cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Verbal communication with the Blom low profile and Passy-Muir one-way tracheotomy tube speaking valves.

Abstract Objective To investigate physiologic parameters, voice production abilities, and functional verbal communication ratings of the Blom low profile voice inner cannula and Passy-Muir one-way tracheotomy tube speaking valves. Study design Case series with planned data collection. Setting Large, urban, tertiary care teaching hospital. Subjects and methods Referred sample of 30 consecutively enrolled adults requiring a tracheotomy tube and tested with Blom and Passy-Muir valves. Physiologic parameters recorded were oxygen saturation, respiration rate, and heart rate. Voice production abilities included maximum voice intensity in relation to ambient room noise and maximum phonation duration of the vowel/a/. Functional verbal communication was determined from randomized and blinded listener ratings of counting 1–10, saying the days of the week, and reading aloud the sentence, “There is according to legend a boiling pot of gold at one end.” Results There were no significant differences ( p > 0.05) between the Blom and Passy-Muir valves for the physiologic parameters of oxygen saturation, respiration rate, and heart rate; voice production abilities of both maximum intensity and duration of/a/; and functional verbal communication ratings. Both valves allowed for significantly greater maximum voice intensity over ambient room noise ( p Conclusions The Blom low profile voice inner cannula and Passy-Muir one-way speaking valves exhibited equipoise regarding patient physiologic parameters, voice production abilities, and functional verbal communication ratings. Learning outcomes: Readers will understand the importance of verbal communication for patients who require a tracheotomy tube; will be able to determine the differences between the Blom low profile voice inner cannula and Passy-Muir one-way tracheotomy tube speaking valves; and will be confident in knowing that both the Blom and Passy-Muir one-way tracheotomy tube speaking valves are equivalent regarding physiological functioning and speech production abilities.
A Comparison of Life Prediction Methodologies for Titanium Matrix Composites Subjected to Thermomechanical Fatigue

Several methodologies have been developed to predict the lives of titanium matrix composites (TMCs) subjected to thermomechanical fatigue (TMF). This paper reviews and compares five life prediction models developed at NASA-LaRC, Wright Laboratories, and Clarkson University. The models developed at NASA-LaRC and Clarkson University are based on a single parameter, the fiber stress in the load-carrying, or 0°, direction. The two other models, both developed at Wright Labs, are multi-parameter models. These can account for long-term damage, which is beyond the scope of the single-parameter models, but this benefit is offset by the additional complexity of the methodologies. Each of the methodologies was used to model data generated at NASA-LeRC, Wright Labs, and Georgia Tech for the SCS-6/Timetal 21-S material system. VISCOPLY, a micromechanical stress analysis code, was used to determine the constituent stress state for each test and was used for each model to maintain consistency. The predictive capabilities of the models are compared, and the ability of each model to accurately predict the responses of tests dominated by differing damage mechanisms is addressed.
Combined Research and Curriculum Development of Web and Java Based Educational Modules with Immersive Virtual Environments

A Java framework is described for creating an interface with legacy code on a Web browser. This interface was created in the development of modules for teaching a senior level (I) and first-year graduate level course (II) on the Mechanical Behavior of Materials. Both courses incorporate the results of state-of-the-art simulation techniques. The modules make extensive use of materials available through the Internet. When appropriate, students study structure property relationships predicted by simulations in an immersive environment called a CAVETM. Simulation results span various length scales, starting at the atomistic level that use embedded atom method techniques, and continuing with simulations at the continuum level that use finite element method techniques. Modules for the second course focus on a scale between the atomistic and continuum level where mechanical behavior is predicted by simulations that used a variety of numerical techniques. These modules use legacy code written by the researchers teaching these classes. Considerable attention was given to creating a Web-based interface that allows researchers easily to construct, and students easily to use, interfaces that access legacy code in an interactive format. Hence, researchers and instructors can focus more on content development and students can focus more on experimenting with possible parametric combinations in their solutions.
KRAS mutation influences recurrence patterns in patients undergoing hepatic resection of colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND The validity of the KRAS mutation as a predictor of recurrence-free survival (RFS) or overall survival (OS) is unclear. The current study investigated whether the presence of the KRAS mutation decreased RFS or OS in patients with colorectal cancer who underwent liver resection. METHODS Patients with resected colorectal liver metastases who received adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion plus systemic therapy and for whom KRAS data was available were evaluated. Correlation between KRAS and clinical factors was done using the Fisher exact test. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate the median RFS and OS. RESULTS A total of 169 patients were evaluated, 118 of whom had KRAS wild-type (WT) and 51 had KRAS mutated (MUT) tumors. The 3-year RFS rate was 46% for patients with KRAS WT (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 35%-56%) and 30% (95% CI, 16%-44%) for patients with KRAS MUT (P =.005). The 3-year OS rate was 95% (95% CI, 87%-98%) and 81% (95% CI, 62%-95%), respectively, for patients with KRAS WT and KRAS MUT (P =.07). On multivariate analysis, KRAS remained a significant predictor of RFS (hazard ratio, 1.9). The 3-year cumulative recurrence rate by site of metastases was as follows: 2% versus 13.4% for bone (P≤.01), 2% versus 14.5% for brain (P =.05), 33.2% versus 58% for lung (P≤.01), and 30% versus 47% for liver (P =.10) in patients with KRAS WT versus KRAS MUT. CONCLUSIONS In the current study, among patients with resected colorectal liver metastases who were treated with adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion plus systemic therapy, patients with KRAS MUT were found to have a significantly worse 3-year RFS (30%) compared with KRAS WT (46%) p=.005. The cumulative incidence of bone, brain, and lung metastases was significantly higher for patients with KRAS MUT compared with those with KRAS WT. Cancer 2014;120:3965–3971. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Biodiversity and Globalization

Reduction of the earth's biodiversity as a result of human activities is a matter of great concern to prominent scientists. What are the economic aspects of this loss? In economic terms, what is biodiversity and why might it matter? And is the loss of biodiversity in any way connected with globalization of the economy?
Precipitation from supersaturated Nb-C solid solutions

Precipitation of carbides from supersaturated niobium-carbon solid solutions has been measured using electrical resistance and transmission electron microscopy. The process is shown to follow a rate law of the form 1 -w = exp (-t/τ)n with values ofn around 0.6. The activation energy is consistent with diffusion of carbon as the major rate controlling factor. Transmission electron micrographs of samples aged in the time and temperature range of resistance measurements (days at 180°C to seconds at 400°C) fail to show any visible precipitate. However, foils aged at 400°C for much longer times show very distinct platelike precipitates. On the basis of this then value is taken to signify carbon segregation to solute-rich regions on certain planes which later develop into well defined plates.
Remote Storage: Leveraging Technology to Maximize Efficiency and Minimize Investments

Libraries are increasingly using, or at least considering, remote storage facilities for their little‐used materials in order to free up valuable on‐campus library space for other purposes. This paper details the experiences of one library, Northwestern University’s Pritzker Legal Research Center, in preparing for, then doing, this work. This type of work can be expensive in terms of staff time, particularly when staff is already being asked to do many additional things. Because extra staff could not be hired, Pritzker has experimented with alternative ways to get this work done, using relatively inexpensive and readily available technology, combined with the creativity of its staff, to accomplish this work with a minimum of time and other inputs while maintaining quality of work.
A scalable priority queue manager architecture for output-buffered ATM switches

We describe a scalable priority queue manager that implements deadline-ordered service disciplines in an output-buffered ATM switch, which can be used as a switching node in high-speed packet switched networks to provide quality of service (QoS) guarantees. The priority queue manager can handle a range of priority levels from 0 to (2/sup 16/-1), a buffer size of 64 k ATM cells, and 16 input links at 2.5 Gb/s. Two main components of the priority queue manager are: (1) a VLSI chip for searching the highest priority levels stored in the queue and for managing queues; (2) standard off-the-shelf SRAMs for cell buffering. In addition, we propose three architectures that combine the priority queue managers to scale up buffer size, number of input links, and bandwidth. We show that a combination of priority queue managers can yield a buffer size of 16 M ATM cells, 256 input links, and 5.8 Gb/s bandwidth.
Instream Water Use: Hydroelectric Power and Recreation

Instream water uses include hydroelectric power generation, outdoor recreation, transportation (navigation), water quality improvement, and in stream flows for environmental purposes. This chapter focuses mainly on two instream uses namely hydropower and recreation, though instream flows for environmental maintenance are discussed at the end. In stream water uses can be mutually compatible as when providing sufficient flow for navigation satisfies the water requirements for recreational uses, ecosystems, and water quality. Offstream uses are less compatible with instream uses, at least in theory. Flat water recreational opportunities are enhanced upstream of large hydroelectric dams by the presence of the reservoir. On the other hand, water releases for generating hydroelectric power may cause large fluctuations in river flow, which might be detrimental to downstream uses. Environmental and aesthetic values supported by instream flows have become more and more important in the last few decades.
Generalized Fokker-Planck Approximations of Particle Transport with Highly Forward-Peaked Scattering

The Fokker-Planck equation is often used to approximate the description of particle transport processes with highly forward-peaked scattering. Pomraning has shown that if the physical scattering kernel is sufficiently dominated by small-angle scattering, then the Fokker-Planck equation is an asymptotic approximation to the linear Boltzmann equation. However, most physically-meaningful scattering kernels contain a sufficient amount of large-angle scattering that the asymptotic criterion is not met. Thus, in many physical problems, solutions of the Fokker-Planck equation are substantially in error. In this paper, Pomraning's asymptotic results are generalized and a new generalized Fokker-Planck (GFP) theory that robustly incorporates large-angle scattering is developed. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the resulting GFP equations are much more accurate than the standard Fokker-Planck equation.
CSF β-endorphin and leu-enkephalin levels in the acute and chronic stages of cerebral infarction

To investigate the role of endogenous opioid peptides in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischaemia, the CSF levels of immunoreactive β-endorphin and leu-enkephalin in 16 patients with cerebral infarction were measured. Both the CSF β-endorphin and leu-enkephalin levels in the acute stage of cerebral infarction were significantly higher than the values in the chronic stage. The CSF concentrations of the two peoptides revealed a positive correlation in the acute but not the chronic stage. The increased endogenous opioid peptides in the CSF in the acute stage may modify the evolution of cerebral infarction.
Xanthan gum production from waste sugar beet pulp

The feasibility of using waste sugar beet pulp (WSBP) as a supplemental substrate for xanthan gum production from Xanthomonas campestris was investigated. For the range of incubation periods and contact times investigated (1 to 5 days), there were no differences in the mean WSBP degradation. The mean WSBP degradation was significantly greater for incubation temperatures of 28°C as compared to incubation temperatures of 32°C. WSBP degradation was insensitive to the contact temperatures evaluated. These results indicate that optimal cell growth might optimize WSBP degradation. Xanthan gum production from the WSBP supplemented cultures was significantly greater than the unsupplemented production medium. Based on a preliminary analysis, the use of WSBP for xanthan gum production has the potential to be a cost-effective supplemental substrate to produce non-food grade xanthan gum.
The golden age of radio and television programming: A guide to reference sources

Many individuals experience a sense of deja vu when smelling a particular scent in the air or on hearing a name or words from the past. At times even the faintest scent or sound may evoke old memories and stir the senses. This is particularly true when the names of long‐ago television and radio programs are heard. Depending on one's age and the part of the country in which one lived, people born before the “baby boom” years (1946–1964) often feel a profound sense of nostalgia about such radio programs as Mr. District Attorney and Fibber McGee and Molly or the television shows Howdy Doody and Toast of the Town/Ed Sullivan Show. These early programs are considered part of the “golden age” of radio and television broadcasting.
A dynamical crossover regime during evanescent-wave amplification

A dynamical crossover regime is revealed when exposing a classical two-dimensional–ordered Josephson junction (JJ) array to evanescent waves and tuning the incident microwave power. At the lowest possible temperature for these experiments, 1.1 K, and at the lowest power setting, , evanescent waves are transmitted without loss and the resonance exhibits a quality factor of . A second, smaller resonance, which evolves with increasing power from the main resonance, is also investigated. In contrast to the behavior of the main resonance, this second peak grows as the incident power is increased and does not maintain a fixed resonant frequency for temperatures less than the superconducting critical temperature of niobium. The tunability of both resonances is studied as a function of temperature and microwave power. Finally, we speculate that this dynamical crossover regime is evidence of a transition between two states of phase coherence where at low microwave power the JJ arrays are phase locked and at high microwave power the JJ arrays are unlocked.
Animal Rights and Animal Welfare: Historical Resources

SUMMARY Although literature of the animal rights movement can be traced back to ancient philosophers, the animal rights movement as we know it today has a relatively brief history. This article identifies some of the key works in recent literature in the history of animal rights. Included are reviews intended to aid librarians in selecting titles in animal rights and animal welfare history. Works are divided into two categories: bibliographies and general historical works.
Determination of phenol-degrader distribution in biofilms using gene probes

This research presents a methodology for coupling microsectioning of biofilms, the subsequent extraction of DNA from the biofilm sections, and the analysis of the DNA by gene probes to determine the distribution of phenol-degrading organisms in the biofilm. A mixed species biofilm was grown in an aqueous feed that simulates a municipal wastewater. Frozen biofilm samples were sliced parallel to the substratum, using a cryostat. From representative layers of the biofilm sectioned parallel to the biofilm substratum, ethidium bromide dot tests on extracted DNA and radioactively labelled DNA probes [toluene-3-monooxygenase (tbu) or toluene dioxygenase (tod)] were used to examine the distribution of total bacterial organisms and phenol-degrading organisms, respectively, in the biofilm. The concentration of total bacterial DNA increased significantly as depth increased, for biofilms over 300 μm thick (depth from substratum to biofilm-water interface). Under conditions of stress (decreasing organic feed), however, the relationship began to fail. As with total bacterial DNA, DNA from phenol degraders showed a direct relationship with depth. The results of this study confirm that biofilm sectioning followed by DNA extraction provides suitable samples for genetic probing. Results of genetic probing reflect the heterogeneity of the biofilms grown in this study.
Making a robust biomolecular time scale for phylogenetic studies.

Summary The further evolution of informational molecular sequences should depend on the number of viable alternatives possible for the sequences as set by selection, the unrepaired mutation rate, and time. Most biomolecular clocks are based on Kimura's nearly neutral mutation random-drift hypothesis. This clock assumes that informational sequences are in equilibrium, i.e., the nucleotides mutate at a uniform rate and the number of nucleotides unconstrained by selection remains constant. Correcting for deviations from these assumptions should produce a more accurate clock. Informational molecules probably formed from polynucleotides having some other function such as nitrogen or nucleotide storage, thus being initially functionally unselected. At any time the rate of development of functionality in a protein may be expected to be proportional to the number of viable alternatives of sequence in its potentially interacting regions. Assuming the rate of unrepaired mutations is constant, these clocks should exponentially slow as they evolve, each with a different rate toward individual equilibria. Also if the degree of selection changes, its clock rate should change. For a more precise clock two approaches are suggested to estimate these time dependent changes in evolutionary rate. An improved clock could improve estimation of phylogeny and put a time scale on that phylogeny.
EVALUATION OF METHODS FOR ESTIMATING STREAM WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS IN A TRANSIENT MODEL FROM STOCHASTIC DATA

: In this study the estimation of parameters in water quality models represented by linear first order partial differential equations is investigated. Two sets of simulated input-output data, one with input noise and the other with output measurement error, were used. The parameters were estimated by a gradient technique (Bard's method) and a pattern search technique. The results indicate that the output measurement error significantly affects the values of parameter estimates as compared to the noise added to the input. Bard's method consistently gave results with a smaller sum of square value.
Dynamic reduction with applications to mathematical biology and other areas

In a difference or differential equation one is usually interested in finding solutions having certain properties, either intrinsic properties (e.g. bounded, periodic, almost periodic) or extrinsic properties (e.g. stable, asymptotically stable, globally asymptotically stable). In certain instances it may happen that the dependence of these equations on the state variable is such that one may (1) alter that dependency by replacing part of the state variable by a function from a class having some of the above properties and (2) solve the ‘reduced’ equation for a solution having the remaining properties and lying in the same class. This then sets up a mapping &#x1d4af; of the class into itself, thus reducing the original problem to one of finding a fixed point of the mapping. The procedure is applied to obtain a globally asymptotically stable periodic solution for a system of difference equations modeling the interaction of wild and genetically altered mosquitoes in an environment yielding periodic parameters. It i...
Steinernema feltiae activity and infectivity in response to herbicide exposure in aqueous and soil environments.

Abstract Laboratory bioassays determined the effect of herbicide exposure on the nematode Steinernema feltiae (= Neoaplectana carpocapsae). Alachlor, sethoxydim, 2,4-D, and glyphosate were tested at three concentrations in Petri dishes including the recommended application rate and one log dose higher and one log dose lower than the recommended rate for each of three exposure periods of 24, 48, and 120 hr. Alachlor was most deleterious reducing dauer activity by 44 to 90% in aqueous solution. Only 19 to 30% of the nematodes exposed to the other three herbicides were inactive. Bioassays of nematodes extracted from these suspensions and subsequently washed 3× in water against Galleria mellonella last-instar larvae yielded median lethal doses (LD50s) of 45.2, 1.1, 0.9, and 1.1 nematodes/larva for the alachlor, 2,4-D, glyphosate and sethoxydim treatments, respectively. Control treatments with water yielded an LD50 of 2.8 nematodes/larva. Nematode infectivity in soil was reduced by exposure to 2,4-D and alachlor. At the recommended application rate, the LD50s for the alachlor, 2,4-D, and control treatments were 26.7, 8.8, and 2.7 nematodes/larva, respectively.
Ethanol and ethylene glycol on Ni/Pt(1 1 1) bimetallic surfaces: A DFT and HREELS study

Abstract The reactions of ethanol and ethylene glycol have been studied on Ni/Pt(1 1 1) bimetallic surfaces using density functional theory (DFT) and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). A linear correlation has been observed between the binding energies of ethanol, ethoxy, and ethylene glycol species and the surface d-band center, with increasing binding energy as the d-band center shifts closer to the Fermi level. HREELS measurements have identified the bond scission sequence of ethanol and ethylene glycol on Ni/Pt(1 1 1) bimetallic surfaces. Two bimetallic surfaces can be formed that possess very different chemical properties: one with a monolayer of Ni atoms on top of Pt(1 1 1) designated Ni–Pt–Pt(1 1 1), and the other with the Ni atoms diffusing into the subsurface region, designated Pt–Ni–Pt(1 1 1). At 120 K ethanol adsorbs molecularly with the O–H bond intact on Pt(1 1 1) and Pt–Ni–Pt(1 1 1), while dissociative adsorption is observed on Ni–Pt–Pt(1 1 1) and Ni(1 1 1) film surfaces. Ethylene glycol adsorbs molecularly with the O–H bond intact on all four surfaces at 200 K, and desorbs reversibly from Pt(1 1 1) and Pt–Ni–Pt(1 1 1). In contrast, ethylene glycol undergoes decomposition on Ni–Pt–Pt(1 1 1) and Ni(1 1 1) film surfaces through O–H bond cleavage, forming an ethylenedioxy (–OCH2CH2O–) intermediate. This intermediate reacts by further dehydrogenation and C–C bond scission to eventually form CO. Overall, the HREELS results are consistent with TPD studies that show the reforming activities of ethanol and ethylene glycol follow the trend Ni–Pt–Pt(1 1 1) > Ni(1 1 1) film > Pt(1 1 1) > Pt–Ni–Pt(1 1 1).
Anchorage-dependent Regulation of the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Cascade by Growth Factors Is Supported by a Variety of Integrin α Chains

Integrin cooperation with growth factor receptors to enable permissive signaling to the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway has important implications for cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Here we have sought to determine whether anchorage regulation of the MAP kinase pathway is specific to the alpha chain subunit of the integrins employed during adhesion. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) anchored via endogenous alpha(2), alpha(3), or alpha(5) integrin subunits or NIH3T3 fibroblast cells lines anchored via ectopically expressed human integrin alpha(2) or alpha(5) subunits displayed comparable MAP kinase activation upon growth factor stimulation, regardless of the integrin alpha chain employed. In contrast, when either cell type was maintained in suspension, growth factor treatment inefficiently activated the MAP kinase pathway. The integrin-mediated enhancement of MAP kinase activation by growth factor correlated with the tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase but was independent of Shc. These data indicate that integrin modulation of the MAP kinase pathway is supported by a variety of integrin complexes and imply that other pathways may be required for the previously reported alpha chain-specific effects on cell cycle regulation and cell differentiation.
New κ-phase materials, κ-(ET)2Cu[N(CN)2]X.X=Cl, Br and I. The synthesis, structure and superconductivity above 11 K in the Cl (Tc = 12.8 K, 0.3 kbar) and Br(Tc = 11.6 K) salts

Abstract The syntheses, structures, selected physical properties, and band electronic structures of three copper (I) dicyanamide halide salts of bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene [κ-(ET) 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]X, where X = Cl, Br, and I] are discussed. X-ray crystallographic studies demonstrate that the three derivatives are isostructural. The bromide salt is an ambient pressure superconductor with an inductive onset at 11.6 K and a resistive onset at 12.5 K. κ-(ET) 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]Cl exhibits the highest reported superconducting transition temperature (T c = 12.8 K. 0.3 kbar) for an organic superconductor, once a semiconductor-semiconductor transition (42 K) is suppressed. The application of GE varnish or Apiezon N grease to crystals of κ-(ET) 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]Cl provides sufficient stress to induce superconductivity at “ambient pressure”. Crystals of the iodide remain metallic to ∼150 K, where they become weakly semiconductive. No sign of superconductivity was detected at pressures (hydrostatic and shearing) up to 5.2 kbar and at temperatures as low as 1.1 K. The band electronic structures of the three salts are essentially identical. The differences in superconducting properties are explained in terms of differences in lattice softness, which are strongly influenced by short C-H…donor and C-H…anion contacts.
Depression and Anxiety in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Cystic Fibrosis

The lifetime and current prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders was determined in 41 children with Crohn's disease, 12 children with ulcerative colitis, and 52 children with cystic fibrosis, using the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia interview. The lifetime prevalence of depression was 29% in Crohn's disease, 21% in ulcerative colitis, and 11.5% in cystic fibrosis. The difference in the prevalence of depression between Crohn's disease and cystic fibrosis was significant (p less than 0.05). The lifetime and current prevalence of dysthymia was significantly greater in ulcerative colitis than Crohn's disease (p less than 0.01) or cystic fibrosis (p less than 0.01). The lifetime prevalence of atypical depression was significantly greater in Crohn's disease than cystic fibrosis (22% versus 5.8%, p less than 0.05) and was also greater in ulcerative colitis than cystic fibrosis (21% versus 5.8%, p = 0.1). There was no difference between the groups in the current prevalence of major depression or atypical depression, or in the lifetime or current prevalence of anxiety disorders.
“I’m a Black Man and I’m Doing this Job Very Well”: How African American Professional Men Negotiate the Impact of Racism on Their Career Development

This is a critical qualitative study grounded in the tripartite frame of Black masculinity, critical race theory, and career development theory. The study examines the impact of racism on the career development of African American professional men in corporate America. Fourteen African American men who hold mid-management or higher positions in their respective companies were interviewed for this study. Participants’ responses were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Findings reveal that African American professional men experience repressive structures due to gendered racism, which impacts their careers in ways that are different from their White male counterparts and African American professional women. The study also identifies facilitative structures African American men employ to negotiate the impact of racism on their career development. Four conclusions are discussed, and implications for practice and future research are offered.
Clonidine and modification of perioperative outcome.

Purpose of reviewPerioperative cardiac risk reduction using perioperative β-blockade is being widely adopted. Recent research has identified a second-line agent, perioperative clonidine, that can be used to reduce the risk of perioperative cardiac mortality. Perioperative clonidine has some advantag
Practical guidelines for the community treatment of markedly impaired patients

A sound technology does not yet exist for successfully treating in the community those patients traditionally treated by public mental hospitals and aftercare programs. The current paper attempts to advance this technology by presenting practical guidelines based on the empirical work of the writers and others. Recommendations include a focus on the teaching of coping skills, an in vivo site of treatment, an assertive approach, and use of a variety of social learning techniques. Staffing and monetary needs for community treatment are also discussed.
RBS studies of the absolute coverage of Cs on the Si(1 1 1)-7×7 surface

Abstract The absolute saturation coverage of Cs adsorbed on the Si(1 1 1)-7×7 surface at room temperature has been measured using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. At saturation, coverage is 0.51±0.02 monolayers (ML) where 1 ML=7.83×1014 atoms/cm2. This value constrains proposed ordered structural models by placing a strict upper limit on the absolute coverage of the first Cs layer adsorbed on Si(1 0 0) at room temperature. Proposed structural models with lower coverages of ordered Cs must include substantial disordered components.
Outcome of components separation for contaminated complex abdominal wall defects

Contaminated large abdominal wall defects can pose a formidable challenge to the surgeon. This study compared the outcome of components separation (CS) for complex ventral defects with or without contamination. A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent CS over an 8-year period. Pre-operative factors such as the presence/absence of contamination were analyzed for their effect on length of hospitalization, readmission rate, post-operative complications, re-intervention rate, and long-term recurrence. A total of 34 patients was analyzed. There were 18 males (53%) with a mean age of 57 years. Mean body mass index was 31 kg/m2. Seventeen patients (50%) had prior repair (mean 2.1 repairs per patient, median 2). Mean size of abdominal defect was 255 cm2. Out of the 34 patients, 13 had infected or contaminated defects, including 5 patients with infected mesh. Length of stay was longer in the contaminated group (11.1 vs 3.1 days, P < 0.01). A higher complication rate was noted in the setting of contamination (77 vs 38%, P = 0.03). During a mean follow-up of 47 months, no difference was noted in the re-intervention rate (38 vs 29%, P = 0.70) or long-term recurrence rate of the defect (8 vs 5%, P = 1.0) (contaminated vs non-contaminated group, respectively). CS is a good option for closure of large contaminated complex abdominal wall defects. Despite an increased risk of postoperative complications and longer hospitalization length, long-term outcomes are favorable.
Particle physics on ice: constraints on neutrino interactions far above the weak scale.

Ultrahigh energy cosmic rays and neutrinos probe energies far above the weak scale. Their usefulness might appear to be limited by astrophysical uncertainties; however, by simultaneously considering up- and down-going events, one may disentangle particle physics from astrophysics. We show that present data from the AMANDA experiment in the South Pole ice already imply an upper bound on neutrino cross sections at energy scales that will likely never be probed at man-made accelerators. The existing data also place an upper limit on the neutrino flux valid for any neutrino cross section. In the future, similar analyses of IceCube data will constrain neutrino properties and fluxes at the O(10%) level.
Combined Prostate Brachytherapy and Short-Term Androgen Deprivation Therapy as Salvage Therapy for Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer After External Beam Irradiation

Purpose: We describe the treatment outcome in 17 patients who received combined salvage brachytherapy and short-term androgen deprivation therapy for local prostate cancer relapse after prior external beam irradiation.Materials and Methods: Median patient age was 68 years. Local relapse after external beam irradiation was confirmed by biopsy. Median prostate specific antigen at local relapse was 4.7 ng/ml. Five of the 17 patients were enrolled in a protocol combining androgen deprivation therapy with brachytherapy and the remaining men were treated off protocol. All patients received neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy for a median of 3 months, followed by ultrasound guided brachytherapy using 125I in 9 and 103Pd seeds in 8. Five patients also received adjuvant leuprolide for a median of 6 months. Biochemical failure was defined using the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology definition. Toxicity was graded with a modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale.Results: Median follo...
Discrimination of information for manner of articulation

Infants, between the ages of 2 and 4 months, were able to discriminate small differences in the acoustic information that is sufficient to signal the adult phonetic contrast based on manner of articulation, namely, the nasal-stop distinction in syllable-initial consonants. In addition, the discriminability function for this information was found to be discontinuous, being peaked at the region of the adult phonetic boundary.
Imaging the lungs in asthmatic patients by using hyperpolarized helium-3 magnetic resonance: assessment of response to methacholine and exercise challenge.

Abstract Background: Imaging of gas distribution in the lungs of patients with asthma has been restricted because of the lack of a suitable gaseous contrast agent. Hyperpolarized helium-3 (HHe3) provides a new technique for magnetic resonance imaging of lung diseases. Objective: We sought to investigate the use of HHe3 gas to image the lungs of patients with moderate or severe asthma and to assess changes in gas distribution after methacholine and exercise challenge. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in asthmatic patients immediately after inhalation of HHe3 gas. In addition, images were obtained before and after methacholine challenge and a standard exercise test. Results: Areas of the lung with no signal or sharply reduced HHe3 signal (ventilation defects) are common in patients with asthma, and the number of defects was inversely related to the percent predicted FEV 1 ( r = 0.71, P 1 . The increase in defects after challenge in these 9 asthmatic patients was significant both for the number ( P P
Impact of Infectious and Inflammatory Disease on Cytochrome P450–Mediated Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics

Infection and inflammation are associated with down-regulations of hepatic and extrahepatic cytochrome P450s, as well as other drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. We will review the genesis of inflammatory reactions, and discuss the relevance of the inflammatory regulation of P450 enzymes observations to clinical drug-disease and drug-drug interactions. Mechanistically, understanding the enzyme specificity and mechanisms of regulation will allow us to make better decisions about drug dosage regimens when a patient’s inflammatory status changes.
Electrochemical and Infrared Spectroscopic Quantitative Determination of the Platinum-Catalyzed Ethylene Glycol Oxidation Mechanism at CO Adsorption Potentials

The electrochemical mechanism for ethylene glycol oxidation by polycrystalline platinum at 0.30 V/SCE in 0.10 M HClO4 is investigated by reflection infrared spectroscopic, coulometric, and voltammetric measurements of 0.10 M ethylene glycol, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid, and oxalic acid. CO2, glycolic acid, and adsorbed CO are identified as reaction products for ethylene glycol and glycolaldehyde oxidation. A two-path mechanism is proposed for 0.30 V oxidation of ethylene glycol and glycolaldehyde: either the reacting molecule undergoes direct oxidation to desorbing glycolic acid or it undergoes direct dissociation of the carbon−carbon bond to form various amounts of aqueous CO2 and adsorbed CO. Calculations are performed, assuming the quantities of CO and CO2 depend statistically upon the identities of the two functional groups comprising the two-carbon reactant molecule and upon oxidation conditions. Calculation results for dissociation at 0.30 V show that nearly 100% of the c...
The nucleotide sequence of the luxA and luxB genes of Xenorhabdus luminescens HM and a comparison of the amino acid sequences of luciferases from four species of bioluminescent bacteria.

The luxA and luxB genes of bioluminescent bacteria encode the α and β subunits of luciferase, respectively. Sequences of the luxA and luxB genes of Xenorhabdus luminescens, the only terrestrial bioluminescent bacterium known, were determined and the amino acid sequence of luciferase deduced. The α subunit was found to contain 360 amino acids and has a calculated molecular weight of 41,005 Da, while the β subunit contains 327 amino acids and has a calculated molecular weight of 37,684 Da. Alignment of this luciferase with the luciferases of three marine bacteria showed 196 (or 55%) conserved residues in the α subunit and 114 (or 35%) conserved residues in the β subunit. The highest degree of homology between any two species was between the luciferases of X. luminescens and Vibrio harveyi with 84% identity in the α subunits and 59% identity in the β subunits.
Information Technology Portfolio Management: Literature Review, Framework, and Research Issues

There is significant interest in managing IT resources as a portfolio of assets. The concept of IT portfolio management ITPM is relatively new, compared to portfolio management in the context of finance, new product development NPD, and research and development R&D. This article compares ITPM with other types of portfolio management, and develops an improved understanding of IT assets and their characteristics. It presents a process-oriented framework for identifying critical ITPM decision stages. The proposed framework can be used by managers as well as researchers.
Vaginal nitric oxide in pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis.

Problem To evaluate vaginal nitric oxide (NO) production in response to alterations in the vaginal microbial flora. Method of study Cervicovaginal lavage samples from 206 women at 18–22 weeks of gestation were tested for NO, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), tumor necrosis factor-α and the inducible 70 kDa heat shock protein (hsp70). Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was diagnosed based on gram staining of vaginal smears. Results and conclusions Elevated NO (>2.14 mmol/L) was associated with a diagnosis of BV (38% versus 11%, P < 0.008) as well as an increased median vaginal IL-1ra concentration (72.5 ng/ml versus 36.6 ng/ml, P = 0.041). Elevated vaginal NO was also associated with vaginal hsp70 and this relationship was independent of BV status or IL-1ra concentrations (P < 0.026). We conclude that vaginal hsp70 release in response to abnormal vaginal microflora may trigger NO production in an attempt to minimize the pathological consequences of this altered milieu.
Laparoscopic versus open colostomy reversal: A comparative analysis

Open colostomy reversal carries significant rates of wound infection, anastomotic leak, and incisional hernia which often limit its acceptance. We hypothesized that the laparoscopic approach to the restoration of intestinal continuity may result in lower perioperative morbidity and faster postoperative recovery. Twenty-two cases of laparoscopic colostomy reversals performed at a single institution were identified and compared to 22 randomly selected open colostomy closures performed during the same time period. Patients were compared based on demographics, previous indications for colostomy procedures, and perioperative outcomes. A total of 152 patients underwent reversal of left-sided colostomies during the study period. The laparoscopic approach was successful in 20 of 22 cases; there were 2 conversions to open (9%) secondary to inability to adequately mobilize the rectal stump. The laparoscopic and open groups were comparable based on mean age (54 years versus 49 years; P = 0.23), BMI (26 kg/m(2) versus 27 kg/m(2); P = 0.66), gender (9% males versus 13% males; P = 0.23), ASA Class (2.6 versus 2.3; P = 0.07), and history of previous intra-abdominal sepsis (17 versus 16 cases). Operative times were similar (158 versus 189 minutes; P = 0.16), and estimated blood loss was significantly less in the laparoscopic group (113 versus 270 ml; P = 0.01). No intraoperative complications occurred in the laparoscopic group and two enterotomies occurred in the open group. The laparoscopic group had earlier passage of flatus (3.5 versus 5.0 days; P = 0.001) and shorter hospitalization (4.2 versus 7.3 days; P = 0.001). Perioperative complications occurred in 3 (14%) laparoscopic and 13 (59%) open cases (P = 0.01). There was no mortality in this series. The laparoscopic approach can be safely used in the restoration of intestinal continuity. It results in a decreased perioperative morbidity and faster recovery, and it offers distinct advantages over the open approach to colostomy reversal.
Atomistic modeling of the thermoelectric power factor in ultra-scaled Silicon nanowires

Dimensional scaling provides an alternative route to improve the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) by the reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity(к l ). However, this method is reaching the scaling limit. Further improvement in ZT can be achieved by improving the thermoelectric power-factor (S2G), the numerator of ZT. In this work we study this part of ZT using a combination of semi-empirical Tight-Binding method and Landauer approach. We study the effect of cross-sectional confinement, wire orientation and uniaxial strain on the power-factor (PF). It is found that any improvement in PF is only achieved for wires with cross-section size less than 6nm × 6nm.
Acid-secreting function of the renal tubule.

From the University of Louisville School o[ Medicine, Louiwi l le , Ky. These investigations were supported in part by Grants A-461, A-4618, [rom the National Insti tutes of Heal th and the United States Health Services; in part by Contract DA-49-OO7-MD, M R D B , SGO, United States Army; and in part by a grant #ore the American Heart Association. "~Address, Division o[ Experimental Medicine, School o] Medicine, University o[ Louisville, Louisville 2, Ky. ~Advanced Research Fellow o[ the American Heart Association. tThe exact number o[ equivalents o[ H+ ions ]ormed [rora phospholipids and nucleoproteins depends upon the amount o] sodium and the pH o] the ingested /oodstuffs. stant. I t follows that there must be a mechanism for removal of acid or else the pH and bicarbonate content of body fluid would be reduced to fatally low levels. The presence of such a mechanism in the kidney is well known and its failure in renal insufficiency results in retention of phosphoric and sulfuric 1 acids with consequent acidosis. Excretion of urine rich in titratable acid and low in p H relative to blood (during ingestion of acid-ash diets) indicates renal capacity of removing surplus acid from the blood. Conversely, excretion of urine of pH greater than that of blood indicates renal capacity of removing surplus alkali from the blood. With both acidification and alkalinization functions, the kidney can maintain the pH of body fluids at constant and optimal levels of 7.40 _+ 0.05. 2 B. Renal sources of acid. Acid fed into the transport machinery is derived from two products of renal cell metabolism, CO2 and H + ions: 1. Metabolic CO~ provides hydrogen ions by the reaction,
Trilateral retinoblastoma: is the location of the intracranial tumor important?

BACKGROUND. Trilateral retinoblastoma refers to bilateral retinoblastoma associated with an intracranial primitive neuroectodermal tumor in the pineal or suprasellar region. The purpose of this study was to review patient and tumor characteristics and treatment outcome in patients with trilateral retinoblastoma and to determine whether there is a difference in presentation or outcome according to the location of the intracranial tumor. METHODS. A MEDLINE search of all English language articles pertaining to trilateral retinoblastoma published between 1977-1997 was performed. A total of 94 different cases were identified and analyzed. RESULTS. The gender was male in 39 patients (41.5%), female in 50 patients (53.2%), and unknown in 5 patients (5.3%). Family history for retinoblastoma was positive in 44 patients (46.8%), negative in 39 patients (41.5%), and unknown in 11 patients (11.7%). The median age at the time of diagnosis of retinoblastoma was 6 months. The median time interval to the development of an intracranial tumor from the time of diagnosis of retinoblastoma was 21 months. In 78 patients (83.0%) the intracranial tumor was in the pineal region and in 16 patients (17.0%) it was in the suprasellar region. The median time interval from the time of diagnosis of retinoblastoma to the development of a pineal region tumor was 24 months whereas the median time interval for the development of a suprasellar region tumor was 1 month. At 6 months after the diagnosis of intraocular tumors, 6 of 61 children with pineal region tumors and 10 of 14 patients with suprasellar region tumors had developed intracranial disease (P = 0.005). Unilateral intraocular retinoblastoma associated with intracranial tumor was more likely to occur in patients with suprasellar region tumors than pineal region tumors (P < 0.015). The median survival after the diagnosis of an intracranial tumor was 6 months regardless of the location of the intracranial tumor. For patients who received no treatment for the intracranial tumor the median survival was 1 month whereas it was 8 months for those who received treatment. Children who were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis of the intracranial tumor had a better overall survival than those who were symptomatic (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS. The prognosis of children who develop trilateral retinoblastoma is dismal with current treatment strategies. Tumors of the suprasellar region present earlier than tumors of the pineal region after the diagnosis of intraocular tumors. Because patients who were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis of intracranial disease had a better overall survival than those who were symptomatic, screening for intracranial tumors may be a valuable strategy in the management of patients with bilateral and/or hereditary retinoblastoma. [See editorial on pages 3-5, this issue].
Band Spectra of MgCl, MgBr and MgI in Absorption

The band spectra of MgCl, MgBr and MgI have been studied in absorption. Single systems of four-headed bands, lying between 3600 and 3950A for MgCl and between 3800 and 4000A for MgBr, have been observed. All of the bands degrade toward the violet. A vibrational analysis has been made for each of these systems. These vibrational analyses are consistent with the r\'espective isotope shifts. The analysis of the system for MgCl is not in agreement with that proposed by Parker. A band system, lying between 4040 and 4200A and degrading toward the violet, was also observed for MgI. This system is insufficiently developed for a vibrational analysis.