cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nucleation of boron nitride thin films on Ni(100)

The initial stages of BN growth on Ni(100) have been studied by means of thermal desorption mass spectrometry (TDS), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). TDS and XPS measurements have shown that condensed multilayers of B2H6 and NH3 coadsorbed on Ni(100) at low temperature will react during heating to form sub-monolayer coverages of BN. This reaction was observed to occur in the absence of electron irradiation, indicating that the reaction between B2H6 and NH3 to form BN on the Ni(100) surface can be thermally activated. Under low-pressure (< 10−6 Torr) growth conditions, exposing Ni(100) to both B2H6 and NH3 simultaneously at 950 K results in self-limiting BN growth. XPS measurements of the BN films grown at low pressure indicate the formation of roughly one monolayer of BN on the Ni(100) surface. LEED of the BN film grown at 950 K was found to produce a (1 × 7) diffraction pattern. This diffraction pattern is consistent with the formation of a monolayer of strained hexagonal BN on the Ni(100) surface. The BN monolayer on the Ni(100) surface was found to be quite stable in atmosphere, with no detectable oxidation after exposure to atmosphere for several days. Subsequent growth of BN by MOCVD (at 76 Torr) on the BN-covered Ni(100) surface leads to further growth of hexagonal BN overlayers.
Simulation of Acoustic Enhancement of Heat Transfer in a Droplet Heat Exchanger

Enhancement of heat transfer from a droplet exposed to acoustic fields is investigated. Investigation is part of a research project in enhancing the heat transfer in direct contact heat exchangers. Adding high intensity sound to Droplet Heat Exchanger (DHX) design produces relative gas motion around droplets otherwise entrained in the main flow field. Particles do not get fully entrained in the high frequency acoustic field giving rise to relative velocity. This enhances the heat transfer from droplets. Further benefits could be obtained by acoustic agglomeration of small droplets. DHXs have high contact area, no interface losses, low pressure drop and superior heat transfer characteristics compared to standard heat exchangers. With further enhancement of heat transfer by high intensity acoustic field application makes DHXs very attractive in many industrial applications such as droplet/particle reactors, humidifiers, gas scrubbers as well as ground based power generating gas turbines. In this paper, results of simulations of a single droplet exposed to acoustic fields of a range of sound intensity level (SPL) and frequency are presented. Spherical droplets are exposed to high intensity acoustic fields up to 175 dB with frequencies 25–2000Hz. Droplet size considered here is 100μm. Three dimensional (3-D) simulation of an oscillating flow field around a spherical droplet are carried out using FLUENT code. First, simulation results of space-averaged Nusselt numbers for steady flow around a single droplet are compared with available experimental data. Results were within 1–5% of each other. Simulations with acoustic field with and without steady velocity component were carried out and the results were compared with previous two dimensional studies as well as experimental and correlations of the same phenomena. The current simulation results are on average 22% higher than the 2D simulation results indicating the 3D nature of the flow. Space and time-averaged Nusselt numbers were more than 400% higher than the ones obtained without the acoustic field for acoustic Reynolds number 100 and frequency 50Hz and 30% higher than 2D simulation results. Finally, entrainment of droplets in the oscillating flow field was also considered. The result showed insignificant reduction (< 1%) in heat transfer rate compared to the case with no entrainment at all ranges of frequency (50–2000Hz).Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Ion association reactions with biological membranes, studied with the fluorescent dye 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate.

(1) When salts are added to buffered suspensions of membrane fragments containing the fluorochrome 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), there is an increased fluorescence. This is caused by increased binding of the fluorochrome; the intrinsic fluorescence characteristics of the bound dye remain unaltered. These properties make ANS a sensitive and versatile indicator of ion association equilibria with membranes. (2) Alkali metal and alkylammonium cations bind to membranes in a unique manner. Cs+ binds most strongly to rat brain microsomal material, with the other alkali metals in the order Cs+>Rb+>K+>Na+>Li+. The reaction is endothermic and entropy driven. Monovalent cations are displaced by other monovalent cations. Divalent cations and some drugs (e. g., cocaine) displace monovalent cations more strongly. (3) Divalent cations bind to membranes (and to lecithin micelles) at four distinct sites, having apparent association constants between 50 and 0.2mm−1. The characteristics of the titration suggest that only one species of binding site is present at any one time, and open the possibility that structural transitions of the unassociated coordination sites may be induced by divalent cation binding. Divalent cation binding at the weakest site (like monovalent cation binding) is endothermic and entropy driven. At the next stronger site, the reaction is exothermic. Monovalent cations affect divalent cation binding by reducing the activity coefficient: they do not appear to displace divalent cations from their binding sites.
Learning structural and corruption information from samples for Markov-random-field edge detection enhancement

We have advanced Markov random field research by addressing the issue of obtaining a reasonable, non-trivial, noise model. We have introduced the concept of a double neighborhood MRF. In the past we have estimated MRF probabilities by sampling neighborhood frequencies from images. Now we address the issue of noise models by sampling from pairs of original images together with noisy imagery. Thus we create a probability density function for pairs of neighborhoods across both images. This models the noise within the MRF probability density function without having to make assumptions about its form. This provides an easy way to generate Markov random fields for annealing or other relaxation methods. We have successfully applied this technique, combined with a technique of Hancock and Kittler which adds theoretical noise to an MRF density function, to the problem binary image reconstruction. We now apply it to edge detection enhancement of artificial images. We train the double neighborhood MRF on true edge-maps and edge-maps generated as output of a Sobel edge detector. Our method improves the generated edge-maps - - visually, and using the metrics of number of bits incorrect, and Pratt's figure of merit for edge detectors. We have also successfully improved the output edge-maps of some real images.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Acute and chronic effects of bilateral lung transplantation without cardiopulmonary bypass on the first transplanted lung

Abstract Background . Bilateral lung transplantation (BLT) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may exacerbate reperfusion injury to the initially engrafted lung because of increases in pulmonary flow during implantation of the second graft. Methods . In a retrospective review of 23 BLT patients, we hypothesized that BLT without CPB injures the first transplanted lung measured by acute and late graft dysfunction compared to the second transplanted lung. Of the 23 BLT, 19 underwent transplantation without CPB while 4 patients were placed on CPB secondary to hemodynamic instability. Results . Acute graft function was assessed by radiographic scoring of lung quadrants (blinded radiologist; 0=no infiltrate; 1=infiltrate; maximum=2 per lung) and by arterial/alveolar oxygen tension ratios (PaO 2 /FiO 2 ) ratios. Late graft function was evaluated by quantitative perfusion scan. Lung perfusion was graded as abnormal if less than 50% on the right or less than 45% on the left (Fisher's exact). Radiographic scores were not different between first and second implanted lungs at 1 and 24 hours, PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratios at 1 and 24 hours were 273 ± 26 and 312 ± 23, respectively, and perfusion scans at 3 and 12 months revealed normal differential blood flow. Conclusions . These findings suggest no acute or chronic differences occur between the first or second transplanted lung completed without CPB.
Evaluating the weak in vivo micronucleus response of a genotoxic carcinogen, aristolochic acids.

Abstract Aristolochic acids (AAs) are carcinogenic plant toxins that are relatively strong gene mutagens, both in vitro and in vivo , but weak inducers of micronuclei in vivo . In order to clarify the reasons for these disparate responses, we evaluated the genotoxicity of AAs in F344 rats using several assays that respond to DNA damage in bone marrow. Groups of 7- to 8-week-old male rats ( n = 6) were gavaged with 0, 2.75, 5.5, and 11 mg/kg AAs for 28 days or with 0, 11, 22, and 30 mg/kg AAs for 3 days. Day 1 being the first day of treatment, Pig-a mutant frequencies (MFs) were assayed in peripheral blood erythrocytes up to Day 56 for the 28-day treatment or Day 42 for the 3-day treatment; micronuclei were assayed in peripheral blood reticulocytes on Day 4 (both treatment protocols) and on Day 29 of the 28-day treatment protocol; and at the final sampling times (Day 59 or Day 42), the animals were sacrificed and Hprt mutant lymphocytes were measured. In a separate study, the Comet assay was performed on liver, kidney, and bone marrow of animals gavaged with 0, 11, 22, and 30 mg/kg AAs for 4 days and sacrificed 3 h after the last treatment. While only weak increases in micronucleated reticulocyte frequency were observed in treated animals, Pig-a MFs increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner with both treatment schedules. Lymphocyte Hprt mutant frequencies also increased dose dependently in treated animals, and the Comet assay detected elevated levels of DNA damage in all the tissues evaluated. These findings indicate that the DNA damage produced by AAs in rat bone marrow is a weak inducer of micronuclei but a relatively strong inducer of gene mutation.
Low-Order Stochastic Mode Reduction for a Prototype Atmospheric GCM

Abstract This study applies a systematic strategy for stochastic modeling of atmospheric low-frequency variability to a three-layer quasigeostrophic model. This model climate has reasonable approximations of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Pacific–North America (PNA) patterns. The systematic strategy consists first of the identification of slowly evolving climate modes and faster evolving nonclimate modes by use of an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decomposition in the total energy metric. The low-order stochastic climate model predicts the evolution of these climate modes a priori without any regression fitting of the resolved modes. The systematic stochastic mode reduction strategy determines all correction terms and noises with minimal regression fitting of the variances and correlation times of the unresolved modes. These correction terms and noises account for the neglected interactions between the resolved climate modes and the unresolved nonclimate modes. Low-order stochastic models w...
PAR-4 Agonist AYPGKF Stimulates Thromboxane Production by Human Platelets

Previous reports have indicated that thrombin-induced thromboxane production by human platelets occurs through two types of interaction between thrombin and the platelet surface. One of these interactions is with protease activated receptor(PAR)-1, the first identified thrombin receptor. These studies were undertaken to determine whether stimulation of PAR-4 also results in thromboxane production. The results show that treatment of washed human platelets with the PAR-4 agonist AYPGKF stimulates a maximum of 40% to 60% of the thromboxane produced by 100 nmol/L thrombin. Maximal thromboxane production requires approximately 1.0 mmol/L AYPGKF, despite the observation that maximal aggregation is produced by 45 μmol/L AYPGKF. Thromboxane produced by the combined stimulation of PAR-1 and PAR-4 is additive. Pretreatment of platelets with 45 μmol/L AYPGKF partially desensitizes thromboxane production in response to higher concentrations of AYPGKF and thrombin but not to stimulation by SFLLRN. PAR-4–induced stimul...
Surgical staging of endometrial cancer: robotic versus open technique outcomes in a contemporary single surgeon series

Patients prefer robotic surgery due to perceived cosmetic advantages and quicker resumption of regular activity. We compared the results of hysterectomy and surgical staging for endometrial cancer using robotic versus open techniques in patients operated on by a single surgeon. A retrospective clinical data analysis was performed of all patients who underwent surgical staging for endometrial cancer. Patients selected for open techniques underwent surgery between January 2003 and December 2005, whereas patients selected for da Vinci robotic surgery were operated on between June 2006 and June 2008. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The preoperative diagnosis of endometrial cancer was confirmed using endometrial biopsy. Data were collected and comparative analyses were made using mean or chi-squared test or other appropriate statistical techniques. The study population consisted of 97 patients (open, N = 38; robotic, N = 59). Mean age was 66.5 ± 1.97 versus 59.5 ± 1.43 years, mean parity was 2.11 versus 1.93, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 32.2 ± 2.03 versus 39.3 ± 2.03 (P = 0.02) for open versus robotic surgery, respectively. Operating time and lymph node (LN) yield was 175.24 ± 4.6 versus 185.27 ± 4.4 min, number of pelvic LNs were 8.6 versus 11.34, and aortic LNs were 3.5 versus 1.9 in the open versus robotic groups, respectively. Although mean BMI was higher, blood loss, complications, and hospital stay were significantly lower for patients undergoing robotic surgery. Overall, complications occurred in 5/38 (13%) patients in the open group and 2/59 (3%) patients in the robotic group. Of the two complications in the robotic group, there was one injury to the external iliac vein requiring open surgical management with blood transfusion resulting in a hospital stay of 7 days; however, no other patient required blood transfusion in either surgical group. Robotic surgery results in less blood loss and shorter hospital stay and yields comparable number of lymph nodes, which are adequate for staging. It also results in reduced surgical risks in patients with higher BMI who are prone to higher co-morbidities. Robotic surgery is a useful minimally invasive tool for the comprehensive surgical staging of patients with endometrial cancer.
Synthesis of dideoxy-pepstatin. Mechanism of inhibition of porcine pepsin

Abstract Dideoxypepstatin has been synthesized and shown to be a competitive inhibitor of pepsin (Ki = 2.1 × 10−7 M).
Hemodynamic effects of 1 2 ecg coupled jet ventilation in the dog a comparison with other modes

In 16 closed-chest dogs the hemodynamics of ECG-coupled jet ventilation (JV) with frequencies of 1:1 (one breath for each cardiac systole) and 1:2 (one breath for every other cardiac systole) were compared to noncoupled JV and intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV). Cardiac output was similar during 1:2 coupling (1.6 +/- 0.2 L/min) and IPPV (1.6 +/- 0.2 L/min) but decreased during 1:1 coupling (1.2 +/- 0.2 L/min) and noncoupled JV (1.3 +/- 0.2 L/min), p less than 0.05. During 1:2 coupling and IPPV, systemic arterial and transmural left atrial pressures were increased, and pulmonary artery, pericardial, and right atrial pressures were decreased in comparison to the other JV modes. Pulmonary blood volume was preserved during 1:2 coupling but decreased during 1:1 coupling and noncoupled JV. Coupling at 1:2 preserves output by maintaining left ventricular preload via a decrease in right atrial pressure and subsequent maintenance of systemic venous return.
NURSE‐MIDWIFERY MANAGEMENT OF IRON‐DEFICIENCY ANEMIA DURING PREGNANCY

Anemia is a common complication of pregnancy and is associated with preterm birth, low-birth-weight infants, and increased perinatal mortality. Anemia during pregnancy is most commonly caused by iron deficiency. This article reviews the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and nurse-midwifery management of iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy.
On rhizomes, lines of flight, mangles, and other assemblages

This commentary offers an outsider’s perspectives on this Deleuzian- and Baradian-inspired constellation of ideas on “post-qualitative research.” My perspectives engage three primary issues: First, is this way of thinking about post-qualitative research still research? Second, the “post” part of the “post-qualitative research” label suggests movement and trajectory, but from where and, perhaps more importantly, to where and to what? And third, what is being accomplished by this shift to a post-qualitative framing of the social world, and what is being lost?
The Pickett effect at early age and experiment separating its mechanisms in tension

A new experimental approach that allows separation of the components of the Pickett effect due to surface microcracking and stress-induced shrinkage is developed and demonstrated for early age concrete subjected to tensile loads induced in restrained shrinkage tests. The experiment measures creep of three concree materials subjected to same loads, but under different environments: moist-cover, sealed, and drying conditions. The key features of the experiment are the suppression of shrinkage in the moist-cover test, and the uniform internal drying in the sealed test. The results confirm that the Pickett effect in tension has two sources: stress-induced shrinkage and microcracking. The new approach provides insght to creep, shrinkage, softening, and cracking behaviour under tensile load, and explains behavioral differences between plain and fiber reinforced concrete.
Kitchen Russian: Cross-linguistic differences and first-language object naming by Russian-English bilinguals ∗

We examined first language (L1) naming of common household objects in three groups of Russian–English bilinguals: early, childhood and late bilinguals. Their naming patterns were compared with those of native speakers of Russian and English, in order to detect possible second language (L2) English influence on L1 Russian naming patterns. We investigated whether such influence is modulated by the speaker's linguistic trajectory, specifically, their age of arrival in the L2 environment, which in turn influences their relative proficiency and dominance in the two languages. We also examined whether the potential for L2 shifts can be linked to specific characteristics of the categories in the L1 or L2. L2 influence was evident in the data, increasing with earlier age of arrival but most pronounced with lowest L1 proficiency. The changes entailed both narrowing and broadening of linguistic categories. These findings indicate that L1 word use is susceptible to L2 influence even for concrete nouns referring to familiar objects, and the nature of the shift for a given word appears to be driven by several factors.
Efficient histogramming on hypercube SIMD machines

Abstract This paper considers the histogramming problem on hypercube.N-PE hypercube is used to process anN 12 × N12digitized image in which each pixel has a gray-level value between 0 andM − 1. In general,M, the range of gray-level values is much smaller thanN, the number of pixels being processed. Our algorithm generates the histogram of the image inO(logM * logN) time using radix sort and efficient data movement operations. This technique can be implemented on butterfly, shuffle-exchange and fat pyramid organizations.
Beam quality independent attenuation phantom for estimating patient exposure from x-ray automatic exposure controlled chest examinations.

The periodic assessment of exposures in diagnostic radiology is an important part of a comprehensive quality assurance program. The most frequent radiologic examination conducted in the United States is chest radiography. Automatic exposure controlled (AEC) techniques are often used for this exam, and a standard patient‐equivalent chest phantom is useful when estimating patient exposures on such systems. This is of particular importance if exposures are to be compared among AEC systems with different entrance x‐ray spectra. Such a phantom has been developed to facilitate surveys of the average patient exposure from AEC posteroanterior chest radiography. The phantom is relatively lightweight and easily transportable, sturdy and made of readily available and relatively inexpensive materials (Lucite® and aluminum). It accurately simulates the primary and scatter transmission through the lung‐field regions of a patient‐equivalent anthropomorphic phantom for x‐ray spectra typically used in chest radiography. A clinical evaluation has been conducted to verify the patient equivalence of the phantom. Measurements of patient entrance skin exposure were obtained for a large number of patients on a variety of x‐ray systems operated in the AEC mode using one or both lung‐field detectors. Comparison of these data with exposure estimates derived from the phantom indicate that the phantom attenuates the x‐ray beam in such a way that it can be employed to accurately and consistently estimate the mean exposure of the average patient under a variety of radiographic conditions. The design, development, and evaluation of the patient‐equivalent attenuation phantom is described.
The Influence of Instructional Technology Use and Teacher Immediacy on Student Affect for Teacher and Course

This study examined the extent to which teacher nonverbal immediacy moderates the effects of different levels of instructional technology use on students' initial perceptions of affect for the course and instructor. Participants included 549 college students who were randomly assigned to one of eight scenarios depicting first-day class sessions across four levels of technology use (none, minimal, moderate, complete) and two levels of teacher nonverbal immediacy (highly immediate, nonimmediate). A 4 × 2 factorial ANOVA produced a significant two-way interaction effect, as well as significant main effects for both instructional technology use and nonverbal immediacy on students' affect. Planned cell comparisons revealed that the use of instructional technology has primarily a curvilinear effect, though the effect was somewhat different for immediate and nonimmediate teachers. Post hoc comparisons of the curvilinear effect sizes across immediacy conditions confirmed that the curvilinear effect of technology ...
SU‐E‐T‐450: Dose Perturbation of Spinal Metal Implants in Proton Beam Therapy

Purpose: To investigate the effect of dose perturbations for different spinal metallic screws in proton beam therapy. Methods: A 5.5mm (diameter) × 45mm (length) stainless steel (SS) screw and a 5.5mm × 35mm titanium (Ti) screw used for spinal fixation were CT‐scanned in a small water phantom. The CT data was processed with a metal artifact reduction (MAR) software. Two treatment plans were generated using Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) for each metal screw with a proton beam parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the metal, respectively. The calculated dose profiles were compared with measured ion chamber and EBT2 films results. Results: With the perpendicular setup, the measured dose immediately downstream from the screw exhibited dose enhancement up to 12% and 8% for SS and Ti respectively, but such dose perturbation was not observed outside the lateral shadow of the screws. The TPS showed 5% and 2% dose reductions immediately at the interface for the SS and Ti screws respectively and up to 9% dose enhancements within 1cm outside of the lateral shadow of the screws. The measured dose enhancement was only observed within 5mm from the interface along the beam path. At deeper depths, the lateral dose profiles appeared to be similar between the measurement and TPS, with dose reduction in the screw shadow region and dose enhancement within 1–2cm outside of the lateral edge of the metals. For the parallel setup, no significant dose perturbation was detected at lateral distance beyond 3 mm away from both screws. Conclusion: Streaking artifacts in CT images are significantly reduced with MAR but significant dose discrepancies between measurements and TPS in close proximity of the high‐Z inhomogeneities are clearly visible. Dose enhancement effect is not correctly modeled by TPS, thus extra caution should be given for dosimetry with metallic implants.
Direct observations of Atlantic black smokers

The first investigation by submersible of high-temperature black smoker vents in the Atlantic Ocean was made with the ALVIN submersible as part of a cruise of the research vessel Atlantis II between May 16 and June 18, 1986. The site, near 26°08′N, 44°49′W, in the rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, was discovered 1 year ago (Eos, October 1, 1985, p. 682) by multiple surface ship methods. The vent mound is about 250 m in diameter and rises 50 m from a water depth of 3670 m. The site is at the juncture between the base of the east wall of the rift valley and the rift floor within the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) Hydrothermal Field (see “Black smokers, massive sulphides, and vent biota at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge” by P. Rona et al., in Nature, vol. 321, p . 33, 1986). The mound appears to be a constructional feature built primarily of massive sulfides. A sequence of venting phenomena with increasing fluid temperatures, including shimmering water, white smokers, blue-white smokers, and black smokers, was encountered from the edge to the center of the mound. A group of black smokers situated at the center of the mound vented such a large, dense, black cloud of metallic particles that visibility was partially obscured, consequently limiting access by the submersible.
Apical support at the time of hysterectomy for uterovaginal prolapse.

The aim was to determine factors associated with performing concurrent apical support procedures in hysterectomies carried out for uterovaginal prolapse. Hysterectomies performed for uterovaginal prolapse from 2000 to 2010 were identified by ICD-9 codes. Uterovaginal prolapse was a proxy for apical descent. Primary outcome was the rate of concurrent apical procedures. Secondary outcomes included concurrent surgeries, complications, and surgeon training. Chi-squared tests compared categorical variables. Logistic regression determined factors associated with concurrent apical support. A total of 2,465 hysterectomies were performed for uterovaginal prolapse. In only 1,358 cases (55.1 %) were concurrent apical support procedures carried out. Cases without apical procedures were more likely to undergo cystocele repair (23.8 % vs 9.4 %, p 75 years) were more likely to undergo apical procedures (OR 5.096, 95 % CI 3.127–8.304). Surgeons practicing for 10–14 years and >20 years were less likely to perform apical procedures than those practicing <5 years (p < 0.001 vs. p = 0.01). At a tertiary hospital, a significant proportion of hysterectomies are carried out for uterovaginal prolapse without concurrent apical support procedures, with the majority performed by generalists. Urogynecologists and minimally invasive gynecologists are more likely to perform an apical suspension at the time of hysterectomy for uterovaginal prolapse than generalists. This supports the need for continued education about apical support to appropriately manage uterovaginal prolapse.
Amperometric bienzyme screen-printed biosensor for the determination of leucine

Leucine plays an important role in protein synthesis, brain functions, building muscle mass, and helping the body when it undergoes stress. Here, we report a new amperometric bienzyme screen-printed biosensor for the determination of leucine, by coimmobilizing p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (HBH) and leucine dehydrogenase (LDH) on a screen-printed electrode with NADP(+) and p-hydroxybenzoate as the cofactors. The detection principle of the sensor is that LDH catalyzes the specific dehydrogenation of leucine by using NADP(+) as a cofactor. The product, NADPH, triggers the hydroxylation of p-hydroxybenzoate by HBH in the presence of oxygen to produce 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, which results in a change in electron concentration at the working carbon electrode, which is detected by the potentiostat. The sensor shows a linear detection range between 10 and 600 μM with a detection limit of 2 μM. The response is reproducible and has a fast measuring time of 5-10 s after the addition of a given concentration of leucine.
Studies in fetal malnutrition.

• Fetal malnutrition, a worldwide problem, is accompanied by varying degrees of lifelong morbidity for the child. Only 25% of fetal malnutrition is accomplished by maternal risk factors known to cause intrauterine growth retardation (ie, chronic hypertension, advanced diabetes mellitus, or severe preeclampsia). If the malnourished fetus could be detected early in pregnancy, nutritional intervention might be successful in improving fetal growth rate and in avoiding the morbidity due to malnutrition. This communication reviews the almost 40 years of studies by Jack Metcoff, MD, and coworkers to unravel the causes of fetal malnutrition and their efforts to prevent it. ( AJDC. 1991;145:871-876)
Anabolic steroid use in adolescence.

The study of Buckley et al 1 in this issue ofTHE JOURNALis informative in describing the extent of usage of anabolic steroids (AS) in a segment of the population in which usage was suspected but data were lacking. Since many of the users among high school seniors might be described as habitual, the data may also be important in describing AS misuse in the adult population, the prevalence of which is not known and may be virtually impossible to ascertain. It may be reasonable to anticipate that adolescents will continue habitual use as adults; however, since the primary motivation among high school users was to increase strength among football athletes, the prevalence may decrease after high school, when participation in football declines. The current study achieved a reasonable response rate (approximately 50%). As with other surveys, the prevalence might be larger or smaller (this is a moot point)
Presenting Geographic Information: Effects of Data Aggregation, Dispersion, and Users' Spatial Orientation

Geographic information systems (GIS) have taken on an increasingly important role supporting decision making in many organizations. GIS have been used to support a breadth of tasks including oil and mineral exploration, facility location, logistics support, and facilities management decisions. The effectiveness of GIS as a decision support tool comes primarily from the visual display of data in the form of maps. When presenting information as a geographic map, the level of data aggregation potentially affects aspects of task complexity such as information load and the potential for pattern recognition by the user. Other task attributes expected to be related to data aggregation effects include problem size, the degree of data dispersion, and users' spatial orientation skills. We conducted an experiment to study these effects and their interactions. Subjects used a GIS including map-based information characterized by different levels of problem size, data dispersion, and data aggregation. Spatial orientation skill was examined as a covariate in the experimental treatments. The results indicate that all of these geographic information characteristics have significant impacts on decision performance. Moreover, many interactions are present among the factors. We evaluate these interactions in order to derive implications for practice and for future research.
The role of systemic inflammatory biomarkers to predict mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The authors discuss the role of inflammatory biomarkers to predict mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in this narrative literature review with expert opinion. The severity of COPD has traditionally been graded using the degree of obstruction as measured by the forced expiratory volume in 1 s because this variable has been predictive of outcomes. However, it is now accepted that COPD is a complex disease with important systemic consequences and that a multidimensional index such as the BMI, obstruction, dyspnea and exercise capacity index is a better predictor of outcome than lung function alone. Because inflammation is thought to play a pivotal role in the genesis of COPD, several serum inflammatory biomarkers have been investigated. Of the ones studied, C-reactive protein, IL-6, pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine and fibronectin:C-reactive protein ratio have been observed to be independently associated with increased risk of death. When added to known clinical variables s...
Synthesis of a tritium‐labelled diether analog of phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate

The synthesis of 1-(1,2-O-diundecyl-sn-glycerylphosphoryl)-4,5-D-myo-inosityl bisphosphate and its tritiated analog are described. The convergent synthesis employed optically-pure inositol and glycerol derivatives. In the final step, hydrogenation of an alkenyl chain gave the saturated diether PIP 2 and tritiation gave the high-specific activity, tritium-labelled analog
Ever enrolled Medicare population estimates from the MCBS Access to Care files.

OBJECTIVE The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey's (MCBS) Access to Care (ATC) file is designed to provide timely access to information on the Medicare population, yet because of the survey's complex sampling design and expedited processing it is difficult to use the file to make both "always-enrolled" and "ever-enrolled" estimates on the Medicare population. In this study, we describe the ATC file and sample design, and we evaluate and review various alternatives for producing "ever-enrolled" estimates. METHODS We created "ever enrolled" estimates for key variables in the MCBS using three separate approaches. We tested differences between the alternative approaches for statistical significance and show the relative magnitude of difference between approaches. RESULTS Even when estimates derived from the different approaches were statistically different, the magnitude of the difference was often sufficiently small so as to result in little practical difference among the alternate approaches. However, when considering more than just the estimation method, there are advantages to using certain approaches over others. CONCLUSION There are several plausible approaches to achieving "ever-enrolled" estimates in the MCBS ATC file; however, the most straightforward approach appears to be implementation and usage of a new set of "ever-enrolled" weights for this file.
The economic burden of gallstone lithotripsy. Will cost determine its fate

Gallstone lithotripsy (LITHO) was performed on 52 patients who underwent 107 procedures. Two hundred sixty-seven gallstone patients were screened and 215 (81%) were excluded. Excessive stone burden and nonvisualization by oral cholecystogram (OCG) were the most common reasons for exclusion. The hospital course of 100 excluded patients who later underwent elective cholecystectomy was evaluated for length of hospital stay (2.3 days) and total cost of treatment ($3685.00). Successful fragmentation to less than 5 mm was achieved in 43 LITHO patients (83%). Five LITHO patients (10%) required conversion to operative management. Complications of LITHO included acute cholecystitis (1 of 52 patients) and biliary colic (17 of 52 patients, or 33%). Multiple procedures in one patient were common. Costs for LITHO were calculated in two ways: first the individual cost for each of the 52 candidates; second the cost for successful LITHO was calculated by excluding five patients who required operation as well as five patients (10%) who are predicted failures of LITHO. Including the preoperative evaluation, treatment, recovery room, and follow-up, the individual LITHO cost for 52 patients was $8275.00. If the same total expenditure is calculated after excluding patients who required operation and those predicted to fail, the cost per 'successful' LITHO procedure was $10,245. The cost of 1 year of bile acid therapy is $1949.00 or $2413.00 per 'successful' procedure. Follow-up costs were $1232.00 per patient or $1525.00 per 'successful' procedure. The added LITHO cost incurred by screening eventual noncandidates was $904.00 per successful procedure. The sum of these individual costs was $15,087.00 per success, as compared to $3685.00 for cholecystectomy. No allowance was made for cost of stone recurrence. Lithotripsy costs appear to be sufficiently high to render the procedure unlikely to emerge as the treatment of choice.
Matches, clips, needles, or pins

Several methods for positioning dowel pins used in the fabrication of removable dies have been presented. Needles, pins, paper clips, hairpins, and matches are all useful in positioning dowel pins in the impression. The use of paper matches is a simple and effective method for holding the dowel pin in the proper relation while the die stone portion of the cast is being poured.
Interrelation of Two Types of Immediate Memory in the Aged

Summary The interrelationship of digit span and word span was studied in a group of 112 females, 17-81 years of age. When the subjects were assigned to groups of 38 young ([Xbar] = 25.6 years), 39 middle-aged ([Xbar] = 53.2 years), and 35 old ([Xbar] = 73.3 years), the correlation between the two types of span was larger in the old than in the young, reflecting a predicted greater degree of homogeneity of functioning. When spans were scored without consideration for exact order of recall, this finding no longer held, as was the case with a capacity decrement in digit span with the aged, thus reflecting the importance of the organizational factor in senescent memory ability.
Key Considerations for the Future of American Environmental Policy

Lee writes that the OGR was the false dawn of the communications age in American politics and government. It foretold the coming of the information-drenched twenty-first century ... As a presidential agency dedicated to communications, OGR was a forerunner of the institutionalization of such efforts within the modern White House as well as government-by-publicity" (6). McClellan shows us the dangers of misusing that twenty-first-century communication capacity.
BCG-induced granulomatous prostatitis: a comparative ultrasound and pathologic study.

We analyzed the ultrasound findings and the information obtained from serial whole-mount cross-section histologic examination of the prostates from 6 patients with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-induced granulomatous prostatitis. Similarities to prostate cancer included a hypoechoic pattern on ultrasound, multifocality, and a propensity for a peripheral zone location. BCG-induced granulomatous prostatitis cannot be distinguished from cancer by ultrasonography. We suggest performing an ultrasound examination prior to starting BCG immunotherapy as a baseline for future reference to aid in the clinical diagnosis of BCG-induced granulomatous prostatitis.
Gunshot wound injury of the testis: the use of tunica vaginalis and polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for reconstruction.

Purpose: Gunshot wounds to the scrotum and testis are rare. Blast injury from gunshot wounds can result in blast defects that are difficult to close. We reviewed our experience with reconstruction of the testis tunica albuginea to determine the efficacy of graft reconstruction.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the chart and trauma database from 1992 to 2002 and identified 17 patients with gunshot wounds to the testis. In 6 patients the injured testes were nonviable and orchiectomy was performed. Nine of the remaining 11 injured testes were reconstructed with free grafts.Results: Nine of the 17 patients explored had a ruptured testis with a blast defect of the testis tunica albuginea, precluding primary closure. Preoperatively in 4 of 4 patients testis rupture was sonographically detected by heterogeneous echogenicity. On scrotal exploration all nonviable extruded seminiferous tubules were debrided. In 2 patients a polytetrafluoroethylene Gore-Tex® patch graft was sewn to the remaining tun...
Characterization and Use of the Silicon Intensified Target Vidicon Detector in Basic and Applied Research in Atomic Spectroscopy

In this paper we briefly discuss the operation of the silicon intensified target (SIT) vidicon, describing what we conclude to be the most important properties of the detector. We provide experimental evaluation of the SIT vidicon characteristics, including two-dimensional image fidelity, channel-to-channel and pixel-to-pixel response as a function of position on the detector, and temporal resolution and gating. We illustrate how these unique properties enhance our ability to make spectroscopic measurements, as well as how, at the same time, they impose limitations on the use of the SIT vidicon. We describe a variety of experiments which employed an SIT vidicon detection system for atomic spectroscopy with various degrees of spatial and temporal resolution.
Plume-Tracking Behavior of Flying Drosophila Emerges from a Set of Distinct Sensory-Motor Reflexes

Background: For a fruit fly, locating fermenting fruit where it can feed, find mates, and lay eggs is an essential and difficult task requiring the integration of olfactory and visual cues. Here, we develop an approach to correlate flies’ free-flight behavior with their olfactory experience under different wind and visual conditions, yielding new insight into plume tracking based on over 70 hr of data. Results: To localize an odor source, flies exhibit three iterative, independent, reflex-driven behaviors, which remain constant through repeated encounters of the same stimulus: (1) 190 ± 75 ms after encountering a plume, flies increase their flight speed and turn upwind, using visual cues to determine wind direction. Due to this substantial response delay, flies pass through the plume shortly after entering it. (2) 450 ± 165 ms after losing the plume, flies initiate a series of vertical and horizontal casts, using visual cues to maintain a crosswind heading. (3) After sensing an attractive odor, flies exhibit an enhanced attraction to small visual features, which increases their probability of finding the plume’s source. Conclusions: Due to plume structure and sensory-motor delays, a fly’s olfactory experience during foraging flights consists of short bursts of odor stimulation. As a consequence, delays in the onset of crosswind casting and the increased attraction to visual features are necessary behavioral components for efficiently locating an odor source. Our results provide a quantitative behavioral background for elucidating the neural basis of plume tracking using genetic and physiological approaches.
Purification and Initial Characterization of the Salmonella enterica PduO ATP:Cob(I)alamin Adenosyltransferase

The PduO enzyme of Salmonella enterica is an ATP:cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase that catalyzes the final step in the conversion of vitamin B12 to coenzyme B12. The primary physiological role of this enzyme is to support coenzyme B12-dependent 1,2-propanediol degradation, and bioinformatic analysis has indicated that it has two domains. Here the PduO adenosyltransferase was produced in Escherichia coli, solubilized from inclusion bodies, purified to apparent homogeneity, and partially characterized biochemically. The Km values of PduO for ATP and cob(I)alamin were 19.8 and 4.5 μM, respectively, and the enzyme Vmax was 243 nmol min−1 mg of protein−1. Further investigations showed that PduO was active with ATP and partially active with deoxy-ATP, but lacked measurable activity with other nucleotides. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance established that triphosphate was a product of the PduO reaction, and kinetic studies indicated a ternary complex mechanism. A series of truncated versions of the PduO protein were produced in Escherichia coli, partially purified, and used to show that adenosyltransferase activity is associated with the N-terminal domain. The N-terminal domain was purified to near homogeneity and shown to have biochemical properties and kinetic constants similar to those of the full-length enzyme. This indicated that the C-terminal domain was not directly involved in catalysis or substrate binding and may have another role.
Immunosuppressive agents as risk factors for BK virus nephropathy: an overview and update.

Important of the field: BK virus has emerged as an important cause of graft dysfunction and failure in renal transplant recipients. Risk factors for BK virus nephropathy (BKN) are not well established, but evidence suggests that it is the result of a complex interplay between multiple donor- and recipient-related factors.Areas covered in this review: The purpose of this article is to review the current understanding on the effect of various immunosuppressive agents on BK viral replication and the results of different reported immunosuppression reduction protocols.What the reader will gain: The intensity of overall immunosuppression has been accepted as a major risk factor for the development of BKN. We review the data regarding the contribution of different anti-rejection agents to the risk of BK virus-induced graft injury.Take home message: Although reduction in immunosuppression on detection of BK viral replication appears to be the most successful means in preserving allograft function, data are emergi...
Hierarchical feedback adaptation for real time sensor-based distributed applications

The paper presents an innovative hierarchical feedback adaptation method that efficiently controls the dynamic QoS behavior of real time distributed data flow applications, such as sensor based data streams or mission-critical command and control applications. We applied this method in the context of the Real Time Adaptive Resource Management system, a middleware integrated services, developed at the Honeywell Technology Center. We present the analytical model for Automatic Target Recognition pipeline application and the impact of hierarchical feedback adaptation on the application behavior and its QoS parameters.