cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of autologous blood predeposit in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy procedures.

Abstract Objectives To assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of preoperative autologous blood donation (PAD) in radical prostatectomy procedures. Methods A retrospective 3-year review was performed of transfusion outcomes in radicalprostatectomy procedures. Costs, benefits, and cost-effectiveness were established using a previously published Markov decision analysis model. Results Three hundred eighty-four (97%) of 394 patients predonated 3.5 ± 0.6 (mean±SD) autologous blood units. Of these, 2.1 ± 1.2 units (60%) were retransfused. Forty-two (11 %) of 394 patients also received allogeneic blood. Autologous blood donors received only 0.2 ± 0.6 allogeneic blood units, compared with 1.4 ± 1.4 (p Conclusions We conclude that autologous blood donation is an effective blood conservation strategy in elective radical prostatectomy. However, the cost-effectiveness of this practice compares unfavorably with that reported for other medical interventions. Alternative and more cost-effective strategies to reduce the need for allogeneic blood in this setting must be developed.
Grain Boundary Sliding in Aluminum Nano-Bi-Crystals Deformed at Room Temperature

Room-temperature uniaxial compressions of 900-nm-diameter aluminum bi-crystals, each containing a high-angle grain boundary with a plane normal inclined at 24° to the loading direction, revealed frictional sliding along the boundary plane to be the dominant deformation mechanism. The top crystallite sheared off as a single unit in the course of compression instead of crystallographic slip and extensive dislocation activity, as would be expected. Compressive stress strain data of deforming nano bicrystals was continuous, in contrast to single crystalline nano structures that show a stochastic stress strain signature, and displayed a peak in stress at the elastic limit of ∼176 MPa followed by gradual softening and a plateau centered around ∼125 MPa. An energetics-based physical model, which may explain observed room-temperature grain boundary sliding, in presented, and observations are discussed within the framework of crystalline nano-plasticity and defect microstructure evolution.
Three‐dimensional distribution of damaged cells in cryopreserved pancreatic islets as determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy

The technique of serial optical sectioning by confocal microscopy, in conjunction with off-line digital image analysis, was used to quantify the radial distribution of damaged cells in rat pancreatic islets following cryopreservation. The process consists of imaging frozen-thawed islets of Langerhans using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The three-dimensional (3-D) distribution and analysis of the two populations of viable and damaged cells was visualized via acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) fluorescent staining. In preparation for cryopreservation, isolated and cultured rat pancreatic islets were brought to a 2 M concentration of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) by serial addition at decreasing temperatures. Ice was nucleated in the islet suspension at -10 degrees C, and individual specimens were frozen to -70 degrees C at cooling rates of 1, 3, 10 and 30 degrees C/min in a programmable bulk freezer and subsequently stored in liquid nitrogen. After rapid thawing and serial dilution to remove DMSO, individual islets were prepared with AO/PI stains for imaging on the LSCM. Serial sections of the islets, 2-7 microns in thickness, were obtained and processed to obtain high-contrast images. Analysis algorithms consisted of template masking, grey-level thresholding, median filtering and 3-D blob colouring. The radial distribution of damaged cells in the islets was determined by isolating the cell and computing its distance from the centroid of the 3-D islet volume. An increase in the number of blobs corresponding to single and/or aggregates of damaged cells was observed progressively with distance from the centre towards the periphery of the islet. This pattern of freeze-induced killing of cells within the islet was found to occur consistently in the numerous individual specimens processed.
High incidence of discontinuations due to adverse events in patients treated with ceftaroline.

Study Objective To determine clinical outcomes in patients who received ceftaroline (Teflaro) 600 mg intravenously every 8 or 12 hours after failing or developing intolerance to first-line agents including vancomycin, daptomycin, or linezolid. Design Retrospective chart review and review of the literature. Setting Large academic medical center and regional Level 1 trauma and burn center. Patients Twelve patients who received ceftaroline for the treatment of refractory methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus infections between March 2011 and October 2012. Measurements and Main Results Ceftaroline was discontinued in 9 (75%) of 12 patients secondary to adverse effects. The average age of patients who discontinued ceftaroline was 53 years, with a mean body mass index of 29 kg/m2 and an average of four comorbidities (range one to eight). The median time to discontinuation due to perceived adverse effect was 22 days (range 5–62 days). The reasons for discontinuation of therapy were hematologic toxicities in seven patients and severe rash in two patients. Two patients completed therapy without documented adverse events, and one patient died on day 9 of ceftaroline therapy. Conclusion When given for off-label indications to 12 patients at our institutions, ceftaroline was associated with an unexpectedly high rate (75%) of discontinuation due to perceived adverse events, including hematologic toxicities and rash.
Academic freedom for all in higher education: The role of the general agreement on trade in services

Abstract In an era of the knowledge society, one would expect to encounter a sense of urgency in assuring the free flow of higher education across national borders. Yet, to the contrary, there is a substantial reluctance to the integration of this sector into the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). This contribution postulates that academia is missing out on a major opportunity by setting itself apart in trade negotiations. Though higher education has a higher calling, it will not be able to compete successfully for necessary resources unless it adapts to the rules of the World Trade Organization.
Vibrational overlap integrals between the neutral and ion states of NH3 and ND3: Application to the vibrational dependence of the NH3+(v2)+NH3(0) symmetric charge transfer reaction

Abstract Vibrational overlap integrals have been calculated for the transition between the neutral ground state and the ion state of NH3 and ND3 for the ν2 vibrational bending mode. Calculations were performed by numerically solving the Schrodinger equation. The vibrational overlap integrals were used to simulate the dependence of the cross-section for the NH3+(v2)+NH3(0)→NH3(v2″)+NH3+(v2′) symmetric charge-transfer reaction on the initial vibrational quantum state of the ion. The cross-sections show a gradual increase with v2, in agreement with experiment.
Does 3D back contour changes following spinal fusion in children with idiopathic scoliosis

Background Oftentimes, patients find trunk asymmetry, including thoracic rib hump, shoulder level difference, more troubling than a significant Cobb angle, as topographical deformity can be readily visualized. Evaluating improvement in these back contour parameters lends to additional criteria by which to assess post-surgical improvement. Quantec raster stereography is recognized as an accurate and reliable tool for monitoring threedimensional back contour in patients with idiopathic scoliosis before and after surgery.
Spending On Mental And Substance Use Disorders Projected To Grow More Slowly Than All Health Spending Through 2020

Spending on mental and substance use disorders will likely grow more slowly than all health spending through 2020. We project that spending on mental and substance use disorders, as a share of all health spending, will fall from 7.4 percent in 2009 ($172 billion out of $2.3 trillion) to 6.5 percent in 2020 ($281 billion out of $4.3 trillion). This trend is the projected result of reduced spending on mental health drugs because of patent expirations, the low likelihood of innovative drugs entering the market, and a slowdown in spending growth for hospital treatment. By 2020 the expansion of coverage to previously uninsured Americans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), combined with the projected slowdown in Medicare provider payment rates under the ACA and the Budget Control Act of 2011, are expected to add 2.7 percent to behavioral health spending, compared to spending without these changes.
Enhanced antiproliferative and apoptotic response to combined treatment of γ-tocotrienol with erlotinib or gefitinib in mammary tumor cells

Aberrant ErbB receptor signaling is associated with various types of malignancies. γ-Tocotrienol is a member of the vitamin E family of compounds that displays potent anticancer activity that is associated with suppression in ErbB receptor phosphorylation and mitogenic signaling. Erlotinib and gefitinib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors that block ErbB1 receptor activation, whereas trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that has been designed to specifically inhibit ErbB2 receptor activation. However, the clinical effectiveness of these agents have been disappointing because of cooperation between different ErbB family members that can rescue cancer cells from agents directed against a single ErbB receptor subtype. It was hypothesized that targeting multiple ErbB receptor subtypes with combined treatment of γ-tocotrienol and ErbB receptor inhibitors would provide greater anticancer effects than monotherapy targeting only a single ErbB receptor subtype. Highly malignant mouse +SA mammary epithelial cells were maintained in culture on serum-free defined media containing 10 ng/ml EGF as a mitogen. Cell viability wase determined by MTT assay, whereas Western blot and immunofluorescent staining was used to determine treatment effects on ErbB receptor subtype level and activation. Treatment-induced apoptosis was determined using annexin V staining and Western blot analysis of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP levels. Treatment with 3.5 μM γ-tocotrienol, 0.5 μM erlotinib or 1.0 μM gefitinib alone, significantly inhibited +SA tumor cell growth. Combined treatment with subeffective doses of erlotinib (0.25 μM) or gefitinib (0.5 μM) with subeffective doses of γ-tocotrienol (0.5-3.0 μM) significantly inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis in a dose-responsive manner. Trastuzumab treatment alone or in combination had no effect on +SA cell growth and viability. Combined treatment of γ-tocotrienol with erlotinib or gefitinib also cause a large decrease in ErbB3, ErbB4, and to a lesser extent ErbB2 receptor levels, and EGF-dependent ErbB2-4 tyrosine phosphorylation (activation), but had no effect on ErbB1 receptor levels or activation. Combination treatment of γ-tocotrienol with specific ErbB receptor inhibitors is more effective in reducing mammary tumor cell growth and viability than high dose monotherapy, suggesting that targeting multiple ErbB receptors with combination therapy may significantly improve the therapeutic response in breast cancer patients.
Field tuning of the electron and hole populations in the ruthenate Bi3Ru3O11

Experiments on the Hall coefficient RH and heat capacity C reveal an unusual, compensated electronic ground state in the ruthenate Bi3Ru3O11. At low temperature T, RH decreases linearly with magnetic field |H| for fields larger than the field scale set by the Zeeman energy. The results suggest that the electron and hole populations are tuned by H in opposite directions via coupling of the spins to the field. As T is decreased below 5 K, the curve C(T)/T vs. T2 shows an anomalous flattening consistent with a rapidly growing Sommerfeld parameter γ(T). We discuss shifts of the electron and hole chemical potentials by H to interpret the observed behavior of RH.
The distribution and partial characterization of carbonic anhydrase in selected aquatic and terrestrial decapod crustaceans

A sensitive pH-stat assay was used to determine the distribution in aquatic and terrestrial decapod crustaceans, correlation to osmoregulation, and selected kinetic properties of carbonic anhydrase. In all species the enzyme was concentrated in the gills, and specifically the posterior three or four gill pairs. Activity was highest in the gills of osmoregulating species, and the enzyme could be localized in the areas of the gill lamellae which contained a high density of salt absorbing cells. The enzyme from the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, exhibits a number of characteristics remarkably similar to the Na+/K+ ATPase from that species. Both enzymes show the same inter- and intrabrachial distribution and the same reactions to altered environmental salinity. Branchial CA from both species was inhibited by high concentrations of NaCl and increasing pH. The enzyme showed a temperature optimum of 25°C. On the basis of these initial results, it appears that crustacean gill carbonic anhydrase plays an important role in the blood osmoregulatory process.
3.3.3 Assessing System Development Tool Integrity

Computing tools are often used to develop and evaluate complex systems in many industries. Use of such tools enables the increasing complexity of today's systems but introduces the potential for system problems due to potential errors introduced into the system by development tools or by misleading results from evaluation tools. The consequences of tool-related problems may range from insignificant to catastrophic, introducing risk from both the economic and safety perspectives. This paper shows how to identify the risk of potential problems introduced by the use of such tools in an overall system development context and mitigate or eliminate these risks, building on guidance originally created for the lower system abstraction levels of software and electronic hardware for commercial aviation.
Systemic–Developmental Supervision: Clinical Supervisory Approach for Family Counseling Student Interns

Supervision models for marriage and family counseling student interns primarily focus on the use of traditional systemic techniques. In addition, a supervisee’s level of development may not be considered when utilizing systemic tools. Furthermore, the supervisory relationship has been identified as a significant indicator of quality supervision, including characteristics such as warmth, empathy, and a nonjudgmental perspective from the supervisor. This article presents systemic–developmental supervision (SDS) to promote supervisees’ professional growth through self-awareness and skills acquisition. As such, a focus on the supervisory relationship through integration of two developmental models of supervision and systemic supervision techniques is discussed, along with the practical applications of SDS, strengths, limitations, and recommendations for future research.
PPARα-Independent Arterial Smooth Muscle Relaxant Effects of PPARα Agonists.

We sought to determine direct vascular effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists using isolated mouse aortas and middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). The PPARα agonists GW7647, WY14643, and gemfibrozil acutely relaxed aortas held under isometric tension and dilated pressurized MCAs with the following order of potency: GW7647≫WY14643>gemfibrozil. Responses were endothelium-independent, and the use of PPARα deficient mice demonstrated that responses were also PPARα-independent. Pretreating arteries with high extracellular K
Fungal pathogenesis: bridging the gap between the bedside and the bench.

A meeting titled ‘Fungal Pathogenesis – Bridging the gap between the bedside and the bench’ was held at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in September 2004. The conference was sponsored by a generous unrestricted educational grant from Enzon Pharmaceuticals. This unique conference was intended to expose clinical and basic scientists and their trainees to the most recent advances and relevant questions in both clinical and laboratory medical mycology research. The meeting was predicated on the concept that crosstalk between basic and clinical researchers would facilitate discussions leading to collaboration and the development of new research questions and eventually important advances. Presentation topics included four fungal genera: Aspergillus, Candida, Cryptococcus, and Histoplasma. The state of research in both clinical disease and pathogenesis for each genus was presented sequentially. Each speaker was charged with not only presenting their research, but with the task of demonstrating application of new technical tools available to answer important questions, and lastly to speculate on the most important unanswered research questions. The four clinical presentations challenged the basic researchers to refocus current experimental approaches to address the most pressing clinical problems. The basic science talks demonstrated many of the tools now available to explore further the epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapy of these medical mycoses as well as molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis. A significant amount of time between sessions and during refreshment breaks allowed questions and discussion among the two groups and their trainees. The conference attracted more than 100 local and regional scientists and clinicians as well as a few international attendees.
A preliminary study of electrohydrodynamic augmented baking

Abstract A preliminary experimental study has been conducted on the overall effect of corona wind impingement on the surface of high moisture cookie dough during baking under forced convection. Small diameter wires are used as the corona electrodes. The presence of the corona wind is found to reduce bake time to achieve a given total moisture loss from the dough. The energy required by the corona to achieve this reduction in bake time is small when compared to the energy requirements of unaugmented baking. An overall mass transfer coefficient is defined for baking, and it is found that corona-wind augmented transfer coefficients can be approximately correlated with the one-tenth power of the ratio of ion drag-forces to the momentum forces in the free stream.
Buoyancy Effects on Heat Transfer in Five Different Aspect-Ratio Rectangular Channels With Smooth Walls and 45-Degree Ribbed Walls

This paper experimentally studies the effects of the buoyancy force and channel aspect ratio on heat transfer in two-pass rotating rectangular channels with smooth walls and 45° ribbed walls. The channel aspect ratios include 4:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4. Four Reynolds numbers are studied: 5000, 10000, 25000 and 40000. The rotation speed is fixed at 550 rpm for all tests, and for each channel, two channel orientations are studied: 90° and 45° or 135°, with respect to the plane of rotation. Rib turbulators are placed on the leading and trailing walls of the channels at an angle of 45° to the flow direction. The ribs have a 1.59 by 1.59 mm square cross section, and the rib pitch-to-height ratio (P/e) is 10 for all tests. The effects of the local buoyancy parameter and channel aspect ratio on the regional Nusselt number ratio are presented. The results show that increasing the local buoyancy parameter increases the Nusselt number ratio on the trailing surface and decreases the Nusselt number ratio on the leading surface in the first pass for all channels. However, the trend of the Nusselt number ratio in the second pass is more complicated due to the strong effect of the 180° turn. Results are also presented for this critical turn region of the two-pass channels. In addition to these regions, the channel averaged heat transfer, friction factor, and thermal performance are determined for each channel. With the channels having comparable Nusselt number ratios, the 1:4 channel has the superior thermal performance because it incurs the least pressure penalty.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The Preparation and Characterization of Lithium Cobalt Oxide Thin Films by LPCVD

LPCVD thin films of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) were grown using tert-butyllithium (t-BuLi) and cyclopentadienyl cobalt dicarbonyl (CoCp(CO)2) as precursors in a cold-walled vertical reactor. Deposition rates were found to be as high as 25 A/s. Lithium to cobalt ratios (Li/Co) in the films were found to increase with increasing Ar carrier gas flow rates in the t-BuLi line while they were found to decrease with increasing system pressure. Electrochemical measurements show typical film open circuit voltages (OCV) for as-prepared films to be between 3.30 and 3.60 V vs. Li. Atomic Force Microscopy shows a striated, crystalline film formed at substrate temperatures (Ts) as low as 400 C with grain sizes as large as 200 nm in length.
Optimization of Slow-Release Tablet Formulations: Containing Montmorillonite I. Properties of Tablets

AbstractSlow-release tablets containing 20%. sodium sul fathiazole and 30%. magnesium aluminum silicate were prepared by direct compression techniques. Dissolution studies indicated that tablet hardness exerted a negligible influence on drug release from the tablets. During the dissolution process the clay slowly swelled to form a gelatinous hydrated layer around the tablet matrix. At faster stirring speeds, friction between the dissolution basket and the tablet rapidly removed the hydrated boundary region and resulted in a more rapid dissolution rate of the sulfonamide. Faster rates of dissolution were seen in deionized water than in dilute acid since the clay hydrated more readily at the higher pit.
Global diversity of non-biting midges (Chironomidae; Insecta-Diptera) in freshwater

Chironomidae are common inhabitants of most aquatic habitats, and often dominate aquatic insect communities in both abundance and species richness. Species occur in all continents, including Antarctica, and most major oceanic islands that have been investigated. The family is divided into 11 subfamilies and 22 nominal tribes. Although individual species occur in a wide range of habitats from terrestrial to fully aquatic, a total of 339 genera and 4,147 species are unambiguously aquatic in their immature stages. Greatest species and generic richnesses occur in the Palaearctic Region and Nearctic Region, respectively, but this pattern may largely reflect historical patterns of past taxonomic research efforts.
Maxillary first premolar angular differences between North American Indians and non‐North American Indians

A quantitative technique for obtaining angular data on human maxillary first premolar teeth is presented. Measurement indicates that North American Indian buccal cusps are either buccolingually compressed mesially, or expanded distally, or both, when compared with non-Indian teeth. Surprisingly, data on Chinese and Eskimo samples are similar to non-Indian teeth rather than Indian teeth. Similar techniques may be applied to the more complex multicusped molar teeth in order to extract quantitative data from them.
Survey Research and Islamic Fundamentalism: A Question about Validity

Psychology of religion research has historically borrowed heavily from the quantitative approach of mainstream psychology. This study illustrates difficulties that are sometimes related to this practice, even when using instruments that have proven to be psychometrically sound. We distributed an earlier reliable and valid version of the Intratextual Fundamentalism Scale (Williamson & Hood, 2005), developed with a U.S. Christian sample, in an African American mosque for the purpose of cross-cultural validation. Among the 76 survey booklets initially distributed, 27 were returned and, of those, only 17 had usable information; almost all of these had aberrations including item omissions and handwritten comments. In view of the low response rate and atypical responses, this article presents a qualitative-type, rather than a quantitative, analysis of the data and discusses the important issue of assumed validity as it relates to contemporary religious research in cross-cultural investigations.
Gas-phase hydration and alcohol addition reactions of complexes composed of Ag+ and a single alcohol molecule

The reactivity of mono-alcohol/Ag+ complexes (methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, and tert-butyl alcohol) when stored, without collisional activation, in an ion trap mass spectrometer for periods ranging from 1 to 1000 ms was investigated. During the isolation/reaction time, association reactions between the complex ions and adventitious water and alcohol present within a He bath gas occurred to varying degrees. While the free Ag+ ion was unreactive, complexes composed of Ag+ coordinated by a single alcohol molecule demonstrated reactivity consistent with the following reactions: (1) formation of an adduct by the addition of a single water molecule, (2) formation of a bis-alcohol complex by the addition of a second alcohol molecule, and (3) formation of the bis-alcohol complex via the exchange of a water molecule for alcohol when investigated under similar experimental conditions. The trend in reactivity followed the order n-butanol > n-propanol > ethanol > methanol. To quantify observed trends in ...
Giant Submental Dermoid Cysts With Near Total Obstruction of the Oral Cavity: Report of 2 Cases

Dermoid cysts in the head and neck are a relatively uncommon entity with only 6.9% occurring in this site. They most commonly occur in the lateral third of the eyebrow with 26% found in the floor of the mouth. 1 They are believed to arise from failure of the overlying surface ectoderm to separate from underlying structures. Typically, dermoid cysts present as slow-growing nontender midline floor of the mouth or submental swellings that can develop to significant dimensions before producing symptoms. 2 We report 2 such cases where large dermoid cysts produced progressive dysphagia and breathing difficulty, resulting in acute presentation to our service.
Kinetics of nucleation in near-critical fluids

A simple set of rate equations is proposed to describe nucleation and growth of droplets in metastable, near-critical fluids. These equations are used in conjunction with steady-state nucleation theory to compute completion times for phase separation in binary mixtures. Reexamination of available experimental data provides little if any evidence for the major failure of conventional nucleation theory that has been postulated on the basis of these data.
Application of Cardiac Neurohormonal Imaging to Heart Failure, Transplantation, and Diabetes

The neurohormonal system adapts to body demands, but in cardiac disease it can become maladaptive. A key component, the sympathetic nervous system, can be imaged with radiotracers such as iodine-123-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG), a norepinephrine analogue. Parameters assessed are the heart-to-mediastinal ratio (HMR), tracer washout, and regional single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) defects. Much focus has been on heart failure that has a large neurohormonal pathophysiologic component. 123I-mIBG imaging has powerful risk stratification ability for this high morbidity/mortality condition. A lower HMR increases the likelihood of clinical worsening, ventricular arrhythmias, and cardiac death. 123I-mIBG imaging could potentially guide the use of biventricular pacemakers and ventricular assist devices. Much focus has been on better identifying patients likely to benefit from an implantable cardiac defibrillator. For patients with heart transplant, imaging with 123I-mIBG or the positron emission tomographic (PET) tracer, 11C-hydroxyephedrine (HED), can monitor recovery. In diabetes mellitus, imaging can recognize risk from cardiac autonomic dysfunction prior to clinical manifestations.
Determinants of Success among Professional Golfers

Abstract This paper examines why some professional golfers are more successful than others. We assume that achieved skills are the primary determinants of players' scoring averages and total earnings. We also assume that touring pros who are proficient at all the various shot-making skills are more successful than players who excell in some areas (e.g., the long game) more than others (e.g., the short game). We test these assumptions using official statistics from the 1983 Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) tour. The evidence supports our hypotheses and specifies the relative importance of various shot-making skills. The implications for future theory and research are discussed.
Tablet-based cardiac arrest documentation: A pilot study☆☆☆

Abstract Aim Conventional paper-based resuscitation transcripts are notoriously inaccurate, often lacking the precision that is necessary for recording a fast-paced resuscitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a tablet computer-based application could improve upon conventional practices for resuscitation documentation. Methods Nurses used either the conventional paper code sheet or a tablet application during simulated resuscitation events. Recorded events were compared to a gold standard record generated from video recordings of the simulations and a CPR-sensing defibrillator/monitor. Events compared included defibrillations, medication deliveries, and other interventions. Results During the study period, 199 unique interventions were observed in the gold standard record. Of these, 102 occurred during simulations recorded by the tablet application, 78 by the paper code sheet, and 19 during scenarios captured simultaneously by both documentation methods These occurred over 18 simulated resuscitation scenarios, in which 9 nurses participated. The tablet application had a mean sensitivity of 88.0% for all interventions, compared to 67.9% for the paper code sheet (P = 0.001). The median time discrepancy was 3 s for the tablet, and 77 s for the paper code sheet when compared to the gold standard (P Conclusions Similar to prior studies, we found that conventional paper-based documentation practices are inaccurate, often misreporting intervention delivery times or missing their delivery entirely. However, our study also demonstrated that a tablet-based documentation method may represent a means to substantially improve resuscitation documentation quality, which could have implications for resuscitation quality improvement and research.
The Effects of Cooling Rate on the Microstructure of a Commercial Ni-based Superalloy Using Atom Probe Tomography

Nickel-base superalloys are widely used for high temperature structural materials such as hot sections of jet turbine engines because they possess the ability to retain excellent creep and yield strengths at high temperatures (700 o C). These strengths are derived from the distribution in the microstructure of the main constituent phases: (Ni-FCC) and (L12-ordered structure based on Cu3Au). More specifically, a bi-modal distribution of provides the best combination of mechanical properties for commercial turbine disk alloys such as Rene 88 DT, and Rene 104 the alloy in this investigation [1]. The importance of this type of microstructure was demonstrated [2] for a similar alloy, showing that just subtle changes in the smaller (tertiary) distribution, resulting from different heat treatments, can profoundly improve the creep strength of disk alloys by inducing a remarkably sluggish creep deformation mechanism known as microtwinning [3]. This paper presents an examination of the effects of cooling rate on this and other microstructural parameters such as / interface widths, element partitioning phase composition, crystal ordering and precipitate size that also greatly impact the superalloy’s creep strength using Atom Probe Tomography. The microstructures, of which a typical atom probe reconstruction is shown in Figure 1, from samples linearly cooled at different cooling rates were examined and compared. The / interfacial widths, phase composition and element partitioning were obtained from proximity histograms [4] determined using Apex software [5].
Fiducial marker-based correction for involuntary motion in weight-bearing C-arm CT scanning of knees. II. Experiment.

Purpose: A C-arm CT system has been shown to be capable of scanning a single cadaver leg under loaded conditions by virtue of its highly flexible acquisition trajectories. In Part I of this study, using the 4D XCAT-based numerical simulation, the authors predicted that the involuntary motion in the lower body of subjects in weight-bearing positions would seriously degrade image quality and the authors suggested three motion compensation methods by which the reconstructions could be corrected to provide diagnostic image quality. Here, the authors demonstrate that a flat-panel angiography system is appropriate for scanning both legs of subjectsin vivo under weight-bearing conditions and further evaluate the three motion-correction algorithms using in vivo data. Methods: The geometry of a C-arm CT system for a horizontal scan trajectory was calibrated using the PDS-2 phantom. The authors acquired images of two healthy volunteers while lying supine on a table, standing, and squatting at several knee flexion angles. In order to identify the involuntary motion of the lower body, nine 1-mm-diameter tantalum fiducial markers were attached around the knee. The static mean marker position in 3D, a reference for motion compensation, was estimated by back-projecting detected markers in multiple projections using calibrated projection matricesmore » and identifying the intersection points in 3D of the back-projected rays. Motion was corrected using three different methods (described in detail previously): (1) 2D projection shifting, (2) 2D deformable projection warping, and (3) 3D rigid body warping. For quantitative image quality analysis, SSIM indices for the three methods were compared using the supine data as a ground truth. Results: A 2D Euclidean distance-based metric of subjects’ motion ranged from 0.85 mm (±0.49 mm) to 3.82 mm (±2.91 mm) (corresponding to 2.76 to 12.41 pixels) resulting in severe motion artifacts in 3D reconstructions. Shifting in 2D, 2D warping, and 3D warping improved the SSIM in the central slice by 20.22%, 16.83%, and 25.77% in the data with the largest motion among the five datasets (SCAN5); improvement in off-center slices was 18.94%, 29.14%, and 36.08%, respectively. Conclusions: The authors showed that C-arm CT control can be implemented for nonstandard horizontal trajectories which enabled us to scan and successfully reconstruct both legs of volunteers in weight-bearing positions. As predicted using theoretical models, the proposed motion correction methods improved image quality by reducing motion artifacts in reconstructions; 3D warping performed better than the 2D methods, especially in off-center slices.« less
Neutral amino acid transport in embryonal carcinoma cells

Neutral amino acid transport was characterized in the pluripotent embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line, OC15. Ten of the thirteen amino acids tested are transported by all three of the major neutral amino acid transport systems--A, L, and ASC--although one system may make a barely measurable contribution in some cases. The characterization of N-methyl-aminoisobutyric acid (meAIB) transport points to this model amino acid as a definitive substrate for System A transport by OC15 cells. Thus, high concentrations of meAIB can be used selectively to block System A transport, and the transport characteristics of meAIB represent system A transport. Kinetic analysis of System A, with a Km = 0.79mM and Vmax = 14.4 nmol/mg protein/5 min, suggests a single-component transport system, which is sensitive to pH changes. While proline transport in most mammalian cells is largely accomplished through System A, it is about equally divided between Systems A and ASC in OC15 cells, and System A does not contribute at all to proline transport by F9 cells, an EC cell line with limited developmental potential. Kinetic analysis of System L transport, represented by Na+-independent leucine transport, reveals a high-affinity, single-component system. This transport system is relatively insensitive to pH changes and has a Km = 0.0031 mM and Vmax = 0.213 nmol/mg protein/min. The putative System L substrate, 2-aminobicyclo-[2,2,1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH), inhibits Systems A and ASC as well as System L in OC15 cells. Therefore, BCH cannot be used as a definitive substrate for System L in OC15 cells. Phenylalanine is primarily transported by Na+-dependent Systems A and ASC (83% Na+-dependent; 73% System ASC) in OC15 cells, while it is transported primarily by the Na+-independent System L in most other cell types, including early cleavage stage mouse embryos and F9 cells. We have also found this unusually strong Na+-dependency of phenylalanine transport in mouse uterine blastocysts (82% Na+-dependent). There is no evidence for System N transport by OC15 cells, since histidine is transported primarily by a Na+-independent, BCH-inhibitable mechanism.
The Pastoral Neolithic of East Africa

In East Africa, as in many other regions, the initial shift from hunting and gathering to food production was a secondary process involving the introduction of species domesticated elsewhere. Specifically, the East African Neolithic, or Pastoral Neolithic, centered on herding livestock, some of which may have been domesticated in the Sahara and all of which were almost certainly imported from areas to the north. The development of the Pastoral Neolithic was lengthy and complex, having begun before 4000 B.P. and lasted until about 1300 B.P. Although detailed information on this segment of African prehistory is not abundant, data so far available reveal a succession of cultural transformations within the Pastoral Neolithic, such that it can be divided into early, evolved, and late stages, each exhibiting distinctive combinations of ceramic wares, lithic industries, and subsistence regimes. The transformations seem to have been fostered by both environmental change and population movements.
Myocardial (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity in Dahl salt-sensitive and resistant rats.

Vascular (Na+K+)-punp activity (ouabain-sensitive 56Rb+uptake) and myocardial (Na+K+)-ATPase activity are reduced in. animals with various forms of low renin, experimental hypertersion. On the other hand, vascular (Na+, K+)-puinp activity is increased in Dahl salt-sensitive relative to resistant rats (a genetic model of hypertension), regardless of salt intake or blood pressure and it is also increased in Dahl salt-sensitive rats on high salt (3% NaCl) relative to low salt (0.4% NaCl) diets. It has been suggested that this increase in vascular (Na+K+)-pump activity may be secondary to an increase in the vascular sarcolemmal permeability to Na+in these salt-sensitive rats. In the present study, (Na+K+)-ATPase activity of left ventricular microsomal fractions, was increased in Dahl salt-sensitive relative to resistant rats on low salt diets; however, this difference disappeared when these salt-sensitive and resistant rats were placed on high salt diets. In contrast, mvocardial (Na+K+)-ATPase activity was de...
Some elements of a theory of multidimensional complex variables: part I. general theory

Abstract A system of multidimensional complex numbers and variables is developed, with emphasis on three dimensions. The algebra of the system is commutative in multiplication, but is not a “division algebra.” The system is therefore fundamentally different from quaternions, whose algebra is not commutative in multiplication, but is a division algebra. The three-dimensional (3-D) system is a direct analog of the ordinary two-dimensional system of complex numbers and variables. With this algebra, functions of a 3-D variable are defined, and significant elements of a theory of analytic functions of one 3-D variable are developed, including conditions of analyticity analogous to the Cauchy–Riemann conditions. It is shown how the parts of a 3-D function provide components of solenoidal and irrotational harmonic vectors in three dimensions. The theoretical foundation developed here is to be further developed and applied in subsequent papers.
Demystifying Intuition: What It Is, What It Does, and How It Does It

Definitions of intuition are discussed and two working definitions are proposed. This is followed by a list of eight unresolved problems concerning intuition. It is suggested that all of these problems can be resolved by cognitive-experiential self-theory (CEST), a dual-process theory of personality according to which people process information with two systems, an experiential/intuitive system that is an associative learning system that humans share with other animals and a uniquely human verbal reasoning system. Intuition is considered to be a subsystem of the experiential/ intuitive system that operates by exactly the same principles and attributes but has narrower boundary conditions. The next section includes a presentation of the most relevant aspects of CEST with an emphasis on the operating rules and attributes of the experiential/intuitive system. This is followed by demonstrating how the operation of the experiential/intuitive system can resolve each of the unresolved problems concerning intuiti...
Predicting bore deformations and launcher stresses in railguns

The structural responses of launchers are important because they affect the projectile performance and the operating limits of the railgun system. Structural analysis makes it possible to make better decisions in launcher design. Example analyses of the Los Alamos HIMASS and Lethality Test System launchers are presented in this paper. Also, a discussion of the benefits and limitations of these analyses is included.
Linear and nonlinear behavior of piezoelectric materials

In this study an analytic and experimental effort is presented to understand and improve the fracture toughness and the associated fatigue behavior of piezoceramic materials. Analytical models are presented on the premise that defects in the form of voids cause material degradation during electric excitation. A unit cell approach employing an exact linear electroelastic analysis is used to study the stress and electric field concentrations as a function of material properties. Our study indicates that for certain ratios of piezoelectric coefficients electric field induced stress concentrations are eliminated in the material. These results suggest that the electric fatigue life of a piezoelectric ceramic can be extended if the piezoelectric properties are appropriately tailored during the manufacturing processes. However, this analytical work is done within the frame work of linear piezoelectricity. To better understand internal stress concentrations arising due to nonlinear phenomena associated with polarization switching, we present experimental results using moire interferometer. This first application of moire interferometer to piezoceramics demonstrates the promise this experimental technique offers to better understand internal stress/strain distributions. In this initial presentation we present two fundamental results, that is the strain concentrations between domains oriented 180 and 90 degrees apart.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The petrology of high‐MG dikes from the Beartooth Mountains, Montana: A search for the parent magma of the Stillwater Complex

Six geochemically distinct groups of Precambrian high-Mg dikes have been examined to determine if any could have been a sample of or closely related to the parent magma of the Stillwater Complex. Only two groups have sufficiently magnesian olivine and orthopyroxene, but neither of these has sufficiently calcic plagioclase. In terms of major elements there appear to be only two distinct magma types: one has a high orthopyroxene component and is petrographically similar to noritic dikes and sills near the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe and the Bushveld Complex of South Africa; the other is similar to primitive tholeiites with higher plagioclase and diopside components than the first. All of the groups are enriched in light-REE and have unusually high K2O concentrations. Model calculations indicate that crustal contamination of fractionating komatiitic magmas is consistent with the major and trace element characteristics of the first magma type. Less extensive contamination of komatiitic magmas may produce the parental magmas of the large layered intrusions.
A Comparison of Five Statistical Methods for Analyzing Pretest-Posttest Designs

Five methods for analyzing data arising from research involving pretests and posttests are considered. These methods include: (1) posttest analysis only; (2) analysis of raw gain scores (posttest minus pretest); (3) analysis of the data with a pretest-posttest factor included in the statistical model; (4) analysis of posttest data with pretests as a covariate, and (5) analysis of gain scores with pretests as a covariate. The characteristics of each are discussed, with a conclusion that the fifth method is superior to the others when the assumptions underlying covariance analysis are met.
The Validation of a Generalized Aerodynamic Model for a Multi-Body Bio-Inspired Wing

Bio-inspiration has introduced new and innovative flow control methods in gust alleviation, maneuverability and stability improvement for morphing aircraft wings. The bio-inspired wing model under consideration imitates the techniques used by birds to manipulate localized air flow through the installation of feather-like panels across the airfoil’s upper and lower surface, replacing the traditional wing’s surface and trailing edge flap. Each flap is designed to rotate into both the airfoil profile and inbound air flow, using a single degree of freedom about their individual hinge points located at 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of the chord. This wing morphing technique offers flap configurations typically unattainable by traditional aircraft and enables some advantageous maneuvers, including reduced turning radii and aero-braking. Due to the number of potential configurations, a generalized adaptive panel method (APM) has been developed to model the pressure distribution using a series of constant-strength doublets along the airfoil surface. To accommodate for the wake regions generated by the unconventional wing profiles, viscous Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed to characterize these regions and identify their outer boundaries. The wake profile geometries are integrated into the APM, and are used to accurately model the aerodynamic influence of the wake. To calculate the drag generated by each configuration, Thwaites’ laminar and Head’s turbulent boundary layer methods are implemented to enable identification of flow transition and separation along the airfoil surface. The integration of these aerodynamic techniques allows the flight characteristics, including the pressure, friction, lift, drag, and moment coefficients, of each morphing airfoil configuration to be calculated. The computed aerodynamic coefficients are validated using experimental data from a 4′×1′×1′ test section in a low speed suction wind tunnel operating over a Reynolds Number range of 150,000–450,000.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Presidential Politics: The Movie

In an age of spectacle politics, presidencies are staged and presented to the public in cinematic terms, using media spectacle to sell the person, policies, and image of the president to vast and diverse publics. This study depicts the relationship between media and politics from the Kennedy administration to Bush II in terms of the narrative and cinematic spectacles that framed these respective presidencies. The author argues that in contemporary era, politics is becoming a mode of spectacle where the codes of media culture determine the form, style, and look of presidential politics while party politics in turn becomes more cinematic and spectacular in the sense of Guy Debord's concept of spectacle.