cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Favorable postoperative outcomes for children with COVID-19 infection undergoing surgical intervention: Experience at a free-standing children's hospital.

Abstract Background Current literature has shown that adult patients with perioperative Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) have increased rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that children with COVID-19 have favorable postoperative outcomes compared to the reported adult experience. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study for children with a confirmed preoperative COVID-19 diagnosis from April 1st, 2020 to August 15th, 2020 at a free-standing children's hospital. Primary outcomes evaluated were postoperative complications, readmissions, reoperations, and mortality within 30 days of operation. Secondary outcomes included hospital resource utilization, hospital length of stay, and postoperative oxygen support. Results A total of 66 children with preoperative confirmed COVID-19 were evaluated with median age of 9.5 years (interquartile range (IQR) 5–14) with 65% male and 70% Hispanic White. Sixty-five percent of patients had no comorbidities, with abdominal pain identified as the most common preoperative symptom (65%). Twenty-three percent of patients presented with no COVID-19 related symptoms. Eighty-two percent of patients had no preoperative chest imaging and 98% of patients did not receive preoperative oxygen support. General pediatric surgeons performed the majority of procedures (68%) with the most common diagnosis appendicitis (47%). Forty-one percent of patients were discharged the same day as surgery with 9% of patients utilizing postoperative intensive care unit resources and only 5% receiving postoperative invasive mechanical ventilation. Postoperative complications (7%), readmission (6%), and reoperation (6%) were infrequent, with no mortality. Conclusion COVID-19+ children requiring surgery have a favorable postoperative course and short-term outcomes compared to the reported adult experience. Type of study Prognosis Study. Level of evidence Level IV.
Inflation-Adjusted Trends in Medicare Reimbursement for Common Dermatologic Procedures, 2007-2021.

Importance Medicare enrollment, dermatologist utilization of Medicare, and dermatologic procedural volume have all increased over time. Despite this, there are limited studies evaluating changes in Medicare reimbursement within dermatology. Objective To identify trends in Medicare reimbursement for 46 common dermatologic procedures from 2007 to 2021. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study, reimbursement data were obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Physician Fee Schedule for commonly used dermatologic Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes from 2007 to 2021. The CPT codes in several major dermatologic categories were analyzed, including skin biopsy, shave removal, benign/premalignant/malignant destruction, benign/malignant excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, simple/intermediate/complex repair, flap, graft, and laser/phototherapy. All procedure prices were adjusted for inflation to January 2021 dollar value. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcomes were percentage changes and cumulative annual growth rates of pricing for each dermatologic procedure. Results From 2007 to 2021, there was a mean decrease in dermatologic procedure reimbursement of -4.8% after adjusting for inflation. Mean inflation-adjusted changes in reimbursements during this time period significantly varied by procedure type, including skin biopsy (+30.3%), shave removal (+24.5%), benign/premalignant/malignant destruction (-7.5%), Mohs micrographic surgery (-14.4%), benign/malignant excision (-3.9%), simple/intermediate/complex repair (-9.9%), flap repair (-14.1%), graft repair (-12.0%), and laser/phototherapy (-6.6%; P < .001). Changes in reimbursement did not vary by anatomical risk categories. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this cross-sectional analysis suggest that changes in Medicare reimbursement can have several downstream effects, including concomitant private insurance changes and decreased patient access. Future adjustments in reimbursement should balance high-value care with sustainable pricing to optimize patient access.
School and peer influences on the academic outcomes of African American adolescents.

Little scholarship explores how adolescents' beliefs about school and peers influence the academic outcomes of African American boys and girls. The sample included 612 African American boys (N = 307, Mage = 16.84) and girls (N = 305, Mage = 16.79). Latent class analysis (LCA) revealed unique patterns for African American boys and girls. Findings indicate that for African American boys, school attachment was protective, despite having peers who endorsed negative achievement values. Furthermore, socio-economic (SES) status was associated with higher grade point averages (GPA) for African American girls. Overall, these findings underscore the unique role of school, peer, and gendered experiences in lives of African American adolescents.
Scalable models of data sharing in Earth sciences

[1] Many Earth science disciplines are currently experiencing the emergence of new ways of data publication and the establishment of an information technology infrastructure for data archiving and exchange. Building on efforts to standardize data and metadata publication in geochemistry [Staudigel et al., 2002], here we discuss options for data publication, archiving and exchange. All of these options have to be structured to meet some minimum requirements of scholarly publication, in particular reliability of archival, reproducibility and falsifiability. All data publication and archival methods should strive to produce databases that are fully interoperable and this requires an appropriate data and metadata interchange protocol. To accomplish the latter we propose a new Metadata Interchange Format (.mif) that can be used for more effective sharing of data and metadata across digital libraries, data archives, and research projects. This is not a proposal for a particular set of metadata parameters but rather of a methodology that will enable metadata parameter sets to be easily developed and interchanged between research organizations. Examples are provided for geochemical data as well as map images to illustrate the flexibility of the approach.
UNC-13 and neurotransmitter release

Genetic studies in mice, worms and flies indicate that the synaptic protein UNC-13 plays a central role in the regulation of vesicle fusion.
Cytokinesis: Does Mid1 Have an Identity Crisis?

New work shows the anillin-related protein Mid1 does not position the cytokinetic ring in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces japonicus, unlike its role in S. pombe. Further analysis suggests the conserved function of Mid1-like anillin proteins may be in scaffolding, not positioning, the cytokinetic ring.
Testimony, memory and the limits of the a priori

Examinant la justification a priori de la croyance au temoignage d'autrui developpee par T. Burge, l'A. etudie les analogies entre le role de la perception dans la croyance testimoniale et le role de la memoire dans la croyance mathematique. Soulignant la fonction justificatrice -et non pas seulement causale- de la perception, l'A. met en doute les paradigmes traditionnels de la justification a priori et l'approche rationnaliste des principes epistemiques
Transformation in Haemophilus influenzae

One of the problems in understanding the mechanism of transformation in Haemophilus influenzae has been that no significant amount of single-strand donor DNA has been found following entrance of the transforming DNA into the competent cell (Notani and Goodgal, 1966). Therefore it has been difficult to imagine how specific pairing and integration could occur. We have attempted to investigate (1) the structure of DNA synthesized in competent cells, (2) the structure of transforming DNA after its entrance into the cell, and (3) the interaction between transforming DNA and recipient cell DNA, in the strains listed in Table 1, in order to assess the effects of various mutations on the recombination process.
p53 protein accumulation in Barrett's metaplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma: A follow-up study

Abstract Background: There is a significant interobserver and intraobserver variation in grading dysplasia in Barrett's metaplasia. New markers are needed to optimize the assessment of potential risk of cancer development in these patients. The aim of this study is to explore the use of p53 as a marker of neoplastic progression in Barrett's metaplasia. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to study p53 protein accumulation in 114 specimens from 54 patients with Barrett's metaplasia. Results: Positive staining was found in 0% of the cases negative for dysplasia, 9% of those with lowgrade dysplasia, 55% of those with high-grade dysplasia, and 87% of those with adenocarcinoma. Follow-up was available on 24 patients. Two patients who showed low-grade dysplasia and who were positive for p53 on biopsy showed high-grade dysplasia in follow-up biopsies. Of 21 patients who had biopsy specimens negative for p53, only one showed high-grade dysplasia on subsequent biopsy specimens. Conclusions: Our data support the hypothesis that p53 plays an important role in the progression of Barrett's metaplasia to adenocarcinoma. The follow-up study indicates that positive immunostaining for p53 may be an objective marker of neoplastic progression in Barrett's metaplasia.
Glucose metabolism in human malignant gliomas measured quantitatively with PET, 1-[C-11]glucose and FDG: analysis of the FDG lumped constant.

UNLABELLED Calculation of the glucose metabolic rate (MRGlc) in brain with PET and 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) requires knowing the rate of uptake of FDG relative to glucose from plasma into metabolite pools in the tissue. The proportionality factor for this is the FDG lumped constant (LC[FDG]), the ratio of the volumes of distribution of FDG and glucose multiplied by the hexokinase phosphorylation ratio for the two hexoses, Km(Glc) x Vm(FDG)/Km(FDG) x Vm(Glc) x MRGlc equals the FDG metabolic rate (MRFDG) divided by the LC(FDG), i.e., MRGlc = MRFDG/LC(FDG) and LC(FDG) = MRFDG/MRGlc. This investigation tested the hypothesis that LC(FDG) is significantly higher in gliomas than it is in brain uninvolved with tumor. METHODS We imaged 40 patients with malignant gliomas with 1-[11C]glucose followed by FDG. The metabolic rates MRGlc and MRFDG were estimated for glioma and contralateral brain regions of interest by an optimization program based on three-compartment, four-rate constant models for the two hexoses. RESULTS The LC(FDG), estimated as MRFDG/MRGlc, in gliomas was 1.40 +/- 0.46 (mean +/- s.d.; range = 0.72-3.10), whereas in non-tumor-bearing contralateral brain, it was 0.86 +/- 0.14 (range = 0.61-1.21) (p < 0.001, glioma versus contralateral brain). CONCLUSION These data strongly suggest that the glioma LC(FDG) exceeds that of contralateral brain, that quantitation of the glioma MRGlc with FDG requires knowing the LC(FDG) specific for the glioma and that the LC(FDG) of normal brain is higher than previously reported estimates of about 0.50. 2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose/PET studies in which glioma glucose metabolism is calculated by the autoradiographic approach with normal brain rate constants and LC(FDG) will overestimate glioma MRGlc, to the extent that the glioma LC(FDG) exceeds the normal brain LC(FDG). "Hot spots" visualized in FDG/PET studies of gliomas represent regions where MRGlc, LC(FDG) or their product is higher in glioma than it is in uninvolved brain tissue.
Medicaid IBCLC Service Coverage following the Affordable Care Act and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Update.

Background:International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are associated with increased rates and duration of breastfeeding. Recent US legislation offers opportunities for private and...
Looking at Cities

Looking at Cities Allan B. Jacobs Y o u can tell a l o t a b o u t a city by l o o k i n g . C o n s i d e r , briefly, w h a t y o u can see a l o n g a few n e i g h b o r h o o d streets, and w h a t i t m i g h t tell y o u . There is a three-story w o o d house, a n o t very fresh y e l l o w ochre i n color, at the n o r t h w e s t corner of D i a m o n d Street and 2 4 t h Street i n San F r a n c i s c o . ' T h o u g h clearly not one o f San Francisco's V i c t o r i a n s , there is a V i c t o r i a n sense to some of the details. M a y b e i t is a house of the t u r n o f t h e century o r of the teens. Stairs c l i m b to a small second- level p o r c h , o f f o f w h i c h are t w o doors. There are also t w o house numbers, 748 a n d 7 5 0 , so there are p r o b a b l y t w o d w e l l i n g units. The m a i n b o d y o f the house is set back f r o m one street. B u t at the street, i n a small c o n s t r u c t i o n t h a t looks as t h o u g h i t w e r e added to the o r i g i - nal b u i l d i n g , is a store: the San Francisco M y s t e r y B o o k Store. O v e r the store w i n d o w s some of the p a i n t is m i s s i n g where earlier signs have been r e m o v e d , leaving distinct shapes. T h e shapes are reminiscent of f a m i l i a r signs: D i d M e a d o w G o l d d a i r y p r o d u c t s have signs like this? Perhaps t h i s was a corner m o m and p o p grocery store before the b o o k s t o r e opened. T h e w i n d o w s o n the top floor have d o u b l e h u n g w o o d f r a m e sashes, the upper half o f w h i c h are divided into three panes. T h e y are p r o b a b l y o r i g i n a l . T h e second floor w i n d o w s are newer, a l u m i n u m casements. P o c k m a r k s i n the a l u m i n u m suggest t h a t they have been there for a while. S o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h a t y e l l o w ochre p a i n t attracts o u r a t t e n t i o n . O n a A. DOUCLASS r~<—-r-l—r-u ST. —La. 1 W SaaJ^odL LS 3 - S'-ftrUy UMJTI*L & # t l £ « . Oi A M O N O ST. I A b l o c k in S a n F r a n c i s c o P l a c e s / V b / « m e 3, Number
SU‐GG‐T‐528: Study on MRI Image Distortions Caused by Leksell Gamma Knife Stereotactic Localization Box

Purpose: Study if the Gamma‐Knife stereotactic frame can cause image distortions due to chemical shifts at material interfaces and magnetic susceptibility differences of the fiducials and the studied objects as observed with BANG gel dosimeter studies. Method and Materials: A phantom was constructed using one side of the Gamma‐Knife localization box. Several representative materials were fixed to the frame; these include fish oil, grapes and a potato wedge. The phantom was put inside a head coil and adjusted so the diagonal fiducial sat in the horizontal plane. The MRI was done using Philips 1.5T Intera system. Five overlapped slices with thickness of 5 mm and spacing of 3 mm were obtained using the T1‐weighted spin echo (SE) with TR=100 ms, TE=15 ms, Nex=2. FOV was 140 mm × 140 mm and acquisition matrix was 512 (frequency encoding steps) × 435 (phase encoding steps) using the SENSE‐head coil, which was later reconstructed into a 512×512 grids with in‐plane resolution of 0.273 mm × 0.273 mm. The receiver bandwidth per pixel was set to 93.9 Hz, which corresponds to 0.631 mm for the fat‐water chemical shift of 3.4 ppm. The frequency encoding direction was alternated in opposite directions for a pair of scans so that the pixel displacement caused by chemical shift and susceptibly difference, if any, can be doubled when subtracted. Results: The chemical shifts of fat‐water (fish oil) were clearly observed in the image while there were no shifts in grapes or potato wedge. The fiducial markers showed about one pixel size shift in the plane, which is ∼ 0.27 mm. Considering the FE direction was switched in two images, the fiducial marker shifts in one image was ∼0.13 mm from its true position. Conclusion: The fiducials in Gamma‐knife localization box did no have any significant shifts in MRI image.
On the existence of magic n -dimensional rectangles

Abstract Magic rectangles are a classical generalization of the well-known magic squares. In this paper, we generalize magic rectangles to n dimensions. We demonstrate necessary conditions for magic n -rectangles to exist and in a large number of cases, we show that these conditions are sufficient.
High-Output Heart Failure Due to a Renal Arteriovenous Fistula in a Pregnant Woman With Suspected Preeclampsia

A 29-year-old nulliparous woman had development of hypertension, proteinuria, and congestive heart failure during the third trimester of her pregnancy. Her symptoms and cardiovascular changes were consistent with congestive heart failure and severe preeclampsia. The underlying pathophysiology was believed to be caused by the high-output state of pregnancy and by the increased peripheral vascular resistance of preeclampsia. The patient underwent an elective cesarean section, but her cardiovascular symptoms did not resolve. Soon after delivery, the patient was found to have an arteriovenous fistula of the right renal artery that caused the high-output cardiac state. Embolization and surgical removal of the arteriovenous fistula resulted in complete resolution of the patient's high-output heart failure. All previously reported cases of renal arteriovenous fistulas and malformations that have occurred during pregnancy are reviewed.
Subsonic Sting Interference on the Drag of a Family of Slanted-Base Ogive-Cylinders

Support interference free drag measurements on a range of slanted-base ogive-cylinders are made using the NASA Langley 13 inch Magnetic Suspension and Balance System. Comparison is made to measurements with a dummy sting support. Significant support interferences are found at most test conditions. Further comparison is made between interference free base pressures, obtained using remote telemetry, and sting cavity pressures.
Models for magnetoresistance in tunnel junctions

We show there are putative pitfalls when one predicts the magnetoresistance of magnetic tunnel junctions (JMR) based on different toy models. Amongst them are the sensitivity of the MR to the details of the profile of the potential barrier between the metallic electrodes and the insulating barrier, and the common assumption of only one band of electrons. We indicate the ingredients that are necessary to obtain a more complete description of the JMR of magnetic tunnel junctions.
Morphological development of alfalfa cultivars selected for higher quality

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) maturity at the time of harvest greatly influences forage quality. The objective of this research was to determine if observed quality differences between high quality and other alfalfa cultivars were due to differences in morphological development. Two high-quality cultivars ('WL 252HQ', WL 322HQ') and two check cultivars (5262', 5454') with similar fall dormancy ratings were established on a Murrill silt loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludult) in the spring of 1996. During 1997, 1998, and 1999, each cultivar was hand-sampled weekly for 4 consecutive wk during the spring growth period and for 3 consecutive wk during the three subsequent growth periods. Morphological development and forage quality were determined for each alfalfa cultivar at each sampling. There were no interactions between growth period or sampling times and alfalfa cultivars for either alfalfa maturity or forage quality. Morphological development of the cultivars was not different at any of the sampling times. Averaged across all growth periods and sampling times, crude protein (CP) concentrations and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were 14 and 13 g kg - 1 , respectively, higher for the high-quality cultivars (ADF) and neutral-detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations were 16 and 15 g kg -1 , respectively, lower. The data from this research indicates that the difference in quality between the high quality and traditional alfalfa cultivars is not due to differences in morphological development. Selecting for higher-quality alfalfa was successful and is not an artifact of inadvertently selecting for delayed development.
Flame/Stretch Interactions of Premixed Fuel-Vapor/O/N Flames

Unstretched laminar burning velocities and e ame response to stretch (Markstein numbers ) were measured for outwardly propagating spherical laminar premixed e ames involving mixtures of hydrocarbon vapors, oxygen, and nitrogen. Experimental conditions consisted of vapors of several liquid fuels (n-hexane, n-heptane, iso-octane, methyl-alcohol, and ethyl-alcohol ), concentrations of oxygen in the nonfuel gases of 19 ‐33% by volume, pressures of 0.5‐2.0 atm, fuel-equivalence ratios of 0.80 ‐1.60, and reactant mixture temperatures of 298 § 5 K. The present e ames were very sensitive to e ame stretch, yielding ratios of unstretched to stretched laminar burning velocities in the range 0.4 ‐4.0 for levels of e ame stretch well below quenching conditions (Karlovitz numbers less than 0.2 ). At low pressures, the present hydrocarbon vapor e ames had positive Markstein numbers at fuel-lean conditions, which is consistent with classical preferential-diffusion ideas. Increasing pressures, however, reduced Markstein numbers and progressively decreased the fuel-equivalence ratio range where Markstein numbers were positive. Negative Markstein numbers were associated with the presence of preferential-diffusion instability as evidenced by the appearance of chaotically distorted (wrinkled) e ame surfaces early during the e ame propagation process.
The Presence of the Virus of Visceral Lymphomatosis in Embryonated Eggs of Normal Appearing Hens

Abstract INTRODUCTION NUMEROUS investigators have reported evidence for and against the transmission of lymphomatosis from parent to offspring through the egg. Cottral et al. (1954) recently reviewed this subject and presented evidence that the causative agent of visceral lymphomatosis can be transmitted from dam to progeny through the egg and that normal appearing chickens are carriers of this agent. Investigations on this phase of the transmission of lymphomatosis have continued at the Regional Poultry Research Laboratory. The purpose of this manuscript is to report data which give additional evidence that the virus of visceral lymphomatosis is present in significant amounts in embryos of eggs laid by normal appearing hens and that such carrier hens are much more numerous in susceptible lines of an infected population than in resistant lines of the same population. MATERIALS AND METHODS General.—The method used in testing for the presence of the virus in embryonic tissue …
Atrophy of the mandible

Abstract Progressive atrophy of the maxilla and mandible is not uncommon. It may affect but a section of the bone in partly edentulous patients or it may involve the entire alveolar process if all the teeth have been lost. In some cases, it extends into the bone proper. The mandible, when extensively involved, may fracture from minor trauma. Three such cases are described. An unusual case of complete resorption of the mandible with progressive resorption of the maxilla, previously reported, 7 is reviewed. The etiology of atrophy of the jaws is still obscure. Local causes, as well as systemic or constitutional factors, play a role. The treatment should first of all be directed to arrest of the process of resorption. The use of bone grafts for the prevention of fracture has been discussed. In case of spontaneous fracture also, a bone graft gives best results. In irradiated jaws excision of the section involved may be indicated, since bone grafting is not likely to be successful. Cases are included to illustrate the operative procedures.
A new versatile transbronchial cytology needle for the staging and diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma

A new versatile transbronchial needle, the modified type 2B retractable needle, was used for the staging and diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma. It combines the advantages of its predecessors, the fixed type 1A needle and the retractable type 2A needle, such as convenience of usage and the added ability to sample peripheral as well as central lesions. The new modified type 2B retractable needle provides better protection of the airways and bronchoscope than the fixed type 1A needle and eliminates the type 2A needles requirement for total removal of the guidewire before aspiration. The new type 2B needle was compared with either the original fixed type 1A or the retractable type 2A needle in 20 patients at 34 transbronchial sites and found a similar diagnostic yield. The modified type 2B retractable needle was the most versatile needle of those studied and can be used for transbronchial needle aspiration of both central and peripheral lesions. (Chest 1988; 94:561-65)
Extricating the state: The move to competitive capture in post-communist Bulgaria

Abstract This article uses the Bulgarian case to analyse movement from a situation of what appeared to be a ‘Partial-Reform Equilibrium’ to an ‘Equilibrium of Competitive Capture’. In such a process, elections are important forces for change, but not because they bring reformist parties to power or lead to completed economic liberalisation. Instead, especially in the first several electoral cycles in a new democracy, they can bring to power new leaders who are not beholden to existing captors, but rather to other clients that would like to capture the state for their own interests. Over time, the country experiences a parade of captors, eventually leading to a system where no single group owns the state, but where it is still not insulated. Instead, several competing groups fight with each other to raid it for their own benefits.
Portal fibrosis and hepatic steatosis in morbidly obese subjects: A spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that can lead to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Portal fibrosis in the absence of NASH, called isolated portal fibrosis (IPF), has received less attention and has not been classified as a spectrum of NAFLD. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of IPF in subjects undergoing gastric bypass surgery, to identify biochemical variables associated with IPF, and to assess the metabolic syndrome as defined by the AdultTreatment Panel III criteria. We analyzed liver biopsies from 195 morbidly obese subjects after excluding all other causes of liver disease. The prevalence of fatty liver (FL) only, IPF, and NASH was 30.3%, 33.3%, and 36.4%, respectively. Several biochemical parameters significantly trended across the 3 groups, with IPF falling between FL and NASH. Hyperglycemia was the only metabolic parameter associated with NASH (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 2.4-12; P < .0001) and IPF (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2-6.5; P = .01). Subjects with diabetes had the greatest risk for NASH (OR, 8; 95% CI, 3.3-19.7; P < .0001) and IPF (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.6-11.6; P = .003). The metabolic syndrome was identified in 78.5% of subjects, and a significant trend for the number of metabolic criteria was observed across the spectrum of FL, IPF, and NASH. In conclusion, a significant subset of morbidly obese individuals has portal fibrosis in the absence of NASH that is associated with glycemic dysregulation. Therefore, IPF should be considered a spectrum of NAFLD that may prelude NASH in morbid obesity. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;40:475–483.)
Changes to the End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program

Monitoring the quality of dialysis care has long been a component of the Medicare ESRD program. As part of the 2008 Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), Congress mandated the Quality Incentive Program (QIP), which linked measures of care quality to payments. The legislation embraced the idea that this linkage of federal money to performance would encourage the purchase of greater ‘value.’ The first 2 program years for the QIP use a simple scoring methodology and a limited scope of quality metrics. For payment year 2014 (performance period calendar year 2012), the program changes substantially, with an expanded number of quality measures and a more complex scoring methodology. In this article, we describe the program structure, quality measures, scoring system, and financial impact.
"Chevron" local layer structure in surface-stabilized ferroelectric smectic-C cells.

Mise en evidence de la structure par des etudes de diffusion de rayons X haute resolution d'echantillons minces smectiques C prepares entre deux lames solides par refroidissement a partir de la phase smectique A
The intelligibility of motion and construction: Descartes’ early mathematics and metaphysics, 1619–1637

Abstract I argue for an interpretation of the connection between Descartes’ early mathematics and metaphysics that centers on the standard of geometrical intelligibility that characterizes Descartes’ mathematical work during the period 1619 to 1637. This approach remains sensitive to the innovations of Descartes’ system of geometry and, I claim, sheds important light on the relationship between his landmark Geometry (1637) and his first metaphysics of nature, which is presented in Le monde (1633). In particular, I argue that the same standard of clear and distinct motions for construction that allows Descartes to distinguish ‘geometric’ from ‘imaginary’ curves in the domain of mathematics is adopted in Le monde as Descartes details God’s construction of nature. I also show how, on this interpretation, the metaphysics of Le monde can fruitfully be brought to bear on Descartes’ attempted solution to the Pappus problem, which he presents in Book I of the Geometry . My general goal is to show that attention to the standard of intelligibility Descartes invokes in these different areas of inquiry grants us a richer view of the connection between his early mathematics and philosophy than an approach that assumes a common method is what binds his work in these domains together.
Unfavorable response to cyclophosphamide in steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome

Development of steroid dependency represents a significant therapeutic challenge in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Previous studies have shown conflicting results concerning the benefit of a 12-week treatment with cyclophosphamide (CPO), with 24%–67% of patients achieving long-term remission. We therefore analyzed the clinical response of 20 consecutive children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) (12 male, median age at start of treatment 5.9 years, range 3.2–14.7 years) treated at our institution with CPO (2 mg/kg per day) for 12 weeks since 1989. Median duration of follow-up was 5.8 (range 1.1–9.25) years. Only 6 of 20 children (30%) showed a long-term remission of >2 years, while 14 of 20 (70%) developed relapses again. Of these, 12 patients (86%) again developed steroid dependency, requiring further alternative treatment. Our data show that a 12-week course of CPO leads to unfavorable results in the majority of patients with SDNS. We therefore conclude that there is a need for further optimization of therapy in SDNS.
STRUCTURAL FAILURE IN SELECTED RAW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

A torsion test was developed for studying the structural failure of selected raw fruits and vegetables. Apple, melon and raw potato flesh were tested at a shear strain rate of approximately 0.26s-1 in torsion and uniaxial compression. Low strain modulus values were determined in addition to shear stresses and normal strains at failure. Results corroborated the maximum normal strain failure criterion proposed by Segerlind and Dal Fabbro (1978) for apples and suggested its application to potatoes and melons if true strains are used rather than engineering strains. The maximum shear stress theory also seemed to be a possible failure criterion for potatoes. Results comparing compressible and incompressible materials suggest that bulk strain affects the shear stress at failure. The observed failure planes supported the quantitative results for stresses at failure. Scanning electron micrographs indicated that the cellular failure occurred in the cell wall, regardless of whether it was due to tension, Varying specimen lengths or diameters had negligible effects on the uniaxial compression modulus but did affect the shear stress at failure in a manner yet to be satisfactorily explained.
Envelope-chimeric Entry-targeted Measles Virus Escapes Neutralization and Achieves Oncolysis

Measles virus (MV) is a promising vector for cancer therapy and multivalent vaccination, but high prevalence of pre-existing neutralizing antibodies may reduce therapeutic efficacy, particularly following systemic administration. MV has only one serotype, but here we show that its envelope glycoproteins can be exchanged with those of the closely related canine distemper virus (CDV), generating a chimeric virus capable of escaping neutralization. To target its entry, we displayed on the CDV attachment protein a single-chain antibody specific for a designated receptor. To enhance oncolytic efficacy we armed the virus with a prodrug convertase gene capable of locally activating chemotherapeutic prodrugs. The new virus achieved high titers, was genetically stable, and was resistant to neutralization by sera from both MV-immunized mice and MV-immune humans. The new virus targeted syngeneic murine tumor cells expressing the designated receptor implanted in immunocompetent mice, and synergized with a chemotherapeutic prodrug in a model of oncolysis. Importantly, the chimeric MV remained oncolytic when administered systemically even in the presence of anti-MV antibodies capable of abrogating the therapeutic efficacy of the parental, nonshielded MV. This work shows that targeting, arming, and shielding can be combined to generate a tumor-specific, neutralization-resistant virus that can synergize with chemotherapeutics.
Radiation treatment volumes and doses for patients with early-stage carcinoma of the breast treated with breast-conserving surgery and definitive irradiation

Abstract Radiation of the patient following breast-conserving surgery remains a difficult and challenging area of treatment. Many controversial areas remain to be resolved. The radiation oncologist must integrate the knowledge of the surgical procedures performed, the pathology findings, and the use of systemic therapy in order to determine optimal treatment of the breast and regional lymph nodes. The technical treatment may have an impact on the risk of local recurrence, the risk of complications, and the cosmetic outcome. The proper selection of the radiation fields and dose fractionation scheme remains an important component of optimizing the outcome of treatment for women treated with breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation for early-stage carcinoma of the breast.
A Stackable Silicon Interposer with Integrated Through-Wafer Inductors

Three-dimensional (3-D) device stacking technologies provide an effective path to the miniaturization of electronic systems. These 3-D stacks can be envisioned to contain, in addition to active device layers, interposers with passive devices. The stackable interposer concept is compatible with any integratable passive device architecture, but is particularly well suited to 3-D enabled passives which take advantage of the bulk of the layer and the connectivity on two surfaces. In this paper we report on the design, fabrication and electrical characteristics of a 3-D enabled solenoidal inductor.
Carrier-free separation of titanium and half-life determination of 44Ti☆

Abstract The extraction behavior of titanium in HCl solution with 20 per cent n-heptanol in petroleum ether was studied, using 44Ti as an indicator. Over 90 per cent of carrier-free titanium in concentrated HCl solution was extracted into the organic phase in each equilibration. The half-life of 44Ti was determined to be 46·4 ± 1·7 years by a specific activity method with isotope dilution. The equilibrium γ-activities of 44Sc were measured by scintillation counters. The total titanium content was determined both spectrophotometrically and by addition of gravimetric standards. The isotopic composition of the titanium samples was analysed with Argonne's 100-in. mass spectrometer.
Galvanomagnetic Theory for Electrons in Germanium and Silicon: Magnetoresistance in the High-Field Saturation Limit

For constant scattering time $\ensuremath{\tau}$ and ellipsoidal energy surfaces, the Boltzmann transport equation reduces to a phenomenological equation of motion for electrons from which a conductivity tensor is derived. The calculations for germanium and silicon differ in the orientation of the ellipsoids. The resistivity tensor is evaluated in the saturation limit, and explicit expressions for the angular dependence of the magnetoresistance are elaborated for certain high-symmetry combinations. The theoretical findings are in qualitative agreement with experiment, thus providing confirmation of the 4- or 8-ellipsoid [111] and the 3- or 6-ellipsoid [100] models of the energy surfaces in $n$ germanium and $n$ silicon, respectively. Essential agreement with energy-dependent $\ensuremath{\tau}$ theory is also established.
Wireless, Mesh & Ad Hoc Networks; Military Convoy Location and Situation Awareness

Vehicular ad-hoc networks have become an emergent research topic as vehicle-to-vehicle communications (V2V) offer some unique advantages. These advantages include a slow/stopped vehicle advisor capability (which advises the driver when any vehicle ahead is stopped or traveling slower than 20 mph), an emergency electronic brake light (which notifies the driver when a vehicle ahead is suddenly braking hard), a lane change and blind spot advisor, an intersection collision warning, and a forward collision avoidance capability with automatic braking. The intent is to use these emergent commercial applications for the military and to improve the communication between military vehicles in various tactical situations. This paper adds to this area of study with some new practical findings pertaining to vehicular networks, specifically convoy communications and unmanned vehicle control. Besides considering of principles and rules of military convoys, experiments and simulations with military scenarios are necessary to improve vehicular networking for the military use. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) tracing has become a key point in this field as we look at GPS traces and their effects on throughput improvement and reliability on vehicular communications. These issues were analyzed through experiments using the ORBIT testbed.
Contemporary management of horizontal root fractures to the permanent dentition: diagnosis--radiologic assessment to include cone-beam computed tomography

Historically, obtaining several periapical radiographs has been recommended to diagnose horizontal root fractures. Assessing the 3-dimensional orientation of a fracture is correlated to treatment and outcome. However, conventional radiography yields only limited information for accurate diagnosis. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a relatively new and useful technology, which provides an auxiliary imaging modality to supplement conventional radiography for evaluating horizontal root fractures. Despite the increasing application of this technology as well as a growing body of evidence supporting its value in diagnosing horizontal root fractures, there are no specific guidelines for its use. This article aimed to provide such preliminary guidelines for cases of suspected horizontal root fracture as a result of trauma. From a database search it was concluded that CBCT is most useful in cases in which conventional radiography yields inconclusive results or shows a fracture in the middle third of a root. In such cases CBCT may rule out false negatives, ie, a suspected root fracture not visualized with conventional radiography. For a root fracture in the middle third, CBCT may rule out or confirm an oblique course of fracture involving the cervical third in the labiolingual dimension. Although there are considerable advantages when CBCT is included in the assessment of horizontal root fracture and its possible sequelae, more experimental and clinical studies are warranted to determine the exact impact on outcomes.
The Use of Orientations in Children's Drawings of Familiar Objects: Principles versus Percepts.

Summary. It has been suggested that drawings are constructions which follow certain principles and that young children are reluctant to relinquish these principles. Kindergartners, second graders, fourth graders were asked to draw familiar objects (e.g., toy car) placed in several orientations or in an orientation of their choice to determine if the orientation depicted in their drawings would be guided more by graphic principles or by the view before them. The use of graphic principles prevailed in the choice of orientation even though many children in second and fourth grade carefully recorded other aspects particular to the objects in front of them (e.g., make and model of car).
Bovine lineage-specific gamma delta (γδ) T cell GD3.5 antibody cross-reacts with cell surface antigens on ovine and caprine lymphocytes

A specifically defined function for gammadelta T cells is still a topic of intense debate. Thus, there is great importance in the identification of lineage-specific markers that characterize these cells. Early studies describe a family of lineage-specific cell-surface molecules on ruminant gammadelta T cells called WC1. More recently, a 220-240 kDa lineage-specific bovine gammadelta T cell surface marker, GD3.5Ag, was reported. Here, we used anti-bovine GD3.5Ab to study its cross-reactivity with caprine and ovine lymphocytes. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that GD3.5Ab binds ovine and caprine lymphocytes. In addition, immunoprecipitation experiments with GD3.5Ab demonstrate an ovine and caprine cross-reactive antigen that is similar in size to the bovine antigen. These results suggest that GD3.5Ag is well conserved among ruminant species and GD3.5Ag may play an important role in gammadelta T cell biology.
An analysis of additivity in OLAP systems

Accurate summary data is of paramount concern in data warehouse systems; however, there have been few attempts to completely characterize the ability to summarize measures. The sum operator is the typical aggregate operator for summarizing the large amount of data in these systems. We look to uncover and characterize potentially inaccurate summaries resulting from aggregating measures using the sum operator. We discuss the effect of classification hierarchies, and non-, semi-, and fully- additive measures on summary data, and develop a taxonomy of the additive nature of measures. Additionally, averaging and rounding rules can add complexity to seemingly simple aggregations. To deal with these problems, we describe the importance of storing metadata that can be used to restrict potentially inaccurate aggregate queries. These summary constraints could be integrated into data warehouses, just as integrity constraints and are integrated into OLTP systems. We conclude by suggesting methods for identifying and dealing with non- and semi- additive attributes.
Optimizing the use of information technology in medicine

of concern is on patient populations over individuals. The government's and payors' interestsare four-fold: cost control, cost restraint and cost reduction, all while providing a measurabledegrees of quality.On the surface, the goals of these four groups may appear to be in conflict. Perhaps, however,
Infrared intensities of CCl stretching vibrations in cis- and trans-4-t-butylcyclohexyl chloride☆☆☆

Abstract Infrared intensity measurements of cis and trans isomers of 4-t-butylcyclohexyl chloride in CS2 solution show that the apparent molecular extinction coefficient for the equatorial CCl stretching vibration is 60 percent greater than the value for the axial CCl stretching vibration. The integrated absorption intensity is 47 percent greater for the trans isomer. Dilute solutions of the individual isomers conformed to Beer's Law. No solute—solute interaction was observed for solutions of isomeric mixtures.
Regulation of Mammary Epithelial Cell Growth in Mice and Rats

I. Introduction THE mammary gland is a unique feature of mammals. Its chief biological function is to synthesizeand secrete milk, which is essential for the nourishment of mammalian young. The parenchymal portion of the mammary gland is derived embryologically from ectoderm, while the surrounding stroma comes from mesoderm. Mammary gland growth takes place during both fetal and postnatal life; the gland is the site of milk production and secretion, and in several species (including humans) it is also a site of occurrence of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Thus the mammary gland is an important organ of study by biologists from various disciplines, including endocrinologists, tumor biologists, and developmental biologists. During the last 30 yr, the primary interest of our laboratory has been the understanding of the neoplastic transformation process in mammary epithelial cells. One fundamental characteristic of tumor cells vis a vis their normal counterparts is deregulation of growth. Since cell pro...
An assessment of coefficient accuracy in linear regression models with spatially varying coefficients

The realization in the statistical and geographical sciences that a relationship between an explanatory variable and a response variable in a linear regression model is not always constant across a study area has led to the development of regression models that allow for spatially varying coefficients. Two competing models of this type are geographically weighted regression (GWR) and Bayesian regression models with spatially varying coefficient processes (SVCP). In the application of these spatially varying coefficient models, marginal inference on the regression coefficient spatial processes is typically of primary interest. In light of this fact, there is a need to assess the validity of such marginal inferences, since these inferences may be misleading in the presence of explanatory variable collinearity. In this paper, we present the results of a simulation study designed to evaluate the sensitivity of the spatially varying coefficients in the competing models to various levels of collinearity. The simulation study results show that the Bayesian regression model produces more accurate inferences on the regression coefficients than does GWR. In addition, the Bayesian regression model is overall fairly robust in terms of marginal coefficient inference to moderate levels of collinearity, and degrades less substantially than GWR with strong collinearity.
Odd-parity autoionizing levels of atomic arsenic

Abstract The 2+1 resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectrum of arsenic atoms, prepared by UV photolysis of AsCl 3 , is reported for the UV wavelength regions 264.5–287.0 nm, 314.0–316.5 nm and 318.0–333.0 nm. Photoelectron spectroscopy of many resonant ionizations reveals pathways for producing state-selected As + ( 3 P J ) ions. A propensity toward preserving the excited ion core electronic configuration is illustrated. Three f-type (odd-parity) doublet autoionization series are identified, converging to the 1 D 2 limit of As + . Rotational structure of the proposed AsH transient species has been observed.
An update on IEEE P1647: the e system verification language

The e language forms the basis of an extensive set of tools and methodologies, collectively known as verification process automation, and almost all major electronics companies worldwide use it. This paper discusses IEEE design automation standards project and shows that how the value of technology can be enhanced by the standardization process.