cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Macular thickness analysis and resolution of subretinal drusenoid deposits with optical coherence tomography in vitamin A deficiency-related retinopathy.

Abstract Purpose To report the resolution of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs) and the changes in macular thickness at various segmentation levels in a patient who was treated for vitamin A deficiency-related retinopathy. Observations A 67-year-old man with cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C was referred for unexplained vision decline and nyctalopia. He was diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency after he was found to have yellow-white drusen-like deposits in the posterior pole and midperiphery, which corresponded to SDDs on optical coherence tomography (OCT). Treatment with vitamin A supplementation was initiated, and, over the course of eight months, the symptoms improved, the SDDs resolved, and retinal thickness generally increased, although the rate and pattern of change differed depending on the macular quadrant and the segmentation layer being analyzed. Conclusions and importance Vitamin A deficiency should be considered in patients with liver disease who present with drusen-like deposits in the macula and midperiphery. Prompt recognition and treatment may improve symptoms and reverse some retinal pathology, including the presence of SDDs. Vitamin A supplementation in these patients seems to affect the inner retina and outer retina differently.
Deep learning strategies for critical heat flux detection in pool boiling

Abstract Image-based deep learning (DL) models are employed to enable the detection of critical heat flux (CHF) based on pool boiling experimental images. Most machine learning approaches for pool boiling to date focus on a single dataset under a certain heater surface, working fluid, and operating conditions. For new datasets collected under different conditions, a significant effort in re-training the model or developing a new model is required under the assumption the new dataset has a sufficient amount of data. This research is to explore strategies of DL adapting to new datasets with limited data available. The insights gained could help improve the practicality and reliability of DL for boiling regime studies. Specifically, convolutional neural networks (CNN) and transfer learning (TL) are studied. Using a base model trained and tested for one public dataset (DS1), CNN and TL models are trained with a small portion of a new public dataset (DS2) and tested for the rest of DS2. Results show that TL outperforms CNN by having much higher accuracy and a much lower false negative rate for scarce data (less than5% DS2). When 1% DS2 is used for re-training in CNN versus fine-tuning in TL, the TL model can detect the CHF with an accuracy of 94.79% and a false negative rate of 0.0997, compared with the CNN model with an accuracy of 85.10% and a false negative rate of 0.3237. To further demonstrate the advantage of TL over CNN, an in-house dataset (DS3) is acquired. With less than 0.05% DS3 being used, the TL model can detect the CHF with an accuracy of 95.31% and a false negative rate of 0.0016, compared with the CNN model with an accuracy of 85.91% and a false negative rate of 0.1263. It is observed that TL has much higher robustness than CNN by having more consistent results and smaller standard deviations over multiple trials using stratified random sampling from both DS2 and DS3. Besides, the training time for TL is significantly lower than CNN when limited data used in the re-training and fine-tuning for both DS2 and DS3. These results demonstrate the ability of TL for handling data scarcity in pool boiling applications with potentials for real-time implementations.
Crossing segregated boundaries: remembering Chicago School Desegregation: by Dionne Danns, New Brunswick, New Jersey, Rutgers University Press, 2021, 246 pp., £29.95 (paperback) ISBN 978-1978810099

Popular imaginings of school desegregation in the United States often feature the experiences of students in southern states where, after the Brown v. the Topeka Board of Education U.S. Supreme Cou...
Gene Editing - A Cure for Transthyretin Amyloidosis?

Imagine that you had several family members with transthyretin amyloidosis. In their sixth decade of life, numbness developed, initially in their hands and feet, that progressed proximally over a p...
Expected vs. Actual Refractive Error in Patients Presenting With Phacomorphic Glaucoma

Aim Phacomorphic glaucoma (PG) is a rare but clinically significant presentation requiring emergent cataract surgery. We chose to investigate whether the expected refractive error based on the intraocular lens (IOL) calculations differed from the expected refractive outcome post-surgery. Materials & Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with PG between 2009 to 2018 who underwent cataract surgery and had postoperative refraction was included. Information collected included presenting and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) pre- and postoperatively, and the presence of corneal edema. Predicted spherical equivalence (SphEq) data was collected from IOL calculations, and postoperative SphEq was calculated from postoperative manifest refraction. Results Twenty patients with PG who underwent cataract surgery were identified; of these, 10 patients and 10 eyes who underwent manifest refraction post-op were included. Mean BCVA at presentation was 20/544 [Logarithm of Minimal Angle of Resolution (LogMAR) 1.44], and mean pre-op IOP was elevated at 24.6 ± 14.2 mmHg. Mean BCVA measured at one month post-op improved to 20/192 (LogMAR 0.983). Mean IOP decreased to 19 ± 8.8 mmHg at one month post-op. The mean difference between the predicted and actual refractive error, as calculated by SphEq was -0.088 (p=0.570). Conclusion The study shows an improvement in visual acuity and IOP post-cataract surgery in patients with PG, as would be expected. The study also demonstrates that patients ended up with a slightly more myopic refractive error than expected postoperatively, and illustrates the clinical variability in postoperative refractive outcomes from a large standard deviation. This is a new and clinically important finding, although not statistically significant, that has not been previously published.
Risks, Triggers, and Protective Factors Related to the Expression of Ovarian Cancer

Poster Presentation Objective To determine if there are clusters of risk or protective factors that can be used develop a risk prediction model for ovarian cancer. The research question addressed was “What is the constellation of factors that predisposes a woman to be at increased risk for developing ovarian cancer?” Design Nonexperimental, cross‐sectional design using online technology and snowball sampling. A priori power analysis determined minimum sample size to be 962 to 1188 participants for the desired level of power of .90 to .95, α level of .05, and a moderate effect size. Setting Online survey. Sample The 25‐minute online survey was completed by 1,274 women (553 with ovarian cancer, 91 with another cancer, 630 with no cancer diagnosis). The majority (80%) of respondents were White women, age 18 to 76 years with at least high school educations. Methods Multiple logistic regression model using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results Findings were consistent with previous research that indicated the greatest risks for ovarian cancer were family history, infertility treatment, endometriosis, nulliparity, increased age, talc use, and hormone replacement therapy. Hypodontia, skin moles, blood type, increased body mass index, height, Epstein‐Barr virus, and dietary factors may also play roles. Protective factors included increased parity, breastfeeding, use of oral contraceptive pills and Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), bilateral tubal ligation (BTL), and salpingo‐oophorectomy. A diagrammatic presentation of the model is provided. Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice Ovarian cancer is a multifaceted disease with expression dependent upon accumulated risk factors over a lifetime. Understanding the relationships between genetic, biological, behavioral, developmental, and environmental factors is a first step in earlier detection of pathology. Recommendations for future research, public awareness campaigns, and the health care of women are contingent upon a more comprehensive model for identifying women at risk for developing ovarian cancer.
COMMUNITY SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING, PERSONALITY TRAITS AND QUALITY OF LIFE THERAPY

In this study, factors that are instrumental in improving individuals’ as well as communities’ subjective well-being (SWB) and Quality of Life (QOL) such as positive and negative relationships, personality characteristics or traits as defined by family members or spouse, perceptions of the future as looking good, and psychological factors (such as congruency, thriving/resilience personality, belongingness, external and internal power and psychoallostasis), demographic variables, and religion were examined. The findings indicate that congruency with one’s community values and expectations, belongingness, thriving personality, psychoallostasis and positive relationships or closeness to people in one’s community, and the perception of the future both for the individual and for the community as bright, are important indicators of Quality of life and increased Subjective well-being. Additionally, family or spousal ratings of personality characteristics as desirable affected SWB only if the ratings corresponded to the individuals’ rating. Path analysis indicate that the high levels of happiness experienced by people living in Individualistic-sub-collectivistic cultures such as Appalachia is strongly linked to communal homeostasis and psychoallostasis lifestyles prevalent in these communities. Implications of these findings to Quality of life therapy (QOLT) and healthy psychology at both the individual level and community level are discussed.
Analytical near infrared spectroscopy

Summary Every day thousands of near infrared analyses are performed mostly by non-spectro- scopists on a routine basis primarily using this technique as an inspection tool. One of the earliest modern applications of chemometrically based near-IR was in the commodity and food area. In the past three decades, use of near-IR has been due to it's, 1) speed, requiring 20 seconds or less; 2) user friendliness in that sample preparation or pre-separation is not required; 3) the fact that once the chemometric relationship is established and calibration has been done, data can be collected routinely by technicians with a minimum of training. Besides the continuous expansion of applications as near-IR has matured much attention has been given to software by 3rd party providers, instrument users, and manufacturers. Recent hardware advances and solid state detector technologies have revolutionized instrument design by making rapid electronic wavelength switching (with no moving parts) readily available with acousto-optic tunable filter monochromomators or with grating polychromator near-IR diode array systems. FT-NIR instruments, offered also by traditional FT-IR manufacturers, provide alternatives to grating monochromators for scanning or random wavelength access. Analytical near infrared spectroscopy is a useful and cost effective method of food analysis at ingredient, processing, and product stages of production.
Octahedral metal carbonyls : XXXIII. Kinetics and mechanism of reactions of the group VIB metal carbonyls with tetrabutylammonium halides

The Group VIB metal carbonyls, M(CO)6 (M  Cr, Mo, W) react with tetrabutylammonium halides (X = Cl, Br, I) in chlorobenzene to afford the Bu4 N[M(CO)5X] products. For M  Mo and W, the reactions obey a rate law, [M(CO)6]/dt  k2 · [M(CO)6] · [Bu4X], while for M  Cr, an additional halide-independent term, ascribable to rate-determining dissociation of CO from the substrate, also is observed. The observed variations in rate as a function of the identity of the metal atom and the halide suggest that the second-order path involves attack of the halide at the metal atom for Mo and W, but at a carbonyl carbon for Cr. Rates of reaction increase in the order I < Br < Cl, consistent with an important influence of the steric nature of the halide upon the rate.
Children's Mathematical Thinking: A Developmental Framework for Preschool, Primary, and Special Education Teachers

This book provides a framework for understanding children's mathematical development and the ways in which it can go wrong. The author first summarizes the major theoretical and practical research on the development of numeration, arithmetic, and problem solving, and then details strategies and activities for encouraging specific mathematical skills, concepts, and beliefs. Particular emphasis is placed on using the children's informal knowledge of mathematics as a basis for building up to a formal understanding.
The Cosmogonic Shadow Effect

We consider the Alfven-Arrhenius fall-down mechanism and describe an approximate model for the infall, capture and distribution of dust particles on a given magnetic field line and their possible neutralization at the ‘\(\frac{2} {3}\)’ points, the points at which the field aligned components of the gravitational and centrifugal forces are equal and opposite. We find that a small fraction (<10%) of an incoming particle distribution will actually contribute to the above ‘\(\frac{2} {3}\)’ fall-down process. We also show that if at the \(\frac{2}{3}\) points, the ratio of dust to plasma density is $$\frac{{n_D \left( {\frac{2} {3}} \right)}} {{n_p \left( {\frac{2} {3}} \right)}} > \frac{{10^{ - 3} }} {{r_{gu} T_{\text{eV}} }}$$ (rgµ = radius of a grain in microns, T = plasma temperature in eV), then the dust particles will lose their charge, decouple from the field line and follow Keplerian orbits in accordance with the Alfven-Arrhenius mechanism.
Semi-Fluorinated Epoxy Thermoplastics Containing the α-Methylstilbene Linkage

The reaction of the mesogenic epoxy monomer, p-bis(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-α-methylstilbene, with bis(hydroxyphenyl)-iso-propylidene and bis(hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoro-iso-propylidene affords new semifluorinated poly(hydroxy aryl ether) thermoplastics with controlled properties dependent upon fluorine incorporation. Step-growth polymerization in a DMAc solution (33 wt%) gave linear polymers with molecular weights ranging from 29 000–60 000 Mw and polydispersities (Mw/Mn) from 1.7–2.1 (gel permeation chromatography). The polymers can be solution or melt processed, exhibit Tg’s ranging from 78 to 105 °C (dynamic scanning calorimetry) and maintain thermal stability above 390 °C (thermogravimetric analysis). The polymerization, characterization, and potential mesophase formation as a function of polymer dimensions and semifluorination is discussed.
Evaluation of add-on testing in the clinical chemistry laboratory of a large academic medical center: operational considerations.

Abstract Context.—Physicians frequently request that additional tests be performed on an existing specimen (add-ons). In our institution, add-ons comprise approximately 1% of the specimen volume and require a disproportionate number of employees. Not only are add-on tests time-consuming and expensive, but storing routine specimens for 7 days in anticipation of add-ons consumes valuable laboratory space. Design.—One hundred sixty add-on tests during a 1-week period were reviewed. Objectives.—To analyze the pattern of add-on testing and determine methods to improve laboratory operations. Results.—All add-on tests were ordered within 24 hours of receipt of the original specimen, even though specimens were retained for 7 days. At our institution, 1.5 full-time equivalents are required to complete add-on testing, which accounts for less than 1% of the specimen volume. The most common add-on tests recorded during the study period were hepatic and electrolyte/renal/glucose panels. The medicine service ordered mo...
The ferrous dioxygen complex of the oxygenase domain of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase.

Abstract The mechanisms by which nitric-oxide synthases (NOSs) bind and activate oxygen at their P450-type heme active site in order to synthesize nitric oxide from the substratel-arginine are mostly unknown. To obtain information concerning the structure and properties of the first oxygenated intermediate of the enzymatic cycle, we have used a rapid continuous flow mixer and resonance Raman spectroscopy to generate and identify the ferrous dioxygen complex of the oxygenase domain of nNOS (Fe2+O2 nNOSoxy). We detect a line at 1135 cm−1 in the resonance Raman spectrum of the intermediate formed from 0.6 to 3.0 ms after the rapid mixing of the ferrous enzyme with oxygen that is shifted to 1068 cm−1 with18O2. This line is assigned as the O-O stretching mode (νO-O) of the oxygenated complex of nNOSoxy. Rapid mixing experiments performed with nNOSoxy saturated withl-arginine orN ω-hydroxy-l-arginine, in the presence or absence of (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-l-biopterin, reveal that the νO-O line is insensitive to the presence of the substrate and the pterin. The optical spectrum of this ferrous dioxygen species, with a Soret band wavelength maximum at 430 nm, confirms the identification of the previously reported oxygenated complexes generated by stopped flow techniques.
Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair after prior aortic surgery.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether the morbidity and mortality of surgery for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) in patients with prior aortic surgery are increased. Methods The results for all patients undergoing operation for TAAA at a single institution were reviewed. Results Over a 10-year interval, 279 patients (136 women and 143 men) underwent aortic replacement for TAAA. The mean patient age was 68 years (range, 34-90). The extent of aortic replacement was relatively evenly distributed: type I (91), type II (54), type III (78), or type IV (56). Of these 279 patients, 76 (27%) had undergone prior aortic surgery. Prior infrarenal AAA was the most common prior procedure (56, 20%). Reoperation for prior failed TAAA repair was performed in 20 (7%) patients. A history of Marfan syndrome was highly associated with the need for remedial TAAA procedures ( P P = .98), prior AAA ( P = .84), prior TAAA ( P = .61), and gender ( P = .18). Postoperative complications were seen in 67 (24%) patients and were more likely in patients who had undergone prior AAA surgery ( P = .008). TAAA repair in patients with recurrent TAAA was not associated with higher morbidity ( P = .33). Paraplegia (10) occurred in type I (3), type II (2), and type III (5) aneurysms but not in type IV (0), and its development was associated with higher mortality ( P = .01). Prior aortic surgery was not found to be predictive of paraplegia ( P = .90), although 30% of patients who developed paraplegia had a history of prior AAA repair. Conclusions Aortic reoperation for TAAA is required in a significant number of patients, particularly those with Marfan syndrome. Therefore, ongoing surveillance of the residual aorta is mandatory. Postoperative complications are more likely to occur in patients after prior infrarenal aortic replacement, but mortality is not significantly increased. Special technical considerations exist for remedial procedures after failed TAAA repair to provide protection for the spinal cord, kidneys, and viscera. Patients with failed TAAA procedures or progression of aneurysmal extent should be offered reoperation when indicated.
Milk clotting activity in bovine fetal abomasa.

Abstract Abomasa (vells) were removed from 30 fetal calves at each of the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th mo of development. Milk clotting enzymes were exhaustively extracted in 10% NaCl solutions from the dried abomasal tissue. Total enzyme activity at each stage of fetal development was compared with that from abomasa of 3 to 5-day-old milk-fed calves. Enzyme activity was present in the abomasa of bovine fetuses as early as the 6th mo of development and increased as the fetuses approached full term. Average activity recovered from fetal veils at the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th mo of development represented 2, 7, 12, and 31% of the activity per veil, and 8, 14, 22, and 38% of the activity per unit vell weight, of that recovered from high quality calf vells. Diffusion patterns on casein-agar gels produced by bovine fetal extracts differed from those produced by commercial calf rennet extract or porcine pepsin.
Optimally thresholded realized power variations for Lévy jump diffusion models

Abstract Thresholded Realized Power Variations (TPVs) are one of the most popular nonparametric estimators for general continuous-time processes with a wide range of applications. In spite of their popularity, a common drawback lies in the necessity of choosing a suitable threshold for the estimator, an issue which so far has mostly been addressed by heuristic selection methods. To address this important issue, we propose an objective selection method based on desirable optimality properties of the estimators. Concretely, we develop a well-posed optimization problem which, for a fixed sample size and time horizon, selects a threshold that minimizes the expected total number of jump misclassifications committed by the thresholding mechanism associated with these estimators. We analytically solve the optimization problem under mild regularity conditions on the density of the underlying jump distribution, allowing us to provide an explicit infill asymptotic characterization of the resulting optimal thresholding sequence at a fixed time horizon. The leading term of the optimal threshold sequence is shown to be proportional to Levy’s modulus of continuity of the underlying Brownian motion, hence theoretically justifying and sharpening selection methods previously proposed in the literature based on power functions or multiple testing procedures. Furthermore, building on the aforementioned asymptotic characterization, we develop an estimation algorithm, which allows for a feasible implementation of the newfound optimal sequence. Simulations demonstrate the improved finite sample performance offered by optimal TPV estimators in comparison to other popular non-optimal alternatives.
Drug interactions with grapefruit juice

Some drugs demonstrate a significantly greater (up to 3-fold) mean oral bioavailability on coadministration with grapefruit juice. With some calcium antagonists, the benzodiazepines midazolam and triazolam and the antihistamine terfenadine, changes in bioavailability are accompanied by altered drug action. Study design factors possibly contribute to the magnitude of changes in drug bioavailability; they include the source of the citrus, its intake schedule, drug formulations and individual metabolising capacity. The components of citrus juice that are responsible for clinical drug interactions have yet to be fully determined. Based on the flavonoid naringin's unique distribution in the plant kingdom, abundance in grapefruit and ability to inhibit metabolic enzymes, naringin is likely to be one of the grapefruit components influencing drug metabolism. Other components present in citrus fruit, such as furanocoumarins, may be more potent inhibitors than flavonoids and are under investigation. Conclusions drawn from clinical drug interaction studies should be considered specific to the citrus fruit products evaluated because of the variation in their natural product content. The predominant mechanism for enhanced bioavailability is presumably the inhibition of oxidative drug metabolism in the small intestine. The consistent findings across studies of diverse cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A substrates support the mechanistic hypothesis that 1 or more grapefruit juice components inhibit CYP3A enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. The evaluation of the need to avoid the concomitant intake of grapefruit products with drugs is best done on an individual drug basis rather than collectively by drug class. Based on the narrow therapeutic range of cyclosporin and research experience in organ transplant recipients, its interaction with grapefruit juice is likely to be clinically significant.
Low hprt mRNA levels and multiple hprt mRNA species in 6-thioguanine-resistant Chinese hamster cell mutants possessing nonsense mutations.

Abstract Previous studies suggested that many Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell hprt mutants having point mutations in the protein coding region also have low steady-state hprt mRNA concentrations. In addition, polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) amplification of hprt cDNA synthesized from some of these mutants results in multiple products containing deleted exons indicating that these mutants posses multiple species of hprt mRNA. In this study, we have used northern blot analysis to quantify the concentrations of hprt mRNA in 86 mutants known to possess point mutations leading to either missense or nonsense mutations. 28 of 35 nonsense mutants (80%), but only 7 of 51 missense mutants (14%), had hprt mRNA concentration found in parental CHO cells. Furthermore, all the nonsense mutants with premature termination codons in the internal exons of the gene ( i.e. , exons 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) showed a significant reduction (averages hprt mRNA, while nonsense mutants with termination codons situated in the extreme 5′ and 3′ regions of the gene had near parental hprt mRNA levels. In the same collection of mutants, the proportion of mutants producing multiple cDNA PCR products was much greater ( 18 35 ) for mutants having nonsense mutations than for mutants with missense mutations ( 2 51 ). All nonsense mutants with mutations in exons 3, 4 and 5 produced multiple species, while all those with mutations in exons 7, 8 and 9 produced a single PCR product. These results suggest that sequence changes in mammalian genes that affect protein chain length can also affect mRNA concentration and the splicing of pre-mRNA molecules.
Progress in Modeling Pressure Oscillations in 30-mm Regenerative Liquid Propellant Guns.

Regenerative liquid-propellant guns (RLPG) have been studied for many years. Liquid propellant is injected through a piston or pistons into a combustion chamber as the gun is e ring. The propellant combusts and pushes the projectile down the tube. The chamber pressure also pushes the piston (s), controlling the propellant injection. RLPG gun e rings almost always show large high-frequency pressure oscillations. To study this phenomenon, a two-dimensional axisymmetric e uid-dynamics model of the combustion chamber/gun tube of an RLPG has been developed. High-frequency oscillations are generated naturally by the code. Recently, the code has been extended to three dimensions. The major dife culty in the simulations has been modeling the jet breakup and combustion. A number of different approximations to the jet breakup have been implemented. The most useful approximation has been to assume that most of the propellant is in an intact core. Comparisons have been made between the model and gun e rings, leading to methods for reducing the pressure oscillations.
Effects of Single Large Doses of Phenytoin on Glucose Homeostasis—a Preliminary Report

The effects of a loading dose of 15 mg/kg phenytoin by iv infusion on the serum levels of insulin, glucagon, and glucose were investigated in five fasting healthy male volunteers between the ages of 23 and 35 years. Serum glucose concentrations rose immediately after the infusion of phenytoin followed by a significant increase in serum insulin values (P less than 0.05). A slight elevation in mean glucagon concentrations after the infusion was not statistically significant. Further studies are indicated to determine whether phenytoin as used in the treatment of status epilepticus may aggravate the hyperglycemia associated with seizures.
Finite element analysis of two-dimensional shear flexible frame structures: linear analysis

Abstract The paper focuses on the development and application of accurate, reliable, and computationally inexpensive beam/column elements for the analysis of two-dimensional frames and arches. More specifically, on the basis of modified versions of the variational theorem due to Hellinger and Reissner two elements were formulated that account for shear deformation effects. In the case of the first element, the displacements and stress resultants have been treated as independent variables whereas in the case of the second element the displacements and the shear strain were approximated independently from each other. Both elements possess the usual six engineering kinematic degrees of freedom. Extensive numerical studies were performed in order to assess the relative merits of the proposed elements in comparison with each other as well as with existing elements. These studies clearly indicate that both elements do not display ‘locking’ or any other numerically caused instabilities. Furthermore, both elements were found to give highly accurate results even in cases where just a few elements were used to model a given structural problem. It is also worth noticing that both elements can easily be implemented in any existing general-purpose finite element code based on the stiffness matrix concept.
418: Evaluation of End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Role in Predicting Elevated SOFA Scores and Lactic Acidosis

The development of organ dysfunction is a key contributor to morbidity and mortality in sepsis. End-tidal carbon dioxide levels measured by non-invasive end-tidal capnography (ETCO2) may provide a rapid assessment of a patient’s underlying metabolic status. The objective of this study was to explore the association between ETCO2 and (1) organ dysfunction [sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score], and (2) serum lactate levels in febrile emergency department (ED) patients. Prospective, observational cohort study of a convenience sample of 97 adult (age 18 years or older) patients presented to an academic urban ED with a fever and suspected infection. The outcomes were ED SOFA score and serum lactate level. Based on prior studies, we categorized an ETCO2 2, and an abnormal lactate as >4 mmol/L. The correlation of ETCO2 with SOFA and lactate level was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Operating characteristics were calculated with 95% confidence intervals, along with the area under the curve (AUC). Among 97 patients enrolled, 5 (5%) had an abnormal lactate and 34 (35%) had a SOFA score >2. A significant correlation was found between ETCO2 and SOFA score (r = −0.35, p 2 had an AUC of 0.69. ETCO2 of 2. ETCO2 4 with an AUC of 0.62. We found a small, but statistically significant correlation, between ETCO2 and SOFA scores; however, based on questionable operating characteristics, the test seems to have limited ability to meaningfully impact clinical decision making. Larger confirmatory studies are required before final assessment.
A dynamic flow control mechanism based on a hierarchical feedback model for data center networks

Many studies have focused on developing Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) flow control mechanisms to enable more effective use of bandwidth in data center networks. However, the studies cannot achieve total optimization of bandwidth use for data center networks. This is because they do not take into account the path design of TCP flows and the hierarchical structure in data center networks through which TCP flows. To address this issue, we propose a TCP flow control mechanism for effectively using bandwidth by dynamically controlling paths through which TCP flows. To achieve this dynamic control, a hierarchical feedback model is used to obtain an optimal path establishment policy. With the model, all network components exchange their resource states with each other when each network component establishes a TCP flow. This enables each network component to learn the best TCP flow path for effective bandwidth use. An evaluation process shows that the mechanism achieves more effective bandwidth use and more efficient flow control than the conventional TCP flow control.
Inhibition of polarizing activity in the anterior limb bud is regulated by extracellular factors

Anterior-posterior patterning of the developing limb is largely viewed as a function of polarizing activity. Recent evidence in polydactylous mutants, however, indicates that development of proper pattern also requires the involvement of inhibitory pathways in the anterior limb that prevent secondary polarizing zone formation, thus limiting the number of digits produced. We report the novel finding that grafts of extracellular matrix from the Mouse Posterior Limb Bud-4 cell line can induce supernumerary digits, including digits with posterior phenotype, from anterior chick limb mesenchyme. Unlike previously described mechanisms of pattern specification during limb development, it is shown that the extracellular matrix effect is not associated with release of an active signal. Rather, evidence is presented suggesting that heparan sulfate moieties in extracellular matrix grafts bind an endogenous, extracellular factor involved in inhibition of anterior polarizing activity, leading to derepression of the anterior limb and induction of polarizing zone marker genes including Sonic hedgehog and Bone morphogenetic protein-2.
Response of spacecraft window materials to hypervelocity projectile impact

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the response of window materials to hypervelocity projectile impact. Window impact damage is characterized according to the nature and extent of surface and internal damage. Analysis of the test data indicates that, for single-pane specimens, the extent of the damage to the test specimens can be written as functions of the impact parameters of the original projectile and the geometric and material properties of the projectile/ window system. These functions can be used to perform parameter-sensitivity studies and to evaluate hypothetical design applications and configurations.
On the futility of psychiatric diagnostic manuals (DSMs) and the return of personal agency

Abstract This article critiques the most recent version of the American Psychiatric Association's (1994) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV). After pointing to the procedures employed in constructing the Manual, I note that unreliability of diagnosis is still a major problem and, more important, little attention has been paid to validity. Based on the mechanistic Kraepelinian model, the Manual contributes to the increasing medicalization of distress and directs clinicians to search for causes of unwanted behavior in biochemical anomalies. The person as agent is not part of the DSM diagnostic program. As an alternative to the DSM-IV, I propose a contextualist approach to understanding unwanted conduct. The person is treated as an agent who employs strategic actions to maintain a self-narrative. Strategic actions that fail to influence relevant others to supply warrants of social validation become the targets of clinical interventions.
Chronic cervical spinal sensory denervation reveals ineffective spinal pathways to phrenic motoneurons in the rat

We hypothesized that pretreatment with chronic cervical dorsal rhizotomy (CDR; C3–C6) would reveal ineffective crossed spinal pathways to phrenic motoneurons. Anesthetized CDR (1 week post-rhizotomy) and control rats were spinally hemisected at C2, and phrenic potentials were evoked by stimulating the ventrolateral funiculus contralateral and rostral to hemisection. Phrenic potentials contralateral to the stimulating electrode were evoked at lower stimulus currents (CDR=640±46 μA; control=900±50 μA; P 0.05). Thus, CDR enhances crossed phrenic pathways but serotonin receptor activation is not necessary to maintain this effect.
Incorporation of 2-arylhexa-1,5-diene into pentasil zeolite: A distorted 1-arylcyclohexane-1,4-diyl radical cation at room temperature.

Incorporation into a redox-active pentasil zeolite [(Na,H)-ZSM-5] converted 2-arylhexa-1,5-dienes (9a-c; aryl = phenyl, tolyl, anisyl) into 1-arylcyclohexane-1,4-diyl radical cations, 10a-c•+. The ESR spectra of 10a-c•+ (six lines, g = 2.0026; a = 9.0 G) indicated the presence of five essentially equivalent nuclei, indicating limited delocalization of spin and charge into the phenyl group. Sequestered in the pores of ZSM-5, the three species 10a-c•+ are stable at room temperature, in striking contrast to the parent radical cation in cryogenic matrices: cyclohexane-1,4-diyl radical cation is converted to cyclohexene radical cation above 90 K. The structures of radical cation 10a•+ (X = H) and of the unsubstituted parent were probed by density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio calculations.
Finite-Core Vortex Array Model of the Wake of a Periodically Pitching Airfoil

In this study, a simple vortex array model is employed to compute the unsteady velocity field in the wake of an airfoil undergoing harmonic as well as nonharmonic pitch oscillation. The parameters of the model are determined by minimizing the difference between the model predictions and existing single-component laser Doppler velocimetry measurements of the streamwise velocity in the near wake of an oscillating NACA 0012 airfoil, at a chord Reynolds number of 11,400. It is shown that the vortex array model is an effective tool for determination of the wake vortex parameters (circulation, core diameter, spacing, etc.) from pointwise measurements of only the streamwise component of the velocity. This is demonstrated through comparison of the vortex parameters estimated using the model with those obtained directly from whole-field measurements in a similar flow. In addition, the mean streamwise force acting on the airfoil is calculated using the model in conjunction with the integral momentum equation. Comparison of the model-predicted force coefficient and its dependence on the reduced frequency are found to be consistent with published experimental and computational data.
Alterations of social behavior in rats and hamsters following lesions of the septal forebrain

Septal lesions alter the nature of social behavior in rats and hamsters. Rats were hyperemotional and more gregarious (contact time) in the open field following septal lesions. Hamsters were neither hyperemotional nor more gregarious after septal lesions. A marked increase in number of aggressive encounters was observed between hamsters.
The Importance of Civic Responsibility in Higher Performing Middle Schools: An Empirical Study.

In this case study, a district-wide focus on the development of civic responsibility is seen as an important component in the success of higher performing middle schools. Salient features of best practice were gathered from teacher and administrator interviews and documentary evidence in 10 higher performing, yet “beating the odds” schools, and six average performing schools. Findings suggest that consistently higher academic performance is related to ways schools foster partnerships with populations in the community; actively promote trusting and respectful relationships among students, teachers, administrators, and community members; and frame and use diversity and adversity as strengths.
Giving economic accounts: Accounting as cultural practice

Abstract This essay describes accounting as a practice that has no necessary relation to the institutions and practices of a professionalized elite known as “Accountants”. We assume that the giving and receiving of economic accounts is a ubiquitous aspect of human experience, and we seek to explain its practice as one of donating intelligibility and understanding to what Etzioni (The Moral Dimension: Toward a New Economics, Free Press, 1988) describes as the “moral dimension” of economic experience. Appropriating arguments from the moral philosopher H. Richard Niebuhr, we outline that moral dimension in a way that culminates in the act of giving economic accounts. Then, through the arguments of Paul Ricoeur, we show how the hermeneutical horizon of the economic account can be explained as an analogue to the hermeneutics of speech and the hermeneutics of writing. These two opposed structures of discourse — speech and writing — form a theoretical typology adequate to the task of expanding our sense of what accounting is and what it is not in a way that accomodates the cultural ubiquity of the economic account.
Normal endoscopic anatomy of the pharynx and larynx

The pharynx and larynx are readily visualized in ambulatory settings during endoscopic examination. Although these organs may be perceived as the portal to the lungs or upper digestive tract, endoscopists could refine their technical and diagnostic acumen by becoming more familiar with this special area of anatomy. Further, an anatomic description of these structures may augment the generalist's understanding of their physiologic functioning. The basic skills required for examining the pharynx and larynx are generally quite easy to obtain. This article reviews the endoscopic anatomy and basic physiology of this region and offers suggestions for improving technique.
A second-order nonlinear optical material prepared through in situ hydrothermal ligand synthesis.

The in situ hydrothermal reactions of ZnCl2 with benzonitrile, 2-amino-5-cyanopyridine, and trans-2,3-dihydro-2-(4‘ ‘-cyanophenyl)-benzo[e]indole in the presence of NaN3 and water afford two 3D-diamond-like networks, (CN4−C6H5)2Zn (1) and (NH2−C5H3N−CN4)2Zn (2), and one 2D square grid network, [(CN4−C6H4−C12H7N−C5H4N)2Zn]·1.5H2O (3), in which these ligands gradually involve a noncenter-A−D (acceptor−donor) system, a one-center-A−D system, and a two-center-A−D system, respectively. All three compounds crystallize in noncentrosymmetric space groups (I42d for 1 and 2 and Fdd2 for 3) and display strong second harmonic generation (SHG) responses. Among the three new complexes, 3 shows the largest SHG effect, which is about 50 and 500 times that of urea and KDP (KH2PO4), respectively. The two-center-A−D system (multicenter push−pull electronic effect) in 3 may be responsible for it having the largest SHG effect. Interestingly, the three compounds exhibit strong fluorescent emissions at different wavelengths, 1...
Flat electrowetting optics and displays

Flat electrowetting optics currently include pixel arrays for displays and prism arrays for beam steering. Electrowetting display pixels utilize a colored oil layer that provides high efficiency control of light transmission or light reflection. Electrowetting microprisms tilt the angle of the meniscus between liquids with different refractive index and thereby cause refraction of a light beam passing through the meniscus. Both of these technologies are projected to provide an order of magnitude increase in raw performance compared to liquid-crystal and other technologies. For example, transmissive electrowetting displays are expected to achieve >80% transmission, which far exceeds the ~8% transmission of a commercial liquid crystal display. Electrowetting microprisms have a clear roadmap leading to greater than +/- 45° of continuous beam steering, which surpasses the few degrees of beam steering achieved with electro-optic phased arrays. However, before widespread commercial application can be achieved, a variety of other challenges, such as low-voltage operation, must be solved. Many of these challenges are engineering problems, not fundamental scientific discoveries, and significant technological progress is expected for flat electrowetting optics.
The Qualification of BWR Steam Dryer Weldments Exposed to Cyclic Loading Using Finite Element Methods

The qualification of welds other than full penetration groove welds exposed to cyclic loading using finite element methods requires an understanding of the basis behind classical methodologies. These methodologies usually address nominal stresses.The nominal stress (S-N) method was the first approach developed to try to understand this failure process and is still widely used in applications where the applied stress is nominally within the elastic range of the material and the number of cycles to failure is large. From this point of view, the nominal stress approach is best suited to that area of the fatigue process known as high cycle fatigue. Cracks and discontinuities will cause stress redistribution and concentrations leading to secondary and peak stresses additive to the nominal stress when referencing the S-N curves.Therefore, fundamental to the qualification of weldments of components and structures is the determination of the nominal stress field; however, this can be problematic for several reasons:• Secondary, Peak stress arising from structural discontinuities can mask the actual nominal stress field.• There may be an insufficient number of elements and/or integration points through the thickness to rely on linearization techniques, to separate the nominal stresses from the secondary and peak stresses due to the high cost of using bricks or tetrahedrons.• In complex shell structures, the nominal stress field in weldments that satisfies equilibrium against externally applied loads is not readily distinguished; this is due to the shear preponderance of mesh sensitive discontinuities.Herein, is a summary of methods to address the aforementioned problem and guidance in determining the true peak stresses and their qualification. Methods documented in ASME BPV Code Section VIII Div. 2, and various papers are compared. These methods will be used to assess existing methods that may be used in the industry. ASME BPV Code Section III Subsections NG and NB will be used as a basis to classify and qualify the weldment stresses.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Diffusion and partitioning of humic acid in a porous ultrafiltration membrane

Abstract Surface imaging of wet polysulfone (PM30) ultrafiltration membranes with atomic force microscopy indicates a relatively smooth but porous surface in the aqueous environment. The average pore radius was 9.7±0.8 nm, and the average porosity was 10%. Therefore, for the case of adsorption of humic acid on the membrane (J. Membr. Sci. 97 (1994) 37–52), we hypothesize here that the transport of humic materials in the membrane can be modeled as one-dimensional diffusion and linear partitioning in a porous medium. An interaction parameter was developed using the model to characterize the strength of interaction between the humic acid and the membrane as a function of pH and calcium concentration. The mass of humic acid adsorbed and the calculated interaction parameter were found to increase with decreasing pH and increasing calcium concentration; hence, the strength of interaction between humic acid and membrane is now simply parameterized. The kinetics of adsorption of humic acid was also modeled, and fitted diffusion time scales showed that the humic acid diffusion coefficient increased with decreasing pH and increasing calcium concentration, which is consistent with a compaction of the humic molecule. These effects were also consistent with a previous study of humic acid diffusion coefficients in activated carbon (J. Colloid Interface Sci. 110 (1) (1986) 149–164).
Comparison of Holsteins selected for high and average milk production. 1. Net income and production response to selection for milk

Abstract The objective of the experiment was to quantify differences between two divergent lines of Holsteins for net income per day, per lactation, and per lifetime using a linear profit function. Data consisted of 2768 lactation records from 1078 Holstein cows by 140 sires. Bulls with high PD milk were mated to daughters of sires with high PD for milk, and bulls with average PD for milk were mated to cows of average genetic merit, creating two divergent genetic lines of cattle. Data on production, health, and reproduction were collected. Analyses were based on lactation and lifetime. High line cows had greater net returns than average line cows by $.30/d (16.0%) per lactation and $.33 (19%) advantage/d of life. The high line cows were $103.79 more profitable (20.4%) per lactation and $375.60 (17.4%) more profitable during their lifetime than their average line herdmates. This income superiority was because high line cows averaged 940kg more milk per lactation (16.4%) and 3435kg more milk per lifetime (15.7%) than the average line cows. High line cows were superior by 500kg for PTA for milk from January 1990. Selecting sires with high PD for milk effectively improved milk production and increased net income.