cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF DECEPTIVE PACKAGING AND PRODUCT INVOLVEMENT ON PURCHASE INTENTION: AN ELABORATION LIKELIHOOD MODEL PERSPECTIVE '

From an Elaboration Likelihood Model perspective, it was hypothesized that postexposure awareness of deceptive packaging claims would have a greater negative effect on scores for purchase intention by consumers lowly involved rather than highly involved with a product (n = 40). Undergraduates who were classified as either highly or lowly (ns = 20 and 20) involved with M&Ms examined either a deceptive or non-deceptive package design for M&Ms candy and were subsequently informed of the deception employed in the packaging before finally rating their intention to purchase. As anticipated, highly deceived subjects who were low in involvement rated intention to purchase lower than their highly involved peers. Overall, the results attest to the robustness of the model and suggest that the model has implications beyond advertising effects and into packaging effects.
Sensitivity vector fields for atomic force microscopes

The application of the sensitivity vector fields (SVFs) for tip–sample interactions in the context of multi-mode tapping dynamics of atomic-force microscopes (AFM) is presented. SVFs represent a novel approach to accurately determine simultaneous parameter variations by exploiting the geometric features of observed chaotic dynamics. The paper also demonstrates that, in certain operating conditions, higher modes are essential to correctly predict the AFM dynamics, and they cannot be neglected. The accuracy of the SVF approach is discussed as applied to a multi-mode AFM model where mode shapes vary due to multiple parameter variations. The identifiability of various parameters based on SVF reconstruction is investigated. Several calibration issues for parameter reconstruction are observed and resolved by a specialized sample filtering and a novel correction factor.
Triage of high-risk surgical patients for intensive care

Patients who undergo high-risk non-cardiac surgical procedures represent a large proportion of admissions to intensive care units (ICUs) in the developed world [1]. Ideally, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and intensivists admitting surgical patients to ICUs target the patients who will benefi t most from this highest level of postoperative care. However, accurately identifying which patients are at high risk of complications or death after major surgery remains diffi cult. For example, a recent study in the United Kingdom demonstrated that patients undergoing high-risk general surgical procedures comprised only 12.5% of surgical admissions to hospitals but over 80% of deaths, with less than 15% of these high-risk patients admitted to the ICU postoperatively [2]. Postoperative outcomes are a result of the complex interplay between the exact general surgical procedure performed, the previous health of the patient, and specifi c intra- and postoperative events. Outcomes may also be infl uenced by aspects of the particular healthcare system, such as the surgical procedure volume at diff erent hospitals [3], as well as care options, such as the availability and suitable use of intensive care beds. Appropriate triage of patients to intensive care postoperatively may have a large impact on outcomes after non-cardiac surgery. Th is chapter reviews the patient factors and scoring systems developed to help with triage, describes current ICU triage recommendations for postsurgical patients, and identifi es potential ways to improve evaluation and management of high-risk postoperative patients. Prediction of postoperative outcomes Predictors of postoperative outcomes may be divided into three categories: Known preoperative risk factors; the risk associated with the specifi c surgical procedure; and the unique aspects of each operative case that may contribute to a particular patient being at high risk for complications or death after surgery. Preoperative evaluation
Drivers' perception of pedestrians' rights and walking environments

A pedestrian and traffic safety study was conducted in San Diego County, California, with 1,587 adult and teenage traffic violators who were attending traffic school. The surveys were disaggregated on the basis of respondents' demographic characteristics. There were 589 Spanish speakers and 998 English speakers. The surveys measured respondents' safe driving score and correlated the score with their assessment of safety and the level of aggression shown toward pedestrians in six photographs. Photographs were selected to depict certain pedestrian and driving environments and pedestrian-vehicle interactions. The photographs were used as a means of assessing the drivers' level of sensitivity to pedestrian environments. Respondents were asked to assess drivers' behaviors on certain roads, their levels of aggression toward pedestrians, and the quality of sidewalks. Responses to the photographs were analyzed with demographic differences (adults and teen, Spanish and English) and the safe driving measure scores. Significant differences were found in the responses on the basis of driving measure and demographic differences. Many respondents were unaware of California laws related to pedestrian's rights and duties when sidewalks are missing. They were also insensitive to pedestrian-driver conflict situations. Some of the lack in understanding or empathy toward pedestrians is due to inadequate treatment of pedestrian safety issues in the literature on aggressive driving. On the basis of this research, it is felt that aggressive acts toward pedestrians need to be included in the definition of aggressive driving so that drivers are made aware of the rights of pedestrians.
A prospective, population-based study of the demographics, epidemiology, management, and outcome of out-of-hospital pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest.

Abstract Study Objectives: To perform a population-based study addressing the demography, epidemiology, management, and outcome of out-of-hospital pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest (PCPA). Methods: Prospective, population-based study of all children (17 years of age or younger) in a large urban municipality who were treated by EMS personnel for apneic, pulseless conditions. Data were collected prospectively for 3½ years using a comprehensive data collection tool and on-line computerized database. Each child received standard pediatric advanced cardiac life support. Results: During the 3½-year period, 300 children presented with PCPA (annual incidence of 19.7/100,000 at risk). Of these, 60% (n=181) were male ( P =.0003), and 54% (n=161) were patients 12 months of age or younger (152,500 at risk). Compared with the population at risk (32% black patients, 36% Hispanic patients, 26% white patients), a disproportionate number of arrests occurred in black children (51.6% versus 26.6% in Hispanics, and 17% in white children; P P =.032). Conclusion: This population-based study underscores the need to investigate new therapeutic interventions for PCPA, as well as innovative strategies for improving the frequency of basic CPR for children. [Sirbaugh PE, Pepe PE, Shook JE, Kimball KT, Goldman MJ, Ward MA, Mann DM: A prospective, population-based study of the demographics, epidemiology, management, and outcome of out-of-hospital pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest. Ann Emerg Med February 1999;33:174-184.]
A two-layer paradigm capable of forming arbitrary decision regions in input space

It is well known that a two-layer perceptron network with threshold neurons is incapable of forming arbitrary decision regions in input space, while a three-layer perceptron has that capability. The effect of replacing the output neuron in a two-layer perceptron with a bithreshold element is studied. The limitations of this modified two-layer perceptron are observed. Results on the separating capabilities of a pair of parallel hyperplanes are obtained. Based on these, a new two-layer neural paradigm based on increasing the dimensionality of the output of the first layer is proposed and is shown to be capable of forming any arbitrary decision region in input space. Then a type of logic called bithreshold logic, based on the bithreshold neuron transfer function, is studied. Results on the limits of switching function realizability using bithreshold gates are obtained.
Discussion: Commodity Price Discovery: Problems That Have Solutions or Solutions That Are Problems

This paper examines three invited papers focused on commodity prices. Public responses to high nominal commodity prices and perceived increases in price risk have ranged from attempts to assign blame, attempts to change contracting arrangements, and development of public policy that ‘‘protects’’ the market from future occurrences of unacceptable behavior. Interestingly, a result of increased commodity price volatility has suggested that futures markets no longer ‘‘work.’’ This is ironic given that futures markets initially came into existence as tools for managing the negative impacts of commodity price risk. In response to perceptions of market failure some are looking for strategies to regulate the who and how of futures trading.
Assessing alternative allometric algorithms for estimating leaf area of Douglas-fir trees and stands.

Allometric approaches based only on tree diameter at breast height (DBH) have been used to estimate leaf biomass and leaf area index (LAI) in coniferous forests. This approach has been suggested to sometimes produce unrealistically high LAI estimates, notably in old-growth stands in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Leaf area to sapwood area relationships offer an alternative basis for estimating LAI and a number of empirical and modeling approaches have been used for generating tree-level sapwood area and leaf area estimates. To evaluate effects of the alternative assumptions among these approaches, we compared five algorithms for estimating leaf area per tree and stand-level LAI in stands dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var menziesii). Initially, 383 trees representing the major species and the complete range of tree sizes in the study area were examined for species, DBH, crown ratio, and sapwood area. There were significant species-specific relationships between sapwood and DBH for these trees. Neither crown ratio nor the ratio of observed tree height to expected tree height were effective in predicting the sign and magnitude of the residuals in the sapwood area/DBH relationships. Nine stands (three young, three mature, and three old-growth) in and near the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest in the western central Oregon Cascades were then studied with species, DBH, and crown ratio recorded for all trees in a set of subplots. At the stand level, the LAI algorithms based on sapwood area at breast height produced significantly lower LAI estimates than the DBH-alone algorithm in mature and old-growth stands. The algorithm relying on estimated sapwood area at the base of the crown further reduced LAI estimates relative to those based on sapwood area at breast height. Although the differences between the DBH-based and sapwood area-based approaches tended to be greatest in the older stands, estimated LAI was higher in the older stands than in the younger stands for all algorithms. Comparative studies using allometric, litterfall, and optical approaches to LAI estimation are needed to resolve issues such as trends in LAI with succession and maximum possible LAI in Douglas-fir forests.
Metric learning for text documents

Many algorithms in machine learning rely on being given a good distance metric over the input space. Rather than using a default metric such as the Euclidean metric, it is desirable to obtain a metric based on the provided data. We consider the problem of learning a Riemannian metric associated with a given differentiable manifold and a set of points. Our approach to the problem involves choosing a metric from a parametric family that is based on maximizing the inverse volume of a given data set of points. From a statistical perspective, it is related to maximum likelihood under a model that assigns probabilities inversely proportional to the Riemannian volume element. We discuss in detail learning a metric on the multinomial simplex where the metric candidates are pull-back metrics of the Fisher information under a Lie group of transformations. When applied to text document classification the resulting geodesic distance resemble, but outperform, the tfidf cosine similarity measure.
An Economic Model of Korean Reunification

Aims to find an appropriate economic model for the reunification question. Perhaps the most important economic issue is what model is to be applied in integrating the two Koreas into a single, viable and eventually highly‐competitive economy. Because of the dissimilarities between the German and Korean economies, and the enormous economic problems created by the swift German reunification, the instant‐reunification German model was rejected. Instead, proposes a more gradual, four‐stage economic integration model for Korea, which was divided in 1945. For a successful economic integration of the two countries, economic reforms should take place in North Korea since the North Korean economy has been afflicted with too many difficult problems, mainly caused by a rigid, centrally‐planned, command economy.
Linearizing CMOS Switching Power Amplifiers Using Supply Regulators

In high-speed communications systems, the power amplifier (PA) is the dominant source of power consumption from the battery and, thus, one of the main limitations in increased mobility. Switching PAs are more efficient than their linear counterparts and, thus, demand less power from the battery; however, they do not have sensitivity to the amplitude variations seen in nonconstant-envelope modulation. This brief discusses supply modulation, a technique that enables use of switching PAs for improved power efficiency, by providing a means of linearizing the PA.
Dynamics of Hippocampal Ensemble Activity Realignment: Time versus Space

Whether hippocampal map realignment is coupled more strongly to position or time was studied in rats trained to shuttle on a linear track. The rats were required to run from a start box and to pause at a goal location at a fixed location relative to stable distal cues (room-aligned coordinate frame). The origin of each lap was varied by shifting the start box and track as a unit (box-aligned coordinate frame) along the direction of travel. As observed by Gothard et al. (1996a), on each lap the hippocampal activity realigned from a representation that was box-aligned to one that was room-aligned. We studied the dynamics of this transition using a measure of how well the moment-by-moment ensemble activity matched the expected activity given the location of the animal in each coordinate frame. The coherency ratio, defined as the ratio of the matches for the two coordinate systems, provides a quantitative measure of the ensemble activity alignment and was used to compare four possible descriptions of the realignment process. The elapsed time since leaving the box provided a better predictor of the occurrence of the transition than any of the three spatial parameters investigated, suggesting that the shift between coordinate systems is at least partially governed by a stochastic, time-dependent process.
Paved with Good Intentions

The cells of the adult central nervous system appear to be in a continual struggle to hold their cell cycle in check. This is evident both from the virtual absence of neuronal cell division in the adult and from the apparent fate of those neurons that do try to divide. The losses of nerve cells in a variety of neurodegenerative conditions, including several human diseases, seem to be related by this common theme of attempted neuronal cell division. At a superficial level, it is almost as if the neurons retain a developmental ‘memory’ of their epithelial origins and following stress or ‘wounding’ of the CNS, a suppressed urge to repair the ‘wound’ by cell division ensues. This attempt would seem laudable on its surface — in a situation where neurons are dying, any effort to create new nerve cells should be welcome. But these good intentions on the part of the mature neurons have unintended consequences, and in the final analysis end up paving a very famous road that leads only to a worsening of the brains condition.
Photosynthetic and carbohydrate status of easy-and difficult-to-acclimatize sea oats (Uniola paniculata L.) genotypes during In vitro culture and Ex vitro acclimatization

The photosynthetic and carbohydrate status of an easy-to-acclimatize (EK 16-3) and a difficult-to-acclimatize (EK 11-1) genotype of Uniola paniculata L. (sea oats), a native dune species of the southeastern US, were evaluated during in vitro culture and ex vitro acclimatization. Net photosynthetic rate was eight times greater for EK 16-3 than EK 11-1 plantlets after ex vitro transfer. In vitro-produced leaves were morphologically similar to ex vitro-produced leaves and exhibited similar photosynthetic competence. EK 11-1 plantlets exhibited greater transpiration rates at the time of ex vitro transfer than EK 16-3 plantlets. However, the small magnitude of this difference, although significant, indicated that control of water loss was probably not the main cause for poor acclimatization of EK 11-1 plantlets. Carbohydrate analysis in vitro revealed that EK 16-3 plantlets utilized leaf starch reserves more rapidly than EK 11-1 plantlets. Starch utilization correlated with the development of leaves with expanded leaf blades during in vitro rooting in EK 16-3 plantlets. After ex vitro transfer, both genotypes exhibited significant decreases of starch and soluble sugar content in shoots and roots. However, the higher photosynthetic ability of shoots in EK 16-3 resulted in greater accumulation of shoot soluble sugars than EK 11-1 after 2-wk ex vitro culture. After 6-wk in vitro rooting, there were significantly higher chlorophyll and soluble protein contents, ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rubisco) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activities in EK 16-3 than EK 11-1 shoots. These differences also correlated with the development of anatomical and morphological leaf features in EK 16-3 similar to those of greenhouse-produced leaves.
Subseasonal Variations of Tropical Convection and Week-2 Prediction of Wintertime Western North American Rainfall

Abstract A statistical prediction model for weekly rainfall during winter over western North America is developed that uses tropical outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) anomalies as a predictor. The effects of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are linearly removed from the OLR to isolate the predictive utility of subseasonal variations in tropical convection. A single canonical correlation (CCA) mode accounts for most of the predictable signal. The rank correlation between this mode and observed rainfall anomalies over southern California is 0.2 for a 2-week lag, which is comparable to correlation between a weekly ENSO index and weekly rainfall in this region. This corresponds to a doubling of the risk of extreme rainfall in southern California when the projection of tropical OLR on the leading CCA mode two weeks prior is extremely large, as compared with times when it is extremely small. “Extreme” is defined as being in the upper or lower quintile of the probability distribution. The leading CCA mode rep...
BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS AND THEIR CONTROL IN NEUROBEHAVIORAL PERSPECTIVE

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a general review of biological rhythm research, with emphasis on neurological and behavioral perspectives. It discusses a broad range of frequencies from the 1000 cycles per second signal frequency in nerve cells to diurnal, lunar, seasonal, and even longer periodicities, including such variables as cerebral potentials, motor and mental performance, optical illusions, perception, memory, mood, and the periodic diseases. It also describes the influence of morphological system size and mental disturbances on such functions and presents a comparison of rhythms with and without external correlates, including the widely studied diurnal and circadian forms. The chapter focuses on the feedback mechanisms that generate these rhythms, with examples from mechanics and neurology, including disturbances caused by interference with the feedback. It also describes the energy aspect of biological rhythms. As modern literature on biological rhythms is highly theoretical, the chapter describes some physical and mathematical models, notably the pendulum and the sine curve. It also explains the statistical treatment of time series. This involves special problems such as short records and nonequidistant sampling in time. The chapter presents a comparison of harmonic analysis and multiple regression.
Automatic Detection of Suspicious Abnormalities in Breast Radiographs

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the automatic detection of suspicious abnormalities in breast radiographs. The chapter describes, in particular, some of the techniques that are employed in processing xeromammograms so that abnormal regions of the breast can be detected automatically. The computer algorithms used in the chapter find the breast tissue by detecting the boundaries of the breast—the skin and the chest wall. The algorithms are a blend of traditional edge enhancement and heuristic methods based on the appearance of the skin and chest wall of the xeromammograms. As the skin is denser than the background, the xerogram toner is pulled away from the background near the skin, leaving a white halo along the skin. A layer of fat separates the skin from breast tissue and also leaves a light area on the other side of the skin. As the ultimate users are radiologists, the data structure in the chapter also reflects the physiological and diagnostic environment.
A Clinical Method of Quantitative Gait Analysis Suggestion from the Field

Quantitative methods of gait analysis are needed for documenting patient progress and for doing clinical research. Abnormal measures of velocity, step length, step width, stride length, and cadence have been shown to be important indicators of gait dysfunction.1–4 Improvements in function are paralleled by improvements in these measures. Sophisticated electronic methods are the simplest and most accurate methods of gait analysis; however, they are not usually available to the clinician. These methods are expensive2 and are found in only a few locomotion laboratories.5 This paper describes a clinical method of quantitative gait analysis, different from the clinical methods that have been described in the literature,2,6 that can be used in any clinical setting. This method can be used to quantify stride length, step length, step width, cadence, and velocity of walking, and it requires less equipment and may be simpler to use than other clinical methods.…
Studies on the Biosynthesis of the O-Alkyl Bond in Glycerol Ether Lipids

The ether bond in glycerol ether lipids is biosynthesized1via the reaction of 1-acyl dihydroxyacetone-3-phosphate (acyl DHAP) with long chain alcohol to form 1-0-alkyl dihydroxyacetone-3phosphate (alkyl DHAP) (1–3). Alkyl DHAP, like its counterpart acyl DHAP, is then enzymatically reduced by NADPH to form 1-0-alkyl glycerol-3-phosphate (alkyl G-3-P) (4). Alkyl G-3-P is subsequently acylated to form the ether analog of phosphatidic acid (5), which is then converted to phosphorylcholine-and phosphorylethanolaminecontaining glycerol ether lipids via the Kennedy pathway (6,7). A number of workers have shown that plasmalogens are biosynthesized via the direct dehydrogenation of different glycerol ether lipids (for a review, see Ref. 8). Therefore, it seems that the reaction catalysed by the alkyl DHAP synthase, ie. the reaction of acyl DHAP with long chain alcohol, is the primary reaction by which the ether bond is introduced into all glycerol ether lipids. Studies on some of the properties of this enzyme are described here.
Cost-related nonadherence to prescribed medication therapy among Medicare Part D beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease

Purpose Medication nonadherence due to cost issues among community-dwelling patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) enrolled in Medicare prescription drug plans was evaluated. Methods Demographic and health status data were collected on 1329 patients with ESRD enrolled in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans who responded to a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services consumer survey in early 2007. The survey data were assessed for self-reported cost-related nonadherence (CRN), defined as delaying or not filling a prescription due to cost concerns. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate CRN risk relative to patient demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, other chronic conditions, health behaviors, and access to health care services. Results Overall, survey respondents with ESRD were significantly more likely than those without ESRD to report CRN in the prior six months (unadjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.00–2.75). After controlling for potential confounding factors such as other chronic conditions, the data analysis continued to show a significant association between ESRD and an increased risk of CRN (adjusted OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07–1.41). Black race and receipt of Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy assistance were significant independent predictors of CRN for respondents with ESRD. Conclusion In early 2007, 31% of survey respondents with ESRD enrolled in Medicare Part D drug plans reported CRN in the preceding six months. After adjusting for potential confounders, respondents with ESRD remained 23% more likely than respondents without ESRD to report CRN in the preceding six months.
Mobile devices in the classroom: learning motivations predict specific types of multicommunicating behaviors

ABSTRACTThis study provides a first look into how learning motivations are associated with different ways that students use mobile devices to carry on multiple conversations—multicommunicate—while in class. We use self-determination theory to make predictions linking intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation, to classroom mobile device use. The resulting models find that intrinsic motivation to experience stimulation is associated with students multicommunicating to gain and relay understanding during class, to influence others, and for social support reasons. Individual multitasking desires and extrinsic motivation regulated through identification are linked to why people want to remain available while attending class. Amotivation explains why students multicommunicate for distraction reasons. This study opens the door for instructional communication scholars to more closely examine what students are doing when they use mobile devices in class. It appears that students who are intrinsic...
Structuralism and the New Way of Worlds: A Sellarsian Argument for Necessitarianism about Laws*

This article presents and argues for modal structuralism, which is loosely derived from a position described by Wilfrid Sellars. Modal structuralism holds that a fundamental property is identified by the role it plays in the structure of possibilities. It implies necessitarianism about laws, which holds that at least some laws of nature are metaphysically necessary. The argument for these positions derives from the following assumptions: the principle of the identity of indiscernible properties and a modest antiquidditism. These assumptions are weaker than those of causal structuralism, which is a closely related view.
A computational study of the effect of matrix structural order on water sorption by Trp-cage miniproteins.

We present the first simulation study of the impact of protein matrix structure on water sorption along with a new computational method to hydrate and dehydrate protein systems reversibly. To understand the impact of the underlying structure of the protein matrix on the hydration process, we compare three types of protein substrates comprised of Trp-cage miniproteins with varying degrees of monomer translational and orientational order and monomer denaturation. We show that the water sorption isotherms are qualitatively and quantitatively very similar for the Trp-cage matrices independently of the underlying degree of disorder, which is consistent with the experimental observation that the qualitative features of water sorption isotherms are nearly universal for globular proteins. We also show that the Trp-cage matrices with varying disorder share similar trends in volumetric swelling, solvent accessibility, and protein–water hydrogen bonding during the sorption processes, while hydrogen bonding between p...
Thickness of Thin-Layer Liquid Film on a Rotating Roll and its Measurement by the X-Ray Backscattering Technique

A mathematical model is provided to describe the thin-layer liquid film thickness on the surface of a rotating roll which is partially immersed in a liquid bath. The equation expresses the initial film thickness in terms of roll speed and immersion depth as well as liquid viscosity, surface tension, and density. The roll speed and liquid viscosity are the two dominant parameters affecting the film thickness. An x-ray backscattering technique was used to measure the film thickness. An important feature of this technique is that it permits the measurements to be carried out under a steady-state condition without disturbing the liquid film and the roll. The principle of a portable instrument and the technique involved in the measurements are described. Within the scope of the present investigation with Newtonian liquid and laminar flow, the experimental values of film thickness determined by the x-ray backscattering technique agreed very well with the theoretical values predicted by the mathematical model.
Actions of the Pineal Gland and Melatonin on the Secretion of Cerebrospinal Fluid

Association of pineal function with flow or content of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a very old concept. In western civilization it came into prominent view with the writings of Herophilos of Alexandria (325–280 BC). However, then and through many subsequent centuries, this functional association was based essentially on philosophical speculations, which were contested and eventually discredited, bringing down with them many of the notions derived from, and dependent upon, them. This long and faltering early phase of “pinealology” corresponds to the first of the three periods in pineal research as summarized by Kappers (1979).
Functional study of two biochemically unusual mutations in GUCY2D Leber congenital amaurosis expressed via adenoassociated virus vector in mouse retinas.

Purpose To test, in living photoreceptors, two mutations, S248W and R1091x, in the GUCY2D gene linked to Leber congenital amaurosis 1 (LCA1) that fail to inactivate the catalytic activity of a heterologously expressed retinal membrane guanylyl cyclase 1 (RetGC1). Methods GUC2YD cDNA constructs coding for wild-type human (hWT), R1091x, and S248W GUCY2D under the control of the human rhodopsin kinase promoter were expressed in Gucy2e-/-Gucy2f-/- knockout (GCdKO) mouse retinas, which lack endogenous RetGC activity. The constructs were delivered via subretinally injected adenoassociated virus (AAV) vector in one eye, leaving the opposite eye as the non-injected negative control. After testing with electroretinography (ERG), the retinas extracted from the AAV-treated and control eyes were used in guanylyl cyclase activity assays, immunoblotting, and anti-RetGC1 immunofluorescence staining. Results Cyclase activity in retinas treated with either hWT or R1091x GUCY2D transgenes was similar but was undetectable in the S248W GUCY2D-treated retinas, which starkly contrasts their relative activities when heterologously expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. Rod and cone ERGs, absent in GCdKO, appeared in the hWT and R1091x GUCY2D-injected eyes, while the S248W mutant failed to restore scotopic ERG response and enabled only rudimentary photopic ERG response. The hWT and R1091x GUCY2D immunofluorescence was robust in the rod and cone outer segments, whereas the S248W was detectable only in the sparse cone outer segments and sporadic photoreceptor cell bodies. Robust RetGC1 expression was detected with immunoblotting in the hWT and R1091x-treated retinas but was marginal at best in the S248W GUCY2D retinas, despite the confirmed presence of the S248W GUCY2D transcripts. Conclusions The phenotype of S248W GUCY2D in living retinas did not correlate with the previously described normal biochemical activity of this mutant when heterologously expressed in non-photoreceptor cell culture. This result suggests that the S248W mutation contributes to LCA1 by hampering the expression, processing, and/or cellular transport of GUCY2D, rather than its enzymatic properties. In contrast, the effective restoration of rod and cone function by R1091x GUCY2D is paradoxical and does not explain the severe loss of vision typical for LCA1 associated with that mutant allele.
Chapter 1 – Systematic Review

This is the first chapter in the section on best available evidence. Evidence-based practice requires the use of professional judgment to integrate the best available evidence and client variables, values, and preferences to select the best treatment for the client. A systematic review represents the best source of information about treatment effectiveness because it is based on a careful, transparent, and comprehensive review of the scientific literature. The process for conducting a systematic review is less biased than alternate forms of evidence. However systematic reviews are not entirely without bias. Experts make decisions while completing a systematic review that can influence the likelihood that treatments will be deemed effective or ineffective. This chapter familiarizes the reader with the process of conducting systematic reviews and describes both the strengths and limitations of this method.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Substituted Polyacetylenes Derived from Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Cyclooctatetraenes

Polyacetylene and partially substituted derivatives of polyacetylene are synthesized via the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctatetraene (COT) and its derivatives. The physical properties and characterization of these polymers are reported. In particular, certain poly-COT derivatives afford soluble, highly conjugated polyacetylenes. Nonlinear optical properties are highlighted by the fact that, in several cases, scattering losses are greatly minimized. These polymers have also been used in device applications such as Schottky barrier diodes and solar cells.
A Multi-view DIC Approach to Extract Operating Mode Shapes of Structures

Accelerometers have been conventionally used to measure the response of structures for modal analysis. These pointwise sensors only provide information at a few discrete locations being measured. Additionally, the use of accelerometers to capture the response at discrete locations can mass-load the structure. Thus, the obtained results may not predict the true dynamics of the structure. Stereo-photogrammetry and Three-Dimensional Digital Image Correlation (3D DIC) have recently been adopted to collect operating data for vibration analysis. These non-contact optical techniques provide a wealth of distributed data over the entire structure. One of the limitations of a stereo-camera system is its line of sight, which limits the field of view; a single pair of DIC cameras may not be able to provide deformation data for the entire structure. Several pairs of cameras may be coupled simultaneously to perform DIC measurement on large complex structures. However, the use of multiple cameras involves huge costs and may not be a viable choice. In this paper, a multi-view 3D DIC approach is used to predict the dynamic characteristics of a cantilever beam as a sample structure. A pair of DIC cameras is roved over the entire structure to capture the deformation data of each field of view. Each measured data includes the geometry and displacement data which is later mapped into a universal coordinate system. The measured data is stitched in the frequency domain to extract the operating shapes of the entire structure.
National Security Information Controls in the United States: Implications for International Academic Science and Technology

During the past decade, the U.S. government expanded its definition of national security interests and consequently felt a need to control the flow of scientific information in ways that may imperil its availability, shape its content, and limit its communication. Censorship of publications by government employees, restriction of unclassified scientific papers, curtailment of data collection and dissemination by federal agencies, and surveillance of computer network and library users are some of the controls that were introduced during this period. Recently, there have been indications that the trend is reversing and that less restrictive policies are in the process of being adopted. But much remains to be done before the system of information controls is sufficiently scaled back.
Perturbation Theory of Response Functions

The chapter by Dr. Stinchcombe has established connections between functions defined as $$\begin{gathered} G_r (t,t') = > _r \hfill \\ = - i\theta (t - t') \hfill \\ \end{gathered}$$ and scattering cross-sections and susceptibilities observed directly in experiments on condensed matter.
Status Dynamics in Encounters

Status is the most direct link of individuals to social structures, connecting persons to divisions of labor in corporate units and to memberships in categoric units. When individuals know their status and the status of others in an encounter, it becomes much easier for them to understand the meanings of situational ecology and demography, to role-make and role-take, to plug into relevant cultural elements and normatize, to channel motive states in appropriate ways, and to manage emotions. Embedding of an encounter in corporate and categoric units increases the viability of an encounter through establishing the relative status of participants. Conversely, when status is unknown or ambiguous, individuals will need to work much harder to sustain the encounter because, without the capacity to find each other’s locations within corporate and categoric units, they must work to discover the meanings of situational ecology and demography, actively orchestrate gestures to make a role and read the gestures of others to role-take, search for cues about what elements of culture are relevant and appropriate, figure out what motive states are to be mobilized, and discover the feeling and display rules so as to emit the right mix of emotions.
Widespread genome instability in Solanum tuberosum plants regenerated from protoplasts

Non-transgenic genome editing in regenerable protoplasts, cell-wall free plant cells, could revolutionize crop improvement because it reduces regulatory and technical complexity. But, plant tissue culture is known to engender frequent unwanted variation. To evaluate the contribution of genome instability to this phenomenon, we analyzed large scale copy number changes in potatoes regenerated from protoplasts by comparison of Illumina read depth. While a control set of plants that had been propagated by cuttings displayed no changes, the protoplast regenerants were affected by pervasive aneuploidy. In addition, certain chromosomes displayed segmental deletions and duplications ranging from one to many. Resampling the same plant found different dosage profiles in different leaves, indicating frequent persistence of instability.
From omics technologies to personalized transfusion medicine.

Introduction: Blood transfusion is the single most frequent in-hospital medical procedure, a life-saving intervention for millions of recipients worldwide every year. Storage in the blood bank is a...
Electronic IR Group Peer Review and Learning Performed during Daily Clinical Rounds.

PURPOSE To describe the implementation and efficacy of electronic capture of interventional radiology (IR) group peer review performed during morning rounds in an academic institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS Peer-review submissions 24 months before (July 2012 through June 2014) and 24 months after (July 2014 through June 2016) implementation of an electronic group IR peer review were evaluated. Electronic IR peer review assessed clinical decision-making, patient care, and technique appropriateness by using the following responses: agree, acceptable alternative, or inappropriate. Complications, near-misses, and learning opportunities were also noted, and explanations were provided in the comments. An IR attending physician documented the consensus discussion via an online form or mobile app. RESULTS After implementation of electronic capture of IR group peer reviews, 9.5% of all IR procedures (773 of 8,152) were reviewed, compared with 0.9% (63 of 7,152) before the implementation (P < .0001). On average, 3.4 ± 0.5 IR attending physicians participated in each review, and 17.3 ± 9.7 IR cases were reviewed per month by each attending physician. Peers fully agreed with the chosen technique in 729 of 773 cases (94.3%) and noted an acceptable alternative technique in 40 of 773 (5.2%). In 4 cases (0.5%), the chosen technique was rated as inappropriate. Peers fully agreed with chosen clinical decision-making and patient care in 765 of 773 cases (99%), with 8 cases (1%) deemed as acceptable alternatives. Learning opportunities were documented in 9.6% of cases (74 of 773). CONCLUSIONS Electronic IR-specific group peer review captures the clinical decision-making process, patient outcomes, technical appropriateness, and short-term complications and may provide practice-improvement solutions.
Outcomes with Heartsize Matching among Cardiac Transplant Recipients with Pulmonary Hypertension

Purpose There is a lack of evidence to guide appropriate donor sizing in recipients with moderate pulmonary hypertension (PH) awaiting transplant. Best practice suggests to oversize hearts for such recipients to prevent post-operative right ventricular failure . Methods The UNOS database was analyzed to include cardiac transplant recipients between years 1994-2016. Recipients were considered as having PH on either of 2 criteria- Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) ≥4WU and Transpulmonary gradient (TPG) ≥12mmHg. Size matching was determined using previously validated predicted heart mass equations. Predicted left ventricular mass (g) = a*Height 0.54(m)*Weight0.61(kg) [a=6.82 for women and 8.25 for men]. Predicted right ventricular mass (g) = a*Age−0.32(yrs)*Height1.135(m)*Weight0.315(kg) [a=10.59 for women and 11.25 for men]. Heart size mismatch was calculated using ([(pHMrecipient - pHMdonor)/(pHMrecipient)] *100). Size mismatch of 20% in either direction was considered undersized, and oversized, respectively. One-year survival was analyzed based on size-matching. Results Among 29,441 cardiac transplant recipients, 4,895 (16.6%) had PVR ≥4WU. Among patients within the undersized category, most were female donor-male recipient (89.9%), whereas male donors contributed to 83.3% hearts among oversized recipients. With PVR ≥4WU, 1-year mortality was highest among undersized compared to matched and oversized recipients, respectively (16.5% vs. 12.5% vs.10.9%; p=0.02) seen in Figure 1a. Among 9,631 (32.7%) recipients with TPG ≥12 mmHg, 1-year mortality was similarly higher among undersized hearts (15.6% vs. 12.2% vs. 12.4%; p=0.03) as seen in Figure 1b. No benefits were noted with oversizing at any cut-offs compared to size-matched controls: PVR ≥3WU, PVR ≥4WU, PVR≥5WU, TPG ≥10mmHg, TPG ≥12mmHg and TPG ≥15mmHg. Conclusion In this registry based analysis, there was no benefit to oversizing donors for cardiac transplant recipients with moderate-severe PH.
Oligopeptides That Are Anticancer Drugs

The peptidic bond is present in some molecules that have been found to possess anticancer activity. These oligopeptides have been termed “lexitropsins” or information-reading molecules. They are also antibiotics, and evidence from biochemical pharmacology indicates that they act to block the template function of DNA. They do so by binding selectively to adenine-thymine (AT) sequences in the minor groove (1).
Towards a Single Trial fNIRS-based Brain-Computer Interface for Communication*

Communication based on brain-computer interface (BCI) systems is still a challenge. Although most popular classes of BCIs heavily rely on electroencephalography (EEG), recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) as a reliable control signal in BCI systems. However, due to the inherent latency in hemodynamic responses, these systems are considerably slow. To address this issue, this study proposes an innovative oddball-based visio-mental task and investigates the feasibility of developing an fNIRS speller. The proposed paradigm derives its principles from the conventional oddball paradigm, which has been modified to include a set of mental arithmetic operations in the "flash" condition. Using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and Pearson correlation analysis, the optimum channels and hemodynamic features were selected respectively. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to evaluate the performance of the proposed fNIRS-speller. Using 2 optimum channels, our analysis demonstrated the highest average accuracy of 78.5 ± 5.7% within 2-4 seconds of the stimulation and an average accuracy of 77.0 ± 8.9% only within the first 2 seconds. Achieving satisfactory performance while using only 2 channels and a 2-second window highlights the feasibility of developing a convenient and real-time fNIRS-speller. Such a system may have potential translational applications, particularly in users with a lack of eye gaze control.
Considerations for the Care of Transgender Individuals

Transgender individuals are at an increased risk of experiencing health inequalities, such as anxiety, depression, and HIV. It is important that providers and staff in the health care setting are prepared to care for this population to ensure best patient outcomes. An understanding of transgender terminology and the experience of gender dysphoria is key. In addition, a transinclusive environment should be created to reduce the likelihood of transgender-related discrimination. Developing an understanding of potential gender-affirming treatments and surgeries also optimizes patient care. Improving the quality care will reduce health disparities commonly faced by the transgender population.
The MonteggiaFracture: literature review and report of a new variant.

Introduction Giovanni Battista Monteggia first described the Monteggia fracture in 1814. The complexity of this injury was not fully appreciated until it was coined in English as a "Monteggia lesion" by Jose Luis Bado. The Bado classification divides Monteggia fractures into four types of true lesions, plus equivalent variants. Case report This report describes a rare variant where the proximal radial disruption occurs through a Salter-HarrisType II fracture rather than a radial epiphysis dislocation. This is an unstable fracture configuration that has been successfully surgically treated by keeping to the principles of Monteggia fracture reduction. Conclusion Even though this is not a classical dislocation of the radial head, this variant with a Salter-Harris fracture should be considered as one.