Entity linking systems for literature reviews

Scientometrics - Computer-assisted methods and tools can help researchers automate the coding process of literature reviews and accelerate the literature review process. However, existing...     

New concept for applying edge line phase-shifting masks to arbitrary mask layouts

This paper explains the principle of a method which avoids printing of phantom resist lines due to undesired intensity minima appearing on Cr-less edge line phase-shifting masks. The method combines principles of grey-tone lithography and attenuated phase-shifting masks to give, what we call, a Cr-Less Attenuated Phase-shifting mask (CLAP). Rules for generating a CLAP design and a paradigm setup of a CLAP mask are presented. The capabilities and possible limitations of the CLAP method based on simulated results for a standard wafer stepper setup using the SOLID lithography simulator are being assessed.     

Pulmonary and allergy subspecialty care in adults with asthma. Treatment, use of services, and health outcomes

This study examined the relationship of several maternal variables to the duration of exclusive breast-feeding and the total duration of breast-feeding, along with attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about breast-feeding among women living in poor neighborhoods of Managua, Nicaragua. The field work was carried out in December 1992 and January 1993 using qualitative and quantitative methods. A structured questionnaire was administered in interviews with 556 mothers of children under 12 months of age, and meetings of four directed discussion groups were held, in which a total of 20 women participated. At one week of age, almost all the children of the mothers who were surveyed had been breast-fed, but only 45% had been exclusively breast-fed. At 12 weeks old, 30% were already completely weaned. The discussion groups revealed the coexistence of positive opinions about both breast-feeding and bottle-feeding. However, exclusive breast-feeding was considered harmful for the mother, and breast milk was not thought to be sufficient nourishment for the child. Previous experience was strongly related to the duration of exclusive breast-feeding and to total breast-feeding duration. Attitudes, social support, and work situation were important factors influencing the total length of time women breast-fed a child. In general, the results obtained through the interviews and in the discussion groups were in agreement and showed that the elements needed to promote exclusive breast-feeding were social support, a favorable community environment, and policies that dealt with problems faced by working mothers. The complementary research methods were useful for obtaining information about the relative importance of different factors that determine the duration of breast-feeding and for understanding that practice in greater depth from the mother's point of view.     

Interleukin-8 expression in normal nasal epithelium and its modulation by infection with respiratory syncytial virus and cytokines tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6

Inflammation in nasal and airway tissue caused by allergens, microbial infection, and air pollution are likely to be regulated by inflammatory mediators produced by airway epithelial cells. We have therefore investigated the baseline expression of a number of cytokine genes known to be important inducers and modulators of inflammation, in freshly isolated human nasal epithelium. Cells were obtained by superficial scraping of turbinate tissue, and cDNA for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was reverse-transcribed directly from lysates of 3 x 10(3) to 5 x 10(3) epithelial cells using random hexamers. Constitutive expression of relatively high levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA but undetectable levels (< 1 mRNA copy/cell) of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-6, IL-1, or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) mRNA were found after PCR amplification of the cDNA. IL-8 protein, but not IL-6, was identified in the nasal epithelial cells by immunocytochemistry. Infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or stimulation of nasal epithelium for 4 h with TNF or IL-1 in vitro resulted in a 4- to 10-fold increase in IL-8 mRNA expression but not in the expression of detectable levels of mRNA for the other cytokines. IL-8 was secreted by RSV-, IL-1-, and TNF-stimulated as well as unstimulated nasal epithelial cells after 6 to 20 h of culture. Neither IL-6, GM-CSF, nor TNF activity/immunoreactivity was detectable in the culture supernatants. Thus, it appears that IL-8 is a major cytokine of human nasal epithelium, constitutively expressed and readily secreted upon virus infection or stimulation with IL-1 and TNF.     

Milk production, health, behavior, and endocrine responses of cows exposed to electrical current during milking

Six cows were exposed during milkings to electrical current to assess its effects on behavior, health, milking performance, and endocrine responses. Three treatments (0, 4, and 8 mA) were applied in a changeover design over three consecutive 1-wk periods. A cow received the same current treatment during 14 consecutive milkings, beginning with the evening milking (d 1) and ending with the morning milking (d 8). Treatments began 5 min before milking and continued until milking unit removal. Treatments consisted of 60 Hz square wave current of 5-s duration applied every 30 s from udder to hooves. Milk accumulation curves provided information about milk yields, milking times, peak milk flow rates, and times of peak milk flow. Residual milk yields also were measured. Milk was analyzed for protein, fat, and somatic cells. Blood samples from 60 min before to 60 min after treatment were collected, and oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol concentrations were measured. Behavioral responses to current decreased with time. Changes of milking performance and milk composition were not significant. Changes of milking related cortisol responses during 8-mA current stimulation were significant. Oxytocin release was delayed during 8-mA treatments. Current treatments did not affect prolactin.     

Current options in prosthetic vascular graft infection

Debate continues over which procedure is the best treatment for prosthetic graft infections. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records at our institution for all vascular graft infections that occurred from 1985 to 1995 to evaluate their occurrence, treatment, and outcome. Twenty-four patients had prosthetic graft infections. The average patient age was 62 years, and 67 per cent of the patients studied were men. The initial operation was for treatment of occlusive disease in 92 per cent of the patients, and aortofemoral bypasses were the most common procedures performed (15 of 24 patients, 63%). The average interval from graft implantation to presentation of infection was 29 months. In lower-extremity bypasses, the site of infection was most commonly in the groin (87%). Gram-positive organisms, including coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (32%) and Staphylococcus aureus (28%), were the most frequently isolated bacteria. Thirty procedures were performed for management of the graft infections. Extra-anatomic bypass was associated with no recurrent graft infections. Graft preservation was successful in two cases of early S. aureus infection (less than 1 year after original procedure), and in situ graft replacement was successful in all four cases of late-appearing coagulase-negative Staphylococcus infection (more than 1 year after original procedure). Both treatments failed in all five cases of Gram-negative infection (P = 0.008 by Fisher's exact test). The overall mortality and amputation rates were 17 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively, without significant differences between the treatment modalities. Extra-anatomic bypass remains the best treatment for prosthetic graft infection. In situ replacement and graft preservation treatments should be selective and based on presentation of the infection and the type of pathogenic organism.     

Upcycling of polypropylene with various concentrations of peroxydicarbonate and dilauroyl peroxide and two processing steps

The influence of two peroxides (peroxydicarbonate/dilauroyl peroxide) with various concentrations (10–200 mmol/kg PP) and their effective opportunity to introduce long chain branched (LCB) were investigated. The dependence of a single and double extrusion step and the changes of the properties were studied. Experiments were carried out in a single screw extruder at 180°C for the first extrusion step (modification) and at 240°C for the second extrusion step (processing simulation). Melt flow rate and dynamic rheological properties were studied at a measuring temperature of 230°C. For the definitive determination of long chain branched polypropylene (LCB-PP) served the extensional rheology measurements. The mechanical properties were examined via tensile test and impact tensile test. Summarized, LCB (melt strength) could be observed via extensional rheology for all modified specimens and the mechanical properties were maintained or even improved for the modified samples. Particularly, samples containing dilauroyl peroxide display excellent mechanical properties in this study.