cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of California's mandate for antimicrobial stewardship programs on rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridioides difficile infection in acute-care hospitals.

Objective: To estimate the impact of California’s antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) mandate on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) rates in acute-care hospitals. Population: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)–certified acute-care hospitals in the United States. Data Sources: 2013–2017 data from the CMS Hospital Compare, Provider of Service File and Medicare Cost Reports. Methods: Difference-in-difference model with hospital fixed effects to compare California with all other states before and after the ASP mandate. We considered were standardized infection ratios (SIRs) for MRSA and CDI as the outcomes. We analyzed the following time-variant covariates: medical school affiliation, bed count, quality accreditation, number of changes in ownership, compliance with CMS requirements, % intensive care unit beds, average length of stay, patient safety index, and 30-day readmission rate. Results: In 2013, California hospitals had an average MRSA SIR of 0.79 versus 0.94 in other states, and an average CDI SIR of 1.01 versus 0.77 in other states. California hospitals had increases (P < .05) of 23%, 30%, and 20% in their MRSA SIRs in 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively. California hospitals were associated with a 20% (P < .001) decrease in the CDI SIR only in 2017. Conclusions: The mandate was associated with a decrease in CDI SIR and an increase in MRSA SIR.
Using Scientific Literature to Affect Students’ Identification with the Scientific Discourse Community

A series of small literature activities were designed and implemented in a General Chemistry Lab course in an attempt not only to improve students’ ability to navigate and utilize the scientific literature but also to affect their self-perceptions of their identification with the scientific discourse community. Self-perceptions were assessed using a pre- and postactivity survey. 67 students participated in the activities which involved a weekly article related to that week’s lab topic. Students completed short worksheets with questions that guided them to key ideas and concepts in the articles. In addition to information retrieval, a particular emphasis was placed on identifying the authors and considering the contexts in which the research was carried out. The results indicate that students’ self-perceptions regarding their (1) identification with the scientific discourse community and ability to (2) identify the community to which the authors belong, (3) retrieve information, (4) identify the research’s purpose, and (5) distinguish data from authors’ interpretations all significantly improved.
Acousto-fluidic assembly of III-nitride micro-light-emitting diodes with magnetic alignment

A fluidic assembly of III-nitride micro-light-emitting diodes (μLEDs) is demonstrated by applying external forces. This work introduces a solution-based mass transfer approach for inorganic semiconductor devices with the advantages in being material- and dimensional-agnostic. This method offers precise control in device alignment and orientation. The alignment of μLEDs in solution is controlled by acoustic focusing and the induced pressure forces, and the device orientation is modulated using magnetic field. The detailed mechanisms of the use of acoustic focusing and magnetic field are discussed. This fluidic assembly technique allows high throughput rate and roll-to-roll manufacturing, which is critical to the mass transfer of μLEDs for display and functional fabric applications.
Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Patients is Associated with Lower Inpatient Mortality.

Objectives: While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has higher sensitivity than computed tomography for certain types of traumatic brain injury (TBI), it remains unknown whether the increased detection of intracranial injuries leads to improved clinical outcomes in acute TBI patients, especially given the resource requirements involved in performing MRI. We leveraged a large national patient database to examine associations between brain MRI utilization and inpatient clinical outcomes in hospitalized TBI patients. Material and Methods: The National Inpatient Sample database was queried to find 3,075 and 340,090 hospitalized TBI patients with and without brain MRI, respectively, between 2012 and 2014 in the United States. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to independently evaluate the association between brain MRI utilization and inpatient mortality rate, complications, and resource requirements. Results: The MRI group had a lower unadjusted mortality rate of 0.75% compared to 2.54% in the non-MRI group. On multivariate regression analysis, inpatient brain MRI was independently associated with lower mortality (adjusted OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.12–0.86), as well as higher rates of intracranial hemorrhage (adjusted OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.27–3.81) and non-home discharge (adjusted OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07–1.67). Brain MRI was independently associated with 3.4 days (P < 0.001) and $8,934 (P < 0.001) increase in the total length and cost of hospital stay, respectively. Conclusion: We present the first evidence that inpatient brain MRI in TBI patients is associated with lower inpatient mortality, but with increased hospital resource utilization and likelihood of non-home discharge.
Distribution of Kinesic Hesitation Phenomena in Spontaneous Speech

Forty college student volunteers, equally divided by sex, participated in a study of vocal hesitations and kinesic hesitation phenomena in an anxiety-producing interview conducted by male and female interviewers. The vocal hesitations were of Mahl's non-ah type and included sentence change, repetition, stutter, omission, sentence incompletion, tongue slip, and intruding incoherent sounds. The kinesic hesitation phenomena included head, hand, arm, leg, and foot movement, posture change, and body shift.The results showed a close relationship between the occurrences of vocal hesitations and movement. Additionally, they showed clear differences in the frequency of occurrence of the kinds of vocal hesitations and movements. Finally, it was found that the most common location of a kinesic phenomenon is just before or simultaneously with a nonfluency rather than after one. The findings lend support to the idea that vocal and nonvocal behaviors may not always be so interdependent as parallel.
Aminoacridines, potent inhibitors of protein kinase C.

Acridine orange, acridine yellow G, and related compounds potently inhibited protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) activity and phorbol dibutyrate binding. Inhibition was investigated in vitro using Triton X-100 mixed micellar assays (Hannun, Y. A., Loomis, C. R., and Bell, R. M. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 10039-10043 and Hannun, Y. A., and Bell, R. M. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 9341-9347). Inhibition by the acridine derivatives was subject to surface dilution; therefore, the relevant concentration unit is mol % rather than the bulk molar concentration. Fifty percent inhibition of protein kinase C activity occurred at concentrations of these compounds comparable to concentrations of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidylserine (PS) required for enzyme activation (i.e. 1-6 mol %). The mechanism of inhibition appeared to be complex: both the catalytic and regulatory sites of protein kinase C were affected. Acridine orange was a competitive inhibitor with respect to MgATP when the catalytic fragment of protein kinase C was employed. Inhibition at the active site was overcome by the addition of Triton X-100 micelles or phospholipid vesicles. When the activity of intact protein kinase C was measured, inhibition was noncompetitive with respect to MgATP. Further kinetic analysis suggested a competitive type of inhibition with respect to PS and DAG implying an interaction of acridine compounds with the regulatory lipid cofactors or with the regulatory domain of protein kinase C. This was further supported by demonstrating inhibition of phorbol dibutyrate binding to both protein kinase C and the lipid-binding domain generated by trypsin hydrolysis. Acridine orange and acridine yellow G also inhibited thrombin-induced 40-kDa phosphorylation in human platelets and phorbol dibutyrate binding to platelets. These effects were also subject to surface dilution. These results suggest that acridine derivatives have multiple interactions with protein kinase C with the predominant effect being inhibition of activation within the regulatory domain of the enzyme. Some of the biologic effects of acridine derivatives including anti-tumor action may occur as a consequence of protein kinase C inhibition.
Deposition and Extension Approach to Find Longest Common Subsequence for Multiple Sequences

The problem of finding the longest common subsequence (LCS) for a set of sequences is a very interesting and challenging problem in computer science. This problem is NP-complete, but because of its importance, many heuristic algorithms have been proposed, such as Long Run algorithm and Expansion algorithm. However, the performance of many current heuristic algorithms deteriorates fast when the number of sequences and sequence length increase. In this paper, we have proposed a post process heuristic algorithm for the LCS problem, the Deposition and Extension algorithm (DEA). This algorithm first generates common subsequence by the process of sequences deposition, and then extends this common subsequence. The algorithm is proven to generate Common Subsequences (CSs) with guaranteed lengths. The experiments show that the results of DEA algorithm are better than those of Long Run and Expansion algorithm, especially on many long sequences. The algorithm also has superior efficiency both in time and space.
The anti-politics of health: consensus and conflict in the German natural healing movement, 1890-1910

This article argues that “anti-politics” is a useful tool to understand the broad coalitions that mobilized in pursuit of better health and hygiene in Wilhelmine Germany. In an attempt to complement bio-political analysis that focuses on knowledge production and governmentality, and other studies that focus on institutional and party-political conflict, this article shows how members of the German natural healing movement used “anti-politics” to produce consensus across party-political, class and confessional differences. Using two brief-case studies taken from the German natural healing movement, my work suggests that anti-politics created a space where fluid but durable coalitions formed in pursuit of the shared goal of better health and hygiene for the people. In part because these coalitions were regularly dissolved and reformed, historians have spent less time analyzing these spaces of consensus than they have on other aspects of popular health and hygiene movements. This article shows how focusing more attention on the anti-politics of health can illuminate spaces of shared values that transcended party-political, class and confessional differences.
Teaching Subjecthood to Language-Disordered Children

Four language-disordered children who had not learned subject properties such as agreement morphemes, nominative case,and question inversion were taught the function of subjects in sentences. After...
Crystal Structure of the Human 20S Proteasome in Complex with Carfilzomib.

Proteasome inhibition is highly effective as a treatment for multiple myeloma, and recently carfilzomib was granted US FDA approval for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Here, we report the X-ray crystal structure of the human constitutive 20S proteasome with and without carfilzomib bound at 2.9 and 2.6 A, respectively. Our data indicate that the S3 and S4 binding pockets play a pivotal role in carfilzomib's selectivity for chymotrypsin-like sites. Structural comparison with the mouse immunoproteasome crystal structure reveals amino acid substitutions that explain carfilzomib's slight preference for chymotrypsin-like subunits of constitutive proteasomes. In addition, comparison of the human proteasome:carfilzomib complex with the mouse proteasome:PR-957 complex reveals new details that explain why PR-957 is selective for immunoproteasomes. Together, the data presented here support the design of inhibitors for either constitutive or immunoproteasomes, with implications for the treatment of cancers as well as autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
A New Coyote in the Late Pleistocene of Texas

A lower jaw, collected from a deposit in Denton County, Texas, and currently believed to be of Sangamon age, is compared with living and fossil forms and described as a new subspecies of Canis latrans .
Increasing tobacco dependence treatment through continuing education training for behavioral health professionals.

Objective:Few continuing education programs to train behavioral health professionals to deliver tobacco treatment services have been described and evaluated.Methods:The effectiveness of two-day training on changing practice was examined by review of clinical charts from 20 clinicians who attended in 2012. Ten medical records were randomly selected for review from each clinician’s outpatient practice at a large behavioral health system. Five charts from smokers seen within six months before and after training were reviewed per clinician, for a total of 200. Records were electronically searched on “cigarette,” “nicotine,” “tobacco,” “quit,” “smoking,” and “smoke.” Results were compared via chi square tests (all p<.05).Results:Almost half of the smokers indicated that they were interested in quitting, although baseline rates of tobacco use treatment were very low. Documentation of tobacco use significantly increased between baseline and posttraining, both on the problem list (35% versus 74%) and treatment pl...
Empirical Measurement of Overanxious Disorder in Boys 8 to 12 Years Old

Abstract The validity of Overanxious Disorder in boys 8 to 12 years old was studied with the parent-completed Child Behavior Checklist and the self-rated Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale. Specific cutoff techniques with each measure were also investigated for accuracy in identifying Overanxious boys from Dysthymic and Attention Deficit Disorder boys. Both convergent and discriminant validity were demonstrated: Overanxious Disorder showed high correlation with the Child Behavior Profile type of Schizoid or Anxious and no correlation with the Hyperactive and Delinquent types. The opposite correlations were found for boys with Attention Deficit Disorder. Good classification (70%) was achieved when the two instruments were used in combination. The importance of multimethod, empirical assessment to substantiate Overanxious Disorder is emphasized.
Design and Fabrication of Phantoms Using Stereolithography for Small-Animal Imaging Systems

Purpose We have investigated a new technology for fabricating phantoms with fine details for use in small-animal imaging.
Prolactin–Growth Factor Crosstalk Reduces Mammary Estrogen Responsiveness Despite Elevated ERα Expression

Most breast cancers that occur in women express estrogen receptor α (ERα). However, a large subset of these cancers either does not initially respond to anti-estrogen therapy or develops resistance to such treatment modalities. One postulated mechanism of this failure is signaling cross talk between hormones and local growth factors. To examine these complex interactions in vivo, we assessed the effects of estrogen on transforming growth factor α (TGFα)- and prolactin (PRL)-induced mammary tumorigenesis in transgenic mice. Both PRL and estrogen reduced the latency of TGFα-induced oncogenesis, resulting in tumors that were variably ERα-positive, but were progesterone receptor-negative. However, despite elevated ERα levels in NRL-PRL/TGFα glands, tumor latency was not reduced with increasing estrogen levels, nor increased after ovariectomy. Furthermore, PRL and TGFα in combination blocked the mitogenic effects of estrogen, dramatically reduced progesterone receptor levels, and diminished ERα down-regulation in response to circulating estrogen levels, in contrast to the other genotypes. Notably, however, ductal morphology remained responsive to estrogen, indicating that TGFα and PRL in combination can inhibit some, but not all, estrogenic signals. Both in vitro and in vivo, PRL and TGFα cooperatively enhanced Akt phosphorylation, which is associated with endocrine resistance in human disease. These findings provide insight into the interactions of PRL with growth factors during mammary oncogenesis and suggest combinatorial approaches that may result in improved therapeutic efficacy.
Acute inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase by amphetamine analogs involves the oxidation of sulfhydryl sites.

Abstract The activity of rat hippocampal tryptophan hydroxylase was reduced from 30–60% 3 h after the administration of a 10–15 mg/kg dose of either fenfluramine, methamphetamine or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Tryptophan hydroxylase inactivated by these drug treatments could be reconstituted by a prolonged anaerobic incubation in the presence of 5 mM dithiothreitol and 50 μM Fe2+. Drug-inactivated enzyme obtained from rats killed 18 h after multiple doses of either D(+)- or L(−)-MDMA could not be similarly restored. These observations suggest that the rapid decrease in central tryptophan hydroxylase activity induced by amphetamine analogs results from the reversible oxidation of a sulfhydryl site(s) within the enzyme molecule, whereas the irreversible decrease in enzymatic activity measured 18 h after multiple-dose MDMA treatment may reflect serotonergic toxicity.
Northern Hemisphere Sea Ice Extent

Vinnikov et al . ([1][1]) strongly suggested that the observed downward trend in Northern Hemisphere sea ice extent from 1953 to 1998 relates to anthropogenic global warming. Their conclusion was based on the supposed low probability ( P < 0.1%) that a trend of the observed magnitude results from
Fingerprint biometry applications of digital holography and low-coherence interferography

We use several holographic and interferographic methods for two- and three-dimensional imaging of fingerprints. Holographic phase microscopy is used to produce images of thin-film patterns left by latent fingerprints. Two or more holographic phase images with different wavelengths are combined for optical phase unwrapping of images of thicker patent prints or a plastic print. Digital interference holography uses scanned wavelengths to synthesize short-coherence interference tomographic images of a plastic print. We also demonstrate light-emitting-diode-based low-coherence interferography for imaging plastic as well as latent prints. These demonstrations point to significant contributions to biometry by the emerging technology of digital holography and interferography.
External territorial threat, state capacity, and civil war

We argue that the regional threat environment a state faces plays a consequential role in its political development and the likelihood of experiencing future intrastate wars. Challenges to a state’...
Structural properties of sodium phosphate glasses from 23Na → 31P cross-polarization NMR

Abstract One-dimensional heteronuclear correlation solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments are utilized to determine local structural changes in sodium phosphate glass compositions with ratios of Na/P of 0.25, 0.78, 1 and 1.3. Glasses containing only Q2 (metaphosphate composition), Q2 and Q1 (between meta- and pyrophosphate compositions), and Q3 and Q2 (ultraphosphate region) have been investigated. 23Na → 31P cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning (CPMAS) NMR detects direct interactions between distinct phosphorus sites and sodium nuclei in the second coordination sphere. Variable-contact CPMAS experiments provide additional information about association of 23Na nuclei with specific phosphate sites. Time constants describing the transfer of magnetization from sodium to phosphorus nuclei are found to be affected by sodium ion concentration in ultraphosphate glasses, and an important finding of these investigations is the degree of correlation of sodium ions with Q3 sites in ultraphosphate glasses.
Characterization of lapis lazuli pigments using a multitechnique analytical approach: implications for identification and geological provenancing.

Many of the Raman spectra obtained from areas painted with ultramarine pigments in illuminated manuscript leaves from the 14th century Italian manuscript the Laudario of Sant’Agnese, in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum, also contain strong bands not typically associated with this pigment. The source of these features was investigated using a multitechnique analytical approach. Techniques employed include Raman microspectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results indicate the presence of diopside (CaMgSi2O6), a mineral commonly associated with lapis lazuli in nature, and suggest that transition metal dopants in the diopside may be responsible for the Raman features, likely the result of fluorescence with vibronic coupling. The implication of this result with respect to using Raman spectroscopy as a fast, noninvasive, and nondestructive method for determining t...
Linear models of surface and illuminant spectra

We describe procedures for creating efficient spectral representations for color. The representations generalize conventional tristimulus representations, which are based on the peripheral encoding by the human eye. We use low-dimensional linear models to approximate the spectral properties of surfaces and illuminants with respect to a collection of sensing devices. We choose the linear-model basis functions by minimizing the error in approximating sensor responses for collections of surfaces and illuminants. These linear models offer some conceptual simplifications for applications such as printer calibration; they also perform substantially better than principal-components approximations for computer-graphics applications.
Interior Point Methods for Sea Bottom Image Enhancement

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to present an application of global optimization techniques to the problem of the enhancement of images. After reviewing the general strategy which is common to most modern enhancement method based on the solution of a variational problem, we explain the rationale behind the choice of our penalizationformulation and we give the details of the practical implementation. Finally, we illustrate the efficiency of our approach by presenting the results obtained in preprocessing side-scan sonar images of the sea-bottom for the purposeof mine detection. Keywords: Image Enhancement, Global Optimization, Interior Point Methods 1. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this note is to present in a more or less informal manner a set of ideas which are essentially well known in the community of mathematical image analysis but which, once put together can provide solution to difficult practical problems.The rest of the paper is organized as follows. Section 2 offers an informal review of the variational approachto image enhancement. We merely recast some of the well known fact in the part of the mathematical community
An Improved Ratio-Based (IRB) Batch Effects Removal Algorithm for Cancer Data in a Co-Analysis Framework

Ratio-based algorithms are proven to be effective methods for removing batch effects that exist among micro array expression data from different data sources. They are outperforming than other methods in the enhancement of cross-batch prediction, especially for cancer data sets. However, their overall power is limited by: (1) Not every batch has control samples. The original method uses all negative samples to calculate the subtrahend. (2) Micro array experimental data may not have clear labels, especially in the prediction application, the labels of test data set are unknown. In this paper, we propose an Improved Ratio-Based (IRB) method to relieve these two constraints for cross-batch prediction applications. For each batch in a single study, we select one reference sample based on the idea of aligning probability density functions (pdfs) of each gene in different batches. Moreover, for data sets without label information, we transfer the problem of finding reference sample to the dense sub graph problem in graph theory. Our newly-proposed IRB method is straightforward and efficient, and can be extended for integrating large volume micro array data sets. The experiments show that our method is stable and has high performance in tumor/non-tumor prediction.
Families by Adoption and Birth: II. Mother-Infant Cognitive Interactions.

ABSTRACT Adopted children are more likely to develop learning and school adjustment problems than are their nonadopted peers, despite that learning potential appears to be comparable in the two groups. In an effort to explain this phenomenon, the present study examined cognitive behavior repertoires in mothers and their healthy 5-month-old first infants during their normal daily routine in families by adoption and by birth. Two areas of functioning, vocal/verbal communication and exploration, were examined. Infants and mothers in both groups were similar in the frequency and ranking of a full array of age-appropriate cognitive behaviors. Both groups of babies experienced rich and comparable opportunities for the development of language competence. In the exploratory realm, group differences emerged for some infant measures; infants by birth were in an alert state and mouthed objects more than infants by adoption. Examination of the linkages among infant behaviors and between mothers and infants suggested ...
Update on scleral lenses.

Purpose of reviewScleral rigid gas-permeable lenses play an important and underappreciated role in the treatment of corneal disease. This review provides an update on scleral rigid gas-permeable lenses for the visual rehabilitation of ectasia and irregular astigmatism, and an update on scleral rigid
A Computational Model of Cellular Mechanisms of Temporal Coding in the Medial Geniculate Body (MGB)

Acoustic stimuli are often represented in the early auditory pathway as patterns of neural activity synchronized to time-varying features. This phase-locking predominates until the level of the medial geniculate body (MGB), where previous studies have identified two main, largely segregated response types: Stimulus-synchronized responses faithfully preserve the temporal coding from its afferent inputs, and Non-synchronized responses, which are not phase locked to the inputs, represent changes in temporal modulation by a rate code. The cellular mechanisms underlying this transformation from phase-locked to rate code are not well understood. We use a computational model of a MGB thalamocortical neuron to test the hypothesis that these response classes arise from inferior colliculus (IC) excitatory afferents with divergent properties similar to those observed in brain slice studies. Large-conductance inputs exhibiting synaptic depression preserved input synchrony as short as 12.5 ms interclick intervals, while maintaining low firing rates and low-pass filtering responses. By contrast, small-conductance inputs with Mixed plasticity (depression of AMPA-receptor component and facilitation of NMDA-receptor component) desynchronized afferent inputs, generated a click-rate dependent increase in firing rate, and high-pass filtered the inputs. Synaptic inputs with facilitation often permitted band-pass synchrony along with band-pass rate tuning. These responses could be tuned by changes in membrane potential, strength of the NMDA component, and characteristics of synaptic plasticity. These results demonstrate how the same synchronized input spike trains from the inferior colliculus can be transformed into different representations of temporal modulation by divergent synaptic properties.
Relations between heart rate, ischemia, and drug therapy during daily life in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have shown that little if any increase in heart rate occurs 1 minute before the onset of ischemia in ambulant patients with coronary artery disease. This study tested the hypothesis that there are characteristic relations between heart rate and ischemia in ambulant patients with coronary artery disease.METHODS AND RESULTSTwenty-one patients with proven coronary disease demonstrated 212 episodes of ischemia during 504 hours of continuous monitoring of the electrocardiogram. An important increase in heart rate (from 74 +/- 11 to 90 +/- 14 beats/min, p less than 0.001) occurred between 5 and 30 minutes (not 1 minute) before the onset of ischemia. A significantly higher heart rate at onset of ischemia was seen during Bruce protocol exercise testing than during daily life (117 +/- 12 versus 95 +/- 15 beats/min, p less than 0.01). However, when a less-strenuous, but more prolonged, exercise protocol was used in a subgroup of patients (n = 12), ischemia occurred at a heart rate that wa...
Macrofloral biostratigraphy of the Newent Coalfield, Gloucestershire

Boreholes recently drilled by the British Geological Survey provide the first extensive collection of fossil plants from the Newent Coalfield, Gloucestershire. They belong to the Lobatopteris vestita Biozone, indicating a late Westphalian D age. The Newent sequence is thus homotaxial with part of the Forest of Dean Coalfield, and supports the view of Wills (1956) that there was a ‘strait’ extending across St George's Land during the late Westphalian.
Mild oxidation regimes and multiple criticality in nonpremixed hydrogen-air counterflow

Abstract This study investigates experimentally and computationally the existence of mild oxidation regimes and multiple ignition and extinction states in a system of nonpremixed, counterflowing hydrogen against heated air. Spontaneous Raman spectroscopy measurements of the water concentration show that up to three stable stationary states can be achieved for identical boundary conditions. Computationally, up to five steady-state solutions can be found, although only three are likely to be stable. This multiplicity is the result of combined thermokinetic and transport effects on the behavior of critical ignition and extinction states. To understand these effects, the system response was simulated using detailed kinetics and transport properties, and S-curve sensitivity was employed to identify the dominant chemistry near the critical states and to simplify the kinetic mechanism. The response to changes in the fuel concentration and system pressure was investigated experimentally by measuring the air temperatures corresponding to ignition and extinction, for fuel concentrations in the range of 6–38% H 2 in N 2 by volume, and pressures between 0.3 and 8 atm, at a constant pressure-weighted strain rate of 300 s −1 . The experimental results were found to agree well with the computational results. The experimental triple-solution multiplicity disappears for fuel concentrations in excess of ∼25% or below ∼7% H 2 in N 2 , and was only found in the pressure range between ∼1.5 and 7 atm, at 9% H 2 in N 2 and a pressure-weighted strain rate of 300 s −1 . In addition, the response to changes in the strain rate was studied computationally, for strain rates between 10 and 40,000 s −1 and for air boundary temperatures ranging between 950 and 1100 K. The same features of up to five steady-state multiplicities and up to two ignition and extinction states can be obtained by changing the flow strain rate. In the strain rate space, the computational quintiple-solution multiplicity extends from ∼ 100–10,000 s −1 , at 9% H 2 in N 2 and 4 atm.
Evaluations of a class of double L-values

An analytic proof of an evaluation theorem for the "convolution"-type double L-values of non-principal characters is given. Along the way, Dirichlet character analogues of generalized single and double polylogarithms are defined. The monodromies of these functions play a pivotal role.
Direct formic acid fuel cells

Abstract The performance of formic acid fuel oxidation on a solid PEM fuel cell at 60 °C is reported. We find that formic acid is an excellent fuel for a fuel cell. A model cell, using a proprietary anode catalyst produced currents up to 134 mA/cm 2 and power outputs up to 48.8 mW/cm 2 . Open circuit potentials (OCPs) are about 0.72 V. The fuel cell runs successfully over formic acid concentrations between 5 and 20 M with little crossover or degradation in performance. The anodic polarization potential of formic acid is approximately 0.1 V lower than that for methanol on a standard Pt/Ru catalyst. These results show that formic acid fuel cells are attractive alternatives for small portable fuel cell applications.
Expression of plasma membrane calcium pump mRNA in rat intestine: effect of age and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D

Abstract The capacity of the small intestine to actively transport Ca declines markedly with increasing age in the rat. The basal-lateral plasma membrane Ca pump is thought to be an important component of the active transport mechanism. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if there are changes in the expression of the intestinal Ca pump with age. mRNA levels were quantitated by Northern and dot blot analysis using a cDNA probe based on the sequence of the plasma membrane Ca pump expressed in the rat intestine (PMCA1). In the duodenum, Ca pump mRNA levels were 3–4-times higher in young (2 months) rats compared to adult (12 months) and old (27 months) rats. In the ileum, Ca pump mRNA levels were one third those of the duodenum, and ileal levels were higher in young rats compared to adult rats. These changes in mRNA levels with age and segment were significantly correlated with Ca pump activity as measured in basal-lateral membrane vesicles in vitro. To determine intestinal responsiveness to 1,25(OH)2D, rats were fed a strontium diet to induce vitamin D deficiency. In young animals, 1,25(OH)2D significantly increased Ca pump mRNA levels 4-fold in the duodenum. 1,25(OH)2D had a similar effect in the adult duodenum. These studies demonstrate that there are changes in Ca pump mRNA levels with age and intestinal segment. Since there was no change in the capacity of 1,25(OH)2D to increase Ca pump mRNA levels, the decline in Ca pump expression may be due to the age-related decrease in serum 1,25(OH)2D rather than to decreased responsiveness to 1,25(OH)2D.
Sol–gel synthesis of ceramic matrix composites

Abstract Sol–gel techniques have been used to produce various high temperature ceramic matrix composites including Ni/α-Al2O3, Fe/α-Al2O3, Ni/ZrO2, SiC(whisker)/α-Al2O3, and SiC(platelet)/α-Al2O3, as well as chemically modified versions of some of these systems. In all cases, the composites have displayed uniform microstructures with a high degree of dispersion between the matrix and reinforcement phases, a goal often not achieved when utilizing conventional powder mixing and processing techniques. The metal–ceramic composites investigated exhibit enhanced toughness and machinability as well as the potential for catalytic applications due to their novel fine-scale microstructure. Likewise, the SiC-reinforced alumina materials have been shown to be lighter, stiffer and tougher than pure alumina, without the use of the extreme hot-pressing temperatures and pressures needed by conventional powder processing approaches to produce the same results.
Academies counsel Bush on science

For the first time, the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering and the Institute of Medicine have released reports providing a president-elect with specific advice on science and technology issues. Released only days before President Reagan's final budget was sent to Congress, the “white papers” recommend that NASA's space station be developed only if consistent with clearly stated long term space goals, that natural gas be promoted as an alternative to fossil fuels that release more CO2, and that Bush's science advisor should occupy a senior White House position such as assistant to the President.
Continuous peripheral nerve blocks in acute pain management

Continuous peripheral nerve block techniques offer many benefits for the surgical patient in terms of target-specific pain control and avoidance of opioid-related side effects. There are many acceptable techniques for perineural catheter placement and infusion management, and practitioners are encouraged to obtain specialized training to develop a consistent practice and ensure patient safety. Emerging technology in ultrasound guidance may offer advantages in perineural catheter insertion accuracy and procedural efficiency. Various infusion devices are available that permit delivery of a basal rate and patient-controlled bolus for use in the event of breakthrough pain. A successful outpatient continuous peripheral nerve block program should include thorough patient education, detailed written instructions, daily telephone follow-up, and contact information for a healthcare provider familiar with these techniques who can answer questions and intervene when necessary.
On the mechanics of sinusoidal interfaces between dissimilar elastic–plastic solids subject to dominant mode I

Abstract We compute the effective toughness of a weak, sinusoidal cohesive interface between two dissimilar elastic–plastic solids subjected to dominant mode I loading. We use a computational model that takes into account the cohesive behavior of the interface, and the elastic–plastic behavior of two different materials. Using a dimensionless analysis, we found relationships between the normalized fracture toughness, the sinusoidal aspect ratio (amplitude to wavelength) and key dimensionless groups that are related to material behavior. Transitions between several failure mechanisms, including unstable crack propagation, intermittent periods of stable/unstable behavior, such as stick–slip, void-to-void crack growth, crack tip blunting, and stable crack propagation are found in terms of the sinusoidal geometry parameters and the assumed constitutive behavior of the two materials. We present design maps in which the sinusoidal aspect ratio arises as a natural design variable that can be manipulated to increase the resistance to crack propagation in bimaterial interfaces.
Benign broncho-esophageal fistula in the adult.

Abstract Background . Benign broncho-esophageal fistula (BEF) in the adult is rare, and occurs as a complication of inflammatory disorders, foreign body ingestion, or congenital anomalies. Nonspecific symptoms lead to a delay in diagnosis. Methods . The charts of 13 patients from 1960 to 2001 at the Massachusetts General Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Results . Nine patients had chronic cough, which worsened upon ingestion. Four patients developed BEF after prior thoracic surgery, and 3 after histoplasmosis. Silicosis, foreign body ingestion, lye ingestion, bronchogenic cyst, esophageal diverticulum, and a congenital anomaly caused BEF in 1 patient each. Barium swallow was the most useful diagnostic test. Fistulas most often arose from the right bronchial tree and communicated with the distal esophagus. Management involved excision of the tract, primary closure of the bronchus and esophagus, and interposition of vascularized tissue. There was one perioperative failure, but no long-term recurrences after successful surgical closure. Conclusions . The majority of benign BEF in adults are acquired, and result from mediastinal inflammation. Accurate recognition and surgical closure prevents persistent uncontrolled aspiration and pulmonary sepsis.
Evolution of pore size distribution and average pore size of porous ceramic membranes during modification by counter-diffusion chemical vapor deposition

Abstract The modification of porous ceramic membranes by counter-diffusion chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is studied theoretically and experimentally. Numerical simulations of the evolution of the membrane permeance, average pore size and pore size distribution as a function of extent of modification are presented and compared with experimetal data. It is found that the change of the average pore size of the membranes after modification strongly depends on the initial pore size distribution of the membrane, CVD reaction kinetics and characterization method. Experimental data suggest that CVD of zirconia (and yttria) inside porous ceramic membranes by reaction of zirconium (and yttrium) chlorides with steam/air at elevated temperatures proceeds by quasi-zero reaction kinetics with respect to the oxidant, typical of non-stoichiometric supply of the reactants from opposite sides of the membrane. Under such conditions, CVD modification may result in a modest increase of the average pore size of coarse-pore ceramic membranes as suggested by numerical calculations and experimental data.
Impact of agricultural practices on soil food web structure: Theory and application

Abstract Studies on the effects of agricultural practices have increasingly taken a a systems perspective. A comparison of five long-term (5–10 year) systems level studies on native and agricultural soils ranging from the North American Shortgrass Steppe to recent Polder soils in the Netherlands demonstrates that systems exhibit common responses to agricultural disturbances. For example, management practices that incorporate organic material (stubble-mulching and conventional practices) disrupt the temporal and spatial compartmentalization of the bacterial and fungal energy channels of soil food web. Under these practices, the bacterial energy channel tends to be more active than the fungal energy channel. However, management practices that minimize the disruption of top-soil (notillage and integrated farming) tend to maintain temporal and spatial compartmentalization of the bacterial and fungal energy. In these practices, the fungal energy channel is either dominant or is more active than in more disturbed sites in the same soils. Coincident with the change in structure are changes in nutrient dynamics. Having established patterns in the ways in which agricultural practices alter food web structure and function, the challenge will be to utilize this knowledge in the development of sustainable low-input agricultural systems.
Effects of Conservative Sociopolitical Attitudes on Public Support for Drug Rehabilitation Spending

Objective. In this article we investigate why traditionally conservative social groups show less support for spending on drug rehabilitation programs than for drug control spending in general. Methods. Using data from the 1984 through 1998 General Social Surveys, we first estimate logistic regressions of support for drug control spending across five sociopolitical cleavages. We then estimate effects of three types of sociopolitical attitudes on support for drug spending within traditionally conservative groups. Results. Resistance to rehabilitation spending among conservatives is related to their opposition to the welfare state, punitive attitudes toward criminals, and among whites, racial attitudes. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that citizens may withhold support for a social policy to the extent that it evokes negative associations with other salient sociopolitical issues or attitudes. We discuss the importance of these associations for understanding the relationships among political debate, public opinion, and policy outcomes.
Molasses supplementation promotes conidiation but suppresses aflatoxin production by small sclerotial Aspergillus flavus

Aims: To find a supplemental ingredient that can be added to routinely used growth media to increase conidial production and decrease aflatoxin biosynthesis in small sclerotial (S strain) isolates of Aspergillus flavus. Methods and Results: Molasses was added to three commonly used culture media: coconut agar (CAM), potato dextrose agar (PDA), and vegetable juice agar (V8) and production of conidia, sclerotia, and aflatoxins by A. flavus isolate CA43 was determined. The effect of nitrogen sources in molasses medium (MM) on production of conidia, sclerotia and aflatoxins was examined. Water activity and medium pH were also measured. Conidia harvested from agar plates were counted using a haemocytometer. Sclerotia were weighed after drying at 45°C for 5 days. Aflatoxins B1 and B2 were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Addition of molasses to the media did not change water activity or the pH significantly. Supplementing CAM and PDA with molasses increased conidial production and decreased aflatoxins. Two-fold increased yield of conidia was found on MM, which, like V8, did not support aflatoxin production. Adding ammonium to MM significantly increased the production of sclerotia and aflatoxins, but slightly decreased conidial production. Adding urea to MM significantly increased the production of conidia, sclerotia and aflatoxins. Conclusions: Molasses stimulated conidial production and inhibited aflatoxin production. Its effect on sclerotial production was medium-dependent. Water activity and medium pH were not related to changes in conidial, sclerotial or aflatoxin production. Medium containing molasses alone or molasses plus V8 juice were ideal for conidial production by S strain A. flavus. Significance and Impact of the Study: Insight into molecular events associated with the utilization of molasses may help to elucidate the mechanism(s) that decreases aflatoxin biosynthesis. Targeting genetic parameters in S strain A. flavus isolates may reduce aflatoxin contamination of crops by reducing the survival and toxigenicity of these strains.
Plate-noise analysis of an on-chip generated half-VDD biased-plate PMOS cell in CMOS DRAMs

An on-chip generated half-VDD bias for the memory-cell plate is used in CMOS DRAMS to reduce the electric field in the storage insulator such that higher capacitor reliability can be achieved or a thinner insulator can be used to give larger capacitance. A detailed plate-noise analysis shows that the on-chip generated plate bias is useful if a stable substrate bias is provided for the memory array and if the half-VDD sensing scheme proposed by N.C.C. Lu and H. Chao (1984) is used. The design of a half-VDD biased-plate PMOS cell in an n-well CMOS DRAM is also described.
Models for Control Unit Synchronization on Shared Control Architectures

Shared control is an architecture model that extends the SIMD model to support control parallelism. Under shared control, each processing element (PE) supports a local instruction stream and control for each PE is received by synchronizing with a shared control unit corresponding to the PE's current instruction. Because the control is shared and not supplied on demand, the control units must be tightly synchronized to allow the PEs to select among them. This synchronization is accomplished by defining a fundamental cycle length for the control units?allowing PEs to safely switch to a new control unit at the fundamental cycle edge. In a naive implementation, thefundamentalcycle length is governed by the longest instruction length; other control units are padded with idle cycles to that length. Since the longest instruction cost is suffered by each instruction, the performance of the system in the presence of long instructions deteriorates. This paper presents and evaluates alternative models for synchronization that minimize the effect of long instructions on the performance. The implementation of these solutions is discussed and the improvement in performance is characterized.