cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oscillations in U.S. COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality Data Reflect Diagnostic and Reporting Factors

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic currently in process differs from other infectious disease calamities that have previously plagued humanity in the vast amount of information that is produced each day, which includes daily estimates of the disease incidence and mortality data. Apart from providing actionable information to public health authorities on the trend of the pandemic, the daily incidence reflects the process of disease in a susceptible population and thus reflects the pathogenesis of COVID-19, the public health response, and diagnosis and reporting. Both new daily cases and daily mortality data in the United States exhibit periodic oscillatory patterns. By analyzing New York City (NYC) and Los Angeles (LA) testing data, we demonstrate that this oscillation in the number of cases can be strongly explained by the daily variation in testing. This seems to rule out alternative hypotheses, such as increased infections on certain days of the week, as driving this oscillation. Similarly, we show that the apparent oscillation in mortality in the U.S. data are mostly an artifact of reporting, which disappears in data sets that record death by episode date, such as the NYC and LA data sets. Periodic oscillations in COVID-19 incidence and mortality data reflect testing and reporting practices and contingencies. Thus, these contingencies should be considered first prior to suggesting biological mechanisms.IMPORTANCE The incidence and mortality data for the COVID-19 data in the United States show periodic oscillations, giving the curve a distinctive serrated pattern. In this study, we show that these periodic highs and lows in incidence and mortality data are due to daily differences in testing for the virus and death reporting, respectively. These findings are important because they provide an explanation based on public health practices and shortcomings rather than biological explanations, such as infection dynamics. In other words, when oscillations occur in epidemiological data, a search for causes should begin with how the public health system produces and reports the information before considering other causes, such as infection cycles and higher incidences of events on certain days. Our results suggest that when oscillations occur in epidemiological data, this may be a signal that there are shortcomings in the public health system generating that information.
A cavity ion source for high-ionization efficiency neodymium isotope-ratio analyses in the geosciences

The principles governing ionization techniques used in thermal ionization mass spectrometers are relatively well understood and have remained largely unchanged for many decades. Though significant advances have been made in ion signal quantification for isotope ratio measurements, particularly for analyses of small samples by using multiple detector systems and low-noise amplifiers, the fundamental approach to sample ionization has received little focus. Modern TIMS techniques attempting to achieve parts-per-million level isotope ratios precisions are realizing limits imposed by the physics of the ionization source. A type of high-ionization efficiency thermal source employed in nuclear physics communities for decades is the so-called cavity thermal ionization source. Here, we provide a proof-of-concept study that shows cavity sources may provide a path forward to achieve a new level of precision in isotope ratio measurements from solid samples. We document our new, simple, cavity ion source design, show preliminary results from Nd isotope measurements, and discuss these new data in the context of current precision limits imposed during traditional thermal ionization methods. We show that, within the limits of our testbed mass spectrometer, mass fractionation within the cavity ion source appears similar to that from filament ion sources. We also demonstrate that oxide-versus-metal ion production plays a significant role in cavity ionization processes for Nd. Cavity ion sources may provide a viable path forward to achieving isotope ratios precisions at the sub-ppm precision level.
Diagnostic Horizons and Taxonomic Structure of Nevada Soils

The soils of Nevada contains 6 of 8 diagnostic surface horizons and 10 of the 20 diagnostic subsurface horizons recognized in Soil Taxonomy. In addition, the state contains soils representative of 7 of the 12 orders, 27 of the 68 suborders, 69 of the 337 great groups, 300 subgroups, 1,012 families, and over 1,800 soil series. Compared to other states, Nevada has a complex soil taxonomic structure and a high pedodiversity. A key is provided that enables classifying Nevada soils to the great-group level.
Impact of Novel Targeted Therapies and Cytogenetic Risk Groups on Outcome After Allogeneic Transplantation for Adult ALL

ABSTRACT Novel high-risk groups have recently been identified in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), including Philadelphia-like, therapy-related, and measurable residual disease after induction therapy. Furthermore, modern targeted therapies have recently been incorporated into ALL management; rituximab for CD20-positive and blinatumomab for measurable residual disease after induction therapy or relapsed or refractory disease. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is recommended as consolidation therapy for high-risk ALL; however, its relative benefit for these high-risk groups and after novel therapies is unclear. We performed an analysis of posttransplantation outcomes in a cohort of 261 consecutive patients who underwent allo-HCT for ALL at the 3-site Mayo Clinic Cancer Center (January 1, 2008–December 31, 2018). With a median (range) follow-up of 22.4 months (0.5-135.0), the 100-day and 5-year cumulative incidences of nonrelapse mortality rates were 6.5% and 26.7%, respectively. The 5-year cumulative incidences of relapse and death were 22.6% and 46.2%, respectively. The 1-year estimate of the composite endpoint of graft-versus-host disease/relapse-free survival was 39.3%. We observed no associations of novel high-risk groups or modern targeted therapies with overall survival, nonrelapse mortality, or relapse in multivariable analysis. An increased risk of relapse was observed with T-ALL (hazard ratio, 2.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-4.09; P = .02) and hypodiploidy/near-triploidy (hazard ratio, 2.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-7.62; P = .04). Our analysis suggests that novel high-risk groups derive a similar benefit from allo-HCT as traditional high-risk adult ALL and that novel targeted therapies do not seem to independently predict for posttransplantation outcomes. It also calls for further exploration of maintenance strategies after Allo-HCT to prevent relapse in high-risk subgroups.
Cross-cultural considerations: mentoring teachers in Jewish day schools

This study focuses on the impact of mentoring in Jewish day schools through the lens of cross-cultural considerations. The researchers examined the influence of differences in culture and religion ...
A literature review of building energy simulation and computational fluid dynamics co-simulation strategies and its implications on the accuracy of energy predictions:

The paper presents a review of existing literature in the field of coupling Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with Building Energy Simulations (BES) to better predict indoor environmental conditio...
LaTeXnics: The effect of specialized typesetting software on STEM students’ composition processes

Abstract Undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students are often trained to use technical typesetting software in order to produce authentic mathematical prose, though little research exists about how this writing technology impacts students’ thinking and computation process. Drawing upon survey and interview research conducted at two liberal arts institutions, the authors investigate student writing practices across several undergraduate mathematics courses that required the use of LaTeX (a common markup language allowing users to specify the appearance of text and its layout on the printed page). This article presents findings about how the use of LaTeX slowed down students’ writing process, encouraging greater revision and reflection as well as allowing students to identify errors in their work at more than one stage in the process. We also explore the affective learning outcomes of STEM students using typesetting software, including increased feelings of confidence and professionalization. This article seeks to contribute to the growing conversation about how STEM students transfer knowledge about writing across disciplines.
Estimation and Evaluation of a Segmented Markets Monetary Model

This paper develops a heterogeneous agents segmented markets model with endogenous production and a monetary authority that follows a Taylor-type interest rate rule. The model is estimated using Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques and is evaluated as a framework suitable for empirical monetary analysis. We find that the segmented markets friction significantly improves the statistical out-of-sample prediction performance of the model, and generates delayed and realistic impulse response functions to monetary policy shocks. In addition, we find that the estimates of the Taylor rule are stable across the pre-1979 and post-1982 periods in our sample, while the volatilities of the structural shocks faced in the pre-1979 period are substantially higher than in the post-1982 period.
Persistence in government spending fluctuations: Reply to Bohl

Martin Bohl's comment (Bohl, 1999) on my investigation of the displacement effect of Peacock and Wiseman (Goff, 1998) takes issue with two aspects of my original article (Goff, 1998). First, he contends my investigation of the displacement effect is less consistent with Peacock and Wiseman's original writings than are empirical strategies which identify large, infrequent shocks to public expenditures. Bohl is correct in this assertion. Peacock and Wiseman's own empirical work emphasized the importance of World War II as a short-lived event with long-lived consequences for public expenditures. Second, Bohl contends that the ARMA and Cochrane-autocorrelation methods which I used to gauge the long-term effects of short-term events are inferior to the methodology employed by Balke and Fomby (1994) in their analysis of several macroeconomic series. His reasoning is that the methods used by Balke and Fomby place emphasis on large, infrequent shocks rather than more frequent and sometimes smaller shocks implicit in the methods I used. Bohl may be correct in this criticism; however, he oversimplifies the econometric issues involved.
Cellular architecture in age-related human nuclear cataracts.

Age-related or senile human nuclear cataracts were examined using electron microscopy of thin sections prepared from thick vibrating-knife microtome sections of nuclei extracted by extracapsular surgery. The use of extended aldehyde-tannic acid fixation of 80-120-/iim thick vibrating-knife microtome sections overcame the difficult problem of preserving the hardened nuclear core of aged lenses. Comparisons were made between a typical nuclear cataract, containing a central opacity and a transparent rim, and a more advanced, or mature, completely opaque nuclear cataract. The typical nuclear cataract contained no obvious cell disruption, cellular debris, or objects that readily could explain the central opacity. The fiber cells had intact uniformly stained cytoplasms with well-defined plasma membrane borders and gap junctions. The transparent rim and the nuclear core appeared similar, except that fiber cells in the nucleus were more condensed with more elaborate intercellular interdigitations. The mature cataract showed various types of cell disruption in the perimeter but not in the core of the nucleus. These disruptions were globules, vacuoles, multilamellar membranes, and clusters of highly undulating membranes. Because these potential scattering centers were not found in the nuclear core, they probably were not the sole cause of the observed opacity. Other potential scattering centers found throughout the mature cataract nucleus included variations in staining density between adjacent cells, enlarged extracellular spaces between undulating membrane pairs, and protein-like deposits in the extracellular space. Similar features, although less pronounced, were present in the typical nuclear cataract. It was concluded that massive cell disruption is not essential to the formation of a central nuclear opacity. Subtle structural changes, especially small fluctuations in protein density between adjacent cells and alterations of the membranes and the extracellular space, probably contribute significantly to the central opacities in human nuclear cataracts. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 33: 3209-3227,1992
Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes? Revisiting Rating Agency Regulation

The phrase, neither a borrower nor a lender be, seems to have fallen out of favour in modern Canadian society, if it was ever heeded in its native context. In the modern market economy, access to loans, debentures, and other forms of debt capital can be an integral ingredient in a successful business venture. A business entity's access to capital, and investors' ability to provide that capital, is limited by the business's credit rating. Yet, this rating is determined by unregulated external credit rating agencies (CRAs) paid by the issuers, which encourages the possibility of agency cost market inefficiency, because rating agents may prefer their own interest to those of the debt market. While some authors argue that agencies' reputations can substitute for regulation, this paper will demonstrate that this passive belief may be na?ve. Effective, comprehensive regulation would ensure that any rating agency in a conflict of interest - or perpetuating a potential conflict - will be sanctioned by strict liability. This will prevent rating agencies' clandestine and oligopolic access to information from allowing them to conceal their opportunism with impunity. The recent 2007 sub-prime mortgage disaster again demonstrates how CRAs' decisive role in the market, without regulation to ensure their transparency and accountability, leads to abuses and - ultimately - to disaster. Despite the earlier lessons in Enron, as of early 2007, CRAs have continued to display languor in the face of impending crisis, while doling out top ratings to their paying customers - the very corporations they rate. To substantiate the latter assertions, this paper will examine the following issues: 1) rating agencies' structure and function in the market; 2) rating agencies' modi operandi; 3) the current regulatory system governing rating agencies; and 4) proposed regulatory amendments.
Spectroscopic characterization of tyrosine-Z in histidine 190 mutants of the D1 protein in photosystem II (PSII) in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Implications for the structural model of the donor side of PSII

EPR spectra attributed to the redox active tyrosine residues on the oxidizing side of photosystem II (TyrZ and TyrD) have almost identical line shapes, although the tyrosyl radicals differ in stability and redox characteristics. Strongly modified spectra of oxidized TyrD in site-directed mutants in a histidine residue, H189 on the D2 reaction center protein in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803, support a structural model where H189 interacts closely, probably via a hydrogen bond, to TyrD (Tommos, C., Davidsson, L., Svensson, B., Madsen, C., Vermass, W., and Styring, S. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 5436-5441). To determine whether TyrZ and the corresponding histidine on the D1 protein (D1-H190) interacts similarly, we have generated His-Phe (H190F) and His-Tyr (H190Y) mutations in the C2 symmetry related H190 residue on the D1 reaction center protein by site-directed mutagenesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The H190F and H190Y mutants assemble photosystem II reaction centers capable of primary photochemistry but unable to oxidize water. We have obtained kinetic spectra of a flash-induced transient EPR signal that we assign to oxidized TyrZ in the D1-H190 mutants. The spectra are identical in line width (18-20 G) and hyperfine structure to the wild-type spectrum from oxidized TyrZ and exhibit decay kinetics (t 1/2 approximately 500 ms) typical for the TyrZ radical in managenese-depleted photosystem II membranes. However, both TyrZ and TyrD were oxidized with reduced (10-15%) quantum yield in these mutants, indicating that the kinetics of electron donation to P+680 were significantly modified as a result of the mutation. Thus, the altered kinetics of TyrZ in the mutants suggest that there is an interaction between TyrZ and His-190 on the D1 protein. However, unlike the situation on the D2 side, the presence of a hydrogen bond between TyrZ and H190 on the D1 protein is improbable.
Comparison of Erythropoietin Response in Mice Following Polycythemia Induced by Transfusion or Hypoxia

Experiments were undertaken to measure the response to erythropoietin in mice during the first two weeks after the induction of polycythemia. A comparison of the size of the response obtained utilizing two different means of producing polycythemia was made. It was found that a 50 per cent higher level of iron incorporation was obtained if hypoxia was used rather than transfusion. It is suggested that this difference may be due to an alteration in both the compartment size and the cell cycle time of the erythropoietic stem cell in mice exposed to prolonged hypoxia.
Identifying spatial interactions in the presence of spatial error autocorrelation: An application to land use spillovers

Abstract Spatial spillovers—interaction effects among neighboring agents in space—are a common characteristic of a variety of processes that are of interest to environmental and resource economists. Empirical identification of these interactions is challenging, however, due to the endogenous nature of the interactions and the inevitable unobserved spatial correlation that, if uncontrolled, can result in spurious estimates of the interaction parameters. Traditional spatial econometric models rely on maintained assumptions that impose separate structures for the spatial error and interaction processes and thus are insufficient for solving this identification problem. To identify spatial land use spillovers in a hedonic model of residential housing values, we pursue an alternative approach by exploiting a natural experiment in the data. We use exogenous physical land features that impose a direct constraint on residential development on some, but not all, of the land that falls within our study region and use this to construct a “partial population identifier.” We find that this estimation strategy solves the endogeneity problem and reduces spatial error autocorrelation, but does not fully eliminate it. Estimation of the model using a more restricted sample in combination with the partial population identification strategy is successful in eliminating the remaining spatial error autocorrelation. We conclude that less restrictive approaches to controlling for unobserved spatial correlation, such as the natural experiment pursued here, may provide a superior alternative to identifying spatial spillovers.
Adaptive feature enhancement for mammographic images with wavelet multiresolution analysis

A novel and computationally efficient approach to an adaptive mammographic image feature enhancement using wavelet-based multiresolution analysis is presented. On wavelet de- composition applied to a given mammographic image, we integrate the information of the tree-structured zero crossings of wavelet co- efficients and the information of the low-pass-filtered subimage to enhance the desired image features. A discrete wavelet transform with pyramidal structure is employed to speedup the computation for wavelet decomposition and reconstruction. The spatiofrequency lo- calization property of the wavelet transform is exploited based on the spatial coherence of image and the principle of human psycho- visual mechanism. Preliminary results show that the proposed ap- proach is able to adaptively enhance local edge features, suppress noise, and improve global visualization of mammographic image features. This wavelet-based multiresolution analysis is therefore promising for computerized mass screening of mammograms. © 1997 SPIE and IS&T. (S1017-9909(97)00704-6)
Neurologic complications in prostatic carcinoma.

A review of 10 years experience with prostatic carcinoma was undertaken with a search for neurologic complications. An unusual case presenting with symptoms of hemiplegia is reviewed. Of 154 charts, 90 provided adequate clinical information for complete analysis. Nineteen cases with neurologic complications were found and were restricted entirely to advanced (stages C and D) disease. Thirty-seven percent of patients with advanced disease developed neurologic complications. The most frequent complaints were related to organic brain syndrome, paraplegia, and radioculopathy. Eight patients developed peripheral nerve or spinal cord injury related to metastatic disease. Five patients suffered metabolic or paraneoplastic complications; three patient's symptoms related to central or epidural metastases and two patients developed neurologic symptoms related to complications of therapy. All neurologic symptoms improved given appropriate diagnosis and treatment. A brief review of the literature is included emphasizing the diverse nature of neurologic complications in this common neoplasm.
An immunological study of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase specificity consistent with the phylogeny of species

Abstract Rabbit antibody directed to homogeneously purified mouse liver δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase cross-reacted with the enzyme in erythrocytes, spleen, kidney and brain in the mouse. The antibody also cross-reacted with the enzyme in the rat, hamster and gerbil, but not in the rabbit, guinea pig, cattle, chick embryo, and human. In contrast, rabbit antibody against the human enzyme partially recognized the monkey enzyme, but not the enzyme in the other species. The species specificity of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase in this study was consistent with the phylogenetic evolution of the species examined.
Frequency scouting for cardiac imaging with SSFP at 3 Tesla

Steady-state free precision techniques are often used in cine cardiac MRI, but are highly susceptible to off-resonance artifacts. In this article, we review the types and prevalence of off-resonance artifacts in the left ventricle on a 3 T MR scanner and describe the implementation of a technique to mitigate these artifacts. A group of 16 healthy children underwent SSFP cine imaging in the short axis. The synthesizer frequency was adjusted after scouting for the optimal frequency in a series of SSFP images with different frequency shifts. A total of 136 short-axis slices were examined for artifacts after the frequency adjustment. A significant number of slices in the apex region contained dark bands, flow artifacts and/or bright out-of-plane coherent artifacts. However, only five slices (3.6%) had artifacts that were detrimental to the accurate detection of myocardial boundaries. This technique offers a fast and easy way to suppress off-resonance artifacts in SSFP imaging at 3 T.
Magnitude and time course of extracellular potassium inhomogeneities during acute ischemia in pigs: Effect of verapamil

Prior studies have demonstrated the presence of inhomogeneities in myocardial [K+]e after serial 10-minute occlusions of the left anterior descending coronary artery in the pig, even within restricted locations of an ischemic zone. These inhomogeneities are thought to underlie the electrophysiological abnormalities responsible for lethal ventricular arrhythmias through reentrant and nonreentrant pathways, but a clear association has not been demonstrated. As a prerequisite to establishing this association, these studies were performed to establish measurement standards for [K+]e inhomogeneity, to quantify the magnitude and time course of these inhomogeneities, to determine whether the inhomogeneities are greater in the ischemic border where lethal ventricular arrhythmias are known to originate, and to assess the effect of a known antifibrillatory drug on [K+]e inhomogeneities. [K+]e (expressed as the change in potassium equilibrium potential, dEK [mV]) was measured in 15 preparations using an average of 17 closely spaced, critically calibrated K(+)-sensitive electrodes having stable response characteristics. A series of four 10-minute occlusions each separated by a 50-minute reperfusion period were performed in each study. In half of the studies, intravenous verapamil (0.2 mg/kg bolus followed by 0.0065 mg/kg/hr) was administered before the fourth occlusion. In nine studies (five control and four verapamil), electrodes were placed in the marginal ischemic zone (from 2 mm outside to 5 mm inside the visible cyanotic border). In six other studies (three control and three verapamil), electrodes were placed in the central ischemic zone (10-20 mm within the ischemic region). We determined that the standard deviation is the best measure of inhomogeneity and that 12 equivalent measurement sites are required to estimate it with a satisfactory degree of statistical confidence. We found that after 10 minutes of ischemia, mean dEK was 1.6 times greater in the central than in the marginal ischemic zone, whereas mean standard deviation at the same time was 1.5 times greater in the marginal than in the central ischemic zone. Verapamil reduced mean dEK and mean standard deviation in both ischemic zones for most of the occlusion by delaying the rise in [K+]e and the inhomogeneity of that rise by 3-5 minutes. Comparisons of mean dEK with mean standard deviation revealed a steep linear relation in the marginal zone and a curvilinear relation in the central zone where higher mean dEK values were not accompanied by higher values for mean standard deviation. Furthermore, we determined that these relations were not altered by verapamil.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Ignition of poly(methyl methacrylate) slabs using a small flame

When exposed to a lean hydrogen-oxygen flat flame, slabs of poly(methyl methacrylate) ignited to flaming combustion after a delay, the length of which depended on the gas temperature and the separation between the slab and the igniting flame. The delay obeyed an Arrhenius-type expression, giving an activation energy of 96 ± 8 kJ mol−1. By the end of the delay the surface of the sample was pitted if the delay was long and almost unchanged if the delay was short. The rates of flame development measured immediately after the ignition were proportional to the ignition delay, the proportionality constant varying with the separation between slab and flame. These rates decreased as temperature increased; the slope of the linear Arrhenius plots was independent of slab-flame separation. During the delay, carbon dioxide was formed within the boundry layer and a blue preignition glow was visible at its outer edge. These data were explained by a model in which ignition delay is governed by the induction period of gas-phase reactions in or near the boundry layer. Models in which delay is governed by the time taken to heat the polymer to a critical ignition temperature did not satisfactorily explain the data.
Getting the Most for Your Conference Dollars

With workplace support to attend conferences eroding, it's important for nurses to stretch their available conference dollars as far as possible. The following tips may work for you as you look for ways to lower the costs of attending professional meetings.
Cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation alter phosphate transport in canine renal brush border vesicles.

Abstract We have previously demonstrated that the cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of two or more proteins (bands IX and V) in membrane vesicles isolated from the renal brush border from kidneys of dogs, was associated with decreased Na+ -dependent Pi transport. In the present studies a specific dephosphorylation of band IX was demonstrated in bursh border vesicles incubated in the absence of F− which had been used in previous studies to inhibit phosphoprotein activity. Dephosphorylation of band IX was 80% complete after 5 min of incubation at which time inhibition of Pi transport in membrane vesicles which had been phosphorylated in the presence of cAMP could no longer be demonstrated. Dephosphorylation of band IX was no different in vesicles from kidneys originating from parathyroidectomized dogs prior to or following the administration of parathyroid hormone in vivo and normal dogs. We conclude that the cAMP -dependent phosphorylation of brush border membrane proteins may mediate a phosphaturic effect of the hormone. Parathyroid hormone-induced phosphaturia may be terminated through the actioin of a specific membrane phosphoprotein-phosphatase.
PET/CT-MR Imaging in Head and Neck Cancer Including Pitfalls and Physiologic Variations

This article emphasizes the strengths and potential pitfalls of functional and anatomic imaging in patients who have head and neck cancer with an emphasis on the treated neck, including patients who have undergone surgery and/or radiation therapy. Anatomic and molecular imaging together allow optimal evaluation and interpretation of a patient who has cancer. Effective assessment of patients who have head and neck cancer can be achieved through a careful review of pertinent anatomy, with awareness of the physiologic variations (especially those in the treated head and neck) seen in PET imaging, and analysis of both the PET and cross-sectional images.
Evidence that sodium deprivation influences vitamin D dependent rat renal calcium binding protein

In order to provide some insight concerning the role of renal calcium binding protein (CaBP) in the functioning of the mammalian kidney, the response of renal CaBP to dietary alterations was examined. Three week old rats were fed diets deficient in calcium, phosphorus or sodium supplemented with vitamin D for a four week period. The specific activity of renal CaBP (as measured by the chelex resin assay; Ca2+ bound protein/Ca2+ bound resin per mg protein) in the 28,000 Mr region was found to increase four fold in rats fed the low phosphorus diet and two fold in rats fed the low calcium diet when compared to rats fed the control diet. Renal CaBP/mg protein from rats fed the low sodium diet decreased 50% from the control values. Changes in renal CaBP were confirmed by polyacrylamide gel analysis of the 28,000 Mr fraction by densitometric tracing using a purified CaBP marker. The greater response to dietary phosphorus restriction suggests that renal CaBP may be regulated by a mechanism different from that of intestinal CaBP. The decrease in renal CaBP in rats fed the low sodium diet suggests for the first time that sodium is required for vitamin D dependent distal tubular calcium transport processes.
The integration of pharmacological therapy for comorbid psychiatric and addictive disorders.

Abstract The integration of pharmacological therapies for comorbid disorders requires an acceptance of independence and interactions of respective addictive and psychiatric disorders. At the same time, alcohol and other drugs induce psychiatric states that are indistinguishable from psychiatric disorders. On the other hand, while psychiatric disorders do not induce addictive use of alcohol and drugs, they do pose vulnerabilities to the development of addictive disorders. Generally, the treatment of comorbid disorders begins with abstinence and evaluation of the effects of alcohol and other drugs in contributing to the psychiatric picture. In the case of comorbid disorders, stabilization and standard treatments can be employed with certain cautions. namely, to avoid the use of addicting medications such as benzodiazepines and opiates beyond the detoxification stage. High potency neuroleptics and antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be used to treat continuing ps...
Optimum Form of a Modified Heine-Abarenkov Model Potential for the Theory of Simple Metals

A modified form of the Heine-Abarenkov model potential is proposed. The core potential is replaced with a constant potential ${A}_{l}$ only for those angular momenta for which there are core wave functions. Also, the model radius ${R}_{l}$ is allowed to be different for each $l$ and to depend on energy. It is shown that this potential can be optimized using a variational procedure. The optimum model parameters are obtained by choosing an ${R}_{l}$ such that ${A}_{l}=\ensuremath{-}v({R}_{l})$. The optimized form of this modified model potential has several advantages. It provides a unique prescription for selecting model radii, and it eliminates the necessity of approximating the ${A}_{l}$ for $lg2$. Also, the form factors tend to decay rather than oscillate at short wavelengths. The linear extrapolation of ${A}_{l}$ versus $E$ proposed by Animalu is shown to be valid for most simple metals. Optimum model potential parameters are obtained, and form factors and depletion holes are evaluated for a group of simple metals using the optimized model potential.
Speech by Director Roger Blandford

On behalf of the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, I send warm greetings on the occasion of the Inauguration of the Leung Center for Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics. I am particularly pleased to congratulate my colleague, Dr. Pisin Chen, on his appointment as first Director of the Center and I look forward to continuing our association through scientific collaboration between our organizations.
Matrix scheduler reloaded

From multiprocessor scale-up to cache sizes to the number of reorder-buffer entries, microarchitects wish to reap the benefits of more computing resources while staying within power and latency bounds. This tension is quite evident in schedulers, which need to be large and single-cycle for maximum performance on out-of-order cores. In this work we present two straightforward modifications to a matrix scheduler implementation which greatly strengthen its scalability. Both are based on the simple observation that the wakeup and picker matrices are sparse, even at small sizes; thus small indirection tables can be used to greatly reduce their width and latency. This technique can be used to create quicker iso-performance schedulers (17-58% reduced critical path) or larger iso-timing schedulers (7-26% IPC increase). Importantly, the power and area requirements of the additional hardware are likely offset by the greatly reduced matrix sizes and subsuming the functionality of the power-hungry allocation CAMs.
Design of virtual spaces and virtual environments

Two examples of displays designed to aid spatial maneuvering are described. The first, a perspective format for a commercial air traffic display, illustrates how geometric distortion may be introduced to insure that an operator can understand a depicted three-dimensional situation. The second, a display for planning small aircraft maneuvers, illustrates how the complex counter-initiative character of orbital maneuvering can be made more tractable by removing higher-order nonlinear control dynamics and allowing independent satisfaction of velocity and plume impingement constraints on orbital changes.
Role of flow cytometry in the diagnostic evaluation of primary immunodeficiency disease

Abstract Primary immunodeficiency disease can be broadly categorized into five groups encompassing: (a) combined immunodeficiencies; (b) primarily antibody deficiencies; (c) phagocyte disorders; (d) other well-defined immunodeficiency syndromes; and (e) complement deficiencies. Currently there are greater than 95 unique primary immunodeficiency diseases that fall into these five groups. The more common disorders in each of the first four groups will be reviewed in terms of: (a) individual diseases and their molecular etiologies; (b) diagnostic criteria that may include flow cytometry; and (c) our laboratory's own experience in the development and utilization of flow cytometry based assays for the diagnosis of primary immune deficiency disease including histograms of specific cases.
Perioperative Care of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

It has been demonstrated that patients undergoing surgical procedures are at increased risk for complications if they have obstructive sleep apnea. It is believed that this increase in risk is related to more difficult intubations, use of ventilatory depressant medications, and perhaps body positioning. Although identifying patients with a preexisting diagnosis of sleep apnea is important so they can be triaged appropriately during the perioperative period, a bigger challenge is trying to identify patients who require a surgical procedure and may have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Hospitals and surgical centers should have policies in place to assist in such identification preoperatively, with a protocol on how to manage such patients perioperatively. Such guidelines exist, but many institutions do not have such protocols in place or fail to ensure that they are consistently followed. The key to the perioperative management is close observation of these high-risk patients. In ambulatory surgery populations, these patients should be observed for an extended period before being discharged to home. In inpatient settings, the observation can be tailored to the patient's postoperative risks based on the type of surgery and the severity of his or her sleep apnea. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery are at particularly high risk. These patients have a very high prevalence of sleep apnea and comorbid conditions. Screening this population for obstructive sleep apnea is mandatory, and a plan for postoperative observation should be in place in all institutions performing such surgery.
Incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia: a meta-analysis

Background Patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) are at a high risk for developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, the reported rate of cancer development in patients with HGD who were undergoing surveillance has varied among published studies. Objective To determine an overall precise estimate of cancer incidence in patients with HGD who were undergoing surveillance endoscopy. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We conducted a systematic search of the published literature and selected original articles that examined patients with histologically proven BE and HGD, patients who had not undergone endoscopic ablation or surgical therapy, patients with 6 months' follow-up, no esophageal cancer at the time of enrollment or within 6 months, and studies in which follow-up was reported in person-time. Two investigators independently conducted the search and abstraction. Main Outcome Measurement The weighted mean event rate was calculated and expressed as the weighted incidence rate, and its CIs were calculated. Results The search yielded 4 articles that met the inclusion criteria, and these were analyzed. A total of 236 patients with HGD were followed for 1241 patient-years, and esophageal adenocarcinoma was reported in 69 patients, providing a crude incidence rate of 5.57 per 100 patient-years. The weighted incidence rate was 6.58 per 100 patient-years (95% CI, 4.97-8.19). Limitations A small number of studies that met inclusion criteria. Conclusions In patients with BE and with HGD who were undergoing surveillance, esophageal adenocarcinoma develops in approximately 6 per 100 patient-years during the first few years of follow-up. These data may better inform physicians and patients in management decisions.
Oxidative Cleavage of Ketoximes with Iodosobenzene Diacetate

Abstract Hypervalent iodine oxidation of ketoximes (1) using iodosobenzene diacetate leads to cleavage of 1 with the formation of corresponding ketones (2) under neutral conditions in good yields. The scope and limitations of the reaction are discussed as well as the mechanism.
Correction of hyponatraemia improves cognition, quality of life, and brain oedema in cirrhosis.

Background & Aims Hyponatraemia in cirrhosis is associated with impaired cognition and poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, the benefit of hyponatraemia correction is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tolvaptan on serum sodium (Na), cognition, HRQOL, companion burden, and brain MRI (volumetrics, spectroscopy, and diffusion tensor imaging) in cirrhotics with hyponatraemia. Methods Cirrhotics with Na Results 24 cirrhotics were enrolled; seven normalized Na without tolvaptan with improvement in cognition. The remaining 17 received tolvaptan of which 14 completed the study over 13±2days (age 58±6years, MELD 17, 55% HCV, median 26mg/day of tolvaptan). Serum Na and urine free water clearance increased with tolvaptan without changes in mental status or liver function. Cognitive function, HRQOL and companion burden only improved in these 14 patients after tolvaptan, along with reduced total brain and white matter volume, increase in choline on magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and reduced cytotoxic oedema. Conclusions Short-term tolvaptan therapy is well tolerated in cirrhosis. Hyponatraemia correction is associated with cognitive, HRQOL, brain MRI and companion burden improvement.
Quantum Boltzmann equation of composite fermions interacting with a gauge field.

We derive the quantum Boltzmann equation (QBE) of composite fermions at/near the \ensuremath{\nu}=1/2 state using the nonequilibrium Green's-function technique. The lowest-order perturbative correction to the self-energy due to the strong gauge-field fluctuations suggests that there is no well-defined Landau quasiparticle. Therefore, we cannot assume the existence of the Landau quasiparticles a priori in the derivation of the QBE. Using an alternative formulation, we derive the QBE for the generalized Fermi-surface displacement which corresponds to the local variation of the chemical potential in momentum space. From this QBE, one can understand in a unified fashion the Fermi-liquid behaviors of the density-density and the current-current correlation functions at \ensuremath{\nu}=1/2 (in the long-wavelength and the low-frequency limits) and the singular behavior of the energy gap obtained from the finite-temperature activation behavior of the compressibility near \ensuremath{\nu}=1/2. Implications of these results for recent experiments are also discussed.
The effect of substrate pore size on the network interconnectivity and electrical properties of dropcasted multiwalled carbon nanotube thin films

Four-layer multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) thin films were deposited via dropcasting (1 mg/mL MWNTs and 10 mg/mL SDBS) onto filter papers that vary in pore size (1, 5, 25, and 40 um) to determine the effect of the underlying substrate structure on the in-plane properties of the films. The films (<100 nm thick) were dried using vacuum filtration, and drying in a 65 °C heater with and without a ceramic heating board. DC resistance of the films ranged from 6 × 10 to 9.3 × 109 Ω. Impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed a low and a high frequency inductive response and two parallel R-C circuits for the more conducting thin films. High resistance films were fit by a single RC circuit with a constant-phase element. The differences in the in-plane electrical responses of the different MWNT films can be explained by the degree of carbon nanotube surface coverage, obtained as a result of using different pore size filter papers. The drying method utilized also affected the CNT network formation and its resultant electrical properties.
Impact of small prosthetic valve size on operative mortality in elderly patients after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis: does gender matter?

Abstract Objective: Ideal management of the elderly patient with a small aortic root remains controversial. This retrospective analysis was performed to determine whether small prosthetic valve size is related to outcome in patients 70 years of age or older undergoing aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. Methods: Between December 1991 and July 1998, 366 patients 70 years of age or older (median age 77 years, range 73-81 years, 49% male) underwent isolated aortic valve replacement or aortic valve replacement with coronary bypass grafting with standard Carpentier-Edwards bovine pericardial valves (Baxter Healthcare Corp, Edwards Division, Santa Ana, Calif) (n = 277; 76%) or St Jude Medical mechanical valves (St Jude Medical, Inc, St Paul, Minn) (n = 89; 24%). Propensity scoring and multivariable regression models were used to evaluate the risks associated with implantation of 19-mm valves. Results: Operative mortality was 16.7% (17/102) in patients who received 19-mm valves and 3% (8/264) among those receiving ≥21-mm valves ( P ≤ .0005). The univariable odds ratio for operative death for 19-mm versus ≥21-mm valves was 6.4 (95% CI 2.7, 15.4; P ≤ .0005). In the final multivariable model, receipt of a 19-mm valve alone was not a statistically significant predictor of operative death (odds ratio 2.1; 95% CI 0.7, 6.4; P = .21). However, the combination of male sex and 19-mm valve resulted in a significant risk of operative death (4/9 patients; odds ratio 17.5; 95% CI 2.2, 139; P = .007). Use of a 19-mm valve was not related to late death in either the univariable (hazard ratio 1.0; 95% CI 0.5, 2.0; P = .95) or the multivariable analysis (hazard ratio 0.7; 95% CI 0.3, 1.8; P = .51). Conclusions: Implantation of a standard 19-mm aortic valve in elderly men with aortic stenosis may be associated with an increased risk of operative mortality. A higher performance valve and/or a root enlargement procedure should be considered in men with a measured 19-mm anulus. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;118:815-22)
FROM CLINICIAN TO CLIENT: THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS

Psychiatric researchers and clinicians are quick to pay homage to the idea that mental illness has no respect for occupational attainments, social status, or academic degrees. Yet there is a considerable gap between accepting this idea solely on the basis of one's involvement in research or caregiving, versus first-hand experience. In this paper, the author delves into his own experience of mental illness in order to deepen clinicians' understanding of the personal meaning of facing such a condition on a daily basis. Special attention is paid to the persistence of obstacles to effective treatment and care, obstacles due not so much to financial constraints as to a lack of enlightenment among those charged with improving the lives of persons with mental illness.
An analysis of print and audiovisual materials to prevent smokeless tobacco use.

Abstract We analyzed 28 examples of smokeless tobacco educational print and audiovisual materials based on two criteria: (1) strength of the scientific bases for the selected materials, and (2) appropriateness of the materials for the known populations at risk to smokeless tobacco ever‐use. We concluded that these materials in general are authoritative and provide the cancer educator with a solid scientific basis to initiate a primary prevention strategy. Nonetheless, some updating of materials to include the latest scientific findings (eg, cardiovascular and physiological/addictive effects) is needed. In terms of appropriateness of materials, we noted that the focus of materials was correctly targeted to young, white males; however, most materials tended to be aimed at seventh grade and beyond reading and social levels. Few, if any, materials were aimed at the other group at risk to smokeless tobacco adoption, namely youth in the early elementary grades. Consequently, while smokeless tobacco educational ...