cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Open-lung biopsy in patients with undiagnosed lung lesions referred at a tertiary cancer center is safe and reveals noncancerous, noninfectious entities as the most common diagnoses

We evaluated the diagnostic yield of open-lung biopsies (OLBs) in a large tertiary cancer center to determine the role of infectious diseases as causes of undiagnosed pulmonary lesions. All consecutive adult patients with either single or multiple pulmonary nodules or masses who underwent a diagnostic OLB over a period of 10 years (1998–2007) were retrospectively identified. Their risk factors for malignancy and clinical and radiological characteristics were reviewed, and their postoperative complications were assessed. We evaluated 155 patients with a median age of 57 years (range, 19–83 years). We identified infectious etiologies in 29 patients (19 %). The most common diagnosis in this group was histoplasmosis (12 [41 %]), followed by nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (7 [24 %]) and aspergillosis (4 [14 %]). The majority of the 126 remaining patients had nonmalignant diagnoses, the most prevalent being nonspecific granuloma (26 %), whereas only 17 % had malignant diagnoses. We observed no significant differences among the patients with infectious, malignant, or both noninfectious and nonmalignant final diagnoses regarding their demographic, laboratory, and clinical characteristics. Six percent of the patients had at least one post-OLB complication, and the post-OLB mortality rate was 1 %. OLB is a safe diagnostic procedure which frequently identifies a wide variety of infectious and inflammatory diseases.
Eclipse modeling framework for document management

The lifecycle of document management applications typically comprises a set of loosely coupled subsystems that provide capture, index, search, workflow, fulfillment and archival features. However, there exists no standard model for composing these elements together to instantiate a complete application. Therefore, every application invariably incorporates custom application code to provide the linkages between each of these loosely coupled subsystems. This paper proposes a model-based approach to instantiating document management applications. An Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF) based model is used to formalize the variable elements in the document management applications. The modeling tool supports the instantiation of an EMF model for every new application and supports the generation of runtime artifacts - this includes code, XML configurations, scripts and business logic. This approach to creating new instances of document management applications with a formal EMF model has been validated with a real-world document management application.
How many clusters to report: A recursive heuristic

Clustering can be a valuable tool for analyzing large amounts of data, but anyone who clusters must choose how many item clusters, K, to report. Unfortunately, one must guess at K or some related parameter when working within each of the three available frameworks where one thinks of clustering: as a Euclidean distance problem; as a statistical model problem; or as a complexity theory problem. We report here a novel recursive square root heuristic, RSQRT, which accurately predicts K reported as a function of the attribute or item count, depending on attribute scales. We tested the heuristic on 226 widely-varying, but mostly scientific, studies, and found that the heuristic's K best-predicted rounded to exactly K reported in over half of the studies and was close in almost all of them. We claim that this strongly-supported heuristic makes sense and that, although it is not prescriptive, using it prospectively is much better than guessing.
Intracoronary Anastomosis in the Absence of Obstructive Lesions of the Coronary Arteries

The patient had collateral flow from the right coronary to left circumflex coronary artery in the absence of proximal obstructive disease. This supports the hypothesis mat the intercoronary collaterals seen in coronary atherosclerotic disease are present in the normal heart.
Dissociation of tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of phosphoinositide phospholipase C induced by the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro-31-8220 in Swiss 3T3 cells treated with platelet-derived growth factor

Abstract Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (Ptd InsP 2 ) via phospholipase C- γ 1 (PLC- γ 1) in Swiss 3T3 cells. Treatment of cells with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro-31-8220 greatly decreased PDGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC- γ 1, but paradoxically enhanced the production of inositol phosphates (InsPs). The inhibitor also caused an increase of PDGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation at later times. The changes in phosphorylation of the receptor were correlated with alterations in PLC- γ 1 translocation to the particulate fraction. Thus, although activation of PLC- γ 1 was associated with phosphorylation of the receptor and translocation of the enzyme to the particulate fraction, it was dissociated from its tyrosine phosphorylation. A non-receptor-associated, cytosolic tyrosine kinase also was found to phosphorylate PLC- γ 1 in a PDGF-dependent manner, but was not inhibited by Ro-31-8220 in vitro. PKC depletion by phorbol ester treatment decreased the tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC- γ 1 induced by PDGF and slowed the translocation of PLC- γ 1, but Ro-31-8220 produced further effects. The effect of Ro-31-8220 to enhance the production of InsPs could not be attributed to inhibition of PKC since InsPs production with PDGF was decreased in PKC-depleted cells and a stimulatory effect of the inhibitor was still evident. Interestingly, Ro-31-8220 decreased the radioactivity in phosphatidylinositol and increased that in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and PtdInsP 2 in cells labeled with myo[ 3 H]inositol. The increased synthesis of PtdInsP 2 could contribute to the increased production of InsPs induced by Ro-31-8220. In summary, these results support the conclusion that the activation of PLC- γ 1 in response to PDGF requires autophosphorylation of the receptor and membrane association of PLC- γ 1, but not phosphorylation of the enzyme. Furthermore, the effects of Ro-31-8220 on the tyrosine phosphorylation and activity of PLC- γ 1, and on PtdInsP 2 synthesis cannot be attributed to inhibition of PKC. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Analysis of Ball-indentation Load-depth Data: Part I. Determining Elastic Modulus

Analysis of ball-indentation process was made by the finite element (FE) method. A series of indentation FE analyses were made on materials with different elastic modulus (E), and a simple relationship between E and the load-depth (F-h) unloading data is presented. In order to check for the influence of other material properties, thorough research has been performed, introducing a combination of response surface (RS) and FE analysis. As a result, a relationship between the indentation unloading slope, E, and the strain hardening exponent was derived. Also, the indenter compliance effect has been investigated. The indenter compliance correction was calculated and applied to the experimentally measured F-h results. Experimental testing was made on three materials with essentially different elastic moduli. Comparison of the results obtained by newly developed equations with the results from other well-known equations is also presented.
Water and Ion Pairing in Polyelectrolyte Multilayers

The water content in multilayers made from poly(styrenesulfonate) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) was determined using infrared spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis. Under ambient conditions the polyelectrolyte multilayer contains 10−20 wt % water, which is removed by heating under dry conditions to 100 °C. FTIR comparison of multilayers with solution-precipitated polyelectrolyte complexes of the same polymers revealed that both the composition and sulfonate group environment were identical.
Controlled electrolyte environments and their use for studying and modifying materials properties: potentials for employment in practical devices

Abstract Molten salt electrolytes containing hydride ions, and with very low oxygen and water activities can produce hydrogen-transparent metal surfaces, as the hydrogen-blocking surface metal oxides are thermodynamically unstable and are removed. Their potential use in novel high conductivity solid electrolyte-like configurations for practical applications such as elevated temperature hydrogen sensors, as well as for a variety of other purposes will be discussed.
Low-temperature Peltier heat of an itinerant electron in a ferromagnetic semiconductor

The Peltier heat of a wide-band itinerant carrier in a ferromagnetic semiconductor has been calculated for temperatures below the Curie temperature. In this regime we treat the spin fluctuations within the spin-wave approximation. The coupling of the charge carrier to the local moments is via local intra-atomic (e.g., s-f or s-d) exchange. Taking the strength of the intra-atomic exchange interaction to be small compared with the carrier's electronic bandwidth, we treat the interaction between the carrier and the local moments perturbatively through second order. We use the perturbed energy to compute the free energy of the coupled electron-magnon system. From the carrier-induced change of the system's free energy we directly obtain the carrier's Peltier heat. The Peltier heat contains two terms of opposite sign which both increase in magnitude with increasing temperature. These two terms arise from the first- and second-order contributions to the energy of the coupled system. Except at very low temperatures, the first-order contribution dominates. Then the electron-magnon interaction provides a negative contribution to the Peltier heat of a ferromagnetic semiconductor. The magnitude of this contribution varies as T/sup 3/2/.
MEASUREMENT OF GENERAL ETCH RATE FOR CR-39 PLASTIC AT SHORT DISTANCE SCALE

Abstract Submicron changes in the thickness of solid state nuclear track detectors during chemical etching can be measured by using a laser interferometer. Such a real-time monitoring allows us to determine with good accuracy the general etch rate of the detectors at very short distance scale. Comnined with track measurements from an atomic force microscope, it is possible to study the detector response in this previously unexplored regime. We report a set of measurements for CR-39 plastic detectors obtained with this technique. No short-term variation of general etch rates was found within an accuracy of 5 nm h−1 beyond the shortest measurable distance of ∼ 50 nm.
Design of broad-band and dual-band antennas comprised of series-fed printed-strip dipole pairs

The design of antennas consisting of two strip dipoles the arms of which are printed on opposite sides of an electrically thin dielectric substrate and connected through a parallel stripline is presented. The antennas are designed to have broad-band or dual-band capability suitable for application in base stations of wireless communication systems. An important advantage of these antennas is their simple structure, allowing them to be readily manufactured as printed circuits. Broad-band antennas with bandwidths greater than 30% for VSWR /spl les/1.5 operating near 2.0 GHz and dual-frequency antennas operating at 0.9 GHz/1.5 GHz and 0.9 GHz/1.8 GHz bands are presented.
An Analysis of Injuries to Haul Truck Operators in the U.S. Mining Industry

Because haul trucks are used extensively in mining, the operators of these trucks are exposed to various risks and hazards inherent to this occupation. The objective of this work was to profile injuries sustained during haul truck operations, to identify priorities for further investigation, and to determine potential injury prevention strategies. Data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) annual administrative database were sorted and reviewed to select records identifying a subset of injuries sustained during haul truck operations. Records covering a 5-year period (2004–2008) involving haul trucks were reviewed. The majority of the injury records were for injuries classified as “struck against moving object” (STRUCK) (N=613) and “slip or fall of person from an elevation or on the same level” (SLIPFALL) (N=359). Each injury narrative was read to determine the activity being performed during the injury (such as ingress, egress, driving, maintenance), the incident results (such as operator ...
Determining the optimal warranty price based on the producer's and customers' risk preferences

We propose a warranty model for the free-replacement, fixed-period warranty policy that determines the optimal warranty price for a given warranty period. We assume a constant failure rate for the product, constant repair costs throughout the warranty period, and a producer's and customers' risk aversion for future repair costs. Using the exponential utility function and the gamma failure rate distribution, we derive the decision model that maximizes the producer's certainty profit equivalent. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the optimal warranty price is analyzed with a numerical example with respect to such factors as (1) the producer's and customers' risk preferences, (2) their perceptions about the product failure rate, (3) the customers' loyalty to the original producer in repairing failed products, and (4) the customers' repair price.
Measuring the Benefits of Mentoring for Foster Grandparents: A Research Note

The impact of intergenerational mentoring between retirees and first-year college has largely been ignored in gerontological research. This research note explores the methodology of designing a mentoring pro-gram that targets ‘‘foster grandparents’’ and first-year college students using life satisfaction scales.
Matsuoka Yosuke’s Miscalculation at Geneva: A Possible Reconsideration Using JACAR Data

In historical hindsight, it was Japan’s withdrawal from the League of Nations in February 1933 that drove the world to the final phase leading to the outbreak of World War II. Japan wanted the League to recognize Manchukuo, though member states were cognizant that the state was fabricated by Japan. Rejected by the League, Japan moved to confront China on its own and plunged into war with China. Germany, where Hitler came to power in January 1933, withdrew from the League in October the same year. Although it continued to exist until the end of World War II, the League became a weak international organization that was unable to settle international conflicts. Japan’s withdrawal triggered a chain of withdrawals from the League, destroying the base of the world’s first international organization for peace and security. To escape from the state of being “an orphan in the world,” Japan formed a tripartite treaty alliance with Germany and Italy.
Interability Communication: Evaluating Patronizing Encounters

This investigation is a first empirical attempt, using an intergroup perspective, to socially evaluate patronizing speech in encounters involving people with and without disabilities. Respondents read a vignette involving a person with a disability being either patronized or not being patronized and then made attributions and evaluations about the conversational interactants. As predicted, results revealed that recipients and third party interactants of patronizing speech were rated as feeling less supported and less comfortable than when involved in a nonpatronizing encounter. In addition, the patronizer was rated as more incompetent, insensitive, and unsocial in the former than in the latter condition. These and many other findings were interpreted within a framework that included social identity, intergroup contact, and communication accommodation theories.
Migration of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

Migration of smooth muscle cells is a process fundamental to development of hollow organs, including blood vessels and the airways. Migration is also thought to be part of the response to tissue injury. It has also been suggested to contribute to airways remodeling triggered by chronic inflammation. In both nonmuscle and smooth muscle cells numerous external signaling molecules and internal signal transduction pathways contribute to cell migration. The review includes evidence for the functional significance of airway smooth muscle migration, a summary of promigratory and antimigratory agents, and summaries of important signaling pathways mediating migration. Important signaling pathways and effector proteins described include small G proteins, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3-K), Rho activated protein kinase (ROCK), p21-activated protein kinases (PAK), Src family tyrosine kinases, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). These signaling modules control multiple critical effector proteins including actin nucleating, capping and severing proteins, myosin motors, and proteins that remodel microtubules. Actin filament remodeling, focal contact remodeling and propulsive force of molecular motors are all coordinated to move cells along gradients of chemical cues, matrix adhesiveness, or matrix stiffness. Airway smooth muscle cell migration can be modulated in vitro by drugs commonly used in pulmonary medicine including beta-adrenergic agonists and corticosteroids. Future studies of airway smooth muscle cell migration may uncover novel targets for drugs aimed at modifying airway remodeling.
Organizational Versus Individual Attribution: A Case Study of Jemaah Islamiyah and the Anthrax Plot

Recent studies have taken an important first step in examining which terrorist groups, based on their organizational characteristics and the characteristics of the environment in which they operate, are more likely to pursue chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. This approach, however, assumes that individuals who perpetrate events act on behalf of the organization to which they primarily belong. Using the case of Jemaah Islamiyah's alleged attempt to develop the pathogenic bacterium Bacillus anthracis, or anthrax, the authors demonstrate the importance of including individual-level variables to the analysis. In particular, the attendance by several key Jemaah Islamiyah members at an Al Qaeda-affiliated training camp is argued to set a chain of events into motion that ended in their involvement in the anthrax cultivation program.
Motor Control Techniques for Figure Animation

Computer models of skeletons may not show muscle tissue or clothing, but they are an excellent means of displaying the fundamental properties of human motion.
Off-Target Gene Regulation Mediated by Transcriptional Repressors of Antimicrobial Efflux Pump Genes in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

ABSTRACT DNA-binding proteins that control expression of drug efflux pump genes have been termed “local regulators” as their encoding gene is often located adjacent to the gene(s) that they regulate. However, results from recent studies indicate that they can control genes outside efflux pump-encoding loci, which we term as being “off target.” For example, the MtrR repressor was initially recognized for its ability to repress transcription of the mtrCDE -encoded efflux pump operon in the strict human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but recent results from genetic and microarray studies have shown that it can control expression of nearly 70 genes scattered throughout the chromosome. One of the off-target MtrR-repressed genes is glnA , which encodes glutamine synthetase. Herein, we confirm the capacity of MtrR to repress glnA expression and provide evidence that such repression is due to its ability to negatively influence the binding of a second DNA-binding protein (FarR), which activates glnA . FarR was previously recognized as a transcriptional repressor of the farAB -encoded efflux pump operon. Thus, two DNA-binding proteins previously characterized as repressors of genes encoding efflux pumps that contribute to gonococcal resistance to antimicrobials can act in an opposing manner to modulate expression of a gene involved in basic metabolism.
An energy management and charge sustaining strategy for a parallel hybrid vehicle with CVT

An energy management control system for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle is presented. The proposed system incorporates an optimization scheme to assess the amount of engine torque for generating propulsive power (torque distribution task) as well as a charge sustaining scheme to ensure that battery's state of charge is maintained at sufficiently high level. In order to accomplish the torque distribution task, torque distribution control problem is formulated as a multi-objective nonlinear optimization problem, and recast and solved as a single objective linear optimization problem. Furthermore, a new vehicle-mode-based state-of-charge compensator is developed to accomplish the charge sustaining task. Computer simulation work is carried out to evaluate the proposed energy management system. Finally, through sensitivity analysis, robustness of the solution to changes in the parameters of the objective functions is investigated.
Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid Influences the Immune Response of Young and Old C57BL/6NCrlBR Mice.

Aging is associated with a decline in the immune response in mammals. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been suggested to have immunoenhancing properties. We examined the influence of dietary CLA on the immune response of young and old mice. Forty young (4 mo) and 40 old (22 mo) mice consumed ad libitum diets containing 0 or 1 g CLA /100 g for 8 wk. Splenocytes from half of the mice were isolated to evaluate proliferation to concanavalin A (Con A) (0.5, 1.5, 5.0 mg/L) and phytohemagglutinin A (PHA) (5, 20, 40 mg/L) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5, 15, 30 mg/L), natural killer cell (NK) activity and prostaglandin (PG)E 2 and interleukin (IL)-2 production. The remaining mice were used to evaluate in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin response. There was a significant decline due to age in response to all three mitogens tested (P < 0.05). CLA supplementation significantly increased all CLA isomers measured in hepatic neutral lipids and phospholipids (P < 0.05). Young mice fed 1% CLA had greater splenocyte proliferation in response to Con A (0.5 and 5.0 mg/L) and PHA (40 mg/L) (P < 0.05) than young mice fed control diet. Old mice fed 1 g CLA/100 g had significantly higher proliferative response to optimal concentrations of Con A (1.5 mg/L) (P < 0.001) than the mice fed the control diet. Old mice fed the control diet had significantly lower splenocyte IL-2 production than the young mice (P < 0.005). CLAsupplemented young mice had significantly higher splenocyte IL-2 production than those fed the control diet (P < 0.05). CLA had no effect on NK cell activity, PGE 2 production or DTH in young or old mice. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism of CLA-induced enhancement of IL-2 production and T cell proliferation.
A method for enforcing parameter nonnegativity in Bayesian inverse problems with an application to contaminant source identification

Received 28 May 2002; revised 18 September 2002; accepted 24 September 2002; published 14 February 2003. [1] When an inverse problem is solved to estimate an unknown function such as the hydraulic conductivity in an aquifer or the contamination history at a site, one constraint is that the unknown function is known to be everywhere nonnegative. In this work, we develop a statistically rigorous method for enforcing function nonnegativity in Bayesian inverse problems. The proposed method behaves similarly to a Gaussian process with a linear variogram (i.e., unrestricted Brownian motion) for parameter values significantly greater than zero. The method uses the method of images to define a prior probability density function based on reflected Brownian motion that implicitly enforces nonnegativity. This work focuses on problems where the unknown is a function of a single variable (e.g., time). A Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, specifically, a highly efficient Gibbs sampler, is implemented to generate conditional realizations of the unknown function. The new method is applied to the estimation of the trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) contamination history in an aquifer at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, based on concentration profiles obtained from an underlying aquitard. INDEX TERMS: 1831 Hydrology: Groundwater quality; 1869 Hydrology: Stochastic processes; 3260 Mathematical Geophysics: Inverse theory; KEYWORDS: stochastic inverse modeling, contaminant source identification, inference under constraints, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), Gibbs sampling, Bayesian inference
Polymeric conductive pastes as solder replacement for flip-chip attachment

The fabrication and characterization of flip-chip assemblies using four polymeric conductive pastes as attachment materials are reported. Three thermoset and one thermoplastic polymeric conductive pastes were investigated. Polymeric conductive pastes having silver particles 2 /spl mu/m in size made good contact to either smooth or rough metal. Electrical contact with pastes whose particles were 5 /spl mu/m or larger could only be obtained on rough metal.
Breast cancer heterogeneity: Evaluation of clonality in primary and metastatic lesions

Abstract Breast cancers often contain different clones of tumor cells. Attention to the cellular properties of breast cancer metastases may identify characteristics in primary tumors that are associated with metastasis. Such characteristics could include DNA content, cell proliferation, abnormal oncogene expression, or relative cell population (clonal dominance). We examined DNA ploidy (image analysis), proliferation index (proliferating cell nuclear antigen-1 immunostaining), and expression of Her-2/neu oncoprotein in 17 invasive breast cancer samples (36 primary tumor samples) and 82 corresponding regional metastases. In all samples the primary tumor was multiclonal (usually biclonal) by DNA ploidy analysis. In approximately 90% of metastatic DNA clones (30 of 34) the corresponding clone was identified in a primary tumor sample representing 25% or more of the tumor cell population (significant clone). A majority DNA clone (⩾50% of tumor cell population) existed in 60% (21 of 36) of primary tumor samples and in 70% (60 of 82) of metastases (30% diploid v 70% nondiploid in both groups). In approximately 50% of metastases (37 of 82) an unexpected majority clone was identified (not a majority in any primary tumor sample) and the ratio of diploid to nondiploid clones also was 30% to 70%. However, in 80% of majority metastatic clones (46 of 60) that clone was a significant primary tumor clone. Proliferation index was quite variable in primary tumor samples and in corresponding metastases. Overexpression of Her-2/neu oncoprotein in the primary tumor of seven of 10 patients also was identified in all corresponding metastases in five of seven patients and in some metastases in two of seven patients. The metastases in three Her-2/neu -negative patients were all negative. We conclude that (1) DNA clones are stable after metastasis, (2) clonal majorities in metastases reflect clones identified in primary tumors, (3) different metastatic clones from an individual tumor can establish clonal majorities, (4) neither diploid nor aneuploid cells have a metastatic advantage in breast cancer, (5) proliferation indices are heterogeneous, and (6) overexpression of Her-2/neu is usually consistent between primary tumors and corresponding metastases.
Molecular characterisation of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli O136:K78 isolates from patients of a diarrhoea outbreak in China.

Purpose: A diarrhoea outbreak occurred in a kindergarten, which caused 21 relevant infected cases. Our object was to confirm the pathogens and their molecular characterisation. Materials and Methods: Faecal samples from 21 patients were collected on the 3rd day after their symptom onset, and a regular epidemiological investigation was conducted. Bacterial isolation was performed in accordance with standard laboratory protocol, serological and molecular characterisations were determined by serum agglutination test and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, respectively. The pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and 16S rRNAs were conducted to determine the homology. Results: Eleven enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) O136:K78 strains were isolated. The serum agglutination test showed that all strains' serotypes were E. coli (EIEC) O136:K78. Real-time PCR showed that 10 (91%) strains carried the invasion plasmid antigen H gene (ipaH), carried by all four Shigella species and EIEC. The strain that didn't carry the ipaH gene had different biochemical reactions of L-lizyna and L-rhamnose with the other strains. The complete 16S rRNA sequences showed 98.4% identity between ipaH-negative isolate and the others, and the PFGE indicated that the ipaH-negative isolate was not homological with other isolates in this diarrhoea outbreak. Conclusions: The diarrhoea outbreak was caused by E. coli (EIEC) O136:K78.
Computation of Minimal Projections and Extensions

ABSTRACTThe determination of minimal projections is examined from an optimization theory viewpoint. It is first shown how to transform the problem into a linear program for the coordinate spaces and . It is then shown how to transform the problem into a linear program for the matrix spaces and . The procedure is exploited to experimentally determine minimal projections onto various matrix subspaces. Moreover, a fully theoretical determination of minimal projections into zero-trace matrices is proposed when the matrix norm is unitarily invariant. Next, for polynomial spaces it is shown how to approximate the problem by a linear program or by a semidefinite program using techniques from robust optimization. It allows us to tabulate the relative projection constants of several polynomial subspaces. The article finishes by illustrating that the underlying method also applies to the determination of minimal extensions rather than merely minimal projections.
Direct immersogeometric fluid flow analysis using B-rep CAD models

Immersogeometric analysis that directly uses the B-rep CAD model is proposed.A GPU-accelerated point membership classification is performed.Distribution of the surface quadrature points is crucial for accuracy.The quadrature error near the trim curves is relatively insignificant.The methodology is found effective on a 3D benchmark and an industrial problem. We present a new method for immersogeometric fluid flow analysis that directly uses the CAD boundary representation (B-rep) of a complex object and immerses it into a locally refined, non-boundary-fitted discretization of the fluid domain. The motivating applications include analyzing the flow over complex geometries, such as moving vehicles, where the detailed geometric features usually require time-consuming, labor-intensive geometry cleanup or mesh manipulation for generating the surrounding boundary-fitted fluid mesh. The proposed method avoids the challenges associated with such procedures. A new method to perform point membership classification of the background mesh quadrature points is also proposed. To faithfully capture the geometry in intersected elements, we implement an adaptive quadrature rule based on the recursive splitting of elements. Dirichlet boundary conditions in intersected elements are enforced weakly in the sense of Nitsche's method. To assess the accuracy of the proposed method, we perform computations of the benchmark problem of flow over a sphere represented using B-rep. Quantities of interest such as drag coefficient are in good agreement with reference values reported in the literature. The results show that the density and distribution of the surface quadrature points are crucial for the weak enforcement of Dirichlet boundary conditions and for obtaining accurate flow solutions. Also, with sufficient levels of surface quadrature element refinement, the quadrature error near the trim curves becomes insignificant. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our immersogeometric method for high-fidelity industrial scale simulations by performing an aerodynamic analysis of an agricultural tractor directly represented using B-rep.
The Pathology of Alcoholic Liver Disease

The term "alcoholic liver disease" encompasses a spectrum of pathologic conditions ranging from isolated steatosis to established cirrhosis. Within this spectrum, varying degrees of inflammation, hepatocellular ballooning degeneration, hepatocyte necrosis, cholestasis, and fibrosis may be encountered. This article reviews the characteristic histologic features of the many forms of alcoholic liver disease. Histologic scoring systems are described, and diseases with overlapping morphologic features and comorbid conditions are also discussed.
Their Day in the Sun: Women of The 1932 Olympics. By Doris H. Pieroth. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996. 186 pp. Hardbound $30.00; Softbound, $16.95.

(1999). Their Day in the Sun: Women of The 1932 Olympics. By Doris H. Pieroth. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996. 186 pp. Hardbound $30.00; Softbound, $16.95. The Oral History Review: Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 175-178.
Climacia Areolaris (Hagen) Parasitized by a New Pteromalid (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)1

Climacia areolaris (Hagen) and Sisyra vicaria Walker are the only North American representatives of the neuropterous family Sisyridae (Navas, 1935). Since all known sisyrid larvae feed upon freshwater sponges, the distribution of sisyrids is dependent upon the distribution of their sponge hosts. The work upon which this article is based was done at the Franz Theodore Stone Laboratory, which is located upon an island in the western portion of Lake Erie. Both Climacia and Sisyra occur in this area, the former parasitizing Spongilla fragilis Leidy in the waters of the lake, whereas the latter parasitize the same host, but in the waters of shallow ponds on the islands. Climacia , which is abundant in the immediate vicinity of the laboratory, was studied in a desultory fashion during the summers of 1941, 1942, 1944, and 1945, and was studied intensively during the summer of 1949 (Brown, in press). As early as 1941, small, black chalcidoid wasps were observed and collected in the act of stinging or ovipositing upon the inhabitants of Climacia cocoons (Brown, 1942), although it was not until the summer of 1949 that specimens were sent to Mr. A. B. Gahan, of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, for identification. As indicated in Part I of the present paper, Mr. Gahan considers the hymenopteron sufficiently distinct from related forms to justify the erection of a new genus for this new species, the name he applies being Sisyridivora cavigena. Individuals of this species, or related species, have undoubtedly been collected by other investigators, since both Old (1932) and Withycombe (1922) refer to hymenopterons emerging from sisyrid cocoons. Old's work was done in the vicinity of Douglas Lake, Michigan, where he found both Climacia and Sisyra. I gather, from this paper, that cocoons of both genera yielded these hymenopterons, although he did not specifically state this to be the case. Withycombe's work concerned the British species, Sisyra fuscata and S. terminalis. The observations of these two authors would suggest that Sisyridivora probably parasitizes both Climacia and Sisyra , although my own observations were restricted to Climacia — hence only this genus is mentioned by Mr. Gahan in his introduction.
Elbow Trauma and Arthrofibrosis

Elbow range-of-motion loss is a common complication of elbow trauma. A number of pathologies can cause range-of-motion loss including a mechanical block from a displaced fracture fragment, arthrofibrosis, capsular contraction, or elbow instability. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can assist the physician to identify some of the pathology responsible for the stiff elbow. Osteochondral fragments that may not be recognized on plain radiographs can often be seen with MRI. MRI can help characterize osteophyte size and location as well as loose bodies. MRI is also useful for evaluating the ligamentous structures about the elbow, helping in the diagnosis of elbow instability. Arthroscopy is a useful tool in the treatment of the stiff elbow, and its indications continue to expand. It provides minimally invasive access to the elbow joint and allows for loose-body removal, osteophyte debridement, fracture reduction and fixation, and arthrofibrosis takedown. This chapter will use two patient cases to correlate MRI findings with those found at the time of elbow arthroscopy.
Study of anti-fatigue function of dendrobium candidum on mice

Objective:To study the anti-fatigue function of Dendrobium candidum on mice.Methods:The mice were divided into negative control group,and the low,medium and high dose groups at random.Weightloaded swimming time,hepatic glycogen content,lactic acid,urea nitrogen and creatine kinase content in serum,white blood cells and hemoglobin content in whole blood were determined after giving test substances by intragastrical gavage for 30 days.Results:Weightloaded swimming times in all three dose groups were prolonged significantedly,lactic acid and creatine kinase content in serum were decreased significantedly by comparing with negative control group.Conclusion:Dendrobium candidum can raise exercise tolerance and accelerate allaying tiredness.
Sandstone architectural deterioration in Petra, Jordan

Publisher Summary Petra, Jordan was an extensively occupied city during the Nabataean and Roman eras. Incorporating Hellenistic, Assyrian, Egyptian, and Roman architectural motifs and techniques, the Nabataeans created an architecture style that was both derivative and unique. However, its architecture is deteriorating because of weathering processes. The weathering influences have been separated into two distinctive categories: those affected by the characteristics of the stone itself or intrinsic effects (i.e. lithologic constituents, fractures), and those affected by external influences or extrinsic effects (i.e. climate, human contact). This chapter describes the weathering causes, effects, and rates of deterioration in the Roman Theater, Anjur Quarry, and Al-Khazneh. Through these three research sites, the following conclusions regarding the complex dynamics of sandstone weathering in Petra were drawn: (1) The Roman Theater study confirms the importance of rock chemistry and composition in interpreting deterioration mechanisms, (2) Research at the quarry of Anjur establishes the role of sunlight in the acceleration of weathering and architectural decay, and (3) Measurements of the inner chamber walls and the human-induced humidity in Al-Khazneh demonstrates the effect of tourism on accelerating stone deterioration. Therefore, examinations of both intrinsic and extrinsic conditions are vital to the preservation and conservation of the unique architecture and history of Petra.
Epidemiology and Clinical Significance of Ocular Infection

Infection can be the primary cause of ocular tissue damage and visual loss, or it can complicate many types of exogenous injury and systemic or local disease processes. The circumstances associated with the development of ocular infection tend to differ between populations in more economically developed countries and those of less prosperous areas of the world. Countries that are less economically developed may not be able to control endemic infections that cause large-scale visual loss on a population basis. When partial or complete blindness is a relatively common condition in a population, reduced individual productivity can occur that leads to further suppression of economic growth in what is already a resource-poor area. Ocular infection in more developed regions of the world often arises as a preventable complication of contact lens use or ophthalmic surgical procedures or represents a significant form of increased morbidity in patients with systemic diseases that cause immune suppression or vascular compromise. Such infections can contribute to less effective visual rehabilitation and increase the cost of medical care. When assessing any patient, clinical consideration and exclusion of infection is essential. With modern laboratory studies, pathogenic organisms are nearly always classifiable, and effective treatments are available in many cases that can lead to improvement in the patient’s vision and quality of life.
Poly dimethylsiloxane/carbon nanofiber nanocomposites: fabrication and characterization of electrical and thermal properties

ABSTRACTThis article presents the fabrication and characterization of poly dimethylsiloxane/carbon nanofiber (CNF)-based nanocomposites. Although silica and carbon nanoparticles have been traditionally used to reinforce mechanical properties in PDMS matrix nanocomposites, this article focuses on understanding their impacts on electrical and thermal properties. By adjusting both the silica and CNF concentrations, 12 different nanocomposite formulations were studied, and the thermal and electrical properties of these materials were experimentally characterized. The developed nanocomposites were prepared using a solvent-assisted method providing uniform dispersion of the CNFs in the polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to determine the dispersion of the CNFs at different length scales. The thermal properties, such as thermal stability and thermal diffusivity, of the developed nanocomposites were studied using thermogravimetirc and laser flash techniques. Furthermore, the electrical volum...
Use of Essential Oils Following Traumatic Burn Injury: A Case Study

Hospital admissions related to burn injury reach 40,000 annually. Patients who experience extensive burns require longer hospital stays and are at increased risk for infection and hospital acquired conditions. This comparative case study is a two patient matched case control design that follows the hospital course of two children who experienced burn injuries. For one of these patients, with the consent of the child's parents, the grandmother treated her granddaughter with essential oils. Essential oils have the potential to inhibit microbial growth, support treatment of wounds, and facilitate healing. However, there have been no large scale studies on essential oils. Data for the two cases were retrieved from the electronic medical record at a Midwestern Pediatric Hospital. Retrieved data included burn site description, treatment for burns, number of days on the ventilator, white blood cell count, length of hospital stay, number of ICU days, infections diagnosed by positive culture and pain ratings. While the goals for treatment were the same for both children, the child who received only standard care was diagnosed with two blood stream infections and four hospital acquired conditions while the child who received supplemental treatment with essential oils did not develop any blood stream infections, was diagnosed with one hospital acquired condition, was in the PICU one day less, and had a four day shorter length of hospital stay. While these case findings are intriguing, research is needed to expand understanding of the role of essential oils in the treatment of burns.
Constructing Literacy Spaces in Low-Income Homes and Communities: A Study of Two Latino First Graders and Their Families:

This article describes a research study using an ethnographic approach and sociocultural theory with a spatial perspective to explore the ways that two Latino children, with the mediation of their ...
A Clinically Meaningful Interpretation of the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) Scintigraphic Data

Rationale and Objectives Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic test characteristics reported in terms of sensitivity and specificity are difficult to translate at the clinical level. More relevant measures are likelihood ratios (LRs), which can convert a pretest into a posttest probability. The aim of our study was to calculate the LRs and posttest probabilities for multiple-level test result for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) lung scintigraphy and for perfusion scintigraphy combined with chest radiography using modified Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) II and the Prospective Investigative Study of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PISAPED) criteria for each clinical probability level for the most commonly used clinical prediction rules (CPR) using the PIOPED data. Materials and Methods PE pretest probability was estimated for the most commonly used CPRs (Wells, Geneva, Miniati, and Charlotte) at each clinical probability level (two-, three-, and four-level). Multiple-level LRs (high, indeterminate, low, very low probability, and normal) and the positive, indeterminate, and negative results for V/Q scintigraphy, and the positive, indeterminate, and negative results for perfusion scintigraphy were generated and used to calculate posttest probabilities based on the sensitivity and specificity data from PIOPED for each clinical probability level (low, intermediate, and high) for each CPR. Nomograms were also created. Results The LRs for a positive V/Q and perfusion scintigraphy test using modified PIOPED II and PISAPED criteria were 20.6, 11, and 23.7, and for a negative test result were 0.15, 0.16, and 0.2, respectively. In the three-level Wells score, the posttest probability for an initial low clinical probability PE for a positive, indeterminate, and negative test result, respectively, for V/Q scintigraphy is 56, 5, and 0.9; for perfusion scintigraphy with modified PIOPED 40, 7, and 0.9, and with PISAPED 59, not available (N/A), and 1.2; for an initial moderate clinical probability PE for V/Q scintigraphy 86, .22, and 4; for perfusion scintigraphy with modified PIOPED 77, 26, and 5, and with PISAPED 88, N/A, and 6; for an initial high clinical probability of PE for V/Q scintigraphy 95, 48, and 13; and for perfusion scintigraphy with modified PIOPED 92, 53, and 13, and with PISAPED 96, N/A, and 16. Conclusions With LRs >10, a positive test result for V/Q and perfusion scintigraphy can confirm the presence of PE. Only a normal test result has low enough LR to exclude PE.
The Reach of Tevatron Upgrades in Gauge-Mediated Supersymmetry Breaking Models

We examine signals for sparticle production at the Fermilab Tevatron within the framework of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking models for four different model lines, each of which leads to qualitatively different signatures. We identify cuts to enhance the signal above standard model backgrounds, and use ISAJET to evaluate the supersymmetry reach of experiments at the Fermilab Main Injector and at the proposed TeV33. For the model lines that we have examined, we find that the reach is at least as large, and frequently larger, than in the minimal supergravity framework. For two of these model lines, we find that the ability to identify {ital b}-quarks and {tau}-leptons with high efficiency and purity is essential for the detection of the signal. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Problems with Structuralist Descriptions

There are two different types of problems that arise when we seek to describe behavior by means of rule systems. The first type deals with problems that occur in learning a system of rules. The second type occurs when we try to use a system of rules to predict behavior. In this section we will discuss the first type.