Location of Aluminum in Substituted Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) Gels as Determined by 29Si and 27Al NMR and EELS

Solid-state ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy has been combined with electron energy loss spectroscopy carried out in the transmission electron microscope to determine the location of Al substituting in a semicrystalline C-S-H gel present in a hydrated synthetic slag glass. The gel is found to contain mainly pentameric silicate chains in which the central silicon is substituted by aluminum.     

Preoperative pulmonary evaluation of the thoracic surgical patient

A test designed to separate those undergoing thoracic surgery without complications and those with complications must be both highly specific and sensitive. Clearly, the difference between patients at opposite ends of the population curves is easy to identify. Spirometry can be helpful for screening, although it is not a very discriminating test. If patients fall in the overlap region between the populations, however, it is impossible to discern the risks with any certainty using low-yield tests. A test with higher sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values is necessary to ascertain such marginal differences. With this kind of analysis at hand, preoperative testing can be divided into three predictive value groups. Calculating the predictive value of each preoperative test can provide a comparative measure of usefulness of discriminative power (Table 1). In this way, spirometry, blood gas analysis, and stair climbing tolerance are shown to be poor predictors of outcome. An intermediate predictive value can be achieved using diffusion capacity, exercise-induced decreases in O2 saturation, and exercise PVR. High predictive value can be accomplished with combination indexes (PPP, possibly PRQ), measurement of VO2 at 40 watts of exercise, or VO2max. Logic dictates a step-wise preoperative evaluation using prediction value analysis (Fig.4). A flow decision chart for the preoperative evaluation of patients for pulmonary resection begins with exercise oximetry, spirometry, and blood gas analysis as general screening tests to separate those patients at minimal or no risks for complications from those patients that require further evaluation. Functional indexes (PPP, PRQ) or exercise testing can aid further in the selection of those patients in whom a nonsurgical option should be considered. Flow decision chart for the preoperative evaluation of patients for pulmonary resection should continue to evolve as new information about outcome studies is gathered. Examination of outcome data will provide us with reduction of the size of the nonoperable population, so that we can deny only those patients who truly pose a prohibitive risk.     

Fatigue behaviour of a phenolic matrix composite

This paper presents results of a fatigue life investigations carried out in plate specimens of a fibre-glass-reinforced phenolic matrix composite. Tensile and Young's modulus data were obtained at four different testing temperatures (room temperature, 100, 150 and 200 °C). The fatigue S−N data were obtained at room temperature only and for two stress ratio values (R=0 and 0.4). Fatigue and tensile behaviour was assesesed in the composite with the fibres aligned in the longitudinal loading direction. The results were obtained for two values of volume fraction (0.28 and 0.42) and three different glass surface treatments. A detailed comparison of fatigue results is given taking into account several fatigue parameters and also the testing variables. Results of observations of SEM fracture surfaces are also presented.     

Interpreting the chi-square statistics reported in the many-faceted Rasch model

The different chi-square statistics reported in the many-faceted Rasch model analysis are presented and interpreted. In addition, other chi-square summary values are computed and presented for interpretation of facets. The chi-square values are useful for determining: (1) the significance of a facet in the Rasch model; (2) the significant contribution of facet main and interaction effects; (3) differences among facet elements; and (4) identifying the specific facet interaction adjustments to the subjects' calibrated logit ability measure.     

Sociodemographic factors and the variation in syphilis rates among US counties, 1984 through 1993: an ecological analysis

OBJECTIVES: Syphilis in the United States is focally distributed, with high incidence rates in the South and in metropolitan areas nationwide. In this study an ecological analysis, using the county as the unit of analysis, was performed to generate hypotheses about community-level determinants of syphilis rates. METHODS: Bivariate rank correlations and multivariate, backward stepwise elimination linear regressions were performed. Mean annual incidence of primary- and secondary-stage syphilis in a county was the dependent variable, and county sociodemographic characteristics (from census data) were the independent variables. RESULTS: In the multivariate regression model, sociodemographic characteristics accounted for 71% of the variation in syphilis rates among counties. With other factors accounted for, the most highly correlated characteristics were percentage non-Hispanic Black population, county location in the South, percentage of the population that was urban, percentage Hispanic population, and percentage of births to women younger than 20 years. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the variation in syphilis rates among counties is accounted for by sociodemographic characteristics. Identification and remediation of modifiable health determinants for which these factors are markers are needed to improve the health status of these populations.     

Narrow pulse measurement of drain characteristics of GaAs MESFETs

A measurement technique is presented which uses narrow, fast-rise-time pulses applied to both the gate and the drain of a GaAs MESFET to obtain the drain characteristics of the device. This allows the characteristics of the device to be obtained which correspond to frequencies above those at which surface and substrate traps can respond. The resulting characteristics show significant departures from those obtained using conventional long pulse and DC measurement techniques.