cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The future of research in free/open source software development

Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) development is not the same an Software Engineering (SE). Why this is so is unclear and open to various interpretations. Both address the challenges of developing large software systems, but the development processes, work practices, and project forms differ significantly and in intersting ways according to recent empirical studies. This paper reports on highlights from a workshop held in early 2010 on the future of research in FOSS, and how such research relates to or informs our understanding of FOSS and SE, collaborative software development work, software evolution, and new software ecosystems. FOSS and SE are complementary in many ways, yet different in others, so understanding these complements and differences can help advance the future of research in both FOSS and SE. Some of these complements and differences are identified in this paper.
Routine surveillance after carotid endarterectomy: Does it affect clinical management?

Abstract Purpose: Although routine noninvasive surveillance is recommended after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), there are little data to show that identification and eradication of recurrent carotid artery stenosis are necessary to avoid the risk of subsequent neurologic complications. Methods: We reviewed our experience over a 16-year period in 380 consecutive patients undergoing 409 CEAs who underwent serial postoperative ultrasonic scanning at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after CEA and then yearly thereafter. Results: Recurrent stenoses (≥50% diameter reduction) were detected in 44 arteries (10.8%) during follow-up from 1 to 177 months (mean 42.0 months). Most (70.5%) occurred within 2 years of CEA. Cumulative recurrence rates were 5.8%, 9.9%, 13.9%, and 23.4% at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Recurrent stenoses were more frequent in female ( p = 0.02) and younger patients ( p = 0.01) and less frequent in those having a vein patch repair ( p = 0.02). Most recurrences (84%) were in the 50% to 79% stenosis range. In four patients 80% to 99% stenoses developed and in three patients total occlusions developed, for a severe recurrence rate of 2.1%. Only 10 (22.7%) of the recurrent stenoses were initially symptomatic, and only one (2.9%) of the asymptomatic restenoses later became symptomatic. One patient with recurrent stenosis suffered a stroke (0.3%). Cumulative 5-year ipsilateral stroke-free rates in patients with recurrent stenosis (94.4%) were practically identical ( p = 0.76) to those in patients without recurrent stenosis (94.2%). Life-table ipsilateral stroke-free survival rates at 5 years were 94.2% in patients with recurrent stenosis and 78.4% in patients without recurrent stenosis ( p = 0.16). Four (9%) recurrent stenoses and 12 lesions (27%) in the contralateral artery progressed. Only seven patients (1.7%) underwent repeat operation for ipsilateral disease, four for symptoms and three for recurrent stenosis. Conclusions: Recurrent carotid artery stenosis occurs early after CEA, is typically benign, and remains stable over a prolonged follow-up period. Our results question the importance of routine noninvasive surveillance after CEA and suggest that a more conservative approach would be equally beneficial in terms of clinical relevance and cost-effectiveness. (J VASC SURG 1993;17:819-31.)
The ATP Synthase ofTrypanosoma bruceiIs Developmentally Regulated by an Inhibitor Peptide

Abstract The Trypanosoma brucei ATP synthase, like those of other organisms, is composed of two moieties, the membrane bound F 0 and the catalytic F 1 with each of these parts comprised of multiple subunits. In addition, an endogenous inhibitor peptide of the ATP synthase has been identified from a variety of sources. Previous reports have suggested that the Trypanosoma brucei ATPase may not possess such an inhibitor. Recently, we have isolated an inhibitor peptide fraction from the procyclic form of Trypanosoma brucei by modification of a previously published procedure. This fraction is composed of two dominant polypeptides with estimated molecular weights of 14,000 and 12,000 and an additional polypeptide of 15,000 that may or may not be functionally required. Antibodies raised to the smallest polypeptide showed strong cross reactivity with the other two polypeptides, suggesting that they are related. Antibodies to rat liver inhibitor peptide show cross reactivity with the same polypeptides in crude fractions. The inhibitor peptide fraction strongly suppresses the ATPase activity of membrane bound ATPase in a Mg 2+ -dependent manner and is cold and heat stable. Using antibodies to the smallest polypeptide and rat liver inhibitor peptide we have shown in crude extracts from the three experimental life cycle stages of T. brucei that the inhibitor peptide(s) is developmentally regulated to a modest extent. The pattern of regulation is opposite of the pattern seen for the ATP synthase complex. This suggests that the ATP synthase is stringently controlled in T. brucei in a unique way.
Transient increase in resistance of mice to experimental infection following a small dose of x-radiation.

CF-l female mice, 9-10 weeks old, were exposed to a small dose of whole- body x radiation 150, 75, or 100 r) and, together with unirradiated controls, were challenged at various intervals by intraperitoneal injection of graded inocula of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Comparison of the LD50's (30 days) of irradiated and control mice in each challenge showed a small but significant increase in resistance to the experimental infection during the 4th week following irradiation with 75 or 100 r. Exposure to 75 r was more effective than 100 r. The results suggest a possible explanation of acquired radio resistance.
Dissemination, adoption, and implementation of acamprosate for treating alcohol use disorders.

Objective:Acamprosate has been available in the United States for treating alcohol use disorders (AUDs) for nearly a decade, yet few studies have examined its use within AUD treatment organizations. In addition to describing dissemination and adoption of acamprosate, this study provides novel data regarding organizational processes that underlie its implementation within adopting programs.Method:Data were drawn from interviews with leaders of a nationally representative sample of 307 organizations delivering AUD treatment. Quantitative indicators of organizational characteristics, dissemination, adoption, and implementation of acamprosate, as well as qualitative measures of implementation processes, were measured during face-to-face interviews.Results:Only 18.0% (n = 55) of sampled organizations had adopted acamprosate for treating AUDs, and adoption was positively associated with accreditation, having a physician on staff, receiving information about acamprosate via pharmaceutical representatives, and le...
Embedding channel coding in arithmetic coding

An arithmetic coding algorithm that incorporates channel coding is presented. For a source alphabet with m symbols, the selected m code points over the [0-1) interval have a desired minimum Hamming distance d/sub min/ between them. The decoder utilises this d/sub min/ in conjunction with the self-synchronisation property of arithmetic coding and knowledge of the source statistics to recover the original sequence of symbols, in the presence of channel errors, without the use of known channel coding techniques. The selected d/sub min/ provides a desired error protection level. The introduced scheme is suitable for bandwidth-limited binary symmetric channels (BSCs) with moderate to high error rates.
The Cramér-Rao bound for data-aided synchronization of SOQPSK

In this paper, we derive the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) for shaped offset quadrature phase keying (SOQPSK) signals. We consider a situation where the carrier phase, frequency offset and symbol timing have to be estimated based on a known training sequence. The goal is to find the optimum training sequence for which the joint CRBs are minimized. It is shown that the proposed training sequence minimizes the CRBs for all three estimation parameters simultaneously. The presented results can be used in designing preambles for burst-mode SOQPSK transmissions.
Inference procedures for bivariate exponential model of Gumbel

Abstract In this article, statistical properties of an absolutely continuous bivariate exponential model due to Gumbel (1960) are examined and the Fisher information matrix is derived. Simple estimators are motivated from a structural representation of the model and are compared both in terms of asymptotic efficiency and finite sample simulation. Besides their good performance, some of the simple estimators lead to exact or nearly exact confidence interval and hypotheses test procedures. The proposed methods are illustrated by reanalyzing a data set to which asymptotic methods were employed by Gross and Lam (1981) under a different bivariate exponential model.
Library Consortia: Do the Models Always Work?.

Successful models of statewide library consortia are evident in many locations. Academic libraries in independent institutions of higher education in Mississippi must seek alternate affiliations since they do not participate in the MAGNOLIA (Mississippi Alliance for Gaining New Opportunities through Library Information Access) consortium for public institutions. What does the future hold, especially for database licensing for libraries that are not able to participate in a statewide project? Profiles of some existing and emerging consortia in other states are provided as potential models for the state of Mississippi.
Municipal E-Government Security: Insights from a Study of Orange County, California

An ample amount of evidence is available discussing the barriers to e-government adoption and initiatives. Of the many barriers or challenges mentioned, security concerns are a recurring theme. However, the majority of exiting e-government research does not focus or discuss security considerations for e-government systems. This is even more notorious when looking specifically at literature focused on municipal or local e-government. This paper focuses on bringing additional attention to e-government security in municipal government agencies. To accomplish this, the paper presents the findings from a survey conducted of the 34 incorporated cities within the county of Orange, California. The results show an increased need for e-government security at the municipal government level when benchmarked against federal e-government security requirements.
Choline/Methionine Nutrition of Starting Broiler Chicks. Three Models for Estimating the Choline Requirement with Economic Considerations

Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that metabolically labile methyl groups and not methionine per se are limiting the growth of starting broiler chicks fed corn-soy-grease diets formulated to meet NRC (1977) recommendations (except for methionine). The basal diet contained approximately 23% protein, 3200 kcal ME/kg. 32% methionine, .42% cystine, and 1300 ppm choline. In the first two experiments the diets were fed to quadruplicate lots of 10 chicks in battery brooders. Average weight gain (g) and feed per unit gain for supplements of methyl group sources were: 1) methionine: 424, 1.48; 2) choline Cl: 406, 1.49; and 3) betaine HCl: 416, 1.48. These values were not significantly different from one another (P greater than .05) but were significantly different (P less than .05) from the values for the basal (362, 1.57) and from the DL-homocystine supplemented groups (376, 1.56). This indicated that methyl group utilization was not impaired by a lack of the carbon skeleton of methionine. Five 3-week assays with five groups of 10 chicks per treatment (1050 chicks) were conducted to determine the choline requirement using the basal diet without supplemental methionine. Results from the five assays were pooled in computing regressions. Significant regressions (P less than .05) were found for broken-line linear (R2 = .630), quadratic (R2 = .556), and saturation kinetic (R2 = .642) models. The requirement was determined to approximately 2130 ppm by the broken-line linear model. The most economic feeding levels were estimated to be 4100 and 1910 ppm by the quadratic and saturation kinetic models, respectively. The economic implications of the three models are discussed.
Effects of perioperative blood transfusion on prognosis in early-stage cervical cancer.

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the prognostic effects of transfusion on patients undergoing radical hysterectomy for early cervical cancer. Methods: This retrospective chart review analyzed 412 patients with stage IA-IIA disease, of whom 374 were evaluable. Results: Three hundred (80%) patients received transfusions and 74 (20%) did not. The clinical characteristics of the two groups were similar, with the exception that the transfused group was older. Pathologic comparisons found that microscopic parametrial disease and larger cervical lesions were more common in the transfused group. Follow-up analysis revealed no difference between the two groups in recurrence or survival. Multivariate analysis found only grade, depth of invasion, and nodal status as independent predictors of recurrence and survival. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed no difference in overall survival or disease-free interval between the transfused and non-transfused groups. Conclusions: After correction for other prognostic factors, blood transfusion had no prognostic significance in patients with early cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy.
A new synthetic route to 2-(p-nitrobenzyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane

Abstract A new, general synthetic method for the title compound has been developed, based on the nitration of 2-benzyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (64 % yield), which provides higher yields and easier purification for scale-up than previously reported methods.
The same γ-glutamyl transpeptidase RNA species is expressed in fetal liver, hepatic carcinomas, and rasT24-transformed rat liver epithelial cells

In rats, -γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT) exists as a single-copy gene, and three distinct species of RNA (types I, II, and III) that differ in their 5′ untranslated regions have been identified. To compare steady-state levels of these -γGT RNAs in rat tissues, hepatic carcinomas, and cultured cells, we used RNA dot-blot hybridization and a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique with oligonucleotides specifically designed for each type of RNA. Fetal liver, hepatic carcinomas, rasT24-transformed rat liver epithelial (RLE) cells and pancreas make only type III RNA. Liver and untransformed RLE cells do not make detectable levels of γGT RNA. We found that both fetal and adult kidneys synthesize all three types of RNA, indicating that increases in γGT RNA known to occur after birth do not result from recruitment of additional RNA species. When we increased the sensitivity of the assay approximately 1000 fold by sequencing the RT-PCR product directly after an additional round of amplification, we found that very low levels of types I and II RNA were present in fetal liver, rasT24-transformed RLE cells, and pancreas, and that adult liver and untransformed RLE cells synthesized very low levels of all three RNA species. Rat-1 fibroblasts did not make levels of γGT RNA detectable by this method. These results demonstrate that different γGT RNA species are regulated differently during development and neoplastic transformation and that there is a commitment in some cell types to very-low-level expression of γGT RNAs.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Chemistry of Dimethyl Sulfide Derivatives of closo-B10H102-

The reaction of Cs 2 [B 1 0 H 1 0 ] with DMSO in acid produces the disubstituted 1,10-, 1,6-, and 2,7(8)-isomers of (Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 as well as the monosubstituted [(Me 2 S)B 1 0 H 9 ] - anion. Through a modified procedure, the trisubstituted compound 1,10-(Me 2 S) 2 -2-(MeS)B 1 0 H 7 was prepared and characterized. The 1,10-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 isomer was converted to the enantiomers 2,7-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 and 2,8-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 which were separated on a chiral column. The 1,6-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 isomer was converted to a mixture of 1,10-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 and 2,3-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 . These polyhedral rearrangements are believed to occur through the diamond-square-diamond mechanism. The 1,6- and 1,10-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 isomers were reduced with alkali metal in liquid ammonia to produce the dianions [1,6-(MeS) 2 B 1 0 H 8 ] 2 - and [1,10-(MeS) 2 B 1 0 H 8 ] 2 - , respectively. Sodium ethanethiolate was used for the reduction of [1-(Me 2 S)B 1 0 H 9 ] - and 1,10-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 to form [1-(MeS)B 1 0 H 9 ] 2 - and [1-(MeS)-10-(Me 2 S)B 1 0 H 8 ] - , respectively. The structures of 1,10-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 , 1,6-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 , 2,8-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 , 2,3-(Me 2 S) 2 B 1 0 H 8 , 1,10-(Me 2 S) 2 -2-(MeS)B 1 0 H 7 , [1-(MeS)-10-(Me 2 S)B 1 0 H 8 ] - , and [1,6-(MeS) 2 B 1 0 H 8 ] 2 - were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.
Classification of vertex-transitive graphs of order a prime cubed — I

Abstract Marusic has shown that every vertex-transitive graph of order p 3 is isomorphic to a Cayley graph. Hence to classify vertex-transitive graphs of order p 3 , it suffices to determine necessary and sufficient conditions for two Cayley graphs of a group G of order p 3 to be isomorphic (the isomorphism problem). In this paper, we determine necessary and sufficient conditions for two Cayley graphs of Z p × Z p 2 to be isomorphic. In subsequent papers, we will consider the remaining groups of order p 3 for which the isomorphism problem has not been solved.
Measurement of delay discounting using trial-by-trial consequences

Delay discounting in humans was investigated using three different procedures: a frequently used discounting procedure with hypothetical rewards and delays; a procedure with hypothetical rewards and delays compressed down to much smaller values; and a contingent procedure in which each choice had a direct consequence. In the contingent procedure, on every trial, participants actually experienced the delay and obtained the reward amount associated with their choice. Each participant was exposed to all three procedures. Orderly temporal discounting patterns were obtained in all three procedures and described well by a hyperbolic model. Comparisons of the data revealed patterns unique to each procedure. The distributions of the discounting measures differed across the three procedures. In the contingent procedure, several subjects showed no discounting, e.g. complete self-control. Procedural factors in studies of impulsivity are discussed, and suggestions are offered for experiments in which the contingent-discounting procedure may prove useful.
Pediatric cytomegalovirus infections

Abstract Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a frequent infection, which is usually asymptomatic however, infection of the fetus in utero, can cause severe disease and death. Premature and young infants, immunosuppressed children who receive transplants and children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are also at risk for significant disease due to CMV. The diagnosis of infection in pregnant women and children requires the use of serology and/or detection of the virus. Serological tests are available for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody however, these tests have important limitations. The virus can be detected by tissue culture using the shell vial and centrifugation method or by identification of CMV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). These tests also have some limitations. Additional laboratory tests have been reported to improve the accuracy of diagnosis but require further evaluation. Treatment with ganciclovir or foscarnet may be beneficial. Approaches to prevention of infections associated with transfusions include the use of CMV-IgG antibody negative blood or leukoreduction. Recipients of stem cell transplants can also be given high titered antibody to CMV. Children with HIV and severe immunosuppression can now receive highly active retroviral therapy, which may reduce the immunosuppression and the risk for CMV disease.
Do stress-whitening and optical clearing of collagenous tissue occur by the same mechanism?

Abstract Bone is biphasic with an organic matrix and an inorganic mineral component. As we age bone's susceptibility to fracture increases. It has been shown that there is no change in mean mineralization with aging, but bone nevertheless becomes less tough. This aging effect is therefore likely related to the organic phase. Under mechanical loading, immediately prior to failure, bone has been observed to visually become more opaque and has been termed stress-whitening. Stress-whitening is known to make materials tougher. The goal of this investigation was to investigate stress-whitening in the collagenous matrix of bone. Hydrogen bonds play a key role in collagen stability and we hypothesize that changes in hydrogen bonding will significantly affect matrix stiffness, toughness and stress whitening. Demineralized bone specimens were loaded in tension and stress-whitening was monitored. The effect of hydrogen bonding on mechanical properties and stress-whitening process was probed by altering the Hansen's hydrogen bonding parameter (δh) of the immersing solution. The Hansen's hydrogen bonding parameter of the immersing fluid affected the morphology, mechanical properties and stress whitening of specimens. Specimens were visually whiter in the absence of mechanical load in low δh solvents (the specimens solvent-whitened). Both the observed stress-whitening and solvent-whitening were reversible and repeatable processes. The observed solvent-whitening that occurred without the presence of load was consistent with solvent-induced optical clearing (the opposite of whitening) in skin caused by collagen fibril swelling. Stress whitening and solvent whitening can be explained by a common mechanism, collagen fibril densification and thinning, leading to an increased distinction between the collagen fibrillar phase and immersing fluid, ultimately leading to more scattering. Bones may be at a greater risk for fracture as we age because solubility of the matrix changes, thus making the collagen less hydrated (and more brittle) even in the same solvent.
METHODS OF DRIVING CURRENT BY HEATING A TOROIDAL PLASMA

We survey the possibilities that abound in driving toroidal currents in tokamaks by means of heating mechanism. In addition to the usual mechanism which utilizes the Ohmic transformer current, which is necessarily pulsed, there exist several steady-state mechanisms. Heating mechanisms which can lend themselves efficiently to continuous current generation include neutral beams, Alfven waves, ion-cyclotron waves, lower-hybrid waves and electron-cyclotron waves.
Elucidating the Mechanism of Ebola Virus Assembly and Budding

Ebola virus from the filoviridae family is characterized by internal and external bleeding in primates due to coagulation abnormalities induced by the virus at the onset of the infection. With no vaccines or treatment, Ebola is classified as bio-safety level IV agent with the potential to be used as a biological weapon. Details of virus assembly are poorly understood. Evidence suggests that matrix protein VP40 is the main driving force for assembly and budding. Generation of new virus involves a cascade of cellular events that recruit the viral genome, the matrix proteins and subsequent acquisition of the viral envelope from the host cell. The new virus like particle (VLP) forms at a bud site at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane and can serve as a primary therapeutic target for inhibiting Ebola virus replication. Preliminary results demonstrate that VP40 alone assembles in mammalian cells into VLPs independent of other viral proteins. It binds to the plasma membrane with nanomolar affinity and possesses the ability to modify membrane structure. VP40 induces membrane curvature changes, an important step for bud formation and egress of the newly formed virus. This project is aimed at elucidating the mechanistic details of VP40 assembly on the plasma membrane using an interdisciplinary approach. Specifically, we have employed in vitro lipid binding and curvature assays with cellular scanning and single molecule microscopy to investigate the basis of VP40 lipid binding, membrane bending and viral egress. Our results further demonstrate that VP40 oligomerizes on the plasma membrane in a PS-dependent manner and also remodels actin network for assembly and maturation. Our results represent a key step to understanding the general principles governing the remodeling of membrane by matrix proteins from lipid enveloped viruses such as Ebola and HIV.
Endoscopic evaluation and management of pancreatic duct strictures

Pancreatic duct strictures, encountered at ERCP, may contribute to chronic pain of chronic pancreatitis or flares of acute pancreatitis. Once underlying malignancy is ruled out, endoscopic therapies similar to those used in the biliary tree may be applied. This paper reviews current methods used to evaluate these strictures, and discusses management strategies available to the therapeutic endoscopist.
Let Your Fingers Do the Talking: Students' Social Distance as Revealed Through Cell Phone Contact Lists

Emory Bogardus’ studies of social distance have prompted decades of research on interracial and interethnic contacts by Americans. New technology and consequent social networks such as Facebook and cell phones have permitted creation and maintenance of friendships that span geographic distance. This study examines the racial composition, and closeness of contact, of college Students' cell phone friends. Using a convenience sample (N = 112) of cell phone contact lists of students at a private university in the South, we find that the majority of cell phone contact lists are intraracial, and that blacks report a greater percentage of interracial contacts than do whites.
Complementary/alternative medicine in the treatment of asthma.

Objective This review will familiarize clinical allergists/immunologists with the common forms of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) that are being used frequently by their patients. It reviews reasons that patients seek alternative health care therapies and the most common illnesses that are treated with this form of medicine. Cultural differences in CAM are also reviewed. The article focuses on specific therapies used to treat asthma and reviews the efficacy of these therapies based on the available scientific literature. The reader will also learn about views of other physicians on CAM and how this topic is being addressed in US medical schools Data sources Computer-assisted MEDLINE searches for articles on “complementary/alternative medicine” or “herbal therapy” and “asthma” or “atopy.” Study selection Pertinent abstracts and articles in the above areas were selected. Articles selected for detailed review included review articles of the subjects along with randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled studies in animals and humans. Results Complementary/alternative medicine is commonly used by patients with chronic conditions including asthma. One-third of the US population has tried CAM. The literature supporting the efficacy of these therapies is lacking. Some reports elucidate the mechanism of action of certain herbal therapies that could possibly be helpful in the treatment of allergic diseases. There are, however, few well-controlled studies that support the efficacy of CAM in the treatment and clinical improvement of human subjects with asthma or atopic disorders. Conclusion Available scientific evidence does not support a role for CAM in the treatment of asthma. The studies in the literature often have significant design flaws that weaken the conclusions such as insufficient numbers of patients, lack of proper controls, and inadequate blinding. Further studies are needed to prove or disprove the efficacy of CAM. Physicians often find CAM intimidating because they are unaware of the clinical evidence and feel uncomfortable advising their patients on its efficacy. There is definitely a need for more education among physicians in this area. It is also important that physicians inquire and discuss the use of CAM with their patients since the majority of patients are using some form of CAM.
Venting intraluminal drains in pancreaticoduodenectomy.

The utility of placing biliary, pancreatic, or enteric "venting"tubes (externally draining devices traversing the bowel or bile duct that have their distal tip located intraluminally near the biliary or pancreatic anastomosis) when performing a pancreaticoduodenectomy has received little attention to date. We hypothesize that these venting tubes do not decrease the morbidity or mortality associated with pancreatico-duodenectomy and may actually be a source of additional morbidity. To characterize our use of and the effect of these drains, we retrospectively analyzed 136 pancreaticoduodenectomies (127 partial, 9 total) performed over a 24-month period. Venting drain use, drain type and size, drain location, duration of intubation, hospital course, and postoperative complications were noted. Venting tubes were used in 80 patients (59%). The use of these drains had no significant relationship to postoperative length of stay, the development of major complications, overall morbidity, or mortality (P >0.05). Such drains also did not significantly shorten the length of hospital stay (P >0.05) or improve outcome when available to augment local control following luminal leak (n = 6) or regional abscess (n = 7). These drains were removed at a median interval of 29 days postoperatively (range 6 to 77 days). Seven patients had complications that were directly related to the venting drain; four of these patients had a documented infra-abdominal luminal leak from the site of drain removal, whereas the other three were hospitalized for presumed leakage secondary to immediate, severe abdominal pain following removal of the drain. These seven patients were elderly (mean age 70 years) and often harbored pancreatic ductal carcinoma (n = 6). Intraluminal drains afford no distinct advantage in terms of shortening the postoperative length of stay, decreasing operative morbidity and mortality, or improving local control with regional sepsis in pancreaticoduodenectomies. Furthermore, they may add an additional source of morbidity and we no longer employ them routinely.
An update on the credentialing of midwives by the ACNM

This paper chronicles the events that took place between April 1994 and February 1995 specific to setting the standard for professional midwifery in the United States through the credentialing of midwives (other than nurse-midwives) by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). A collection of documents that record the actions of ACNM leaders and the views of ACNM members related to this issue is also provided. The ACNM Board of Directors has determined that any non-nurse who is a graduate of an ACNM Division of Accreditation accredited midwifery program and has passed an ACNM Certification Council (ACC) national midwifery examination will be called an ACC Certified Midwife.
Designing computer learning environments for engineering and computer science: The scaffolded knowledge integration framework

Designing effective curricula for complex topics and incorporating technological tools is an evolving process. One important way to foster effective design is to synthesize successful practices. This paper describes a framework called scaffolded knowledge integration and illustrates how it guided the design of two successful course enhancements in the field of computer science and engineering. One course enhancement, the LISP Knowledge Integration Environment, improved learning and resulted in more gender-equitable outcomes. The second course enhancement, the spatial reasoning environment, addressed spatial reasoning in an introductory engineering course. This enhancement minimized the importance of prior knowledge of spatial reasoning and helped students develop a more comprehensive repertoire of spatial reasoning strategies. Taken together, the instructional research programs reinforce the value of the scaffolded knowledge integration framework and suggest directions for future curriculum reformers.
Eliminating false positives in crosstalk noise analysis

Noise affects circuit operation by increasing gate delays and causing latches to capture incorrect values. Noise analysis techniques can detect some of such noise faults, but accurate analysis requires a careful examination of timing and functional properties of the circuit. This paper proposes a method to check the "true" noise impact on path delay. It uses four-variable Boolean logic to characterize signal transitions in a time interval, and formulates Boolean satisfiability between aggressors and a victim under the min-max delay model for gates. The proposed technique is scalable as it keeps the size of Boolean formulation linear to the size of the modeled circuit. By applying it to a set of large circuits, it has eliminated up to 50% of noise delay faults reported by conventional noise analysis method.
Sectioned methods for image restoration

Locally adaptive image processing methods are constructed by sectioning the image and applying a modified MAP restoration algorithm. These local algorithms are shown to be effective in processing nonstationary images. The algorithms can work in both signal-independent and signal-dependent noise. The gains achieved by local and signal-dependent processing are analyzed.
Fluorescent in situ hybridization of the telomere repeat sequence in hamster sperm nuclear structures

The flat, hooked-shaped architecture of the hamster sperm nucleus makes this an excellent model for in situ hybridization studies of the three dimensional structure of the genome. We have examined the structure of the telomere repeat sequence (TTAGGG)n with respect to the various nuclear structures present in hamster spermatozoa, using fluorescent in situ hybridization. In fully condensed, mature sperm nuclei, the telomere sequences appeared as discrete spots of various sizes interspersed throughout the volume of the nuclei. While the pattern of these signals was non-random, it varied significantly in different nuclei. These discrete telomere foci were seen to gradually lengthen into linear, beaded signals as sperm nuclei were decondensed, in vitro, and were not associated with the nuclear annulus. We also examined the relationship of telomeres to the sperm nuclear matrix, a residual nuclear structure that retains the original size and shape of the nucleus. In these structures the DNA extends beyond the perimeter of the nucleus to form a halo around it, representing the arrangement of the chromosomal DNA into loop domains attached at their bases to the nuclear matrix. Telomere signals in these structures were also linear and equal in length to those of the decondensed nuclei, and each signal represented part of a single DNA loop domain. The telomeres were attached at one end to the nuclear matrix and extended into the halo. Sperm nuclear matrices treated with Eco RI retained the telomere signals. These data support sperm DNA packaging models in which DNA is coiled into discrete foci, rather than spread out linearly along the length of the sperm nucleus.
Flexible environment and creativity: a preliminary case study of interdisciplinary student design teams

A case study of five interdisciplinary student design teams was conducted to inform future research strategies for the next phases. The students conducted a semester-long design project using a flexible environment, a classroom featuring movable furniture and wheeled whiteboards. In order to confirm the positive impact of the flexible environment on creativity, observation, interviews and surveys were conducted. The findings suggested that team interactions enhanced creativity, and the students valued the positive influence of the flexible environment. From the findings and additional insights gained during the study, research strategies to examine the impact of physical environment, team interactions, and shared mental models on creativity are proposed.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus and High Altitude

Abstract Patent ductus arteriosus is more likely to be found in patients born at high altitudes. The effect becomes manifest at altitudes of over 3,000 meters and is most evident at altitudes of over 4,000 meters. It is presumed that mechanical factors affecting the pulmonary circulation as well as the lower oxygen tension may influence persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus. High altitude does not appear to be an etiologic factor in coarctation of the aorta.
La historiografia economica de Mexico

No cabe duda alguna de que la pasada decada ha presenciado un extraordinario avance en la historia de la actividad economica mexicana. Gran parte de lo que creiamos saber en 1976 ha quedado reducido a notas a pie de pagina, que dan fe del abandono de ideas erroneas y de la adquisicion de nuevos conocimientos. En su mayoria, los avances que con buen acierto celebramos no se deben, como cabria esperar, ni a los que practican lo que seguiamos Ilamando «nueva» historia economica hasta hace un decenio, ni a los teoricos esquematicos de los cuales tomamos aquellos rimbombantes' subtitulos con que una vez decoramos nuestros manuscritos. Este ambito ha avanzado, por el contrario, en virtud de una sostenida acumulacion de historias institucionales, financieras y regionales que han proporcionado abundantes datos nuevos y juicios mas afinados sobre una amplia gama de cuestiones. Y ha avanzado tambien como consecuencia de la compilacion y publicacion de nuevas series de informacion cuantitativa que solo recientemente han empezado a explotar los historiadores.
Central inhibition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion in the growth-restricted hypogonadotropic female sheep.

Growth retardation induced by dietary restriction results in hypogonadotropism, and thus, puberty is delayed. The present studies determined 1) whether reduced LH secretion in the growth-retarded condition is due to a reduction in the frequency and/or in the amplitude of GnRH secretion, and 2) whether the mechanism regulating LH secretion is being actively inhibited via central mechanisms. To determine whether GnRH pulse frequency and/or amplitude are reduced during growth restriction, blood samples were simultaneously collected from pituitary portal blood for GnRH and from jugular blood for LH determinations over a 4-h period in ovariectomized lambs (52 wk of age) that were either growth restricted (28 kg; n = 8) or growing normally (60 kg; n = 7). As expected, the growth-restricted females were hypogonadotropic and exhibited a long LH interpulse interval compared with the normally growing females. However, although the GnRH interpulse interval was longer in the growth-restricted lambs compared with that...
A Randomized Trial Comparing In Person and Electronic Interventions for Improving Adherence to Oral Medications in Schizophrenia

Poor adherence to medication leads to symptom exacerbation and interferes with the recovery process for patients with schizophrenia. Following baseline assessment, 142 patients in medication maintenance at a community mental health center were randomized to one of 3 treatments for 9 months: (1) PharmCAT, supports including pill containers, signs, alarms, checklists and the organization of belongings established in weekly home visits from a PharmCAT therapist; (2) Med-eMonitor (MM), an electronic medication monitor that prompts use of medication, cues the taking of medication, warns patients when they are taking the wrong medication or taking it at the wrong time, record complaints, and, through modem hookup, alerts treatment staff of failures to take medication as prescribed; (3) Treatment as Usual (TAU). All patients received the Med-eMonitor device to record medication adherence. The device was programmed for intervention only in the MM group. Data on symptoms, global functioning, and contact with emergency services and police were obtained every 3 months. Repeated measures analyses of variance for mixed models indicated that adherence to medication was significantly better in both active conditions than in TAU (both p<0.0001). Adherence in active treatments ranged from 90–92% compared to 73% in TAU based on electronic monitoring. In-person and electronic interventions significantly improved adherence to medication, but that did not translate to improved clinical outcomes. Implications for treatment and health care costs are discussed.
Blind user identification and detection in dispersive DS-CDMA systems using code-constrained successive cancellation

A code-constrained inverse Iter criterion based approach was recently presented in Tugnait & Li (IEEE Trans. SP, July 2001) for blind detection of a desired user in asynchronous short-code DS-CDMA (direct sequence code division multiple access) systems over multipath channels. The method proposed therein works well for low-to-moderate loading; however, it can converge to an undesired user under high loading. In this paper we augment this method with methods for extracted user identification (whether the desired user is acquired/extracted) and for successive user cancellation (if an undesired user is extracted, cancel its contribution and repeat). An illustrative simulation example is presented.
Optical detection of NMR in organic fluids

In a recent publication, Romalis and coworkers report the detection of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in water using optical Faraday rotation (OFR). This groundbreaking result sets the stage for a new class of experiments on a range of samples largely exceeding that previously thought possible. In this manuscript, I review the fundamentals behind Faraday rotation including those aspects of the theory that lead to detection of NMR. I also describe the setup needed for these experiments as well as some possible strategies to improve detection sensitivity. In particular, I discuss the use of an optical cavity as a way to amplify the Faraday rotation induced by a ∼1 cm long fluid sample in the Voigt geometry. With enhancement factors of order ∼103, detection of the nuclear spin signal appears as a challenging though possible experiment, provided the dissimilar physical constraints imposed by a high-finesse, tunable cavity and high-field NMR are simultaneously fulfilled. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 79–87, 2008.
Application of laser-based ultrasound to the inspection of contoured parts (reinforced polymer composites)

To realize the full high-speed scanning potential of a same-side laser-in/laser out inspection system, it is necessary to angularly deflect the generation and detection laser beams across the part surface. The authors have investigated the variations in the detected ultrasonic signal amplitude in reinforced polymer composite (RPC) materials resulting from varying the angle of incidence of the laser beams from 0 to 45 degrees . These studies have been made on a variety of RPC materials having various surface textures and coatings. The results show that several commonly used paints significantly enhance the diffusive component of the reflected light, thus increasing the signal amplitude obtained for large angles of incidence. Even for uncoated specimens the decrease in signal amplitude at large angles is within the dynamic range of a suitably designed laser-based ultrasound system. >
Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is commonly complicated by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is a leading cause of death in the SSc patient population. Owing to the fact that the risk of developing pulmonary hypertension is high, screening is important, although the optimal modality remains to be defined. Furthermore, despite recent advances in therapy for PAH, the response to these interventions in patients with PAH with SSc has been discouraging. The lack of clinical response to these therapies may merely reflect the limitations of traditionally employed PAH outcome measures in SSc-PAH patients or highlight the heterogeneity of the disease manifestations within SSc. Importantly, since extrapulmonary involvement of the GI tract and kidneys by SSc limit candidacy for lung transplantation, new therapies that target abnormal cellular proliferation in the pulmonary vasculature are currently under investigation and may be particularly relevant to SSc-PAH.
Poisson–Dirichlet and GEM Invariant Distributions for Split-and-Merge Transformations of an Interval Partition

This paper introduces a split-and-merge transformation of interval partitions which combines some features of one model studied by Gnedin and Kerov [12, 11] and another studied by Tsilevich [30, 31] and Mayer-Wolf, Zeitouni and Zerner [21]. The invariance under this split-and-merge transformation of the interval partition generated by a suitable Poisson process yields a simple proof of the recent result of [21] that a Poisson–Dirichlet distribution is invariant for a closely related fragmentation–coagulation process. Uniqueness and convergence to the invariant measure are established for the split-and-merge transformation of interval partitions, but the corresponding problems for the fragmentation–coagulation process remain open.
Role of the glycine betaine and carnitine transporters in adaptation of Listeria monocytogenes to chill stress in defined medium.

The food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes proliferates at refrigeration temperatures, rendering refrigeration ineffective in the preservation of Listeria-contaminated foods. The uptake and intracellular accumulation of the potent compatible solutes glycine betaine and carnitine has been shown to be a key mediator of the pathogen's cold-tolerant phenotype. To date, three compatible solute systems are known to operate in L. monocytogenes: glycine betaine porter I (BetL), glycine betaine porter II (Gbu), and the carnitine transporter OpuC. We investigated the specificity of each transporter towards each compatible solute at 4°C by examining mutant derivatives of L. monocytogenes 10403S that possess each of the transporters in isolation. Kinetic and steady-state compatible solute accumulation data together with growth rate experiments demonstrated that under cold stress glycine betaine transport is primarily mediated by Gbu and that Gbu-mediated betaine uptake results in significant growth stimulation of chill-stressed cells. BetL and OpuC can serve as minor porters for the uptake of betaine, and their action is capable of providing a small degree of cryotolerance. Under cold stress, carnitine transport occurs primarily through OpuC and results in a high level of cryoprotection. Weak carnitine transport occurs via Gbu and BetL, conferring correspondingly weak cryoprotection. No other transporter in L. monocytogenes 10403S appears to be involved in transport of either compatible solute at 4°C, since a triple mutant strain yielded neither transport nor accumulation of glycine betaine or carnitine and could not be rescued by either osmolyte when grown at that temperature.
Assessment of Environmental Kuznets Curves and Socioeconomic Drivers in IPCC's SRES Scenarios

The Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) produced families of 21st century greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trajectories that aim to be consistent with current knowledge and span a wide range of plausible futures. This study performs a standard econometric analysis on the simulation model outputs from six SRES scenarios to assess the extent to which the projected CO2and NOxemissions reflect Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) behavior. Consistent with the empirical literature, which offers little consensus on the predictive value of the EKC hypothesis, our analysis finds that some SRES scenarios exhibit EKC behavior while others do not. Those showing EKC behavior have turning points—per captia income levels separating rising and falling emissions—similar to those found in empirical studies. Overall, this analysis supports the SRES scenarios as generally consistent with and spanning a wide range of different interpretations found in the EKC literature.