cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Hand Hygiene Campaign To Prevent the Transmission of RSV in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Abstract ISSUE: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children. Every “season” we are inundated with RSV admissions and challenged to prevent nosocomial transmission. Historically, our nosocomial transmission rate has been kept to a minimum (0–2 cases/season). However, between August 24 and November 6, 2003, we had three cases of nosocomial acquisition (two cases occurring within 2 days of each other) in our 12-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). PROJECT: Although staff education has been required with the start of every RSV season, this year required additional interventions. A program to increase staff and family awareness was initiated, “Clean hands across the PICU.” This innovative educational tool stressed the importance of frequent and appropriate hand hygiene. Education was provided to staff, family, and visitors by Epidemiology and members of the PICU staff. Posters were displayed, and newly designed handouts were included in every pediatric admission packet. RESULTS: We have received positive feedback from staff and family members and have directly observed an increase in hand hygiene, especially with the alcohol-based product. Two months after this initiative, no additional nosocomial transmission has occurred despite continued RSV admissions (27 cases to date). LESSONS LEARNED: “Clean hands across the PICU” has greatly heightened the awareness of appropriate and frequent hand hygiene for staff and family. It has proven to be an effective means of preventing nosocomial transmission. Because of our success, we have extended this initiative to include our other two pediatric units.
Longitudinal growth of a free toe phalanx transplant to a finger.

Eight years following free transplantation of the proximal phalanx of a toe to the middle phalanx of the right long finger of a child, longitudinal growth has been documented.
Violation of a Spacing Norm in High Social Density

A field experiment investigated violation of the spacing norm which keeps distance between people in a particular type of crowding, high social density, when the number of people in an area is large but space is not necessarily restricted. The proportion of people passing a drinking fountain who drank from the fountain was observed in conditions of high and low social density and, for each of these densities, when a confederate stood one foot from the fountain and when no one stood near the fountain. Three hundred passersby were observed in each of the four conditions. The observations supported the conclusion that the spacing norm was followed in low social density (p <.01) but violated under conditions of high social density for reasons other than lack of space. Interpretation focused on several concomitants of high social density, especially excessive social stimulation, and the accompanying tendencies to attribute less of the usual social meanings to people and honor fewer of their expectations.
Pocket-Sized Ultrasound as an Aid to Physical Diagnosis for Internal Medicine Residents: A Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND Proficiency and self-confidence in the physical examination is poor among internal medicine residents and interest in ultrasound technology has expanded.
The Complete Solution for Constrained Delay Problems in the Calculus of Variations by Unconstrained Methods

Abstract This paper has two main ideas. The first idea is that general constrained problems with delay in the calculus of variations can be associated with unconstrained calculus of variations problems by using multipliers. This allows us to obtain a true Lagrange multiplier rule where the original variables, the multipliers, and the slack variables for inequality constraints can be determined. The second idea is that critical point solutions to the delay problem, which include the determination of the multipliers, immediately follow from Euler–Lagrange equations for the unconstrained problem. This critical point solution is a necessary condition for the original problem. In later work we will show that these methods can be combined with previous methods by the first author to obtain efficient and accurate numerical solutions to the original problem where no such general numerical methods currently seem to exist. This seems to be an important development since the lack of such methods has hindered the usefulness of the theory.
Oligomeric baroeffect and gas aggregation states

The baroeffect is analyzed to include a gas that aggregates into higher-order polymers or oligomers. The resulting pressure change is found to vary independently of the molecular weight of the gas components and to depend only on the aggregation or oligomeric order of the gas. With increasing aggregation, diffusive slip velocities are found to increase. The calculations are extended to include general counterdiffusion of two distinct aggregation states (k-, j-mer) for the gas, and the pressure change is derived as a function that is independent of both molecular weight and the absolute aggregation. The only parameter that determines the baroeffect is the ratio of aggregated states, beta = k/j. For gases that reversibly aggregate, possible oscillatory behavior and complex dynamics for pressure are discussed. Gas aggregation may play a role for low-temperature crystal-growth conditions in which vapor concentrations of one (or more) species are high.
An overview of techniques for digital ensemble generation

Need for ensemble-generation arises in many applications especially engineering ones. This paper reviews potential techniques for digital ensemble-generation with emphasis on their applicability, complexity, required computer storage and computing time.
Maternal work and welfare use and child well-being: Evidence from 6 years of data from the Women's Employment Study

Abstract Using five waves of data from a study of former and current welfare recipients in Michigan, this study examines how the extent of work participation and welfare receipt over the period 1997–2003 is associated with child behavior. We use a fixed-effects regression design to control for all time-invariant characteristics of mothers and children. We find few associations between work and welfare participation and child behavior. In contrast, measures of household economic circumstances, such as financial strain and hassles, and mothers' psychological problems and stress were consistently associated with reports of child behavior. Overall, these results suggest that among welfare leavers followed over the longer term, work participation and welfare receipt, per se, are relatively less important correlates of children's behavior compared to the more proximate family economic and psychological stressors that persist despite leavers' substantially increased work and decreased welfare use over time.
Enhancing teaching of computer organization through concrete examples and laboratory experiences

This paper discusses a methodology for improving teaching of an undergraduate computer organization course. It explores the use of concrete illustrations for abstract concepts and emphasizes the inclusion of proper lab components to enhance the course learning. During the many semesters' offering of this course, the authors have made continuous efforts to refine the methodology. Both the positive impacts observed by the course instructor and the improvement of the students' performance have shown the effectiveness of the methodology.
On the infinite server shortest queue problem: Symmetric case

Abstract We consider two identical parallel M/M/∞ queues. A new arrival is routed to the queue with the smaller number of customers. If both systems have equal occupancy, the arrival joins either with probability 1/2. These types of models have been used to describe CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) cellular systems. We analyze this model both numerically and asymptotically. For the latter, we consider the limit ρ = λ/μ → ∞, where λ (resp., μ) is the arrival (resp., service) rate. An efficient numerical method is developed for computing the joint steady-state distribution of the number of customers in the two queues. We give several asymptotic formulas, valid for different ranges of the state variables, which show the qualitative structure of the joint distribution. The numerical accuracy of the asymptotic results is tested.
Derivation of the Time-Dependent Ginzburg-Landau Equation on the Line

We give a rigorous derivation of the time-dependent one-dimensional Ginzburg—Landau equation.
Distribution and biosynthesis of aminopeptidase N and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV in rat small intestine.

Abstract The regional, cellular and subcellular distribution patterns of aminopeptidase N d dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV were examined in rat small intestine. Aminopeptidyl N of brush border mebrane had maximal activity in the upper and middle intestine, while dipeptidyl aminopeptidaseV had a more uniform distribution profile with relatively high in the ileum. Along the villus and crypt cell gradient, the activity of both enzymes was maximally expressed in the mid-villus cells. However there was substantial dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV activity in the crypt cell. Both enzymes were primarily associated with brush border membranesin all segments, however, in the proximal intestine, a significant amount of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV activity was associated with the cytosol fraction. The cytosol and brush border membrane forms of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV were immunologically identical and had the same electrophoretic mobility on disc gels. In contrast, the soluble and brush border membrane-bound forms of aminopeptidase N were immunologically distinct. When the total amount of aminopeptidase N and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV was determined by competitive radioimmunoassay, there were no regional or cellular differences in specific activity (enzyme activity / mg of enzyme protein) of either enzyme in brush border membrane and homogenate. The specific activity of both enzymes in a purified Golgi membrane fraction as measured by radioimmunoassay was about half that of the brush border membrane fraction. These results suggest that (1) aminopeptidase N and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV have different regional, cellular and subcellular distribution patterns; (2) there are enzymatically inactive forms of both enzymes present in a constant proportion to active molecules and that (3) a two-fol activation of precursor enzyme forms occurs during transfer from the Golgi membraanes to the brush border membranes.
Near-wall modeling of the dissipation rate equation

Near-wall modeling of the dissipation rate equation is investigated and its asymptotic behavior is studied in detail using a k-epsilon model. It is found that all existing modeled dissipation rate equations predict an incorrect behavior for the dissipation rate near a wall. An improvement is proposed and the resulting near-wall dissipation rate distribution is found to be similar to that given by numerical simulation data. To further validate the improved k-epsilon model, it is used to calculate flat-plate turbulent boundary-layer flows at high- as well as low-turbulence Reynolds numbers, and the results are compared with measurements, numerical simulation data, and the calculations of three different two-equation models. These comparisons show that all the models tested give essentially the same flow properties away from the wall; significant differences only occur in a region very close to the wall. In this region, the calculations of the improved k-epsilon model are in better agreement with measurements and numerical simulation data. In particular, the modeled distribution of the dissipation rate is significantly improved and a maximum is predicted at the wall instead of away from the wall. Furthermore, the improved k-epsilon model is found to be the most asymptotically consistent among the four different two-equation models examined.
The correlation between surface morphology and spectral lineshape : a re-examination of the H-Si(111) stretch vibration

Abstract The effects of atomic-scale etch pits, anisotropic etching, and surface steps on the lineshape of the Si–H stretch vibration are studied using realistic kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of etched Si(111) surfaces. All three morphological features lead to a red shift in the in-phase vibrational mode, which is due to decreased dynamic dipole coupling. Pitted surfaces have an asymmetrically broadened vibrational lineshape because the decreased symmetry lends oscillator strength to higher-order vibrational modes. A much smaller asymmetry is seen in spectra of anisotropically etched surfaces. Previous estimates of the perfection of NH 4 F-etched Si(111) surfaces, which were based on infra-red lineshape measurements, are shown to overestimate the quality of the etched surfaces.
The Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale: Sex, Race, and Grade Effects for Applications with Middle School Students

Preliminary normative data for the Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) total score were collected from 2,987 South Carolina middle school students in Grades 6 though 8. Tests for gender and ethnicity (African-American vs. Caucasian) effects were non-significant. Statistically significant differences between grade levels were discovered, but the magnitude of these differences was quite small. Thus, a single set of norms is appropriate for use when interpreting middle school students’ responses to the BMSLSS.
The thermal stability of radiation-grafted poly(vinyl chlorides)

The thermal Stability of radiation-grafted poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and compared with the thermal stability of the corresponding PVC polymer blends. Although both the grafting of methyl methacrylate and styrene and the blending of the corresponding homopolymers yield products of improved thermal stability as compared with unmodified PVC, the radiation grafting is somewhat more efficient for the stabilization of PVC than blending. Further, the rate of dehydrochlorination of PVC–g–styrene at relatively high temperatures exhibits a retardation, whereas that of unirradiated PVC show significant acceleration. A detailed study about a series of PVC–g–styrenes polymerized under various conditions shows that the retardation effect is more noticeable in the samples irradiated to 2.0–3.0 Mrad than in those irradiated to less than 1.0 Mrad. From the dose dependency, it has been suggested that the retardation effect is due to the interruption of the propagation of dehydrochlorination by branch sites produced by the radiation process. On the other hand, the graft copolymers of vinyl pyridines, PVC-poly(vinyl pyridine), and PVC irradiated in the presence of pyridine are much less stable than unmodified PVC. The instability is explained in terms of the substitution reaction with the bases and the base-catalyzed dehydrochlorination of PVC.
Significance of the upright T wave in precordial lead V1in adults with coronary artery disease

To determine the prevalence and evaluate the significance of an upright T wave in precordial lead V1, the 12 lead electrocardiograms of 218 patients undergoing diagnostic catheterization for the evaluation of chest pain were reviewed. Of this total, 184 patients had severe coronary artery disease (≥ 75% luminal narrowing) and 34 patients had minimal or no coronary artery disease. An upright T wave in lead V1(≥ 0.15 mV) was present in 3 subjects (9%) without coronary artery disease; in 19 (20%) of 96 patients with one vessel disease; in 14 (27%) of 51 patients with two vessel disease and in 13 (35%) of 37 patients with three vessel disease. Among the patients with one vessel disease, an upright T wave was more frequent in patients with left circumflex artery disease than in patients with left anterior descending or right coronary artery disease (probability [p] It is concluded that an upright T wave in precordial lead V1is common in patients with isolated left circumflex artery disease but is rare in those with isolated left anterior descending artery disease. Similarly, in patients with multivessel disease, an upright T wave is common when the left circumflex artery is diseased. This finding, along with other noninvasive tests, may prove useful in patient evaluation.
Cation disorder in shocked orthopyroxene.

The study of cation distributions over nonequivalent lattice sites in minerals may reveal information on the history of temperature and pressure in rocks. Chemically homogeneous orthopyroxene specimens were shocked under well-controlled conditions in the laboratory in order to provide a basis for the interpretation of more complex natural materials. As a result of the investigation it is concluded that the distribution of magnesium and iron over the M1 and M2 positions in Bamle enstatite shocked at 1 megabar is highly disordered. It corresponds to an equilibrium distribution of at least 1000 C.
Acromegalic Gigantism without Cardiac Enlargement: Report of a Case

Acromegaly is usually associated with skeletal overgrowth and splanchnomegaly. Most observers regard cardiac enlargement as an essential feature of the disease. The causative factor in the production of enlargement of the heart has been variously ascribed to a), direct hormonal activity (1); b), degenerative changes in the arterial vascular system (2); c), compensatory hypertrophy in response to the ever increasing demands of disproportionately rapid overgrowth of the body (3); and d), to alteration in the shape of the cavity of the chest (4). Cameron (5) stated that the organs enlarge, especially the heart. Cecil (6), Goldgieher (7), MacCallum (8), Sternberg (9), Marie and Souza-Leite (10), and others, believed that the heart participates in the general somatic and visceral enlargement. Englebach (11) stated that ‘the heart is enlarged proportionately to the body growth.’ Hinsdale (2) described the changes in the heart as a true sclerotic myocarditis.
Ratings and Revenues: Evidence from Movie Ratings

Ratings and report cards provide a relatively cheap way to influence consumer and producer decisions. We examine the specific case of movie ratings and find that receiving a mature rating (rated R) reduces a movie's box office revenues by 20%. We focus on the specific role of ratings by constructing a mature content index for each movie and compare movies with similar amounts of mature content, but that received different ratings. We also exploit the fact that the movie rating system places specific guidelines on the number of F-words that are allowed at each content rating. (JEL D0, L82) Language: en
The electronic structure of interstitial zinc in its two Td sites in ZnSe

Abstract We report ODEPR measurements in ZnSe which lead to the identification of (Zn i ) Zn + , i.e., the interstitial zinc located at the T d site surrounded by four Zn atoms. Its central 67 Zn hyperfine interaction (1425 MHz) is isotropic and is significantly larger than that previously determined for (Zn i ) Se + (1088 MHz), indicating that the unpaired electron is more highly localized on (Zn i ) Zn + . A “point-ion” envelope wave-function analysis which also takes into account the hyperfine interaction of the 77 Se atoms, in conjunction with other considerations, places the second donor level (+/++) position for (Zn i ) Se and (Zn i ) Zn at ∼1.0 and 1.6 eV below the conduction band respectively, with approximate error bars of ±0.3 eV. Our experimental results are in good agreement with state-of-the-art ab initio calculations.
Surface modifications of natural fibers and performance of the resulting biocomposites: An overview

A review of biocomposites highlighting recent studies and developments in natural fibers, bio-polymers, and various surface modifications of natural fibers to improve fiber-matrix adhesion is presented. One of the most important factors which determine the final performance of the composite materials is the quality of the fiber-matrix interface. A sufficient degree of adhesion between the surface of hydrophilic ligno-cellulosic natural fibers and the polymer matrix resin is usually desired to achieve optimum performance of the biocomposite. Dewaxing, alkali treatment, isocyanate treatment, peroxide treatment, vinyl grafting, bleaching, acetylation, and treatment with coupling agents are useful ways to improve fiber-matrix adhesion in natural fiber composites. Two major areas of biocomposites will be discussed in this article. One is the most predominant biocomposite currently being commercialized for semi-structural use in the durable goods industries, e.g. auto-industries, i.e. natural fiber-polypropylen...
Rifaximin dose-finding study for the treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

SUMMARY Background: Few controlled studies assessing choice and duration of antibiotic therapy for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth are available. Aim: To assess efficacy, safety and tolerability of different doses of rifaximin, a broad spectrum non-absorbable antibiotic, for intestinal bacterial overgrowth eradication. Methods: We enrolled 90 consecutive patients affected by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The presence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth was based on the occurrence of a rise of H2 values >12 p.p.m. above the basal value after 50 g glucose ingestion. Patients were randomized in three 7-day treatment groups: rifaximin 600 mg/day (group 1); rifaximin 800 mg/day (group 2) and rifaximin 1200 mg/day (group 3). Glucose breath test was reassessed 1 month after the end of therapy. Compliance to the treatment and incidence of side-effects were also evaluated. Results: No drop-outs were observed in the three groups. Glucose breath test normalization rate was significantly higher in group 3 (60%) with respect to group 1 (17%; P < 0.001) and group 2 (27%, P < 0.01). No significant differences in patient compliance and incidence of side-effects were found among groups. Conclusions: Higher doses of rifaximin lead to a significant gain in terms of therapeutic efficacy in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth eradication without increasing the incidence of side-effects.
A Convenient Variable Low-temperature Cryostat for UV-visible Spectroscopy

We wish to point out an adaptation of equipment available in many chemical laboratories to obtain variable low-temperature electronic spectra. Specifically, a simple cooled-gas cryostat, similar in design to those available with a number of commercial elecron spin resonance spectrometers or suggested for use in low-temperature x-ray crystallography, can easily be adapted for use in electronic spectroscopy. A particular advantage of these systems is the ease with which chemical treatment or sample changing can be affected. For our purposes, we have adapted the cell compartment of a Cary-14 spectrophotometer to accept a variable-temperature accessory constructed by Varian Associates for use with an E-4 electron spin resonance spectrometer (Fig. 1). Standard quartz ESR tubes (4 mm o.d.) were used as sample cells. An O-ring adaptor can be used to allow sample degassing. A sample compartment cover (16 cm by 17 cm by 21 cm) was constructed of wood to allow additional head space in the cell compartment. For our particular purposes, an additional port was drilled in the outer wall to allow photolysis at low temperatures. In the absence of a comparable commercial cryostat, one can be constructed utilizing plans in the literature.
Relationship between postural behaviour and gestation stall dimensions in relation to sow size

The extent to which the size of the gestation stall, relative to the size of the sow, affects the normal basic postural behavioural needs of sows like standing, sitting and lying was assessed using 25 sows randomly selected from four farms. The postural behaviour of the animals was recorded using a time-lapse video recorder. The relationships of duration of postures, time taken for various postural changes and frequency of postural changes with stall measurements in relation to sow measurements were analysed. Negative correlations (P 0.05). The time taken to change from a standing to lying posture was negatively correlated (P<0.05) with stall length relative to animal length. Similar correlations (P<0.05) were noted between stall width relative animal breadth and the duration of postural change from standing to sitting and from sitting to standing. Stall width relative to animal breadth was negatively related to the frequency of postural change from standing to sitting (P<0.05). The results suggested that the freedom of movement of pregnant sows in stalls could be improved by a little increase in the space allowance within the stall.
Two-Dimensional Model for Liquid-Rocket Transverse Combustion Instability

Nonlinear, transverse-mode, liquid-propellant-rocket-motor combustion instability is examined with a two-dimensional model. The three-dimensional equations are integrated over the axial direction, for a multi-orifice short nozzle. Nonlinear transverse-wave oscillations in the circular combustion chamber are examined with the primary flow in the axial direction. Turbulent mixing of methane and gaseous oxygen with coaxial injection is analyzed. The combustion has two characteristic times, one for mixing and the other for chemical kinetics, producing a time lag in the energy-release rate relative to pressure. Then, the coupled combustion process and wave dynamics are calculated for a 10-injector chamber with methane and gaseous-oxygen propellants. The linear first tangential mode is imposed initially. Nonlinear triggering occurs; above a critical initial amplitude, the amplitude grows; otherwise, it decays with time. The second tangential mode also develops, and the nonlinear resonance creates a subharmonic ...
Decreasing Child Defiance: Is Inquiry Indispensable?

Teachers report that teaching young children who exhibit defiant and challenging behavior is the most difficult component of their work. This article explores four decades of textbook and research literature recommendations and 4 years of teacher reflections. Common themes of control, power, and anger were identified. A significant finding was that systematic teacher inquiry fostered teacher development of ability to decrease child defiance while fostering children’s emotional self-regulation.
Methodology to evaluate the performance of simulation models for alternative compiler and operating system configurations

Simulation modelers increasingly require greater flexibility for model implementation on diverse operating systems, and they demand high computational speed for efficient iterative simulations. Additionally, model users may differ in preference for proprietary versus open-source software environments. These issues necessitate the development of strategies to maximize model compatibility across operating systems, to ensure numerically accurate simulations for alternative compiler selections, and to understand how these choices affect computational speed. We developed an approach to evaluate model performance using diverse Fortran compilers on multiple computer operating systems. A single desktop computer with five identical hard drives was designed to permit meaningful comparisons between five operating systems while minimizing differences in hardware configuration. Three Fortran compilers and relevant software development tools were installed on each operating system. Both proprietary and open-source versions of compilers and operating systems were used. Compatibility and performance issues among compiler and operating system combinations were assessed for an example case: the Cropping System Model (CSM) as implemented in version 4.5 of the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT). A simulation study that included 773 simulations and assessed the full suite of crop growth modules within DSSAT-CSM was conducted for each compiler and operating system configuration. For a given simulation, results were identical for anthesis date (ADAT), maturity date (MDAT), and maximum leaf area index (LAIX) regardless of the compiler or operating system used. Over 94% of the simulations were identical for canopy weight at maturity (CWAM) and cumulative evapotranspiration at maturity (ETCM). Differences in CWAM were predominantly less than 2kgha^-^1 and were likely the result of differences in floating point handling among compilers. Larger CWAM discrepancies highlighted areas for improvement of the model code. Model implementations with the Intel Fortran compiler on the Linux Ubuntu operating system provided the fastest simulations, which averaged 9.0simulationss^-^1. Evaluating simulation models for alternative compiler and operating system configurations is invaluable for understanding model performance constraints and for improving model robustness, portability, usefulness, and flexibility.
Childhood sexual abuse and precursors of binge eating in an adolescent female population.

Objective We examined the cross-sectional association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and self-reported binge eating in an adolescent female population. Methods: Study subjects were recruited from clinics specializing in the treatment of CSA, and control subjects were from high schools in the same cities. Height and weight were measured and subjects completed four questionnaires pertaining to binge eating, depression, locus of control, and self-esteem. Results: Study subjects showed significantly higher depression, external locus of control, and binge eating, and significantly lower self-esteem and weight satisfaction scores than did control subjects. After adjusting for all covariables simultaneously, CSA was not an independent correlate of binge eating score. The strongest correlates of binge eating score in the multivariable analysis were depression, body mass index (BMI), and weight satisfaction. Conclusions: Psychological factors such as depression or weight satisfaction were more influential than is sexual abuse per se in the relationship between CSA and eating disorders. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Instability conditions in the development of expressions for

Abstract The development of linear fracture toughness, G c and nonlinear energy toughness, G c is based on the energy balance criterion. The expressions for G c and G c were derived assuming fixed grip and fixed load conditions at instability. In this paper it is indicated that neither the fixed grip nor the fixed load condition is likely to exist at instability, and the expressions for G c and G c are derived assuming an arbitrary load-displacement relationship at instability.
The etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Abstract In search of a more thorough understanding of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), theories of etiology have emerged from virtually every theoretical persuasion. Many provide a framework useful for understanding certain facets of the disorder. However, based on current knowledge, a model must be comprehensive enough to encompass the constellation of symptoms that comprise the disorder, the differential severity of symptoms, the presence of PTSD in some individuals but not others experiencing similar trauma, and recent empirical research bearing on these factors. In this paper, we review etiological models of PTSD and propose a new model based on a recent conceptualization of the process and origins of anxiety and panic. This model includes consideration of the role of biological and psychological vulnerabilities, negative life events, alarms (fear reactions), perceptions of control, social support, and coping strategies. Empirical research supporting the inclusion of these components is presented. Finally, etiological and phenomenological similarities between anxiety disorders, specifically panic disorder and PTSD, are discussed.
Cumulative Detection Probability as a Basis for Pressure Vessel Inspection Intervals

This work discusses use of the cumulative flaw detection probability as the basis for establishing pressure vessel inspection intervals. The method is based on the accumulated probability of detecting a flaw over several inspections. It explicitly incorporates a user decision as to the acceptable level of failure risk. A four-step approach is outlined including fracture mechanics flaw growth calculations with probabilistic treatment of detection probability. It is concluded that (a) inspection intervals based on the cumulative probability of detection provide significant advantages over traditional cycle-based methods, (b) pressure vessel recertification inspections should rely on high percentage inspections conducted on a relatively infrequent basis.
A rational fraction approximation to the temperature integral in non-isothermal kinetics

Abstract A new method for deriving the Arrhenius activation energy from dynamic thermal analysis measurements is described. The method utilizes a rational fraction approximation for the temperature integral and is especially suitable for use when the activation energy has a small value. When used iteratively, the approximation converges quickly and gives essentially the exact result. The approximation can also be further simplified to permit the activation energy to be obtained from the experimental data as the solution to a quadratic equation. The method is illustrated by deriving the activation energies, from dynamic differential scanning calorimetry data, for the cures of an epoxy resin and a commercial epoxy film adhesive.
The influence of long-term different diabetic therapies on plasma leptin in type 2 diabetic subjects.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the long-term different diabetic therapies on the plasma leptin level in type 2 diabetic subjects. We measured plasma leptin, body fat and fasting plasma insulin in 96 type 2 diabetic male subjects. They had received the same treatment regimen for more than one year (3.5±2.3 years, mean±SD) and were weight-stable over the previous three months. The distribution was as follows: diet control group: 32, oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA) group: 32, and insulin group: 32. The results showed that the plasma leptin level of the different therapy groups was all positively correlated with body fat. The fasting insulin levels were significantly higher (p<0.0001) in the insulin group than those in the other two groups. The fasting insulin of the OHA group was also greater than that of the diet group but was not statistically significant. The leptin concentrations were significantly higher in the insulin group (p<0.001) and OHA group (p=0.0082) than that in the diet group. The leptin concentrations of insulin group were also significantly higher (p=0.0021) than that of the OHA group. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the significant differences in the leptin level of whole group was mainly affected by fasting insulin (p<0.0001), followed by fat percentage (p=0.001), fat distribution (p=0.009) and fasting sugar (p=0.02), whereas there was no association of leptin with age, height, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, lipid, or blood pressure. We concluded that long-term different diabetic therapies may affect the plasma leptin level, which is mediated mainly by insulin changes. This insulin effect is independent of body fat and may be superior to the fat effect on plasma leptin in the type 2 diabetic patients.
International staging system and metaphase cytogenetic abnormalities in the era of gene expression profiling data in multiple myeloma treated with total therapy 2 and 3 protocols.

BACKGROUND: Myeloma survival varies markedly with International Staging System classification, presence of cytogenetic abnormalities, and, especially, gene expression profiling-based risk and delTP53 status, whose collective impact has not been examined in the context of specific therapies. METHODS: The authors examined overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and complete response duration (CRD) in Total Therapy 2 with randomization to a control or thalidomide arm and in Total Therapy 3 with added bortezomib. Among 612 patients with complete data sets, multivariate analyses were used to investigate the relative contributions to OS, EFS, and CRD of International Staging System stage, cytogenetic abnormalities, and gene expression profiling-derived risk and delTP53 status, in the context of the 3 Total Therapy regimens. RESULTS: Whereas gene expression profiling risk segregated outcomes within all 3 International Staging System stages, International Staging System 3 conferred inferior prognosis only in low-risk myeloma, whereas the grave prognosis of high-risk disease was International Staging System-independent. After adjusting for gene expression profiling-defined high risk and delTP53 in multivariate analysis, International Staging System 3 and cytogenetic abnormalities both retained independent adverse implications for OS, EFS, and CRD. Among the 86% with low-risk disease, cytogenetic abnormalities and delTP53 both affected all 3 endpoints negatively, whereas the International Staging System 3 effect was limited to OS. Total Therapy 3 improved survival outcomes beyond results obtained with Total Therapy 2. CONCLUSIONS: In the genomic era, standard laboratory variables, such as International Staging System stage and presence of cytogenetic abnormalities, continue to impact survival after adjusting for gene expression profiling risk and delTP53 status, providing a basis for stratification in our current practice of gene expression profiling risk-based treatment assignment. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Sex difference in the CD4 + CD45R+ T lymphocytes in normal individuals and its selective decrease in women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a well-defined autoimmune hematologic disorder. It is more common in women than men. We have shown that patients with active disease have abnormal T cell subsets which are more perturbed in women than in men and functional abnormalities that are confined to the T lymphocytes. In the current study, the anti-2H4 (CD45R) monoclonal antibody was used to divide the CD4 subset into their CD4+CD45R+ and CD4+CD45R− T lymphocytes. The sub-populations were measured in the peripheral blood of 26 women and 15 men with active ITP, 16 women and 8 men with disease in remission, and 33 normal healthy women and men. Normal women had increased percentages (P < 0.0001) and numbers (P < 0.005) of the CD4+CD45R+ lymphocytes compared to normal men. Women with active disease had reduced percentages and numbers of CD4+CD45R+ lymphocytes compared to normal women (P < 0.0001) and women with disease in remission (P < 0.001). Those women with decreased CD4+CD45R+ lymphocytes had a significantly depressed lymphocyte response to polyclonal T cell mitogens. In contrast, men with active disease had neither such phenotypic changes nor functional correlations. The percentages and numbers of CD4+CD45R− lymphocytes were not changed in either sex with active disease. In conclusion, women, but not men, with active ITP appear to possess a reduced sub-population of CD4+CD45R+ T lymphocytes.
Computing in China, 1980

China is moving to western technology and a revamped educational system to help her computer industry recover from the effects of the Cultural Revolution.
Vestibular rehabilitation outcomes: velocity trajectory analysis of repeated bench stepping

Abstract Objectives : To quantify vestibular rehabilitation (VR) outcomes in patients with vestibulospinal reflex pathology (VSP) using a new technique, high curvature analysis (HCA), that measures space trajectory stability. Methods : Twelve patients with VSP and 10 healthy controls performed a repeated stepping task in a motion analysis laboratory. Patients with VSP were tested before and after a 12 week VR program. Three dimensional whole body center of gravity (CG) was captured during repeated bench stepping trials (step up forward/step down backward), and the resulting horizontal plane CG velocity trajectories were analyzed using HCA. Results : VSP patients were significantly less stable than healthy subjects prior to VR ( P =0.022), but these differences disappeared following VR ( P =0.148). The stability of the VSP patients during the stepping task at 3 months increased significantly from baseline values ( P =0.013). Conclusions : Evaluating the efficacy of VR requires analysis techniques that are sensitive to changes in stability. We conclude that HCA can be used for assessing improvements in CG stability of VSP patients while performing a repeated bench stepping activity.
Optimizing Textile Spindle Design Using Finite Element Analysis

A discussion is presented on developing a finite element model to predict natural frequencies and mode shapes of an existing oil-lubricated spindle, testing the ability of the model to accurately predict the effect of changes in the spindle mass and stiffness, and using the model to determine a method of increasing the second natural frequency, thus reducing spindle vibration. In each step, model results are verified by making appropriate modifications in the existing spindle and testing the modified spindle under static conditions. Results appear promising and show an effective means of reducing spindle vibration. There is also a brief discussion of the expected performance of the modified spindle. Performance considerations are based on mode shape deflection at the top of the spindle. Results predict that the modified spindle will not cause increased performance problems.
Basal cell-like (triple-negative) breast cancer, a predictor of distant metastasis in African American women.

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the basal cell–like molecular breast cancer subtype with respect to locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis in African American women treated for breast cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of the tumor registry database for all African American women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer from 1998 to 2005 who had assessable data for all 3 markers: estrogen, progesterone, and Her-2/neu. Results A total of 372 patients were included in our study sample. Of these, 22 (6.1%) had locoregional recurrence, 35 (9.8%) had distant metastasis, and 301 (84.1%) had no evidence of breast tumor recurrence. The median follow-up time was 36 months. Compared with the other molecular subtypes the basal cell–like subtype showed a statistically significant association to distant metastasis: 15 (42.9%) vs 13 (37.1%), 4 (11.4%), and 3 (8.6%) ( P P = .009). The molecular subtypes showed no statistically significant difference with respect to locoregional treatment administered and tumor stage at time of diagnosis. Conclusions The basal cell–like molecular breast cancer subtype is an independent predictor of distant metastasis in African American women.
Myelination in rat brain: method of myelin isolation.

Abstract— A procedure is described for the preparation from rat brain of myelin having the same degree of purity at all ages. Such a procedure is essential for the study of myelin composition during development. Microsomal contamination was successfully eliminated by adjusting the method to maintain a constant amount of brain per unit volume in the initial density gradient step, and by including two osmotic shocks and two low-speed centrifugation steps. Myelin prepared in this way from animals ranging from 15 days to 14months of age had a total ATPase activity of 0.3-2.0 μmol of Pi.h−1.mg−1 dry wt of myelin, representing 0.1-1.2 per cent recovery of the total homogenate activity; a Na+, K+- ATPase activity of 0.1-1.6 μfnol of Pi.h−1.mg−1 dry wt, representing 0.04-1.5 per cent recovery; a nucleic acid content of 0.2-0.7 per cent of myelin dry wt, representing 0.2-2.0 per cent recovery; and a ganglioside NANA content of 0.04-0.07 per cent of myelin dry wt. representing 0.2-4.6 per cent recovery. The myelin prepared from 20-day animals had the highest content of the first three constituents; otherwise the values of the four constituents were relatively constant per unit weight of myelin. The amounts of nucleic acid and ganglioside recovered in the myelin fractions increased with increasing age and myelin yield.
Slicing and dicing bugs in concurrent programs

A lack of scalable verification tools for concurrent programs has not allowed concurrent software development to keep abreast with hardware trends in multi-core technologies. The growing complexity of modern concurrent systems necessitates the use of abstractions in order to verify all the expected behaviors of the system. Current abstraction refinement techniques are restricted to verifying mostly sequential and simpler concurrent programs. In this work, we present a novel incremental underapproximation technique that uses program slicing. Based on a reachability property, an initial backward slice for a single thread is generated. The information in the program slice is coupled with a concrete execution to drive the lone thread; generating an underapproximation of the program behavior space. If the target location is reached in the underapproximation, then we have an actual concrete trace. Otherwise, the initial single-thread slice is refined to include another thread that affects the reachability of the target location. In this case, the concrete execution only considers the two threads in the slice and preemption points between the threads only occur at locations in the slice. This refinement process is repeated until the target location is reached or is shown to be unreachable. Initial results indicate that the incremental technique can potentially allow the discovery of errors in larger systems using fewer resources and produce a better reduction in systems that are correct.
Pivots versus signals in elections

Abstract We consider a two-period model of elections in which voters have private information about their policy preferences. A first-period vote can have two types of consequences: it may be pivotal in the first election and it provides a signal that affects candidates' positions in the second election. Pivot events are exceedingly unlikely, but when they occur the effect of a single vote is enormous. In contrast, vote totals always have some signaling effect, but the effect of a single vote is small. We investigate which effect – pivot or signaling – drives equilibrium voting behavior in large electorates.
Seasonal water table dynamics of a southern Appalachian floodplain and associated fen

Appalachian mountain alluvial wetlands include floodplain forests interspersed with fens or bogs. This study evaluates the water table dynamics of an Appalachian mountain floodplain which includes a depressional fen. Water table wells and piezometers documented seasonal patterns of the water table and the vertical hydraulic gradient (VHG) in the floodplain and fen areas. Additional water table wells determined the potential sources of water from adjacent hillslopes to the fen area. The water table of the floodplain and the fen exhibited distinct regular seasonal fluctuations. The water table remained near the surface of the fen from late winter through late spring and dropped 20 to 80 cm during the summer between precipitation events. The water table of the floodplain fluctuated more but followed similar patterns and was typically within 40 cm of the surface during late winter and early spring months and greater than 60 cm during the summer months. The water table of the floodplain was more often correlated to precipitation than the water table of the fen. The VHG in the floodplain was highly variable although seasonal patterns of upwelling of water in fall and downwelling in winter were common. The VHG of the fen showed a consistent downwelling of water and suggested that the fen serves as a recharge area for an aquifer. Principal sources of water for the fen appeared to be precipitation, inflow from a shallow aquifer on an adjacent slope plus increased interflow associated with precipitation events from another adjacent slope. The influence of soil texture on water dynamics of the fen or floodplain was not fully ascertained but it appeared to influence horizontal flow from hillslopes and the depth of the water table in the fen.