cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lefamulin: Review of a Promising Novel Pleuromutilin Antibiotic.

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance have led to a global public health emergency requiring development of new antimicrobial classes. Lefamulin (formally BC-3781) is a novel pleuromutilin antibiotic currently undergoing Food and Drug Administration review for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) as intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) formulations. Although pleuromutilin antibiotics were first developed in the 1950s, lefamulin is the first to be used for systemic treatment of bacterial infections in humans. Lefamulin exhibits a unique mechanism of action through inhibition of protein synthesis by binding to the peptidyl transferase center of the 50S bacterial ribosome, thus preventing the binding of transfer RNA for peptide transfer. Lefamulin displays activity against gram-positive and atypical organisms associated with CABP (i.e., Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae), with an expanded gram-positive spectrum including Staphylococcus aureus (i.e., methicillin-resistant, vancomycin-intermediate, and heterogeneous strains) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. Lefamulin was also shown to retain activity against multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium. Lefamulin exhibits time-dependent killing, and the pharmacodynamic target best associated with antibacterial activity is ƒAUC0-24 /MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]). Preclinical and phase II trials indicate that lefamulin concentrates in lung tissue are well tolerated at an IV dose of 150 mg twice/day over 1 hour or a PO dose of 600 mg twice/day, and preliminary phase III data suggest similar efficacy when compared with moxifloxacin with or without linezolid in CABP. Documented resistance and cross-resistance with other gram-positive antibacterials remains low. Additional published in vitro, in vivo, and preclinical trial data suggest further exploration of lefamulin in various infectious disease states (e.g., acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, and sexually transmitted infections). This review discusses the pertinent bacterial spectrum of activity, preclinical and ongoing clinical data, and potential roles in therapy for lefamulin.
Renal artery embolism successfully managed by ultrasound enhanced catheter directed thrombolysis.

Isolated renal artery thrombosis is a rare disease that usually results from systemic embolization and seldom secondary to in-situ thrombosis.1 Management is driven by the clinical presentation, timing and location of the occlusion. Various management options include anticoagulation, systemic thrombolysis, catheter directed thrombolysis or surgery. Recently, ultrasound-enhanced catheter directed thrombolysis has been approved for the management of pulmonary embolism. In our case we have successfully managed isolated renal artery thrombus via ultrasound-enhanced catheter directed thrombolysis.
Flu DRiPs in MHC Class I Immunosurveillance

Since the publication of the DRiP (defective ribosomal product) hypothesis in 1996, numerous studies have addressed the contribution of DRiPs to generating viral antigenic peptides for CD8+ T cell immunosurveillance. Here, we review studies characterizing the generation of antigenic peptides from influenza A virus encoded DRiPs, discuss the many remaining mysteries regarding the nature of their co-translational generation, and speculate on where the future might lead.
YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN: PLINY THE YOUNGER WRITES TO COMUM

Despite his absence from his home town, Pliny's ongoing relationship with Comum and its residents is readily apparent in his letters. Careful examination of his donations to his patria and his correspondence with friends and family residing there makes it clear that Pliny's home town does not just serve as an autobiographical vehicle in the letters but is also one of his most important audiences. He presents Comum as a locus amoenus, an ideal place for him to enjoy the kind of refined retirement he so often praises in his letters.
Correction added in proof

We extend Sanov's theorem on i.i.d. large deviations to independent but not identically distributed random variables, and study the generalization of relative entropy that appears as the rate function.
A Case-Cohort Study to Investigate the Excess of Liver Cancer Observed in Workers in Poultry Slaughtering & Processing Plants

This is a case-cohort study to examine whether the excess of liver cancer deaths observed in workers in poultry plants could be explained by oncogenic viruses and chemical carcinogenic exposures within the plants. A detailed telephone questionnaire was administered, and responses were analyzed by logistic regression. Odds ratios for several indicators of high exposure to oncogenic viruses or chemical carcinogens in poultry plants and related industries were elevated, but not statistically significant, except the odds ratio for direct contact with the blood of meat in kitchens, eating places, etc. Established risk factors were replicated, and new ones identified. The study was unable to unequivocally assess risks due to oncogenic viruses or chemical carcinogenic exposures in poultry plants, mainly because observed elevated risks did not achieve statistical significance. The same also applies to some non-occupational factors. Noteworthy risk factors identified include the increased risks for eating cabbage, mussels, blood sausage, meringue, playing football, and decreased risks for history of frequent intake of soft drinks, gelatin-based meals, vitamins, frequent use of microwave oven to cook, and history of childhood diseases, and nonspecific symptoms. The significance of these findings is unknown, and they will need to be replicated in studies with adequate statistical power.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome following an Episode of Herpes Zoster: A Case Report.

Introduction Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by searing pain, hyperalgesia, edema, allodynia, and skin changes. CRPS may be difficult to diagnose and to treat given poorly understood mechanisms as well as its presentation of symptoms that may mimic common conditions such as joint stiffness in this condition as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Case report A 71-year-old female presented to our clinic post shingles of the right upper extremity. We diagnosed her with CRPS based on the Budapest diagnostic criteria and the clinical findings of pain and decreased the range of motion along with edema, hypersensitivity, discoloration and allodynia of the right thumb and index finger. She was treated with vitamin C as well as gabapentin and physical therapy. The patient was unable to go consistently to physical therapy due to insurance limitations, and we found no clinical benefit of vitamin C in reducing her symptoms. She was lost to follow-up during her treatment but re-emerged at 21 months. At that time she reported, she was largely unchanged in regards to her right-hand symptoms but did believe the gabapentin was helpful and still continued to take 300 mg daily. Conclusion This case report highlights the usefulness of the Budapest diagnostic criteria to make the diagnosis of CRPS when associated with shingles, which can cause long-term pain and mimic some findings. Prompt diagnosis is important, as recovery typically extends beyond 6 months; our patient still reported continued symptoms at 21 months post initial presentation. Our primary treatment plan was physical therapy, which she discontinued due to insurance limitations. We recommend that patients, physicians, and third-party payers work together to extend access to physical therapy. More investigation is warranted regarding symptomatic treatment, as we found limited clinical benefit of gabapentin and vitamin C.
Comments, Future Prospects and Collection of Ideas

This chapter summarizes complementary remarks and collects several ideas for a possible improvement of the single-shot 3D movie camera. Section 10.1 is an addendum to the discussion of the state of the art in Chap. 3. It deals with sensor principles using an approach related to the approach developed in this thesis. Section 10.2 deals with a current problem of the 3D movie camera and introduces options for a solution. Currently, these options are only first ideas.
Dramatic response to modified docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil chemotherapy after immunotherapy in a patient with refractory metastatic anal cancer

Doublet chemotherapies are the mainstay in the management of metastatic anal cancer. Immunotherapy has been incorporated into guidelines in a refractory setting. Treatment options remain limited with tumor progression beyond immunotherapy. Modified docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (mDCF) chemotherapy, after progression postimmunotherapy, has shown a near-complete response in our patient with metastatic anal cancer. This likely is secondary to the sequence of immunotherapy followed by chemotherapy that is yielding greater than historical responses.
Overlapping prescriptions of opioids, benzodiazepines, and carisoprodol: “Holy Trinity” prescribing in the state of Florida

Abstract Background High-risk combinations of controlled medications, such as those involving opioid analgesics, are under increased scrutiny because of their contribution to the opioid epidemic in the United States. Responsible prescribing guidelines indicate that the triple drug combination--opioids, benzodiazepines and skeletal muscle relaxants, especially carisoprodol--should not be concurrently prescribed. Methods This pharmacoepidemiologic study was designed to primarily examine the characteristics of patients receiving this triple combination compared to the group receiving only opioids and benzodiazepines. Results Results show that, while the number of exposed patients has declined since 2012, approximately 17,000 Floridians were prescribed this combination in 2017 alone. Demographically, recipients of these prescriptions were younger, more likely to be female, and geographically-localized. Furthermore, these patients were more frequently associated with a prescriber in the top 1% of opioid and/or benzodiazepine prescribing, have more multiple provider episodes (“doctor shopping”), and receive higher mean daily opioid dosages. Conclusions These findings raise important questions as to how frequently prescribers are checking prescription drug monitoring programs, following US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opioid prescribing guidelines, and/or handling the clinical challenges associated with pharmaceutical management of patients with complex, painful health conditions.
Reduction in myocardial strain is evident in adolescents and young adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes

Aims/hypothesis Heart failure is a complication of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Echocardiography can identify subclinical systolic dysfunction in adults with T2DM. We hypothesized that reduced systolic strain was present in youth with T2DM. Methods Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was measured in 151 subjects with T2DM matched to lean (L = 146), and obese (O = 162) subjects (23.0 ± 4.0 years, 35% male, 63% African American). Anthropometrics, BP, HR, labs, and echocardiograms were obtained. ANOVA was performed to compare differences among groups, and ANCOVA to determine if T2DM remained an independent predictor after corrections. Results BP, lipid levels, and metabolic control worsened and GLS was reduced from L to O to T2DM. BMI was lower in L than O or T2DM. Global longitudinal strain rate (GLSR) was lower and LVM/ht2.7 was higher in O and T2DM as compared to L (all P ≤ .05). Presence of T2DM was an independent determinant of GLS and GLSR adjusted for most CV risk factors, but lost significance when BMI was added to the model. GLS = -21.6-age*0.088 - male*1.8 + 0.12*BMI + 0.045*DBP + 0.058*HR - 0.023*HDL (R2 = 0.38, P ≤ .0001); GLSR = -1.20-male*0.093 + WHR*0.48 + DBP*0.0029 (R2 = 0.23, P ≤ .0001). Conclusion Both adiposity and T2DM have a deleterious effect on systolic cardiac function. Treatment of obesity in youth is necessary for prevention of future heart failure.
Clove oil-in-water nanoemulsion: Mitigates growth of Fusarium graminearum and trichothecene mycotoxin production during the malting of Fusarium infected barley.

Fusarium mycotoxin contamination in malting barley is of great concerns in malting industry. Our recent study found that clove oil nanoemulsions can act as highly efficient antifungal agents in vitro. Therefore, we explored the efficacy of clove oil nanoemulsions on Fusarium growth and mycotoxin during malting process. The impact of emulsifier types (Tween 80, BSA and quillaja saponins) on the formation of clove oil nanoemulsion, the mitigation effects on mycotoxin levels and fungal biomass, and the clove oil flavor residues on malts were measured. We observed that 1.5 mg clove oil/g nanoemulsion showed a negligible influence on germinative energy of barley, while still efficiently eliminated the DON levels and toxicogenic fungal biomass as quantified by Tri5 DNA content. Tween 80-stablized clove oil nanoemulsion displayed higher mycotoxin inhibitory activity and less flavor impact on the final malt. The results indicated the potential application of essential oil nanoemulsion during the malting process.
Alternative Strategies for Dealing with Idle Capacity in Global Supply Chains

Abstract This paper considers a global supply chain strategy consisting of a host market strategy where three manufacturing plants are located in three regions and each plant covers demand in a region. The case considered is a global blood sugar manufacturing company. Manufacturing plants are designed considering layered cellular design approach under stochastic demand. This approach allows three cell types; a) dedicated cells where each dedicated cell can be used only by one family, b) shared cells where a cell can be shared by two product families, and c) remainder cells where a cell can be used by three or more families. Later, we focus on how to fill idle capacity in manufacturing facilities based on demand and future potential markets. Increasing utilization of resources is important as long as it improves profits. We consider two options; 1) lowering the selling price of the product to increase the overall demand, 2) looking into new potential markets for the product itself. Considering the GDP and other economic attributes of new regions, we want to investigate if introducing our product to the new market will be beneficial for the overall good of the company. The main focus of this paper is to compare these two strategies considering labor cost, machine investment, and transportation of the product using heuristics and the results are then translated into potential profits that the company could achieve under two supply chain strategies.
A Method for Examining Geographic Variation When Denominators Are Unknown, Populations Vary, and Time is of the Essence: Back Surgery as an Example.

A Method for Examining Geographic Variation When Denominators Are Unknown, Populations Vary, and Time is of the Essence | Back Surgery as an Example No abstract available.
Synthesis of magnetic GdC2 nanoparticles using cavitation plasma

Gadolinium dicarbide (GdC2) nanoparticles are synthesized by plasma in the cavitation field of toluene using a facile method. The presence of a single phase of GdC2 nanocrystals have been determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The GdC2 nanoparticles have tetragonal crystal structure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the nanoparticles have average size of 30 nm in diameter. Magnetization measurements performed using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer shows GdC2 nanoparticles are paramagnetic in nature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on magnetic properties of GdC2 nanoparticles in single phase form, allowing further characterization of physical properties.
Cloning and partial sequence of the rabbit androgen receptor : expression in fetal urogenital tissues

Genetic studies indicate that the actions of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are mediated by a single androgen receptor (AR). The basis for the differential effects of these hormones during development is not known. To address this problem, we have turned to the rabbit, a species in which the endocrine and metabolic events in male sexual differentiation have been studied in detail. As a first step, we have cloned a partial cDNA encoding the rabbit prostate AR and have analyzed the expression of the cDNA in tissues of rabbit embryos at the time during which male phenotypic differentiation takes place. The coding sequence of the rabbit AR cDNA reveals a high degree of conservation with the sequences of the human, mouse, and rat ARs. By Northern analysis the principal transcript expressed in the mesonephros and the anlage of the external genitalia on gestation day 18 appeared to be identical to the mRNA expressed in adult prostate and epididymis.
Let This Voice Be Heard: Anthony Benezet, Father of Atlantic Abolitionism (review)

Resurrecting the true impact that Anthony Benezet had on abolition both in Pennsylvania and throughout the Atlantic world, Maurice Jackson's biography of this important Quaker abolitionist focuses on an intellectual history of his subject's writings and influence. Jackson argues that not only did Benezet help nurture the American abolition movement but he also provides a "direct personal link between the great struggles in America, Britain, and France" (xiv). Jackson claims that Benezet's prolific writings circled the Atlantic and provided inspiration for European abolition leaders to attack both slavery and the slave trade.
A real-time tunable terahertz metamaterial based on broadside-coupled split ring resonators

This paper reports a real-time tunable metamaterial based on broadside-coupled split ring resonators (BC-SRRs). The device is composed of two layers of SRRs stacked together with an air gap spacer, forming the BC-SRR configuration. One of the layers is fixed, while the other can be driven by an electrostatic comb-drive actuator. The lateral displacement between the two layers of SRRs can be changed by the actuator, resulting in the tuning of the resonance frequencies of the BC-SRRs and the transmission spectrum of the device. The preliminary results show that the resonance frequency can be tuned up to 100GHz corresponding to an 18µm lateral displacement. Our tunable metamaterials have promising applications as THz modulators, filters and sensors.
Sediment and vegetation monitoring during a levee removal project on the Stillaguamish River Delta at Port Susan Bay, WA

Sea levels around the world are on the rise in due to the effects of climate change. Coastal wetlands and estuaries are at risk of being submerged as water levels continue to increase, unless they can move inland or gain surface elevation. These wetland systems provide vital ecosystem services that would be difficult or impossible to provide by other means. In the Puget Sound, Washington, 80% of the original estuarine and coastal wetland habitat has been replaced by human infrastructure, making the monitoring, preservation, and restoration of the remaining stock important both ecologically and economically. The objective of this project was to monitor the restoration of an estuarine system on the Stillaguamish River delta. The project involves the removal of levees and reintroduction of tidal flow into a subsided farmland that was formerly part of the estuary, and to determine the sustainability of the Stillaguamish River delta and similar Puget Sound estuaries with rising sea-levels. The scope of this monitoring project includes the installation and yearly sampling of surface elevation tables (SETs), vegetation surveys and quantification of the net primary productivity (NPP) within the leveed area, immediately outside the levees, in an adjacent area outside the farmland, and within an un-leveed reference site across the main river channel. SET sampling, before the levee removal, revealed a positive trend in elevation gain at 8 of the 11 SETs of over 1 cm/year, well above current rate of RSLR at 0.19cm/year. Sediment markers revealed that most of that gain can be attributed to sediment accretion, indicating adequate sources of sediment and therefore sustainability of the estuary under current rates of sea level rise. Primary productivity sampling in the late summer of 2012 yielded an average of 420 DW(g)/m2/year in the high marsh and 327
Performance Management Issues in Flexible Manufacturing Systems: An Analytic Perspective

Increased competition has led to pressures for the development of manufacturing systems that recognize the need for flexibility, efficiency and economies of scope and scale. In recent years managers have started to realize that investing money in new automated facilities does not by itself guarantee performance improvement. Managed poorly, these investments may even degrade the plant’s performance. This paper focuses on the major issues relevant to performance management of Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS). The paper highlights the distinctive nature of these modern manufacturing systems and describes their emerging role in support of the overall corporate strategy. This new role results in a more volatile workload and in an increased versatility of the required production mix. It also challenges production managers who need to quantify and monitor the effective productive capacity at their FMSs. Moreover, it is shown here why some operational decisions, which are relatively simple to model and to comprehend in a conventional manufacturing context, become more involved - and less intuitive - when carried out in the typical FMS context. All this leads to the development of a new performance management paradigm for FMSs. That new paradigm consists of the following modules: Physical FMS Attributes, Operating Policies, and Order Profiles. A critical research overview of several analytical decision models formulated recently is developed here. This overview examines the characteristic decisions within each one of the modules of the proposed performance management paradigm. The paper further evaluates the changing role of FMSs in the finished products’ life cycle and identifies major research opportunities.
Mode and Tempo of Tangential Cell Migration in the Cerebellar External Granular Layer

After their final mitosis, cerebellar granule cells remain in the external granular layer (EGL) for 20–48 hr before initiating their radial migration across the molecular layer (ML), but the significance of this latent period is not well understood. In the present study, we used a confocal microscope to examine morphogenetic changes and behavior of postmitotic granule cells restricted to the EGL in slice preparations of the postnatal mouse cerebellum. We found that, coincident with the extension of two uneven horizontal processes oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the folium, postmitotic granule cells start to migrate tangentially in the direction of the larger process. Interestingly, their morphology and the speed of cell movement change systematically with their position within the EGL. The rate of tangential cell movement is fastest (∼14.8 μm/hr) in the middle of the EGL, when cells have two short horizontal processes. As granule cells elongate their somata and extend longer horizontal processes at the bottom of the EGL, they move at a reduced rate (∼12.6 μm/hr). At the interface of the EGL and ML where cells migrate tangentially at the slowest rate (∼4.1 μm/hr), their somata round and then begin to extend couples of the descending processes into the ML. After the stationary period, granule cells abruptly extend a single vertical process and initiate the transition from tangential to radial migration, reshaping their rounded somata into a vertically elongated spindle. These observations suggest that tangential migration of granule cells within the EGL may provide the developmental mechanisms for their appropriate allocation across parasagittal compartments of the expanding cerebellar cortex.
Pitfalls in the cytologic diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the breast by fine‐needle aspiration: A case report

This paper describes a case of angiosarcoma of the breast in a 26-yr-old female. The tumor, originally thought to be granulation tissue on fine-needle aspiration biopsy, was correctly identified as a malignant neoplasm of probable mesenchymal origin on a repeat FNA biopsy 4 mo later. A diagnosis of angiosarcoma was made on a subsequent excisional biopsy. Review of the cytologic features revealed findings that should suggest angiosarcoma, especially when correlated with the clinical history. The authors describe the cytological features seen in this case, and discuss an important pitfall in the diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the breast on FNA. Diagn Cytopathol 1994; 11:297–300. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Material microstructure and ultrasonic nonlinearity

Ultrasonic nonlinearity measurements have been suggested as an effective tool for the early detection of fatigue damage in metallic structures. However, the correlation between ultrasonic nonlinearity and material damage induced by fatigue or plastic deformation has been observed to be non-monotonic by several researchers including by our group. To clarify the correlation between microstructure and ultrasonic nonlinearity, the nonlinear ultrasonic behavior of polycrystalline copper is observed at multiple stages of monotonic loading; while under tension, at the loaded peak, while unloading, and after loading. The microstructures corresponding to changes in nonlinearity are examined using hardness testing and transmission electron microscopy. In this system, ultrasonic nonlinearity does not monotonically increase with increased strain and dislocation density. Models that explain drops in nonlinearity are suggested, and destructive testing is used to support findings.
Analysis of pi d elastic scattering data to 500-MeV

An energy-dependent and a set of single-energy partial-wave analyses of \ensuremath{\pi}d elastic scattering data have been completed. Amplitudes are presented for pion laboratory kinetic energies up to 500 MeV. These results are compared with those found in other recent analyses. We comment on the present database and make suggestions for future work.
Effect of dissolved inorganic carbon concentration on the photosynthesis of the symbiotic sea anemone, Aiptasia pulchella Carlgren: role of carbonic anhydrase

Abstract Photosynthetic rate of the anemone Aiptasia pulchella Carlgren, containing symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae), was measured as a function of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration in seawater. Photosynthetic rate increased as [DIC] increased at concentrations below 2.2 mM (ambient) but saturated at higher concentrations, a pattern similar to Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics and carrier transport. Further, photosynthetic rate at 5 mM DIC was on average 26% higher than at ambient DIC, suggesting that DIC is limiting to photosynthesis in ambient seawater. Photosynthetic rate vs [DIC] was also measured in the presence of 10 −4 M acetazolamide a non-competetive inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1.), an enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of CO 2 and HCO − 3 . At all concentrations of DIC except 0.0 mM, the presence of the inhibitor reduced photosynthesis by over 50%. CA was localized in A. pulchella using fractionation by centrifugation and colloidal gold immunocytochemistry. In the fractionation studies, CA activity was detected in the soluble animal fraction, indicating that animal CA is not intrinsically bound to any animal membranes. However, CA, localized by immunocytochemistry, appeared in the animal endodermal cells, on or near the vacuolar membranes surrounding the zooxanthellae. No CA was detected in the ectoderm. With its function in carbon delivery and its location on the membranes surrounding the zooxanthellae, CA could be an example of a specialized cnidarian host adaptation with benefits to both partners of the mutualism.
Chain‐backbone motion in glassy polycarbonate studied by polarized infrared spectroscopy

Chain-backbone motion in glassy polycarbonate has been investigated both under isothermal stress, and also under zero stress during isothermal annealing of freely contracting film specimens. In both types of experiment, backbone motion was detected by measuring the change in infrared dichroism. The dichroism of absorption bands at 1364 and 2971 cm−1, which have transition moment vectors directly related to the chain-backbone orientation, was studied. Under tensile stress in the homogeneous region of deformation, changes of up to 2.2° in the mean chain-backbone orientation angle were measured at 23°C. With the onset of cold drawing a total orientation change of some 8° was observed. For the isothermal annealing experiments, a film specimen holder employing conductive heating with radiative losses was employed. It enables infrared measurements to be made while the temperature of the contracting specimen is maintained constant to ± 0.5°C. Oriented specimens were prepared by isothermal stretching of polycarbonate films to strains of the order of 100%. Changes in the mean chain-backbone orientation angle were observed during annealing of these oriented films at temperatures between 80°C and the glass transition (149°C). Chain motion proceeded during annealing, and chain segments were observed to move cooperatively. The temperature at which the polymer is prestretched has a pronounced effect on its subsequent relaxation during annealing: when the sample was stretched at 23°C. motions were detected during annealing at temperatures as low as 81°C, while, if it was stretched at 154°C, no motion was detected at annealing temperatures below 127°C. The data are discussed in comparison with theories of the glassy state that predict the absence of chain-backbone motion at temperatures significantly below the glass transition. A shift in frequency of the νa (CH3) absorption peak in stretched polycarbonate was measured by using polarized radiation. The effect was interpreted in terms of changes in the intermolecular bonding structure of the oriented polymer.
Stress cycle testing during creep of a particle-strengthened Nb-1Zr-0.1C alloy

Abstract Stress cycle testing was performed during high-temperature creep of a particle-strengthened alloy of niobium (Nb-1Zr-0.1C). Two methods were used to analyze the data from the stress cycles to determine the back stress arising from the dislocation substructure as a function of applied stress, temperature, and accumulated strain. Back stresses as high as 96% of the applied stress were measured. In general, the normalized effective stress, calculated from the dislocation back stress, was shown to be independent of the applied stress and temperature.
A REVISED CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE OF THE INCIDENCE OF FAS AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPACT

We have conducted a new analysis of the incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and its economic impact based on prospectively gathered data of consecutive pregnancies. This more conservative analysis reflects our concern over possible inclusion of "false positives" in our previous estimate and now puts the overall rate in the western world at 0.33 cases per 1000. The estimate among whites is 0.29 per 1000 compared with 0.48 per 1000 for blacks. We did not include estimates for native Americans owing to the absence of prospectively gathered data on FAS for this group. Retrospective studies suggest larger disparities. Both prospective and retrospective studies may be influenced by examiner bias especially for minorities since minorities are often evaluated against standards derived from whites. Based on our estimates and the number of black and white children born each year, we estimate that about 1200 children are born with FAS each year in the United States. This is a probable lower limit based on considerations of ascertainment and absence of relevant information for other minorities such as native Americans. In calculating economic costs, we have now adjusted our estimates to take into account costs that would be incurred whether cases were FAS or not, and also have now included estimated costs for anomalies in FAS cases not considered in previous estimates. Based on these considerations, we now estimate the incremented annual cost of treating this disorder at $74.6 million. About three-quarters of this economic burden is associated with care of FAS cases with mental retardation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Forecasting and management ability: rebuttal to Teach's response

The responses offered by Richard Teach to my article that empirically examined his theses regarding the use of predictive accuracy serve to defend his initial position without addressing the negative findings I originally presented. The historical background of my study, as well as an elaboration of its methodology and supportive literature, is presented for those who might wish to replicate or further examine the application of Teach's ideas to either top management or functionally related business games.
Negative Repetitive Thought and College Drinking: Angry Rumination, Depressive Rumination, Co-Rumination, and Worry

Alcohol abuse among college students continues to be a large societal problem in need of further study. This project investigated the influence of different types of negative repetitive thought (NRT) on alcohol use and binging behavior among undergraduates. Specifically, angry rumination, depressive rumination, co-rumination, and worry were examined. An initial exploratory factor analysis supported the distinctiveness of these four forms of NRT. With respect to quantity of weekly drinking, worry was significantly associated with less alcohol use among drinkers whereas angry rumination was associated with greater weekly usage. The effect of co-rumination was moderated by sex such that higher levels of co-rumination was associated with less weekly drinking in men but more weekly drinking in women. The tendency to co-ruminate was also significantly associated with of being a binge drinker, and demonstrated similar gender moderation. Higher levels of worry were associated with less binge drinking among women, but no association between worry and binging was present among men. The implications for these findings in the study of NRT and alcohol use are discussed.
EVALUATION OF SONOGRAPHIC RENAL PARENCHYMAL AREA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYDRONEPHROSIS

Purpose: We used quantitative parameters of renal sonography to differentiate children with significant obstruction requiring surgical intervention from those without significant obstruction who were followed conservatively.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of children who underwent evaluation for hydronephrosis. Those with a history of vesicoureteral reflux, anatomical abnormalities or neurogenic bladder were excluded from study. Patients were divided according to hydronephrosis grade into groups 1—grades III and IV followed conservatively, 2—grades III and IV requiring surgical intervention, 3—unilateral grade II and 4—bilateral. All images were scanned into a computer. Renal parenchymal and pelvic area was determined using National Institutes of Health image software. Parenchymal-to-pelvic area ratios were calculated from all images. We evaluated the ability of these measurements to determine the likelihood of surgical intervention.Results: The records of 81 children were a...
Reasons as explanations

Can a normative reason be understood as a kind of explanation? I here consider and argue against two important analyses of reasons as explanations. John Broome argues that we can analyze reasons in terms of the concepts of explanation and ought. On his view, reasons to ϕ are either facts that explain why one ought to ϕ (what he calls “perfect reasons”) or facts that play a for-ϕ role in weighing explanations (what he calls “pro tanto reasons”). I argue against Broome’s account of both perfect and pro tanto reasons. Other philosophers, including Joseph Raz, analyze reasons in terms of the concepts of explanation and good. On this view, some fact is a reason to ϕ if and only if that fact explains why ϕ-ing would be good in some respect, to some degree. This view avoids the objections to Broome’s view, but should be rejected since not all explanations of why ϕ-ing would be good constitute reasons to ϕ.
Progression of damage and fracture in composites under dynamic loading

A new computational simulation method is presented to evaluate the dynamic aspects of composite structural response and durability that have not been simulated previously. Composite structural behavior under any loading condition, geometry, composite system, laminate configuration, and boundary conditions can now be simulated. Structural degradation, delamination, fracture, and damage propagation are included in the simulation. An angle-plied composite plate structure under normal impact loading is used as an example to demonstrate the versatility of the simulation method.
An alternate test of Myers' pecking order theory of capital structure: the case of South Korean firms

Abstract We take a different approach to test Myers' pecking order theory of capital structure. It is based on the two requirements implicit in the theory: that the predictions of the theory apply only to firms facing asymmetric information and for making marginal financing choices. We obtain responses from a sample of large South Korean firms concerning the extent of their information problems, and their desired and marginal financing preferences. Analysis of the results, both on marginal and sensitivity analysis, fails to support the Myers' pecking theory. For the sample, borrowing intermediate or longer term from banks is still the preferred source for all groups. When debt is high, firms are willing to issue shares as the preferred source. Otherwise, we find that the South Korean firms in the sample are similar to firms elsewhere as predicted by other theories of capital structure. They are sensitive to default probability and taxes, and to a large extent, they are willing to take advantage of information asymmetry.
In vivo assessment of vascular dilatation during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Abstract Previous studies of the mechanism of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty used either postmortem specimens or animal models. To characterize the process of vascular dilatation in vivo, a system was devised for recording the instantaneous pressure-volume changes in the angioplasty balloon during inflation within the stenosed artery. The pressure-volume patterns obtained were compared with those observed in vitro with the balloon inflated in materials whose properties simulate stretching (Silastic tubing), compaction (styrofoam) and cracking (dry macaroni). Of 48 narrowings in 46 patients, a pressure-volume pattern of stretching was observed in 56%, compaction in 27% and cracking in only 17%. Of lesions manifesting a stretching pattern, 85% were longer than 5 mm or had visible calcium deposits, whereas those that compacted were shorter and lacked calcium deposits. Both of these pressure-volume patterns were associated with a successful clinical outcome. Of 8 lesions exhibiting a cracking pattern, 6 showed dissection angiographically; 3 of these resulted in vessel occlusion.
Schizosaccharomyces pombe grows exponentially during the division cycle with no rate change points

Length measurements during the division cycle of 86 individual Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells demonstrate that length grows exponentially with no change in the growth rate and no rate change point (RCP) observed for any cell. These results support the proposal that length extension, or cell growth, is exponential during the division cycle. The finding of exponential growth during the cell cycle is significant because these results challenge and contradict the current, consensus, widely believed, and widely accepted view that growth of S. pombe during the division cycle is complex with ranges of linear growth changing at proposed RCPs. Biochemical synthetic patterns support and explain the observed exponential cell growth. Exponential growth of S. pombe is consistent with, and supports, the central tenets of the continuum model.
Hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effect of Enicostemma littorale Blume

Objective To investigate the hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects of aqueous leaf extract of Enicostemma littorale (E. littorale) Blume (Ens) against ethanol induced hepatic injury in albino rats.
Polymerization of Miniemulsions Containing Predissolved Polystyrene and Using Hexadecane as Costabilizer

The effect on the polymerization kinetics of predissolving polystyrene polymers that have various molecular weights and end groups in styrene miniemulsions prepared using hexadecane as costabilizer was studied. It was noted that the rate of polymerization and number of droplets nucleated were affected by the molecular weight of the polymer that was predissolved. This dependence was attributed to a change in the number of droplets formed during homogenization as the molecular weight of the polymer was varied. However, the end group of the predissolved polymer did not have an affect on the kinetics. In all cases, predissolving polymer into a miniemulsion stabilized using hexadecane as costabilizer resulted in a much lower degree of enhancement in the kinetics compared to similar miniemulsion systems using cetyl alcohol as costabilizer. Since droplet sizes in miniemulsions containing hexadecane have been shown to be stable with time, unlike miniemulsions containing cetyl alcohol, these experiments were taken...
Effects of Oncotic Pressure and Hematocrit on Outcome After Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest

Abstract Background . A recent study found that a higher-perfusate hematocrit was associated with improved neurologic recovery after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The current study examined the relative contributions of oxygen delivery and colloid oncotic pressure to this result, as well as the efficacy of different colloidal agents and modified ultrafiltration. Methods . Twenty-six piglets were randomized into five groups (n = 5 or 6 animals per group): control group 1—blood and crystalloid prime, hematocrit of 20%; group 2—blood and hetastarch prime, hematocrit of 20%; group 3—blood and pentafraction prime, hematocrit of 20%; group 4—blood and crystalloid prime with 10 minutes of modified ultrafiltration; group 5—whole blood prime, hematocrit of 30%. All groups underwent 60 minutes of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest at 15°C. Results . Groups 2 and 3 showed less body weight gain (analysis of variance, p = 0.001; group 2 versus group 1, p = 0.0009; group 3 versus group 1, p = 0.0009) and body water content after cardiopulmonary bypass (analysis of variance, p = 0.001; group 2 versus group 1, p = 0.003; group 3 versus group 1, p = 0.013). Group 5 showed more rapid recovery of phosphocreatine and intracellular acidosis, as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, during rewarming than group 1 did (phosphocreatine, p = 0.0329; intracellular acidosis, p = 0.0462). Group 3 also showed accelerated recovery of intracellular acidosis ( p = 0.0411). Cytochrome a,a3 recovery, determined by near-infrared spectroscopy, was significantly better in group 5 than in group 1 and worse in group 2 than in group 1 after rewarming. The neurologic deficit score and overall performance category score were best in group 5 (neurologic deficit score, p = 0.012; overall performance category score, p = 0.046) on the first postoperative day. Group 3 also had a better overall performance category score than group 1 did ( p = 0.0068). Only group 1 and 2 animals showed histologic damage. Conclusions . Both higher hematocrit and higher colloid oncotic pressure with pentafraction improve cerebral recovery after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. The higher hematocrit improves cerebral oxygen delivery but does not reduce total body edema. Modified ultrafiltration after cardiopulmonary bypass is less effective than having a higher initial prime hematocrit or colloid oncotic pressure.
Preservation education in South African library and archive degree programmes

This paper investigates preservation education options for library and archive students at degree granting institutions in South Africa through examining the following questions: which institutions offer separate classes or modules dedicated preservation issues; what academic levels are the existing classes directed towards and how often are they offered; what preservation issues are covered in existing classes and modules; what is the preservation-related experience of the instructors, and; how do South Africa's offerings compare internationally? The paper also evaluates the appropriateness of the preservation content offered against established benchmarks.
SoC security architecture: current practices and emerging needs

At the era of everything is connected, security has become an essential key question when starting a new System-on-chip architecture. With the proliferation of secure systems, it is expected that many design teams will lack the essential knowledge and time to look at the abundant literature. In this paper, we intend to provide a reasonable approach to tackle this problem and try to convey the essential design rules, design elements and threats to any reader. We cover a possible methodology to collect requirements based on a systematic identification of the assets needing protection and threats against these assets: and make sure the design is appropriately sized and adequately secure. Once the requirements have been collected, the architecture can be laid out and we discuss the main elements that can compose it: trusted execution environment, secure boot, secure software update, secure design-for-test (DFT) components, Random Number Generation (RNG).
Measurement and Interpretation of stress in aluminum-based metallization as a function of thermal history

Mechanical stress in interconnections is a problem of growing importance in VLSI devices. The origins of this stress are discussed, and a measurement technique based on the determination of wafer curvature with a laser scanning device is described. The changes in stress observed during thermal cycles are interpreted quantitatively in terms of a simple model of elastic and plastic strain in the metal. The effects of changes in deposition conditions, film composition, and film structure are discussed.
Lower Extremity Function following Partial Calcanectomy in High-Risk Limb Salvage Patients

Partial calcanectomy (PC) is an established limb salvage procedure for treatment of deep heel ulceration with concomitant calcaneal osteomyelitis. The purpose of this study is to determine if a relationship exists between the amount of calcaneus removed during PC and the resulting lower extremity function and limb salvage outcomes. Consecutive PC patients were retrospectively divided into two cohorts defined by the amount of calcaneus resected before wound closure: patients in cohort 1 retained = 50% of calcaneus, while patients in cohort 2 underwent resection of >50% of the calcaneus. The Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS) was used to assess postoperative lower extremity function. The average amount of calcaneus resected was 13% ± 9.2 (1-39%) and 74% ± 19.5 (51-100) in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.0001). Below knee amputation was performed in 7 (28%) and 5 (29%) of subjects in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively (P = 1.0). The average LEFS score was 33.9 ± 15.0 for subjects in cohort 1 and 36.2 ± 19.9 for the subjects cohort 2 (P = 0.8257) which correlates to "moderate to quite a bit of difficulty." Our study suggests that regardless of the amount of calcaneus resected, PC provides a viable treatment option for high-risk patients with calcaneal osteomyelitis.