cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of substernal goiter

Objective: To analyze the presentation, evaluation and treatment of patients with large substernal goiters, with emphasis on the radiographic evaluation and the results of treatment. Study Design: A retrospective chart review of 150 patients undergoing thyroidectomy at the Vanderbilt University Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Methods: Charts of patients undergoing thyroidectomy were reviewed. Those with substernal goiter, defined as a major portion of the goiter within the mediastinum, were included in the study. When available, the radiographic studies were reviewed by a staff neuroradiologist. Results: Twenty-three patients (15.3%) presented with substernal extension of the goiter. Characteristics of these patients included mean age of 59 years, 78% female, symptoms of compression such as dyspnea, choking, and dysphagia (65%), hoarseness (43%), and previous thyroid surgery (30%). Seventeen percent were asymptomatic. Preoperative radiographs demonstrated tracheal compression (73%), tracheal deviation (77%), esophageal compression (27%), and major vessel displacement (50%). Histology revealed multinodular goiter (16/23, 70%), thyroiditis (3/23, 13%), and malignancy (4/23, 17%). The average size of the resected specimen in greatest dimension was 8.0 cm (range, 3.0-14.0 cm) and weighed 148 g (range, 39-426 g). All were successfully approached through a transcervical incision without the need for sternotomy, and total thyroidectomy was performed in 83% of the cases. No major complications have been documented, and no evidence of tracheomalacia was encountered. Conclusion: Despite the large size of these goiters and the significant involvement of the major mediastinal structures, all were approached through the transcervical incision. Further, despite significant tracheal involvement, there were no cases of tracheomalacia or major complications. For intraoperative planning, the authors advocate the routine use of preoperative computed tomography scanning.
Quantitation of angiogenesis and antiangiogenesis in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane

A novel method for quantitating angiogenesis and its inhibition has been developed for the chick embryo. The method is based on the vertical growth of new capillary blood vessels into a collagen gel through two parallel nylon meshes which align the capillaries for counting. Angiogenesis is induced by basic fibroblast growth factor contained within the gel and slowly released by aluminum sucrose octasulfate (sucralfate) or by tumor cells implanted on the gel. The potency of four different angiogenesis inhibitors was compared at concentrations of 0.6 to 600 nmole. This technique may facilitate the discovery and development of angiogenesis inhibitors for clinical application.
Control procedures for data communication—an ASA progress report

Sectional Committee X.3 of the American Standards Association, has charged one of its task groups, X3.3.4, with the responsibility to “Define and specify functional control requirements and characteristics governing the operation of digital data generating and receiving systems interconnected by communication system.” This effort is primarily directed toward systems employing the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII).This paper represents a progress report on the work of this group toward a proposal for national and international standardization in the field of control procedures. It describes both the old and new work of the task group. The new work is presented in detail, while the work that has been presented in earlier papers [“Control Procedures for Data Communication,” Task Group document X3.3.4/44, May 1964: “Transparent-Mode Control Procedures for Data Communication,” Task Group document X3.3.4/58, December, 1964: Comm. ACM 8 (Apr. 1965), 203-206; “Control Procedures for Data Communication,” Task Group document X3.3.4/60, March, 1965] is retained here in summary form. Many of the concepts and principles described herein have been submitted to the International Organization for Standardization via earlier papers and are now embodied in working papers of that organization.
Wireless sensor networks: guidelines for design and a survey of current research

Wireless sensor network (WSN) design is complicated by the interaction of three elements: localization, medium access control, and routing. The design of wireless sensor networks necessarily focuses on the network's intended purpose as well as an understanding of the synergies and tradeoffs between each of these three elements. We propose five guidelines for the development of a wireless sensor network, and the performance and suitability of several protocols and algorithms are examined with respect to those guidelines. We also suggest several performance metrics to provide fair comparisons between various localization, medium access control, and routing protocols.
Experiments as research validation: have we gone too far?

I recently submitted a paper to VLDB, and when I got the reviews back, I noticed that the review form now has a question referees are required to answer, about whether the experiments were well carried out, with choices like “believable” and “not believable.” The reviewers had a bit of trouble with that question, because my paper had no experiments; it was a paper about computational complexity of MapReduce algorithms. Two of the reviewers said the nonexistent experiments were not believable, which is wrong – you have to see something to disbelieve it.
A dual-wavelength spectrophotometer and fluorometer using interference filters

Abstract A special dual-wavelength instrument employing interference filters, together with a high-intensity excitation and sensitive readout fluorometer, has been constructed for the simultaneous observation of fluorescence and absorbancy changes in suspensions of mitochondria. The apparatus is appropriate for measuring these parameters in a 1 cc volume of a suspension of rat liver mitochondria at a concentration of approximately 1 mg of protein per milliliter. The sensitivities are adequate to determine the fluorescence/absorbancy ratios to an accuracy of 2%, as indicated by experimental trials. The apparatus permits an identification and characterization of flavoprotein signals from mitochondrial suspensions.
Health and the urban environment. XV. Acute respiratory episodes as reactions by sensitive individuals to air pollution and weather.

Abstract To delineate individual health responses to environmental conditions, both weather and air pollution, in a healthy urban panel, individuals sensitive to environmental extremes were sought and examined. A “sensitive individual” was one who reacted consistently to these extremes, the reaction taking the form of an acute illness. Upper respiratory illnesses, and “common colds” specifically, were of major interest. The characteristics of the “sensitive individuals” were examined, and the determination of the relationships between type and extent of illness and the environmental episodes were made.
A preliminary analysis of some Richardson current meter records

Abstract The power spectra of hourly current speed readings from two Richardson current meters show a concentration of energy into long-period motions, as well as energy density peaks at the semi-diurnal tidal period and at the inertial period corresponding to the latitude of the current meter. A comparison between surface current observations made with a Richardson current meter and measurements made simultaneously by other methods from a ship close by show a significant correlation. The pattern of displacement corresponding to the current over a 1000 hr period indicates the existence of motions having longer periods than can be resolved by the spectral analyses ; these have periods of a month or longer.
Effects of aging anf dietary restriction of DNA polymerase expression in mice

Abstract DNA polymerase α was isolated from livers of 6-month-, 16-month-, or 26-month-old mice fed ad libitum , or calorically restricted. The enzymes differed in chromatographic characteristics, binding affinity for DNA, and activity, with both total activity and specific activity of DNA polymerase α decreasing as a function of age. A positive correlation was observed between polymerase α specific activity and the affinity of enzyme binding to activated DNA template-primer. The age-associated decline in enzyme activity was modified by dietary restriction, with measureably higher activity seen for polymerases from dietary restricted animals compared with ad libitum animals of all ages. The data suggest that dietary restriction could act to delay the age-associated decrease in cellular capacity for DNA synthesis, which may play a significant role in prolonging the onset of age-related diseases in which decreased DNA synthesis is a potential component.
The effect of potassium and calcium on cotyledon expansion and ethylene evolution induced by cytokinins

In the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Straight Eight) cotyledon expansion assay, cytokinin-stimulated ethylene production was separated from cytokinin-stimulated growth through the use of potassium and calcium salts. Low concentrations of KC1, which dramatically promoted growth induced by cytokinin, inhibited ethylene evolution, while CaCl2 at a concentration that had no effect on growth, strongly promoted the cytokinin-induced ethylene evolution. In contrast to the growth response, stimulation of ethylene production was not directly related to the presence of potassium or calcium but to their relative concentrations. Concentrations of KCl and CaCl2 which promoted ethylene evolution singly, strongly inhibited it when mixed together. Low rates of exogenous ethylene had no effect on the growth response. Both the growth and ethylene responses were found to be general cytokinin phenomena. Cotyledon respiration was promoted by KC1, CaCl2 and cytokinin, but its stimulation was not correlated with either growth or ethylene production. In the presence of KClm cytokinin-induced respiration sharply lowered the content of certain sugars during the large growth response and followed KCl uptake. Analysis of KCl uptake showed that its growth promoting synergism with cytokinin was not due to osmotic effects.
Nature of the Carbon-Phosphorus Double Bond and the Carbon-Phosphorus Triple Bond As Studied by Solid-State NMR

The nature of the carbon-phosphorus double bond in 2,4,6-t-Bu 3 C 6 H 2 P=C(SiMe 3 ) 2 and the carbon-phosphorus triple bond in 2,4,6-t-Bu 3 C 6 H 2 C≡P has been studied by 13 C and 31 P solid-state NMR. Magic angle spinning and static cross-polarization experiments have been used to determine the principal elements of the 13 C and 31 P shielding tensors
Observational Evidence for Self-Interacting Cold Dark Matter

Cosmological models with cold dark matter composed of weakly interacting particles predict overly dense cores in the centers of galaxies and clusters and an overly large number of halos within the Local Group compared to actual observations. We propose that the conflict can be resolved if the cold dark matter particles are self-interacting with a large scattering cross section but negligible annihilation or dissipation. In this scenario, astronomical observations may enable us to study dark matter properties that are inaccessible in the laboratory.
Ligand Identification Scoring Algorithm (LISA)

A central problem in de novo drug design is determining the binding affinity of a ligand with a receptor. A new scoring algorithm is presented that estimates the binding affinity of a protein-ligand complex given a three-dimensional structure. The method, LISA (Ligand Identification Scoring Algorithm), uses an empirical scoring function to describe the binding free energy. Interaction terms have been designed to account for van der Waals (VDW) contacts, hydrogen bonding, desolvation effects, and metal chelation to model the dissociation equilibrium constants using a linear model. Atom types have been introduced to differentiate the parameters for VDW, H-bonding interactions, and metal chelation between different atom pairs. A training set of 492 protein-ligand complexes was selected for the fitting process. Different test sets have been examined to evaluate its ability to predict experimentally measured binding affinities. By comparing with other well-known scoring functions, the results show that LISA has advantages over many existing scoring functions in simulating protein-ligand binding affinity, especially metalloprotein-ligand binding affinity. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was also used in order to demonstrate that the energy terms in LISA are well designed and do not require extra cross terms.
Intravenous, cortical and intraventricular dose-effect relationship of pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin and deslanoside in dogs

Abstract The dose-route-effect relationship of pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin, and deslanoside when given intravenously, subarachnoidally on the cortex, and in the lateral ventricle, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle, was determined in dogs with cannula or catheter chronically implanted in the various regions of the brain. Pentylenetetrazol and picrotoxin produced EEG convulsive discharges when given intravenously or applied cortically or intraventricularly. The most sensitive target area was the cortex. Pentylenetetrazol exhibited the quickest onset and the shortest duration of action; picrotoxin acted slower and longer. Deslanoside produced convulsive discharges only when applied cortically or intraventricularly, but not intravenously. The most sensitive target area were the subcortical structures. Cardiac arrhythmias were produced with pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin, and deslanoside. The most sensitive target area was the fourth ventricle. Cardiac arrhythmias also occurred after third and lateral ventricle injection, but only rarely after cortical injection and then with large doses. They occurred with or without EEG convulsive discharges. The blood pressure was increased by pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin, and deslanoside, usually concomitantly with the EEG convulsive discharges and/or cardiac arrhythmias. Increase in blood pressure started just prior to the occurrence of the first spikes and was accompanied by tachycardia. This hypertension is also of central origin and is manifested after various cerebral routes of administration. EEG convulsive discharges induced by pentylenetetrazol applied by intravenous versus cortical route exhibited a dose-effect relationship of approximately 6 to 1; picrotoxin 1000 to 1; and deslanoside > 300 to 1.
Early outcomes of mid-urethral slings for female stress urinary incontinence stratified by valsalva leak point pressure.

Aims To assess the early results of mid-urethral slings placed via the transobturator approach (TVT-O) for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women with high (>60 cm H2O) and low (≤60 cm H2O) valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP). Materials and Methods Forty-three women with urodynamically proven SUI underwent TVT-O. Patients were divided into either high (>60 cm H2O) or low (≤60 cm H2O) VLPP categories based on preoperative urodynamic studies. Patient outcomes were assessed based on degree of postoperative SUI as either dry (no pads, no SUI), or wet (any leakage). Follow-up visits were at 1, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Results Overall, 65% (28/43) women were cured following TVT-O for SUI. When stratified based on preoperative VLPP, 77% (24/31) of patients with VLPP greater than 60 were cured while only 25% (3/12) of patients with VLPP less than or equal to 60 were cured. No intraoperative complications were noted. The odds of continued SUI following TVT-O were 12 times greater for women with VLPP ≤60 compared to those with VLPP >60. Conclusions With limited follow up, TVT-O appears to be a safe and effective surgical treatment for female SUI producing excellent results in patients with VLPP >60 cm/H20. Patients with low VLPP may consider conventional, retropubic mid-urethral slings or other procedures as treatment for SUI. Neurourol. Urodynam. 25:685–688, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Transovarial transmission of murine typhus rickettsiae in Xenopsylla cheopis fleas

It has been generally accepted that infected fleas do not pass on Rickettsia mooseri, or indeed any other known pathogen, to their progeny. It is reported here that such transovarial transmission does occur in laboratory-infected Xenopsylla cheopis fleas. By means of the direct fluorescent antibody test, Rickettsia mooseri was observed in cells of the hemolymph of infected fleas. As many as 11 percent of the adults and 2.9 percent of the larvae of the generation reared therefrom, had demonstrable rickettsiae. Moreover, batches of the F1 fleas were capable of transmitting the infection to more than 18 percent of the rats they infested. The data support the contention that Xenopsylla cheopis fleas play an important role in the maintenance of murine typhus in rats in nature.
Bankruptcies, Audit Reports, and the Reform Act

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (Reform Act) was enacted as law in 1995 and represents a major victory for the public accounting profession. Since audit reporting for publicly traded companies that enter bankruptcy continues to be of interest to legislators and the public, the Reform Act also includes audit reporting requirements regarding the auditor's assessments of a company's ability to continue as a going concern. This study examines the potential impact of the Reform Act on auditor reporting by examining audit reports for 383 bankrupt companies during the 1991–1998 period. The results indicate that, after controlling for financial stress, company size, default status, audit reporting lag and bankruptcy filing lag, auditors were less likely to have issued prior going‐concern modified audit reports for bankrupt companies after the Reform Act.
Angular strain estimation method for elastography

In the conventional cross-correlation-based strain estimation, there is a trade-off between the interpolation accuracy and the computational requirement. On the other hand, the autocorrelation-based method does not need interpolation, but it cannot estimate the wide range of displacements for elastography. We have developed a new strain estimator, called the angular strain estimation method, which does not need any interpolation and can estimate strain without restricting the range of displacements. The new method estimates strain utilizing complex correlation between correlate ultrasound signals from pre-and post-compression frames. From simulation and experiments, we found that the angular strain estimation method improves the accuracy and strain image quality compared to the conventional strain estimator using cross-correlation with interpolation. Furthermore, it is computationally efficient and can be readily incorporated in ultrasound machines for real-time elastography.
The Eurasian Female Hero[ine]: Sydney Fox as Relic Hunter

In contrast to historical representations of women of color as victims and villains, the author argues that the portrayal of contemporary women of color as heroines can be linked to globalization, the economic power of Asian minorities, and prevailing discourses of multiculturalism. Drawing on the television series Relic Hunter, the author outlines the use of the racialized female hero as a strategic sign to appease social anxieties, resolve contradictions, and manage difference.
Sub-sampling sigma-delta modulator for baseband processing

A sigma-delta (SD) modulator has been developed for baseband processing in a direct conversion receiver (DCR). A second-order SD modulator with a subsampling mixer, inside the feedback loop, down-converts the incoming RF signals directly to baseband, digitizes them and attenuates noise as well as interferers. A prototype was fabricated in a TSMC 0.25 /spl mu/m process for use in a CDMA2000 transceiver. SNR greater than 53 dB was measured for single-ended baseband inputs and a SNR/sub max/ of 32 dB was measured for differential inputs at 900 MHz, over a 2 MHz bandwidth.
The Pulsatile Propagation of a Finger of Air Within a Fluid-Occluded Cylindrical Tube

We computationally investigate the unsteady pulsatile propagation of a finger of air through a liquidfilled cylindrical rigid tube using a combined boundary element method and lubrication theory approach. The flow-field is governed by the dimensionless parameters CaQ(t) = CaM + CaΩ sin (Ωt) = μQ*(t*)/πR 2 γ, Ω = μωR/γ and A = 2CaΩ/Ω. Here, CaQ(t) consists of both mean (CaM) and oscillatory (CaΩ) components. It is shown that the behavior of this system is appropriately described by steady-state responses until the onset of reverse flow, wherein the system operates in the unsteady regime (CaΩ > CaM). When flows in this regime are considered, converging and diverging stagnation points move dynamically throughout the cycle and may temporarily separate from the interface at high Ω. We have also found that for CaΩ < 10CaM the bubble tip pressure drop ΔPtip may be estimated accurately from the pressure measured downstream of the bubble tip when corrections for the pressure drop due to Poiseuille flow are applied. The normal stress gradient at the tube wall (∂τn/∂z) is discussed in detail, as this is believed to be the primary factor in airway epithelial cell damage (Bilek et al 2003). In the unsteady regime we find that local film-thinning produces high ∂τn/∂z at low CaΩ. Film thickening at moderate CaΩ in the unsteady regime protects the tube wall from the large gradients near the bubble tip, therefore reducing ∂τn/∂z. We find that the stress field is highly dynamic and exhibits intriguing spatial and temporal characteristics that may be of interest to our field of study, pulmonary airway reopening.
Waiting-Time Prediction and QoS-based Pricing for Video Streaming with Advertisements

This paper considers scalable delivery of streaming video content with advertisements. It proposes a highly accurate waiting-time prediction algorithm that estimates the expected number of viewed ads by utilizing detailed information about the system state and the applied scheduling policy. It also proposes a pricing scheme based on the expected waiting times, which include the ads’ viewing times. The revenues generated by the ads are used to subsidize the price and are allocated to clients proportionally to their expected waiting times. The envisioned system presents the client with an updated menu of the supported videos (such as full-length featured movies) along with the corresponding ads’ viewing times and prices. We analyze the effectiveness of the proposed prediction algorithm and pricing scheme in terms of many metrics, considering numerous design and workload parameters, and capturing purchasing capacity and willingness models.
An Extensible and Portable Tool Suite for Managing Multi-Node FPGA Systems

Current trends in Reconfigurable Computing point to an ever-increasing need for logic resources. This has led to the development and deployment of systems consisting of multiple FPGAs. These systems are advancing from scores of FPGAs to hundreds of FPGAs. Programming and administering these kind of systems while maintaining a non-intrusive physical footprint is expected to remain a continuing challenge. Future systems demand lower FPGA configuration and initialization turn-around times while maintaining a high degree of resource availability. Also, support for new configuration methodologies and portability to the latest generations of FPGA platforms is required. This paper describes an improved suite of tools with new features like job scheduling, bit stream management, multiple session control, debugging capabilities and remote access that will enable large scale High Performance Reconfigurable Computing.
DIONYSIUS, DERRIDA, AND THE CRITIQUE OF “ONTOTHEOLOGY”

This essay explores Dionysius' work in light of the critique of ontotheology, focusing on Jacques Derrida's work on justice and the messianic. Ultimately, it suggests that the extent to which Dionysius troubles the ontotheological waters depends on the status of hierarchical and teleological relationships in Dionysius. Does hierarchy for Dionysius function strictly “vertically,” bringing a few chosen souls into union with God, or does it also establish ethical relations between and among creatures? And does the via negativa, as Derrida suggests, draw the soul along a pre-determined path from hyperessence to hyperessence, or might it remain sufficiently indeterminate to welcome the unimaginable?
Effect of Donor Recipient Age Match on Survival after First Deceased Donor Renal Transplantation

Donor-recipient age matching has been proposed as a means of improving overall outcomes in deceased donor renal transplantation. It was hypothesized that donor-recipient age matching would improve patient survival time in younger recipients while not adversely affecting patient survivals in older recipients because they seldom outlive their grafts. By use of data from United Network of Organ Sharing Standard Transplant and Analysis and Research Files 50,320 patients were identified who underwent a first deceased donor renal transplantation between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1997. Adjusted patient survival and death-with-graft function patient survival were analyzed from the date of transplantation. Patient survival was affected by donor age for all recipient age groups, including recipients older than 55 yr. The effect of donor age on patient survival is greater than that seen with HLA matching. The effect of donor age on patient survival persisted even when censoring recipients in whom grafts failed before death, suggesting that both longevity and quality of graft function are important in patient survival. Donor-recipient age matching is occurring to a limited degree in this population. Donor-recipient age matching would improve survival in younger recipients but would adversely affect survival in older patients by reducing the availability of younger donor kidneys for this group. The issue of donor-recipient age matching needs to be debated among the public and transplantation community so that a logical and just system can be developed.
Boltzmann-type distribution of side-chain conformation in proteins.

We analyze packing imperfections in globular proteins as reflected in deviations of torsion angles from the equilibrium values for the isolated side chains. The distribution of conformations of methionine and lysine residues in a database of high-resolution structures is compared with energies of model compounds calculated with high-level quantum-mechanics. The distribution of the C–C and C–S torsion angles (χ3) correlates well with the Boltzmann factor of the torsion energy, exp(−βE) of the model compounds C2H5—C2H5 and C2H5—S—CH3. An exponential relation was again found between the relative occurrence of g+, g− and t conformations for Cα—Cβ bonds in long side chains and the energy differences of rotamers of α-amino n-butyric acid, when dependence on backbone conformation was taken into account. The distribution of all 27 rotamers of methionine was correlated with the energy differences between the model’s rotamers, corrected for clashes with nearby residues, the correlation being good for a set with backbone in the β-conformation, but less clear for backbone α-conformation. In all correlations, the value of the coefficient β corresponds to a temperature of circa 300 K. These results can be interpreted with a model that considers the structure of a folded protein as resulting from packing imperfectly complementary parts, with a requirement of an overall low energy. Compromises are required to optimize the fit of nonbonded contacts with surrounding groups, and side chains assume conformations away from the energy minimum. An exponential distribution is a most probable distribution, and this can be established easily under conditions other than thermal equilibrium.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF ILLINOIS POTTERY CLAY

Four Illinois pottery clays, representing two extreme types and two intermediate types, are described. Porosity and thermal expansion tests were made on the raw and fired clays. The temperature of the inversion of low to high cristobalite in these clays is much lower than is usually accepted for the lower limit of this inversion because cristobalite is formed at low temperatures. A limited amount of data was obtained on the volume changes of raw clays during firing, the organic matter content, and thermal dissociation.
On the use of visual programming languages for communication system simulation

The important features of several software packages for communication system simulation are discussed. Whereas initial versions of SYSTID and similar packages are language-oriented and designed to operate in a batch mode, such packages as ICS, ICSSM, etc. are interactive and menu driven. The packages developed in recent years (BOSS, MODEM, LabVIEW, etc.) involve powerful workstation and personal computers with friendly computing environments and highly visual and graphical user interfaces. A number of issues arise when simulation is selected as a design or analysis tool. Important considerations are the simulation environment, computer accessibility and cost, simulation accuracy, processing speed, and capability of the simulation language. It is noted that a visual programming tool like LabView gives a very favorable response to these considerations. Although LabView cannot replace the simulation languages such as SYSTID or ICS in terms of speed, it can be a helpful tool for communication system designers an analysts. >
Pursuing perfect care in neuropsychiatry: implications of the Institute of Medicine's "Quality chasm" report for neuropsychiatry.

Dr. Coffey is Vice President of Behavioral Health, Chairman andKathleen and Earl Ward Chair of Psychiatry at the Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan. Address correspondence to Dr. Coffey, Henry Ford Health System, One Ford Place, Suite 1F, Detroit, MI 48202, ecoffey1@hfhs.org (E-mail). Copyright 2003 American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is an honorific organization established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, with the purpose of advising the federal government on matters relating to medical care, education, and research. This advice has recently come through the Institute’s Committee on the Quality of Health Care in America, which has issued two important reports. The Committee’s first report, To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System, was released in 1999 and focused on a specific dimension of quality, viz. patient safety and medical errors. The key findings from this report were that errors are common in medical care, that such errors are caused by system or process (rather than human) failures, and that we must design safer health care systems in order to prevent medical errors. The Committee’s second report, Crossing The Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century, was released in 2001. The “Chasm Report” took a broader “treetop” view of the American health care delivery system, concluded it was severely broken, and offered suggestions for how it can be re-engineered to “innovate and improve care.” The Chasm Report has profound and far-reaching implications for the future of health care. In this article, I describe the implications of the report for neuropsychiatric care and suggest that the report provides a road map for dramatically improving such care. The Chasm Report praises the unparalleled advances in medical science in this country, as well as the skill, dedication, and self-sacrifice of American health care workers, but it also indicts the health care delivery system for not translating those strengths into meaningfully better care for each and every patient. The report documents the wide variation in health care quality, noting that too many Americans fail to receive safe and effective care. The care is fragmented, the system is full of waste and inefficiency, and too many Americans lack health insurance and therefore are deprived of access to basic care. This gap between what should be possible in health care (given the incredible advances in science and technology) and what the patient actually experiences in the clinic or at the bedside is the “chasm” referred to in the report’s title. To remedy this state of affairs, the Chasm Report recommends that quality be made an explicit priority of the health care system in this country, and that all constituencies work together to improve the following six dimensions of health care:
Investigation of turbulence effects on forced convection in a composite porous/fluid duct: Constant wall flux and constant wall temperature cases

Forced convection heat transfer in composite porous/fluid domains is of great practical and theoretical significance. However, research in this area traditionally addressed only the laminar flow case in both homogeneous fluid and porous regions of the domain. This paper investigates the interaction between turbulent flow in the center of a circular tube filled with a homogeneous fluid and laminar flow in the porous layer adjacent to the tube wall. A two-layer algebraic turbulence model suggested by Cebeci and Smith is utilized for the flow in the central region of the tube. The effects of turbulence in the central region on velocity and temperature distributions as well as on the Nusselt number are analyzed.
Membrane Proteases and Aminoglycoside Antibiotic Resistance

We present genetic studies that help define the functional network underlying intrinsic aminoglycoside resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our analysis shows that proteolysis, particularly that controlled by the membrane protease FtsH, is a major determinant of resistance. First, we examined the consequences of inactivating genes controlled by AmgRS, a two-component regulator required for intrinsic tobramycin resistance. Three of the gene products account for resistance: a modulator of FtsH protease (YccA), a membrane protease (HtpX), and a membrane protein of unknown function (PA5528). Second, we screened mutations inactivating 66 predicted proteases and related functions. Insertions inactivating two FtsH protease accessory factors (HflK and HflC) and a cytoplasmic protease (HslUV) increased tobramycin sensitivity. Finally, we generated an ftsH deletion mutation. The mutation dramatically increased aminoglycoside sensitivity. Many of the functions whose inactivation increased sensitivity appeared to act independently, since multiple mutations led to additive or synergistic effects. Up to 500-fold increases in tobramycin sensitivity were observed. Most of the mutations also were highly pleiotropic, increasing sensitivity to a membrane protein hybrid, several classes of antibiotics, alkaline pH, NaCl, and other compounds. We propose that the network of proteases provides robust protection from aminoglycosides and other substances through the elimination of membrane-disruptive mistranslation products.
Insulation for Cryogenic Service

The General Electric (GE) Co., Thermal Systems Programs, in Tacoma, Wash., has developed a medium-density rigid structural polyurethane foam insulation material to withstand thermal stresses imposed by temperatures down to absolute zero 0 K (-460°F). Structural test results according to ASTM standards are presented for tensile, compressive, and shear strength and moduli. Other structural properties presented are Poisson's ratio and creep characteristics. Thermal test results according to ASTM standards are presented for thermal conductivity and expansion/contraction. Foam thermal/structural performance at cryogenic temperatures as low as LN2 (liquid nitrogen) and LH2 (liquid hydrogen) conditions, 77 K (-320°F) and 22 K (-420°F), respectively, are also related. Applications for liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships and LH2 fueled subsonic transport aircraft are discussed. In part, a lot of technical information presented herein was used to obtain conceptual approval complete from the U.S. Coast Guard for the insulation of LNG ships utilizing GE cryogenic polyurethane foam.
The New Regulatory Environment for Cellular Therapy Products: Challenges for Academic-Based Manufacturing Facilities

Scientific advances in transplantation biology, immunology, and molecular genetics have suggested exciting possibilities for novel cell-based treatments for a variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases. Many of these cellular therapies are already moving from the research bench to the clinic. The development, clinical evaluation, and dissemination of these therapies is largely dependent on the availability of reliable, clinically feasible methods for the procurement, ex vivo manipulation, storage, and administration of human cells and tissues. In academic centers, laboratories engaged in the preparation of cellular therapy products have typically evolved from bone marrow transplant service laboratories, research laboratories, or hospital-based blood transfusion service laboratories. Since 1989, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a series of guidance documents and proposed regulations relevant to cellular therapy products. These new expectations have created substantial challenges for manufacturers, especially for academic-based laboratories that support early phase clinical trials not intended to result in a commercial product.
Using an isokinetic exercise machine to improve the gait pattern in a hemiplegic patient. A case report.

This paper presents the case report of a hemiplegic patient who was treated in a therapeutic exercise program using a Kinetron* bilateral lower extremity isokinetic exercise machine. The therapist wanted to identify the benefits this machine might have in improving the gait pattern of a hemiplegic patient. Specifically, he wanted to determine if the machine could inhibit a strong extensor synergy pattern in the involved lower extremity of a hemiplegic patient by first increasing the ability of the patient to initiate active and controlled hip flexion in the same extremity. The authors expected that if the extensor thrust was reduced, then sufficient, voluntary hip flexion would be possible, which would, in turn, promote a more normal gait pattern for ambulation.
Public health advocacy in the courts: opportunities for public health professionals.

This installment of Law and the Public’s Health considers the role of the judiciary in advancing public health goals. Typically, public health policy advocacy efforts aim to affect the regulation and legislation produced by the executive and legislative branches of federal, state, and local government bodies. But one branch of government—the judiciary—is less frequently considered as a venue, which is a missed opportunity for public health. The goal of this article is to demonstrate the need and identify the strategies for what we call “public health advocacy in the courts,” defined as actions by public health professionals that inform and affect how courts approach matters that affect the public’s health. We first review the court’s traditional roles in defining and deciding public health-related matters and consider judicial actions in the areas of constitutional and administrative law, civil litigation, and criminal law. Within criminal law, we highlight the recent expansion of problem-solving courts as a new opportunity for public health professionals to engage with the criminal justice community in advancing prevention strategies to address public health issues such as substance abuse and intimate partner violence (IPV). We then discuss specific strategies by which public health professionals can engage as advocates in the criminal and civil judicial processes. We conclude by presenting public health advocacy in the courts as a natural extension of existing public health advocacy, and offer strategies for overcoming the obstacles that public health professionals may encounter when they engage in these efforts. The courts, both state and federal, have a profound influence on public health policy and practice. This installment of Law and the Public’s Health examines the nature and power of the judiciary in the area of public health law and policy, discussing some of the landmark cases that together both define and test the limits of governmental powers and the rights of individuals and private interests.
Tunable, high-speed, and three-dimensional microfluidic device for ultra-high precision size-based particle separation

We report a novel microfluidic-based dielectrophoretic (DEP) mechanism for ultra-high precision microparticle and cell focusing and separation in high-speed flows. For the first time, particle size difference as small as 1μm can be separated with high purity (>90%). This is realized by a 3D tunable, size-independent, single-stream sub-micron precision (variation <0.2 μm) focusing function. Tunable electric field patterns are enabled by simply changing voltage combinations applied to electrodes. Microparticle and mammalian cell focusing and separation is achieved at flow speeds up to 3 cm/s in high conductivity regular physiological buffers.
New combinations in Pediomelum (Leguminosae: Psoraleeae)

Three new combinations includePediomelum pariense, P. megalanthum var.retrorsum, andP. megalanthum var.epipsilum.
The analysis of community nursing intervention to diabetic patients

Objective: To investigate the guidance of community nursing intervention in diabetes clinical care effect. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the city's three neighborhood offices resident data to be analyzed,select one of the analytical value of 100 patients with diabetes clinical data analysis,according to the different methods of care patients were divided into a control group and observation group and control implementation of routine care group,observation group of community nursing intervention guidance,care and effect between the two groups. Results: 96% of the experimental group mentoring program for community nursing intervention effect is significant,than the control group( efficacy rate was88%)( P 0. 05); the experimental group,96% in community nursing intervention guidance satisfactory outcome,was significantly higher than the control group( satisfaction rate of 72%)( P 0. 05); body mass index in the experimental group( 22. 9 ± 2. 48) kg·m- 2,FBG indicators( 7. 24 ± 1. 68) mmol·L- 1,2 h BG indicators( 9. 72 ± 2. 14) mmol·L- 1,Hb ALc indicators( 7. 26 ± 1. 08) %,significantly lower than the control group( P 0. 05); the experimental group,96% of a reasonable diet,98% have a regular life,92% of patients can exercise regularly,94% of patients were able to self-monitoring disease,was significantly higher( P 0. 05). Conclusion: Diabetic patients in community care and guidance,common sense,risk factors,lack of awareness of the issue of prevention of complications is the point of care supervise,and also one of the main problems exist,it should be from the community to enhance self-management of diabetes the ability to start,psychological care for patients with diabetes,diet therapy,exercise regimen,regular medication and other aspects of nursing intervention guidance,thereby increasing community awareness of prevention,improve supervision and guidance role to provide the scientific basis for this study.
Automatic Control on Angle for Bait System of Fire Control Radar

In the methods of resisting ARM for active radars,fitting the bait system for them is the effective and feasible one.In this paper,the beguiling principle of two radiant points is introduced simply,the try using the same style retired fire control radar as the unconcerned bait is discussed,and an angle automatic control method for the bait system of fire control radar is put forward.
Transvaginal ultrasound embryography.

Observation of first trimester events has been significantly improved with transvaginal sonography (TVS) (Table 1). Intravaginal transducers provide optimal geometry, maximizing resolution of the 5 to 10 MHz probes through focal zone scanning of pelvic organs unimpeded by intervening bowel gas or tissue fat. TVS has facilitated correlation between the sonogram and the anatomical description of embryological development
Presidential Nominations: The New Model

Nothing is more important in a democracy than the process by which the contenders for the top executive office emerge from the many aspirants and pretenders to that office. This nomination process tells us not only what type of leadership is preferred but also the dominant interests and forces behind this leadership and the type of governance the society will now have. An examination of this nominating process tells us also something about the quality of the leadership selection system, how genuinely competitive it is, how rational, how responsible, and even how democratic. By late March in 1996 the American parties had selected the three top candidates for the presidency: Robert Dole had won enough primaries to control a majority of delegates to the Republican convention, Bill Clinton long before had been given the Democratic nomination, and Ross Perot had erected his Reform party and had set in motion a process assuring him the designation as its candidate for the presidency. What was the system and process by which these selection decisions were made? How did our nominating system screen out all the other would-be candidates? And was it an effective process?
INFLUENCE OF HERBICIDES AND ANTIDOTES ON THE GLUTATHIONE LEVELS OF MAIZE SEEDLINGS

Abstract In two different series of structurally related chloroacetamide antidotes for EPTC, antidote activity was directly related with the elevation of glutathione (GSH) levels in the roots of maize seedlings. Gluthathione levels were assayed colormetrically with the DTNB reagent. The herbicides EPTC, alachlor, propachlor, atrazine and barban or their metabolites are reported to be conjugated with glutathione in maize. In this study, these same herbicides all elevated glutathione levels. It is proposed that these herbicides may elevate the levels of substrate (GSH) and enzymes (GSH-S-transferase) required for their own metabolism and that structurally similar but less toxic antidote molecules may act by this same system.
Hyperuricemia as a potential risk factor for type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy

O acido urico serico tem recentemente sido considerado um biomarcador em potencial, independentemente prevendo o desenvolvimento de hipertensao, diabetes mellitus e doenca renal cronica. Tambem foi relatado que o acido urico serico elevado prediz o desenvolvimento de nefropatia no diabetes tipo 1. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre o papel do acido urico serico na predicao de nefropatia no diabetes tipo 2. […] Hiperuricemia como potencial fator de risco para diabetes tipo 2 e nefropatia diabetica
The Global Rise of the U.S. Community College Model

This chapter explores the theoretical and conceptual history of the global rise of the U.S. community college model, focusing on the common missing ingredient that remains elusive among the increasing numbers of these community-based institutions.
A study of the difference-of-convex approach for solving linear programs with complementarity constraints

This paper studies the difference-of-convex (DC) penalty formulations and the associated difference-of-convex algorithm (DCA) for computing stationary solutions of linear programs with complementarity constraints (LPCCs). We focus on three such formulations and establish connections between their stationary solutions and those of the LPCC. Improvements of the DCA are proposed to remedy some drawbacks in a straightforward adaptation of the DCA to these formulations. Extensive numerical results, including comparisons with an existing nonlinear programming solver and the mixed-integer formulation, are presented to elucidate the effectiveness of the overall DC approach.
Notes on the Fauna of the Chipola Formation- XI Helium-Uranium Dating Studies of Corals

Fanale and Schaeffer (1965) first recognized that the helium-uranium method might be a way to reliably date fossil corals. The method is based on the fact that when uranium and its radioactive daughters decay, they produce helium atoms at a known rate. From measured helium and uranium concentrations one can calculate an "age." This "age" will be reliable provided that diagenetic processes have not leached or contaminated the fossil and that the gaseous helium has not leaked out.