cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding the blood culture report

There are no hard-and-fast rules for judging whether an organism is a pathogen or contaminant. Experience is critical. In the end, the physician is responsible for determining whether an organism is a contaminant or a pathogen on the basis of laboratory and clinical data, which often include patient history, physical examination, body temperature, peripheral leukocyte count and differential, clinical course, and culture results. When blood culture results are given to a nurse, she or he should communicate this information to the attending physician as soon as possible, with greatest emphasis placed on positive cultures with probable pathogens. The assumption that a blood culture isolate is a pathogen, in the absence of other supporting facts, can lead to inappropriate therapy. On the other hand, assuming a pathogen to be a contaminant can ultimately lead to patient mortality if treatment is delayed. Questions as to how blood cultures are handled should be directed to microbiology personnel, whereas interpretation problems should be discussed with infectious disease specialists. Good communication among the nurses, laboratory personnel, and physicians involved with blood culture studies is invaluable to effective patient care.
Reactive flow simulation of vacuum carburizing by acetylene gas

Abstract Vacuum carburizing is a method to strengthen the surface of low quality metals. Metal like raw steel is carburized by reactive gas (e.g. acetylene or propane) at low pressure (below the atmospheric pressure) and high temperature (above 1000 K) in a furnace. Carburized metal is roughly 1.5 times harder than raw metal. The carburized metals are used for industrial application to prevent wear-out of the metals under rotating and contact situation, for example, gear of gas turbine. In this paper, numerical modeling of vacuum carburizing by acetylene gas diluted by argon gas is described. Gas phase and solid phase are taken both into account as fluid–solid interaction in the vacuum carburizing process. In the numerical method, simple reaction mechanism of surface reaction of carburizing on the steel is assumed. Carbon transfer is also calculated. Commercial computational fluid dynamics software ANSYS FLUENT 13 with user defined function is utilized for the calculation. The aim of this study is to show how well our proposed approach can describe physical phenomena, and to be capable of finding optimized operation of vacuum carburizing by our proposing numerical simulation. Experimental study is conducted using a heat chamber. Acetylene/argon gas mixture is supplied in quartz pipe heated by the chamber. Quadrupole mass filter is used to measure acetylene, hydrogen and argon partial pressure. Carburized carbon mass weight is measured by electronic balance before and after carburizing. Furthermore, local carbon mass fraction is also measured by Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA). Metallurgical microscope, which is to see metallic microstructure, is also utilized to investigate surface of the carburized steel. The numerical results give mole fraction of hydrogen and acetylene in the gas, carburized carbon mass weight and distribution of carbon mass fraction inside the steel. Our numerical results are in good agreement with experimental results. It indicates that Computational Fluid Dynamics can be extended to the application in carburizing processes, and be a useful tool for improving carburizing processes.
A Pre-Clinical Test Platform for the Functional Evaluation of Scaffolds for Musculoskeletal Defects: The Meniscus

In an attempt to delay the progression of osteoarthritis from an index injury, early intervention via repair of injured musculoskeletal soft tissue has been advocated. Despite the development of a number of scaffolds intended to treat soft tissue defects, information about their functional performance is lacking. The goal of this study was to consolidate a suite of in vitro and in vivo models into a pre-clinical test platform to assess the functional performance of meniscal repair scaffolds. Our objective was to assess the ability of a scaffold (Actifit™; Orteq, UK) to carry load without detrimentally abrading against articular cartilage. Three test modules were used to assess the functional performance of meniscal repair scaffolds. The first module tested the ability of the scaffold to carry load in an in vitro model designed to measure the change in normal contact stress magnitude on the tibial plateau of cadaveric knees after scaffold implantation. The second module assessed the in vitro frictional coefficient of the scaffold against cartilage to assess the likelihood that the scaffold would destructively abrade against articular cartilage in vivo. The third module consisted of an assessment of functional performance in vivo by measuring the structure and composition of articular cartilage across the tibial plateau 12 months after scaffold implantation in an ovine model. In vitro, the scaffold improved contact mechanics relative to a partly meniscectomized knee suggesting that, in vivo, less damage would be seen in the scaffold implanted knees vs. partly meniscectomized knees. However, there was no significant difference in the condition of articular cartilage between the two groups. Moreover, in spite of the high coefficient of friction between the scaffold and articular cartilage, there was no significant damage in the articular cartilage underneath the scaffold. The discrepancy between the in vitro and in vivo models was likely influenced by the abundant tissue generated within the scaffold and the unexpected tissue that regenerated within the site of the partial meniscectomy. We are currently augmenting our suite of tests so that we can pre-clinically evaluate the functional performance at time zero and as a function of time after implantation.
An approximation theorem for continuous functions on Lp(1 ⩽ p < ∞) spaces including representation*

The paper presents an approximation theorem, somewhat similar in content to Stone-Weierstrass theorem for continuous functions defined on L p (1 ⩽ p
Progesterone receptor ligand binding pocket flexibility: crystal structures of the norethindrone and mometasone furoate complexes

Although progesterone, the natural ligand of the progesterone receptor (PR), has a hydrogen atom at the 17α position, other potent steroid agonists such as norethindrone and mometasone furoate have larger substituents at this position that are accommodated by the PR ligand binding pocket. Crystallographic analysis of PR ligand binding domain complexes clearly demonstrated that these moieties were accommodated by local shifts of the protein main chain and by adoption of alternative side chain rotamer conformations of ligand-proximal amino acids. These conformational changes imparted a ligand-specific volume to the binding pocket, from 490 A3 in the metribolone complex to 520 A3 in the norethindrone complex, 565 A3 in the progesterone complex, and 730 A3 in the mometasone furoate complex. Despite these marked alterations in binding pocket volume, critical interactions essential for establishment of an active AF2 conformation were maintained.
The syntax of Cape Verdean Creole

This book offers an in-depth treatment of a variety of morpho-syntactic issues in Cape Verdean Creole (CVC) both from a descriptive and theoretical perspective. The investigated topics include the determiner system, Tense, Mood, Aspect markers and pronominal paradigms. The study of TMA markers reveals morpho-syntactic configurations with interesting ramifications for syntactic theory and parametric variation. This book targets creolists, theoretical linguists, and the Cape Verdean community. Given the diversified targeted audience, the descriptive chapters are purposefully kept separate from their theoretical counterparts, presenting issues that are later revisited in the Minimalist framework. The data used in this study are primarily drawn from 83 transcribed interviews from a pool of 187 speakers. The interviews were collected during fieldwork conducted in 1997, 2000 and 2001 in the Cape Verdean Sotavento (leeward) islands representing the more basilectal varieties of the creole. As all natural languages, CVC displays syntactic similarities and differences with other creoles and noncreoles. Hence, in the spirit of comparative syntax, this volume compares CVC to other creoles like Guinea-Bissau Creole and to noncreoles like Portuguese, French, Icelandic and Italian dialects.
The Symbiotic Relationship Between Infrared Imaging Arrays And A New Type Of Blackbody Simulator

There is a symbiotic relationship between infrared imaging arrays and a new type of blackbody simulator whose design is based on the principle that the projected solid angle of the aperture is constant when viewed from all points of the cavity wall surface.
Surface energies and surface structure of small crystals studied by use of a stem instrument

Abstract The surfaces of small regularly-shaped crystals of MgO and NiO have been examined by use of a scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) instrument. Images of the surfaces obtained with diffracted electron beams show surface detail with high resolution. Microdiffraction patterns obtained with beams of 15A diameter from small crystals having one flat face parallel to the beam show the effects of the interactions of the electrons with the potential field of the crystal and of diffraction and channelling at the surface. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (ELS) of beams which have traversed flat surfaces of the crystals show energy losses due to the excitation of surface states and also energy losses associated with the generation of radiation as the electron beam enters and leaves the crystal potential field and as it is channelled along the surface by diffraction and refraction effects.
Eliminating catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the intensive care unit: is it an attainable goal?

BACKGROUND: Purpose of this study is to determine strategies to decrease catheter-associated uri
Low pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy and SPECT brain imaging in the treatment of blast-induced chronic traumatic brain injury (post-concussion syndrome) and post traumatic stress disorder: a case report

A 25-year-old male military veteran presented with diagnoses of post concussion syndrome and post traumatic stress disorder three years after loss of consciousness from an explosion in combat. The patient underwent single photon emission computed tomography brain blood flow imaging before and after a block of thirty-nine 1.5 atmospheres absolute hyperbaric oxygen treatments. The patient experienced a permanent marked improvement in his post-concussive symptoms, physical exam findings, and brain blood flow. In addition, he experienced a complete resolution of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. After treatment he became and has remained employed for eight consecutive months. This case suggests a novel treatment for the combined diagnoses of blast-induced post-concussion syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Tonic/clonic seizures in a mouse mutant carrying the weaver gene

A seizure disorder, characterized by sporadic tonic/clonic seizures has been identified in a strain of mice carrying the weaver (wv) gene. Breeding studies and a review of the literature indicate that this is either a property of the wv gene or linked to it tightly.
Characteristics and smoking patterns among adult Jordanian cigarette smokers with cardiovascular diseases

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, and smoking cessation is a key component of secondary cardiovascular disease risk prevention efforts. Objectives: To examine the relationships between demographic, clinical and health factors, history and patterns of smoking, nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and willingness ( i.e., readiness) to quit smoking after hospital discharge among adult Jordanian men who were cigarette smokers and were admitted to the hospital with a cardiovascular disease diagnosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 118 adult men smokers from three hospitals in Jordan during 2011. Data were collected using structured interviews and medical record abstraction. Results: The mean age of smokers was 50.7 (±6.7) years and they smoked at least one cigarette per day for an average of 28.8 years (±7.0). Currently they smoke an average of 28.9 (±8.0) cigarettes a day. About a quarter (24.6%, n = 29) had previously made a quit attempt that lasted at least 24 hours. Smokers were considered highly nicotine dependent if they had scores of > 6 (out of 10) on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence scale. The average nicotine dependence score was significantly higher in the high versus low nicotine dependence group (6.9 vs. 4.1). The number of cigarettes smoked daily was significantly higher in the high compared to the low nicotine dependence group (30.7 cigarettes vs. 23.4). Logistic regression showed smokers who had someone available to encourage quitting smoking “at least sometimes” were more likely to quit smoking after hospital discharge, and smokers who had sufficient personal income to support self were less likely to quit smoking after hospital discharge, while controlling for all other variables. Conclusions : The very high nicotine dependence of these men indicates that there is an urgent need for education, counseling and behavioral interventions, and pharmacological therapies, to achieve successful smoking cessation. Study findings lay the basis for development of appropriate smoking cessation programs in Jordan.
Detection of cocaine and its metabolites in urine using solid phase extraction-ion mobility spectrometry with alternating least squares.

A reliable, alternative screening method for detection of cocaine and its metabolites, benzoylecgonine and cocaethylene in urine is demonstrated using solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled with ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Data analysis with alternating least squares (ALS) is used to model IMS spectral datasets and separate the reactant ion peak from the product ion peaks. IMS has been used as a screening device for drug and explosive detection for many years. It has the advantages of atmospheric pressure operation, simple sample preparation, portability, fast analysis, and high sensitivity when compared to similar methods. Coupling SPE with IMS decreases the detection limits of drug metabolites in urine while removing salts and other polar compounds that suppress ionization during the measurement. The IMS analysis time in this experiment is 20 s, much shorter than traditional chromatographic analysis. The application of ALS further increases the sensitivity and selectivity of this method. The detection limits of benzoylecgonine and cocaethylene are 10 ng/mL and 4 ng/mL, respectively. Commercial adulteration of urine specimens does not influence the ability to detect cocaine metabolites after sampling the urine with SPE. This method provides forensic chemists a viable approach for fast and simple drug screening.
457 THE EFFECT OF POSTNATAL AGE ON THE METABOLISM OF INTRAVENOUS FAT EMULSION

To determine the effect of postnatal age on serum clearing of intravenous fat, 17 preterm, AGA infants with gestation age of 29 ± 0.4 SEM wks. and birthweight of 1.2 ± 0.07 SEM kg. and less than 3 wks. of age received 1 gm/kg of Intralipid over a 4 hour infusion. Plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), free fatty acids (FFA) and beta-hydroxibutyrate (BOB) were determined at 0, 4, and 8 hours after the infusion was started. Basal levels of TG, FFA, and BOB were similar in the 2 groups. Infants of less than 1 wk. old had higher peak TG levels at the end of the infusion (4 hr.), than infants 2-3 wks. old (p<0.01). 8 hours after the beginning of the infusion TG levels remained significantly higher in the younger group (p<0.05).
Differences in depression and self-esteem reported by learning disabled and behavior disordered middle school students

Although generalizations from research are helpful in guiding problem identification and interventions in a school setting, characteristics of specific groups must not be overlooked if all students are to be served effectively. Differences in the areas of self-reported self-esteem and depression are frequently pertinent to decisions and recommendations educational professionals are called on to make. The current study examined differences in level of self-reported self-esteem and depression between learning disabled and behavior disordered middle school students. Sixty-one participants completed the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Similarities and differences between learning disabled and behavior disordered students were identified.
Elevated Circulating Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSC) Are Associated with Inferior Overall Survival (OS) and Correlate with Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Background: MDSC acumulation is an important mechanism of tumor escape from immune surveillance and cancer progression. Pre-clinical studies have shown a correlation between tumor progression and MDSC. While we and others have shown that circulating MDSC correlate with clinical stage, to date there are few clinical studies that have explored the correlation of MDSC with metastatic tumor burden or as an adverse prognostic factor. Consequently, the goal of this study was to determine whether levels of MDSC in patients with stage IV breast cancer correlate with tumor burden using CTC and Swenerton Scores (SS) as surrogates for metastatic disease burden, and if circulating MDSC levels were predictive of overall survival.Methods: Flow cytometric analysis was performed on peripheral whole blood from 25 patients with stage IV breast cancer prior to initiation of therapy and at defined intervals during therapy. The MDSC population was defined as lineage-, CD33+, HLA-DR-, CD11b+. CTC (CellSearch®) and MDSC were drawn simultaneously and SS were calculated using a standardized scoring system previously defined and published in the literature. A generalized estimating equation regression model was created and fitted individually for each predictor. OS was defined as time of study enrollment to date of death.Results: Using a generalized estimating equation regression model the percentage of MDSC in peripheral blood was found to have a close correlation with CTC (Pearson correlation 0.62, p=0.0001) and a coefficient of 0.29 (0.14, 0.43 95%CI). The correlation between percent MDSC and SS was not significant (Pearson 0.31, p=0.12). Interestingly, no significant correlation between CTC and SS was noted either. MDSC levels were also found to predict OS in patients with the highest percentages at the first visit having significantly decreased median overall survival [6.8 vs. 19.6 months; p=0.05]Similarly, high MDSC levels at the final blood draw was also found to correlate with significantly shorter median OS [p=0.023].Conclusions. MDSC correlated well with CTC but not SS. High circulating MDSC levels were associated with significantly decreased overall survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer. MDSC appear to be a promising prognostic immunologic biomarker in metastatic breast cancer. Further studies are needed to better define the role of MDSCs in breast cancer progression and may be a useful therapeutic target to enhance the effectiveness of immune based therapies in breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 4135.
The social organization of HIV/AIDS care in treatment programmes for adults with serious mental illness

As the HIV epidemic expands within the mental health system, mental health professionals (MHPs) are under increased pressure to provide more HIV-related care to clients in treatment for serious mental illness. Scientific understanding of MHPs’ readiness to provide these services, however, is limited. This paper examines the distribution of HIV care experience, HIV care-related knowledge, and related attitudes among 524 MHPs employed in three CMHCs and two state psychiatric hospitals in central Indiana. The results indicate that both clinical experience and subjective readiness to provide HIV care are concentrated among a few MHPs – primarily gay, lesbian, or bisexual (g/l/b) staff – within each facility. This informal system for organizing HIV care highlights the unique contributions g/l/b staff members make both in providing direct HIV care and in making sure that HIV-related issues are addressed in mental health settings. The implications of g/l/b staff members’ “gate making” function for improving the ...
An Analysis of Passive Memory in Normal and Mentally Retarded Persons.

Abstract The differential short-term retention of normal and mentally retarded persons is often attributed to differences in strategic functioning. There is, however, evidence for memory differences between these groups on tasks which minimize cognitive strategies. Many of the passive memory studies have been plagued with methodological and interpretative difficulties. The present experiment was an attempt to avoid these problems and clarify the possibility of passive memory differences. It was necessary to equate initial learning and control for rehearsal to compare the passive memory of normal and retarded persons across short, rehearsal-free intevals. The retention intervals were filled with a tonal detection task intended to prevent rehearsal. CA matched normal and retarded adolescents were required to recall sequences of consonants after periods of 0,9, and 27 sec. of tonal detection. These subjects also performed the detection task without the recall requirement over the same intervals. Subjects were classified as rehearsers and nonrehearsers, depending upon variations in their tonal detection accuracy, or response times across the two conditions. The main result was that normal and retarded nonrehearsers showed equal forgetting over the retention intervals.
Early magnetic field and magmatic activity on Mars from magma ocean cumulate overturn

Abstract Significant and perhaps complete melting of the young terrestrial planets is expected from their heat of accretion and core formation. The process of subsequent magma ocean fractional solidification creates a cumulate mantle unstable to gravitational overturn. Overturn should be fast (≤ 1 to 10 Ma) and result in increasing mantle density with depth. This stable stratification inhibits later thermal convection, preserving geochemical heterogeneities. Overturn places cold cumulates against the core–mantle boundary, which creates sufficient heat flux to drive a core dynamo, producing a brief, strong magnetic field. During overturn, hot cumulates rise from depth and melt adiabatically, creating an early crust to record this field and leaving behind mantle reservoirs with isotopic fractionations dating from the early evolution of the planet.
Minimum Membrane Bending Energies of Fusion Pores

Membranes fuse by forming highly curved intermediates, culminating in structures described as fusion pores. These hourglass-like figures that join two fusing membranes have high bending energies, which can be estimated using continuum elasticity models. Fusion pore bending energies depend strongly on shape, and the present study developed a method for determining the shape that minimizes bending energy. This was first applied to a fusion pore modeled as a single surface and then extended to a more realistic model treating a bilayer as two monolayers. For the two-monolayer model, fusion pores were found to have metastable states with energy minima at particular values of the pore diameter and bilayer separation. Fusion pore energies were relatively insensitive to membrane thickness but highly sensitive to spontaneous curvature and membrane asymmetry. With symmetrical bilayers and monolayer spontaneous curvatures of −0.1 nm−1 (a typical value) separated by 6 nm (closest distance determined by repulsive hydration forces), fusion pore formation required 43–65 kT. The pore radius of ~2.25 nm fell within the range estimated from conductance measurements. With bilayer separation >6 nm, fusion pore formation required less energy, suggesting that protein scaffolds can promote fusion by bending membranes toward one another. With nonzero spontaneous monolayer curvature, the shape that minimized the energy change during fusion pore formation differed from the shape that minimized its energy after it formed. Thus, a nascent fusion pore will relax spontaneously to a new shape, consistent with the experimentally observed expansion of nascent fusion pores during viral fusion.
Effect of 33% xenon inhalation on whole-brain blood flow and metabolism in awake and fentanyl-anesthetized monkeys.

Despite the documented diagnostic value of local cerebral blood flow maps by xenon-enhanced computed tomography, reports of cerebral blood flow activation by inhaled 33% Xe raised concerns about the method's safety and accuracy. We evaluated the effect of 33% Xe inhalation on cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rates for oxygen and glucose in four awake and six fentanyl-anesthetized rhesus monkeys. Platinum microelectrodes and catheters in the torcular Herophili were used to measure cerebral blood flow by hydrogen clearance, and oxygen and glucose concentrations. Cerebral variables were measured after 5 and 35 minutes of exposure to room air followed randomly by 67% O2 in 33% N2 or Xe. Five- and 35-minute measurements were combined because the duration of exposure had no effect. In awake monkeys, 33% Xe compared with 33% N2 reduced (p less than 0.05) cerebral blood flow from 75 +/- 12 to 66 +/- 9 (mean +/- SD) ml.100 g-1.min-1 and oxygen consumption from 6.1 +/- 0.7 to 5.1 +/- 0.6 ml.100 g-1.min-1. In fentanyl-anesthetized monkeys, cerebral variables during 33% N2 versus 33% Xe were cerebral blood flow, 84 +/- 26 versus 79 +/- 23 ml.100 g-1.min-1; oxygen consumption, 5.0 +/- 0.7 versus 4.9 +/- 0.5 ml.100 g-1.min-1; and glucose consumption, 8.4 +/- 1.9 versus 7.9 +/- 2.0 mg.100 g-1.min-1. In awake monkeys, 33% Xe reduced rather than activated cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption by 12% and 16%, respectively; it had no effect in fentanyl-anesthetized monkeys.
Pharmacokinetics of ammonium sulfate gradient loaded liposome–encapsulated oxymorphone and hydromorphone in healthy dogs

Abstract Objective To evaluate the pharmacokinetics, in dogs, of liposome–encapsulated oxymorphone and hydromorphone made by the ammonium sulfate gradient loading technique (ASG). Animals Four healthy purpose–bred Beagles aged 9.5 ± 3.2 months and weighing 13.4 ± 2.3 kg. Study design Randomized cross–over design. Methods Each dog was given either 4.0 mg kg −1 of ASG–oxymorphone or 8.0 mg kg −1 of ASG–hydromorphone SC on separate occasions with a 3–month washout period. Blood was collected at baseline and at serial time points up to 1032 hours (43 days) after injection for determination of serum opioid concentrations. Serum opioid concentrations were measured with HPLC–MS and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using commercial software and non–compartmental methods. Results Serum concentrations of oxymorphone remained above the limit of quantification for 21 days, while those for hydromorphone remained above the limit of quantification for 29 days. C max for ASG–oxymorphone was 7.5 ng mL −1 ; C max for ASG–hydromorphone was 5.7 ng mL −1 . Conclusions and clinical relevance Oxymorphone and hydromorphone, when encapsulated into liposomes using the ammonium sulfate gradient loading technique, result in measureable serum concentrations for between 3 to 4 weeks. This formulation may have promise in the convenient use of opioids for clinical treatment of chronically painful conditions in dogs.
Relations among Moral Reasoning, Locus of Control, and Demographic Variables among College Students:

This study was conducted to examine the relationships among Rest's Defining Issues Test, Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, and demographic variables. 205 undergraduates from two secular universities and one religious liberal arts college from the Middle Atlantic states were given the Defining Issues Test, the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. The Pearson correlations indicated significant associations between the Defining Issues Test scored for percentage of principled reasoning about moral dilemmas and five demographic variables. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences between the group means for the Defining Issues Test scores on three demographic variables and between the group means for the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale scores on two demographic variables. A stepwise multiple regression analysis using five variables predicted a significant amount of the variance (25%) in the Defining Issues Test scores and two variable...
A method for determining the probability of special education eligibility

Abstract The current method for determining special education eligibility has three problems: (a) continuous variables (e.g., achievement, IQ) are artificially divided into dichotomous classes; (b) errors of measurement are not used in a meaningful way; and (c) multiple test scores are not combined to make decisions. A new method for calculating the probability that a student meets eligibility criteria is proposed. The new method avoids the distortion of dichotomous classification, uses multiple scores and measurement error in a meaningful manner, and promotes the accurate use of test data in eligibility decisions.
Laparoscopic colectomy in the elderly: is there a benefit?

Abstract The role of laparoscopic surgery has gained widespread acceptance as a feasible and safe option in the management of many benign colorectal diseases. Short-term benefits such as earlier return of bowel function, less postoperative pain, and shorter length of hospital stay have been demonstrated for laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC). This has been accomplished with no significant difference in morbidity and mortality when compared with open colorectal surgery. The role of laparoscopy for malignant disease remains unclear as we await the results of the COST trial. To date there is little literature regarding the impact of LAC in the elderly population (ie, patients over the age of 70 years) as the vast majority of studies regarding laparoscopic colectomy have evaluated younger patients (less than 65 years). It is unknown if elderly patients garner the same benefits from LAC that younger patients have been shown to receive. As a result, there has been reluctance to offer laparoscopy to elderly patients. This is a review of the literature examining the positives and negatives of LAC in patients >70 years of age.
A critical evaluation of visually moderated phonetic context effects

Fowler, Brown, and Mann (2000) have reported a visually moderated phonetic context effect in which a video disambiguates an acoustically ambiguous precursor syllable, which, in turn, influences perception of a subsequent syllable. In the present experiments, we explored this finding and the claims that stem from it. Experiment 1 failed to replicate Fowler et al. with novel materials modeled after the original study, but Experiment 2 successfully replicated the effect, using Fowler et al.'s stimulus materials. This discrepancy was investigated in Experiments 3 and 4, which demonstrate that variation in visual information concurrent with the test syllable is sufficient to account for the original results. Fowler et al.'s visually moderated phonetic context effect appears to have been a demonstration of audiovisual interaction between concurrent stimuli, and not an effect whereby preceding visual information elicits changes in the perception of subsequent speech sounds.
On the relationship between micro and macro correlations in nuclear measurement uncertainties

Abstract Consideration is given to the propagation of micro correlations between the component experimental errors (corresponding to diverse attributes of the measurement process) through to the macro correlations between the total errors in the final derived experimental values. Whenever certain micro correlations cannot be precisely specified, the macro correlations must also be uncertain. However, on the basis of fundamental principles from mathematical statistics, it is shown that these uncertainties in the macro correlations can be substantially smaller than the individual uncertainties for specific micro correlations, provided that the number of distinct attributes contributing to the total experimental error is reasonably large. Furthermore, the resulting macro correlations are shown to be approximately normally distributed regardless of the distributions assumed for the micro correlations. Examples are provided to demonstrate these concepts and to illustrate their relevance to experimental nuclear research.
The display and animation of full-color images in real time on the Macintosh computer

Techniques for displaying and animating full-color and gray-scale images in real time are illustrated with Pascal examples. The Palette Manager procedures included in the Macintosh Toolbox are used to circumvent the speed limitations inherent in drawing and redrawing images on the Macintosh’s video display. With the technique of palette animation, images of arbitrary size and complexity can be displayed easily and animated at the scan rate of the video monitor. The routines described here are based on Toolbox procedures available on any Macintosh with color video capabilities.
High prevalence of plasma hypertonicity among community-dwelling older adults: results from NHANES III.

Abstract Objective Recent data suggest that as many as 50% of older adults may have hypertonic plasma, an indicator of cell dehydration that predicts a range of adverse outcomes. To determine if a prevalence of this magnitude could be real, this study used nationally representative data to estimate the prevalence of hypertonicity, and to test for biologically plausible associations between hypertonicity, older age, glucose dysregulation, hemoconcentration, reduced bioelectrical impedance, and water intake. Design Cross-sectional. Subjects Community-dwelling adults (aged 20 to 90 years) who gave blood as part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N=14,855). Statistical Analyses Plasma tonicity was estimated from glucose, sodium, and potassium values. The weighted prevalences of mild (295 to 300 mmol/L) and overt hypertonicity (≥300 mmol/L) were estimated by age, sex, race/ethnicity, fasting, and glycemic status. Hyper- and normotonic (285 to 295 mmol/L) groups were compared with respect to elevated blood chemistry values, bioelectrical impedance analysis parameters, as well as total water intake (grams, % Adequate Intake, and grams per kilogram body weight), using multivariable models that adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and survey design. Results Mild and overt hypertonicity were observed in 40% and 20% of the sample, respectively. Hypertonicity was positively associated with older age, Hispanic and African-American race, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, and hemoconcentration, and inversely associated with bioelectrical impedance analysis parameters. Hypertonicity was associated with greater total water intake in younger adults, but decreased intake in older adults. Conclusions Clinicians and researchers should be alert to hypertonicity and its causes in older adults.
ON A BORN APPROXIMATION FOR ELECTRON-HYDROGEN SCATTERING

The transition amplitudes for electron-hydrogen scattering in the singlet and triplet spin state of the electrons are presented in the first Born approximation obtained by perturbation methods. The total cross section as a function of incident electron energy and the differential cross section for scattering of 9.4, 7.1, and 5.7 ev electrons in the convertional first Born approximation are given. The results are compared with experiment. (C.E.S.)
Does anesthesia method affect implant-induced prostate swelling?

Abstract Objectives To investigate the impact of anesthesia selection on prostate gland swelling, acute toxicity, and implant quality. The outcome of prostate brachytherapy is dependent on the dose intensity and distribution. Preoperative and intraoperative planning are intended to optimize radiation delivery, but do not account for the impact of postoperative swelling on interseed spacing. Factors that increase swelling can be expected to increase the disparity between the intended and actual dose delivery. General anesthesia has been implicated in increased intraoperative bleeding during prostate surgery. Methods All iodine prostate implants planned and performed by the same radiation oncologist during a defined period were retrospectively reviewed. Excluded from the study were patients who had undergone preimplantation external beam radiotherapy or androgen deprivation. The remaining cases were analyzed to determine any association between the anesthesia type (general or spinal) and an increase in gland volume (from mapping transrectal ultrasonography to immediate postoperative computed tomography), implant quality (dosimetrically determined by minimal dose received by 90% of the volume [D90] and volume receiving 100% of prescribed dose [V100]), and acute toxicity (urinary retention, perineal/scrotal bruising). Results A total of 83 implants met the inclusion criteria. The outcomes did not significantly differ in regard to the median volume increase (23% versus 23.5%), D90 (115% versus 113%), V100 (97% versus 96.5%), acute urinary retention (3% versus 4%), or incidence or severity of perineal or scrotal bruising. No correlation was found between anesthesia type and any of the studied outcomes. Conclusions Although only a prospective, randomized trial can definitively answer the question, our results suggest that the anesthesia selection for prostate brachytherapy does not influence prostate swelling, acute toxicity, or implant dosimetric quality.
The work of sustaining order in wikipedia: the banning of a vandal

In this paper, we examine the social roles of software tools in the English-language Wikipedia, specifically focusing on autonomous editing programs and assisted editing tools. This qualitative research builds on recent research in which we quantitatively demonstrate the growing prevalence of such software in recent years. Using trace ethnography, we show how these often-unofficial technologies have fundamentally transformed the nature of editing and administration in Wikipedia. Specifically, we analyze "vandal fighting" as an epistemic process of distributed cognition, highlighting the role of non-human actors in enabling a decentralized activity of collective intelligence. In all, this case shows that software programs are used for more than enforcing policies and standards. These tools enable coordinated yet decentralized action, independent of the specific norms currently in force.
Neurobehavioral contributions to cardiac arrhythmias during aversive pavlovian conditioning in the rabbit receiving digitalis

Abstract Clinical observations suggest that a prevalent condition for the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias is the synergistic interaction of several risk factors including digitalis glycosides, myocardial ischemia and psychological stress. However, little research has been directed toward controlled, systematic investigations of such synergistic interaction, particularly with respect to psychological stress and digitalis glycosides. The present research was undertaken to develop an animal model with which to study the behavioral and neurobiological contributions to arrhythmias during psychological stress in the presence of digitalis. The model used the rabbit as the experimental animal, a pavlovian aversive conditioning procedure and ouabain, a digitalis glycoside. Rabbits received pavlovian conditioning trials in which a tone as a conditioned stimulus (CS) was paired with an eyelid shock as an unconditioned stimulus (US). Twenty-four hours later, a retention test was given in which either of two doses of ouabain or saline was given, followed by 20 CS presentations alone. The CS presentations were given every 120 s (± 10 s). During ouabain infusion, the CS significantly increased the frequency of arrhythmic episodes compared to pre-CS baseline frequencies. These arrhythmic episodes were invariably preceded-by CS-induced bradycardia. Both parasympathetic and sympathetic involvement were suggested in arrhythmogenesis, since the CS-induced increase in arrhythmic episodes was blocked by pretreatment with either atropine methylnitrate or atenolol. Furthermore, electrical stimulation of the amygdaloid central nucleus, an area implicated in the expression of bradycardia to a pavlovian CS in the rabbit produced arrhythmic episodes in the presence of ouabain. These arrhythmic episodes were similar in topography to CS-induced arrhythmias within any one animal and were decreased by atropine methylnitrate pretreatment. Insights into central and peripheral nervous system mechanisms by which psychological stress is capable of evoking cardiac arrhythmias in the presence of ouabain should ultimately lead to more effective treatment strategies for the prevention of these arrhythmias.
Physiological evidence for caudal brainstem projections of jaw muscle spindle afferents.

Retrograde transport and intra-axonal labeling studies provide convincing evidence that jaw-muscle spindle afferents project to the caudal medulla by way of Probst’s tract. However, functional properties of this caudal projection are not well understood. Extracellular recordings were made in cats at the level of the subnucleus interpolaris (Vi) to identify single units that showed consistent responses to ramp-and-hold stretches of the jaw. In this report, we present data from 20 central units with properties indicating that they received input from trigeminal muscle spindle afferents. All units were activated by gentle palpation of jaw muscles, and none had superficial receptive fields. Two groups of neurons could be defined based on their responses to passive jaw movements. One group (n=12) showed an obvious dynamic response (i.e., a higher level of activity at the onset of stretch than during the hold period). Activity was maintained during the hold phase, and the units stopped firing (unloaded) for a brief period upon jaw closure. The other group (n=8) lacked a dynamic response. Instead, they showed an increase in firing with onset of stretch that was maintained during the hold phase. Thirteen units, which were tested with more than three different jaw stretch speeds and/or amplitudes, were further characterized by analyzing dynamic index (DI) and mean firing rate (MFR) during each phase of the ramp-and-hold movement as well as interspike interval (ISI) variability. All but one unit with a dynamic response showed a speed-sensitivity. In all cases, the MFR was a more sensitive indicator of changes in jaw speed than DI. Neurons in the other group (5/5 tested) showed a high position-sensitivity, i.e., their firing rates varied as a function of amplitude of jaw opening. The percent change in ISI variability for all neurons ranged from 37–84%. The response characteristics of these central neurons were compared to known physiological properties of muscle spindle afferents. The results provided compelling evidence for jaw-muscle-spindle afferent projection onto these neurons. Reconstruction of recording sites showed that medial Vi, and the adjacent reticular formation, are likely recipients for the caudal projections from jaw-muscle-spindle afferents. We suggest that muscle spindle input to this region is well suited for influencing the coordination of motor behavior during feeding and for the integration and processing of kinesthetic information.
Isotropy of drift mobilities in hydrogenated amorphous silicon

We report transient photocurrent and time-of-flight measurements in undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) for photocarrier motion both parallel and perpendicular to the thin-film growth axis. These measurements were analyzed to obtain the electron drift mobility and deep-trapping mobility-lifetime product at room temperature. We found good agreement of the electron-drift-mobility measurements for both field directions in two specimens prepared in several light-soaking states. Fifteen pairs of mobility-lifetime product estimates for the two field directions were also measured in a larger number of specimens. The data exclude an electron-transport anisotropy in a-Si:H greater than a factor of 2 in our specimens. We also studied the effects of absorption depth upon estimates of deep-trapping mobility-lifetime products for the standard sandwich electrode structure; results using 520-nm illumination yield estimates that are typically half the value estimated with uniformly absorbed illumination. We also present data on the correlation of the electron and hole deep-trapping mobility-lifetime products for these specimens.
Liquid supplementation for ruminants fed low-quality forage diets: a review

Forty-three studies involving liquid supplementation of cattle and sheep consuming low-quality forages were identified, summarized in tabular form and reviewed. All studies that could be found containing animal gain, forage intake and (or) supplement consumption with molasses-urea supplements under grazing conditions were reviewed. Seven studies were found which compared forage intake or animal performance by animals fed hay or straw and molasses-urea supplements with unsupplemented animals. Molasses-urea supplements did not increase forage intake or animal performance compared with unsupplemented animals in five of the seven studies. Thirteen studies were identified which evaluated performance of grazing animals receiving molasses-urea supplements compared with unsupplemented animals. Seven of these 13 grazing studies reported improved live weight change when animals received molasses-urea supplements. Only two grazing studies were found which evaluated forage intake by animals consuming molasses-urea supplements and compared it with unsupplemented animals. Both studies found no effect. Five of six studies identified that compared molasses-urea supplements with dry supplements, forage intake or animal live weight change were not increased by molasses-urea supplements over dry supplements. Most authors concluded that feeding molasses-urea supplements to grazing ruminants was not as profitable as feeding dry supplements; however, few studies reported economic data. Studies demonstrated that level of molasses and nitrogen influenced animal performance. Asynchrony between molasses and nitrogen resulted in animal weight loss. Most positive animal responses were seen with a combination of high levels of molasses and nitrogen. However, these results may have been influenced by supplement formulation. Performance and intake results were confounded by pasture condition, forage quality, animal variation and supplement delivery system. In four studies that measured supplement intake by individual animals, between 1 and 20% of experimental animals refused to consume any molasses-urea supplement. Quantification of supplement intake and animal feeding behavior has not been adequately addressed in the literature.
Accurate signature driven power conscious tuning of RF systems using hierarchical performance models

In this research, a new post-manufacture tuning approach for yield improvement of advanced RF systems is developed. The proposed method first determines module level performances from the system level response (signature) to an applied RF diagnostic test using top-down model diagnosis. Then a constrained optimizer is used to determine the best module level tuning parameter values that satisfy system level specifications (bottom-up analysis) based on the determined performances of the individual modules in a power-conscious manner. Both top-down and bottom-up analysis techniques are supported by hierarchical RF behavioral models. The health (effects of process variations) of individual modules affects the relationship between module level tuning parameters and module level performance metrics and is factored into the tuning procedure. A key benefit of the proposed approach is that only a single test application is needed. Simulation results and hardware data prove the efficiency of the proposed tuning technique.