cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Using Alcohol Protective Behavioral Strategies: A Qualitative Examination among College Students.

Background: Alcohol protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are behaviors engaged in immediately prior to, during, after, or instead of drinking with the explicit goal of reducing alcohol use, intox...
Reliability, Convergent Validity and Time Invariance of Default Mode Network Deviations in Early Adult Major Depressive Disorder

There is substantial variability across studies of default mode network (DMN) connectivity in major depressive disorder, and reliability and time-invariance are not reported. This study evaluates whether DMN dysconnectivity in remitted depression (rMDD) is reliable over time and symptom-independent, and explores convergent relationships with cognitive features of depression. A longitudinal study was conducted with 82 young adults free of psychotropic medications (47 rMDD, 35 healthy controls) who completed clinical structured interviews, neuropsychological assessments, and 2 resting-state fMRI scans across 2 study sites. Functional connectivity analyses from bilateral posterior cingulate and anterior hippocampal formation seeds in DMN were conducted at both time points within a repeated-measures analysis of variance to compare groups and evaluate reliability of group-level connectivity findings. Eleven hyper- (from posterior cingulate) and 6 hypo- (from hippocampal formation) connectivity clusters in rMDD were obtained with moderate to adequate reliability in all but one cluster (ICC's range = 0.50 to 0.76 for 16 of 17). The significant clusters were reduced with a principle component analysis (5 components obtained) to explore these connectivity components, and were then correlated with cognitive features (rumination, cognitive control, learning and memory, and explicit emotion identification). At the exploratory level, for convergent validity, components consisting of posterior cingulate with cognitive control network hyperconnectivity in rMDD were related to cognitive control (inverse) and rumination (positive). Components consisting of anterior hippocampal formation with social emotional network and DMN hypoconnectivity were related to memory (inverse) and happy emotion identification (positive). Thus, time-invariant DMN connectivity differences exist early in the lifespan course of depression and are reliable. The nuanced results suggest a ventral within-network hypoconnectivity associated with poor memory and a dorsal cross-network hyperconnectivity linked to poorer cognitive control and elevated rumination. Study of early course remitted depression with attention to reliability and symptom independence could lead to more readily translatable clinical assessment tools for biomarkers.
Rehabilitation Strategies Following Articular Cartilage Surgery in the Knee

Advances in the understanding of the basic science inherent to articular cartilage has led to an evolution in the design of rehabilitation guidelines following articular cartilage surgery. Clinicians responsible for the rehabilitation of patients following articular cartilage surgery must respect the healing process associated with each individual procedure. Rehabilitation principles should be adhered to in order to safely progress the patient through the rehabilitative course. Treatment interventions to improve range of motion, enhance weight-bearing capability, develop strength, restore balance and proprioception, and enhance flexibility need to follow. A key task is to guide the patient into an active role in the rehabilitation process. Complying with activity modifications and practicing home therapeutic exercises are an important part of achieving a successful outcome.
Second Malignancies as a Consequence of Radiation Therapy

Radiation has an established place in the diagnosis and therapy of cancer. About 10% of patients presenting with cancer at major centers have a second malignancy. Most are a result of genetic predisposition or continued lifestyle, but some are treatment-related. For example, in patients treated for prostate cancer, about 1 in 70 develop a radiation-induced cancer by 10 years post therapy. Most second cancers are carcinomas arising in organs close to or remote from the treatment site. There is also an incidence of sarcomas within or close to the treatment volume, in the high dose region. The absolute risk is small, but the relative risk is high for these tumors. Animal studies show that the risk of a radiation-induced sarcoma approaches 100% following high doses in animals followed for a lifetime. This suggests that the reason for the low sarcoma risk in patients receiving radiotherapy for prostate cancer is their short life expectancy.
The immunological system in human milk: the past--a pathway to the future.

Ever since the late 20th century, it has been accepted that the lactating human mammary gland elaborates a complex immunological system uniquely adapted to protect the recipient infant. It is not well appreciated, however, that many basic discoveries concerning these matters were made long before the era of molecular biology. Observations during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Europe suggested that mortality was lower in breastfed than in non-breastfed infants. The basis of this protection was unknown. Although similar but more structured observations were made in the first part of the twentieth century (Westergaard, 1901; Groth and Hahn, 1910; Davis, 1913; Woodbury, 1922, 1925; Gruleeet al.1934, 1935) there was little scientific information concerning the immunology of human milk or of milk obtained from other species. This was partly because most of the immune system was not uncovered until the latter part of the twentieth century. However, discoveries concerning the protective properties of milk from humans and other mammalian species that were made during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries provided the foundation for the molecular research that came thereafter. Furthermore, it is striking that these discoveries were made by individuals eminent in the history of immunology and medicine. Then in the mid-twentieth century, critical information was that led to the paradigm of an immune system in human milk and to the reslization that the system comprises not only antimicrobial factors but also anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating agents. Parallel investigations indicated that immune systems were in other mammalian milks. Because of many differences in the immune systems were in other from the various mammalian species, the scope of the information in this review will be limited to limited to key discoveries concerning the immunological aspects of human milk.
Augmented Reality in Art: Aesthetics and Material for Expression

Cinematic Apparatus theory of the 1970s set the stage for an investigation of cinematic expression in avant-garde film art through a deconstruction of its materials. The material and production elements repressed in the normal ideological apparatus became the arena for new expression. Cinema accelerated the mechanization and sequence of its era to create the essential medium of that era; Augmented Reality is a similar acceleration of the electric image that first emerged with electric video installation. Using Jean-Louis Baudry’s diagram of the cinematographic apparatus as reference, this essay excavates and diagrams the electric image apparatus to search out the repressed and revealed in viewers’ perception. For AR, the first medium which fully realizes the electric image, a new way forward is proposed, towards an avant-garde AR(t).
Characterization of an immobilized antibody-enzyme complex

Antiserum specific for propanediol dehydrogenase, an enzyme found inNeisseria gonorrhoeae cells, has been immobilized to glass. When mixed withN gonorrhoeae cell lysates, the immobilized antibody (IMA) binds the enzyme. Over 70% of the calculated adsorbed activity can be recovered from the immobilized antibody-enzyme (IMA-E) complex. When mixed with bacterial lysates prepared from different organisms having propanediol dehydrogenase-like activity, the IMA specifically adsorbed the enzyme from theN gonorrhoeae lysate. IMA-E complexes have been prepared and their kinetic, temperature and chemical stability, and antigenic properties investigated. These studies demonstrated the feasibility of using an immobilized antibody in the detection of the propanediol dehydrogenase enzyme.
Abstract IA11: Germline genetic testing in prostate cancer

Recent studies have revealed a higher than expected frequency of germline autosomal dominant cancer predisposition gene mutations in men with high-risk and advanced prostate cancer. These mutations have important implications for risk-stratification and precision therapy, as well as for cancer risks in family members. This has led to relatively rapid adoption of germline panel genetic testing in clinical practice, and facilitated identification of cancer-free men who are mutation carriers at elevated risk for prostate cancer. This talk will cover the spectrum of germline cancer predisposition genes associated with prostate cancer, issues surrounding clinical genetic panel testing, and emerging data on how germline genetic information may be used to inform screening and risk. Citation Format: Colin C. Pritchard. Germline genetic testing in prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Prostate Cancer: Advances in Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research; 2017 Dec 2-5; Orlando, Florida. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(16 Suppl):Abstract nr IA11.
Abstract 398: GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Administered After the Infarct Suppresses miR-33 Expression in Lean Mice Subjected to Permanent Coronary Artery Occlusion

MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate post-transcriptional gene expression and protein translation. There is now increasing evidence that miRs regulate mitochondrial turnover. miR-33 regulates cholesterol meta...
Chiari Malformation Type 1 in EPAS1-Associated Syndrome

A syndrome of multiple paragangliomas/pheochromocytomas, somatostatinoma, and polycythemia due to somatic mosaic gain-of-function mutation of EPAS1, encoding HIF-2α, was previously described. HIF-2α has been implicated in endochondral and intramembranous ossification. Abnormal bone growth of the skull base may lead to Chiari malformation type I. We report two cases of EPAS1 gain-of-function mutation syndrome with Chiari malformation and developmental skull base anomalies. Patients were referred to the Section on Medical Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD, NIH for evaluation of recurrent and metastatic paragangliomas or pheochromocytoma. The syndrome was confirmed genetically by identification of the functional EPAS1 gain-of-function mutation in the resected tumors and circulating leukocytes. Both patients were confirmed for characteristics of EPAS1 gain-of-function mutation syndrome by complete blood count (CBC), plasma biochemistry, and computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis. Chiari malformation type I and abnormal bony development of the posterior fossa was found on MRI and CT of the head. The present study implicates EPAS1 mutations in abnormal posterior fossa development resulting in Chiari malformation type I.
SOCIAL SUPPORT COMMUNICATION IN FAMILIES

Of the many functions served by families, social support is among the most important. In this chapter, a selective review will be provided of social support in three kinds of family relationships: marital, parent-child, and sibling. Marital support and sibling support differ somewhat from parent-child support in that the former involves transactions between peers;whereas the latter involves transactions between individualswith deﬁnite differences in power, resources, and ability. Thus, support in marital and sibling relationships is more bidirectional than that between parent and child, although children can serve support functions for their parents, especially as they enter adolescence. Hundreds of articles have been written about spousal support. Fewer have been written about parent-child support, and especially few have been written about support between siblings. We will highlight three themes in our discussion of support within each of the three kinds of family relationships. First, we will examine the beneﬁts that are associated with support. Next, we will discuss determinants of effective support and barriers that prevent support exchanges. Finally, we will offer recommendations for future research on social support in families. In line with the theme of this book, links to communication will be made wherever possible.For some theorists, social support is the ongoing fulﬁllment by others of basic interpersonal needs (Kaplan, Cassel, & Gore, 1977; Lin, 1986). For others, social support is the fulﬁllment of more speciﬁc time-limited needs that arise as the result of adverse life events or circumstances (House, 1981; Rook, 1984). Regardless of the extent to which adversity is a precondition for social support to occur, theorists generally agree on the kinds of acts or “functions” that constitute support. In this paper, social support is deﬁned as verbal communication or behavior that is responsive to another’s needs and serves the functions of comfort, encouragement, reassurance of caring, and/or the promotion of effective problem solving through information or tangible assistance.
Aggregate Risk and the Pareto Principle

Abstract In the evaluation of public policies, a crucial distinction is between plans that involve purely idiosyncratic risk and those that generate correlated, or aggregate, risk. While natural, this distinction is not captured by standard utilitarian aggregators. In this paper we revisit Harsanyi's ( 1955 ) celebrated theory of preferences aggregation and develop a parsimonious generalization of utilitarianism. The theory we propose captures sensitivity to aggregate risk in large populations and can be characterized by two simple axioms of preferences aggregation.
‘The Slippery are Very Crafty’: David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish and the Politics of Translation

How do understandings of China emerge in the U.S., where racial paradigms rooted in orientalism and Yellow Peril frameworks collide with newer discourses of China’s rise? And how does the presence ...
Assistive devices and future fall-related injuries among ambulatory adults with spinal cord injury: a prospective cohort study.

Study design Prospective cohort study with two times of measurement. Objective To assess the relationship between use of assistive devices for walking (at baseline) and the number of annual fall-related injuries (at follow-up) among a cohort of ambulatory adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting Medical University in the Southeastern United States. Methods There were 622 ambulatory adults who met the eligibility criteria, 317 of whom completed both baseline and follow-up assessments. The participants completed a mailed self-report assessment (SRA) that measured self-reported number of fall-related injuries in the previous year, and the use of orthopedic equipment (assistive devices) for walking, including cane(s), crutches, walker, and braces, was assessed at both baseline and follow-up. Results The percentage of at least one self-reported fall-related injury decreased from 22% at baseline to 13% at the follow-up. Walker and cane use at baseline was significantly associated with fall-related injuries at follow-up. Participants using one walking device related to 194% greater number of fall injures, and using multiple device related to 730% greater number of fall injures than those who used no devices. We also found walker users were associated with 214% greater number of fall injures, while cane users were associated with 160% greater number of fall injures. Conclusions The probability of fall-related injury remained high among persons who are ambulatory after SCI. Health care professionals should be aware of the balance between the goal of ambulation and the potential increased risk of fall-related injuries associated with assistive device use.
Associations between sexual identity-attraction discordance, and prescription opioid misuse among adults.

Abstract Prior research has shown that sexual minorities are disproportionately affected by substance use disorders and prescription opioid misuse. While most studies explore how single dimensions of sexual orientation (i.e., identity, attraction, and behavior) are associated with substance use disorders, we aimed to explore how multiple dimensions of sexual orientation interact with substance use behaviors. Specifically, we examined sexual identity-attraction discordance, the situation when one's sexual identity does not match their socially-expected sexual attractions, with prescription opioid misuse. This study assessed the association between sexual identity-attraction discordance with prescription opioid misuse utilizing data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2015 to 2017 among adults while employing propensity score weighting with multivariable logistic regression. The study included 127,430 adult participants, of whom 1.3%, 4.4%, and 10.6% self-reported prescription opioid misuse in the past month, past year, and lifetime, respectively. Those with discordant sexual identity-attractions had higher odds of prescription opioid misuse in their lifetime (aOR= 1.22, 95% CI 1.07–1.40) when compared to those with concordant sexual identity-attractions. When stratified by sex, we found sexual identity-attraction discordant females had higher odds of prescription opioid misuse in their lifetime (aOR= 1.29, 95% CI 1.13–1.49); there was no association among males. These findings further emphasize the need to consider the dynamic nature of sexual orientation in substance use research.
An investigation on ice adhesion and wear of surfaces with differential stiffness

Abstract Ice adhesion is known to be higher on stiff metallic surfaces and lower on compliant polymeric surfaces. In designing icephobic surfaces, while one approach is to use surfaces with lower stiffness, such surfaces typically exhibit poor wear resistance. The aim of this study is to create a patterned surface with differential stiffness such that there is always a shared contact between stiff and compliant surfaces, and to study the possibility of such surfaces having an optimal balance between low ice adhesion and favorable wear resistance. Patterned surfaces with alternating layers of stiff aluminum and compliant polyurethane elastomer were fabricated, and ice adhesion and wear behavior of such patterned surfaces are reported. Ice adhesion as a function of the metal-polymer contact area ratio was studied, and patterned surfaces exhibited reduced ice adhesion compared to a plain aluminum surface. Reciprocating ball-on-flat sliding tests were used to study the wear behavior of the surfaces. Wear resistance of the patterned surfaces is presented in terms of wear depth, and the patterned surfaces exhibited higher wear resistance than plain polyurethane surface. Simple finite element modeling was used to arrive at stress states of the patterned surfaces and to understand their wear behavior. The novel surface engineering approach outlined in this paper shows promise for realizing durable icephobic surfaces under contact conditions.
Development of a PPG Sensor Array as a Wearable Device for Monitoring Cardiovascular Metrics

Wearable devices with integrated sensors for tracking human vitals are widely used for a variety of applications, including exercise, wellness, and health monitoring. Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors use pulse oximetry to measure pulse rate, cardiac cycle, oxygen saturation, and blood flow by passing a light beam of variable wavelength through the skin and measuring its reflection. A multi-channel PPG wearable system was developed to include multiple nodes of pulse oximeters, each capable of using different wavelengths of light. The system uses sensor fusion along with machine learning model to perform feature extraction of relevant cardiovascular metrics across multiple pulse oximeters and predict saturated oxygen (SpO 2 ). The developed model predicted SpO 2 with a root mean square (RMSE) of 0.07 and accuracy of 99.5%. The wearable system was applied to the plant of the foot for vascular assessment. Wearable PPG systems capable of sensor fusion demonstrates a potential capability for continuous evaluation/monitoring of wounds and diseases associated with abnormal blood flow.
Symmetry Analysis of Perturbed Ion Beam-Target Interactions

Accurate treatment of the intensity-dependent ion beam depositing its energy fronts on a highly distorted material interface of ion-beam driven target is essential to the symmetry and stability analyses of heavy-ion ICF target. Due to its highly non-linear nature of the distorted material interface caused by beam intensity perturbations, analytic treatment of this symmetry analysis of “perturbed” beam-target interactions is very much limited.
SEPIADES; Cataloging Photographic Collections

This report provides background information on the SEPIA Data Element Set (SEPIADES) advisory report and software tool. SEPIADES is a multi-level data element set for cataloging photographic collec...
Data Masking for Disclosure Limitation

Governmental agencies that conduct surveys and censuses collect data from respondents with the purpose of releasing it in the form of statistical summaries. The more detailed the summary is, the more likely a data intruder will be able to extract confidential data about individual respondents from the released data. However, there are various ways of redesigning the data product and/or modifying the data themselves to protect the data while preserving their usefulness. We discuss methods that achieve these two goals: (i) a data intruder will not be able to extract, with high confidence, confidential data directly from the data product or derive confidential microdata from several data products; and (ii) the released data are still quite detailed and useful to most data users, including researchers. Such “data-masking” methods comprise a fast growing field often called statistical disclosure control. We discuss some simpler methods that have been used for decades, such as detail reduction, cell suppression, and data swapping; some methods developed in the 1990s, such as rank swapping, data shuffling, and multiplicative noise; and some methods developed in recent decade, such as randomization of microdata with constraints (PRAM) and synthetic data. Keywords: disclosure limitation; statistical disclosure control; data swapping; rank swapping; multiplicative noise; synthetic data; cell suppression
A CLASSIFICAÇÃO DAS HABILIDADES DE MOVIMENTO: UM CASO PARA MODELOS MULTIDIMENSIONAIS

Movement skills may be classified in a variety of ways. Traditionally one-dimensional schemes have been used. They are, however, limited in their utility in terms of “real-world” movement situations. Two-dimensional schemes are somewhat better in that they are more inclusive, but they still lack the “real worldness” of multi-dimensional schemes. Although more complex 5 dimensional schemes provide us with a rubric for understanding learners at all skill levels, and translating this understanding into action through effective teaching.
The Relationships Between Workplace Bullying by Graduate Faculty with Graduate Students’ Burnout and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors

This study examined the relationships between faculty workplace bullying with graduate students’ burnout and organizational citizenship behaviors. Graduate students (N = 272) completed a self-report questionnaire measuring the degree to which faculty bully them at work (i.e., through belittlement, punishment, managerial misconduct, exclusion) along with reports of their student burnout (i.e., exhaustion, cynicism, professional efficacy) and use of organizational citizenship behaviors (i.e., helping, civic virtue, sportsmanship). Results of canonical correlations revealed that faculty bullying was related positively to graduate student burnout and was related inversely to organizational citizenship behaviors.
Methods for studying energy costs and energy flow during human locomotion.

Methods are described for studying the metabolic cost of increased and diminished gravitational work done by the human subject during normal locomotion at various speeds and slopes on the treadmill. It is shown that the energy expenditure is a linear function of the gravitational work and, as long as the gait is of a smooth and natural character, appears to be dependent upon the true vertical lift per step multiplied by the number of steps per minute. The true vertical lift is defined as the lift resulting from muscle action, as contrasted with components due to treadmill motion. Methods are also described for recording the vertical and translational motions of the torso during a single step, and for analyzing the flow of mechanical energy into and out of the torso during each phase of the walking cycle. Implications for calculation of efficiency are briefly discussed.
High energy density ceramic film capacitors for compact pulsed power

(Ba, Sr)TiO3 (BST) ceramic thin films have attained a presence in small-signal microelectronics applications due to their "dual-high" characteristics (high dielectric constant and high breakdown strength), which are essential in producing high energy density capacitors. In this paper we investigate the potential application of BST films to high voltage, high energy density capacitors in compact pulsed power system. Fabrication of BST film capacitors on silicon substrates by pulsed laser deposition is presented. The average dielectric constant of the deposited film is 780 for the frequency range from 100 Hz to 1 MHz. The dissipation factor of the film is less than 0.02 for the frequency range from 100 Hz to 200 kHz
Symptoms of forest decline (Waldsterben) on Norway and red spruce

Stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) in Vermontwere examined for morphological symptoms of forest decline. Defoliation pattern, needle discoloration, regeneration of proventitious secondary shoots, and the formation of unusually short internodes with exceptionally small foliage were the same for both Norway and red spruce. Qualitative and quantitative analysis detected no significant variation between the two species in Vermont, suggesting that the symptoms examined are not specific for Norway spruce. Forest declinesymptomatology of Norway spruce in northeastern North America closely parallels the descriptions of ‘Waldsterben’ symptoms in the German literature.
A note on asymmetry in phrase structure grammars

Equivalence of one-way grammars to context-free grammars, showing nonnecessity for restrictions on rules
Constructing a GIS geodatabase to assess and analyze the factors enabling proliferation of a noxious seaweed along the south-facing coast of Harwich, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Presently, there is a paucity of knowledge about Pilayella littoralis and the factors influencing its proliferation on the southern facing coast of Cape Cod, MA. Over the past 20 years, the seaweed has moved along the coast from Falmouth to Chatham, and there is concern for the effects on onshore and nearshore habitats. The goal of this research project is to provide a science-based mapping methodology for analyzing spatially referenced coastal phenomena, specifically, coastal distributions of Pilayella littoralis and associated seaweed assemblages, to identify areas of proliferation and accumulation of these seaweeds, and to obtain a detailed timeline of anthropogenic construction along the coast necessary for the analysis of possible causes of the phenomena. This project uses Geographic Information System (GIS) to produce a temporal and spatial framework for quantifying the accumulation and proliferation of distributions of Pilayella littoralis and associated seaweeds along the coast, with respect to natural and human constructed rocky features. The GIS database framework consists of: 1) Bathymetry (accomplished from raster application); and 2) Data layers, including aerial photos, maps, charts, and other existing GIS data layers. GIS database construction and data integration are accomplished using ESRI ArcGIS 9.3.1. ArcSDE and SQL. The database implements data layers based on: 1) historical aerial photographs; 2) bathymetry; 3) and digital maps documenting the construction and timeline of human constructed defenses along the study site. GIS modeling and analysis is performed using the geodatabase to construct models of compartments formed by natural and human rocky structures along the coast where the algae flourish. In addition, GPS data collection and remote sensing field survey (via Hyper-spectroradiometry) is applied to obtain spatial event information and to estimate biomass and to estimate biomass and productivity in aquatic vegetation.
Abstraction from demonstration for efficient reinforcement learning in high-dimensional domains

Reinforcement learning (RL) and learning from demonstration (LfD) are two popular families of algorithms for learning policies for sequential decision problems, but they are often ineffective in high-dimensional domains unless provided with either a great deal of problem-specific domain information or a carefully crafted representation of the state and dynamics of the world. We introduce new approaches inspired by these two techniques, which we broadly call abstraction from demonstration. Our first algorithm, state abstraction from demonstration (AfD), uses a small set of human demonstrations of the task the agent must learn to determine a state-space abstraction. Our second algorithm, abstraction and decomposition from demonstration (ADA), is additionally able to determine a task decomposition from the demonstrations. These abstractions allow RL to scale up to higher-complexity domains, and offer much better performance than LfD with orders of magnitude fewer demonstrations. Using a set of videogame-like domains, we demonstrate that using abstraction from demonstration can obtain up to exponential speed-ups in table-based representations, and polynomial speed-ups when compared with function approximation-based RL algorithms such as fitted Q-learning and LSPI.
Semantic extraction with wide-coverage lexical resources

We report on results of combining graphical modeling techniques with Information Extraction resources (Pattern Dictionary and Lexicon) for both frame and semantic role assignment. Our approach demonstrates the use of two human built knowledge bases (WordNet and FrameNet) for the task of semantic extraction.
Natural history of predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult subgroups in exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Objectives We previously showed that the pattern of vision loss in eyes with subfoveal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is uniform across a wide range of clinical trials, with apparent differences arising from differences in the time of entry of patients into clinical trials. In the current study, we used a similar analysis to compare the visual loss of untreated control eyes classified as predominantly classic (PC), minimally classic (MC), and occult with no classic (occult) based on fluorescein angiography. Design Meta-analysis of prior clinical trials. Participants Data from patients enrolled in the Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS), Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy (TAP) Study, Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy (VIP) Study, Anecortave Acetate (AA) Trial, VEGF Inhibition Study in Ocular Neovascularization (VISION), and Minimally Classic/Occult Trial of the Anti-VEGF Antibody Ranibizumab in the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (MARINA) Trials. Methods Visual acuity (VA) data of untreated control eyes for each study from appropriate subgroups were plotted on a double reciprocal (Lineweaver-Burke) plot of 1/[letters lost] versus 1/[months]. To correct for differences in time of entry into clinical trials, we introduced a horizontal translation factor to shift each data subset. Main Outcome Measures We determined the coefficient of determination before and after adjustments for visual acuity at the time of enrollment. Results On a Lineweaver-Burke plot, the cumulative subgroups had an overall coefficient of determination of only r 2 2 = 0.90 when data were corrected for time of entry into clinical trials. For each subgroup there was excellent correlation between 1/[letters lost] versus 1/[months of exudative disease] for PC (r 2 = 0.91), MC (r 2 = 0.95), and occult (r 2 = 0.98) choroidal neovascularization. Conclusions We were able to demonstrate a strong correlation for visual acuity as a function of time that is independent of the fluorescein angiography classification of a lesion, suggesting that initial protocol visual acuity, rather than angiographic classification, is the major determinant of the behavior of visual acuity as a function of time in exudative AMD. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
QCD at high energies

Abstract A number of aspects of QCD relating to high energy reactions are considered. The relationship between partons and constituent quarks is discussed in general and in the context of the contribution that the axial anomaly may give to spin-dependent deep inelastic scattering. Color transparency in almost exclusive reactions is reviewed. Nuclear shadowing in deeply inelastic scattering and in large mass μ-pair production is reviewed.
Drug development needs a new brand of science.

We need to break with the past to develop new medicines, says Garret FitzGerald. An interdisciplinary NIH centre points the way.
Matrix- and substrate-assisted laser desorption for fast DNA sequencing

During the past few years, tremendous effort has been put to achieving fast sequencing of DNA due to the potential great applications in biological and medical research. Current successful DNA sequencing methods which were developed by Sanger and Maxam-Gilbert have proven very useful for sequencing small DNA segments. However, these methods of sequencing usually involve labeling fragments of DNA for identification following time- consuming gel electrophoresis. The labeling processes usually involve either radioactive tagging or chromophore tagging to various sizes of DNA segments. The segments of DNA are generated either chemically or enzymatically to represent all possible positions of each of the four nucleotides (A, G, C, and T). Both radioactive methods and fluorescent dye labeling methods for DNA sequencing require the use of the time-consuming gel electrophoresis method. It is naturally desirable to consider a time-of-flight mass spectrometer approach to DNA sequencing since the time needed for separation of DNA segments in a mass spectrometer is a few microseconds instead of a few hours in gel electrophoresis.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Functional differences between cardiac and renal isoforms of the rat Na+−Ca2+ exchanger NCX1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes

1The transcript of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger gene NCX1 undergoes alternative splicing to produce tissue-specific isoforms. The cloned NCX1 isoforms were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and studied using a two-electrode voltage clamp method to measure Na+-Ca2+ exchanger activity. 2The cardiac isoform (NCX1.1) expressed in oocytes was less sensitive to depolarizing voltages and to activation by [Ca2+]i than the renal isoform (NCX1.3). 3The cardiac isoform of NCX1 is more sensitive to activation by protein kinase A (PKA) than the renal isoform which may be explained by preferential phosphorylation. The cardiac isoform of NCX1 is phosphorylated to a greater extent than the renal isoform. 4The action of PKA phosphorylation which increases the activity of the cardiac isoform of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger in oocytes was confirmed in adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes by measuring Na+-dependent Ca2+ flux. 5We conclude that alternative splicing of NCX1 confers distinct functional characteristics to tissue-specific isoforms of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger.
Thrombosed Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm: A Rare Cause of a High-Probability Lung Scan

The high-probability ventilation-perfusion lung scan is accepted as supportive of pulmonary embolism and often negates further diagnostic evaluation; however, there are processes that mimic the clinical presentation and radiographic findings of pulmonary emboli, including a unilateral segmental or greater perfusion defect. We present the findings in a patient whose presentation and ventilation-perfusion scans over a three-month course were suggestive of pulmonary embolism, yet pulmonary angiography revealed a thrombosed pulmonary artery aneurysm. The interpretation of a unilateral segmental perfusion defect as high probability does not secure the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and should not preclude further evaluation for alternative etiologies.
New Mexico middle-crustal cross sections 1.65-Ga macroscopic geometry, 1.4-Ga thermal structure, and continued problems in understanding crustal evolution

Recent detailed work in key regions along two north–south transects in northern New Mexico highlights continued controversy about Proterozoic tectonic evolution. Ductile deformation features (folds, ductile thrusts, and associated foliations and lineations) are grouped into three deformation generations. D 1 includes crytic bedding-parallel foliation and fold nappes. D 2 involves north-verging, km-scale inclined folds, the main shortening foliation, and D 2 , structures that further attenuate or reactivate F 2 folds. D 3 involves east–west-trending open folds and domes and associated crenulation cleavage. Although others can dominate locally, S 2 is the dominant regional foliation that could possibly be imaged seismically. Map relationships around ca. 1.65- and ca. 1.42-Ga plutons and porphyroblast-matrix studies of dated minerals show that D 3 occurred at ca. 1.42. The age of D 2 is more uncertain and could be 1.65 or 1.42 Ga. Metamorphic studies also indicate multiple metamorphic events, M 1 –M 3 , that may relate to the deformational events. New geochronology indicates that most metamorphic minerals grew (or were reset) at ca. 1.47–1.35 Ga. U-Pb dates on metamorphic zircon, monazite, titanite, staurolite, garnet, and tourmaline suggest regional metamorphism to 550–700° C at 1.47–1.42 Ga. Metamorphic aureoles are present around plutons, but the highest grades of metamorphism are in areas with no exposed 1.42-Ga plutons. Metamorphism is interpreted to record a regional mantle-driven thermal event, the latter parts of which correspond to a time of pluton emplacement. 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dates record post–1.42-Ga cooling: the highest grade rocks yield the youngest cooling ages, indicating slow cooling and gradual unroofing of the 1.42-Ga thermal profile following 1.42-Ga metamorphism. Our preferred model is that macroscopic geometries (D 1 –D 2 ) were established by 1.65 Ga, and that regional amphibolite-grade metamorphism and associated D 3 deformation at 1.47–1.42 Ga produced localized high-strain domains and fabric reactivation at exposed levels. At deeper levels, structures and assemblages may increasingly record 1.42-Ga reactivation.
The “rigid” nucleotide concept in perspective

The principles embodied in the “rigid” nucleotide concept contend that the highly correlated preferred conformations of 5′-nucleotides lead to helical conformations as the most predominant secondary structure, while their distortions induce the loops, bends, and kinks of the tertiary structure of nucleic acids. These principles have been amply corroborated by the crystal structure of tRNAphe and throughout the studies of nucleic acid conformations by numerous other techniques, although the choice of the term “rigid” was at times misunderstood or considered confusing. The “rigid” nucleotide concept helps understand the polymorphism of polynucleotides, the folding of DNA in chromatin, and the interactions between metals or drugs with nucleic acids. It provides also a rationale for the dynamics and flexibility (unwinding, unfolding, unpairing, etc.) of nucleic acids during replication, transcription, and translation as well as related processes like denaturation, thermal-or pH-induced melting.
NCHS data and studies of differential morbidity and mortality.

This article considers three [U.S.] national data sources for social and demographic differentials in morbidity and mortality. These are the Health Interview Survey the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the death registration system. Both the adequacy of these data sources and access to them are examined in relation to the study of differential morbidity and mortality. (EXCERPT)
Broadband mid-IR subharmonic OPOs for molecular spectroscopy

We generate broadband mid-infrared frequency combs via degenerate optical parametric oscillation in a subharmonic OPO. This technique efficiently transfers the desirable properties of shorter wavelength mode-locked sources to the mid- IR. Our OPO resonator is a 3m or 4m ring cavity composed of one pair of concave mirrors with R=50mm and four flat mirrors, all but one of which are gold coated with > 99% reflection. A single dielectric mirror is used to introduce the pump (2.05 micron from IMRA America, 75 MHz, 80 fs, 600mW or 1.55 micron from Menlo Systems C-fiber, 100 MHz, 70 fs, 350 mW or 1.56 micron from Toptica Photonics FemtoFiber Pro, 80 MHz, 85 fs, 380 mW). The dielectric mirror is transmissive for the pump and reflective in a 2.5- 4 micron or 3- 6 micron (for 2 micron pump) range. Broadband parametric gain around the 3.1-micron subharmonic is provided by short (0.2-0.5mm) periodically poled lithium niobate (MgO:PPLN) at Brewster angle. Crystals were cut from Crystal Technology Inc. material having QPM period of 34.8 microns for type 0 (e=e+e) phase matching at t=32 deg. C. With the 2-micron pump, orientation patterned gallium arsenide from BAE systems is used as the non-linear material In both systems, the enormous acceptance bandwidth at degeneracy, typical for OPOs with type 0 (or type I) phase-matching, gives broad bandwidth and makes temperature tuning insignificant. Broadband oscillation is achieved when signal/idler are brought into degenerate resonance by fine-tuning the cavity length with a mirror on a piezo stage. Using an 8% reflective pellicle, we outcouple a frequency comb of more than 1000nm bandwidth, centered around 3.1 microns from the Er/PPLN system. A 1mm or 2.5mm thick ZnSe plate at Brewster angle provides 2nd-order group velocity dispersion compensation, improving the OPO bandwidth. The OPO threshold was measured to be < 30mW. When locked, the OPO outputs 60 mW of average power centered at 3.1 microns. With the Tm/OP-GaAs system we achieve octave-spanning output from 3- 6 micron using a mix of YAG and CaF for dispersion compensation and output powers over 30 mW.
Abridgment of progress and problems from interconnection in Southeastern states

Great progress has been made. Interconnection between independent systems is primarily a protective measure, but the greatest economic benefits have been realized when the interconnections have been made by subsidiary companies of one holding company. The capacity of tie lines and the amount of power interchanges has developed greatly. The size of generating units has increased, as has the size of power plants, resulting in lowered cost per kw. The problem of satisfactory voltage and power factor control has increased in complexity as has that of system load dispatching. While much improvement has been made in oil circuit breakers, they still leave much to be desired. Interconnection has made possible more economical operation of existing plants and has resulted in the use of a larger proportion of the available water on systems combining steam, storage, and run-of-river hydroelectric plants. Long-time forecasting of load and rainfall conditions is important in economical system planning. The 110-kv. and 154-kv. line construction is discussed; also the value of ground wires and lightning arresters. The growing importance of carrier current for supervisory control and communication and their application are reviewed.
Partial Purification of Salmon Muscle Cathepsins

SUMMARY Salmon muscle cathepsins hydrolyzed denatured hemoglobin optimally at pH 3.7 with two minor pH optima noted at pH 7.0 and 8.5. Cathepsins optimally active at pH 3.7 and extracted with 0.2 N KCI, were partially purified by (1) precipitation of inactive protein at pH 5.5, (2) (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, and (3) column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Two cathepsins appeared to be separated by this procedure; one was purified 27-fold with 17% recovery and the other was purified 116-fold with 6.8% recovery.
More Evidence in Favor of the Balassa–Samuelson Hypothesis

This study provides additional evidence of a significant long-run relationship between the relative price of nontradables and real output, consistent with the productivity-bias hypothesis of Balassa and Samuelson. The results, however, also indicate that additional permanent supply shocks, specifically real oil prices, need to be considered. In every case, relative prices are significantly affected by permanent innovations in real output and real oil prices. The general lack of evidence of cointegration, however, points to the possibility that additional long-run determinants of relative prices have been omitted.
Depletion-Layer Photoeffects in Semiconductors

The theory of photoconduction through the reverse-biased $p\ensuremath{-}n$ junction in semiconductors is developed without the customary assumption that carrier generation in the junction depletion layer is negligible. Different from previous theories, the more general treatment leads to a voltage dependence of the photocurrent and its spectral distribution. When the incident light beam is modulated at frequencies comparable to the transit time through the depletion layer, a phase shift between the photon flux and photocurrent is noticed and transit-time rectification occurs.
Maternal Vitamin E Alters Passively Acquired Immunity of Chicks

Abstract Passively transferred antibody levels were significantly increased in plasma of two-and seven-day-old chicks when the dams were fed 150 and 450 p.p.m. vitamin E prior to immunization with Brucella abortus. However, if the hens were fed 90, 300 and 900 p.p.m. vitamin E before immunization, the chicks evidenced no increase in antibody titers relative to controls. This nonlinear antibody response by the reticulo-endothelial system to vitamin E confirms in Callus domesticus similar results reported for other species.
Comparison of vetiver root essential oils from cleansed (bacteria- and fungus-free) vs. non-cleansed (normal) vetiver plants

Abstract ‘Karnataka’ and ‘Malaysia’ cultivars of vetiver ( Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash, = Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) were subjected to meristem tissue culture in order to produce plants that were bacteria- and fungi-free. Tissue cultured (“cleansed” or phytosanitary) vetiver was grown for five months in sterilized soil contained in pots, and the oil content of plants grown on the medium was compared to that of non-cleansed (normal) vetiver plants grown in unsterilized soil under the same conditions. Statistical analysis of 49 of the major oil components revealed numerous significant differences between tissue culture derived and natural plants for both genotypes. Although oil yields differed, this may reflect the larger size of the initial plantlets obtained from natural sources. Tissue cultured vs. natural plantlets grown in sterilized soil resulted in the largest number of differences in compounds. The least number of differences of compounds were between tissue cultured vs. natural plantlets grown in non-sterile soil. The thesis that many of the compounds found in vetiver roots originate from endogenous fungi was not supported.