cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Penetrating cardiac injuries

Abstract In the past 6 years 65 patients with penetrating wounds of the heart have been operated upon. The mortality was 13% in 47 patients with stab wounds and 50% in 18 patients with gunshot wounds. Fifty-eight consecutive patients in whom a cardiac wound was suspected were operated upon immediately, with a survival rate of 84.5%. It is proposed that pericardiocentesis should be utilized only for diagnosis and that immediate thoracotomy should be the definitive treatment for penetrating wounds of the heart.
Chromatid Disjunction in Unfertilized Ageing Oocytes

AGEING mammalian oocytes, which have spent longer than the optimum time in the oviduct without being fertilized, may, after fertilization, give rise to abnormal embryos in which aneuploidy is frequent1. We have now observed a change in the organization of the chromosomes of ageing secondary oocytes of mice, which may account for the occurrence of aneuploidy at the second meiotic division.
Unitarization of symplectics and stability for causal differential equations in Hilbert space

Let Sp(H) be the symplectic group for a complex Hibert space H. Its Lie algebra sp(H) contains an open invariant convex cone C0; each element of C0 commutes with a unique sympletic complex structure. The Cayley transform C: X∈ sp(H)→(I + X)1∈ Sp(H) is analyzed and compared with the exponential mapping. As an application we consider equations of the form (ddt) S = A(t)S, where t → A(t) ϵ C0 is strongly continuous, and show that if ∝−∞∞ ∥A(t)∥ dt < 2 and ∝− t8∞ A(t) dt ϵ C0, the (scattering) operator S=s−limt→∞t′→−∞ St′(t) , where St′(t) is the solution such that St′(t′) = I, is in the range of B restricted to C0. It follows that S leaves invariant a unique complex structure; in particular, it is conjugate in Sp(H) to a unitary operator.
A nova ruralidade: globalização, camponeses e os paradoxos das paisagens

O desmatamento ocupa a maior parte das manchetes da imprensa, mas tambem ha processos de expansao florestal espalhados pela America Latina que nao tem a mesma visibilidade. Este artigo explora o porque deste processo ser tao invisivel e discute algumas das teorias utilizadas para se entender a recuperacao florestal. O artigo tambem examina uma serie de estudos de caso. A globalizacao desempenha um papel cada vez mais importante na estruturacao das economias rurais. O trabalho analisa, ainda, como as varias formas de integracao global, desde remessas, transferencias do estado, capacitacao, mercados, ate ideologias de identidade e territorialidade, produziram recuperacao florestal em paisagens rurais e camponesas.
Half-sample estimation of sampling distributions

Abstract A half-sample method is proposed for estimating the sampling distributions of point estimators. Finite sample properties of the half-sample estimators are obtained. Some extensions and the robustness of the method are also studied. Numerical results show that the half-sample estimator works well in general situations.
Interplay between Ecological Communities and Evolution

There is growing interest in the interplay between ecological interactions among community members and evolutionary processes. At all scales, from genetic variation within populations, through variation across populations, species, and clades, we find feedbacks between ecological and evolutionary dynamics. Ecological interactions are a source of selection that can drive local adaptation and speciation; conversely, how populations evolve in response to such selection can feed back to modify species interactions, communities, and ecological dynamics. We review ecoevolutionary linkages in theoretical and empirical studies in several areas including the following: (1) how intraspecific genetic variation affects communities, (2) multispecies interactions that cause diffuse selection and geographic mosaics of selection, (3) how rapid evolution can generate ecoevolutionary feedback, (4) interpretation of phylogenetic signal in community assembly, and (5) the macroevolutionary consequences of multispecies interactions. We highlight new approaches that may contribute to advances in each of these areas. We also discuss ways of linking these different disciplines, specifically by documenting feedbacks between evolution and ecological communities across multiple scales.
Model for a steady state foam blanket

Abstract A model relating foam height to bubble size and gas flux has been established based on the assumption that the foam height is determined by gravitational drainage and the survival time of a critically thin film separating a top bubble from the atmosphere. The foam behavior is described in terms of two limiting gas fluxes: the threshold flux and the critical flux. If the critical flux is smaller than the flux at which bulk foam occurs and the actual gas flux approaches the critical flux, foam height becomes unbounded, and the foam volume increases until vent holes begin to develop. If bubbles in the liquid grow much faster than they rise to the surface, bulk foam is created rather than surface foam. An example of foam from refining gases in a continuous glassmelting furnace is discussed in detail. Bulk foam is common in allectrical glassmelting.
AN OPTIMIZATION-BASED METHODOLOGY FOR RELEASE SCHEDULING*

Operational-level scheduling decisions on the factory floor include the release policy and the dispatching rule. Recent work by researchers suggests that factory performance depends heavily on the release policy. Several heuristic factory release rules have been developed that generate release decisions based on the status of the bottleneck machine. The heuristic rules perform very well in reducing the work-in-process inventory. However, factory output schedules generated by these rules generally fail to match the demand pattern, creating excessive finished goods inventory and/or excessive backorders. To overcome these difficulties, a computationally efficient integer programming model is proposed for release scheduling.
Metabolism of soybean leaves. IV. Translocation from soybean leaves.

Abstract 1. 1. The process of translocation in the soybean plant has been studied by means of C 14 O 2 photosynthesis by the first trifo⋖iate leaf only, followed by qualitative and quantitative analysis of the plant for radioactive material. 2. 2. Within 20 min. the following radioactive compounds, in the order of decreasing radioactivity, were found in the leaf extracts: sucrose, alanine, glutamic acid, glyceric acid, glucose, raffinose, fructose, malic acid, triose, isocitric acid, succinic acid, aspartic acid, and citric acid. Analysis of tip and stem sections revealed activity only in sucrose, glucose, and fructose. In all cases sucrose was the main compound. Starch was the main radioactive compound found in the insoluble fraction. 3. 3. From activity curves for a 5- and a 20-min. translocation, a rate of translocation of sucrose of 1.4 cm./min. was obtained. Sucrose has the highest rate of translocation, followed by glucose and fructose, respectively. 4. 4. Lowering of the temperature diminishes the rate of translocation. 5. 5. Light has no effect upon translocation aside from the formation of translocating material through photosynthesis. 6. 6. Application of small amounts of 2,4-D (25 μg.) resulted in an increased rate of translocation. With larger quantities the rate was approximately normal but there was a decrease in the amount of material translocated. It is suggested that 2,4-D affects plants by decreasing the rate of sugar diffusion from the site of photosynthesis into the main translocation stream.
The application of artificial electron beams to magnetospheric research

Scientific and technical progress made in the utilization of electron beams injected from large sounding rockets for the investigation of magnetospheric structure and dynamics and plasma physics is reviewed. Consideration is given to the problem of vehicle neutralization during the generation of electron beams in the ionosphere and the stability and electromagnetic wave emissions of electron beams propagating in space. Optical effects observed during the two Hess artificial aurora experiments, the Minnesota Echo IV and V experiments, the Zarnitsa-1 artificial aurora experiment and the Precede-Excede experiments are discussed, together with atmospheric scattering effects observed during Echo I, II and III, and results of the three experimental programs which have detected and analyzed beams after passage through the distant magnetosphere (the second Hess experiment, ARAKS and the Electron Echo experiments) are presented. Finally, plans for future research are outlined, and a chronology and complete bibliography of the programs conducted to date are included.
Outsourcing sustainability: a game-theoretic modeling approach

As a response to stakeholders’ interest in sustainable products and services, an organization may change its approach to sustainability issues, from isolated social and environmental projects to corporate sustainability strategies and practices that are part of their core business. However, many of the efforts associated with these sustainability strategies cannot be directly exerted by focal organizations. We consider the situation in which a focal organization (sustainability buyer) outsources sustainability efforts to another organization (sustainability seller). While buyers cannot directly exert sustainability efforts, they can provide economic or technical support to their sellers in order to incentivize these efforts. We investigate how the effort and support decisions change according to characteristics of stakeholders, buyers, and sellers. Additionally, the presence of sustainability-minded stakeholders may lead to buyers’ competition on the sustainability effort exerted by their sellers. Therefore, we extend our analysis of sustainability efforts and incentives to the case of two competing buyers, and we determine conditions under which sharing a seller is preferred by the buyers to having a separate seller for each buyer.
A comparative evaluation of the diagnostic efficacy of film and digital sensors for detection of simulated periapical lesions.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of Ektaspeed Plus film (EPF), a charge-coupled device (CCD), and photostimulable phosphor (PSP)-based digital images for detection of simulated periapical lesions. Study Design: Lesions were simulated in the periapical areas of 24 human mandibular sections invested in acrylic using burs of sizes #1, 2, 4, and 6 and imaged using EPF, CCD, and PSP sensors. Percent correct response scores, sensitivity, and specificity values were computed for all variables. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and post hoc testing were performed to determine the effects of imaging modality, observer, and lesion sizes with respect to lesion detection. Results: EPF displayed the highest sensitivity and specificity, followed by PSP and CCD images (P
Calcium-induced structural changes in chemically skinned muscle fibers Detection by optical diffractometry

The intensity of the first order diffraction line produced by chemically skinned muscle fibers was detected by a self scanning photodiode array and minicomputer system. Line intensity was observed to decrease in fibers stretched to zero filament overlap when subjected to calcium-EGTA buffers in the physiological pCa range. Calcium dependent intensity decreases were not observed for myosin extracted fibers indicating that the thick filament proteins may be the source of the calcium effect seen in non-extracted fibers. These results can be interpreted in terms of calcium dependent effects on thick filament disordering which are not dependent upon cross bridge formation.
Further data on degree of learning and transfer of training

Transfer of training as a function of first-list learning was studied by varying both the number of List 1 practice trials (9 trials, 18 trials, trials to one perfect repetition plus 9 overlearning trials) and the degree of learning of individual pairs within the list. The degree of learning of individual pairs on the first list was manipulated by incorporating the % OSM technique of partial reinforcement (100, 67, and 33% OSM). The results indicated that negative transfer in the A-B, A-C paradigm (as compared to the A-B, C-D control paradigm) was directly related to the number of practice trials but was not related to % OSM level. These results substantially replicated an earlier study by Goulet who used the same paradigms and varied the number of practice trials and % ORM partial reinforcement.
Research Advances in Manufacturing with Service-Oriented e-Work and Production

New relations, methods and opportunities in manufacturing and industrial engineering have emerged in response to major challenges in recent decades, leveraging results from multi-disciplinary approaches. We review the evolution, comparing past predictions with the current accomplishments and frontiers in this area. The presentation focuses on manufacturing network paradigms, strategic and global influences, cyber-supported analytics and informatics, and collaborative control for automation, robotics, and decision support. Case studies illustrated draw from recent progress in manufacturing factories and processes, facility sensor networks, and supply decision networks. Future challenges and open questions for next generation manufacturing engineers, managers and researchers are also suggested.
Tight-binding Hamiltonians for realistic electronic structure calculations

Abstract This article, written in honor of Eleftherios N. Economou, contains a short summary of work one of us carried out some 20 years ago in collaboration with Lefteris and reports on recent developments on the use of tight-binding Hamiltonians to perform accurate and efficient electronic structure calculations. More specifically, in this work we use the newly developed NRL tight-binding method to explore the existence of metastable phases in transition metals, present new Slater–Koster parametrizations of cubic perovskite materials and provide an extension of the Slater–Koster approach that includes the spin–orbit interaction.
Raman Scattering by Superconducting-Gap Excitations and Their Coupling to Charge-Density Waves

$2H$-Nb${\mathrm{Se}}_{2}$ undergoes a charge-density-wave (CDW) distortion at 33 K which induces $A$ and $E$ Raman-active phonon modes. These are joined in the superconducting state at 2 K by new $A$ and $E$ Raman modes close in energy to the BCS gap $2\ensuremath{\Delta}$. Magnetic fields suppress the intensity of the new modes and enhance that of the CDW-induced modes, thus providing evidence of coupling between the superconducting-gap excitations and the CDW.
Lensfree Holographic Microscopy for Global Health Applications

We review our recent progress on lensfree holographic on-chip microscopy techniques that are aimed at global health applications including imaging of bodily fluids toward diagnosis of infectious diseases such as malaria and HIV.
Cylindrical holographic radar camera

A novel personnel surveillance system has been developed to rapidly obtain 360 degree, full-body images of humans for the detection and identification of concealed threats. Detectable threats include weapons fabricated with metal, plastic, and ceramic, as well as explosive solids and liquids. This new system uses a cylindrical mechanical scanner to move a seven-foot, 384 element, Ka band (26 - 30 GHz) array circumferentially around a person in four to seven seconds. Low power millimeter-waves, which are nonionizing and not harmful to humans, are employed because they readily penetrate clothing barriers and reflect from concealed threats. The reflected waves provide information that is reconstructed into 3-D cylindrical holographic images with high-speed, digital signal processing (DSP) boards. This system is capable of displaying in an animation format eight, sixteen, thirty-two or sixty-four image frames at various aspect angles around the person under surveillance. This new prototype surveillance system is operational and is presently under laboratory testing and evaluation.
Modulation of isolation-induced fighting by N- and C-terminal analogs of substance P: evidence for multiple recognition sites.

Abstract Substance P (SP) significantly reduced fighting in mice made aggressive by prolonged isolation. The N-terminal heptapeptide fragment SP (1–7) also reduced fighting. The C-terminal fragment SP(4–11) was without activity, while the shorter C-terminal fragment analog
In situ strain evolution during a disconnection event in a battery nanoparticle

Lithium ion batteries are the dominant form of energy storage in mobile devices, increasingly employed in transportation, and likely candidates for renewable energy storage and integration into the electrical grid. To fulfil their powerful potential, electrodes with increased capacity, faster charge rates, and longer cycle life must be developed. Understanding the mechanics and chemistry of individual nanoparticles under in situ conditions is a crucial step to improving performance and mitigating damage. Here we reveal three-dimensional strain evolution within a single nanoparticle of a promising high voltage cathode material, LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4, under in situ conditions. The particle becomes disconnected during the second charging cycle. This is attributed to the formation of a cathode electrolyte interphase layer with slow ionic conduction. The three-dimensional strain pattern within the particle is independent of cell voltage after disconnection, indicating that the particle is unable to redistribute lithium within its volume or to its neighbours. Understanding the disconnection process at the single particle level and the equilibrium or non-equilibrium state of nanoparticles is essential to improving performance of current and future electrochemical energy storage systems.
Electron-electron correlations in molecular tunnel junctions: A diagrammatic approach

In this work, the systematic studies of the effect of electron correlations in a bridge of a tunneling junction on transport properties is presented while the leads' electrons are considered to be noninteracting. A diagrammatic technique with respect to the Coulomb interaction is developed for various nonequilibrium bridge Green's functions. Dyson equations on a Keldysh contour for different Keldysh functions is derived. It is shown exactly that the structure of the Dyson equation Keldysh functions of the bridge molecule is the same as for a gas-phase bridge molecule where the zero order nonequilibrium Green's functions are modified by the interaction with the leads' electrons. These Green's functions contain nonvanishing imaginary parts that depend on the interaction between leads' and bridge electrons. As an example, the nonequilibrium bridge Green's functions in the random phase approximation are found where both direct and exchange terms are taken into account.
Absence of cyanogenic glycosides in the tribe Miconieae (Melastomataceae)

Abstract In order to compare ant and non-ant defended species of Melastomataceae, production of hydrogen cyanide gas was tested in the field for 51 species of 10 genera of the tribe Miconieae. Using both the picric acid and the Feigl–Anger tests all populations surveyed tested negative for the presence of cyanogenic glycosides. These results confirm that cyanogenesis is rare in the family, although not completely absent. Cyanogenic glycosides are not responsible for the protection against herbivory in non-ant defended species, but this does not rule out that there are quantitative of qualitative differences in other secondary metabolites.
Age and physical activity status effects on appetite and mood state in older humans.

This study examined the influences of age and chronic physical activity status on appetite and mood state. Groups of younger inactive, younger active, older inactive, and older active men and women completed questionnaires each waking hour, rating appetite and mood state for 1 day. Maximal oxygen consumption was 20% lower in older than in younger (p < 0.001) subjects, and 32% lower in inactive than in active (p < 0.001) subjects. Mean hunger (older, 4 ± 1; younger, 5 ± 1 arbitrary units (AU); p < 0.01) and desire to eat (older, 3 ± 1; younger, 4 ± 1 AU; p < 0.01) were lower in older than in younger subjects. Nadir arousal was higher for the active subjects (active, 3 ± 1; inactive, 2 ± 1 AU; p < 0.05). Nadir arousal, nadir pleasantness, and mean pleasantness were higher for the older subjects (p < 0.05). Physical activity status does not influence appetite or the age-associated declines in hunger or desire to eat. The increased nadir arousal of the physically active and older groups is consistent with the...
Power law temporal dependence of InGaAs/InP SPAD afterpulsing

The characterization and analysis of afterpulsing behavior in InGaAs/InP single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) is reported for gating frequencies between 10 and 50 MHz. Gating in this frequency range was accomplished using a matched delay line technique to achieve parasitic transient cancellation, and FPGA-based data acquisition firmware was implemented to provide an efficient, flexible multiple-gate sequencing methodology for obtaining the dependence of afterpulse probability P ap on hold-off time T ho. We show that the detrapping times extracted from the canonical exponential fitting of P ap(T ho) have no physical significance, and we propose an alternative description of the measured data, which is accurately fit with the simple power law behavior P ap ∝ with α ∼ 1.2 ± 0.2. We discuss the physical implications of this functional form, including what it may indicate about trap defect distributions and other possible origins of this power law behavior.
Characterisation of multiple physiological fields within the anatomical core of rat auditory cortex.

The organisation and response properties of the rat auditory cortex were investigated with single and multi-unit electrophysiological recording. Two tonotopically organised ‘core’ fields, i.e. the primary (A1) and anterior (AAF) auditory fields, as well as three non-tonotopically organised ‘belt’ fields, i.e. the posterodorsal (PDB), dorsal (DB) and anterodorsal (ADB) belt fields, were identified. Compared to neurones in A1, units in AAF exhibited broader frequency tuning, as well as shorter minimum, modal and mean first spike latencies. In addition, units in AAF showed significantly higher thresholds and best SPLs, as well as broader dynamic ranges. Units in PDB, DB and ADB were characterised by strong responses to white noise and showed either poor or no responses to pure tones. The differences in response properties found between the core and belt fields may reflect a functional specificity in processing different features of auditory stimuli. The present study also combined microelectrode mapping with Nissl staining to determine if the physiological differences between A1 and AAF corresponded to cytoarchitectonically defined borders. Both A1 and AAF were located within temporal cortex 1 (Te1), with AAF occupying an anteroventral subdivision of Te1, indicating that the two neighbouring, physiologically distinct fields are cytoarchitectonically homogeneous.
Determining the expected load of dynamic tree embeddings in hypercubes

The main contribution to use recurrence relations in analyzing the performance of a dynamic tree embedding algorithm in hypercubes. These recurrence relations characterize the expected load on each processor in a randomized tree embedding, and enable us to evaluate expected loads numerically and analytically. As a matter of fact, our methodology does not depend on the hypercube topology, and can be applied to study dynamic tree growing in other networks.
Context Availability and the Development of Word Reading Skill

The influence of word meanings on lexical processing in 2nd-, 3nd-, and 5th-grade high- and low-skill readers was examined. Two experiments examined the relationship between semantic correlates of word concreteness (specifically, rated imageability and context availability) and lexical processing speed and accuracy. Rated context availability was a significant predictor of lexical decision times and word reading accuracy beyond nonsemantic factors. However, context-availability effects were larger in young and low-skill readers. Thus, the ability to retrieve the meanings of low-context-availability words easily is an important component in the development of skilled reading.
How close are we to a predictive science of the biosphere

In just 20 years, the field of biosphere–atmosphere interactions has gone from a nascent discipline to a central area of modern climate change research. The development of terrestrial biosphere models that predict the responses of ecosystems to climate and increasing CO 2 levels has highlighted several mechanisms by which changes in ecosystem composition and function might alter regional and global climate. However, results from empirical studies suggest that ecosystem responses can differ markedly from the predictions of terrestrial biosphere models. As I discuss here, the challenge now is to connect terrestrial biosphere models to empirical ecosystem measurements. Only by systematically evaluating the predictions of terrestrial biosphere models against suites of ecosystem observations and experiments measurements will a true predictive science of the biosphere be achieved.
Recognition, Evaluation and Reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions

Adverse drug reactions (ADR) have occurred for as long as there have been drugs. Within the past decade, much attention has been focused on these types of drug-induced problems. These foci have been directed toward measuring the prevalence and untoward effects of drug use problems, as well as on prevention and problem abatement activities. Reactions are classified based on suspected drugs, the patient population and outcomes. Systemic evaluation methodologies are described in order to assess reactions based on severity, probability, preventability, mechanism of action and the need for further reporting to the FDA and the pharmaceutical manufacturer. While the thrust of this article is about ADRs that occur in health facilities, many of the principles presented are applicable to clinical research. Clinical associates need to know the specifics of monitoring and preventing ADR in their subjects. It is anticipated that some of the suggestions presented her will be beneficial in this regard.
A Critical Evaluation of the Methodology of the Literature on Medication Compliance

OBJECTIVE:To develop a simple evaluation tool to assess methodologic rigor of the literature on patient compliance with medications, and to apply the tool to a sample of the literature.METHODS:A computerized search of the MEDLINE database (January 1980–December 1996) was performed. All English-language articles on compliance with medications were identified, using the MeSH terms patient-compliance and drug-therapy. A 10% sample was then randomly selected for review. Methodologic rigor was assessed on eight standards: study design, specification of patient sample, power analysis, specification of disease, specification of therapeutic regimen, duration of follow-up, definition of compliance, and compliance measurement. The raw scores of the eight standards were then combined in three summary scores, standardized from 0 to 100: study design, disease-related features, and compliance issues.RESULTS:Seventy-two articles from 719 identified were reviewed. The majority of the research articles were descriptive (6...
Role of the Hydrophilic Channels of Simian Virus 40 T-Antigen Helicase in DNA Replication

The simian virus 40 (SV40) hexameric helicase consists of a central channel and six hydrophilic channels located between adjacent large tier domains within each hexamer. To study the function of the hydrophilic channels in SV40 DNA replication, a series of single-point substitutions were introduced at sites not directly involved in protein-protein contacts. The mutants were characterized biochemically in various ways. All mutants oligomerized normally in the absence of DNA. Interestingly, 8 of the 10 mutants failed to unwind an origin-containing DNA fragment and nine of them were totally unable to support SV40 DNA replication in vitro. The mutants fell into four classes based on their biochemical properties. Class A mutants bound DNA normally and had normal ATPase and helicase activities but failed to unwind origin DNA and support SV40 DNA replication. Class B mutants were compromised in single-stranded DNA and origin DNA binding at low protein concentrations. They were defective in helicase activity and unwinding of the origin and in supporting DNA replication. Class C and D mutants possessed higher-than-normal single-stranded DNA binding activity at low protein concentrations. The class C mutants failed to separate origin DNA and support DNA replication. The class D mutants unwound origin DNA normally but were compromised in their ability to support DNA replication. Taken together, these results suggest that the hydrophilic channels have an active role in the unwinding of SV40 DNA from the origin and the placement of the resulting single strands within the helicase.
Perseveration. Part II: A study of perseveration in closed-head injury

This study examines the nature and extent of perseveration in 15 individuals with closed-head injury (CHI) by (a) identifying and describing the types of perseveration that occurred on verbal and non-verbal tasks, (b) examining the possible underlying neuropsychological mechanisms of perseverative behaviour and (c) exploring neuroanatomical correlates of perseveration. Performance of the 15 CHI patients was compared with 15 neurologically normal subjects matched for sex, age, handedness and educational level. The CHI subjects produced significantly more perseverations than did normals, and 'recurrent' perseveration was the most frequently occurring type. A test of verbal learning elicited the greatest number of recurrent perseverations. Overall test performance of the CHI group suggested that memory dysfunction and impaired attention were most likely responsible for perseverative errors. CT scan analyses showed that the three most perseverative CHI subjects evidenced left temporal lobe damage.
Permanent magnet designs with large variations in field strength

The use of permanent magnets has been investigated as an option for electron cooling ring for the proposed luminosity upgrade of RHIC. Several methods have been developed that allow a large variation in field strength. These design concepts were verified with computer simulations using finite element codes. It will be shown that the field uniformity is maintained while the field strength is mechanically adjusted.
Random forests for verbal autopsy analysis: multisite validation study using clinical diagnostic gold standards

Background: Computer-coded verbal autopsy (CCVA) is a promising alternative to the standard approach of physician-certified verbal autopsy (PCVA), because of its high speed, low cost, and reliability. This study introduces a new CCVA technique and validates its performance using defined clinical diagnostic criteria as a gold standard for a multisite sample of 12,542 verbal autopsies (VAs). Methods: The Random Forest (RF) Method from machine learning (ML) was adapted to predict cause of death by training random forests to distinguish between each pair of causes, and then combining the results through a novel ranking technique. We assessed quality of the new method at the individual level using chance-corrected concordance and at the population level using cause-specific mortality fraction (CSMF) accuracy as well as linear regression. We also compared the quality of RF to PCVA for all of these metrics. We performed this analysis separately for adult, child, and neonatal VAs. We also assessed the variation in performance with and without household recall of health care experience (HCE). Results: For all metrics, for all settings, RF was as good as or better than PCVA, with the exception of a nonsignificantly lower CSMF accuracy for neonates with HCE information. With HCE, the chance-corrected concordance of RF was 3.4 percentage points higher for adults, 3.2 percentage points higher for children, and 1.6 percentage points higher for neonates. The CSMF accuracy was 0.097 higher for adults, 0.097 higher for children, and 0.007 lower for neonates. Without HCE, the chance-corrected concordance of RF was 8.1 percentage points higher than PCVA for adults, 10.2 percentage points higher for children, and 5.9 percentage points higher for neonates. The CSMF accuracy was higher for RF by 0.102 for adults, 0.131 for children, and 0.025 for neonates. Conclusions: We found that our RF Method outperformed the PCVA method in terms of chance-corrected concordance and CSMF accuracy for adult and child VA with and without HCE and for neonatal VA without HCE. It is also preferable to PCVA in terms of time and cost. Therefore, we recommend it as the technique of choice for analyzing past and current verbal autopsies.
Current Practices for Withdrawal of Life Support in Intensive Care Units

Background Nurses are present at the bedside of patients undergoing withdrawal of life support more often than any other member of the health care team, yet most publications on this topic are directed at physicians. Objectives To describe the training, guidance, and support related to withdrawal of life support received by nurses in intensive care units in the United States, how the nurses participated, and how the withdrawal of life support occurred. Methods A questionnaire about withdrawal of life support was sent to 1000 randomly selected members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, with 2 follow-up mailings. Results Responses were received from 48.4% of the nurses surveyed. Content on withdrawal of life support was required in only 15.5% of respondents' basic nursing education and was absent from work site orientations for 63.1% of respondents. Nurses' actions during withdrawal were most often guided by individual physician's orders (63.8%), followed by standardized care plans (20%) and standing orders (11.8%). Nurses rated the importance of emotional support during and after the withdrawal of life support very highly, but they did not believe they were receiving that level of support. Most respondents (87.5%) participated in family conferences where withdrawal of life support was discussed. After physicians, nurses were most influential concerning administration of palliative medications. Patients' families were present during withdrawal procedures between 32.3% and 58.4% of the time. Conclusions To improve their practice, intensive care nurses should receive formal training on withdrawal of life support, and institutions should develop best practices that support nurses in providing the highest quality care for patients undergoing this procedure.
Intergenerational family relationships of older women in central Minnesota

This paper applies the family lifecourse perspective to the lives of rural older women in the Midwestern United States based on the findings of the Rural Older Women’s Project, an ethnographic study of the daily lives and systems of support of 30 women. The focus is on the relationships with children, grandchildren, and parents if they are still living, of rural older women in central Minnesota. Three case studies are used to demonstrate the full range of circumstances. From those who are still actively providing support and assistance to their own parents, children, and grandchildren, to those who are primarily the recipients of care and support, to those who are unable to receive the necessary assistance from their family system. These variations are significant in terms of the ways in which each of them face the increasing needs which often come with ageing.
Diagnosis of the myeloproliferative disorders: Resolving phenotypic mimicry

Abstract With the exception of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), which is characterized by the constitutively active chimeric bcr-abl tyrosine kinase, the diagnosis of the myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocytosis (ET), and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF), is unaided by specific biologic markers and is complicated by phenotypic mimicry. Diagnosis is largely clinical with assistance from conventional laboratory techniques. Although the sine qua non of PV is erythrocytosis, survey data indicate that approximately 22% of American Society of Hematology members diagnose PV without the benefit of red blood cell mass and plasma volume measurements. These tests are essential in any suspected case of PV because erythrocytosis can be masked by an elevated plasma volume in this disorder. Recognition of defective platelet thrombopoietin receptor (Mpl) expression and overexpression of the PRV-1 gene in PV neutrophils has led to studies demonstrating the potential use of these molecular abnormalities as diagnostic markers for PV and for risk-stratifying patients with ET for disease conversion to PV or IMF. Enumeration of peripheral blood CD34+ cells may prove useful in the diagnosis of IMF if current data regarding the disease-related specificity of this measurement are validated prospectively in larger numbers of patients. Semin Hematol 40(suppl 1):1-5. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
The Effects of Coal Tar Based Pavement Sealer on Amphibian Development and Metamorphosis

Coal tar based pavement sealers are applied regularly to parking lots and contain significant levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Recently a connection between elevated levels of PAHs in streams and storm water runoff from parking lots has been identified. We tested the hypothesis that coal tar based pavement sealers could alter the survival, growth, and development of amphibians using a model species, Xenopus laevis. Ten fertilized individuals were placed singly into containers containing one of four treatment groups: control, low, medium, and high (respective nominal concentrations 0, 3, 30, and 300 ppm TPAH). All of the individuals in the high exposure group died by the sixth day of exposure. By day 14 there were significant patterns of stunted growth (p<0.0001) and slower development (p=0.006) in the medium and high exposure groups relative to the control and low treatment groups. When the experiment ended on day 52 the control and low-dose individuals had achieved more advanced developmental stages than the medium group (p=0.0007). These data indicate that these commonly used coal tar based pavement sealers may potentially affect the amphibian taxa living in areas that receive storm water runoff.
The global smoking epidemic: a history and status report.

Abstract The World Health Organization estimates that tobacco causes approximately 5 million deaths annually worldwide, a number expected to double by 2025. Cigarette consumption grew from only a few billion per year in 1900 to present values of approximately 5.5 trillion worldwide. Historical causes for the rise of smoking include the invention of flue curing, safety matches, and cigarette rolling machines, but also the distribution of cigarettes to soldiers during World War I, mass marketing, the failure of governments to limit consumption, and the duplicitous denial of hazards by manufacturers. Cancers of the lip, throat, and tongue were linked to tobacco as early as the 18th century, but a lung cancer hazard from smoking was not suspected until the first decade of the 20th century. Epidemiologic evidence began to emerge in the 1920s, and by the 1950s, the causal link with cigarette smoking was well established. Epidemiologic studies, animal experiments, and studies demonstrating pathologic changes in lung tissues at autopsy were 3 pivotal sources of evidence. However, the tobacco industry refused to concede the reality of tobacco hazards until the late 1990s. Instead, the industry sought to target physicians and others with its message of “no proof,” using subtle techniques of deception, including the funding of spurious research, duplicitous press releases, propaganda efforts directed at physicians, and the employment of historians to construct exculpatory narratives. The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control promises to standardize global tobacco control measures, including policies to limit smuggling. Effective means of reducing tobacco use include counter-advertising, increased taxation, smoke-free workplace legislation, and litigation against the industry.
Changing attitudes toward energy conservation: The effect of development advancement on the salience of one-sided and two-sided persuasive communications

Tested was the effect of a one-sided and two-sided persuasive message on the attitudes toward energy conservation of 85 preservice elementary teachers categorized as developmentally or nondevelopmentally advanced with respect to the topic of the message. The study addressed the following questions: (1) Are one-sided and two-sided systematically designed communications more effective in persuading nondevelopmentally advanced and developmentally advanced persons, respectively? (2) Do positive attitude gains between pre- and posttests, if any, dissipate within four weeks following the treatment? The important finding was that the two-sided communication was more effective than the one-sided communication regardless of subjects' level of developmental advancement when attitude change is measured immediately following the treatment. Secondly, positive attitude change dissipated four weeks after exposure to the two-sided communication for developmentally and nondevelopmentally advanced subjects, alike. Thirdly, while the attitudes of nondevelopmentally and developmentally advanced subjects exposed to the one-sided communication did not change immediately after exposure, the nondevelopmentally advanced subjects exhibited a positive shift in attitude four weeks following the presentation of the communication.
Mother’s, Household, and Community U.S. Migration Experience and Infant Mortality in Rural and Urban Mexico

This study explores rural and urban differences in the relationship between U.S. migration experience measured at the individual, household, and community levels and individual-level infant mortality outcomes in a national sample of recent births in Mexico. Using 2000 Mexican Census data and multi-level regression models, we find that women’s own U.S. migration experience is associated with lower odds of infant mortality in both rural and urban Mexico, possibly reflecting a process of healthy migrant selectivity. Household migration has mixed blessings for infant health in rural places: remittances are beneficial for infant survival, but recent out-migration is disruptive. Recent community-level migration experience is not significantly associated with infant mortality overall, although in rural places, there is some evidence that higher levels of community migration are associated with lower infant mortality. Household- and community-level migration have no relationship with infant mortality in urban places. Thus, international migration is associated with infant outcomes in Mexico in fairly complex ways, and the relationships are expressed most profoundly in rural areas of Mexico.
Response of the avian kidney to acute changes in arterial perfusion pressure and portal blood supply

Domestic fowl kidneys autoregulate total renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over a wide range of renal arterial perfusion pressure (RAPP). Sustained (approximately 2-4 h) restriction of renal portal blood flow attenuates the autoregulatory responses. The present study was designed to assess the effects of acute (approximately 10 min) alterations of renal portal blood flow on renal function, and to dissociate the renal responses to altered renal portal blood flow from the renal responses to reductions in RAPP. The thermal pulse decay (TPD) technique and p-aminohippuric acid clearance (CPAH) were used to measure blood flow. During acute increases and decreases in renal portal blood flow, regional renal blood flow as measured by the TPD system (RBFTPD) was significantly positively correlated with total kidney blood flow represented by CPAH (RBFPAH). These results indicate that changes in total kidney blood flow induced by alteration of portal perfusion were reflected in the regional measurement of renal blood flow. Changes in renal portal blood flow did not affect the urine flow rate (UFR), GFR, or fractional excretion of sodium (FENa). Reducing RAPP from 120 to 50 mmHg significantly reduced UFR, GFR, and FENa. Overall, these results indicate that large acute changes in renal portal blood flow can significantly alter total renal blood flow without significantly affecting parameters (UFR, GFR, and FENa) primarily influenced by the renal arterial vasculature.
Quichuamyia , a new Neotropical genus of Stratiomyidae (Insecta: Diptera)

A new Neotropical genus of Stratiomyidae, Quichuamyia gen. nov., is described and illustrated, including the two new species, Quichuamyia aplanatantennae sp. nov. and Quichuamyia costaricensis sp. nov.
Targeting Vulnerable Segments in Cigarette Advertising: Ethical Criteria and Public Policy Implications

Since the late 1980s targeting has been attacked and even questioned within the business community as a result of cigarette advertising of the Uptown and Dakota brands. However, no consistent evaluation criteria have emerged. This paper proposes two concepts as ethical criteria for evaluating targeting of cigarette advertising: “vulnerability of the segment” and “disproportionality of negative effects” in consumption. Applying these concepts with respect to Blacks in the Uptown case and to other high-risk groups as well, it is concluded that targeting vulnerable segments is untenable. Accordingly, corporate social and industry policymakers as well as decisionmakers in community organizations and anti-smoking groups should give greater priority to ethical standards in deciding future courses of action regarding the targeting of cigarette advertising.
IS HISTORY A CONSEQUENCE OF EVOLUTION

The recurrent idea that human history is a special case of the actions of evolutionary law and is therefore in some sense predictable from evolutionary law is, itself, of major historical importance.