cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
67. AptmR: A High Throughput Rational Aptamer Truncation Algorithm

Aptamer development as both a therapeutic moiety and as a delivery tool is a rapidly growing field, with many aptamers in the clinical pipeline and one FDA-approved aptamer, Macugen. Aptamers are synthetic, single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that recognize targets with similar specificity and affinity as antibody/antigen interactions. Current development of new aptamers uses a selection process (SELEX) coupled with high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and bioinformatics, followed by optimization and validation steps. Bioinformatics algorithms such as clustering algorithms have been applied to narrow down the millions of sequences attained by HTS to a handful that can be tested empirically. However, an important optimization step in aptamer development for clinical use is the identification of the minimum sequence required for target binding. This is necessary in order to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of large-scale chemical synthesis.Herein we report the development of a truncation algorithm designed to identify the minimum aptamer sequence that retains functionality. Using published sequences of full-length aptamers and functional truncations, we first established a set of rules to identify the optimal site for truncation, with an accuracy of ~60% within 1-2 nucleotides and ~90% accuracy within 10 nucleotides. Based on these rules, we then created an algorithm that could be applied to individual aptamer sequences to identify truncations. The algorithm was expanded to analyze HTS Illumina HiSeq reads from multiple rounds of aptamer selection. We next used our previously reported HTS aptamer clustering algorithms (Thiel, et al., PLoS ONE 2012) to identify conserved aptamer truncation domains in a selection. Specifically, truncation sequences were clustered based on sequence similarity (edit distance) or structural similarity (tree distance). Ongoing studies are determining the effects of truncation on aptamer functionality. In future studies, we will use the truncation algorithm to enable the direct identification of shortened aptamer sequences from HTS aptamer data, potentially bypassing the need to empirically test full-length sequences. The truncation algorithm will be integrated into an open-access online aptamer bioinformatics platform that also includes the clustering algorithms. Such tools have the potential to accelerate aptamer development and thereby improve the efficiency of translating aptamers to clinic application.
On factors controlling precursor slip fronts in the laboratory and their relation to slow slip events in nature

Spatial variations in frictional properties on natural faults are believed to be a factor influencing the presence of slow slip events (SSEs). This effect was tested on a laboratory frictional interface between two polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bodies. We studied the evolution of slip and slip rates that varied systematically based on the application of both high and low normal stress (σ0=0.8 or 0.4 MPa) and the far-field loading rate (VLP). A spontaneous, frictional rupture expanded from the central, weaker, and more compliant section of the fault that had fewer asperities. Slow rupture propagated at speeds Vslow∼0.8 to 26 mm s−1 with slip rates from 0.01 to 0.2 μm s−1, resulting in stress drops around 100 kPa. During certain nucleation sequences, the fault experienced a partial stress drop, referred to as precursor detachment fronts in tribology. Only at the higher level of normal stress did these fronts exist, and the slip and slip rates mimicked the moment and moment release rates during the 2013–2014 Boso SSE in Japan. The laboratory detachment fronts showed rupture propagation speeds Vslow/VR∈ (5 to 172) × 10−7 and stress drops ∼ 100 kPa, which both scaled to the aforementioned SSE. Distributions of asperities, measured using a pressure sensitive film, increased in complexity with additional normal stress—an increase in normal stress caused added complexity by increasing both the mean size and standard deviation of asperity distributions, and this appeared to control the presence of the detachment front.
Transient phase behavior of an elastomeric biomaterial applied to abdominal laparotomy closure.

Abstract Secure closure of the fascial layers after entry into the peritoneal cavity is crucial to prevent incisional hernia, yet appropriate purchase of the tissue can be challenging due to the proximity of the underlying protuberant bowel which may become punctured by the surgical needle or strangulated by the suture itself. Devices currently employed to provide visceral protection during abdominal closure, such as the metal malleable retractor and Glassman Visceral Retainer, are unable to provide complete protection as they must be removed prior to complete closure. A puncture resistant, biocompatible, and degradable matrix that can be left in place without need for removal would facilitate rapid and safe abdominal closure. We describe a novel elastomer (CC-DHA) that undergoes a rapid but controlled solid-to-liquid phase transition through the application of a destabilized carbonate cross-linked network. The elastomer is comprised of a polycarbonate cross-linked network of dihydroxyacetone, glycerol ethoxylate, and tri(ethylene glycol). The ketone functionality of the dihydroxyacetone facilitates hydrolytic cleavage of the carbonate linkages resulting in a rapidly degrading barrier that can be left in situ to facilitate abdominal fascial closure. Using a murine laparotomy model we demonstrated rapid dissolution and metabolism of the elastomer without evidence of toxicity or intraabdominal scarring. Furthermore, needle puncture and mechanical properties demonstrated the material to be both compliant and sufficiently puncture resistant . These unique characteristics make the biomaterial extraordinarily useful as a physical barrier to prevent inadvertent bowel injury during fascial closure, with the potential for wider application across a variety of medical and surgical applications. Statement of Significance Fascial closure after abdominal surgery requires delicate maneuvers to prevent incisional hernia while minimizing risk for inadvertent bowel injury. We describe a novel biocompatible and biodegradable polycarbonate elastomer (CC-DHA) comprised of dihydroxyacetone, glycerol ethoxylate, and tri(ethylene glycol), for use as a rapidly degrading protective visceral barrier to aid in abdominal closure. Rapid polymer dissolution and metabolism was demonstrated using a murine laparotomy model without evidence of toxicity or intraabdominal scarring. Furthermore, mechanical studies showed the material to be sufficiently puncture resistant and compliant. Overall, this new biomaterial is extraordinary useful as a physical barrier to prevent inadvertent bowel injury during fascial closure, with the potential for wider application across a variety of medical and surgical applications.
Decompressive craniectomy versus craniotomy only for intracranial hemorrhage evacuation: A propensity matched study.

BACKGROUNDDecompressive craniectomy (DC) is often performed in conjunction with evacuation of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) to control intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The efficacy of DC in lowering ICP is well established; however, its effect on clinical
Role of survey response rates on valid inference: an application to HIV prevalence estimates

Nationally-representative surveys suggest that females have a higher prevalence of HIV than males in most African countries. Unfortunately, these results are made on the basis of surveys with non-ignorable missing data. This study evaluates the impact that differential survey nonresponse rates between males and females can have on the point estimate of the HIV prevalence ratio of these two classifiers. We study 29 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) from 2001 to 2010. Instead of employing often used multiple imputation models with a Missing at Random assumption that may not hold in this setting, we assess the effect of ignoring the information contained in the missing HIV information for males and females through three proposed statistical measures. These measures can be used in settings where the interest is comparing the prevalence of a disease between two groups. The proposed measures do not utilize parametric models and can be implemented by researchers of any level. They are: (1) an upper bound on the potential bias of the usual practise of using reported HIV prevalence estimates that ignore subjects who have missing HIV outcomes. (2) Plausible range intervals to account for nonresponses, without any additional parametric modeling assumptions. (3) Prevalence ratio inflation factors to correct the point estimate of the HIV prevalence ratio, if estimates of nonresponders’ HIV prevalences were known. In 86% of countries, males have higher upper bounds of HIV prevalence than females, this is consonant with males possibly having higher infection rates than females. Additionally, 74% of surveys have a plausible range that crosses 1.0, suggesting a plausible equivalence between male and female HIV prevalences. It is quite reasonable to conclude that there is so much DHS nonresponse in evaluating the HIV status question, that existing data is plausibly generated by the situation where the virus is equally distributed between the sexes.
Ketamine Corrects a Deficit in Reversal Learning Caused by Chronic Intermittent Cold Stress in Female Rats.

Background Individuals with stress-related psychiatric disorders exhibit deficits in cognitive flexibility. We have shown that chronic intermittent cold stress induces deficits in reversal learning, a form of cognitive flexibility mediated in the orbitofrontal cortex, that was reversed by ketamine in male rats. Such effects have not been tested in females. In this study, we examined effects of chronic intermittent cold stress and ketamine on reversal learning in females. Methods Female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 14 days of chronic intermittent cold and 3 days later received an injection of ketamine (10 mg/kg, i.p.). They were tested on reversal learning 24 hours post-injection. A separate cohort of female rats underwent 14 days of chronic intermittent cold. Three days later they received ketamine and were killed 2 hours post-injection for measurement of the synaptic marker PSD95 in orbitofrontal cortex. Results Chronic intermittent cold induced a reversal learning deficit in females comparable with that seen in males, which was corrected by ketamine. Moreover, chronic intermittent cold increased PSD95 expression in orbitofrontal cortex, but this increase was not seen in rats receiving ketamine. Conclusions Chronic intermittent cold stress and ketamine altered reversal learning in female rats similar to effects seen in males. Further, chronic intermittent cold increased PSD95 in orbitofrontal cortex of female rats, indicative of synaptic dysregulation. This effect was attenuated after ketamine administration.
Association between impedance to blood flow in umbilical arteries and infant survival in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate infant survival according to the Doppler pattern of impedance to blood flow in the umbilical arteries (UAs) prior to laser surgery, in pregnancies with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). METHODS This was a retrospective study of women with a monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy who underwent laser surgery for TTTS between January 2012 and May 2018 at a single institution. Absolute intertwin difference in UA pulsatility index (DUAPI) was measured within 48 h prior to laser surgery. Twins with intermittent or persistent absent/reversed end-diastolic flow (EDF) in the UA (UA-EDF) were analyzed separately. Survival of both or at least one infant at birth and at 30 days postpartum was compared between pregnancies with an intertwin DUAPI of ≥ 0.4 and those with an intertwin DUAPI of < 0.4, as well as between fetuses with intermittent and those with persistent absent/reversed UA-EDF. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used for analysis. Regression analysis was performed to determine if intertwin DUAPI and intermittent or persistent absent/reversed UA-EDF were associated independently with infant survival, while controlling for gestational age at delivery, Quintero stage and other important confounding variables. RESULTS Of 231 TTTS pregnancies that underwent laser surgery during the study period, UA Doppler information could be retrieved for 206 and delivery information was available for 184, which comprised the study population. Rates of double-twin survival at birth were significantly higher in pregnancies with an intertwin DUAPI of < 0.4 than in those with an intertwin DUAPI of ≥ 0.4 (83.9% (78/93) vs 50.0% (12/24); P < 0.001). Double-infant survival at birth was higher in pregnancies with intermittent compared to those with persistent absent/reversed UA-EDF (73.0% (27/37) vs 36.7% (11/30); P = 0.003). Regression analysis demonstrated that an intertwin DUAPI of < 0.4 was associated with increased survival of both twins at delivery (P < 0.001) and at 30 days postpartum (P = 0.002), as well as increased survival of at least one twin at delivery (P = 0.009). Similarly, intermittent absent/reversed UA-EDF was associated with increased survival of both twins at delivery (P = 0.007) and at 30 days after birth (P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of intertwin differences in UA impedance to blood flow as well as identification of intermittent or persistent absent or reversed UA-EDF prior to laser surgery could help in the prediction of double-infant survival at birth and to 30 days in twin pregnancies with TTTS. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
THE POWER BEYOND THE PHYSIQUE: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF PAULO COELHO’S NOVEL THE ALCHEMIST

Paulo Coelho shows the readers a different face of nature through his novel The Alchemist. He draws a clear picture of an ancient Spain desert life and explores the universal strength of nature. Sacrificing a girl’s life for a man, makes him the luckiest man. There is a famous quote from the novel by The Alchemist , “ Where your treasure is, there also will be your heart.”(pg. 151) So here we see that Santiago is in love with Fatima and his heart is always with her, so we can say that the treasure is Fatima itself. Now Fatima has become a synonym for the treasure, although he finds the treasure in the end of the novel, he acquired the most important things in his life, the treasure. The universe is full of secrets and only one who sets his journey in search of it is going to find it. Santiago was carried out by the dreams that were conspired by the whole universe. So we can say that Santiago was a basic man who would be chasing out his dreams when one would be encouraged for it. We even tend to believe that each and every activity of man is monitored by the power of the universe and all the good deed are supported by all means and that’s what we can call the power beyond the physique.
Sustaining a Collegewide Teaching Academy as a Community: 10 Years of Experience With the Master Teacher Program at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

On the basis of strategic initiatives and an evolving focus on educational program enhancement, faculty and staff members designed a structured program to provide leadership and resources for improving instruction and disseminating educational scholarship in a veterinary college. The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine Master Teacher Program was conceptualized in the teaching academy model as a forum for professional development and dialogue. A small leadership team worked with other faculty to develop the program proposal, including its mission, vision, values, and initial goals. Programming includes monthly meetings to discuss a range of policy, theoretical, and practical topics, as well as periodic workshops focused on current strategic initiatives or hot topics. Ten years later, the program continues to successfully connect educators and have an impact on the college and profession. Attendance has grown steadily; feedback has been positive. Participants rate the program's overall value highly, particularly its impact on their teaching, the opportunity to stay current in educational topics, and the opportunity to learn from colleagues. Discussions within the program have provided valuable input for college policy and practices. Keys to sustained success have included a historical culture emphasizing the teaching mission, alignment with college goals, consistency in leadership and programming, periodic revisions and rebranding, and attention to new faculty and staff needs. This article describes the development, growth, and perceived impact of the program and emphasizes lessons learned and actions taken to sustain its success without additional personnel and at minimal cost.
Biological Effects of Microwave Radiation

Technological advances have brought human beings an increasingly paradoxical existence. New wireless communication technologies are allowing people to be constantly connected and with instant access to wide ranges of information. These advances have also raised concerns about the safety of human exposure to microwaves emitted by these telecommunication devices. A better understanding of the health effects is needed to safeguard the general population against possible harm of microwave radiation. This paper reviews the biological effects of microwaves including radiation from mobile and personal communication devices. Results from studies reported in the archival literature will be described. They include carcinogenesis and cancer promotion and other in vivo experimental studies that involve tissues in the head and neck region of the body. A synopsis of epidemiological studies is also included. Further details can be obtained from the references 16,27,32,33,41,43.44,46,53. It is well-known that at high power levels microwave radiation can interact with biological systems and produce deleterious effects 16,43,44,53. However, we do not know whether prolonged exposure to low power levels or modulated forms of microwave radiation is harmless.
Pathways to Maternal and Child Well-Being: Stability and Transaction across Toddlerhood

Objective. This study examines the development of minor parenting stress, parenting satisfaction, and dyadic dysregulation across early childhood and evaluates their roles in predicting maternal an...
Implications of Crashes Involving Roadway Objects for Machine Vision-Based Driving Systems:

Crashes involving roadway objects can cause severe injuries and property damage. Utilizing data from the Second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) naturalistic driving study (NDS), this st...
ConceptWAS: a high-throughput method for early identification of COVID-19 presenting symptoms

Abstract Objective Identifying symptoms highly specific to COVID-19 would improve the clinical and public health response to infectious outbreaks. Here, we describe a high-throughput approach – Concept-Wide Association Study (ConceptWAS) that systematically scans a disease’s clinical manifestations from clinical notes. We used this method to identify symptoms specific to COVID-19 early in the course of the pandemic. Methods Using the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) EHR, we parsed clinical notes through a natural language processing pipeline to extract clinical concepts. We examined the difference in concepts derived from the notes of COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative patients on the PCR testing date. We performed ConceptWAS using the cumulative data every two weeks for early identifying specific COVID-19 symptoms. Results We processed 87,753 notes 19,692 patients (1,483 COVID-19-positive) subjected to COVID-19 PCR testing between March 8, 2020, and May 27, 2020. We found 68 clinical concepts significantly associated with COVID-19. We identified symptoms associated with increasing risk of COVID-19, including “absent sense of smell” (odds ratio [OR] = 4.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.21–7.50), “fever” (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.28–1.59), “with cough fever” (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.75–2.96), and “ageusia” (OR = 5.18, 95% CI = 3.02–8.58). Using ConceptWAS, we were able to detect loss sense of smell or taste three weeks prior to their inclusion as symptoms of the disease by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Conclusion ConceptWAS is a high-throughput approach for exploring specific symptoms of a disease like COVID-19, with a promise for enabling EHR-powered early disease manifestations identification.
Defining the Current Landscape of Women in Urology: An Analysis of Female Applicants, Residents, and Faculty at AUA-Accredited Residency Programs.

Abstract Objective To describe the current landscape of women in academic Urology and determine if there is a correlation between female applicant matches and the proportion of female faculty/residents at their home institution or matched program. Methods We obtained 2020 American Urological Association (AUA) Match applicant demographics through social media platforms and program inquiries. The gender of full-time faculty and residents at AUA accredited programs was obtained from program websites. Correlations between proportions of female matched applicants and female faculty and residents were analyzed using linear regression models. Results A total of 353 residency slots at all 142 non-military programs were filled in the 2020 AUA Match, with 105 filled by women (30%). Of all applicants, 221 of 286 (77%) males and 105 of 122 (86%) females matched. Regarding institutions with urology residencies, women made up 27% of residents and 16% of full-time faculty. A total of 23 (17%) did not have any female faculty and 8 (6%) had no female residents. We found a positive correlation between the proportion of female residents and female faculty (r2 = 0.12, P Conclusion The proportion of female residents within a urology program is positively correlated with the number of female faculty in the department, although further studies are needed to examine contributing factors. The current distribution of female applicants may demonstrate further narrowing of the gender gap within residency programs.
Trends in the Prevalence of Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease in the United States, 2011-2018

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects more than 25% of the adult population worldwide and is associated with significant clinical and economic burden.1 However, heterogeneous definitions and inaccurate terminology contribute to variations in prevalence estimates and may not comprehensively incorporate complex metabolic dysfunctions that exist. An international expert panel consensus proposed updated nomenclature, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and associated criteria to more accurately capture this complex multisystem metabolic disorder.2 Although it has not replaced NAFLD, the term MAFLD has been positively received given it more comprehensively incorporates the metabolic derangements that contribute to risk of fatty liver and it may be more practical for clinicians to identify patients with fatty liver.3 We describe prevalence of MAFLD among US adults based on these recently proposed nomenclature and definition.2.
DrugWAS: Leveraging drug-wide association studies to facilitate drug repurposing for COVID-19

Importance: There is an unprecedented need to rapidly identify safe and effective treatments for the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: To systematically investigate if any of the available drugs in Electronic Health Record (EHR), including prescription drugs and dietary supplements, can be repurposed as potential treatment for COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: Based on a retrospective cohort analysis of EHR data, drug-wide association studies (DrugWAS) were performed on COVID-19 patients at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). For each drug study, multivariable logistic regression with overlap weighting using propensity score was applied to estimate the effect of drug exposure on COVID-19 disease outcomes. Exposures: Patient exposure to a drug during 1-year prior to the pandemic and COVID-19 diagnosis was chosen as exposure of interest. Natural language processing was employed to extract drug information from clinical notes, in addition to the prescription drug data available in structured format. Main Outcomes and Measures: All-cause of death was selected as primary outcome. Hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and need for mechanical ventilation were identified as secondary outcomes. Results: The study included 7,768 COVID-19 patients, of which 509 (6.55%) were hospitalized, 82 (1.06%) were admitted to ICU, 64 (0.82%) received mechanical ventilation, and 90 (1.16%) died. Overall, 15 drugs were significantly associated with decreased COVID-19 severity. Previous exposure to either Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccines (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.14-0.98), diphtheria toxoid vaccine (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.15-0.98), and tetanus toxoid vaccine (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.15-0.98) were significantly associated with a decreased risk of death (primary outcome). Secondary analyses identified several other significant associations showing lower risk for COVID-19 outcomes: 2 vaccines (acellular pertussis, Streptococcus pneumoniae), 3 dietary supplements (turmeric extract, flaxseed extract, omega-3 fatty acids), methylprednisolone acetate, pseudoephedrine, ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, ibuprofen, and fluticasone. Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study leveraged EHR data to identify a list of drugs that could be repurposed to improve COVID-19 outcomes. Further randomized clinical trials are needed to investigate the efficacy of the proposed drugs.
Uncertain Neighbors: Bayesian Propensity Score Matching For Causal Inference

We compare the performance of standard nearest-neighbor propensity score matching with that of an analogous Bayesian propensity score matching procedure. We show that the Bayesian approach makes better use of available information, as it makes less arbitrary decisions about which observations to drop and which ones to keep in the matched sample. We conduct a simulation study to evaluate the performance of standard and Bayesian nearest-neighbor matching when matching is done with and without replacement. We then use both methods to replicate a recent study about the impact of land reform on guerrilla activity in Colombia.
Two novel mutations of the LPL gene in two Chinese family cases with familial chylomicronemia syndrome

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and genetic causes of two family cases with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). Clinical manifestations of proband 1 and her families, and also proband 2 showed severe hypertriglyceridemia, especially the triglycerides levels of two probands were extremely high. Gene sequencing results showed that the LPL genes in each of the two probands had a new mutation site. For the proband 1, a compound heterozygous mutation at c.429 (c.429 + 1G > T) was detected in the LPL gene, which was splicing mutation and inherited from her mother. Homozygous mutation was detected in the LPL gene of proband 2, the nucleotide mutation at c.802 (c.802C > T) exhibited missense mutation, his parents and brother had a heterozygous mutation at the same site. It was confirmed that the conservative lipoprotein lipase superfamily domain changed an amino acid from histidine to tyrosine at p. 268 (p. His268Tyr). Flow cytometry confirmed the deficient expression of LPL protein in two families. These results indicated that the mutation in LPL gene might be the cause of familial chylomicronemia syndrome.
The Important Role for Physicians as Advocates for Firearm and Road Traffic Injury Prevention

The purpose of this article is to discuss the important role for physicians in advocating for the prevention of road traffic and firearm injuries. Physicians have shown to be effective advocates fo...
Regulating Casino Gaming: A Checklist for States Considering It

In his essay Regulating Casino Gaming: A Checklist for States Considering It – by Leonard E. Goodall, Professor of Management and Public Administration, College of Business and Econornics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Professor Goodall initially states: “Since various states are likely to continue to debate the issue of the establishment of legal casinos, and since states considering legal casinos must also decide how best to regulate them, the author discusses the similarities and contrasts in the regulatory systems already in
Right Hemi-aging Theory

The one universal finding across aging research is an increased heterogeneity of variance with increasing age. Thus, any conclusions based upon the aging construct must be circumspect and with all caution related to sweeping generalities or conclusions on what aging is or what changes accompany the aging process. Cross-sectional age comparisons may result in findings more relevant to differing experiential backgrounds or the “cohort effect”. Moreover, age comparisons based upon chronological age differences seem to be somewhat independent of the aging construct. The factual basis of this confound might be entirely evident in the day to day encounters of a clinical neuropsychologist working with patients of differing ages. By way of example, one neuropsychologist was completing the evaluation of a 105-year-old gentleman who was actively dating. The ladies seemed to swoon in his presence with his military uniform; still a sharp fit on his angular frame. He was solid on his feet, coordinated in his gait, and well mannered in his social demeanor and pragmatics. In so many ways he was arguably more youthful than the 13-year-old boy that the neuropsychologist was following for a cerebrovascular accident. The older man was, however, extremely hard of hearing and refused his appliance to amplify sounds. Upon inquiry as to why he would not wear his hearing aid, he responded that he had “already heard everything that he wanted to hear.”
Kit Poon, The Political Future of Hong Kong: Democracy Within Communist China

The Political Future of Hong Kong is a well-nuanced evaluation of Hong Kong’s future as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The introduction presents an overview of the major crises which diminished the legitimacy of the first Chief Executive, then highlights the book’s main focus—i.e., the role of the Chinese leadership in shaping Hong Kong politics and the impact of this on SAR democratization. The book’s analytical framework represents a new approach that seriously considers Beijing’s influence as a self-interested stakeholder in Hong Kong’s future, without discounting continuing British legacies. The volume specifically examines the office of the Chief Executive because it embodies two often conflicting imperatives: the center’s need both to preserve executive power and to accommodate “new and rising” local demands for “democratic representation” (p. xix). The first two chapters delineate how Britain and the PRC maintained a top-down political system in Hong Kong, pre- and post-1997. Chapters One and Two document how diverse meanings of “accountability” evolved through British colonial rule to the current SAR’s still emerging governance via the Basic Law. Chapter One charts the belated shift of the colonial regime from its more habitual “trusteeship” or executive-led governance mentality to a “delegate” or democratic conception of rule during Hong Kong’s political transition. This shift was a strategy which better allowed Britain to cope with migration issues, possible international censure, and difficulties of Hong Kong rule. Chapter Two insightfully details structurally similar pressures facing the PRC as it resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong. For the PRC, the ideal was “patriots” governing the SAR, a notion which paralleled Britain’s colonialism. However, two competing objectives—national unification and a capitalist Hong Kong—made Beijing leaders acquiesce to the principles of local governance and an elected legislature. However, use of the term
Conscious Experience and Memory

I am very grateful for this invitation to give the Academic Lecture to the Society of Biological Psychiatry. The name of your society is intriguing because it signifies that you are attempting to bridge the deep gulf that has existed between psychiatry on the one hand and the whole field of neurology on the other. I am most sympathetic to this enterprise, though I fear very much that there is no present likelihood that the problems of conscious experience will be reduced to neurological solutions; nevertheless, I think we would all agree that, at one level of discourse, both psychiatric and neurological disorders will be found to have explanations in terms of disordered behavior patterns of cerebral neurons.
ASSESSING THE ROLE OF EFFORT REDUCTION IN THE REINFORCING EFFICACY OF TIMEOUT FROM AVOIDANCE

Rats responded on concurrent schedules of shock-postponement or deletion (avoidance) and timeout from avoidance. In Experiment 1, 3 rats' responses on one lever postponed shocks for 20 s and responses on a second lever produced a 1-min timeout according to a variable-interval 45-s schedule. Across conditions, a warning signal (white noise) was presented 19.5 s, 16 s, 12 s, 8 s, or 4 s before an impending shock. Raising the duration of the warning signal increased both avoidance and timeout response rates. Timeout responding, although positively correlated with avoidance responding, was not correlated with the prevailing shock rate. In Experiment 2, 3 rats' responses on one lever deleted scheduled shocks according to a variable-cycle 30-s schedule and responses on a second lever produced a 2-min timeout as described above. After this baseline condition, the avoidance lever was removed and noncontingent shocks were delivered at intervals yoked to the receipt of shocks in the baseline sessions. Timeout responding decreased when the avoidance lever was removed, even though the shock-frequency reduction afforded by the timeout remained constant. These results suggest that a key factor in the reinforcing efficacy of timeout is suspension of the requirement to work to avoid shock, rather than the reduction in shock frequency associated with timeout.
Three-Dimensional Wallmapping Using Xradia with Distortion Correction

The inertial confinement fusion program requires the uniformity of multilayered samples to be measured to high accuracy. We currently use a reflection spectroscopy tool to measure optically transparent shells with no more than two layers. The method cannot measure opaque samples such as beryllium shells, low-reflection samples such as foam shells, or any shells with more than two layers such as National Ignition Facility specification Ge-CH shells. We also use a white-light interferometer to measure transparent samples with multiple layers, but only at the North/South Poles for a given orientation. To complement these existing tools, we developed an X-ray technique based on a commercial X-ray microscope (Xradia MicroXCT). MicroXCT is capable of providing high-contrast, high-resolution images and allows the samples to be precision aligned and angular indexed. Dimension accuracy is achieved through the calibration of the projection magnification and the lens distortion. From each X-ray image, a wall thickness trace along the great circle is obtained by converting Cartesian coordinates into cylindrical coordinates, and edge-finding algorithms are developed for a contact radiography project. Three-dimensional reconstruction and wall thickness display allow the visualization of the sample nonuniformity. The method has a 0.3 μm measurement precision and, through phase contrast calibration, can achieve 0.3 μm accuracy.
Rapid determination of naphthenes in hydrocarbon distillates using on-line column switching high-performance liquid chromatography with dielectric constant detection

Abstract On-line column switching high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with dielectric constant detection (DCD) can separate and accurately quantify the volume fraction of total cycloparaffins in gasolines and kerosenes having distillation endpoints (ASTM D 2887) of at least 300°C. The three hydrocarbon group-types reported are: acyclic paraffins, cycloparaffins, and unsaturates, i.e ., aromatics plus olefins. The HPLC—DCD separations are achieved using an “unsaturate-selective” column, two “naphthenic-selective” columns, two six-port switching valves, and Freon 123 as the mobile phase. Incorporation of one or two additional naphthenic-selective columns could extend the range of samples that can be analyzed to include diesel fuels. The dielectric constant detector ensures a genuine uniformity of response [relative standard deviation ca .40 μg) for a kerosene fuel containing a wide carbon number distribution of both mono- and di-cycloparaffins. Sample turnaround time is approximately 40 min.
Predictors of left ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Introduction Cardiac abnormalities that have been reported after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) include the release of cardiac biomarkers, electrocardiographic changes, and left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. The mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction after SAH remain controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of LV regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) after SAH and to quantify the independent effects of specific demographic and clinical variables in predicting the development of RWMA.
Microzones surrounding phytoplankton form the basis for a stratified marine microbial ecosystem

Although there are 107–109 bacteria per litre of sea water and up to 50% of marine primary productivity passes through them1, no direct information exists on small-scale spatial distributions of individual bacteria. It has been proposed that bacteria cluster around participate nutrient sources2–4, but evidence for this is indirect, based on the presence of chemo taxis in isolates and a broad range—10−9–10−4 M—of uptake affinity constants3. These data have led to the suggestion that there exist oceanic microzones having utilizable dissolved organic carbon (uDOC) orders of magnitude above background concentrations4. Here, our calculations of size (10−1 cm), utilizable DOC concentrations (10−9–10−7 M) and lifetimes of these nutrient gradients suggest that bacteria cluster around phytoplankton in low-turbulence layers and sheets comprising the thermocline. There, phytoplankton may sink slowly enough for bacteria to keep up with them, and mixing times are long enough to allow nutrient gradients to develop and bacteria to track these gradients. However, very favourable conditions are required for micro zone concentrations to be significantly above background.
On the Correlation between Synchronized Oscillatory Activities and Consciousness

Recent experiments have shown that the amplitudes of cortical gamma band oscillatory activities that occur during anesthesia are often greater than amplitudes of similar activities that occur without anesthesia. This result is apparently at odds with the hypothesis that synchronized oscillatory activities constitute the neural correlate of consciousness. We argue that while synchronization and oscillatory patterning are necessary conditions for consciousness, they are not sufficient. Based on the results of a binocular rivalry study of Fries et al. (1997), we propose that the degrees of oscillatory strength and synchronization of neuronal activities determine the degree of awareness those activities produce. On the other hand, the overal firing rates of neurons in cortical sensory areas are not correlated with the degree of awareness the activities of those neurons produce. The results of the experiment of Fries et al. (1997) appear to conflict with the results of another binocular rivalry experiment, in which monkeys were trained to pull a lever in order to report which stimulus object was being perceived (Leopold & Logothetis, 1996). In the latter experiment, it was demonstrated that the firing rates of neurons in striate cortex did not change during perceptual alterations, while 90% of neurons in inferior and superior temporal cortices changed their firing rate when the perceived image changed. This result led to the conclusion that activities in temporal cortex are correlated with visual awareness, but those in striate cortex are not. We argue that activities in temporal cortex contribute little, if anything, to perceptual awareness, and that their primary function is computational. Thus the correlation between the firing rates of neurons in these areas and the responses of the monkeys is due to the recognition of a particular stimulus object, which in turn is due to the computations made there.
Statistical Thermodynamic Approach to the Chemical Activities in Two-Component Solutions

It is shown how the leading terms of a semi grand canonical partition function (GCPF) can be used to develop analytic expressions relating activity to concentrations in two-component systems. The simple analytic expressions for activity coefficients can be fitted to activity coefficient versus concentration data for a wide range of aqueous solute systems. Only one or two parameters are required to accurately describe the activity coefficients of nonelectrolyte and electrolyte aqueous solute systems over their entire range of solubility. These forms derive from low-order number expressions of the GCPF that take into account the effective solvent interactions with the solute and between solute molecules for a variable amount of solvent. The GCPF leading terms and fitting parameters define apparent solute−solute oligomerization and solute packing phenomena that increase with solute concentration. Advantages using this grand canonical approach versus previous approaches are discussed.
Once-pilfered cache sites not avoided by black-capped chickadees

Abstract Black-capped chickadees, Parus atricapillus , scatter-hoard food and recover items at a later time. Loss of cached food to robbers, however, is high in natural populations. A laboratory study was conducted to determine whether individuals would avoid re-use of storage sites that had been pilfered. Following an initial caching episode, an experimenter pilfered half the store seeds, and allowed the subject to (1)recover remaining unpilfered seeds, (2) discover pilfered sites and (3) cache seeds. In two trials ( N = 16, N = 13), there was no evidence that the subjects avoided pilfered sites when caching the second time. High cache loss and large numbers of potential cache sites in the wild may preclude the evolution of short-term memory for pilfered sites.
Psychiatric illness in female physicians. Are high rates of depression an occupational hazard

More than half of female physicians may experience a psychiatric illness during their lifetime. Depression is by far the most common such disorder, and the suicide rate is alarmingly high. However, female physicians appear to be at lower risk for substance abuse than male physicians. The medical profession could benefit from increased awareness of depression among female physicians and removal of barriers to treatment, such as stigma and discrimination against those with psychiatric illness.
Immune tolerance therapy dose as an outcome predictor

Summary. The question of dose as a successful ITT outcome predictor in haemophilia A and B is an important one on many levels. Increased morbidity associated with inhibitor development has been documented [3]. Currently, immune tolerance is the only proven method for inhibitor eradication. Furthermore, given the morbidity and the high cost of less effective bypass therapy, a study by Harvard health economists using Markov decision analysis predicted an increased life expectancy of 4.5 years at a lifetime cost savings of $1.6 million with the use of ITT rather than lifelong APCC therapy [25]. However, the immediate short-term cost of this expensive therapeutic intervention has the capacity to strain the financial resources of many countries in the developed world, regardless of the system of medical reimbursement. It also assures the inaccessibility of this treatment modality to most of the world's inhibitor patients living in the developing world. Cost aside, recent experience has taught us that clotting factor supply is precarious, not inexhaustible as previously assumed. Finally, in the paediatric patient who is most likely to require and undergo ITT, venous access for daily infusions is problematic with or without a central venous access device. Indeed, for these reasons alone, finding the answer to the question of optimal cost-effective dosing immune tolerance is a matter of medical urgency and moral obligation to the global haemophilia community.
Pricing and ordering strategies in manufacturing and distribution alliances

This paper studies the effect of coordination in a manufacturing and distribution system consisting of one manufacturer and one distributor. The system operates to meet price-sensitive random demand with the objective of maximizing expected profits of both the manufacturer and the distributor. The coordinated pricing and production/ordering policies that maximize the expected profits of the manufacturer and the distributor, as well as the distributor's optimal pricing and ordering policies without coordination, are developed. The focus of this study is to address the following managerial questions: What factors make coordination an effective strategy for both the manufacturer and the distributor? What are the coordination strategies and the coordinated policies that maximize both parties' expected profits and the joint expected profit? These and other related managerial issues are explored in this paper.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Low-Income Older African Americans

This study examined the relationships among comorbid conditions, symptom stress, depression, functional status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in low-income older African Americans with chronic diseases. A convenience sample of 83 older African American adults living in subsidized housing for elders participated in the study. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews. Participants reported lower scores on HRQOL than the SF-36 norms for age 60 or older in the general U.S. population. Comorbid conditions, symptom distress, depression, and functional status significantly predicted both the physical (F = 38.92, p < .001) and mental (F = 23.21, p < .001) health components of HRQOL, accounting for 63% of variance in the SF-36 physical health score and 55% of the variance in the SF-36 mental health score. The findings suggested that developing interventions to assist older African Americans to better manage their symptoms and depression are of prime importance for improving HRQOL.
Non-bonded hydrogen in a-Si:H

Abstract We report deuteron and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on high quality plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition amorphous silicon films containing from 5 to 15 at.% hydrogen (H and/or D). Our results show that from 2% to 40% of the hydrogen in these samples is not atomically bonded by the Si–H chemical bond. We present conclusive evidence that in highest quality films nearly all of this non-bonded hydrogen is present as isolated hydrogen molecules. These molecules are located in centers of atomic dimensions, perhaps in the analogue of T-sites in crystalline Si. In high quality films these molecules are not the small population of densely packed molecules in the occasional microvoids. The photoelectronic quality of the films (as measured by the ημτ photoresponse product) increases as the fraction of non-bonded hydrogen increases. Our results are consistent with IR spectral measures of hydrogen. Our experiments also suggest that the non-bonded hydrogen is in the vicinity of light induced defects. Finally by comparing successive annealings and other studies it appears that the molecular hydrogen can be identified with the less-clustered proton narrow NMR line.