cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A geographic information system-based method for estimating cancer rates in non-census defined geographical areas

To address locally relevant cancer-related health issues, health departments frequently need data beyond that contained in standard census area-based statistics. We describe a geographic information system-based method for calculating age-standardized cancer incidence rates in non-census defined geographical areas using publically available data. Aggregated records of cancer cases diagnosed from 2009 through 2013 in each of Chicago’s 77 census-defined community areas were obtained from the Illinois State Cancer Registry. Areal interpolation through dasymetric mapping of census blocks was used to redistribute populations and case counts from community areas to Chicago’s 50 politically defined aldermanic wards, and ward-level age-standardized 5-year cumulative incidence rates were calculated. Potential errors in redistributing populations between geographies were limited to <1.5% of the total population, and agreement between our ward population estimates and those from a frequently cited reference set of estimates was high (Pearson correlation r = 0.99, mean difference = −4 persons). A map overlay of safety-net primary care clinic locations and ward-level incidence rates for advanced-staged cancers revealed potential pathways for prevention. Areal interpolation through dasymetric mapping can estimate cancer rates in non-census defined geographies. This can address gaps in local cancer-related health data, inform health resource advocacy, and guide community-centered cancer prevention and control.
Calculating the Real Costs of the Opioid Crisis

The statistics regarding the opioid crisis in the United States are staggering, have been the focus of the media for more than a decade, and show no signs of improving. In 2016, 2.4 million Americans were estimated to have an opioid use disorder, ranging from the misuse of prescription opioids to the abuse of heroin and other illicit opioids.1 This includes 0.6% of adolescents 12 to 17 years of age and 1.1% of young adults 18 to 25 years of age. In 2015, 50 000 Americans died of overdose, of which 33 000 (63%) were from opioids.2 Despite policies to regulate drug supplies and increase access to treatment, overdose death rates have doubled in the past 10 years and have continued to rise for adults.3 Although the death rate from overdose has plateaued recently for those younger than 18 years and the rate of prescription opioid misuse has … Address correspondence to Sheryl A. Ryan, MD, FAAP, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Briarcrest Building, 905 W Governor Rd, Hershey, PA 17033. E-mail: sryan4{at}pennstatehealth.psu.edu
GaP-On-Insulator as a Platform for Integrated Photonics

We present a complete process flow for fabrication of integrated GaP-on-insulator photonic devices via direct wafer bonding of epitaxial films. High-fidelity patterning enables a range of applications, such as waveguide resonators and photonic crystal cavities.
Issues Facing Women in Politics in the United States

Starting with a synopsis of the political marketing discipline, this chapter explicates why it is essential to study gender, and specifically women in politics from a political marketing perspective. The chapter uses examines the voids among theoretical perspectives in political marketing. It uses primary data to showcase the various gender-based issues female politicians face though a marketing and branding lens. The interpretation is broken into three themes: gender performance, gender bias, and gender hierarchies and power dynamics.
Integrated responses of crustaceans inhabiting estuaries to the challenges of feeding and digestion in low salinity

This study presents a methodology for combining archival data storage tags (DSTs) and ultrasonic transmitters to investigate the microhabitat conditions of adult Cancer magister (Dana), inhabiting an estuary. The temperature, salinity and depth experienced by freeranging Dungeness crabs was recorded at 10min intervals for periods ranging from 1 week to 8months. Crabs were tracked using a hydrophone and tags were recovered via concentrated trapping or returned by recreational fishers for a reward. These methods led to a return rate of 50%. Representative CTD tag data showed that the conditions recorded at fixed stations within the estuary were not reflective of those experienced by free ranging crabs, but rather crabs were able to orient and avoid low salinity within the estuary. The prevalence of low salinity exposure was linked to times of increased food availability within the estuary, suggesting that crabs were entering the shallows of the estuary to forage. The techniques employed in this study demonstrate that DSTs are a viable means of determining the microhabitat conditions of crustaceans inhabiting highly variable environments. This work has been published as: Curtis, D. L. and McGaw, I. J. (2008). A year in the life of a Dungeness crab: methodology for determining microhabitat conditions experienced by large decapod crustaceans in estuaries. Journal of Zoology 274, 375-385.
ROD Outer Segment (ROS) Renewal

The method by which the vertebrate rod cell replaces integral membrane proteins in the outer segment is unique to this type of photoreceptor. The process is termed rod outer-segment (ROS) turnover, and one turnover period for rats is 10 days (Bairati and Orzalesi, 1963; Droz, 1963; Young, 1967, 1971a, b; Hall et al., 1968; Anderson and Fisher, 1976). The vertebrate ROS, the light-catching apparatus of the cell, is composed of a stack of membranous discs surrounded by a plasma membrane (Sjostrand, 1953; Moody and Robertson, 1960; Cohen, 1968). Newly synthesized rhodopsin, an integral membrane protein, is inserted into discs at the base of the outer segment. Once rhodopsin molecules are incorporated into a disc, they remain there for the lifetime of the disc (Young, 1967; Daemen, 1973; Steinberg et al., 1980; Papermaster and Schneider, 1982). As new discs are formed, they progressively displace the previously synthesized discs toward the tip of the outer segment. When the discs reach the tip, they are shed in groups surrounded by a plasma membrane. The packets of discs, ingested by pigment epithelial cells, are called phagosomes, and they are degraded by lysosomal enzymes within these cells (Young and Bok, 1969; Ishikawa and Yamada, 1970; Spitnas and Hogan, 1970; Young, 1971b; Roof et al., 1991). A burst of disc shedding occurs daily, 1–2 hours after light onset (Hollyfield et al., 1976; LaVail, 1976; Besharse et al., 1977a, b; Kinney and Fisher, 1978). For mammals, the shedding burst is under circadian control (Goldman et al., 1980; LaVail, 1980; Teirstein et al., 1980).
Protection of the Ischemic Myocardium during the Reperfusion: Between Hope and Reality

The heart is an organ that requires an important energy input to ensure its contractile function. Myocardial ischemia happens when there is a deficiency of blood flow that is responsible for the passage from an aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. Myocardial ischemia results from an imbalance between inputs and the needs of nutrient and oxygen to the myocardium. The restoration of myocardial perfusion called reperfusion is a way to save the ischemic myocardium. However, although reperfusion is beneficial for the survival of the ischemic myocardium, it also induces a deleterious effect in addition to that of ischemic stress. Three decade ago, while several studies, strived to elucidate the protective effect of preconditioning, a phenomenon performed before ischemia and having a powerful protective effects against ischemia/reperfusion injury, very few have believed in the possibility of protecting the myocardium after ischemia (during reperfusion). Actually, both ischemic and pharmacological postconditioning as well as controlled reperfusion methods to protect the ischemic heart has proved effective in the reduction of damage related to ischemia/reperfusion. The possibility of protecting the myocardium during reperfusion opens a new area in the research against damage caused by ischemia/reperfusion because these methods are easily transferable in a clinic setting.
Prediction of therapeutic response to pregabalin in subjects with neuropathic pain.

AbstractObjective: To evaluate four models based on potential predictors for achieving a response to pregabalin treatment for neuropathic pain (NeP).Methods: In total, 46 pain studies were screened, of which 27 NeP studies met the criteria for inclusion in this analysis. Data were pooled from these 27 placebo-controlled randomized trials to assess if baseline characteristics (including mean pain and pain-related sleep interference [PRSI] scores), early clinical response during weeks 1–3 of treatment (change from baseline in pain and PRSI scores), and presence of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were predictive of therapeutic response. Therapeutic response was defined as a ≥30% reduction from baseline in either pain and/or PRSI scores at week 5 with supplemental analyses to predict pain outcomes at weeks 8 and 12. Predictors of Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) were also evaluated. Four models were assessed: Random Forest, Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, and Partial Least Squares.Results:...
Sensors for biomanufacturing process development: facilitating the shift from batch to continuous manufacturing

The biopharmaceutical industry has traditionally utilized batch manufacturing strategies for production, but continuous manufacturing has been explored as an alternative production method in recent years because of the potential financial and quality benefits. The complex nature of this manufacturing method requires robust online process analytical technology (PAT) that can effectively characterize continuous processes at the development scale (0.1–100 mL for process scouting devices (PSDs) and 100 mL–10 L for bench-scale development) as well as sensors that can monitor and control them at the commercial scale (hundreds to thousands of liters). Both established and new bioprocessing sensor technologies for characterizing and monitoring batch and continuous bioprocesses are explored in this review and are evaluated for their potential use in continuous bioprocess development and in commercial-scale production. Not all of these sensors can be integrated with control systems for end-to-end continuous bioprocesses at the commercial scale, but they can currently be used to gain a better understanding of new continuous processes at the development scale in order to make the scale-up process more data-driven, improving process understanding.
Quality Measures for Managing Prescription of Antipsychotic Medication Among Youths: Factors Associated With Health Plan Performance.

Objective:This study examined the performance of health plans on two HEDIS measures: metabolic monitoring of children and adolescents prescribed an antipsychotic and use of first-line psychosocial ...
Zygomorphic flowers have fewer visitors

Botanists have long identified bilaterally symmetrical (zygomorphic) flowers as having more specialized pollination interactions than radially symmetrical (actinomorphic) flowers. Zygomorphic flowers facilitate more precise contact with pollinators, guide pollinator behaviour, and exclude less effective pollinators. However, to our knowledge, whether zygomorphic flowers are actually visited by a smaller subset of available pollinators has not been broadly evaluated. We compiled 53,609 floral visitation records in 159 communities around the world and classified the plants9 floral symmetry. Globally and within individual communities, plant species with zygomorphic flowers are indeed visited by fewer pollinator species. Likely as a consequence of this difference, however, zygomorphic flowers share a somewhat larger proportion of their visitors with other taxa in the same community. The structures of visitation sub-networks for plants with different floral symmetry, and full networks with varying proportions of zygomorphic flowers, also differ in ways that may arise from differences in visitor diversity. These results provide context for widely documented associations between zygomorphy and diversification and imply that species with zygomorphic flowers may face greater risk of extinction due to pollinator loss.
Design Space Exploration of Stochastic Computing Architectures Implemented using Integrated Optics

Approximate computing allows to trade-off design energy efficiency with computing accuracy. Stochastic computing is an approximate computing technique, where numbers are represented as bit streams corresponding to probabilities. The serial computation of the bit streams leads to reduced hardware complexity but involves high latency, which is the main limitation of the technique. Integrated optics technology relies on high propagation speed of signals, which has the potential to reduce the processing latency in stochastic computing. However, the design of stochastic computing architectures implemented using integrated optics involves the exploration of numerous parameters at system and technological levels. In this work, we propose a design space exploration framework that allows to optimize energy efficiency, computing accuracy, and latency of such architectures. The efficiency of the framework is evaluated using a Gamma correction image processing application. Results show that, for processing 160x160 pixels images, an acceptable ×4.5 increase in the errors leads to ×47 energy efficiency and ×16 processing speed. We also show that the same computing accuracy can be obtained for different energy efficiency and computing latency, thus, validating the ability of the framework to explore the design space.
Beyond inclusion and exclusion: Jewish experiences of the First World War in central Europe: edited by Jason Crouthamel, Michael Geheran, Tim Grady, and Julia Barbara- Köhne, New York, Berghahn Books, 2019, 407 pp., $130.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-1-7892-0018-8

Beyond Inclusion and Exclusion addresses the various experiences of Jewish men and women during the Great War. By exploring diverse narratives in various forms, including literature and film, these...
Secularization Regimes and Religious Toleration: China’s Multiple Experiments

This chapter builds on Peter Berger’s pluralistic theoretical construct of “the many altars of modernity” and specifies the four types of church-state relations. These include religious monopoly, oligopoly, pluralism, and atheist eradication of all religions. The typology is used to describe China’s experiments with various types of church-state relations and secularization regimes. The chapter offers an assessment of the social consequences of various secularization regimes in terms of religious toleration.
Preservice teachers’ use of mathematics tasks in relation to their experiences with, goals for, and beliefs about English learners

In this study we examined three preservice elementary teachers’ (PSTs) use of mathematics tasks with English learners (ELs) during a field experience. For each of the first three weeks of the field experience, the PSTs were provided tasks for which to plan a lesson for a one-on-one session with an EL. Drawing on Brown’s (2009) notion of Pedagogical Design Capacity, we analyzed the PSTs’ lesson plans, weekly interviews, and written reflections to identify the ways in which the PSTs’ beliefs about, goals for, and experiences with the ELs impacted their use of the tasks. We were particularly interested in how the PSTs attended to the linguistic aspects of the tasks. We found that the PSTs’ overarching beliefs about teaching drove their desire to remove potential barriers and that they attempted to reduce students’ struggles by modifying the tasks that they were provided. The PSTs utilized a range of modifications, including replacing potentially unfamiliar words, changing contexts, and increasing the white space in the tasks. Though some of these strategies were successful in removing barriers, they did not always facilitate students’ linguistic development. Implications include the need for teacher educators to disrupt PSTs’ notions of effective teaching in the hopes their goals transition from removing barriers to providing scaffolds.
Avian influenza A virus susceptibility, infection, transmission, and antibody kinetics in European starlings.

Avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose risks to public, agricultural, and wildlife health. Bridge hosts are spillover hosts that share habitat with both maintenance hosts (e.g., mallards) and target hosts (e.g., poultry). We conducted a comprehensive assessment of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), a common visitor to both urban and agricultural environments, to assess whether this species might act as a potential maintenance or bridge host for IAVs. First, we experimentally inoculated starlings with a wild bird IAV to investigate susceptibility and replication kinetics. Next, we evaluated whether IAV might spill over to starlings from sharing resources with a widespread IAV reservoir host. We accomplished this using a specially designed transmission cage to simulate natural environmental transmission by exposing starlings to water shared with IAV-infected mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). We then conducted a contact study to assess intraspecies transmission between starlings. In the initial experimental infection study, all inoculated starlings shed viral RNA and seroconverted. All starlings in the transmission study became infected and shed RNA at similar levels. All but one of these birds seroconverted, but detectable antibodies were relatively transient, falling to negative levels in a majority of birds by 59 days post contact. None of the contact starlings in the intraspecies transmission experiment became infected. In summary, we demonstrated that starlings may have the potential to act as IAV bridge hosts if they share water with IAV-infected waterfowl. However, starlings are unlikely to act as maintenance hosts due to limited, if any, intraspecies transmission. In addition, starlings have a relatively brief antibody response which should be considered when interpreting serology from field samples. Further study is needed to evaluate the potential for transmission from starlings to poultry, a possibility enhanced by starling’s behavioral trait of forming very large flocks which can descend on poultry facilities when natural resources are scarce.
What is Confinement

Most efforts aimed at proving (or at least understanding) confinement attempt to show that the potential energy between a static quark–antiquark pair (the static quark potential), grows linearly with the separation between the quarks. In other words, since a linear potential is associated with an area-law falloff for Wilson loops, the aim is to show that SU(3) gauge theory in D = 4 dimensions is in the phase of magnetic disorder. But if, by the word “confinement,” we mean that there is a static quark potential which rises indefinitely with quark separation, then by this definition QCD is not confining, because the static quark potential must eventually go flat due to a process, described below, known as “string breaking.”
Studies on the Biosynthesis of Mannan in Micrococcus lysodeikticus: II. THE ENZYMATIC SYNTHESIS OF MANNOSYL-1-PHOSPHORYL-UNDECAPRENOL

Abstract The carrier lipid involved in the enzymatic synthesis of mannosyl-1-phosphoryl-undecaprenol was isolated from the crude lipids of Micrococcus lysodeikticus and identified as undecaprenyl phosphate. In the presence of a particulate enzyme from M. lysodeikticus undecaprenyl phosphate serves as an acceptor of a mannosyl group from GDP-mannose, with concomitant production of GDP. Optimal rates of enzymatic synthesis of mannosyl-1-phosphoryl-undecaprenol require the presence of Mg++ ion, and a surfaceactive compound, such as phosphatidylglycerol. An isomer of undecaprenyl phosphate, ficaprenyl (11) phosphate, serves as a substrate for mannosyl-1-phosphoryl-undecaprenol synthetase.
Uniform current density and divergence control in high power extraction ion diodes

A theory of radial beam uniformity in extraction ion diodes is presented. The theory is based on a locally one dimensional analysis of the diamagnetic compression of magnetic streamlines and the self consistent determination of the virtual cathode location. The radial dependence of the applied magnetic field is used to determine the critical parameters of this locally one dimensional treatment. The theory has been incorporated into the ATHETA magnetic field code to allow the rapid evaluation of realistic magnetic field configurations. Comparisons between the theoretical results, simulations with the QUICKSILVER code, and experiments on the PBFA-X accelerator establish the usefulness of this tool for tuning magnetic fields to improve ion beam uniformity. The consequences of poor beam uniformity on the evolution of ion diode instabilities are discussed with supporting evidence from simulations, theory, and experiments.
Renewable generation effect on net regional energy interchange

Using production-cost model (PLEXOS), we simulate the Western Interchange (WECC) at several levels of the yearly renewable energy (RE) generation, between 13% and 40% of the total load for the year. We look at the overall energy exchange between a region and the rest of the system (net interchange, NI), and find it useful to examine separately (i) (time-)variable and (ii) year-average components of the NI. Both contribute to interregional energy exchange, and are affected by wind and PV generation in the system. We find that net load variability (in relatively large portions of WECC) is the leading factor affecting the variable component of inter-regional energy exchange, and the effect is quantifiable: higher regional net load correlation with the rest of the WECC lowers net interchange variability. Further, as the power mix significantly varies between WECC regions, effects of ‘flexibility import’ (regions ‘borrow’ ramping capability) are also observed.
Effect of purity and processing procedure on the mechanical properties of beryllium sheet

The purpose of this research was to assess what improvements might be obtained in the bend ductility of beryllium sheet by starting with high purity commercial powder and consolidating it into sheet by techniques that minimized deformation and texturing. Sound sheet was achieved with reduction ratios from 2∶1 to 12∶1 at temperatures from 700° to 1050°C by forging, upsetting and compression rolling. Compression rolling is accomplished by successively changing the rolling direction by 30 deg after each pass so that no preferred rolling direction was developed. It was found that as the plastic bend ductility increased (up to 4 pct) the yield strength decreased. The higher bend ductilities corresponded to lower reduction ratios, lower degrees of preferred orientation and a larger subgrain size as determined by transmission electron microscopy. Sheet prepared by commercial rolling practices from the less pure commercial powder exhibited similar behavior. The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature for bending decreased with improved purity and reduced texture.
Immunoelectrophoretic and immunohistochemical characterizations of fibrinogen derivatives in atherosclerotic aortic intimas and vascular prosthesis pseudo-intimas.

Abstract Cadaveric aortic intimas with uncomplicated atherosclerosis were examined to determine the distribution and polypeptide chain composition of fibrinogen-related protein. Immunohistochemical staining showed deposits rich in fibrinopeptides A and B. The deposits were usually disseminated throughout intimas of moderate thickness 80%) into unresolved high M(r) (>200 kd) derivatives, whereas B beta-chains were left non-cross-linked, as occurs in late stages of cross-linking by transglutaminases. The resolved components had electrophoretic mobilities corresponding to characteristic products of both factor XIIIa and tissue-transglutaminase. A greater incorporation of alpha- rather than gamma-chains into cross-linked products implicated tissue-transglutaminase as contributing heavily. By contrast, vascular graft pseudo-intimas and a cadaveric clot were rich in degraded fibrin devoid of fibrinopeptide A, and cross-linked in patterns typical of XIIIa with gamma 2 dimers constituting the principal product. The findings indicate that the fibrinogen in the aortic intima is comparatively well protected from thrombin and plasmin, and that much of it is deposited through direct cross-linking by tissue-transglutaminase without being converted to fibrin.
The DESTIN: Preservice Teachers' Drawings of the Ideal Elementary Science Teacher.

The aim of this study is to report findings from the Drawing-Elementary-Science-Teacher-Ideal-Not, or the DESTIN procedure. The study utilizes a simple drawing procedure accompanied by a narrative and discussion for understanding preservice teachers' images of science, science teaching, and the science teacher. Ninety drawings from two sections of an elementary science methods course were analyzed. Looking at the pre-drawings from the beginning of the semester and post-drawings done at the end of the semester, the findings relate the value of using drawings in teacher education and the usefulness of this procedure to promote discussions about science teaching, the construction of new images and practices for teaching elementary science, and teacher identity. The DESTIN procedure has potential as a productive activity for teacher education and long-term professional development by making more explicit teachers' views of science teaching and learning and their past experiences as science learners.
Characterization of the torsional piezoelectriclike response of tantalum trisulfide associated with charge-density-wave depinning

We have studied the frequency and voltage dependences of voltage-induced torsional strains in orthorhombic ${\text{TaS}}_{3}$ [V. Y. Pokrovskii, S. G. Zybtsev, and I. G. Gorlova, Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 206404 (2007)] by measuring the modulation of the resonant frequency of an rf cavity containing the sample. The strain has an onset voltage below the charge-density-wave (CDW) threshold voltages associated with changes in shear compliance and resistance, suggesting that the strain is associated with polarization of the CDW rather than CDW current. Measurements with square-wave voltages show that the strain is very sluggish, not even reaching its dc value at a frequency of 0.1 Hz, but the dynamics appears to be very sample dependent. By applying oscillating torque while biasing the sample with a dc current, we have also looked for strain-induced voltage in the sample; none is observed at the low biases where the voltage-induced strains first occur, but an induced voltage is observed at higher biases, probably associated with a strain-dependent CDW conductance.
Sound Caused by Diaphragmatic Contraction Resulting from Transvenous Cardiac Pacemaker

A presystolic “click” beginning 0.1 second before the first heart sound occurred in a patient with a permanent pervenous cardiac pacemaker. Simultaneous fluoroscopy, phonocardiography and electrocardiography demonstrated that the “click” was generated by contraction of the left hemidiaphragm which was stimulated by the electrical discharge from the tip of the electrode catheter located in a tributary of the coronary sinus.
The John T. Bolljahn Memorial Award lecture: A bit of personal history

Prepares a paper on the highlights of author's contributions to the fields of antennas and propagation for presentation at the joint session of the Professional Group on Antennas and Propagation and US National Committee of International Scientific Radio Union (URSI)
Negative chronotropic response to norepinephrine.

The sinus node artery of 11 anesthetized mongrel dogs was perfused at a constant pressure of 100mmHg. A relatively small dose of norepinephrine, 0.01 to 1.0μg, usually induced a positive chronotropic response when injected directly into the sinus node artery. Occasionally, however, a combination of a positive and a negative chronotropic response or only a negative chronotropic response was apparent. A larger dose of norepinephrine, 10 to 30μg, consistently induced a triphasic response: there was a brief positive chronotropic response, followed by a longer negative chronotropic response, and finally a sustained positive chronotropic response. The negative chronotropic response usually began before the systemic blood pressure became elevated as a consequence of the systemic effects of the norepinephrine. The negative chronotropic response was not influenced appreciably by bilateral vagotomy. However, it was completely blocked by a small dose of atropine, 1μg. These results suggest that norepinephrine releases acetylcholine from parasympathetic nerve terminals.
Ab initio calculations of the pi electron hamiltonian: singlet-triplet splittings

Abstract Some results of approximate ab initio calculations of the “correlation” contribution to the true parameters of the pi electron hamiltonian are presented for the ethylene molecule. In particular, by using sum-of-the-pairs type generalized perturbation theory, it is shown that there is a large core “correlation” contribution to singlet-triplet splittings within pi electron theories that results from the difference in the degree of ionicity of the isoconfigurational states.
Axial, instantaneous, and refractive formulas in computerized videokeratography of normal corneas.

Abstract Purpose: To compare the values for corneal power determined by the axial, instantaneous, and refractive formulas when imaging normal human corneas using computerized videokeratography. Setting: Cullen Eye Institute, Saylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. Methods: This prospective clinical trial involved 60 corneas of 30 normal volunteers. Computerized videokeratography was performed to determine corneal power at the center and the 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm zones using the 3 formulas. Results: Mean central corneal power was 42.86 diopters (D) with each of the formulas. The mean corneal powers for the axial, instantaneous, arid refractive formulas were 43,09, 43.21, and 42.98 D at the 1 mm zone; 43.10, 42.92, and 43.46 D at the 3 mm zone; 42.75, 41.63, and 44.02 at the 5 mm zone; 42.21, 40.30, and 44.79 D at the 7 mm zone, respectively. The differences among powers for the 3 formulas at the 3, 5, and 7 mm zones were statistically significant ( P Conclusion: In normal corneas, clinically significant differences exist in the corneal power values calculated by the axial, instantaneous, and refractive formulas.
Coronary Artery Dilatation and Aortic Outflow Tract Enlargement in Children with Unicommissural Aortic Valves

We evaluated the aortic outflow tract (AOT) and coronary artery dimensions in pediatric patients with unicommissural aortic valves. A retrospective review of an echocardiographic database identified 37 patients with unicommissural aortic valves. A total of 115 echocardiograms were reviewed, and the right coronary artery (RCA), left main coronary artery (LM), left anterior descending coronary artery aortic valve annulus, aortic root, sinotubular junction (STJ), and ascending aorta were measured and z scores determined. The aortic stenosis peak gradient and the amount of aortic regurgitation (AR) were also measured. The RCA diameter (z score, 1.85 +/- 1.8, p = 0.03) and LM diameter (z score, 1.74 +/- 1.47, p = 0.04) are significantly dilated, as are all the AOT measurements: aortic annulus (2.02 +/- 1.9, p = 0.02), aortic root (2.25 +/- 1.9, p = 0.02), STJ (2.22 +/- 1.74, p = 0.01), and ascending aorta (4.38 +/- 2.03, p < 0.001). Longitudinal follow-up showed that there was no significant variation over time in any variable. The AOT measurements were significantly correlated with each other. A trend was found in which an increasing amount of AR gave an increase in AOT measurements. The aortic gradient was not significantly associated with any measurement. Our study population demonstrated significant dilatation of the RCA and LM as well as the AOT. The dilatation of the AOT structures is likely caused by the same mechanism that accounts for the AOT dilatation in patients with bicommissural aortic valves. Dilatation of the coronary arteries may represent an intrinsic abnormality in the vessel wall. Further studies are needed to define possible changes.
Analysis of beamed-energy ramjet/scramjet performance

A study has been performed on a laser-heated ramjet/scramjet vehicle concept for propulsion during the air-breathing portion of an orbital launch trajectory. The concept considers axisymmetric, high-thrust vehicles with external inlets and nozzles. Conceptual design and ramjet/scramjet cycle analysis are emphasized, with propulsive energy provided by combustion of on-board fuel. The conventional ramjet/scramjet combustion chamber is replaced by a laser energy absorption chamber. The elimination of on-board propellant can result in very high thrust-to-weight ratios and payload fractions, in a vehicle with a relatively small degree of mechanical complexity. The basic vehicle has a weight of 12,250 lbf, and a diameter of 5 meters, which is close to the size of the Apollo command module. The ramjet calculations are based on a Mach 3 isentropic inlet with a 13.7 degree half-angle conical tip. The scramjet analysis considers conical inlets with 10, 15, and 30 degree half-angles. Flight Mach numbers from 2 to 20 are considered in the calculations.
Improved performance of three-dimensional Ni–TiO 2 core–shell nanowire photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells

We report a facile way to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) Ni–TiO2 core–shell nanowire arrays through anodic aluminum oxide templateassisted sol–gel TiO2 nanotube shell growth followed by Ni core using room temperature constant current electrodeposition. The 3D Ni–TiO2 nanowire-based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) endows a 67% increase in conversion efficiency as compared with the TiO2 nanotube DSSC and maximum conversion efficiency of 5.07% was obtained by surface treating the photoanode with TiCl4, which provides enhanced light scattering and surface passivation. Indeed, this work paves the way to build reliable 3D Ni–TiO2 nanostructured photoanodes for highly efficient DSSCs.
Amino acid sequence of the N-terminal domain of calf thymus histone H2A.Z

The minor histone H2A subtype, H2A.Z, has been purified to homogeneity from calf thymus and subjected to automated Edman degradation. The sequence of the first 30 amino acids possesses only 60% homology with major H2A subtypes of the same tissue. This sequence difference is more extreme than that exhibited between evolutionarily distant major H2A subtypes. However, an analysis of secondary structure reveals that H2A.Z and major H2A subtypes exhibit the same general topographical features within their N-terminal domains.
Acute dually diagnosed inpatients: The use of self-report symptom severity instruments in persons with depressive disorders and cocaine dependence

A total of 84 adult inpatient dual-diagnosis (cocaine dependence and unipolar depressive disorder) patients' charts were reviewed. Patients were administered the BDI, SCL-90-R with Additional Items for Major Depressive Syndrome, and the DAST-20 within 5 days of admission as standard assessment practice in a hospital program. Depression scores for the BDI and the SCL-90-R were generally consistent, respectively, across each of the depressive disorder diagnostic groups with the exception of organic (cocaine-induced) mood disorder, which had lower mean scores on both instruments. BDI mean score differences were statistically significant regarding the depressive and organic (substance-induced) patients. DAST-20 mean scores were consistent across the diagnostic groups (substantial drug abuse range). Results suggest potential discriminating ability of the BDI in particular in distinguishing genuine unipolar depressive disorders from organically (cocaine) induced mood symtomology when assessments are done rapidly following cocaine cessation.
Origin and Evolution of Policy Simulation: A Personal Journey

The past half-century has seen remarkable growth in the use and acceptance of simulation games for policy intervention. This article provides one observerâs perspective on the evolution of the discipline: literature, theory, and practice. The creation and growth of ISAGA are also referenced. Early computer simulations failed at prediction due to limitations of theory, data, and technology. Their lack of transparency limited their value for expository purposes. Through time, a design methodology has emerged to guide the creation of simulation games to improve communication in complex policy decision environments. These instruments are not intended to be predictive; rather, their primary objective is to help a group achieve consensus through the multilogue mode of communication. Several simulation/games are outlined to illustrate the progression of the discipline.
Conditional ablation of Pten in osteoprogenitors stimulates FGF signaling

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) is a direct antagonist of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase. Pten is a well recognized tumor suppressor and is one of the most commonly mutated genes in human malignancies. More recent studies of development and stem cell behavior have shown that PTEN regulates the growth and differentiation of progenitor cells. Significantly, PTEN is found in osteoprogenitor cells that give rise to bone-forming osteoblasts; however, the role of PTEN in bone development is incompletely understood. To define how PTEN functions in osteoprogenitors during bone development, we conditionally deleted Pten in mice using the cre-deleter strain Dermo1cre, which targets undifferentiated mesenchyme destined to form bone. Deletion of Pten in osteoprogenitor cells led to increased numbers of osteoblasts and expanded bone matrix. Significantly, osteoblast development and synthesis of osteoid in the nascent bone collar was uncoupled from the usual tight linkage to chondrocyte differentiation in the epiphyseal growth plate. The expansion of osteoblasts and osteoprogenitors was found to be due to augmented FGF signaling as evidenced by (1) increased expression of FGF18, a potent osteoblast mitogen, and (2) decreased expression of SPRY2, a repressor of FGF signaling. The differentiation of osteoblasts was autonomous from the growth plate chondrocytes and was correlated with an increase in the protein levels of GLI2, a transcription factor that is a major mediator of hedgehog signaling. We provide evidence that increased GLI2 activity is also a consequence of increased FGF signaling through downstream events requiring mitogen-activated protein kinases. To test whether FGF signaling is required for the effects of Pten deletion, we deleted one allele of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2). Significantly, deletion of FGFR2 caused a partial rescue of the Pten-null phenotype. This study identifies activated FGF signaling as the major mediator of Pten deletion in osteoprogenitors.
Distributional aspects of an energy conserving tax and rebate

Abstract Previous work on an energy-conserving well-head tax and rebate has treated consumers as a single, lumped entity. This work investigates energy savings, and, especially, distributional effects over a disaggregated household sector (16 expenditure levels × 7 household sizes × 4 degrees of urbanization). The approach includes the price effects on indirect as well as direct energy consumption. Reduction in energy demand is insensitive to the distribution of the rebate, i.e., it is dominated by interproduct substitution and technology change. Change in a household's real expenditure is, of course, affected by the rebate scheme. A rebate which maintains real expenditures (i.e., allows consumption of the pre-tax market basket) is designed for different households; this is compared with a flat per-capita rebate. This is done for energy taxes of 100, 224 and 400% (base year = 1972–1973), yielding energy savings of about 8, 16 and 20%, respectively.
Early clinical experience with integrelin, an inhibitor of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa integrin receptor

Aggregation of platelets leading to thrombosis is one of the hallmarks of unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and ischaemic complications following coronary angioplasty. Activated platelets bind to fibrinogen through the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa integrin receptor. New agents have been developed to bind this receptor and thus prevent aggregation of platelets. One such compound (integrelin) is a cyclical peptide that has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor in man. A number of phase I and phase II clinical trials have been completed to evaluate this agent for the indications of unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, as well as an adjunct to coronary angioplasty. This article will focus on the clinical investigation of integrelin with particular emphasis on its use during angioplasty. It has been consistently shown across different trials that integrelin can inhibit between 70% and 95% of platelet aggregation responses to 20 μmol of ADP at a variety of dosages used in the phase II trials. Preliminaray data also suggest that a more clinically unstable patient may require a higher dose of integrelin to cause a near complete inhibition of the platelet aggregation response to ADP. Future studies will need to explore more definitely the relationship between dose of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers and clinical instability.
Exploring the Causal Underpinnings of Determination, Resolve, and Will

In this issue of Neuron, Parvizi et al. (2013) show that mild electrical stimulation using depth electrodes in the brains in human patients reliably elicits a highly specific configuration of cognitive-emotional-motivational responses to persevere in the face of danger. The underlying mechanisms involve distributed networks, both cortical and subcortical.
Comparison of spherical aberration and small pupil profiles in improving depth of focus for presbyopic corrections

Purpose To compare the validity and effectiveness of 2 methods for expanding depth of focus to correct for presbyopia; that is, induction of spherical aberration and small-pupil apertures. Setting University of California, Berkeley, California, USA. Design Comparative case series. Methods A random 4-alternative forced-choice acuity task was performed on 13 subjects. Visual performance and depth of focus were compared using adaptive optics–corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) values and mean visual acuity over a 3.0 diopter (D) range of defocus using the following 3 adaptive optics–corrected profiles: 2.0 mm pupil, 5.0 mm pupil, and 5.0 mm pupil with −0.274 μm of spherical aberration. Results The 5.0 mm pupil profile had a CDVA of −0.218 logMAR and a mean visual acuity through focus of 0.156 logMAR. The 2.0 mm pupil profile had a worse CDVA (0.012 logMAR) but an improved mean visual acuity (0.061 logMAR). The 5.0 mm pupil profile with −0.274 μm of spherical aberration measured a CDVA of −0.082 logMAR and a mean visual acuity of 0.103 logMAR. Conclusions The spherical aberration and small-pupil profiles improved the mean visual acuity across a 3.0 D range of defocus but resulted in decreased CDVA at the plane of best focus in comparison to an adaptive optics–corrected 5.0 mm pupil. Small-pupil profiles are a better choice than spherical aberration profiles for presbyopic corrections due to expected accuracy, predictability, and patient satisfaction. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Destination therapy: patient selection and current outcomes.

Abstract Long-term left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) support as destination therapy (DT) is a promising new alternative for the growing population of patients with advanced heart failure. In this article, we summarize the clinical trials that led to the approval of LVAD use as DT in the US national policies regulating candidate selection and DT center accreditation. We review current guidelines for candidate selection, clinical tools to assess candidate operative risk, and outcomes of DT. (J Card Surg 2010;25:462-471)
Quantum critical points in quantum impurity systems

The numerical renormalization group method is used to investigate zero-temperature phase transitions in quantum impurity systems, in particular in the soft-gap Anderson model, where an impurity couples to a non-trivial fermionic bath. In this case, zero-temperature phase transitions occur between two different phases whose fixed points can be built up of non-interacting single-particle states. However, the quantum critical point cannot be described by non-interacting fermionic or bosonic excitations.
Visual hierarchical key analysis

Tonal music is often conceived of as progressing through a sequence of key regions, usually starting and ending in the tonic key, with a journey away from the tonic key somewhere in the middle of the piece. This article presents a visual method of displaying the musical key structure of a composition in a single picture. The hierarchical plots can also show the relative strength of these key regions and how they develop out of the chordal substrate of the music.
World Lines: Time for the US to dismantle its nuclear weapons

The US media are ignoring one of the most vital issues for our future peace and prosperity, says Lawrence Krauss
Carbon monoxide adsorption on the metastable fcc-Co/Cu(1 0 0) surface

Abstract The adsorption properties of CO on the epitaxial five-monolayer Co/Cu(1 0 0) system, where the Co overlayer has stabilized in the metastable fcc-phase, are reported. This system is known to exhibit metallic quantum well (MQW) states at energies 1 eV or greater above the Fermi level, which may influence CO adsorption. The CO/fcc-Co/Cu(1 0 0) system was explored with low energy electron diffraction (LEED), inverse photoemission (IPE), reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Upon CO adsorption, a new feature is observed in IPE at 4.4 eV above E F and is interpreted as the CO 2 π ∗ level. When adsorbed at room temperature, TPD exhibits a CO desorption peak at ∼355 K, while low temperature adsorption reveals additional binding configurations with TPD features at ∼220 K and ∼265 K. These TPD peak temperatures are correlated with different C–O stretch vibrational frequencies observed in the IR spectra. The adsorption properties of this surface are compared to those of the surfaces of single crystal hcp-Co, as well as other metastable thin film systems.
Weekly prophylactic urokinase instillation in tunneled central venous access devices.

Purpose To determine the safety and efficacy of weekly prophylactic urokinase therapy in tunneled central venous access devices (VADs). Materials and Methods A prospective, randomized study was performed in 105 patients who underwent tunneled VAD placement between March 1997 and April 1998. The patients were randomized to receive either twice-daily heparin flushes (14 heparin flushes per week; group A, n=52) or twice-daily heparin flushes with once-weekly urokinase (UK) instillation (13 heparin flushes, one UK flush per week; group B, n=53). Patients were followed up by examination and/or interview at 1, 3, and 6 months for signs and symptoms of delayed catheter-related complications. Results The total number of indwelling catheter-days was similar between groups (5,450 in group A, 5,276 in group B). The total number of infectious complications and fibrin sheaths formed was greater for group A (n = 11; 21.1%) than group B (n = 3; 5.7%) ( P = .02). There were no side effects noted from the prophylactic UK administrations. Conclusion Prophylactic UK is advantageous in preventing delayed catheter-related complications.