cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rising drug allergy alert overrides in electronic health records: an observational retrospective study of a decade of experience

Objective There have been growing concerns about the impact of drug allergy alerts on patient safety and provider alert fatigue. The authors aimed to explore the common drug allergy alerts over the last 10 years and the reasons why providers tend to override these alerts. Design : Retrospective observational cross-sectional study (2004–2013). Materials and Methods Drug allergy alert data ( n = 611,192) were collected from two large academic hospitals in Boston, MA (USA). Results Overall, the authors found an increase in the rate of drug allergy alert overrides, from 83.3% in 2004 to 87.6% in 2013 ( P < .001). Alarmingly, alerts for immune mediated and life threatening reactions with definite allergen and prescribed medication matches were overridden 72.8% and 74.1% of the time, respectively. However, providers were less likely to override these alerts compared to possible (cross-sensitivity) or probable (allergen group) matches ( P < .001). The most common drug allergy alerts were triggered by allergies to narcotics (48%) and other analgesics (6%), antibiotics (10%), and statins (2%). Only slightly more than one-third of the reactions (34.2%) were potentially immune mediated. Finally, more than half of the overrides reasons pointed to irrelevant alerts (i.e., patient has tolerated the medication before, 50.9%) and providers were significantly more likely to override repeated alerts (89.7%) rather than first time alerts (77.4%, P < .001). Discussion and Conclusions These findings underline the urgent need for more efforts to provide more accurate and relevant drug allergy alerts to help reduce alert override rates and improve alert fatigue.
Research on LVRT for wind turbine with DFIG based on TS-fuzzy controller

Modle of variable speed constant frequency double fed wind power system is established.The application of Takagi Sugeno(TS) fuzzy controllers for improving LVTR capacity of DFIG is proposed.The muiti-machine DFIG simulation model of a practical wind farm is built.The simulation results show the effectiveness of the TS fuzzy controller by restraining oscillations of the active power output and DC bus capacitor voltage in condition of large external voltage dip.The proposed TS-fuzzy controller can improve the low voltage ride through capability of power system compared with the conventional PI controller.
The Sickling Phenomenon of Deer Erythrocytes

The sickling phenomenon exhibited in erythrocytes of most members of the Cervidae might easily have been dismissed as an interesting biological curiosity were it not for the discovery of very similar erythrocyte forms associated with sickle cell anemia, a severe and sometimes fatal blood dyscrasia in man (1, 2), (see Figure 1). Although the sickling of deer erythrocytes was reported seventy years earlier, not until 1910 did Herrick describe this syndrome in man (3).
Environmental Toxins and the Heart

The heart and the vascular system are vulnerable to toxins, which may be environmental (e.g., ambient pollution, heavy metals, plant-based), iatrogenic (e.g., chemotherapy, diphenhydramine, complementary or alternative medicines), or secondary to ingestion of social drugs (e.g., anabolics, energy drinks, illicit drugs). Exposure to toxins may cause structural damage to the cardiovascular system and/or functional disturbances such as decreased cardiac output, electrical conduction system abnormalities, and disruption of systemic arterial pressure autoregulation. Successful treatment necessitates recognition of the cardiovascular effects of the toxin; removal of the toxic agent; and, in some cases, treatment with a known antidote.
Reply to Jonathan Wolff

Considers the variety of egalitarian ideas and, the compatibility of equality with the recognition of forms of valuable accomplishment.
How to Cure the Plague of Calculus (or Revisions in the Introductory Mathematics Curriculum)

The story goes that calculus was invented because of the bubonic plague. Indeed, the Great Plague of 1664–65 closed Cambridge University, and led Isaac Newton to retire to meditate. As a result, he invented the calculus ([2]). Now many of our students would not be too surprised to learn that calculus was born of the plague; indeed, they rather think of it as a plague in its own right. The fundamental premise of this paper is that the plague of calculus needs curing. Indeed, I shall argue that today’s introductory mathematics curriculum, with its almost exclusive emphasis on calculus, is short-changing and misleading students. Then, I shall try to describe how we can do better.
Reassessing health literacy best practices to improve medication adherence among patients with dyslexia.

Abstract Background Dyslexia is characterized as unexpected and persistent difficulty in reading. In addition to language-based deficits, evidence indicates that people with dyslexia may struggle with tasks related to memory and executive function. This discussion paper explores how these non-linguistic deficits could plausibly affect medication adherence among patients with dyslexia. Discussion There is a dearth of original research literature exploring the intersection of dyslexia and health behaviors in the United States. The authors examine selected best practices from the field of health literacy with potential to improve medication adherence among patients with dyslexia and suggest areas for further research on the intersection of dyslexia, health literacy and medication adherence. Conclusion Dyslexia is a high-prevalence condition. Patients with dyslexia may be more likely to experience challenges when learning and implementing complex, multi-step health behaviors, such as the tasks associated with medication adherence. However, there has been no research to assess the specific needs of patients with dyslexia, or design interventions to meet those needs. Foundational research is necessary to develop a health communications framework that meets the needs of these neurodiverse patients.
Problems in community living identified by people with schizophrenia

1. Problems in community living were identified by a group of people with schizophrenia who received a telephone nursing intervention after discharge from a state psychiatric facility. 2. The most frequently reported problems were medication side effects, financial concerns, and anxiety. 3. A telephone nursing intervention has the potential to reduce the negative effects of stressors on people with schizophrenia living in the community.
Natural Selection in an Imperial Era, 1850–1945

In biological analysis, Darwin’s theory of natural selection gained validation only with Mendel’s work on genetic inheritance, Morgan’s verification of chromosome functions, and Fisher’s population genetics. The narrow views of eugenics were discredited with Dobzhansky’s synthesis of neo-Darwinism, which showed the deep diversity in species. In social analysis, Tylor and Morgan proposed a stage theory of human development, though Boas convincingly rejected such stages in favor of much wider diversity in societies. Anthropologists sought models of evolution but without working at family or community level. In sociology and politics, groups were analyzed at the macro-level but without local roots. In natural science, new knowledge on multiple scales and perspectives in physics, chemistry, and geology provided new outlooks and new instruments for study of biological and social evolution (128).
The impacts of agricultural windbreaks on avian communities and ecosystem services provisioning in the Bellbird Biological Corridor, Costa Rica

Agricultural windbreaks are promoted to reduce the negative ecological impacts of agricultural intensification while providing ecosystem services. To improve understanding of the conditions under w...
Formation of multicomponent alloy particles in doped ceria under I2+ ion irradiation and thermal annealing

Abstract Multicomponent alloys resembling the e-phase particles in nuclear fuel have the potential to immobilize 99Tc in a stable waste form. Formation of such multicomponent alloys under extreme conditions is studied in a non-activated model system: CeO2 doped with 2 wt.% Mo, 1.5 wt.% Ru, 0.75 wt.% Pd, 0.5 wt.% Re and 0.25 wt.% Rh. The doped CeO2 films were irradiated with I2+ ions (610°C, 1016 and 5×1016 I2+/cm2). For selected samples post-irradiation heat treatment was conducted (900°C, 1100°C). Analytical transmission electron microscopy revealed the formation of 5-20 nm precipitates containing Pd, Mo, and Re sometimes associated with cavities. Iodine was found to segregate to grain boundaries and cracks. After heat treatment at 1100°C, the CeO2 matrix had recrystallized. Precipitates containing Pd, Mo, Re, and Ru were observed near the interface with the polycrystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia substrate. It follows that Pd is the most mobile element, followed by Mo and Re. While irradiation promotes precipitation, high-temperature effects are more significant.
Mechanisms of Liver Injury

A diverse range of pathophysiologic processes lead to liver injury in the pediatric population. This chapter discusses mechanisms of hepatocyte or other liver cellular injury, beginning with a brief discussion of liver functions and general mechanisms of cell death. Particular attention is paid to the role of apoptotic pathways and mitochondrial damage in liver diseases, including metabolic disorders, infections, toxin ingestions, and diseases that primarily affect the biliary tree.
Acceptability and Feasibility of a Telehealth Intervention for STI Testing Among Male Couples

Partnered gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are less likely to engage in HIV and STI testing. We enrolled 51 male couples from a larger study of home HIV testing to test the feasibility of a dyadic home STI testing intervention delivered via telehealth, consisting of two telehealth sessions delivered via video-chat. In the first session, an interventionist demonstrated the specimen collection kits. In the second session, an interventionist delivered the STI results. Participants reported very high levels of acceptability of the intervention: 92% reported the telehealth calls quality as very good, 99% reported the sample collection instructions were clear, and 96% of respondents returned specimens for collection. 9% of participants tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, and all were linked to care. The intervention has the potential to surmount economic, physical and stigma-related barriers to attending clinics for STI testing, but these results need to be further tested in more diverse samples of male couples.
Small extracellular vesicles-based cell-free strategies for therapy

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are extracellular nanovesicles that contain bioactive proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA. A variety of biological process is regulated with sEVs. sEVs are an intercellular messenger regulating recipient cell function and play a role in disease initiation and progression. sEVs derived from certain cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells and immune cells, have the potential for clinical therapy as they possess the characteristics of their parental cells. With better understanding of sEVs biogenesis, their transportation properties, extended circulatory capability, and exceptional biocompatibility, sEVs emerge as a potential therapeutic tool in the clinic. Here, we summarize applications of sEVs-based therapies in different diseases and current knowledge about the strategies in bioengineered sEVs, as well as the challenges for their use in clinical settings.
Large field-of-view three-dimensional imaging with low computational complexity using random microlens array

We show an integrated three-dimensional (3D) imaging device to acquire volumetric object features through a single exposure on the camera sensor. The system uses a single piece of randomly positioned microlens array as a multi-channel light encoder and a hybrid 3D reconstruction algorithm to achieve compact device footprint and low computational complexity. We validate the system in both simulation models and experiments with resolution targets and fluorescent samples. Our system is capable of volumetric imaging across a volume of 1800 mm3 with a high space-frequency bandwidth. It opens new avenues for miniaturized and implantable imaging device for biomedical applications.
Increased Load to Failure in Biceps Tenodesis With All-Suture Suture Anchor Compared With Interference Screw: A Cadaveric Biomechanical Study.

Purpose To compare the biomechanical characteristics of a single radially expanding all-suture anchor with an interference screw for open subpectoral long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) tenodesis. Methods Eighteen fresh-frozen matched-pair human cadaveric humeri were used for this biomechanical study. The matched pair humeri were randomly assigned into 2 experimental biceps tenodesis groups: conventional interference screw (CIS) or all-suture suture anchor (ASSA). Open subpectoral LHBT tenodesis was then performed and biomechanical testing was performed using a servohydraulic test frame. A preload of 5 N was applied for 2 minutes before cyclic loading. Displacement was recorded at cycle 300 (D300) and cycle 500 (D500) and at ultimate failure. Data recorded included displacement, load to failure, displacement at failure. Paired t test was used for analysis. Results Decreased displacement was observed for the CIS group at D300 (1.67 ± 0.57 mm vs 3.35 ± 2.24 mm; P = .04), D500 (2.00 ± 0.76 mm vs 3.87 ± 2.20 mm; P = .04), and at failure (5.17 ± 3.05 mm vs 10.76 ± 2.66 mm; P Conclusions Our study found that open subpectoral biceps tenodesis performed with an ASSA construct results in increased load to failure as compared with CIS. However, the CIS did demonstrate decreased displacement as compared to ASSA in this cadaveric biomechanical study. Clinical Relevance ASSA and CIS at time zero provide fixation as indicated by the provider intraoperatively for LHBT tenodesis. ASSA, however, does remove less cortical bone than does CIS and therefore produces a smaller stress riser in the proximal humerus. Further testing as to the integrity of ASSA is warranted to determine the integrity of the tenodesis with cyclical loading.
Efficient Bandit Convex Optimization: Beyond Linear Losses

We study the problem of online learning with bandit feedback, where a learner aims to minimize a sequence of adversarially generated loss functions, while only observing the value of each function at a single point. When the loss functions chosen by the adversary are convex and quadratic, we develop a new algorithm which achieves the optimal regret rate of $O{T^{1/2}}$. Furthermore, our algorithm satisfies three important desiderata: (a) it is practical and can be efficiently implemented for high dimensional problems, (b) the regret bound holds with high probability even against adaptive adversaries whose decisions can depend on the learner's previous actions, and (c) it is robust to model mis-specification; that is, the regret bound degrades gracefully when the loss functions deviate from convex quadratics. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first algorithm for bandit convex optimization with quadratic losses which is efficiently implementable and achieves optimal regret guarantees. Existing algorithms for this problem either have sub-optimal regret guarantees or are computationally expensive and do not scale well to high-dimensional problems. Our algorithm is a bandit version of the classical regularized Newton's method. It involves estimation of gradients and Hessians of the loss functions from single point feedback. A key caveat of working with Hessian estimates however is that they typically have large variance. In this work, we show that it is nonetheless possible to finesse this caveat by relying on the idea of ``focus regions'', where we restrict the algorithm to choose actions from a subset of the action space in which the variance of our estimates can be controlled.
The Genetic Landscape of Parkinsonism-Related Dystonias and Atypical Parkinsonism-Related Syndromes.

In recent decades, genetic research has nominated promising pathways and biological insights contributing to the etiological landscape of parkinsonism-related dystonias and atypical parkinsonism-related syndromes. Several disease-causing mutations and genetic risk factors have been unraveled, providing a deeper molecular understanding of the complex genetic architecture underlying these conditions. These disorders are difficult to accurately diagnose and categorize, thus making genetics research challenging. On one hand, dystonia is an umbrella term linked to clinically heterogeneous forms of disease including dopa-responsive dystonia, myoclonus-dystonia, rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism and dystonia-parkinsonism, often viewed as a precursor to Parkinson’s disease. On the other hand, atypical parkinsonism disorders, such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy and corticobasal degeneration, are rare in nature and represent a wide range of diverse and overlapping phenotypic variabilities, with genetic research limited by sample size availability. The current review summarizes the plethora of available genetic information for these diseases, outlining limits and future directions.
Certified Adversarial Defenses Meet Out-of-Distribution Corruptions: Benchmarking Robustness and Simple Baselines.

Certified robustness guarantee gauges a model's robustness to test-time attacks and can assess the model's readiness for deployment in the real world. In this work, we critically examine how the adversarial robustness guarantees from randomized smoothing-based certification methods change when state-of-the-art certifiably robust models encounter out-of-distribution (OOD) data. Our analysis demonstrates a previously unknown vulnerability of these models to low-frequency OOD data such as weather-related corruptions, rendering these models unfit for deployment in the wild. To alleviate this issue, we propose a novel data augmentation scheme, FourierMix, that produces augmentations to improve the spectral coverage of the training data. Furthermore, we propose a new regularizer that encourages consistent predictions on noise perturbations of the augmented data to improve the quality of the smoothed models. We find that FourierMix augmentations help eliminate the spectral bias of certifiably robust models enabling them to achieve significantly better robustness guarantees on a range of OOD benchmarks. Our evaluation also uncovers the inability of current OOD benchmarks at highlighting the spectral biases of the models. To this end, we propose a comprehensive benchmarking suite that contains corruptions from different regions in the spectral domain. Evaluation of models trained with popular augmentation methods on the proposed suite highlights their spectral biases and establishes the superiority of FourierMix trained models at achieving better-certified robustness guarantees under OOD shifts over the entire frequency spectrum.
What is the Smallest Prime

What is the first prime? It seems that the number two should be the obvious answer, and today it is, but it was not always so. There were times when and mathematicians for whom the numbers one and three were acceptable answers. To find the first prime, we must also know what the first positive integer is. Surprisingly, with the definitions used at various times throughout history, one was often not the first positive integer (some started with two, and a few with three). In this article, we survey the history of the primality of one, from the ancient Greeks to modern times. We will discuss some of the reasons definitions changed, and provide several examples. We will also discuss the last significant mathematicians to list the number one as prime.
Detection of dengue virus nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) by using ELISA as a useful laboratory diagnostic method for dengue virus infection of international travelers.

Background Dengue virus ( DENV) nonstructural protein 1 ( NS1) has been used as a novel diagnostic marker during the early phase of DENV infection. Methods Presence of NS1 antigen was examined using 336 serum samples obtained from 276 travelers returning to Japan from Asia, Central and South America, Pacific Islands, and Africa with dengue. Assay specificity was evaluated using 148 non-dengue samples. Results Positive rates among four DENV serotypes were 68%–89%. NS1 antigen positive rates were at similar levels between primary infection and secondary infection. NS1 antigen positive rates were 88%–96% on days 1–5, 75%–100% on days 6–10, and 36–60% on ≥day 11. Positive rates using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were over 70% on days 1–5, but decreased thereafter. Conclusions The results indicate that NS1 antigen positive rates were higher than those of RT-PCR during longer period of early phase in DENV infection. Thus, NS1 antigen ELISA is a useful tool for confirming DENV infection in international travelers, when it is used in combination with anti-DENV IgM ELISA.
Neonatal hepatic mitochondrocuprein. IV. Sulfitolysis of the cystine-rich crude copper protein and isolation of a peptide containing more than 35 percent half-cystine.

Abstract Crude neonatal hepatic mitochondrocuprein, the detergent-insoluble copper protein accounting for the major proportion of the increased copper concentration occurring physiologically in the liver of newborn animals, has been prepared from mitochondria of newborn bovine liver by a modified procedure. These preparations contained 20–26% half-cystine as moles half-cystine per 100 moles total amino acids recovered, and more than 4% copper on a dry weight basis. Sulfitolysis of the insoluble crude copper protein solubilized 99% of the copper and about 75% of the protein. A polypeptide containing more than 35% half-cystine has been isolated from the solubilized material. The peptide gave a single peak on gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 in 6 M guanidine · HCl and appears to have a molecular weight between 5000 and 10 000. The uniquely high cystine content of the protein probably is the major factor in both the insolubility of the unsulfonated preparation and in its extraordinary capacity to bind copper in the intact newborn animal. It is suggested that the mitochondrial copper protein may function as a reservoir of copper for the formation of hepatic cytochrome oxidase during the neonatal period.
Coherence in Phase I Clinical Trials

This article reviews the coherence principles in phase I dose-finding studies, in which several doses of a new treatment are tested for safety and the maximum dose exhibiting acceptable toxicity level is identified. Because most phase I designs are outcome-adaptive, dose assignments for future patients depend on the previous observations in the trial. The coherence principles are ethical stipulations to ensure that dose escalation for a new patient will occur only when the most recent patient does not show sign of toxicity, and de-escalation will occur only when a toxic outcome has just been reported. In this article, we give examples of coherent designs in the literature, and we discuss related concepts such as group coherence and real-time coherence in more general clinical situations. We also review the application of the coherence concepts to the calibration of a two-stage design. Keywords: compatibility; dose escalation; group coherence; model-based design; outcome-adaptive
The Bitches of Barcelona Street

My Grandma Louisa always smelled of sherry wine. Whenever she minded us kids while Mama did "day's work" for one of the white families in the neighborhood, Grandma would herd us all out to her favorite spot in the backyard, and, with a heavy groan, plunk her bulk down in the used-to-be-green metal lawn chair that had been part of the landscape back there for as long as I can remember. We laughed when the paint-flaked old chair let out a groan almost as loud as Grandma did when she sat in it. Then we began our mad scramble for the most coveted seats: on her ample lap where we could rest our heads on the soft cushion of her equally ample bosom. When two of us had each claimed a knee, the others found a spot in the grass still warm from the day's heat. Whether standing or sitting, we began at once with our favor ite pastime: unplaiting and combing Grandma's two long, thick braids that age had turned first white then yellow. We'd drape the loosened hair over her shoulders like a shawl and "style" it, which she let us do until her head was too sore to take any more of our grooming. By then, her hair stuck up and out like chickens had been plucking in it. Grandma Louisa always sang to us, most often tunes that were popular in her day. She'd croon "Red Sails in the Sunset," "I'll Be Seeing You," and other love ballads. We were a rapt audience. While she sang, she sipped sherry from a fifth bottle stashed beneath her chair, and sometimes I got the feeling that she wasn't even aware she had an audience, rapt or not. Often in the middle of a song her voice would slowly fade, and her entire body would sag. She appeared to be spiraling down like my brother's spinning top, then her head slumped to her chest and the singing stopped. The forgotten bottle dangled from her hand, then dropped with a soft thud on the grass like a period at the end of a sentence. The quiet that hung upon the night then seemed to amplify the usual nocturnal chirr of crickets, cicadas, and whippoor wills. We kids looked at each other, but no one spoke. What was there to say? We all knew Grandma was drunk. But even though we
Production of Cluster Ions by Laser Vaporization

There have been numerous reports of the production of cluster ions by the method of laser vaporization of solid samples, entrainment of the vaporized species in a supersonic molecular beam, and photoionization of the neutral clusters [1–3]. The exact cluster growth mechanism (s) are not completely understood, and the observed cluster ion distribution may depend upon numerous factors including instrumental parameters. Although the laser vaporization/molecular beam/photoionization technique has been successful in the production of high-mass clusters of a wide variety of materials, other methods of cluster production have been used. In particular, carbon cluster ions have been generated directly by particle bombardment and laser vaporization combined with mass spectrometric detection [4–6]. These direct cluster ion production methods have allowed detection of only relatively small carbon cluster ions, [Cn]+ with n<30. The laser/molecular beam method has allowed detection of a bimodal distribution of carbon cluster ions; both the low-mass distribution, n<30, and a high-mass distribution, 30<n<150. The low-mass distribution with the characteristic cluster interval of n=1 is essentially the same in both methods, despite the significant differences in the experimental conditions. To this point, the high-mass carbon cluster ion distribution, with the cluster interval of n=2 and a maximum ion abundance at n=60, has been observed only using a molecular beam.
Magnetic resonance image features identify glioblastoma phenotypic subtypes with distinct molecular pathway activities

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and highly lethal primary malignant brain tumor in adults. There is a dire need for easily accessible, noninvasive biomarkers that can delineate underlying molecular activities and predict response to therapy. To this end, we sought to identify subtypes of GBM, differentiated solely by quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features, that could be used for better management of GBM patients. Quantitative image features capturing the shape, texture, and edge sharpness of each lesion were extracted from MR images of 121 single-institution patients with de novo, solitary, unilateral GBM. Three distinct phenotypic "clusters" emerged in the development cohort using consensus clustering with 10,000 iterations on these image features. These three clusters--pre-multifocal, spherical, and rim-enhancing, names reflecting their image features--were validated in an independent cohort consisting of 144 multi-institution patients with similar tumor characteristics from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Each cluster mapped to a unique set of molecular signaling pathways using pathway activity estimates derived from the analysis of TCGA tumor copy number and gene expression data with the PARADIGM (Pathway Recognition Algorithm Using Data Integration on Genomic Models) algorithm. Distinct pathways, such as c-Kit and FOXA, were enriched in each cluster, indicating differential molecular activities as determined by the image features. Each cluster also demonstrated differential probabilities of survival, indicating prognostic importance. Our imaging method offers a noninvasive approach to stratify GBM patients and also provides unique sets of molecular signatures to inform targeted therapy and personalized treatment of GBM.
Correlates of the Academic Achievement of Adolescents with Behavioral Disorders.

The purpose of this study was to identify the correlates and predictors of the academic achievement of adolescents with behavioral disorders. A series of standardized assessment instruments designed to measure locus of control, study skills, and academic achievement were individually administered to 86 11- to 15-year-old behaviorally disordered students. Special education teachers completed a rating scale assessing each student's academic school survival skills. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated between measures of survival skills, locus of control, and study skills and students’ achievement test scores and academic grade point average. Overall, student achievement test performance was significantly correlated with organizational skills and an internal locus of control orientation. IQ and organizational skills were identified as significant predictors of writing, arithmetic, reading, general facts, and overall academic achievement. Organizational skills was the only significa...
Theory and practical considerations of multilayer dielectric thin-film stacks in Ag-coated hollow waveguides

This analysis explores the theory and design of dielectric multilayer reflection-enhancing thin film stacks based on high and low refractive index alternating layers of cadmium sulfide (CdS) and lead sulfide (PbS) on silver (Ag)-coated hollow glass waveguides (HGWs) for low loss transmission at midinfrared wavelengths. The fundamentals for determining propagation losses in such multilayer thin-film-coated Ag hollow waveguides is thoroughly discussed, and forms the basis for further theoretical analysis presented in this study. The effects on propagation loss resulting from several key parameters of these multilayer thin film stacks is further explored in order to bridge the gap between results predicted through calculation under ideal conditions and deviations from such ideal models that often arise in practice. In particular, the effects on loss due to the number of dielectric thin film layers deposited, deviation from ideal individual layer thicknesses, and surface roughness related scattering losses are presented and thoroughly investigated. Through such extensive theoretical analysis the level of understanding of the underlying loss mechanisms of multilayer thin-film Ag-coated HGWs is greatly advanced, considerably increasing the potential practical development of next-generation ultralow-loss mid-IR Ag/multilayer dielectric-coated HGWs.
A functional role for structural variation in metabolism.

A contribution of structural genomic variation to the heritability of complex metabolic phenotypes was illuminated by the recent characterization of chromosome-engineered mouse models for genomic disorders associated with metabolic dysfunction. Herein we discuss our study, “A duplication CNV that conveys traits reciprocal to metabolic syndrome and protects against diet-induced obesity in mice and men,” which describes the opposing metabolic phenotypes of mouse models for two prototypical genomic disorders,1,2 Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) and Potocki-Lupski syndrome (PTLS). SMS and PTLS are caused by reciprocal deletion or duplication copy number variations (CNVs), respectively, on chromosome 17p11.2. The implications of the results of this study and the potential relevance of these findings for future studies in the field of metabolism are discussed.
Ascending spinal projections to the optic tectum, facial and vagal lobes in the goldfish, Carassius auratus

Using biotinylated dextran-amines as tracer, we observed prominent ascending spinal projections to three unreported areas in the gold fish brain viz. the optic tectum (OT), facial (FL) and vagal (VL) lobes. From the lateral spinal lemniscus (LSL), some fiber tracts separated off and extended mediodorsally, fanned out and innervated the FL. The VL was clearly laminated and showed three layers-the inner primary motor neuron and fiber layer (PMNF), outer secondary neuron layer (SN) and middle primary and secondary fiber layer (PSF). The PMNF received maximal innervation. Besides several fibers extending directly into the SN from the LSL, a few fibers extended dorsolaterally from the PMNF and innervated the SN. Several ascending fibers extended into the torus semicircularis, thalamic and pretectal areas and innervated the OT. The possible functional significance of the spinal innervation of these brain areas has been discussed.
Informed consent in psychiatric practice: The primacy of ethics over law

In recent years, concern with informed consent in psychiatry has led to an overemphasis on legal formulations of the problem and a heated debate about when physician paternalism can be justified. This paper proposes that the principle of respect for persons provides better guidance for treatment decisions than do legal guidelines based on a questionable standard of competency.
Caste differentiation responses of two sympatric Reticulitermes termite species to juvenile hormone homologs and synthetic juvenoids in two laboratory assays

We report on our investigations comparing three juvenile hormone (JH) homologs and two synthetic juvenoids to induce caste differentiation in laboratory colonies of Reticulitermes flavipes and R. tibialis. Two laboratory assays were evaluated as model systems for inducing caste differentiation: (1) shorter-term dish assays on groups of 20 individuals and (2) longer-term feeding assays on groups of 500 individuals. Each assay possessed attributes that can be considered advantageous under certain conditions. Specifically, dish assays were most suitable for presoldier and soldier induction, while jar assays provided for the induction of nymphs, presoldiers, soldiers, neotenic reproductives, and intercastes. Differences in response to the JH homologs and synthetic juvenoids were noted between species, suggesting differences in JH physiology may exist between R. flavipes and R. tibialis. Substantial morpholo-gical impacts were noted in association with some treatments, including (1) juvenoid-induced mandibular mal-formation in presoldiers, (2) JH II-induced abdominal elongation in R. flavipes soldiers and workers (associated with a presence of internal reproductive anatomy that is consistent with what would be expected to occur in pseudergates), and (3) JH II-induced soldier-nymph intercastes in R. tibialis that were able to further molt into soldier-alate intercastes. Findings are discussed in relation to the potential differences in JH-related physiology between R. flavipes and R. tibialis, and the use of model systems to induce rare castes and intercastes for molecular investigations of caste differentiation.
Laser-heating diamond anvil cell studies of simple molecular systems at high pressures and temperatures

Abstract We report the application of new laser-heating techniques and sample preparation procedures for simple molecular materials (diatomic molecules and water) under high pressure in the diamond anvil cell (DAC). Both continuous and pulsed laser heating was employed. We probed the materials using Raman spectroscopy and also by analyzing the time evolution of the temperature of the metallic coupler that is used to absorb laser radiation and heat the sample. Raman measurements of H 2 , D 2 , N 2 , H 2 O and O 2 show a broadening of intramolecular vibrations at high P − T conditions, indicating a decreasing molecular lifetime, and hence suggest an increasing molecular dissociation. In diatomic molecules the intramolecular bonding can be further probed by observations of sidebands corresponding to vibrational transitions from excited states; the energies of these sidebands imply intramolecular potentials that become increasingly less anharmonic as pressure is increased. We also show that the pulsed heating technique combined with instantaneous radiative temperature measurements provides a useful tool for studies of thermochemical properties and phase transformation boundaries.
Determinations of structure and bonding in amorphous SiO2 using 17O NMR

Abstract Isotopically enriched SiO 2 was fabricated by hydrolysis of SiCl 4 with H 2 O enriched to 50% in 17 O. The presence of hydrogen in the resulting powder was investigated using 1 H NMR. The study revealed that the hydrogen was present in superficial hydroxyl groups, which could be removed by outgassing at 500°C. Well-defined structure in the SiO 2 17 O spectrum arises from quadrupole effects and indicates significant local order in the material. A computer simulation of the spectrum was obtained assuming a Gaussian distribution of the quadrupole coupling constant ( Q cc ) and the asymmetry parameter (η) for the oxygen site. The most probable values of the coupling constant ( Q cc 0 5.17 MHz) and the asymmetry parameter ( η 0 = 0.2), and their standard deviations ( σ Q cc = 0.7 MHz, σ η = 0.2) were obtained from the simulation. These quadrupole parameters and their Gaussian widths were used in a Townes-Dailey calculation, which relates the quadrupole parameters to the charge density in the oxygen electronic orbitals. This calculation is consistent with the SiOSi bond angle (α) having a distribution of values (130° ⩽ α ⩽ 180 °), and it weakly supports the presence of π bonding between the silicon 3d and oxygen 2p orbitals.
Effect of delay-interval illumination on matching behavior in the capuchin monkey1

Experiment 1 demonstrated that delayed matching-to-sample in the capuchin monkey was superior when the delay interval was spent in darkness rather than in moderate illumination. In contrast with previous studies in which the delayed-matching ability of primates appeared limited to 60 sec or less, in the dark condition all subjects showed above-chance matching at a 120-sec delay interval. Experiment 2 verified that darkness during the delay interval can facilitate delayed matching and provided evidence that the effective variable was the illumination level of the delay interval rather than change in illumination, which in Exp. 1 was confounded with illumination level.
Oxidative modification of the cell wall in tomato plants exposed to ozone

Abstract The goal of this research was to define the role of the cell wall in plant exposure to the atmospheric pollutant ozone (O 3 ). To determine if cell wall components are sensitive to oxidation, cell walls were isolated from tomato leaves ( Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Roma) and exposed to O 3 or pure oxygen. O 3 reduced the quantityof a wall-bound benzaldehyde isomer in extractive-free cell wall material thought to have limited enzymatic activity. To determine if this oxidative modification also occurred in vivo, tomato plants were exposed to O 3 or filtered air, and the buffer soluble and alkaline hydrolyzed (wall-bound) phenolic compounds were analyzed. Exposure to O 3 decreased the quantity of the wall-bound benzaldehyde isomer within 2-3 h of exposure, with a return to control levels by 5 h of exposure. Quantity of the benzaldehyde isomer in the control samples was unchanged throughout the experiment. A glycoside of 5-hydroxyvanillic acid was detected in the buffer soluble fraction of O 3 -treated samples at 3 h of exposure. Control and O 3 -treated samples harvested at 5 h of exposure did not contain this compound. Results show that cell wall phenolic compounds are sensitive to oxidative modification by plant exposure to O 3 . A model illustrates the proposed signaling mechanism involving oxidative breakdown products from the cell wall as elicitor molecules.
On the micromechanical failure modes in a class of ideal brittle matrix composites. Part 1. Coated-fiber composites

Models are presented for the penetration and debonding modes of failure of ceramic matrix composites. Test data on silicon carbide-glass composites with uniform fiber spacing are used to examine the quality of these models for use in the constituent material design problem. Testing of uncoated-fiber composites has provided more conclusive evidence regarding the applicability of the model.
Maximizing the Contact Opportunity for Vehicular Internet Access

With increasing popularity of media enabled hand-helds, the need for high data-rate services for mobile users is evident. Large-scale Wireless LANs (WLANs) can provide such a service, but they are expensive to deploy and maintain. Open WLAN access-points (APs), on the other hand, need no new deployments, but can offer only opportunistic services with no guarantees on short term throughput. In contrast, a carefully planned sparse deployment of roadside WiFi provides an economically scalable infrastructure with quality of service assurance to mobile users. In this paper, we propose to study the deployment techniques with respect to roadside WiFi. In particular, we present a new metric, called Contact Opportunity, as a characterization of a roadside WiFi network. Informally, the contact opportunity for a given deployment measures the fraction of distance or time that a mobile user is in contact with some AP when moving through a certain path. Such a metric is closely related to the quality of data service that a mobile user might experience while driving through the system. We then present an efficient deployment method that maximizes the worst case contact opportunity under a budget constraint. We further show how to extend this concept and the deployment techniques to a more intuitive metric -- the average throughput -- by taking various dynamic elements into account. Simulations over a real road network and experimental results show that our approach achieves more than 200% higher minimum contact opportunity, 30%-100% higher average contact opportunity and a significantly improved distribution of average throughput compared with two commonly used baseline algorithms.
Microfluidic cytometer for high-throughput measurement of photosynthetic characteristics and lipid accumulation in individual algal cells

Commercially viable algal biofuel production requires discovery of new strains, genetic engineering for higher productivity and optimization of growth conditions. To accelerate research in these areas, we developed a microfluidic cytometer that measures forward light scatter, chlorophyll fluorescence induction and lipophilic stain fluorescence at a rate of 100 cells s−1. The chlorophyll fluorescence data is processed in real-time to measure the fluorescence-based maximum quantum yield, reported as Fv/Fm, to quantify the photochemical energy conversion of each cell. To demonstrate instrument performance, Fv/Fm measurements are obtained for unstressed (nutrient-replete) and stressed (nutrient-limited) cultures of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and are correlated to values obtained in bulk samples using traditional pulse-amplitude-modulating fluorometry. We then use the cytometer to characterize unstressed and stressed P. tricornutum and show that lipid content (as measured by Nile Red fluorescence) is inversely correlated with Fv/Fm. We believe these findings to be the first time that both photosynthetic efficiency and lipid accumulation have been simultaneously evaluated at the single cell level, and that in doing so, the diversity within these populations was revealed.
What Should Intelligence Tests Test? Implications of a Triarchic Theory of Intelligence for Intelligence Testing

IQ tests work only for some people some of the time. This assertion is an inescapable conclusion of the fact that "it is unusual for a validity coefficient to rise above .60, though that is far from perfect prediction" (Cronbach, 1970, p. 135). This situation has not really changed over many years: In reviewing the literature on test validities, Ghiselli (1966) found validities had changed little over the years in which aptitude tests had been used as predictors of academic and job performance. And the value of .60 is
A Note on Light Matrices

Some properties of light matrices are derived, and their relation to Perron matrices is investigated.
Monolithically integrated all-optical switch using quantum well intermixing

We report the realization of a compact monolithically integrated all-optical switch using selective area bandgap tuning of a multiple quantum well structure by impurity-free vacancy induced disordering technique. A 3-dB waveguide coupler was fabricated in the disordered section of the switch device. All-optical wavelength conversion at 1Gb/s was demonstrated.
The search for early indicators of social service need among elderly hospital patients.

: A study was made of the possible usefulness of certain sociodemo-graphic characteristics as early indicators of the need for referral of elderly hospital patients to Social Service. The study population covered the 5,312 elderly patients accommodated in the private, semiprivate and teaching wards of the hospital's medical and surgical services during the year 1967. Of these patients, 520 were referred to Social Service. The data on 6 items (age, sex, marital status, religion, color, and medical service location) routinely recorded on each admission sheet were collected to determine whether they would prove predictive of the need for referral to Social Service; if so, they would constitute an inexpensive automated screening device for this purpose. At present, most elderly patients who need the services of social workers are referred only late in the course of hospitalization. Incidental to the original plan of study was the collection of data on the length of hospital stay. The 6 “admission” variables were found to be of no value as early predictors, but the ancillary variable (length of stay) proved to be importantly related to the overall need for Social Service. However, since the data on this variable can be obtained only at the time of discharge, they cannot be used as a screening device for early identification of the need. Further studies may reveal a means of early prediction of the length of hospital stay.