cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Results of a National Intervention to Prevent Hospital-Onset Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection: A Pre-Post Observational Study.

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains one of the most common causes of health care-associated infection (HAI). Objective To evaluate the effect of education and a tiered, evidence-based infection prevention strategy on rates of hospital-onset MRSA bloodstream infection (BSI). Design Prospective, national, nonrandomized, interventional, 12-month, multiple cohort, pre-post observational quality improvement project. Setting Acute care, long-term acute care, and critical access hospitals with a disproportionate burden of HAI. Patients All patients admitted to participating facilities during the project period. Intervention A multimodal infection prevention intervention consisting of recommendations and tools for prioritizing and implementing evidence-based infection prevention strategies, on-demand educational videos, Internet-based live educational presentations, and access to content experts. Measurements Rates of hospital-onset MRSA BSI, overall and stratified by hospital type, during 12-month baseline and postintervention periods. Variation in outcomes across hospital types was examined. Results Between November 2016 and May 2018, 387 hospitals in 23 states and the District of Columbia participated, 353 (91%) submitted MRSA data, and 172 (49%) indicated that MRSA prevention was a priority. Unadjusted overall rates of hospital-onset MRSA BSI were 0.075 (95% CI, 0.065 to 0.085) and 0.071 (CI, 0.063 to 0.080) per 1000 patient-days in the baseline and postintervention periods, respectively. Limitations The intervention period was short. Participation and adherence to recommended interventions were not fully assessed. Baseline rates of hospital-onset MRSA BSI were relatively low. Prevention of MRSA was a priority in a minority of participating hospitals. Patient characteristics and other MRSA risk factors were not assessed. Conclusion In hospitals with a disproportionate burden of HAIs, access to tools to assist with implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies and education resources alone may not be sufficient to prevent MRSA BSI. Primary funding source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Exposure to Cannabis Marketing in Social and Traditional Media and Past-Year Use Among Adolescents in States With Legal Retail Cannabis

Abstract Purpose The objective of this study was to examine adolescents' self-reported exposure to cannabis marketing in states with legalized cannabis and its association with past-year cannabis use. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, online panel survey of 469 adolescents aged 15–19 years residing in four states with legal retail cannabis for adult use. Adolescents self-reported exposure to cannabis marketing on social or traditional media (i.e., outdoor or print) and past-year cannabis use. Logistic regression generated estimated odds of youths' past-year cannabis use by marketing exposure after adjusting for demographic factors and cannabis-related social norms. Results Exposure to cannabis marketing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram was associated with increased odds of past-year cannabis use of 96% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15%–234%), 88% (95% CI: 11%–219%), and 129% (95% CI: 32%–287%), respectively. Odds of past-year cannabis use increased by 48% (95% CI: 16%–87%) with each additional social media platform where adolescents reported exposure. Conclusions Despite restrictions that prohibit cannabis advertising on social media, adolescents are exposed to cannabis marketing via social media, and this exposure is associated with recent cannabis use. States should consider further regulation of cannabis marketing on social media.
Intervention Aversiveness: Educators' Perceptions of the Need for Restrictions on Aversive Interventions.

A survey was conducted to examine educators' attitudes about interventions that might be used to decrease students' inappropriate behaviors. The purpose of the survey was to determine which interventions are considered aversive and which should be restricted; 158 educators responded. The results imply that educators tend to consider interventions that use physical pain or discomfort, or social humili ation, to be very aversive and tend to favor restricting the use of these interven tions. This survey also indicates that educators view many other decelerative inter ventions as relatively mild aversives that they should be able to use. Implications are discussed in relation to the controversy in the literature over the use of aver
Complacency is Your Enemy: Anatomy of an ARC Flash Incident and Lessons Learned

On May 3, 2015 a serious electrical incident occurred at one of the Department of Energy’s national laboratories. Preventative maintenance was being performed on 13.8 kV switchgear, which included the task of cleaning individual switchgear cubicles. A wireman unknowingly entered an energized cubicle in order to clean it with a commercial spray cleaner. When he proceeded to spray the cleaner on to the energized components, he suffered severe injuries from the resulting arc flash and blast.This paper and presentation will review the discussions, thought process, and planning decisions made from the facility perspective. These factors unknowingly added increased risk to this work activity. It will detail the event from the worker’s perspective and examine how risk factors were identified prior to the incident without being addressed. Risk control measures were never put in place to prevent the likelihood of occurrence. Finally, it will describe the details leading up to the incident, the incident itself, the response, and lessons learned. The impact and value of incorporating lessons learned associated with this event into your electrical safety program emphasizes the importance of active thinking towards reducing the likelihood of similar incidents.
The Measure of Diverse Adolescent Spirituality (MDAS) and Refined Findings from Mexican and Salvadoran Youth

The Measurement of Diverse Adolescent Spirituality (MDAS) was developed to assess adolescent spirituality and religiosity for use with diverse youth. Researchers have emphasized the multifaceted nature of spirituality and suggested the need for robust measures to chart patterns of spiritual development in a culturally and developmentally valid manner. The MDAS was developed as a theory-based measure, grounded in a relational developmental systems metatheory (RDS), that views spiritual development as resulting from the coactions between an individual and the diverse systems in which he or she lives, especially as they pertain to the individual’s perceptions and responses to transcendence. The original MDAS was a 27-item self-report multidimensional measure of adolescent spirituality including three subscales of transcendence, fidelity, and contribution. This chapter reviews the ongoing process of developing the MDAS and applicability across two samples in Central America. Initial measurement construction was tested on an adolescent sample in Mexico using the three subscales. Two of the subscales, Transcendence and Fidelity, were later used in a broader study, the Compassion International Study of Positive Youth Development, a study of thriving and spirituality in El Salvador. In a later study, measurement invariance testing was explored between the Mexican and Salvadoran samples. The chapter discusses the findings from these studies, the psychometric properties of a refined short version of the MDAS using the two subscales within two samples from Mexico and El Salvador, the usefulness of the measure more broadly, and directions for future research.
Creencias y Prácticas Afro-Americanas Tradicionales de la Salud en los Estados Unidos

El diagnostico y tratamiento de problemas psicologicos en clientes que son minorias etnicas, supone que los proveedores de servicios psicologicos tienen que entender el papel que la etnia y la cultura juegan cuando se aplican creencias y practicas que no son del oeste. Los afro-americanos en los EE.UU. mantuvieron por generaciones creencias y practicas de salud tradicionales para curar enfermedades fisicas y psicologicas. Transformando tradiciones culturales del oeste de Africa y adoptando condiciones del Nuevo Mundo, los afro-americanos desarrollaron sistemas o metodos curativos tipicos o tradicionales, como una respuesta ante la necesidad de tener una estructura social mientras eran esclavos, durante los siglos decimoctavo y decimonono. Este sistema curativo integra la cultura y religiones del oeste de Africa con tradiciones tipicas indigenas y europeas y con expresiones religiosas cristianas. Es una medicina tradicional que ofrece explicaciones para el infortunio y la enfermedad, a quienes creen en ella, dando medios para obtener control sobre las fuerzas que afectan sus vidas.
Assessment of the efficacies of correction procedures for multiple thin layer effects on Cone Penetration Tests

Abstract Multiple interbedded fine-grained layers in a sand deposit have a “smoothing” effect on the measured Cone Penetration Test (CPT) tip resistance (qc), resulting in a significant underestimation of the predicted liquefaction resistance of the sand layers. Trends identified by De Lange [14] through calibration chamber tests on stratified sand-clay profiles are used herein to develop a new thin-layer correction procedure for qc (the “Deltares” procedure). The efficacies of the Deltares and the independently-developed Boulanger and DeJong [6] procedures are both directly assessed using CPT data from calibration chamber tests and indirectly inferred from CPT-based liquefaction case histories in Christchurch, New Zealand. The results highlight limitations of the assessed thin-layer CPT qc correction procedures for layers less than 40 mm thick. Multiple, interbedded thin layers also influence the measured CPT sleeve friction (fs), but in a more complex way than they influence qc. To-date, no procedures have been proposed to address all the thin-layer-effects phenomena on the measured fs, with errors in properly characterizing the fs of a layer inherently influencing the accuracy of predicting the liquefaction susceptibility and potential of the layer. In totality, the thin-layer-effects correction procedures proposed to-date generally result in slightly less accurate predictions of the observed liquefaction severity for cases having highly stratified profiles, opposite of what would be expected and desired.
Spectrum-feature extraction from diffuse reflectance using multiplicative-factor decomposition

This study describes a methodogy for spectrum-feature extraction from diffuse reflectance for distributions of materials on substrates, which is based on diffuse-reflectance theory and phenomenological multiplicative-factor decomposition of reflectance functions. Specifically, this methodology entails feature-extraction using reflectance-spectrum normalization with respect to phenomenological backgrounds. A mathematical analysis of the feature-extraction methodology with respect to its formulation is presented. In addition, results of inverse analyses demonstrating application of the methodology are described.
Representative unit cell model of elastic spherical particle composite with interphase and/or general imperfect interface

Abstract We consider the representative unit cell (RUC) model of the elastic spherical particle composite with (a) interphase layer and (b) general imperfect interface in the form proposed by Bovik (1994). The rigorous analytical solution to both RUC model problems is obtained by the multipole expansion method in a unified manner. Fulfillment of the matrix-to-inhomogeneity elastic contact conditions reduces the boundary value problem to the linear algebraic system for multipole strengths and provides a highly efficient algorithm for numerical study. The proposed approach applies to all physically consistent models of imperfect interface including the nonlinear ones. In so doing, use of the vector spherical harmonics makes the solving procedure simple and straightforward. Comparison of the accurate numerical data obtained from the interphase and interface models confirms correctness of the Bovik model and illustrates its applicability limits in the multi-particle environment. The developed RUC model enables consideration of composite with the spherical particles of diverse size, properties, interphases and interface bonding, with an adequate account of interaction between the inhomogeneities. Comparison with the laboratory test data for syntactic foam shows that a careful modeling of microstructure is a prerequisite for reliable prediction of the effective elastic properties of composite.
Market fairness and efficiency: Evidence from the Tokyo Stock Exchange*

Abstract In 2015 the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) implemented Arrowhead Renewal improvements (ARI) that reduced latency from about one millisecond to less than 0.5 ms. Simultaneously, the ARI introduced new risk management functions to improve market fairness by reducing manipulative trading strategies. We find a dramatic improvement in market fairness as proxied by marking-the-close incidents, which declined by 61.19%. We find a much smaller improvement in market efficiency. Specifically, there was a reduction in the effective (quoted) spread of 6.45% (5.79%). The most dramatic improvement in market quality (fairness and efficiency) was for low-tick-size and high-market-capitalization stocks.
Sunlight, and the Microbial Susceptibility of Thermoplastics

The chemical effects of near ultraviolet light (equivalent to that in terrestrial sunlight) on polypropylene and on poly(ethylene terephthalate) are described in some detail with particular emphasis on identification of the important primary bond-breaking reactions. It is shown that the critical processes are a Norrish Type I, a Norrish Type II, and polymer hydroperoxide formation and photolysis in the case of both these thermoplastics. The degradative changes result in the buildup of polar groups and polymer end groups primarily on or near the surfaces of irradiated films. Surface growing fungus tests do not indicate microbial susceptibility for films of commercial-grade polypropylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), or several other common thermoplastics. Even after extensive photodegradation, which might be expected to enhance biodegradability, these materials do not appear to support significant surface growth.
Thermogenesis in thyroidectomized, protein-malnourished rats.

To determine the requirement of thyroid hormones for the expression of diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) in the protein-malnourished rat, groups of male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were thyroidectomized (Tx) or left surgically intact, and fed isoenergetic diets containing normal (22%, control) or decreased (8%, protein malnourished, PM) casein for 8 weeks postweaning. Half the Tx rats of either group received thyroxine (T4) replacement. Weight gains were least in PM-Tx rats, intermediate in control-Tx, PM and PM-Tx + T4, and greatest in control and control-Tx + T4 groups. Interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) weight and brown adipocyte diameter were similar in control and PM rats and were greater in both Tx groups. Brown adipocyte diameter was normal but IBAT greater in both Tx + T4 groups. Both resting (ROC) and minimal (MOC) oxygen consumptions were increased in PM rats after 7 weeks, but the differences between ROC and MOC were similar in both dietary groups. MOC and ROC were decreased following Tx and became normalized in both Tx groups with T4. The effects of norepinephrine (100 micrograms/kg body weight, s.c.) on MOC were markedly reduced in both Tx groups and were normal after T4 replacement. These observations indicate that the increased thermogenesis observed in the protein-deficient rat is due to a thyroid-dependent increase in MOC, and that the thyroid hormones are required for the sympathetic-dependent component of DIT and total thermogenesis in the protein-malnourished rat model.
The evolution of an enigmatic human trait: false beliefs due to pseudo-solution traps.

AbstractIn this essay I ask why it is so common for people to hold strong beliefs despite insufficient evidence to justify them. I approach this question from an evolutionary perspective of ultimate causation rather than a neurophysiological perspective of proximate causation. Beginning with simple optical illusions, I use a progression of examples to argue that humans are programmed to form false beliefs due to (i) intrinsic errors of intuition and, more importantly, (ii) a propensity to accept intuitively compelling beliefs without sufficient evidence when they appear to provide solutions to problems that cannot be solved with available knowledge. The formation of these false beliefs and their persistence constitute a phenomenon I call a pseudo-solution trap. I show that these mental traps are especially prevalent in the area of medicine. I end by showing that pseudo-solution traps are expected to feasibly lead to a belief in the supernatural, including an afterlife and one or more deities.
Surface acoustic wave investigation of mixed-state phases in YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/

A technique was developed which allows for surface acoustic wave (SAW) experiments up to 500 MHz in YBCO single crystals and films on piezoelectric as well as non-piezoelectric substrates. Experimental data on a granular YBCO film show a field dependent attenuation peak below T/sub c/ which is indicative of temperature dependent changes of the coupling of the magnetic vortex system to the crystal lattice and might be related to melting or depinning of the vortex lattice.
Impact of DSRC information content and transmission rate for highway vehicle platoons

Consensus and control in networked highway vehicle platoons has been identified as a promising framework in developing intelligent transportation systems. In VANET environment, an information harmonized platoon can potentially offer enhanced safety, improved highway utility, increased fuel economy, and reduced emission. This paper is focused on available information harmonization and its request/response schema. Theoretical analysis and simulation verification show the enhancement of platoon safety as well as improvement of highway and communication resources usage. The analysis and design of Information Harmonizer Module provide useful guidelines in communication resource allocations and vehicle coordinations in intelligent transportation problems.
A multi‐scale statistical approach to assess the effects of connectivity of road and stream networks on geomorphic channel condition

Roads in rural, upland landscapes are important sources of runoff and sediment to waterways. The downstream effects of these sources should be related to the connectivity of roads to receiving waters. Recent studies have explored this idea, but only simple metrics have been used to characterize connectivity and few studies have quantified the downstream effects of road–stream connectivity on sediment or solute budgets and channel morphology. In this study, we evaluated traditional and newly developed connectivity metrics that utilized features of landscape position and delivery pathway to characterize road–stream connectivity in upland settings. Using data on stream geomorphic conditions developed by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (Montpelier, VT), we related road connectivity metrics to channel condition on a set of 101 forested, upland streams with minimal development other than predominantly gravel road networks. Logistic regression indicated that measures of road density, proximity and orientation successfully distinguished among categories of stream geomorphic condition at multiple geographic scales. Discriminant function analysis using a set of inherent channel characteristics combined with road connectivity metrics derived at the reach corridor scale successfully distinguished channel condition for over 70% of the channels evaluated. This research contributes to efforts to evaluate the cumulative downstream effects of roads on stream channels and aquatic resources and provides a new means of watershed assessment to derive metrics that can be used to predict channel condition. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Empirical Investigation of Critical Success Factors in the Personal Selling Process for Homogenous Goods

This study uses a Critical Success Factor approach to evaluate a representative set of 51 selling techniques with the intent of determining what techniques are more critical to sales success for salespeople who sell homogenous products than others and what techniques are associated with failure. A set of twelve techniques were identified that distinguished salespeople in the top decile from those in the bottom decile.
Harnessing Teacher's Wisdom for Evidence-Based Practice: Standardization Data from the Sensory Profile School Companion

Although the Sensory Profile has provided standardized information about children's sensory processing patterns, the information informs us about everyday life at home and in the community from parents. Therapists working in public schools have been needing information about children's responses to sensory experiences at school. The Sensory Profile School Companion provides standardized information reported by teachers and so adds an important perspective. This article provides a summary of the standardization studies that form the evidence base for the Sensory Profile School Companion. Descriptive, validity, reliability, and factor analytic studies are summarized. New concepts emerged called “School Factors” that seem to represent the teacher's view of students as various types of learners in the classroom. Comparative studies between the Sensory Profile from the parents and the Sensory Profile School Companion from the teacher suggest that the Sensory Profile measures are providing information about the...
Effects of Glucose and Pao2 Modulation on Cortical Intracellular Acidosis, NADH Redox State, and Infarction in the Ischemic Penumbra

Background and Purpose —During focal cerebral ischemia, the ischemic penumbra or border-zone regions of moderate cortical blood flow reductions have a heterogeneous development of intracellular cortical acidosis. This experiment tested the hypotheses that (1) this acidosis is secondary to glucose utilization and (2) this intracellular acidosis leads to recruitment of potentially salvageable tissue into infarction. Methods —Brain pHi, regional cortical blood flow, and NADH redox state were measured by in vivo fluorescent imaging, and infarct volume was assessed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride histology. Thirty fasted rabbits divided into 6 groups of 5 each were subjected to 4 hours of permanent focal ischemia in the presence of hypoglycemia (≈2.8 mmol/L), moderate hyperglycemia (≈11 mmol/L), and severe hyperglycemia (>28 mmol/L) under either normoxia or moderate hypoxia (Pao2 ≈50 mm Hg). Results —Preischemic hyperglycemia led to a more pronounced intracellular acidosis and retardation of NADH regeneration than in the hypoglycemia groups under both normoxia and moderate hypoxia in the ischemic penumbra. For example, 4 hours after ischemia, brain pHi in the severe hyperglycemia/normoxia group measured 6.46, compared with 6.84 in the hypoglycemia/normoxia group ( P <0.01), and NADH fluorescence measured 173% compared with 114%. Infarct volume in the severe hyperglycemia/normoxia group measured 35.1±6.9% of total hemispheric volume, compared with 13.5±4.2% in the hypoglycemia/normoxia group ( P <0.01). Conclusions —Hyperglycemia significantly worsened both cortical intracellular brain acidosis and mitochondrial function in the ischemic penumbra. This supports the hypothesis that the evolution of acidosis in the ischemic penumbra is related to glucose utilization. Furthermore, the observation that hypoglycemia significantly decreased infarct size supports the postulate that cortical acidosis leads to recruitment of ischemic penumbra into infarction.
Local and Global Function Model of the Liver

Purpose To develop a local and global function model in the liver based on regional and organ function measurements to support individualized adaptive radiation therapy (RT). Methods and Materials A local and global model for liver function was developed to include both functional volume and the effect of functional variation of subunits. Adopting the assumption of parallel architecture in the liver, the global function was composed of a sum of local function probabilities of subunits, varying between 0 and 1. The model was fit to 59 datasets of liver regional and organ function measures from 23 patients obtained before, during, and 1 month after RT. The local function probabilities of subunits were modeled by a sigmoid function in relating to MRI-derived portal venous perfusion values. The global function was fitted to a logarithm of an indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes (an overall liver function measure). Cross-validation was performed by leave-m-out tests. The model was further evaluated by fitting to the data divided according to whether the patients had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or not. Results The liver function model showed that ( 1 ) a perfusion value of 68.6 mL/(100 g · min) yielded a local function probability of 0.5; ( 2 ) the probability reached 0.9 at a perfusion value of 98 mL/(100 g · min); and ( 3 ) at a probability of 0.03 [corresponding perfusion of 38 mL/(100 g · min)] or lower, the contribution to global function was lost. Cross-validations showed that the model parameters were stable. The model fitted to the data from the patients with HCC indicated that the same amount of portal venous perfusion was translated into less local function probability than in the patients with non-HCC tumors. Conclusions The developed liver function model could provide a means to better assess individual and regional dose-responses of hepatic functions, and provide guidance for individualized treatment planning of RT.
Book Review Essays

Possibilities and Pitfalls of Narrative Ethnography: Genii of the River Niger. Jean-Marie Gibbal. Possibilities and Pitfalls of Narrative Ethnography: Bambo Jordan: An Anthropological Narrative. Bruce T. Williams.
An Interoperable Internet Scale Solution for RFID Network Security

Security and privacy issues are critically important in RFID networks because EPC data and their associated business events are valuable assets. In this paper, an Interoperable Internet-Scale Security (IISS) framework for RFID networks is proposed. The IISS framework performs authentication and au- thorization based on an aggregation of business rules, enterprise information, and RFID tag information. IISS provides a protocol for several authentication schemes and identity techniques. It also provides an engine for reasoning over business rules from different domains. Moreover, the IISS framework is able to resolve provenance information of RFID tags, which can identify the history of a particular piece of EPC data through the supply chain. The IISS framework and the IISS ontologies to model the information in RFID networks are also described, and how the IISS framework can be developed for access control in RFID enabled supply chains is discussed. Finally, the IISS framework's efficiency is tested using a supply chain EPC simulator as the testing platform, which allows optimization of the IISS protocol's performance. I. INTRODUCTION Since Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) was invented in 1946, RFID technology has had widespread application, including electronic passports, transportation payments, and inventory systems. As RFID deployment continues to in- crease, its associated applications have become more and more network-centric. Most tags are used in supply chains where the Electronic Product Code (EPC) and associated business event data are transmitted through RFID networks. The design of RFID network thus plays a critical role in successfully deploying large-scale applications. Security and privacy issues are critically important for RFID
Corn metabolites affect growth and virulence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Abstract Homogenates of corn seedlings inhibit both growth of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and induction of its Ti plasmid virulence (vir) genes by acetosyringone (AS). The heat-labile inhibitor has been identified as 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA), present in 2-week-old seedlings (B73) at a concentration of 1.5 mM or greater. A concentration of 0.3 mM DIMBOA is sufficient to block growth of A. tumefaciens completely for 220 hr. DIMBOA at 0.1 mM concentration completely inhibited vir gene induction by 100 microM AS and reduced growth rate by 50%. Thus, DIMBOA can be expected to have a significant effect on attempts to transform corn by using A. tumefaciens as a vector.
Impact of Heat Treatment and Composition of ZnO−TiO2 Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic Oxidation of an Azo Dye

TiO2−ZnO mixed oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by precipitation of zinc nitrate and titanium tetrachloride as precursors and then heat treated using two techniques: hydrothermal and calcination. The particles were characterized using XRD, BET, UV diffuse reflectance, and ζ potential techniques. Additionally, the particles were tested for their ability to induce the photocatalytic oxidation and adsorption of Procion Red MX-5B dye. The highest photocatalytic oxidation was observed for nanoparticulate mixed oxides that were near 100% ZnO or TiO2. These materials did not have the highest specific surface areas, yet it is believed that their near-neutral ζ potentials and ideal band gap energies contributed to their higher photocatalytic activities. XRD patterns indicated that sintering and increased crystallinity occurred for the calcined TiO2 samples.
Ureteral Replacement and Onlay Repair with Reconfigured Intestinal Segments

Purpose: Ureteral loss represents a surgical challenge to provide low pressure drainage while avoiding urinary stasis and reflux. The ideal replacement should optimize drainage while minimizing absorption, allowing for ureteral repair of varied lengths and locations with maximal preservation of the urinary tract. We reviewed our experience with ureteral repair, focusing on the use of reconfigured intestine. We report what is to our knowledge the novel use of reconfigured intestine as an onlay flap on the preserved ureteral segment and as a circumferential interpositioned segment.Materials and Methods: A total of 16 ureters were repaired in 4 men and 9 women using reconfigured ileum, colon or appendix. Mean patient age was 45 years (range 26 to 66). The etiology of the ureteral defect was iatrogenic in 8 patients, retroperitoneal fibrosis in 3, trauma in 3 and ureteritis cystica in 1. Mean defect length was 10 cm (range 5 to 20) in the 10 right and 6 left ureters, and the defect was proximal in 3, mid in 4...
Desegregation Goals and Educational Finance Reform: An Agenda for the Next Decade.

Educatinal finance reform has become a major source of change in organizing public school systems. Its potential to create more uniform and equitable educational opportunities for minorities and low-income students is very good, perhaps even better than past efforts generated through desegregation litigation. This article discusses the ability of educational finance reforms to meet one of the major goals of desegregation and to do so in a more consistent and systematic manner By formally linking the two reform movements, proponents of each may be more effective in enhancing the quality of education and the distribution of educational resources available for all lower income students.
Generalizations of Mathisen's median test for comparing several treatments with a control

A distribution-free test for comparing several treatments with a control is proposed for one-way classified data. It is advantageous to use the test in life-testing experiments where testing time is expensive. The proposed test has a shorter expected duration than a previously proposed test by Slivka(1970). The optimal allocation of the experimental units to the treatments for two situations are given. In a simulation study the power of the test is compared with the power of Slivka's test. An extension of the test for two-way classified data is given
Lipid Production by Cryptococcus curvatus on Hydrolysates Derived from Corn Fiber and Sweet Sorghum Bagasse Following Dilute Acid Pretreatment

Corn fiber and sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) are both pre-processed lignocellulosic materials that can be used to produce liquid biofuels. Pretreatment using dilute sulfuric acid at a severity factor of 1.06 and 1.02 released 83.2 and 86.5 % of theoretically available sugars out of corn fiber and SSB, respectively. The resulting hydrolysates derived from pretreatment of SSB at SF of 1.02 supported growth of Cryptococcus curvatus well. In 6 days, the dry cell density reached 10.8 g/l with a lipid content of 40 % (w/w). Hydrolysates from corn fiber, however, did not lead to any significant cell growth even with addition of nutrients. In addition to consuming glucose, xylose, and arabinose, C. curvatus also utilized formic acid, acetic acid, 4-hydroxymethylfurfural, and levulinic acid for growth. Thus, C. curvatus appeared to be an excellent yeast strain for producing lipids from hydrolysates developed from lignocellulosic feedstocks.
Integrating learning and decision-making in intelligent manufacturing systems

This paper presents an overview of learning and decision-making in intelligent manufacturing systems. Machine learning techniques applicable to design and manufacturing are reviewed. Issues related to the role of learning in manufacturing decision-making and two related examples are discussed. The architecture, algorithm and implementation of the first prototype of IMAFO, an intelligent supervisory system, which has learning capabilities, are explained.
Insertion of NH into the rheniumcarbon bonds of a Fischer-type rhenacyclobutadiene. Preparation and characterization of azarhenacyclic complexes

The rhenacyclobutadiene complex (CO)4ReC(CH3)C(CO2CH3)C(OEt) (1) reacts with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, tosylhydrazine or hydrazine hydrochloride to afford a new five-membered azarhenacyclic complex, (CO)4ReNHC(CH3)C(CO2CH3)C(OEt) (4), as a stable yellow solid. 4 was characterized by elemental analysis, EI mass spectrometry and IR and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and its structure was elucidated by X-ray diffraction techniques. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with a=8.721(1), b=12.172(2), c=15.013(2) A, α=86.42(1), β=88.83(1), γ=79.48(1)°, and four molecules per unit cell. The five-membered azarhenacycle is essentially planar, and the bond distances in the ring indicate strong electron delocalization, similar to that of the reported [1] analogous oxarhenacyclic complex (CO)4ReOC(CH3)C(CO2CH3)C(OEt) (2). Reaction between 1 and hydrazine monohydrate yields a mixture of 4 (minor product) and isomeric (CO)4ReC(CH3)C(CO2CH3)C(OEt)NH (major product, 5). The structure of 5 was assigned from spectroscopic evidence. 4 and 5 may be considered as organometallic analogues of pyrrole, i.e. rhenapyrrole complexes. Reaction of 4 with LDA followed by quenching with DCl in D20 at c. −78 °C results in hydrogen-deuterium exchange at the nitrogen atom.
Do Not Attempt Resuscitation Orders in Pediatrics

Do-not-attempt resuscitation orders are becoming more common in pediatrics, particularly as programs for hospice and palliative care in children develop. Concomitantly, there arises the need to decide when it is appropriate to use these technologies. It is at this point that the skills of relationship building, listening, and empathic concern become indispensable.
Trouble in the School Yard: a Study of the Risk Factors of Victimization at School

The victimization of students at school is currently a matter of grave public concern. This study attempts to identify factors that single out junior and senior high school students as victims of campus theft and violent crime. Previous research indicates that victimization risk can flow from a variety of situational and individual variables, although this research has not focused on victimization in the school setting. To test which factors are most salient at school, we employed the 1993 National Household and Education Survey, School Safety and Discipline component (NHES-SSD). We found that although community variables exert some effect on schoolyard victimization risk, risk levels are associated with the presence of likely offenders at school as well as individual students who have delinquent characteristics and criminal associates. The attempts of schools to protect students through target-hardening strategies (e.g., metal detectors and security guards) were consistently unsuccessful.
Resonance Raman activity in odd quanta of the trans bending vibration of acetylene: Strong vibronic coupling in the X̃ to Ã and X̃ to B̃ transitions

Abstract Resonance Raman spectra of acetylene with excitation at 204 and 178 nm in the region X→A( 1 Σ g → 1 Σ − u in D ∞h ) and X→B( 1 Σ + g → 1 Δ u in D ∞h ) transitions exhibit very strong activity in both even and odd quanta of the π g ( v 4 ) trans bending vibration. Enhancement of the two-quantum even overtone is expected from linear vibronic activity in these forbidden transitions resulting in quadratic (C-term) Raman activitiy. The higher even quanta overtone activity is consistent with strongly bent excited states or nonlinear vibronic coupling. The induction of intensity in the odd overtones of this non-totally symmetric vibrational mode, however, requires mixed linear and quadratic vibronic coupling involving two different allowed excitations (to states of 1 Π u and 1 Σ + u symmetry).
Identification models of the nervous system

Abstract It has been widely observed that when artificial neural networks are trained by supervised learning to do computations that also occur in the nervous system, the behavior of the model neurons often closely resembles that of the real neurons involved in the task. It is not immediately clear why this should be the case or what use can be made of models generated by supervised learning. Here, recent developments are reviewed and analysed in an attempt to clarify these issues. This analysis is facilitated by treating supervised learning models of the brain as a special case of system identification, a general and well-studied modeling paradigm. The neural systems identification paradigm provides a systematic way to generate realistic models starting with a high-level description of a hypothesized computation and some architectural and physiological constraints about the area being modeled. There is no inherent limitation to the realism that can be incorporated into identification models. This approach eliminates the need to find neural implementation algorithms by ad hoc means and provides neuroscientists with a convenient way to build models that account for observed data.
The use of epinephrine in the treatment of older adult asthmatics

Three subcutaneous doses of 0.3 mL 1:1,000 epinephrine were given 20 minules apart to 95 adult asthmatics 15 to 96 years old during 108 asthma excerbations. Patients with a history of recent myocardial infarction or of angina were excluded from our study. Heart rhythm and rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and clinical response were prospectively evaluated before, during, and after the administration of epinephrine. Three was no significant difference in the occurrence of ventricular arrthymias between patients less than 40 and more than 40 years old. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures, mean heart rate, and mean respiratory rate decreased with treatment in the older population. Our results suggest that epinephrine in safe to use in acute asthmatics of any age.
Wound Healing and Aging

There are "natural delays" in the healing of older individuals. Open wounds contract more slowly and incised wounds gain strength more slowly. Experimental studies indicate that cellular proliferation, wound metabolism, and collagen remodeling occur later in old animals. Clinical studies show, however, that operations can be performed safely in elderly patients and that the major increased risk to these patients is of non wound medical complications that affect the wound.
Assessment of a New Device for Injecting Bovine Collagen The ADG Needle

BACKGROUND Bovine collagen has been injected into skin through conventional needles since its introduction in 1981. Variations in technique have resulted hi a wide range of clinical results. The success of a collagen treatment depends on proper technique and placement, which may take years of experience to develop. Collagen Corporation has developed a new tool, the ADG needle, which allows more exact control over the depth of injection. OBJECTIVE To study the clinical benefits of this device in a field evaluation. METHODS Experienced collagen injectors were asked to evaluate the ADG needle and complete a survey on their experience. RESULTS A review of treatment of 63 patients by 19 physicians indicated enthusiasm for the new device. Respondees felt that the ADG needle enhanced their ability to place collagen in the dermis and increased the speed of collagen injection. CONCLUSION The ADG needle is a new tool that enhances depth control and speed when injecting bovine collagen.
Sonographic features of drug-induced splenic congestion

Drug-induced splenic congestion has been reported in dogs secondary to barbiturate administration. This research attempted to verify and quantify size changes associated with drug-induced splenic congestion in dogs. Transverse plane ultrasound images of the spleen in normal dogs were collected to determine the maximum diameter in the minimum dimension prior to, and 15 min after, administration of acepromazine, thiopental, or propofol. Significant splenic enlargement was seen after administration of acepromazine (P<0.01) and thiopental (P=0.02), but no enlargement was seen after administration of propofol. Significantly increased attenuation (P<0.01) and a trend of increased backscatter (P=0.09) were measured after administration of acepromazine. These results indicate that measurable splenomegaly occurs after acepromazine and thiopental administration. This represents the first report of a condition causing measurable diffuse increased attenuation in the spleen. Propofol does not cause measurable splenic enlargement under the conditions of this research.
Optimized Sedation Improves Colonoscopy Quality Long-Term

Background. Quality monitoring and improvement is prerequisite for efficient colonoscopy. Aim. To assess the effects of increased sedation administration on colonoscopy performance. Materials and Methods. During Era 1 we prospectively measured four colonoscopy quality indicators: sedation administration, colonoscopy completion rate, adenoma detection rate, and early complications rate in three cohorts: cohort A: intention for total colonoscopy cases; cohort B: cohort A excluding bowel obstruction cases; cohort C: CRC screening-surveillance cases within cohort B. We identified deficiencies and implemented our plan to optimize sedation. We prospectively evaluated its effects in both short- (Era 2) and long-term period (Era 3). Results. We identified that sedation administration and colonoscopy completion rates were below recommended standards. After sedation optimization its use rate increased significantly (38.1% to 55.8% to 69.5%) and colonoscopy completion rate increased from 88.3% to 90.6% to 96.4% in cohort B and from 93.2% to 95.3% to 98.3% in cohort C, in Eras 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Adenoma detection rate increased in cohort C (25.9% to 30.6% to 35%) and early complications rate decreased from 3.4% to 1.9% to 0.3%. Most endoscopists increased significantly their completion rate and this was preserved long-term. Conclusion. Increased sedation administration results in long-lasting improvement of colonoscopy quality indicators.
Induced Spermiation in Wild Atlantic Sturgeons Held Captive Up to Six Years

Abstract The ability to obtain gametes from male Atlantic sturgeons Acipenser oxyrinchus brought into captivity may be important to the success of future restoration efforts for this species. Atlantic sturgeons obtained as juveniles from the Delaware River and as sexually mature males from the Hudson River were held in freshwater at the Northeast Fishery Center, Lamar, Pennsylvania, from 1991 to 1997. After 4 years in captivity, three of three Hudson River fish were induced to spermiate by injection of common carp pituitary solution (CCP), luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa), or a combination of both. Hatch rates were similar for eggs fertilized with a captive male's milt (3.1%) versus a wild male's milt (mean ± SD, 3.1 ± 0.5%). At 58 d posthatch, survival of the captive male's offspring (74.3%) was comparable to that of wild male's (61.9 ± 7.8%). After 6 years in captivity, two of five fish from the Delaware River were induced to spermiate by injection of CCP, and nearly all spermatozo...
MUSSEL-MIMETIC ELASTOMERS OF VARIED FUNCTIONALITY DESIGN FOR ELASTOMERIC COMPOSITES

ABSTRACT Bulk viscoelasticity and tensile behavior are examined for cross-linked compounds made of mussel-mimetic elastomers of varied functionality design. During polymerization, the mussel-mimetic functionalities containing the 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl (or catechol) group can be incorporated at the molecule chain head, along the backbone, and/or at the molecule chain tail. The compounds are either unfilled or filled to the same filler volume fraction with a single filler chosen among carbon black (hydrophobic), precipitated silica (hydrophilic), and titanium oxide (hydrophilic). For polymers bearing multiple mussel-mimetic functional groups, the polymer cold flow resistance becomes significantly enhanced, arising from the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. Such strong intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions also affect the bulk viscoelasticity and tensile behavior for the cross-linked gum compounds. Because the mussel-mimetic functional groups exhibit obvious affinity to all three type...
Computing the future: whither computer science and engineering?

The Computer Science and Telecommunications Board of the National Research Council recently released a report entitled Computing the Future: A Broader Agenda for Computer Science and Engineering. The report is intended as a first step in developing a vision of computer science and engineering that will carry the discipline into the 21st Century. Acknowledging the fraying of the social compact that has supported scientific research since World War II, pressures on academic science, and major changes in the computer industry, the report puts forward a view that the intellectual boundaries of the CS&E discipline should expand. The discipline should continue to support what has been traditionally been considered “core” computer science and engineering, but it should also learn to embrace rather than eschew computing problems that arise in domains outside the traditional core. Such problem domains include other sciences and areas with commercial or economic, significance. This broader agenda will have many benefits for CS&E, including a rich set of intellectually challenging problems, greater social impact, and a wider variety of funding opportunities.Not surprisingly, this vision of the field in the 21st Century has generated considerable controversy and debate, as is appropriate for matters as important as these. A panel will briefly review the major judgments, priorities, and recommendations of the report, and differing perspectives on the report will be aired.
Biopower, disciplinary power, and the production of the 'good Latino/a teacher'

This inquiry explores who is the ‘good teacher of color’. Through Michel Foucault's notion of biopower and disciplinary power, the analysis attempts to problematize the subject-position of ‘teacher of color’ by exploring how a Latino intern and a Latina intern negotiated their subjectivity in a large diverse school district. Participants' construction of subjectivity was found to be located within the nexus of the school district, the university, and the Latino counter-discourse through which biopower and disciplinary power operated.