cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Where did the soldiers go? The effects of military downsizing on college enrollment and employment ☆

This paper examines how the military drawdown in the early 1990s influenced aggregate trends in employment and college enrollment, evaluating whether the loss of military jobs resulted in observable increases or decreases in employment rates and/or college enrollment rates. Contrary to the expectation of worsening employment among black men in particular, the drawdown had little effect on employment. However, changes in military service did have a considerable impact on college enrollment among black men. The loss of military jobs was actually associated with substantial increases in college going; college enrollments among black men may have been as much as 10% points lower had they served in the military at the same levels observed in the early 1980s.
Ridesharing with passenger transfers

Recently, ridesharing mobile applications, which dynamically match passengers to drivers, have begun to gain popularity. These services have the potential to fill empty seats in cars, reduce emissions and enable more efficient transportation. Ridesharing services become even more practical as robotic cars become available to do all the driving. In this work, we propose rideshare services which transfer passengers between multiple drivers. By planning for transfers, we can increase the availability and range of the rideshare service, and also reduce the total vehicular miles travelled by the network. We propose three heuristic algorithms to schedule rideshare routes with transfers. Each gives a tradeoff in terms of effectiveness and computational cost. We demonstrate these tradeoffs, both in simulation and on data from taxi passengers in San Francisco. We demonstrate scenarios where transferring passengers can provide a significant advantage.
Childhood hernias related to the umbilicus

Abstract This contribution discusses umbilical hernias that pass through the umbilical ring (‘true’ umbilical hernias) and a collection of hernias that pass through a defect in part of the anterior abdominal wall often close to the umbilicus. True herniation through the umbilical ring can be classified into the exomphalos spectrum, infantile umbilical hernias, adult umbilical hernias and most cases of gastroschisis. Hernias that occur outside the umbilical ring include paraumbilical hernias, fatty hernias of the linea alba (e.g. epigastric hernias), incisional or porthole hernias and some rare cases of gastroschisis that are separate from the umbilical ring.
Reconstruction of Perioral Defects Following Resection for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose The aim of this study was to review and describe techniques for the reconstruction of large, complex perioral defects after resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma with emphasis on cosmetic and functional outcome. Patients and Methods A review of techniques and selected case presentations using different flap designs for the reconstruction of large perioral defects following resection of squamous cell carcinoma was performed. The Bernard and Karapandzic flaps were used for large lower lip defects. A Zisser flap technique was used to reconstruct a large commissure defect. Results All reconstructed patients had acceptable functional results and healed without complication. The large lower lip defects were easily closed with the Bernard and Karapandzic flaps. The commissure defect was reconstructed using the Zisser technique. While cosmesis was acceptable in all cases, the commissure was the most difficult region to reconstruct with a favorable appearance. There were no flap failures. The Karapandzic flap led to greater rounding of the commissure area and the composite resection resulted in a lack of lower lip support that was improved with prosthesis. Function was noted to be excellent in the Bernard and Karapandzic flaps, with the patients able to purse lips and blow up balloon-type devices. Conclusion The Bernard, Karapandzic, and Zisser flaps provide a predictable method to reconstruct large perioral defects following resection for oral cancer. Subsequent fabrication of a prosthesis can aid in lip support for the resected area.
455: Cost-effectiveness of lamivudine therapy in viremic hepatitis B-infected pregnant women for prevention of vertical transmission of hepatitis B

S 55 COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF LAMIVUDINE THERAPY IN VIREMIC HEPATITIS B-INFEC PREGNANT WOMEN FOR PREVENTION OF VERTICAL TRANSMISSION OF HEPAT B NATALI AZIZ, PHUONG NGUYEN, ALISON CAHILL, DEBORAH COHAN, SARAH LITTLE, AARON CAUGHEY, Stanford University School of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford, California, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Santa Clara, California, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, University of California, San Francisco, California, Harvard Medical School, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston, Massachusetts, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California OBJECTIVE: Lamivudine treatment in the third trimester is effective in further decreasing perinatal transmission in viremic hepatitis B-infected pregnant women. This study investigates the cost-efficacy of lamivudine therapy in this setting. STUDY DESIGN: A decision analytic model was designed to compare lamivudine treated versus untreated hepatitis B-infected pregnant women who demonstrated significant viremia in the third trimester. Baseline assumptions included 80% of women in treatment arm with significant viral load decrease, 15% perinatal transmission in viremic women despite infant immunoprophylaxis, 50% overall reduction of perinatal transmission in women treated with lamivudine who achieved viral load decreases at time of delivery, 85% development of chronic hepatitis B in perinatally infected infants, and $24,000 lifetime cost for chronic hepatitis B condition. Univariate sensitivity analysis was performed to test for robustness. RESULTS: Lamivudine therapy for viremic pregnant women is cost effective, resulting in dominant (lower cost, better outcomes) strategy. The cost of lamivudine, including long-term healthcare cost of chronically infected neonates, is $2,309 per person, while the cost of no therapy with lamivudine is $2,822 per person. Treatment with lamivudine resulted in an increase of 0.14 discounted life years per person. Use of lamivudine is cost-effective over a wide range of assumptions. (Figure 1) Eighteen women with high hepatitis B viral load need to be treated with lamivudine, in addition to infant immunoprophylaxis, to prevent one hepatitis B affected infant.
Total Intercarrier Interference Cancellation for OFDM Mobile Communication Systems

For orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication systems, the orthogonality among subcarriers is lost in mobile radio channels due to the frequency offsets caused by mobility. As a direct result, intercarrier interference (ICI) is observed on each and every subcarrier, leading to significant performance degradation. Many ICI cancellation methods such as windowing and frequency domain coding have been proposed in the literature to cancel ICI and improve the BER performance of OFDM in mobile channel. However, the performance improvement achieved by all the existing ICI cancellation methods is far from enough: the BER performance after ICI cancellation is still much worse than the BER performance of original OFDM without ICI. Moreover, popular ICI cancellation methods like ICI self-cancellation reduce ICI at the price of lowering the transmission rate and reducing the bandwidth efficiency. Other frequency-domain coding methods do not reduce the data rate, but produce less reduction in ICI as well. In this paper, we propose a novel ICI cancellation scheme which can eliminate the ICI entirely and offer a OFDM mobile system with the same BER performance of a OFDM system without ICI. More importantly, the proposed ICI cancellation scheme, namely Total ICI Cancellation, does not lower the transmission rate or reduce the bandwidth efficiency. Specifically, the Total ICI Cancellation scheme takes advantage of the orthogonality of the ICI matrix and offers perfect ICI cancellation and significant BER improvement at linearly growing cost. Simulation results in AWGN channel and multi-path fading channel confirm the superb performance of the proposed Total ICI Cancellation scheme in the presence of frequency offset or time variations in the channel, outperforming all the existing ICI cancellation methods.
On the reported discovery of the hydronium radical in ESR studies of UV-irradiated perchloric acid glasses containing ceric ion

Abstract Contrary to a recent report, no evidence has been obtained for the ESR spectra of H3O· and D3O· radicals in UV-irradiated glasses. It is suggested that the previously observed spectrum which was assigned to H3O· is that of the radical, presumably formed by photo-oxidation of impurities.
Clinical evaluation of PACS: modeling diagnostic value

A model is presented for evaluating the diagnostic value of an imaging system in clinical use. It is site-specific and includes thedistribution of diagnostic findings, diagnostic accuracy, the importance of the test outcomes to the physician, and the timeliness of information delivery.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Use of Spin Decoupling to Obtain Quantitative Data in Olefin Analysis by NMR

Abstract The problem of the determination of olefins by NMR in the presence of other olefins is made difficult by the overlap of their NMR spectra. This prohibits the simple measurement of the area of the various proton peaks.
Levetiracetam has no acute effects on brain γ-aminobutyric acid levels

Abstract Objective The mechanism of action of levetiracetam (LEV), an antiepileptic drug, is related to a novel binding site, SV2, but LEV acts on GABA-A receptors. The objective of the study described here was to determine if LEV modulates brain GABA in vivo. Methods Concentrations of cerebral GABA and serum LEV were obtained in seven healthy individuals using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy at baseline and 3 and 6 hours following oral administration of 1 g of LEV. Results Brain cerebral GABA acutely concentrations did not change from baseline. Conclusion The results indicate that LEV does not increase human cerebral GABA concentrations acutely in healthy individuals.
THE FOREBRAIN OF THE CROSSOPTERYGIAN LATIMERIA CHALUMNAE SMITH.

In this paper the telencephalon of Latimeria chalumnae, the only surviving crossopterygian, is described and compared to that of other lower vertebrates. It is concluded that Latimeria cannot be related to a particular group of vertebrates, but stands intermediate between the dipnoans and the actinopterygians in its forebrain structure. With respect to the shape of the subpallium, the structure of the telencephalon medium, and the arrangement of its fiber systems, the latimerian forebrain closely approaches the dipnoan condition. The pallium and membranous structures of the telencephalon of Latimeria, on the contrary, are reminiscent in gross form and histological structure of their actinopterygian homologues. However, not all the structural features of the latimerian forebrain can be related to either the actinopterygian or the dipnoan plan. The subpallium, for instance, is more primitive than that of either group mentioned; in fact, it is more simply organized than that of any other living gnathostome. The forebrain of Latimeria appears to display no special structural affinities to the amphibian forebrain. This is not too surprising, since the Coelacanths, among which Latimeria is classified, represent only a side branch of the Crossopterygii, and are not in the main line of evolution to higher forms. It is known that members of the same class of lower vertebrates may vary considerably in their forebrain structure. Hence, the Rhipidistia, totally extinct Crossopterygii which are believed to have given rise to the terrestrial vertebrates, may have possessed a forebrain quite different from that of Latimeria.
Integrated healthcare facilities maintenance management model: case studies

Purpose – Increasing demand for healthcare services world‐wide creates continuous requirements to reduce expenditures on “non‐core” activities, such as maintenance and operations. At the same time, owners, users, and clients of healthcare expect a high level of built‐facilities performance and minimized risks. The objective of this research is to develop an integrated facilities management (FM) model for healthcare facilities.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a case study analysis of an Israeli acute care hospital, in which the integrated healthcare facilities management model (IHFMM) was implemented, and the findings were examined and evaluated three years later. The case studies investigated the effectiveness of the developed model in terms of maintenance and performance management. The robustness of the model was also examined by applying sensitivity analyses to its parameters.Findings – Both of the case studies show significant results in predicting FM‐related aspects, such as the level...
Successful endoscopic treatment of fecalith blocking sinus in a patient with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

Background: Ulcerative colitis patients who underwent restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis can develop various mechanical complications. Among them is presacral sinus resulting from chronic anastomotic leak. Methods: We present a symptomatic patient with a large fecalith blocking the sinus which was successfully treated with Doppler ultrasound guided endoscopic needle knife sinusotomy along with fecalith extraction. Results: A 67-year-old female presented with a 4-month history of perianal pain and urgency. Pouchocopy showed a 3-cm deep wide-mouthed anastomotic sinus, the orifice of which was blocked by a large hard fecalith. Removal of the fecalith using RothNet, Tripod, or Basket were made but failed. Then needle knife was applied to cut the orifice to enlarge the opening of the sinus. One month later, the patient returned and the fecalith was successfully removed with two Baskets and two Rothnets. Six months after fecalith extraction, pouchoscopy showed a compartalized distal pouch sinus with two cavities, which was treated by two sessions of Doppler ultrasound guided endoscopic needle knife sinusotomy. Six months following the treatment, the sinus was completed healed. The patient tolerated all procedures well without any complication. Conclusion: Fecalith blocking pouch anastomotic sinus is a rare complication in patients with restorative proctocolectomy. In our case, this surgical complication was successfully treated with a carefully planned, stepwise endoscopy approach.
Is chromium pharmacologically relevant

Recent research, combined with reanalysis of previous results, has revealed that chromium can no longer be considered an essential trace element. Clinical studies are ambiguous at best as to whether Cr has a pharmacological effect in humans. Observed effects of Cr on rodent models of insulin resistance and diabetes are best interpreted in terms of a pharmacological role for Cr. Studies on the effects of Cr on rat models of diabetes are reviewed herein and suggest Cr increases insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues of the rodent models. The lack of effects in human studies may stem from humans receiving a comparably smaller dose than the rodent models. However, given the different responses to Cr in the rodent models, humans could potentially have different responses to Cr.
Participating in a Doctor of Ministry program: Its affect on the pastor's effectiveness and the parish's ministry

The author cites the growing phenomenon of Doctor of Ministry Degree programs in seminaries across the country, but points to the real need for research on D.Min. programs, particularly in the areas of the impact of such programs on the effectiveness of a pastor who participates, and ultimately on the life and ministry of the parish they serve. The article then details the research being done on the unique two-track D.Min. program at the Hartford Seminary Foundation and some of the early results.
A study of the behavior of propionyl erythromycin in blood by a new chromatographic method.

By means of a two-step chromatographic technique propionyl erythromycin. and erythromycin can be separated from the normal blood components and then from each other. The relative amounts of each form of the antibiotic can be determined on bioautograph plates by comparison of the zone sizes with those of a set of reference standards. Using this method, we have found that when propionyl erythromycin is added to blood there is an initial rapid hydrolysis to erythromycin. The hydrolytic rate decreases markedly with time, however, and overall is much slower than in buffer solution at the same pH. The rate of hydrolysis in blood differs with different animal species.
Use of a murine model for comparison of intravenous and intraperitoneal cisplatin in the treatment of microscopic ovarian cancer

The most effective method for the delivery of cisplatin chemotherapy in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer limited to the presence of microscopic intraperitoneal disease is a controversial issue. The use of intravenous (iv) versus intraperitoneal (ip) cisplatin was evaluated in a murine tumor model of human epithelial ovarian cancer. Using single dose cisplatin therapy for microscopic disease limited to positive cytology of abdominal disease and microscopic peritoneal involvement, ip therapy had significantly greater (P less than 0.001) survival time than iv therapy (28 +/- 1.6 days vs. 23 +/- 1.6 days, respectively). Once ascites and macroscopically evident intraperitoneal tumor became apparent, no difference could be found in survival time based on iv versus ip therapy (16 +/- 3 days for both groups); though both forms of therapy significantly (P less than 0.05) prolonged survival in mice with macroscopic disease when compared to control animals (13 +/- 1.2 days). The evidence presented implies that ip cisplatin therapy is significantly more effective than iv therapy when dealing with microscopic intraperitoneal disease.
Production and comprehension of narrative discourse in normal and language disordered children

Children's use of cohesion in spoken narratives was compared across three groups: normal, language disordered with good story comprehension, and language disordered with poor story comprehension (CA: 7:6-10:6). Comprehension was defined by the children's responses to questions structured to assess both factual information and knowledge of episodic relationships. Results indicated that the good comprehending language disordered children and the normal children used similar linguistic cohesive structures, but both groups differed from the poor comprehending language disordered children. Both groups of language disordered children used less adequate cohesion than the normal children. Discussion and conclusions are presented on the various levels of language ability that contribute to narrative discourse.
Modern Statistical Modeling Approaches for Analyzing Repeated-Measures Data

Background Researchers often describe the collection of repeated measurements on each individual in a study design. Advanced statistical methods, namely, mixed and marginal models, are the preferred analytic choices for analyzing this type of data. Objective The aim was to provide a conceptual understanding of these modeling techniques. Approach An understanding of mixed models and marginal models is provided via a thorough exploration of the methods that have been used historically in the biomedical literature to summarize and make inferences about this type of data. The limitations are discussed, as is work done on expanding the classic linear regression model to account for repeated measurements taken on an individual, leading to the broader mixed-model framework. Results A description is provided of a variety of common types of study designs and data structures that can be analyzed using a mixed model and a marginal model. Discussion This work provides an overview of advanced statistical modeling techniques used for analyzing the many types of correlated .data collected in a research study.
Student project aimed at helping the visually impaired take notes in class wins prize at Microsoft Imagine Cup

Students with low vision typically use an assistive technology (such as a monocular) to see the front of the classroom. Switching between sitting erect to view the front of the room through the monocular, hunching down to take handwritten notes, and then sitting up again greatly slows down note-taking. In a fast paced class (with a lot of board work) this delay can cause the student to fall behind in note-taking, compared to his or her fully-sighted peers. The Note-Taker is designed to allow students with low vision to hover over a Tablet PC laptop to simultaneously view a zoomed-in video of the front of the classroom and take handwritten notes on the Tablet PC surface with a stylus.
Obtaining Derivatives from Experimental Data Using Smoothed-spline Functions The smoothed cubic spline is presented for use in obtaining high-quality derivatives from experimental data and example applications are shown for scattered-light photoelasticity and the bending of beams

The smoothed spline is presented as a method for obtaining high-quality derivatives in experimental-mechanics problems. The smoothed spline is discussed and methods for controlling the amount of smoothing and for avoiding derivative approximation deficiencies at the spline boundaries are presented. Applications are examined for scattered-light photoelasticity and the bending of beams.
Triple-Bond Reactivity of Diphosphorus Molecules

We report a mild method for generating the diphosphorus molecule or its synthetic equivalent in homogeneous solution; the P 2 allotrope of the element phosphorus is normally obtained only under extreme conditions (for example, from P 4 at 1100 kelvin). Diphosphorus is extruded from a niobium complex designed for this purpose and can be trapped efficiently by two equivalents of an organic diene to produce an organodiphosphorus compound. Diphosphorus stabilized by coordination to tungsten pentacarbonyl can be generated similarly at 25°C, and in this stabilized form it still efficiently consumes two organic diene molecules for every diphosphorus unit.
Electron microscopy of fibrin-like precipitate formed during the paracoagulation reaction between soluble fibrin monomer complexes and protamine sulphate.

Summary. The fine structure of the insoluble material formed during the paracoagulation reaction between soluble fibrin monomer complexes (SFMC) and protamine sulphate was studied by electron microscopy. This precipitate was found to be a fibrillar material with prominent cross striations. The cross striations produced well-defined axial periodicity which averaged 181 A. The ultrastructural pattern of the protamine-induced SFMC precipitate suggested that it was a highly ordered polymer similar to fibrin. These findings indicate that material resembling fibrin may be produced not only by the interaction between fibrinogen and thrombin, but also by the non-enzymatic mechanisms responsible for the paracoagulation reaction.
The braincase of Typhlops and Leptotyphlops (Reptilia: Serpentes)

The structure of the braincases and associated nerves and blood-vessels is described. Typhlops combines primitive lacertilian features, notably the retention of a palatine artery, with specialisations such as the structure of the recessus scalae tympani. Leptotyphlops is more completely snake-like, but the two genera show in common a specialised intracranial course of the hyomandibular branch of the facial nerve, due to lateral closure of the juxtastapedial recess by the overgrowing crista circumfenestralis. The lateral closure of the juxtastapedial recess is considered as an adaptation to burrowing habits. The Vidian canal in scolecophidians is poorly defined, due to the lack of lateral ascending wings of the parasphenoid. This might constitute an archaic character contradicting the descent of snakes from any Recent lacertilian group.
The response of BHK21 cells to infection with type 12 adenovirus: I. Cell killing and T antigen synthesis as correlated viral genome functions☆

Abstract BHK21 cell killing by type 12 adenovirus (Ad12) has been shown (1) to be a viral genome function, (2) to require only one successfully infecting virus particle, and (3) to be induced with an efficiency somewhat greater than the initiation of viral early protein synthesis, measured as Ad12 tumor-specific antigen (T Ag). When the multiplicity of infection is increased beyond that required to initiate T Ag synthesis in 98% of the cells, a persistent surviving fraction of cells is found, the magnitude of which is dependent on the extent and rate of cell multiplication during the first 24 hours after infection. Analysis of T Ag synthesis in clones produced by infected cells indicates that while infected cells can divide initially, the capacity to synthesize T Ag is not replicated, since the multiplying cells are all T Ag (−) even though they may be the offspring or sisters of T Ag (+) cells. While single T Ag (+) cells may persist for several days after infection, most of these detach from the coverslip within 24–48 hours after infection and can no longer give rise to clones. The increased survival of cells infected at high multiplicity while in logarithmic growth cannot be accounted for only by dilution of the infecting genomes and is not due to a genetically resistant cell type in the population.
Diagnostic accuracy and limitations of fine-needle aspiration cytology of bone and soft tissue lesions: a review of 1114 cases with cytological-histological correlation.

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is increasingly being used as a diagnostic modality for soft tissue and bone lesions. These diagnoses can be challenging because of a variety of factors, including interpretation and sampling issues. This study investigates the diagnostic utility of FNA biopsy, in addition to the diagnostic pitfalls, in soft tissue and bone cytopathology. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the soft tissue and bone FNAs over a 4-year period (2004-2008), along with available ancillary studies, pathological follow-up, and clinical data. The cases with a cytologic-histologic discrepancy were then reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 1114 soft tissue and bone FNAs were identified. Of the 1114 aspirates, 525 (47%) were positive for malignant cells, 505 (45.5%) were benign aspirates (including 189 benign lesions/neoplasms), 37 (3.5%) were inadequate, 34 (3%) had atypical cells, and 13 (1%) were suspicious for malignancy. Of the 586 cases (53%) with follow-up, including 445 cases with histological follow-up and 141 with ancillary studies, the overall sensitivity was 96%, the specificity was 98%, the positive predictive value was 99%, and the negative predictive value was 92%. A total of 15 false negatives and 3 false positives were identified with errors because of sampling (9 cases), interpretation (7 cases), and screening (2 cases). CONCLUSIONS: This large series demonstrates that there can be a high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing bone and soft tissue lesions by FNA. Our data supports prior studies in the literature in showing that FNA cytology can be a valuable method for diagnosing these lesions. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Establishment of two cell lines from the mosquito Toxorhynchites amboinensis (Diptera: Culicidae) and their susceptibility to infection with arboviruses.

Two cell lines (TA-42 and TA-9) established from Toxorhynchites amboinensis eggs and larvae, respectively, are described. The TA-42 cells are epithelioid in character, while the TA-9 cells are fibroblastic in appearance. Both were initiated and grown in MM/VPI2 medium. Both cell types form a monolayer on glass or plastic. Their origin and identity were confirmed by isozyme analyses. Their susceptibility to infection with 23 different arboviruses was tested. Eleven of the viruses replicated in the TA-42 cells, while 13 grew in the TA-9 cells. Highest postinfection virus titers in both cell lines were obtained with 2 orbiviruses, Changuinola and Corriparta. No cytopathic effect was produced in either cell line by any of the viruses.
Reprocessing disposable single-use devices: From skepticism to success

ISSUE: The economic pressure to cut healthcare costs is driving facilities to consider reprocessing open but unused medical devices as well as used devices that are expensive. The reuse of disposable medical devices that are labeled “for single-use only” (i.e., single-use devices, or SUDs) raises legal, financial, ethical, and patient safety issues. PROJECT: A SUD reprocessing committee was formed at a university medical center with representation from the following departments: infection control, risk management, accreditation and patient safety, financial management, administration, sterile processing, materials management, procurement services, peri-operative services, radiology, and cardiology. The mission of the SUD reprocessing committee is to establish policies and procedures for the reprocessing of SUDs that will ensure patient safety and quality healthcare. RESULTS: The SUD reprocessing committee established the following policies: 1) Onsite reprocessing is strictly prohibited. 2) Reprocessing may be performed only by FDA-registered third-party reprocessing companies approved by the health system. 3) Each department will determine which SUDs are candidates for reprocessing. 4) Third-party reprocessing must be approved by the SUD reprocessing committee and the hospital infection control committee (HICC). 5) Departmental approval must be obtained for each SUD from the medical director or designated clinical leader based on their expertise in the use of the product. 6) The request to reprocess a SUD must be submitted to the SUD reprocessing committee for approval. 7) The SUD reprocessing committee will submit approved requests to the HICC for final approval. We began reprocessing Category I devices (BP cuffs, SCDs, pulse oximeter sensors, disposable stethoscopes) on June 1, 2003. We began reprocessing Category II devices (bits, burrs, blades, external fixation devices) on April 1, 2004. Beginning in July 2004, fiscal year-to-date savings for both Category I and II devices were $272,565. No patient safety issues related to reprocessing have been identified. LESSONS LEARNED: Successful implementation of reprocessing of SUDs is dependent upon careful analysis of potential risks and benefits. Our SUD reprocessing committee established policies to ensure detailed evaluation prior to approval of reprocessing selected items. SUD reprocessing resulted in substantial cost savings to our health system without compromising the care of patients.
Worst case behavior of the steepest edge simplex method

Abstract At each nondegenerate iteration of the steepest-edge simplex method one moves from a vertex of the polyhedron, P , of feasible points to an adjacent vertex along an edge that is steepest with respect to the linear objective function ψ. In this paper we show how to construct a sequence of linear programs ( P n ,ψ n ) in n variables for which the number of iterations required by the steepest edge simplex method is 2 n −1.
Modeling Pancreatic Tumor Motion Using 4-Dimensional Computed Tomography and Surrogate Markers

Purpose To assess intrafractional positional variations of pancreatic tumors using 4-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT), their impact on gross tumor volume (GTV) coverage, the reliability of biliary stent, fiducial seeds, and the real-time position management (RPM) external marker as tumor surrogates for setup of respiratory gated treatment, and to build a correlative model of tumor motion. Methods and Materials We analyzed the respiration-correlated 4D-CT images acquired during simulation of 36 patients with either a biliary stent (n=16) or implanted fiducials (n=20) who were treated with RPM respiratory gated intensity modulated radiation therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Respiratory displacement relative to end-exhalation was measured for the GTV, the biliary stent, or fiducial seeds, and the RPM marker. The results were compared between the full respiratory cycle and the gating interval. Linear mixed model was used to assess the correlation of GTV motion with the potential surrogate markers. Results The average ± SD GTV excursions were 0.3 ± 0.2 cm in the left-right direction, 0.6 ± 0.3 cm in the anterior-posterior direction, and 1.3 ± 0.7 cm in the superior-inferior direction. Gating around end-exhalation reduced GTV motion by 46% to 60%. D95% was at least the prescribed 56 Gy in 76% of patients. GTV displacement was associated with the RPM marker, the biliary stent, and the fiducial seeds. The correlation was better with fiducial seeds and with biliary stent. Conclusions Respiratory gating reduced the margin necessary for radiation therapy for pancreatic tumors. GTV motion was well correlated with biliary stent or fiducial seed displacements, validating their use as surrogates for daily assessment of GTV position during treatment. A patient-specific internal target volume based on 4D-CT is recommended both for gated and not-gated treatment; otherwise, our model can be used to predict the degree of GTV motion.
ORIENTATION OF THE PLANE OF CELL DIVISION IN FERN GAMETOPHYTES: THE ROLES OF CELL SHAPE AND STRESS

Apical cells of Onoclea sensibilis L. protonemata were measured to determine areas of new walls which were formed during both transverse and longitudinal cell division. Actual wall areas were compared with calculated areas of hypothetical walls oriented in the opposite sense (i.e., an actual transverse wall compared with a hypothetical longitudinal wall, and the reverse). Among 87 out of 90 cells which were analyzed the actual walls had the least area. Thus, the minimal area hypothesis of cell partitioning accurately predicts wall orientation in this instance, although it appears, on other grounds, that the hypothesis does not furnish a plausible mechanism for wall orientation. The application of Lintilhac's concept of the orientation of cell walls in response to anisotropic stresses in the cell was explored. Photographs of apical cells during deplasmolysis indicated that unequal stresses might be generated in apical cells as a result of the osmotic distension of the elastic protoplast. It is concluded that the primary factor which determines the plane of cell division in the apical cell, and the transition from one- to twodimensional growth, is the local pattern of stress which exists at the position of the nucleus at the time of onset of cell division and wall formation. Calculations of some geometrical properties of idealized model cells are interpreted to mean that the accuracy of the minimal area hypothesis results from a coincidence of its predictions with predictions of Lintilhac's hypothesis, and no causal significance is attributed to wall areas.
Quantitative study of retention processes in reversed-phase liquid chromatography by means of reaction kinetics

Abstract Degrees of deviation from idealized partition and adsorption retention mechanisms are quantified for reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RPLC) columns. Rate constants for an in situ chemical reaction were measured in octylsilyl and octadecylsilyl bonded stationary phases with a methanol mobile phase. The retention behavior of several types of relevant solute molecules was investigated as a function of chain length and column temperature. With a bonding density of 2.7-3.0 μmol/m 2 on the same support (Beckman Ultrasphere at 200 m 2 /g), the chain length (C 8 vs . C 18 ) does not appear to impact the retention process, suggesting similar stationary phase characteristics and compositions. However, increased temperature tends to shift retention behavior toward adsorption. The degree of hydrocarbon ligand participation in retention and the phase ratio were also determined to provide a more complete description of the stationary phase composition in RPLC.
Integration Of An MR Image Network Into A Clinical PACS

A direct link between a clinical pediatric PACS module and a FONAR MRI image network was implemented. The original MR network combines together the MR scanner, a remote viewing station and a central archiving station. The pediatric PACS directly connects to the archiving unit through an Ethernet TCP-IP network adhering to FONAR's protocol. The PACS communication software developed supports the transfer of patient studies and the patient information directly from the MR archive database to the pediatric PACS. In the first phase of our project we developed a package to transfer data between a VAX-111750 and the IBM PC I AT-based MR archive database through the Ethernet network. This system served as a model for PACS-to-modality network communication. Once testing was complete on this research network, the software and network hardware was moved to the clinical pediatric VAX for full PACS integration. In parallel to the direct transmission of digital images to the Pediatric PACS, a broadband communication system in video format was developed for real-time broadcasting of images originating from the MR console to 8 remote viewing stations distributed in the radiology department. These analog viewing stations allow the radiologists to directly monitor patient positioning and to select the scan levels during a patient examination from remote locations in the radiology department. This paper reports (1) the technical details of this implementation, (2) the merits of this network development scheme, and (3) the performance statistics of the network-to-PACS interface.
Rate measurements and detection of gas microseepage to the atmosphere from an enhanced oil recovery/sequestration project, Rangely, Colorado, USA

One of the proposals for large-scale sequestration of fossil fuel-derived CO2 is deep geologic disposal in depleted oil/gas reservoirs or deep aquifers. Previously published scenarios for this inadequately proven technology have either ignored or dismissed the possibility of vertical migration of gases caused by overpressure. Overpressuring of a reservoir or aquifer will be necessary in order to have acceptable rates for dispersal of injected CO2. This research describes methodology and the results of measurement of microseepage of CO2 and CH4 at a large-scale CO2-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operation at Rangely, Colorado, USA. Shallow and deep soil gas concentrations, and direct transport of CO2 and CH4 into the atmosphere were measured. The interpretation of the measurements was complemented by both stable and radiogenic isotopic measurements of C. The results have demonstrated an estimated microseepage to the atmosphere of approximately 400 metric tonnes of CH4/a from the 78 km2 area of the Rangely field. Preliminary estimates of deep-sourced CO2 losses are <3800 tonnes/a, based on stable isotope measurements of soil gases. Several holes up to 10 m deep were drilled on, and off the field for nested gas sampling of composition and stable C isotopic ratios for CO2 and CH4. Carbon-14 measurements on CO2 from these holes indicate that deep-sourced CO2 microseepage losses were approximately 170 tonnes/a.
Validity of a Primary Screening Device as a Predictor of Subsequent Academic Achievement

Correlations among scores on motor, visual, auditory, and language subscales of a primary device, Yellow Brick Road, with subsequent academic achievement on Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills were moderate (.35 to .81). Comparisons of the third grade boys (n, 113) and girls (n, 111) on the screening device yielded little difference. Implications for screening and educational strategies were discussed.
Effects of parathyroid extract on sulfate metabolism of cartilage and bone matrix of rachitic rats.

SummaryIncorporation of S35O42 into the mucopolysaccharide of rachitic cartilage, and its subsequent release, were enhanced by administration of parathyroid extract when given before, with, or after the labelled sulfate. The mechanism of operation of parathyroid hormone in this regard is unclear, but these observations reinforce the possibility that the action of the hormone on bone is mediated by its influence, direct or indirect, on the metabolism of bone mucopolysaccharide.
Modeling novelty habituation during exploratory activity in Drosophila

Habituation is a common form of non-associative learning in which the organism gradually decreases its response to repeated stimuli. The decrease in exploratory activity of many animal species during exposure to a novel open field arena is a widely studied habituation paradigm. However, a theoretical framework to quantify how the novelty of the arena is learned during habituation is currently missing. Drosophila melanogaster display a high mean absolute activity and a high probability for directional persistence when first introduced to a novel arena. Both measures decrease during habituation to the arena. Here, we propose a phenomenological model of habituation for Drosophila exploration based on two principles: Drosophila form a spatial representation of the arena edge as a set of connected local patches, and repeated exposure to these patches is essential for the habituation of the novelty. The level of exposure depends on the number of visitations and is quantified by a variable referred to as "coverage". This model was tested by comparing predictions against the experimentally measured behavior of wild type Drosophila. The novelty habituation of wild type Canton-S depends on coverage and is specifically independent of the arena radius. Our model describes the time dependent locomotor activity, ΔD, of Canton-S using an experimentally established stochastic process Pn(ΔD), which depends on the coverage. The quantitative measures of exploration and habituation were further applied to three mutant genotypes. Consistent with a requirement for vision in novelty habituation, blind no receptor potential A(7) mutants display a failure in the decay of probability for directional persistence and mean absolute activity. The rutabaga(2080) habituation mutant also shows defects in these measures. The kurtz(1) non-visual arrestin mutant demonstrates a rapid decay in these measures, implying reduced motivation. The model and the habituation measures offer a powerful framework for understanding mechanisms associated with open field habituation.
Intermittent hydrostatic pressure inhibits matrix metalloproteinase and pro-inflammatory mediator release from human osteoarthritic chondrocytes in vitro

Abstract Objective This study tested the hypothesis that intermittent hydrostatic pressure applied to human osteoarthritic chondrocytes modulates matrix metalloproteinase and pro-inflammatory mediator release in vitro . Design Human osteoarthritic articular chondrocytes were isolated and cultured as primary high-density monolayers. For testing, chondrocyte cultures were transferred to serum-free medium and maintained without loading or with exposure to intermittent hydrostatic pressure (IHP) at 10MPa at a frequency of 1Hz for periods of 6, 12 and 24h. Levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -9 (MMP-2, -9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and the pro-inflammatory mediators, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), released into the culture medium were assessed by ELISA. Matrix metalloproteinase activity was confirmed by zymographic analysis. Results In the absence of IHP, levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1, IL-6, and MCP-1 in the chondrocyte culture medium increased in a time-dependent manner. Application of IHP decreased MMP-2 levels at all time periods tested, relative to unloaded control cultures maintained for the same time periods. Although 84/82kDa bands were faintly detectable by zymography, MMP-9 levels were not quantifiable in medium from loaded or unloaded cultures by ELISA. TIMP-1 levels were not altered in response to IHP at any time period tested. IL-6 and MCP-1 levels decreased in cultures exposed to IHP at 12 and 24h, relative to unloaded control cultures maintained for the same time periods. Conclusion IHP decreased release of MMP-2, IL-6 and MCP-1 by osteoarthritic chondrocytes in vitro suggesting that pressure influences cartilage stability by modulating chondrocyte expression of these degradative and pro-inflammatory proteins in vivo .
The indian and the researcher: Tales from the field

Conducting research in "native" communities is difficult. This article examines the tensions faced by an Indigenous researcher attempting to balance his identity as an Indian with his identity as an academic. Relying on field journals and personal experiences of change, the researcher explores how his attitudes toward the research participants and theories of authenticity changed over a period of time. Ultimately, there must be a way for Indigenous people to conduct rigorous research and maintain their Indigenous sense of self.
Distinct element modelling of the material removal process in conventional and Laser Assisted Machining of silicon nitride ceramics

This paper applies distinct element method (DEM) to simulate the material removal in conventional and Laser Assisted Machining (LAM) of silicon nitride ceramics. Simulation results demonstrate that DEM can reproduce the initiation and propagation of cracks, chip formation process and material removal mechanisms. Material removal is mainly realised by propagation of lateral cracks in both conventional and LAM. Crushing-type material removal is an important mechanism in conventional machining but not in LAM. The lateral cracks in LAM are easier to propagate to form larger chips. LAM creates less and smaller median cracks, therefore has less surface/subsurface damage than conventional machining. [Received 14 February 2008; Revised 30 June 2008; Accepted 4 August 2008]
Occupational Structure and Men's and Women's Parental Values

In examining the values that husbands and wives hold for children in dual-worker families, this article explores the influence of both spouses' positions in the social structure. Persons with higher levels of occupational status, education, and occupational self-direction are more likely to value self-direction for children. However, although women are lower in occupational status, education, income, and occupational self-direction, they are more likely to value self-direction for children. These findings support looking beyond the “standard” social structural explanations when examining the influence of work on women and families. In addition, individuals' parental values are best predicted by their own occupational self-direction and education backgrounds rather than that of their spouses.