cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primary hybrid total hip arthroplasty with a roughened femoral stem: Integrity of the stem-cement interface

Abstract One hundred and two consecutive cemented femoral stems were evaluated in 92 patients at an average 9-year follow-up and a minimum 5-year follow-up (range, 5-14 years). The stem used was cobalt chromium with a collar, normalization steps, and a roughened surface (Ra 40); the stem was inserted using contemporary cementing techniques. This series demonstrated a femoral component aseptic loosening rate of 2.0% and a femoral component survivorship of 97.2 ± 2.0% at 10 years. One of 2 failed stems was revised at 95 months for failure at the cement-bone interface. The second failed stem showed failure at the cement-bone interface with incomplete debonding radiographically at 65 months. The remaining femoral components did not demonstrate any evidence of debonding at the stem-cement interface. These results compare favorably with other series of cemented femoral stems, as well as with those with a polished surface. © Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Acetylcholine mediates a slow synaptic potential in hippocampal pyramidal cells

The hippocampal slice preparation was used to study the role of acetylcholine as a synaptic transmitter. Bath-applied acetylcholine had three actions on pyramidal cells: (i) depolarization associated with increased input resistance, (ii) blockade of calcium-activated potassium responses, and (iii) blockade of accommodation of cell discharge. All these actions were reversed by the muscarinic antagonist atropine. Stimulation of sites in the slice known to contain cholinergic fibers mimicked all the actions. Furthermore, these evoked synaptic responses were enhanced by the cholinesterase inhibitor eserine and were blocked by atropine. These findings provide electrophysiological support for the role of acetylcholine as a synaptic transmitter in the brain and demonstrate that nonclassical synaptic responses involving the blockade of membrane conductances exist in the brain.
Dental and Skeletal Development in Various Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases

To define the rule of various intrinsic hormonal factors and their relative importance in normal dental development, a study was made of dental growth in patients with known endocrine or metabolic dysfunction. Skeletal and dental ages were determined radiographically and compared with chronologic age to learn the effect of the disease on the rate of development.
Relative dielectric permittivity of calcium aluminate cement-glass microsphere composites

Abstract Calcium aluminate cement (SECARTM 80) was loaded with 0, 27.5, 40, 50, 60 and 70 vol% hollow glass microspheres and processed macro-defect free by high shear mixing with polyvinyl alcohol as a rheological aid. Discs were formed by die-pressing and dielectric measurements obtained from 100 Hz to 2 MHz. Relative dielectric permittivity was lowered for all microsphere loadings and was lowest at 40 vol%, corresponding to an effective porosity of 21.7%. A direct correlation was found to exist between microsphere loading (effective porosity) and the relative dielectric permittivity. Volume loadings of 27.5 and 40% microspheres resulted in the largest number of unbroken microspheres after processing. When compared with four ideal dielectric mixing models, the cement-microsphere composites were found to correlate best with Maxwell and Lichtenecker mixing. Dissipation factor was lower over the measured frequency range for all microsphere loadings. No correlation was found to exist between effective porosity and dissipation factor. Dielectric losses at low frequencies can be attributed to unbound water and polyvinyl alcohol.
Vibrated powders: A microscopic approach.

We present a microscopic model of a granular pile submitted to vibration, emphasizing the competing roles of collective and single-particle excitations which lead to specific characteristics of the resulting state. The erect of vibration on a powder is next investigated by a novel computer-simulation approach in three dimensions, which enables us to probe cooperative erects in the bulk; satisfying agreement with the predictions of the model is obtained
STOKES FLOW THROUGH A BARRIER WITH DISTRIBUTED PORES

The Stokes flow through a barrier with multiple pores is solved using a cylinder approximation and eigenfunction expansions. The effect of the proximity of neighboring pores on the resistance is determined.
Clogging: bridge formation and vibration-based destabilization

The migration of mobile particles through porous networks is restricted when the size of the migrating particles approaches the size of pore throats. In this case, single particle retention or entr...
Sampling Methods for Random Digit Dialing

Abstract A method of sample selection for household telephone interviewing via random digit dialing is developed which significantly reduces the cost of such surveys as compared to dialing numbers completely at random. The sampling is carried out through a two-stage design and has the unusual feature that although all units have the same probability of selection, it is not necessary to know the probabilities of selection of the first-stage or the second-stage units. Simple random sampling of possible telephone numbers, within existing telephone exchanges, is inefficient because only about 20 percent of these numbers are actually telephone numbers assigned to households. The method of selection proposed reduces the proportion of unused numbers sharply.
Certain Hypothesized Hemispheric Differences in Language and Visual Functions in Human Adults

Summary Various defects in language functions have been described as a consequence of specific lesions in the left hemisphere. Impairment of various types of visual functions have been reported following post-Rolandic lesions in the right hemisphere. Claims of systematic differential effects of lateralized lesions on Wechsler-Bellevue verbal and performance scales following lesions in any portions of the two hemispheres were tested by comparisons of Wechsler verbal and performance scores in 246 patients with various types of brain lesions. The findings failed to support the claims of such differential effects. Results of the present study illustrate the critical importance of careful definitions of the precise locus of brain lesions and of the specific nature of sensory, motor, and mental defects in efforts to define the roles of the various brain structures in higher and lower level cerebral functions of man.
Attenuation of morphine withdrawal syndrome by macromolecular synthesis inhibitors in rats

Attenuation of the morphine withdrawal syndrome by the combination treatment of morphine and protein/nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors was investigated in rats. Groups of rats were treated twice daily with gradually increasing doses of morphine (4–28 mg/kg) in combination with a protein/nucleic acid synthesis inhibitor (actinomycin D, chloramphenicol, cycloheximide, cytarabine, or tetracycline) for 14 days. Withdrawal was precipitated by naloxone on day 15 and the withdrawal manifestations were scored on a weighted basis for mild, moderate, and severe signs. The mild withdrawal signs were significantly decreased by cytarabine and tetracyline whereas the other combination-treated groups were only slightly decreased. The moderate and serve withdrawal signs for all combination-treated groups were significantly suppressed compared to the morphine-treated group. Therefore, attenuation of the morphine withdrawal syndrome by these protein/nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors supports an involvement of macromolecules in the development of physical dependence.
Self-incompatibility genotype identification and stability as influenced by inbreeding in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

S allele genotypes of I1 progenies from eight I0 red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) clones were determined under isolated field conditions. Each I1 progeny was vegetatively increased and isolated under a cage for pollination by honey bees. Clones within each I1 progeny producing relatively large and small amounts of seed were classified homozygous and heterozygous, respectively, for S allele genotype. S allele genotypes were verified by extensive sib crosses in the greenhouse, and almost complete agreement was found with the field classification. I2 progenies were reciprocally test-crossed with their parental I0 clones to detect any changes in S specificity and also to confirm the previous S genotype classifications in the I1 generation. It was concluded that the reliability of field and greenhouse sib classification of S genotypes is based on the strength of the incompatibility reaction in each particular clone. Most I1's showed a strong incompatibility reaction as evidenced by low seed set for heterozygous S genotypes, but one progeny showed a weak incompatibility reaction which resulted in S genotype misclassifications. An S specificity was changed in one I2 progeny.
Abstract 1788: COX-2 blockade suppresses gliomagenesis by inhibiting CCL2-mediated accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Recent reports in epidemiology suggest yet unexplained roles of immunosurveillance in gliomagenesis and survival of glioma patients. For example, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been shown to be associated with reduced occurrence of malignant glioma in humans. NSAIDs mediate their biological effects partially by suppression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and its product prostaglandin (PG) E2, both of which are known to induce immunoregulatory cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells, in tumor-bearing hosts. In the current study, using a novel Sleeping Beauty transposon-mediated de novo mouse glioma model, we evaluated our hypothesis that COX-2 blockade by NSAIDs would suppress gliomagenesis by altering chemokine expression and immune cell attraction in glioma microenvironment, thereby promoting anti-glioma immunosurveillance. We chose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; a non-selective COX-2 inhibitor) and celecoxib (a selective COX-2 inhibitor) as candidates of therapeutic agents. In wild type (WT) mice with developing gliomas, ASA-based treatment delayed glioma development only if the treatment was initiated simultaneously with glioma induction, but not after the tumor was established. In contrast, celecoxib-based treatment inhibited glioma development even if the treatment was initiated later. These data indicate that COX-2 plays an important role in gliomagenesis. Consistently, C57BL/6-background mice deficient for COX-2 gene (Cox2-deficient mice) demonstrated a significant delay in tumor growth when compared with the WT mice. Of importance, both the NSAID-treated and Cox2-deficient mice exhibited a decrease in systemic PGE2 levels when compared with the controls, which was concomitant with decreases in CCL2 and CD11b+Ly6CloLy6G+ MDSCs but increases in CXCL10 and CD8+CD107a+ CTLs in the glioma microenvironment. In addition, MDSC depletion by anti-Gr1 antibody treatment prolonged the survival of the WT mice developing gliomas, suggesting that COX2-induced MDSCs play an important role in gliomagenesis. We finally addressed the impacts of CCL2 and CXCL10 on the attraction of MDSCs and CTLs as well as gliomagenesis. With developing gliomas, Ccl2-deficient mice exhibited a decrease in MDSC accumulation in the glioma microenvironment, whereas Cxcl10-deficient mice exhibited a decrease in CTL accumulation. Taken together, these findings indicate important roles of the COX-2 pathway in gliomagenesis through CCL2-mediated MDSC accumulation and a reduction of CXCL10-mediated CTL infiltration into the glioma microenvironment, and suggest a possibility to develop NSAID-based prophylactic strategies for gliomas. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1788. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1788
Backtracking Events as Indicators of Usability Problems in Creation-Oriented Applications

A diversity of user goals and strategies make creation-oriented applications such as word processors or photo-editors difficult to comprehensively test. Evaluating such applications requires testing a large pool of participants to capture the diversity of experience, but traditional usability testing can be prohibitively expensive. To address this problem, this article contributes a new usability evaluation method called backtracking analysis, designed to automate the process of detecting and characterizing usability problems in creation-oriented applications. The key insight is that interaction breakdowns in creation-oriented applications often manifest themselves in backtracking operations that can be automatically logged (e.g., undo and erase operations). Backtracking analysis synchronizes these events to contextual data such as screen capture video, helping the evaluator to characterize specific usability problems. The results from three experiments demonstrate that backtracking events can be effective indicators of usability problems in creation-oriented applications, and can yield a cost-effective alternative to traditional laboratory usability testing.
Perception of earthquake risk in Agadir, Morocco: A case study from a Muslim community

Abstract Earthquakes are separated from other hazards in meaning, significance, and risk perception throughout the Islamic World due to their specific focus in their own chapter or surah “al-Zalzala” (99th) in the Qur'an. Unlike earthquakes that are discussed in terms or the Judgment Day or as divine punishment or retribution against the disbelieving or hypocritical—other natural hazards like floods, tornadoes, and landslides are rarely discussed. An extensive survey of earthquake survivors and longtime residents was undertaken to better understand the perceptions of seismic risk in Agadir, Morocco where two moderate earthquakes razed the city in 1960 leaving 15,000 dead and 25,000 injured. Most of the deaths were attributed to faulty construction (along with standards and enforcement), inaddition to poor evacuation plans. During the summer of 2002, more than 250 earthquake survivors and residents were surveyed and interviewed for their knowledge and perception of the disaster forty years before. Surveys ...
The cardiorespiratory syndrome of obesity.

Marked obesity may be associated with alveolar hypoventilation, arterial hypoxemia, hypercapnia and secondary polycythemia in the absence of primary pulmonary or cardiac disease. Pulmonary hypertension and right cardiac failure may develop secondarily. Appropriate loss of weight is accompanied by reversal of these complications. In patients with primary pulmonary or cardiac disease, obesity aggravates the dysfunction and loss of weight may produce considerable clinical improvement. The cases of eight obese patients studied at the Mayo Clinic are reported. In four patients, obesity and secondary polycythemia were present without intrinsic pulmonary disease. In three patients with primary pulmonary disease, obesity was thought to have played a significant role in the development of hypoxemia and secondary polycythemia. One patient did not have polycythemia but tests of pulmonary function suggested that he manifested the early stages of ventilatory impairment of obesity. It is suggested that the mechanical effect of obesity in increasing the work of breathing is the primary factor in the genesis of the alveolar hypoventilation which appears to be the significant abnormality.
Computing geodesic spectra of surfaces

Surface classification is one of the most fundamental problems in geometric modeling. Surfaces can be classified according to their conformal structures. In general, each topological equivalent class has infinite conformally equivalent classes.This paper introduces a novel method to classify surfaces by their conformal structures. Surfaces in the same conformal class share the same uniformization metric, which induces constant Gaussian curvature everywhere on the surface. Under the uniformization metric, each homotopy class of a closed curves on the surface has a unique geodesic. The lengths of all closed geodesics form the geodesic spectrum. The map from the fundamental group to the geodesic spectrum completely determines the conformal structure of the surface.We first compute the uniformization metric using discrete Ricci flow method, then compute the Fuchsian group generators, finally deduce the geodesic spectra from the generators in a closed form.The method is rigorous and practical. Geodesic spectra is applied as the signature of surfaces for shape comparison and classification.
Combined Type-Specific Antisera in the Identification of Mycoplasma hominis

In the usual serologic test for Mycoplasma hominis, disks containing antibody to a prototype strain are applied to an agar plate that has been inoculated with the microorganism to be tested, and inhibition of growth is studied. The recent demonstration that M. hominis is not serologically homogeneous but consists of at least seven serotypes suggested the need for reexamination of the specificity of the disk test. The inhibition of growth of M. hominis on solid medium by disks containing seven antisera to the seven prototype strains was studied. Antisera to strains 1, 2, and 3 significantly inhibited all seven prototype strains, but the other four antisera did not inhibit the growth of all heterologous strains. The individual antisera 1, 2, and 3 did not inhibit all of a group of 19 recent genital isolates of M. hominis. However, when the three antisera were combined, they inhibited all 19 isolates as much as or more than any of the three alone. The growth of the prototype strain 5 (PG 21) and of some recent clinical isolates was not completely prevented by the homologous or reference antisera, but the growth of all was partially inhibited.
Thermal monitoring of real processors: techniques for sensor allocation and full characterization

The increased power densities of multi-core processors and the variations within and across workloads lead to runtime thermal hot spots locations of which change across time and space. Thermal hot spots increase leakage, deteriorate timing, and reduce the mean time to failure. To manage runtime thermal variations, circuit designers embed within-die thermal sensors that acquire temperatures at few selected locations. The acquired temperatures are then used to guide runtime thermal management techniques. The capabilities of these techniques are essentially bounded by the spatial thermal resolution of the sensor measurements. In this paper we characterize temperature signals of real processors and demonstrate that on-chip thermal gradients lead to sparse signals in the frequency domain. We exploit this observation to (1) devise thermal sensor allocation techniques, and (2) devise signal reconstruction techniques that fully characterize the thermal status of the processor using the limited number of measurements from the thermal sensors. To verify the accuracy of our methods, we compare our temperature characterization results against thermal measurements acquired from a state-of-the-art infrared camera that captures the mid-band infrared emissions from the back of the die of a 45 nm dual-core processor. Our results show that our techniques are capable of accurately characterizing the temperatures of real processors.
Epsilon-alkyllysinase. New assay method, purification, and biological significance

Abstract ϵ-Alkyllysinase (EC 1.5.3.4.) has been solubilized and purified approximately 15-fold from rat kidney. Flavin adenine dinucleotide stimulated the partially purified enzyme preparation. The enzyme produces an equimolar amount of l -lysine and formaldehyde from ϵ-N-monomethyl- l -lysine while consuming half a mole of oxygen. Based on the determination of radioactive formaldehyde from ϵ-N-mono[14C]methyl-lysine a new, highly sensitive assay method has been developed. All available evidence indicates that ϵ-alkyllysinase is identical to histone demethylase which has been previously reported to be rich in rat kidney mitochondria. The ϵ-alkyllysinase activity in the liver and kidney of a young rat are relatively low, and reaches the adult level during or before puberty. On the other hand, protein methylase III, which methylates histones using S-adenosyl- l -methionine as methyl donor, is high in the young rat liver and kidney, and decreases to the adult level in a pattern opposing that of ϵ-alkyllysinase. This opposing pattern of change of protein methylase III and ϵ-alkyllysinase activity is also found in fast-growing Novikoff hepatoma: While ϵ-alkyllysinase activity is practically nil in the hepatoma, protein methylase III is very high.
Experimental Study of Non-Colloidal Mono and Polydisperse Suspension in Taylor-Couette Flow

Monodisperse and polydisperse suspension flows form an extensive section of natural and technological flows. These flow structures can be categorized to sedimenting or neutrally buoyant suspensions considering the density ratio between particle phase to dispersion phase. Biological systems, food processing, ceramic injection, dynamic filtration and air conditioning are examples of areas that such flows arise. Various complicated interparticle interactions and their inevitable influence on and from the continuous phase result in some interesting phenomena which are challenging to justify. This research studies axial instabilities of suspension flow in a partially filled Taylor-Couette setup. Previous observations show that when a monodisperse suspension undergoes a rotational shear motion in a partially filled horizontal Couette cell, particles leave their initial uniform distribution and migrate to regions with lower shear rate. This migration helps formation of ring-shape axial concentrated bands. This study examines the noncolloidal neutrally buoyant suspensions of hard spherical particles with average diameters of 150, 360, 850 micron. Using UCON oil (poly ethylene glycol-ran-glycol) as suspending fluid, monodisperse and polydisperse suspensions in partially filled Stokesian Couette-Taylor flow were studied. The results show strong dependence of band number and profile on suspension concentration and filling level. Moreover interesting phenomena in polydisperse suspensions such as different band shape and weak dependence of band formation time on size of constituents were observed.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
An introduction to a new journal for Healthcare Systems Engineering

Healthcare delivery in the U.S. and worldwide has been plagued with accelerating growth in expenditures coupled with increasing concerns about the quality of the services and patient safety. Accord...
Live Video Forensics: Source Identification in Lossy Wireless Networks

Video source identification is very important in validating video evidence, tracking down video piracy crimes, and regulating individual video sources. With the prevalence of wireless communication, wireless video cameras continue to replace their wired counterparts in security/surveillance systems and tactical networks. However, wirelessly streamed videos usually suffer from blocking and blurring due to inevitable packet loss in wireless transmissions. The existing source identification methods experience significant performance degradation or even fail to work when identifying videos with blocking and blurring. In this paper, we propose a method that is effective and efficient in identifying such wirelessly streamed videos. In addition, we also propose to incorporate wireless channel signatures and selective frame processing into source identification, which significantly improve the identification speed. We conduct extensive real-world experiments to validate our method. The results show that the source identification accuracy of the proposed scheme largely outperforms the existing methods in the presence of video blocking and blurring. Moreover, our method is able to identify the video source in a near-real-time fashion, which can be used to detect the wireless camera spoofing attack.
Markets for differentiated electric power products in a Smart Grid environment

Many electricity markets around the world treat electricity as a commodity - without qualitative distinctions. This view does not recognize the many different attributes and services that different generation technologies can provide. The Smart Grid platform will provide the technological conditions for even more service differentiation. In this paper, we discuss elements of an alternative view for organizing the markets in a Smart Grid scenario. The key element is the consideration of electricity as a multi-attribute product. The specification of these attributes will first require a clear understanding of the Social Planner's Problem (SPP), as defined in standard economics. Such understanding will facilitate the valuation of the resource attributes with respect to the fulfillment of societal objectives. The emphasis of the paper is investigating the SPP for resource allocation, getting resources appropriately sized in advance. The solution of this problem offers insight, and provides sensible guidelines for how many resources, and of which type, are required. Our viewpoints are illustrated via a detailed investigation of the system-wide value of operational flexibility, along with the market implications. A general discussion about the role of contracts to support multi-attribute products is also included.
Rage Attacks in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Phenomenology and Clinical Correlates

Objective Rage attacks have been documented in youth with varied psychiatric disorders, but few data have been reported on the clinical characteristics and correlates of rage attacks among children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Method Participants were 86 children (ages 6–16 years) with a primary diagnosis of OCD. Patients and their primary caregiver were administered clinician-rated measures of obsessive-compulsive severity and rage severity. Children completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Child Sheehan Disability Scale-Child, whereas parents completed the Rage Attacks Questionnaire, Aberrant Behavior Checklist—Irritability Scale, Children's Affective Lability Scale, and Child Sheehan Disability Scale-Parent. Results Rage was common among youth with OCD and was associated with varied clinical characteristics. Rage severity accounted for functional impairment beyond the influence of obsessive-compulsive symptom severity; however, these relations were explained by the impact of family accommodation. Conclusions These data suggest that rage attacks are relatively common, have a negative impact on illness presentation, and contribute to functional impairment above and beyond obsessive-compulsive symptom severity. Rage may contribute to family accommodation of symptoms, which may further affect obsessive-compulsive symptom severity and impairment.
A California Q-set alexithymia prototype and its relationship to ego-control and ego-resiliency

The primary purposes of the present study were to use the Q-sort method to develop a measure of alexithymia and to locate the construct within a two-dimensional (ego-control and ego-resiliency) model of personality. Thirteen professional judges described the characteristics of the alexithymic personality with the 100-item California Q-set. Scores from the sorts were aggregated to form the Alexithymia Prototype, which had a Spearman-Brown reliability of 0.99. Alexithymic people were described as having difficulties experiencing and expressing emotion, lacking imagination, and being literal, socially conforming, and utilitarian; they lack insight, are humorless, and experience meaninglessness; and anxiety and tension find outlet in bodily symptoms. This description is consistent, for the most part, with modern formulations of the alexithymia construct. In the language of the two-dimensional personality model, alexithymic individuals appear to be overcontrolling and lacking ego-resiliency (i.e., constricted, anxious, rigid, and withdrawn). We, therefore, compared the Alexithymia Prototype with two independently developed prototypes, Overcontrol and Ego-Resiliency. The Q-correlations between alexithymia and overcontrol and between alexithymia and ego-resiliency were 0.45 and -0.70, respectively. Although item analyses confirmed moderate overlap between alexithymia and overcontrol and considerable overlap between alexithymia and lacking ego-resiliency (ego-brittle), item differences suggest that alexithymia, indeed, is a unique personality construct.
The fire stones carry: Ethnographic records and archaeological expectations for hot-rock cookery in western North America

Ethnographic data from Kalispel elders in the 1930s attest to use of wild root foods, rock-filled earth ovens, steaming and boiling pits, and hot-rock griddles during the 1800s in forested montane regions of the interior Northwest. Cabeza de Vaca’s narrative of his 1528–1536 travels across the Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas and deserts of northern Mexico illustrates the importance of root foods, earth ovens, and stone boiling in aboriginal Southwest North America. These and other accounts, results of actualistic experiments, and knowledge of cooking requirements afford reliable bases for generating archaeological expectations about fire-cracked-rock assemblages representative of diverse cook-stone facilities.
ATM Activation by DNA Double-Strand Breaks Through the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 Complex

The ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase signals the presence of DNA double-strand breaks in mammalian cells by phosphorylating proteins that initiate cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, and DNA repair. We show that the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex acts as a double-strand break sensor for ATM and recruits ATM to broken DNA molecules. Inactive ATM dimers were activated in vitro with DNA in the presence of MRN, leading to phosphorylation of the downstream cellular targets p53 and Chk2. ATM autophosphorylation was not required for monomerization of ATM by MRN. The unwinding of DNA ends by MRN was essential for ATM stimulation, which is consistent with the central role of single-stranded DNA as an evolutionarily conserved signal for DNA damage.
Silence as intervention in psychotherapy.

Although I have selected only a few examples of clinical situations to show the importance of silence in the therapeutic process, I hope I have made it clear that the therapist's silence is an important factor in the process. It can enhance or interfere with therapy, usually depending upon whether the affect of the therapist is benevolent or antagonistic. In the former case, there is greater opportunity for empathic exchanges and facilitation of communication. Silence can be, however, a significant instrument of counter-transference, impeding the patient's progress. In either case, the therapist's silence is a meaningful intervention in therapy.
Effects of Parent Training on Parent Instruction and Child Learning of Intellectual Skills.

Abstract The present investigation examined the effects of a brief parent training package on parental application of behavioral procedures during child instruction. In addition, it investigated the effects of parent training on child learning of two intellectual skills. Forty-nine parents and their 2 1 2 to 5-year-old children participated. A discriminant analysis revealed that the parent training package produced variations in parental use of modeling, physical prompting, verbal instructional prompting, and aversive control. However, the pattern of variations differed across instructional tasks. Regression analysis showed that parent training produced differences in child learning in one of the two skills targeted for instruction.
Long-Term Follow-up of Consequences of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Tubes in Nursing Home Patients

PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) tubes are frequently placed in nursing home patients. The aim of this study was to assess retrospectively the long-term changes in functional and nutritional statuses, tube-related complications, and factors influencing survival in 46 nursing home residents, mean age 73.6 years (range 19–96). Functional status was evaluated by a standard rehabilitation medicine scale. Nutritional status was evaluated by serum albumin and cholesterol concentrations and by weight. PEG-related complications requiring hospitalization or emergency room or clinic evaluations were noted. Additionally, changes in resuscitation status were noted. The predominant indication for PEG placement was dementia (52%). At PEG placement, 48% of patients had total functional impairment. Regardless of the severity of impairment, no patient's functional status improved after PEG. Nutritional status did not improve significantly. Mortality approached 50% and 60% at 12 and 18 months, respectively, and was significantly related to age, resuscitation status, and serum albumin concentration. All patients under 40 years of age at PEG survived, in contrast to 41.3% of patients over 40 years of age (P<0.001). Sixty-three percent of patients who were “full code” at PEG placement survived, in contrast to 10% of “no code” patients (P<0.001). Albumin ≥3.5 g/dl at PEG or thereafter was associated with improved survival (P<0.001) as compared to albumin <3.5 g/dl. PEG-related complications occurred in 34.7% of patients, and the first occurred four months after PEG. We conclude that realistic expectations of what PEG can accomplish be a factor in the decision to place a PEG tube in nursing home patients.
The extent of mycorrhizal colonization of roots and its influence on plant growth and phosphorus content

The most common metric of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) abundance is percent root length colonized (PRLC) by mycorrhizal structures. Frequently, plants with greater PRLC are assumed to receive more nutrients (such as phosphorus, P) from their mycorrhizal symbionts, leading to greater plant growth. Nevertheless, the functional significance of this metric remains controversial. In this review, I discuss whether manipulations of PRLC generally led to changes in plant biomass and P content, and whether AMF taxa and plant functional groups influence these relationships. I conducted a meta-analysis of laboratory- and field-based trials in which mycorrhizal colonization was directly altered compared to unmanipulated controls. For each trial, I calculated (1) the difference in PRLC (ΔPRLC) between the treatments, and (2) the response ratio of plant biomass. In a subset of these studies, the response ratio of P content of host plants could also be calculated. The response ratio of plant biomass and P content rose significantly and exponentially as ΔPRLC increased. Nevertheless, ΔPRLC explained only a fraction of the variation in response ratios in each case. Moreover, AMF taxa varied in their effects on biomass per unit ΔPRLC. In addition, plant functional groups differed in effects on plant P content per unit ΔPRLC, with C4 grasses responding most strongly. It appears that as the extent to which plant roots are colonized by AMF increases, plant growth and P content often increase, although substantial variability exists among trials. As others have found, a likely mechanism for this relationship is increased transfer of P (and perhaps other nutrients) through the more-prevalent mycorrhizal structures.
Effect of glycerol on Lowry and biuret methods of protein determination.

Abstract Glycerol interferes with the estimation of protein by both the Lowry and the biuret procedures. Color development in the presence of protein is lessened by the presence of glycerol in samples tested by either assay. In addition, with the Lowry test significant color development linearly related to glycerol concentration is obtained in the absence of protein. Problems in either assay of protein estimation in the presence of glycerol may be overcome by the use of appropriate blanks and calibration curves.
Selective loss of striatal preprotachykinin neurons in a phenocopy of Huntington's disease.

Phenocopies of Huntington's disease (HD) are individuals with a family history, clinical symptoms, and occasionally pathological evidence of HD but without an expanded CAG repeat within the HD gene. We report on an HD phenocopy with selective loss of preprotachykinin (PPT) neurons, dysfunction of surviving PPT neurons, preservation of preproenkephalin (PPE) neurons within the striatum, and greater loss of immunohistochemical staining for substance P in terminals of striatal neurons projecting to the substantia nigra, than in those projecting to the internal pallidal segment. This case demonstrates the existence of one type of striatal lesion that may produce a clinical picture similar to HD, and raises the possibility of a rare hereditary disease that mimics HD.
The influence of pregnancy on breast cancer risk: Is it endocrinological or immunological?

Epidemiological data are presented to show that pregnancy is related to a short-term increase in breast cancer risk which precedes its well recognized lower rate for the remainder of life. The data confirm and extend related findings from several earlier studies, and suggest that the biological mechanism which produces the apparent protective effect resulting from pregnancy also produces a short-term adverse effect which is approximately proportionate to the protective effect. This phenomena seems important in terms of what it reveals about the natural history of breast cancer. It is proposed that the general biological mechanism underlying this effect is the immune tolerance during pregnancy which allows the female's immune system to tolerate a fetus whose genes and antigens are partially dissimilar to her own. It is further suggested that the specific mechanism responsible for the phenomena is either a mammary tumor virus or the woman's immune reaction to unidentified fetal antigens that are common to human fetal cells and mammary cancer cells.
Population undercount and social science research.

The undercount problem in the decennial census has important implication for social science research based directly or indirectly on census data. Because undercount rates (or coverage rates) vary by age, race, residence, and other factors typically studied in social research, important conceptual difficulties arise in using census results to corroborate sampling frames or to validate survey results. Differential undercount, particularly for analyses based on small areas, could produce substantial variability in prevalence rates in cases where the denominators for those rates are derived from the census. Several examples where the undercount problem arises in social science research, including survey research, are considered. The adjustment problem—whether to adjust, how to adjust, and how much to adjust—is also considered from the point of view of social sicence research.
Continuing Evolution of Multidisciplinary Approach to Prevention of Central Line–Associated Bacteremias

Abstract ISSUE: Prevention of central line–associated bacteremias (BSIc) is a major focus for our 570-bed tertiary/transplant center. Historical risk-reduction strategies include: use of antimicrobial impregnated CVL, CVL insertion tray designed to facilitate total barrier technique compliance, and use of 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate and 70% alcohol solution (0.5% CHG) for site prep. Our rates increased following market removal of 0.5% CHG. When new 2 % CHG skin prep solution (2% CHG and 70% alcohol) and a CHG–impregnated patch became available, studies to determine impact of these new products were initiated. PROJECT: BSIc surveillance was performed by infection control professionals according to CDC definitions and reported quarterly. Initially, CVL utilization was 151 patients/per day had at least one CVL. Staff was educated about each new product prior to implementation. The skin prep was first changed to 2% CHG. Subsequently, CHG–impregnated patch was introduced. RESULTS: During the study, CVL utilization increased to 220 patients/day with a CVL. Introduction of 2% CHG prep plus the CHG patch resulted in an overall 31% reduction in BSIc, of which a 16% reduction was attributable to the CHG patch. This reduction resulted in averting 135 infections and cost aversion of $2.5 million. LESSONS LEARNED: Implementing new technologies for reducing BSIc must be an ongoing process. The use of 2% CHG skin prep and a CHG-impregnated patch significantly reduced BSIc in our setting. Evaluation and comparison to hospital-specific baseline data is important to determine the impact of the changes on patient safety and cost management.
Circuit party attendance, club drug use, and unsafe sex in gay men

Abstract Purpose: We examined the population demographics and club drugs used in gay circuit parties and estimated the reported unsafe sexual behavior associated with each drug, the reasons for attending circuit parties, and the unsafe sex associated with different reasons. Methods: A brief questionnaire was provided to a nonrandom sample of party attendees covering demographics, drugs used, sexual activity, and reasons for attending gay circuit parties at three major North American parties in 1998–1999. A total of 1169 usable questionnaires were obtained. Odds ratios for unsafe sex for the drugs surveyed [alcohol, marijuana, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy), ketamine (Special K), crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth), cocaine, volatile nitrites (poppers), and γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)] were calculated, as was significance of unsafe sex for the 10 major reasons for attending parties. Results: 12-month party drug use was high: >50% reported using alcohol, Ecstasy, and Special K. Frequent (rather than occasional) use of Ecstasy, Special K, and poppers had an association with unsafe sex at parties. Poppers also showed a statistically significant association with unsafe sex in 12 months (not necessarily at parties) while crystal meth and GHB showed a trend. Attending circuit parties “to look and feel good,” “to have sex,” and “to be uninhibited and wild” were associated with higher levels of unsafe sex in 12 months. Implications: In this sample, circuit party attendees are well educated and financially secure. Party drug use is high. It appears that use of poppers, Ecstasy, Special K, crystal meth, and GHB are associated with various measures of unsafe sex. More comprehensive research on club drug use in gay men is required.
Magnetohydrodynamic channel flows with weak transverse magnetic fields

Magnetohydrodynamic flow of an incompressible fluid through a plane channel with slowly varying walls and a magnetic field applied transverse to the channel is investigated in the high Reynolds number limit. It is found that the magnetic field can first influence the hydrodynamic flow when the Hartmann number reaches a sufficiently large value. The magnetic field is found to suppress the steady and unsteady viscous flow near the channel walls unless the wall shapes become large.
Particuology and climate change

Abstract The global concern over the greenhouse gas emissions and its effect on global warming and climate change has focused attention on the necessity of carbon dioxide capture and sequestration. There are many processes proposed to capture carbon either before or after combustion and these processes invariably involve investigation and application of traditional particuology. The solids employed are of different sizes, densities, morphologies, and strengths. Their handling, transportation, recirculation, and reactor applications are the essence of ‘particuology’. Particuology can play an important and vital role in achieving cost-effective removal of carbon and minimize emissions of greenhouse gases. In this paper, the existing and developing carbon capture processes are briefly reviewed and the opportunities for application of particuology are identified. The review was not intended to be exhaustive. It is only in sufficient detail to make connection between particuology and climate change. For immediate and future challenges of reducing global warming and carbon capture and sequestration, innovative reactor design and application of particuology is imperative. Expertise and innovation in particuology can greatly enhance the speed of development of those technologies and help to achieve cost-effective implementation. Particuology is indeed intimately related to the climate change and global warming.
Difficulty in Defecation in Infants with Gastroesophageal Reflux Treated with Smaller Volume Feeds Thickened with Rice Cereal

We prospectively evaluated the incidence of difficulty in defecation in infants with gastroesophageal reflux who were treated with smaller volume feeds thickened with rice cereal and also assessed the effect of changing the cereal to oatmeal. We evaluated 53 thriving infants with uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux who were treated with smaller volume feeds thickened with rice cereal. Parents maintained records of bowel movements for 7 days. Rice was substituted by oatmeal cereal in those infants developing difficulty in defecation and another 7 days' record was kept. Of the 53 infants enrolled, 34 (64%) reported no difficulty in defecation, 8 (15%) reported mild difficulty, and 11 (21%) reported severe difficulty in defecation during rice-based feedings. In these symptomatic 19 infants, after rice was substituted by oatmeal cereal, 10 infants (52.6%) reported no symptoms, 6 (31.6%) had mild symptoms, and 3 (15.8%) continued to have severe symptoms. We conclude that difficulty in defecation is common during treatment of infants with gastroesophageal reflux with smaller volume feeds thickened with rice cereal. Substitution of rice with oatmeal cereal results in partial or complete resolution of symptoms in most of these infants.
Comparison of a switching controller to two LTI controllers for a class of LTI plants

We consider the design of three different control architectures for a step response tracking problem within a class of linear, time-invariant plants. Our goal is to motivate the use of a particular switching architecture that has been the subject of our prior work. We show the design of the particular switching architecture that we use and characterize its step response performance (measured in terms of the percentage overshoot and 1 % settling time). We then compare the response of the switching controller to two other forms of LTI control in a servo configuration, one in which the order of the controller is unconstrained, and one in which the order of the controller is constrained to be first order (which matches the order of the dynamics of the switching controller). We shall show that, while the LTI control of unconstrained order can outperform the switching architecture, the performance improvement is bounded (in a sense to be defined). Moreover, one method of designing close-to-optimal controllers shall be discussed which yields controllers of very high order. We shall also show that the switching architecture can outperform first order LTI control and shall illustrate this via a particular design example.