasteur pipette plugged with silanized glass wool and packed with C18-silica particles, we attempted to remove K2CO3 from an aqueous acetonitrile solution. In spite of extensive washing of the column with water after the sample was applied, elution with acetonitrile followed by evaporation gave a visible, white residue. It was found that the residue was derived from both the sample and the packing, including particles from the latter. Substitution of a plastic column/polyethylene frit for the Pasteur pipette/glass wool gave a more consistent residue, apparently because this improved the retention of particles. Subsequent experiments were conducted in the plastic hardware. The amount of the residue was observed to vary as much as 19-fold when C18-silica particles were tested from different manufacturers, and the residue could be reduced in amount as much as 9-fold when a column was prepared in the laboratory vs. the use of a comparable, pre-packed column. The water itself contributed some of the residue: even the "purest" water routinely available left a visible residue when 1.0 ml was appropriately evaporated (e.g. on Saran Wrap in a microwave oven). The recovery of an arbitrary trace analyte and internal standard (pentafluorobenzylated nucleobases at the low pg level) was 32% less when they were evaporated in acetonitrile that had been passed through an acetonitrile and water-washed cartridge containing C18-Si vs. evaporation in untreated acetonitrile. Collectively these results reveal that an evaporation can risk some loss of an analyte from masking by even subtle solvent contaminants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Charge-dependent anisotropic flow studies and the search for the Chiral Magnetic Wave in ALICE

Abstract Theoretical calculations have shown the possibility of P-violating bubbles in the QCD vacuum, which in combination with the strong magnetic field created in off-central heavy-ion collisions lead to novel effects such as the Chiral Magnetic Effect (CME) and the Chiral Separation Effect (CSE). A coupling between the CME and the CSE produces a wave-like excitation called the Chiral Magnetic Wave (CMW). The CMW produces a quadrupole moment that always has the same sign and is therefore present in an average over events. We present a series of charge-dependent anisotropic flow measurements in Pb–Pb collisions at s NN = 2.76 TeV by ALICE, using two- and three-particle correlators with unidentified hadrons. The relation of these measurements to the search for the CMW is discussed.
Simple and Cost Effective Clinical Methods for Measuring Neuromuscular Fade Responses with Emphasis on “Train of Four” Fade

Objective To evaluate different pressure transducers, available in the operating room for pressure measurements, interfaced with common monitoring equipment, for quantitation of the train of four (TOF) fade during clinical neuromuscular block (NMB).
Comparative study of3H-fucose incorporation into vertebrate photoreceptor outer segments

Abstract The pattern of incorporation of 3 H-fucose into photoreceptor outer segments has been analysed by light and electron microscopic radioautography in twelve different species spanning the animal kingdom. This sugar is incorporated in a diffuse pattern into cone outer segments in all animals examined and is incorporated into a basal band in rod outer segments of certain species. Differential incorporation into outer segments of red- and blue-vs green-sensitive cones was observed in fish retinae and into red but not green rods in the frog. Diffuse labeling of frog pinealocyte outer segments was found, in agreement with previous observations of their cone-like structure and function.
Control of panting in the desert iguana: Roles for peripheral temperatures and the effect of dehydration

Although it is generally held that panting is a physiological mechanism for the regulation of brain temperature during heat stress, a number of studies have pointed to the importance of peripheral input for the initiation of the panting response in a variety of animals. By presenting ambient heat loads of 47 degrees, 54 degrees, 58 degrees, and 65 degrees C, and measuring skin, ear and core temperatures of the desert iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis, at the onset of panting, we found that the skin temperature at panting onset was independent of ambient heat load. This suggests that skin (peripheral) temperature is the body temperature on which the central thermoregulatory center cues to initiate thermal panting. Peripheral temperature control of panting was retained when the plasma osmolality of the desert iguana was increased by 100 mOsm/kg H2O to simulate dehydration. Dehydration to 80% initial body weight (IBW) resulted in a progressive increase in panting threshold (skin) from 42 degrees C for untreated lizards to 42.5 degrees C at 90% IBW to 43.3 degrees C at 80% IBW. Injection of 80% IBW lizards with a volume of 10 mM NaCl equivalent to weight loss resulted in a decrease in panting threshold to 40.8 degrees C. Injection with 1% body weight 3000 mM NaCl produced a dramatic increase in panting threshold to 45.9 degrees C. These data suggest that the desert iguana responds to dehydration by elevating panting threshold, thus promoting water conservation. These data also suggest that changes in plasma osmolality may be involved in the "setting" of panting threshold.
Martin Luther King, the American dream and Vietnam: A collision of rhetorical trajectories

This essay explores the rhetorical complexity of Martin Luther King's dual role as political and moral leader, particularly during his last years when he was attacked for his opposition to the Vietnam War. By: 1) discussing and developing the theoretical value and critical possibilities associated with the term “rhetorical trajectories,”; 2) tracing the trajectories present in King's rhetoric in order to set the context for a speech he gave in 1967 at Riverside Church, and 3) analyzing the text of that speech, the essay offers insight into King's rhetorical impact, and, as a result, into the possibilities and limitations for combining pragmatic and moralistic discourse in American society.
Prevalence, impact, and risk factors for hospital-acquired conditions after major surgical resection for cancer: a NSQIP analysis.

The effectiveness of the CMS nonpayment policy for certain hospital-acquired conditions (HAC) is debated, since their preventability is questionable in several groups of patients. This study aimed to determine the rate of the three most common HAC in major surgical resections for cancer: surgical site infection (SSI), urinary tract infection (UTI), and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Additionally, the association of HAC with patients’ characteristics and their effect on post-operative outcomes were investigated. Patients who underwent surgical resection for esophageal, gastric, hepato-biliary, pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancer were identified using the ACS-NSQIP database (2005–2012). Early surgical outcomes were compared between HAC and non-HAC patients. Modified Poisson regression was used to identify risk factors for developing HAC. Seventy-four thousand three hundred eighty-one patients were identified, of whom 9,479 (12.74 %) developed one or more HAC. HAC patients had significantly higher rates of 30-day mortality, return to operating room, 30-day readmission, had longer LOS, and were less likely to be discharged home. Several peri-operative patients’ factors were significantly associated with HAC. Our data show that the development of HAC is strongly associated to pre-operative patients’ characteristics and not only to sub-optimal peri-operative care, therefore suggesting that the nonpayment policy might be excessively penalizing.
Length of stay by route of contrast administration for diagnosis of appendicitis by computed-tomography scan.

Objectives: Studies show equivalent accuracy of abdominal computed tomography (CT) using rectal contrast compared with oral contrast for diagnosing appendicitis. The authors evaluated whether emergency department (ED) length of stay and satisfaction differed by route of contrast administration for abdominal CT. Methods: This before-and-after intervention evaluated adult patients in an urban academic ED who were undergoing abdominal CT to screen for suspected appendicitis. Phase 1 subjects had a CT after oral contrast. Phase 2 patients had a CT after rectal contrast infused by gravity drip. Patients were interviewed after CT scan to assess satisfaction and discomfort. The primary outcome was ED length of stay. Medians, 95% binomial confidence intervals (CI), and Wilcoxon rank sum test of differences were calculated. Results: One hundred twelve patients were enrolled; half received rectal contrast. There was a significant decrease in length of stay for patients who were administered rectal contrast (261 min, 95% CI = 236 to 305 min) vs. oral contrast (332 min, 95% CI = 299 to 362 min), p = 0.009. Although subjects in the rectal-contrast group waited 65 minutes longer than did oral-contrast patients before receiving contrast after the CT order, the time from contrast administration to CT was 13 minutes, vs. 150 minutes for patients receiving oral contrast (p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction and discomfort did not differ by route of contrast administration. Conclusions: Rectal contrast for patients undergoing abdominal CT to rule out appendicitis reduced ED length of stay by more than an hour and did not affect patient satisfaction or discomfort. Rectal-contrast administration for abdominal CT may significantly shorten patient throughput time for individuals undergoing evaluation for appendicitis. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2006; 13:1040‐1045 a 2006 by the Society for Academic Emergency
Core sexual/reproductive health care to deliver to male adolescents: perceptions of clinicians focused on male health.

Purpose Male adolescents experience adverse sexual/reproductive health (SRH) outcomes, yet few providers deliver male SRH care. Given the lack of evidence base for male SRH care, the purpose of this study was to examine perceived importance in delivering SRH care to male adolescents among clinicians focused on male health.
Pulse oximetry for vascular monitoring in upper extremity replantation surgery

Pulse oximetry as a postoperative monitor for replanted or revascularized digits was evaluated experimentally and clinically. The accuracy of detection of vascular occlusion was 100%, and arterial and venous occlusion could be differentiated by changes in pulse inflow and oxygen saturation. Digits demonstrating O2 saturations above 95% remained viable, those below 85% were associated with venous occlusions, and those with no saturation represented arterial occlusions. This method is simple, noninvasive, continuous, and accurate, and it reliably assesses revascularized digits and replanted parts.
Observations of suspended sediment stratification from acoustic backscatter in muddy environments

Abstract Vertical profiles of suspended sediment concentration estimated from acoustic backscatter are used to re-examine the relation between sediment stratification and floc size in a cohesive sedimentary environment. Concentration measurements by optical backscatter sensors at two vertical levels are used to calibrate the acoustic backscatter intensity. In spite of the complexities due to the rapidly changing flow and cohesive sediment properties, the estimates of sediment concentration reproduce well the observations. Together with the vertical profiles of suspended sediment concentration, measured current profiles are used to calibrate a one-dimensional-vertical (1DV) boundary layer numerical model for combined wave–current flow on muddy beds. The numerical simulations are used to investigate the effect of the floc size on the vertical structure of the suspended sediment concentration profile. For similar flow conditions, smaller flocs result in more mixed profiles with higher concentration in the upper water column and lower near-bed concentration. This is the first time this effect is seen in direct field observations, and confirms previously published numerical results.
Kinetic theory of rarefied atmospheres— What a realistic kinetic theory of ionized gases prescribes about the heating of the solar corona

Abstract The observed inversions of kinetic temperature in all known planetary thermospheres and the solar corona have similarities which appear to be a natural and unavoidable consequence of the manner in which a real gas stratifies its properties in a gravitational field. The classical kinetic theory of a gas bound by a gravitational field has severe limitations when the gas becomes too rarefied, and it incorrectly predicts that the field should induce no vertical gradients of kinetic temperature in an atmosphere. Correcting the classical theory to apply to rarefied gases implies a contrary conclusion, a kinetic temperature which increases with altitude at the average rate mg/3k in the transition region of a neutral atmosphere. The correction rests upon the experimentally supported postulate that in a sufficiently rarefied atmosphere, in which the mean free path exceeds about one-tenth percent of its scale height, the distribution of speed of the particles varies with altitude according to a modified Boltzmann probability distribution in which the kinetic energy of the individual particles replaces their average kinetic energy or temperature in the latter distribution. In an ionized atmosphere the temperature increases at a much greater rate which is determined by the relative scattering cross sections of its particles compared to those of a neutral atmosphere under the same conditions. Furthermore, the strong electrical forces between particles cause any departures from Maxwellian conditions throughout the region of transition to be very small, which is in contrast to the greater departures which may occur in neutral planetary atmospheres. The present theory appears correctly to predict simultaneously and without any arbitrary parameters the observed profiles as a function of altitude of both the solar coronal density of hydrogen and of the temperature. From near the base of the region of transition of the solar corona to just below the altitude at which the temperature profile saturates, the present theory prescribes that the temperature increases as the one-third power of the normalized distance from that base, 6amgx/kT in which a is a known parameter from plasma theory, m is the mass of the hydrogen atom, g is the solar gravitational acceleration, k is Boltzmann's constant, T is the temperature at the base, and x is the geometric distance. The coronal density of hydrogen decreases as the inverse one-half power of that same normalized distance.
Adolescent Development Reconsidered.

In talking about adolescent development, how will one respond to the adolescent's questions, or the questions behind the adolescent's questions: What is true? What is of value? Who am I now? Where is my home?
Information delivery in tetherless healthcare

Tetherless care was proposed to help address the costly burden of chronic conditions and diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. In support of this vision, this work presents a solution for the intelligent delivery of realtime messages given intermittent connectivity and limited energy. It employs a O(1) Markov predictor operating over a history of network sessions to predict likely future low power opportunities to transfer data while attending to realtime delivery deadlines. The algorithm was deployed to the smartphones of several volunteers for two months and was tasked with managing the transfer of test data and statistics of its operation. Results show:• Predictions of the duration or start time of a given session have 80% accuracy to within six minutes.• Where delays between successive WiFi sessions are less than nine minutes with 81% probability, the system is capable of supporting deadlines on the order of minutes with WiFi-based sessions only, falling back on more costly cellular technology to cover the final 19% of delays.• With a fixed 24 hour deadline for all messages, the solution can often introduce further delay to conserve energy, waiting for the advent of some future session before initiating transmission.
A Reduced Basis Approach to the Design of Low-Order Feedback Controllers for Nonlinear Continuous Systems

In this paper, the authors discuss a reduced basis approach to the development of low-order nonlinear feedback controllers for hybrid distributed parameter systems. This approach involves the use of distributed parameter control theory to design "optimal" infinite dimensional feedback control laws and approximation theory to design and compute low-order finite dimensional compensators. The resulting finite dimensional controller combines a nonlinear observer with a linear feedback law to produce a practical design. The authors concentrate on a weakly nonlinear distributed parameter system to illustrate the ideas.
Field mortality of the horn fly on unimproved central Texas pasture

Differential screening techniques and pitfall trap monitoring of dung fauna were used to evaluate some biotic mortality factors of the immature stages of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.), in cattle dung pats on an unimproved east-central Texas pasture. Exposure to dung fauna caused an average of 87.9% mortality to immature horn flies in naturally infested dung pats in tests conducted weekly from April to mid-September. Horn fly mortality in artificially infested dung pats during the same period averaged 93.1%. Indirect correlations were shown between numbers of scarabs and predaceous insects collected in pitfall traps and horn fly mortality in exposed dung pats. Direct correlations were found between pitfall trap collections of predaceous insects and horn fly mortality in dung pats covered with scarab excluder cages. Predation and scarab activity were about equally important as mortality factors of the horn fly at this location. Predation accounted for most of the horn fly mortality from April until mid-June, and scarab activity was the most important mortality factor from July until the tests were discontinued in mid-September.
O(m2) ALGORITHMS FOR THE TWO AND THREE SUBLOT LOT STREAMING PROBLEM

Lot streaming is the process of splitting a job or lot into sublots to reduce its makespan on a sequence of machines. The goal in the lot streaming problem is to find the optimal size of each sublot that will minimize the makespan. The makespan is defined as the time the last sublot completes its processing on the last machine. If the sizes of these sublots are restricted to remain the same on all machines, the solution is called a consistent sublot solution. However, if the sizes of the sublots are allowed to vary, the solution is referred to as a nonconsistent or variable sublot solution. Also, if the machines must be in operation continuously from the first to the last sublot, the solution is a no idling solution. When setups are explicitly considered in the problem, there will be two cases. If setups on each machine require some portion of the first sublot be present by the machine, the problem is referred to as the attached setup time problem. If setups can be performed ahead of time before the first sublot reaches the particular machine, the corresponding problem is referred to as the detached setup problem. Finally, if the machines are allowed to be idle between the processing of sublots, the resultant solution is an intermittent idling solution. In this paper, the consistent sublot lot streaming problem with intermittent idling and no setups is discussed. The models developed also assume that the number of sublots are fixed and known. The m machine two sublot lot streaming problem is reviewed. An algorithm for the three sublot, m machine problem is derived using a network representation of the problem. The complexity of the algorithm is O (m2). Finally, using the insights from three sublot problem, a heuristic algorithm is provided for the m machine, n sublot problems. The results on the proposed heuristic are very encouraging; average percent deviation from optimal makespan is approximately at 0.76% on 155 randomly generated problems with different m and n values.
Comparing two sample means t tests

The t test is used to test for differences in means or to test a criterion measure between two groups of scores. Whether an investigator designs a study where the subjects' scores from one group are independent of the scores in the other group (independent t test), the basic assumptions of the test are identical. Hence, the subjects' scores from each group are assumed to be normally distributed and the variance of the two groups of scores are assumed to be homogeneous. The basic differences between the independent t test and the correlated t test are in calculating the t statistic and the df and in the method in which subjects are assigned to each group. If an investigator uses the same subjects in each group, then the correlated t test must be used. If subjects are matched or paired by some related variable, such as age, height, or weight, then the correlated t test should be used. In all other cases, the independent t test would be appropriate.
Thickness dependence of flow stress of Cu thin films in confined shear plastic flow

Compression loading on CrN/Cu/Si(100) micropillars containing 45°-inclined interfaces yielded unequivocal evidence of shear plastic flow within Cu thin films confined between non-deforming Si and CrN. Confined shear plastic flow occurred over Cu thicknesses between ~100 and 1200 nm, with a monotonically increasing flow stress as the thickness decreases. The demonstration of a significant dependence of the shear flow stress on the confined Cu film thickness offers a new example of scale-dependent plasticity, and a new experimental test case for non-local plasticity theories.
Differential physiological and morphological responses of two hybrid Populus clones to water stress.

Summary Hardwood cuttings of Populus clones Tristis #l and Eugenei were grown in pots in a controlled environment chamber to observe early patterns of growth and water relations in response to changing conditions of water stress. Height and dry weight growth, dry matter partitioning, leaf area production, stomatal conductance and leaf water potential were measured periodically during the 73-day experiment. The two clones reacted in a similar way to an initial period of stress, showing reduced growth, stomata1 conductance and leaf water potential. However, when stress was interrupted by ample watering and then reimposed, substantial differences between the clones were evident. Growth of Eugenei fully recovered after stress was relieved, especially leaf growth, but when water deficiency was reimposed the plants wilted and some leaves died. Tristis #l, in contrast, showed a greater adaptation to changing stress conditions; it grew less than Eugenei after drought was interrupted, but showed little adverse effect of renewed water deficits. These responses were partially explained by the higher root/leaf weight ratios of Tristis #l which enabled it to maintain a more favorable plant water status than Eugenei.
Body mass index at early adulthood, subsequent weight change and cancer incidence and mortality

Obesity later in adulthood is associated with increased risks of many cancers. However, the effect of body fatness in early adulthood, and change in weight from early to later adulthood on cancer risk later in life is less clear. We used data from 13,901 people aged 45-64 in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort who at baseline (1987-1989) self-reported their weight at the age of 25 and had weight and height measured. Incident cancers were identified through 2006 and cancer deaths were ascertained through 2009. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to relate body mass index (BMI) at age 25 and percent weight change from age 25 to baseline to cancer incidence and mortality. After adjusting for weight change from age 25 until baseline, a 5 kg/m(2) increment in BMI at age 25 was associated with a greater risk of incidence of all cancers in women [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.10 (1.02-1.20)], but not in men. Associations with incident endometrial cancer were strong [1.83 (1.47-2.26)]. After adjusting for BMI at age 25, a 5% increment in weight from age 25 to baseline was associated with a greater risk of incident postmenopausal breast cancer [1.05 (1.02-1.07)] and endometrial cancer [1.09 (1.04-1.14)] in women and incident colorectal cancer [1.05 (1.00-1.10)] in men. Excess weight during young adulthood and weight gain from young to older adulthood may be independently associated with subsequent cancer risk. Excess weight and weight gain in early adulthood should be avoided.