cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clean cooking and the SDGs: Integrated analytical approaches to guide energy interventions for health and environment goals.

Abstract Development and implementation of clean cooking technology for households in low and middle income countries (LMICs) offer enormous promise to advance at least five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 3. Good health and well-being; 5. Gender equality; 7. Affordable and clean energy; 13. Climate action; 15. Life on land. Programs are being implemented around the world to introduce alternative cooking technologies, and we are well on the way to achieving the goal set by the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves to reach 100 million homes with cleaner and more efficient cooking methods by 2020. Despite evidence that household air pollution (HAP) from solid fuel combustion is responsible for 3–4 million early deaths per year, many cookstove programs are motivated and/or financed by climate change mitigation schemes and deploy alternative stoves that use solid fuels such as wood and charcoal. However, recent studies have demonstrated that improved biomass-burning stoves typically only incrementally improve air quality and yield modest or minimal health benefits. Likewise, their contributions to climate change mitigation and other SDGs may be limited. Evidence indicates that cleaner fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ethanol and biogas, offer greater potential benefits not only to health, but also greater progress towards climate goals and other relevant SDGs. We present a modeled estimate of these potential gains for a diverse group of 40 LMICs. Our model suggests that cookstove programs using LPG stoves and fuel will yield greater reductions in both Disability Adjusted Life Years and Global Warming Commitment in these countries than those using improved biomass stoves. Cost and infrastructure requirements for clean fuels such as LPG are widely recognized constraints. In view of these constraints we present an analytical method to simultaneously consider health and climate needs at the national level for the same 40 countries in the context of estimated LPG expansion potentials. Comparative analyses integrating priorities across SDGs at the national and regional levels may guide more practical and effective household energy development choices going forward.
Effect of Lecture Attendance and Prerequisite Academic Outcomes on Dental Students' Oral Pathology Performance.

Decreased lecture attendance in undergraduate and health science professions education has been noted throughout the world. The limited study of the effect of lecture attendance on dental students’ performance has yielded mixed results, with some studies finding a positive effect and others reporting no association. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lecture attendance on dental students’ final grades in an oral pathology course at one U.S. dental school. Due to a curriculum change, second- and third-year students (N=233) were concurrently enrolled in the spring 2016 oral pathology (OP) course. Students’ course grades were compared to attendance percentage (Att), grades in prerequisite basic science (PBS) courses, and Academic Average and Total Science (TS) scores on the Dental Admission Test. The results showed that both Att (p=0.011) and TS score (p
Creation of Continuous and Transmural Radiofrequency Lesions.

See Article by Whitaker et al Continuous and transmural ablation lesions are desired for pulmonary vein isolation and atrial linear ablation (such as the liner lesions across the left atrial roof and mitral isthmus) to reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia after ablation.1–3 During radiofrequency ablation, active electrode cooling by saline irrigation allows the use of significant radiofrequency power for longer application times to produce deeper and wider lesions, while reducing the occurrence of thrombus formation and an impedance rise.4–6 Ablation lesion size (depth and diameter) increases with increasing 3 dominant variables: contact force, radiofrequency power, and radiofrequency application time.7–9 In this issue of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology , Whitaker et al10 assessed the performance of the lesion index (LSI), a mathematical measure to predict radiofrequency lesion size based on contact force, radiofrequency current, and application time,11–14 to facilitate continuous, transmural lesions in the right atrium using a swine model. In isolated tissue preparations, a section of bovine right ventricular free wall was placed in a modified saline tank (37°C and electrical conductivity 6.5–7.0 mS/cm, similar to human blood). Ablation was performed at 20 or 25 W with the electrode positioned perpendicular to the endocardium at a contact force of 10, 20, or 30 g with a target LSI of 4, 5, or 6 Units. Radiofrequency application time was variable, until the target LSI was achieved. Side-by-side radiofrequency lesions …
Changing Perceptions of the Female Body: The Rise of the Kagawa School of Obstetrics

This chapter discusses the major epistemological shift in medicine that occurred in the mid-eighteenth century and the emergence of the Kagawa School of Obstetrics that occurred in conjunction with this shift. Physicians from relatively disadvantaged social positions developed new medical methods, leading to the establishment of the Ancient Practice tradition (Kohō and Koihō), which, contrary to its name, introduced a new set of ideas and methods. Kagawa School physicians rejected the theoretical underpinnings of the Chinese medical tradition, including yin yang and the Five Phases. Instead, they projected the body as an object demarcated and isolated from the surrounding environment by its skin and marked it with tangible bone structures and reproductive organs.
Intake of glucosinolates and risk of coronary heart disease in three large prospective cohorts of US men and women.

Importance Glucosinolates, a group of phytochemicals abundant in cruciferous vegetables, may have cardioprotective properties. However, no prospective study has evaluated the association of intake of glucosinolates with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between the intake of glucosinolates and incident CHD in US men and women. Design Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Setting Health professionals in the USA. Participants We followed 74,241 women in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS; 1984-2012), 94,163 women in the NHSII (1991-2013), and 42,170 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986-2012), who were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer at baseline. Exposure Glucosinolate intake was assessed using validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires at baseline and updated every 2-4 years during follow-up. Main outcome measures Incident cases of CHD were confirmed by medical record review. Results During 4,824,001 person-years of follow-up, 8,010 cases of CHD were identified in the three cohorts. After adjustment for major lifestyle and dietary risk factors of CHD, weak but significantly positive associations were observed for glucosinolates with CHD risk when comparing the top with bottom quintiles (hazard ratio [HR]:1.09; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.17; Ptrend<0.001). Higher intakes of three major subtypes of glucosinolates were consistently associated with a higher CHD risk, although the association for indolylglucosinolate did not achieve statistical significance. Regarding cruciferous vegetable intake, participants who consumed one or more servings per week of Brussels sprouts (HR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.26; P<0.001) and cabbage (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.17; P=0.009) had a significantly higher CHD risk than those who consumed these cruciferous vegetables less than once per month. Conclusion and relevance In these three prospective cohort studies, dietary glucosinolate intake was associated with a slightly higher risk of CHD in US adults. These results warrant replications in further studies including biomarker-based studies. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and elucidate mechanistic pathways that may underlie these associations.
A Decision Support System for Design for Privacy

Privacy is receiving increased attention from both consumers, who are concerned about how they are being tracked and profiled, and regulators, who are introducing stronger penalties and encouragements for organizations to comply with legislation and to carry out Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs). These concerns are strengthened as usage of internet services, cloud computing and social networking spread. Therefore companies have to take privacy requirements into account just as they previously had to do this for security. While security mechanisms are relatively mature, system and product developers are not often provided with concrete suggestions from a privacy angle. This can be a problem because developers do not usually possess privacy expertise. In this paper we argue that it would be useful to move beyond current best practice – where a set of searchable privacy guidelines may be provided to developers – to automated support to software developers in early phases of software development. Specifically, our proposal is a decision support system for design for privacy focused on privacy by policy, to be integrated into the development environment. We have implemented a proof of concept and are extending this work to incorporate state-of-the art consent mechanisms derived from the EnCoRe (Ensuring Consent and Revocation) project [1].
The role of disorder in NaO$_2$ and its implications for Na-O$_2$ batteries

There is a need for more energy dense batteries, and Na–O2 batteries have emerged as an attractive option. In this work, we present a density functional theory (DFT) study utilizing the Hubbard U correction to probe structural and magnetic disorder in NaO2, the primary discharge product of Na–O2 batteries. We show that NaO2 exhibits a large degree of rotational and magnetic disorder. A three-body Ising model is necessary to capture the subtle interplay of this disorder. Our Monte Carlo (MC) simulations demonstrate for the first time that energetically favorable, ferromagnetic (FM) phases near room temperature consist of alternating bands of O2 dimers oriented along two of four cubic cell body diagonals. Using hybrid density functional theory calculations, we find that bulk structures are insulating, with a subset of FM structures showing a moderate gap (<2 eV) in one spin channel. The insulating nature of NaO2 implies that growth of the discharge product is most likely occurring due to the solution mechan...
D1 dopamine receptors intrinsic activity and functional selectivity affect working memory in prefrontal cortex

Dopamine D1 agonists enhance cognition, but the role of different signaling pathways (e.g., cAMP or β-arrestin) is unclear. The current study compared 2-methyldihydrexidine and CY208,243, drugs with different degrees of both D1 intrinsic activity and functional selectivity. 2-Methyldihydrexidine is a full agonist at adenylate cyclase and a super-agonist at β-arrestin recruitment, whereas CY208,243 has relatively high intrinsic activity at adenylate cyclase, but much lower at β-arrestin recruitment. Both drugs decreased, albeit in dissimilar ways, the firing rate of neurons in prefrontal cortex sensitive to outcome-related aspects of a working memory task. 2-Methyldihydrexidine was superior to CY208,243 in prospectively enhancing similarity and retrospectively distinguishing differences between correct and error outcomes based on firing rates, enhancing the micro-network measured by oscillations of spikes and local field potentials, and improving behavioral performance. This study is the first to examine how ligand signaling bias affects both behavioral and neurophysiological endpoints in the intact animal. The data show that maximal enhancement of cognition via D1 activation occurred with a pattern of signaling that involved full unbiased intrinsic activity, or agonists with high β-arrestin activity.
Maternal criticism and non-suicidal self-injury in school-aged children

Although non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern in youth, most of the extant research on NSSI has focused on adults and, to a lesser extent, adolescents. Therefore, little is known about the correlates and potential risk factors for NSSI in school-aged children. One factor that may be particularly important to children is their exposure to maternal criticism. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine the association between maternal expressed emotion-criticism (EE-Criticism) and NSSI in children, and to determine whether this relation is similar for girls and boys. Participants were 204 children (ages 7-11; 39.7% female, 81.9% Caucasian) and their mothers. Participants completed interviews assessing the child's history of NSSI. Mothers completed the Five-Minute Speech Sample to determine levels of EE-Criticism toward their child. We found that girls exposed to high levels of EE-Criticism were more likely to have a lifetime history of NSSI than girls of mothers exhibiting low levels of EE-Criticism; however, the relation between EE-Criticism and NSSI was not significant for boys. These results are consistent with interpersonal models of risk for NSSI, but suggest that one interpersonal factor, maternal criticism, is more strongly related to NSSI in girls than in boys.
Mode-Division Multiplexing Systems for High-Capacity Optical Transport Network

This paper reviews the recent technical challenges on mode-division multiplexing (MDM) transport systems for high-capacity Optical Transport Network. Desired features and issues of the MDM system are discussed for long-haul transmission performance over 1,000 km.
Pharmacogenomics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition, which presents the opportunity for precision therapy based on genetics or other biomarkers.Areas covered: Al...
Physical activity and dietary interventions in diabetic neuropathy: a systematic review

Diabetic neuropathy is a common and disabling disorder, and there are currently no proven effective disease-modifying treatments. Physical activity and dietary interventions in patients with diabetes and diabetic neuropathy have multiple beneficial effects and are generally low risk, which makes lifestyle interventions an attractive treatment option. We reviewed the literature on the effects of physical activity and dietary interventions on length-dependent peripheral neuropathy and cardiac autonomic neuropathy in diabetes. The electronic database PubMed was systematically searched for original human and mouse model studies examining the effect of either dietary or physical activity interventions in subjects with diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome. Twenty studies are included in this review. Fourteen studies were human studies and six were in mice. Studies were generally small with few controlled trials, and there are no widely agreed upon outcome measures. Recent research indicates that dietary interventions are effective in modifying diabetic neuropathy in animal models, and there are promising data that they may also ameliorate diabetic neuropathy in humans. It has been known for some time that lifestyle interventions can prevent the development of diabetic neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects. However, there is emerging evidence that lifestyle interventions are effective in individuals with established diabetic neuropathy. In addition to the observed clinical value of lifestyle interventions, there is emerging evidence of effects on biochemical pathways that improve muscle function and affect other organ systems, including the peripheral nerve. However, data from randomized controlled trials are needed.
Regulation of DNA Topology by Topoisomerases: Mathematics at the Molecular Level

Although the genetic information is encoded in a one-dimensional array of nucleic acid bases, three-dimensional relationships within DNA play a major role in how this information is accessed and utilized by living organisms. Because of the intertwined nature of the DNA two-braid and its extreme length and compaction in the cell, some of the most important three-dimensional relationships in DNA are topological in nature. Topological linkages within the two-braid and between different DNA segments can be described in simple mathematical terms that account for both the twist and the writhe in the double helix. Topoisomerases are ubiquitous enzymes that regulate the topological state of the genetic material by altering either twist or writhe. To do so, these enzymes transiently open the topological system by breaking one or both strands of the two-braid. This article will review the mathematics of DNA topology, describe the different classes of topoisomerases, and discuss the mechanistic basis for their actions in both biological and mathematical terms. Finally, it will discuss how topoisomerases recognize the topological states of their DNA substrates and products and how some of these enzymes distinguish supercoil handedness during catalysis and DNA cleavage. These latter characteristics make topoisomerases well suited for their individual physiological tasks and impact their roles as targets of important anticancer and antibacterial drugs.
Survey of Insulation Systems in Electrical Machines

Insulating materials and insulation systems design have been gaining more attentions as more electrical machines tend to operate in harsher environments for various applications. Harsh environments include high temperature, humidity, erosion, low air pressure, etc. This paper discusses recent advances in insulation systems for electrical machines. Insulation tests as well as test standards that have been used to evaluate insulation systems and detect insulation failures will be discussed. Insulating materials used for a wide range of industrial applications such as wind turbine generators, aerospace hybrid/electric powertrain, and hydro generators have been summarized. For the emerging high-altitude, highvoltage aerospace applications, partial discharge and its impact on insulation systems will be discussed. Finally, polymer nanocomposite materials with excellent thermal conductivity and dielectric strength are highlighted as an outlook.
Provably Safe and Smooth Lane Changes in Mixed Trafic

While lane change behavior of human drivers has already been widely investigated, concepts and algorithms to plan lane changes for automated vehicles become necessary through the progress of automated driving. In this paper, we present an approach for safe and smooth lane changes in dense traffic, that consider both the cooperation of humans but also the increased need for safety compared to lane changes performed by human drivers. This real time capable approach is based on path-velocity decomposition, the intelligent driver model, a model compliance check for human machine cooperation and the concept of responsibility sensitive safety. The work is targeted towards mandatory lane changes determined by an upstream routing module, but is also applicable to optional lane changes.
Elongated Nanodomains and Molecular Intermixing Induced Doping in Organic Photovoltaic Active Layers with Electric Field Treatment

The effects of the electric-field-assisted annealing on the bulk heterojunction nanomorphology in the P3HT/PCBM active layer of the organic photovoltaic cells (OPVCs) are presented here. It was wid...
The Patient Perceptions of Deprescribing (PPoD) Survey: Short-Form Development.

Deprescribing, the intentional reduction of medication, is recognized as an important component of clinical care; however, standardized identification of patient attitudes and beliefs that contribute to deprescribing may be limited due to the length of current surveys. We sought to develop a short-form (≤ 15 items) of the patient perceptions of deprescribing (PPoD) questionnaire, a validated 30-item instrument that assesses dimensions relevant to deprescribing, to be used in clinical and research settings. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from 803 US veteran respondents to the original PPoD survey, randomly divided into derivation and validation samples. In the derivation sample, we used ordinary least squares linear regression with R2 model selection to identify candidate items reflective of overall readiness for deprescribing. We then used iterative multitrait analysis, followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in the validation sample to assess the psychometric properties of the proposed short form. The resulting short-form PPoD consisted of 11 items representing two overarching domains reflective of overall readiness for deprescribing: ‘Motivation for Deprescribing’ and ‘Primary Care Provider Relationship’. CFA fit statistics supported the proposed structure and the two new scales demonstrated high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach alphas: 0.82 and 0.91, respectively) and good discriminant validity (interscale correlation − 0.30). The proposed short-form PPoD captures two important sources of variance in patient readiness for deprescribing: motivation and patients’ relationships with their primary care providers. This brief, 11-item survey may help foster the inclusion of patient perceptions into clinical decision making for deprescribing to yield safer, more appropriate medication use.
Detecting Potential Performance Improvements in Cognitive Radar Systems

As a cognitive radar system adapts to interference in real time by adjusting its transmission characteristics, such as operating frequency and bandwidth, the optimal load impedance for the transmit power amplifier will also change. A search algorithm and tunable matching network on the output of the transmit power amplifier optimizes the amplifier for improved system performance, such as increased transmit power and resultant radar range. However, later changes in interference will cause the cognitive radar to change its transmission frequency again, affecting the optimal impedance and potentially requiring reoptimization. In order to determine when reoptimization is needed, this work demonstrates use of the earth mover distance (EMD) applied to utilized transmit frequencies over time to determine when reoptimization may provide meaningful output power improvement.
Roles of Genital Self-Image, Distraction, and Anxiety in Women's Sexual Pleasure: A Preregistered Study.

Women with negative genital self-image are more likely to experience sexual dysfunction , but the processes underlying this association are unknown. We theorized that this association is mediated b...
Survival-Weighted Health Profiles in Patients Treated for Advanced Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objectives For patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), particularly for those with advanced disease, quality of life (QoL) is a key outcome measure. Therefore, we estimated survival-weighted psychometric scores (SWPS), life expectancy (LE), and quality-adjusted LE (QALE) in patients with advanced OSCC. Methods and materials For estimation of survival function, we enrolled 2313 patients with advanced OSCC diagnosed between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2013. The patients were followed until death or December 31, 2014. To acquire the QoL data, data from 194 patients were collected by employing the Taiwan Chinese versions of the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and Quality of Life Questionnaire Head and Neck 35 developed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the EQ-5D-3L between October 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017. The LE of the patients with OSCC were estimated through linear extrapolation of a logit-transformed curve. SWPS and QALE were determined by integrating the LE and corresponding QoL outcomes. Results For the patients with advanced OSCC, the estimated LE and QALE were 8.7 years and 7.7 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), respectively. The loss of LE and QALE was 19.0 years and 20.0 QALYs, respectively. The estimated lifetime impairments of swallowing, speech, cognitive functioning, physical functioning, social functioning, and emotional functioning were 8.3, 6.5, 6.5, 6.1, 5.7, and 5.4 years, respectively. The estimated lifetime problems regarding mouth opening, teeth, social eating, and social contact were 6.6, 6.1, 7.5, and 6.1 years, respectively. The duration of feeding tube dependency was estimated to be 1.6 years. Conclusions Patients with advanced OSCC had an estimated LE of 8.7 years and QALE of 7.7 QALYs. SWPS provided useful information regarding how advanced OSCC affects the subjective assessment of QoL. Our study results may serve as a reference for the allocation of cancer treatment resources.
The Origin of Vibrational Dephasing in Liquids and Solids

The dephasing of an ensemble of vibrating molecules results from molecular interactions which frequently occur on an extremely fast time scale. Vibrational dephasing times in condensed media are typically on the order of picoseconds; this fact, and the difficulties inherent in describing a molecule in dense matter, would seem to constitute serious obstacles to the understanding of dephasing processes. Nevertheless, several theoretical models for dephasing have been presented, [1] and new experimental methods using picosecond lasers have been developed [2]. In our recent work [3], [4] we have emphasized the role of energy exchange in vibrational dephasing. This exchange model is attractive both for its easy experimental realization, and for its usefulness in obtaining important molecular parameters and identifying the important dephasing channels.
Acne: Vulgaris and Variants

Although the term “acne” often brings to mind the common form of acne known as acne vulgaris, acne can have several other variants, with different courses and thus management. In addition to recognizing the type of acne, assessing the degree of severity is critical to providing the best possible treatment. With more severe presentations, topical therapy may be inadequate. Many systemic therapies are available for various forms of acne – some provide control of the disease, while others may actually provide a cure. They may, however, also give unwanted side effects and complications, of which the prescriber should be cognizant and have comfort in managing. This chapter provides a review of the presentation of various forms of acne requiring systemic therapy, candidate systemic agents, when and how to use these medications, and various pitfalls associated with their administration.
Squaring Undisclosed Agency Law with Contract Theory

The law of undisclosed agency has long been considered an anomaly of contract theory. While few disapprove of its content, this body of law does not appear to square with our theoretical understanding of contractual obligation. In this Article, ProfessorBarnett appliesa "consent theory of contract" to explain and critically evaluate the law of undisclosed agency. After showing why standard contract theories have been unable to explain the established doctrine in this area, he analyzes the nexus ofobligations arising from the consensual "triangular flow of'rights" among the three parties to the paradigm undisclosed agency relationship. He then extends this analysis to treat several "hard cases." ProfessorBarnett concludes that the bulk of this spontaneously evolved body of law is theoretically sound; that the source of the long-standing apparent anomaly is the predominance of the promise-based theory underlying the action of assumpsit; and that judges' ability to develop good law in spite of the deficiencies in the prevailing contract theories provides an insight into the appropriate roles of tradition and reason in generating law.
The effect of exercising intensity on learning and memory in humans (LB828)

There is conflicting research regarding the effect of exercise on learning and memory; some studies show no effect, enhanced effects or impaired effects on learning and memory. The objective of this study was to determine if there was an optimal target heart rate range which would provide the greatest improvements in learning and memory. Human subjects (ages 18-35) were divided into 4 groups: control, low intensity (35-50% of maximum heart rate (MxHR)), medium intensity (50-65% MxHR), and high intensity (65-80% MxHR). Subjects performed a 30min exercise bout on an ergometer within their specified HR range or controls rested. Verbal and visual memory tests were given immediately following the exercise (or rest period in controls), and again 30min later to measure long term memory recall. Heart rate, blood pressure and perceived rate of exertion were measured throughout the protocol. Preliminary results suggest that medium intensity exercise improves immediate learning of verbal associations and the retriev...
The US communications consumer and monopoly supply: The FCC position on the proposed legislation

Abstract The existing and prospective US telecommunications policy would be significantly affected by the bills comprising the ‘Consumer Communications Reform Act’, which would substantially amend the Communications Act of 1934. It is argued that the proposed legislation constitutes a serious disservice to the very class of people it purports to protect — the American customer. The argument is put forward through a consideration of policy developments during the past decade and a discussion of the effects of competition in the terminal equipment and private line markets upon telephone company revenues and rates. The author concludes with a detailed summary of the FCC position.
Capturing Qualitative Spatial Data to Understand Social Epidemiology in Public Health

Public Health decision makers face challenges in understanding the qualitative lived experiences of populations, as well as capturing and understanding the geographic nature of public health. This paper describes a community information framework that captures both qualitative and geographic information about health and place from the population. The adoption of a ICT using principles of both participatory mapping and new spatial media opens new avenues for understanding public health – through community contributed data acquisition. This paper will describe the development and results of the ICT as well as potential to increase social equity with public health in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Computer software tools to assist the teaching of semiconductor device physics

Software developed at Villanova University that focuses on semiconductor material properties and concepts is described. Four computer programs are described that were developed to perform the following operations: (i) simulate crystal structures on a graphics terminal, (ii) display the position of the thermal equilibrium Fermi level as a function of temperature and doping density in a nondegenerate semiconductor, (iii) simulate the Hall effect experiment, and (iv) simulate the diffusion profile of a minority carrier pulse as it drifts downwards on a semiconductor bar (as in the Haynes-Shockley experiment). The programs have various hardware requirements. The two programs that simulate the Hall effect experiment and the Haynes-Shockley experiment were written in BASIC and are implemented on the IBM PC/AT. Both of the programs are small and could be used on any small personal computer. The Fermi level program was written in FORTRAN and implemented on a VAX 11/780. The crystal structure simulation is performed by a sophisticated graphics package developed at Brigham-Young University. >
Twisted nematic modes for liquid crystal-on-silicon projectors

Single-domain nematic liquid crystal (LC) devices based on either the polarization-rotation or the birefringent effect or both have been investigated for reflective spatial light modulators (SLMs) which use a polarized beam splitter to separate the input light beam from its orthogonal output beam. We have evaluated each LC mode in terms of its contrast ratio, brightness, operating voltage, and its tolerance in cell-gap non-uniformity. We have studied the hybrid-aligned, the 0 degree, 45 degrees, and 63.6 degrees twist nematic LC modes which can be operated in either normally-white (NW) or normally-black (NB). We have also investigated the mixed twist nematic (MTN) and self- compensated twist nematic for NW and tilted homeotropic mode for NB. 2D simulations have also been carried out for one of the NB modes implemented inactive-matrix-driven reflective SLMs to elucidate the effect of fringe-field which tends to reduce mainly the brightness for the NB modes and contrast ratio for the NW modes. The locations of the disclination lines depend on the driving method and display pattern. To improve the brightness, we have also studied polarization- independent LC phase gratings using patterned alignment for reflective SLMs. The basic equations for the diffracted and non-diffracted intensities for both the reverse-twist and orthogonal-twist two-domain LC phase gratings have been derived. The device parameters, the operating voltage, and the optical diffraction efficiency are given for various cases with a twist angle equal to or less than 90 degrees.
Hiatus/paraesophageal hernias in neonatal Marfan syndrome

We report on an infant with neonatal Marfan syndrome (NMS) and hiatus/paraesophageal hernia who presented to a university hospital with an unusual early complication of this connective tissue disorder. An abnormal course of the nasogastric tube was noted on the first day of life by a radiograph of the chest and abdomen performed for bloody gastric drainage. The question of esophageal perforation was raised. Subsequent contrast study demonstrated a large hiatus/paraesophageal hernia with pronounced gastroesophageal reflux (GER). A part of the hernia was positioned posterior and to the right of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), presumably the location of the nasogastric tube as noted on the initial films. Although characterized by cardiac/aortic abnormalities, NMS can be a difficult diagnosis and should be considered in any infant with hiatus/paraesophageal hernia with or without GER. Am. J. Med. Genet. 72:156–158, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The invented spellings of non-Spanish phonemes by Spanish–English bilingual and English monolingual kindergarteners

This study compared the English spelling of native Spanish-speaking children receiving English-only instruction with monolingual native English speaking children at the end of kindergarten. In invented spelling, young bilingual children can show us how they perceive the unique sounds of English by the way they map English letters onto non-Spanish sounds. The spelling of non-Spanish phonemes and English and Spanish stop consonants differing in voice onset time were examined. The relationship of plausible English spelling with English vocabulary knowledge was also investigated. The bilingual kindergarteners had significantly fewer correct spellings of ending stop consonants, which differ phonetically in English and Spanish, than did the monolingual group. No significant difference between the two groups at the end of kindergarten was found when spelling non-Spanish phonemes however. The lexical restructuring model was applied to explain a positive correlation between vocabulary and plausible English spellings.
Effects of antioxidants on cancer prevention and neuromotor performance in Atm deficient mice

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by immunodeficiency, neurodegeneration and cancer. The disease results from bi-allelic mutations in the AT mutated (ATM) gene involved in cell cycle checkpoint control and repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Evidence has been accumulating that oxidative stress is associated with AT and may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. This led to a hypothesis that antioxidants may alleviate the symptoms of AT. Consequently, several studies were conducted in Atm deficient mice to examine the role of antioxidants in cancer prevention and/or correction of neuromotor performance. N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), EUK-189, tempol, and 5-carboxy-1,1,3,3-tetramethylisoindolin-2-yloxyl (CTMIO) have been tested in Atm deficient mice. In contrast to other antioxidants, NAC has been used in the clinical practice for many decades and is available as a dietary supplement. In this article, we review chemoprevention studies in Atm deficient mice and, in more detail, our findings on the effect of NAC. Our short-term study showed that NAC suppressed genome rearrangements linked to cancer. The long-term study demonstrated that NAC reduced the incidence and multiplicity of lymphoma and improved some aspects of motor performance.
Material Selection for Ceramic Gun Tube Liner

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory is investigating the application of ceramics as bore materials in advanced gun systems. The lower mass and improved high temperature performance of ceramics over traditional gun steels could produce new barrels with improved service life and lower weight while enabling the use of new propellants. Several different ceramics have been researched into which material would best survive the interior ballistic conditions for a variety of different caliber systems. The candidate materials are commercially available monolithic ceramics. Alumina, zirconia, three silicon carbide compositions, two silicon nitride compositions, and a SiAlON material were initially selected. A coupled approach of modeling and experimental verification led to the downselection of the silicon nitride and SiAlON materials as the most capable of surviving the interior ballistic conditions and functioning as a barrel liner. This paper describes the tests, presents the results, and discusses the reasons for...
Anticorrelated electrons from weak recollisions in nonsequential double ionization

The production of anticorrelated (back-to-back) electrons in double ionization of atoms by lasers at 483 or 800 nm is examined with 3D classical ensembles, for situations in which the energy available at recollision is less than the binding energy. Recollision excitation typically leads to unequal electron energies. The more energetic electron most often drifts into the backward direction, whereas the other electron may be more likely to drift into the forward direction. That electron often ionizes late in the first laser maximum after recollision or early in the second maximum.
The Factorial Validity of Scores from a Cognitively Designed Test: The Spatial Learning Ability Test

The Spatial Learning Ability Test (SLAT) was designed from a cognitive processing theory to measure specified aspects of spatial processing. Mathematical modeling of item difficulties and response times have supported SLAT as involving primarily spatial processing. Here, four studies on the factorial validity of SLAT are summarized to elaborate nomothetic span. SLAT was the highest loading test on the spatial ability factor in the context of either simple or complex spatial tests. Further, SLAT was less related to verbal-analytic coding skills than many other spatial tests, including a test that contained the same item type. Thus consistent with the construct representation of SLAT as involving spatial processing, the factorial validity studies indicate SLAT as a more pure measure of spatial ability.
Aspects of the biology and radiation response of cloned C3H mouse mammary carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo

Abstract A combination of methods is described which has proven successful in establishing clonable cell lines from all primary or transplanted C3H/Wr or C3Hf/Wr mouse mammary carcinomas thus far tested. Both epithelioid and spindle cell types were observed in outgrowths from all tumors. All but two of the cell lines, both of the spindle type, gave rise to tumors after inoculation into histocompatible mice. Studies with two representative cloned epithelioid and one cloned spindle cell line showed that tumor growth in mice was more rapid and predictable when the cells had recently been grown in mice. Experiments designed to determine whether this mouse-passage affect resulted from pronounced antigenic differences between long-term cultured cells and the host mice were negative. Data from an experiment in which 125 I- 5 -iodo- 2 ′-deoxyuridine-labelled cells were employed, indicated however that a greater percentage of the inoculated mouse passaged cells than of long-term cultured cells survived to contribute to tumor formation. When lethally-irradiated cells were included in the inocula, the ‘effective number' of in vitro colony-forming units required for tumor formation in vivo was found to be about 2 and 3 for two epithelioid cell lines, respectively. Finally, the three cell lines studied had differing D 0 values when irradiated in vitro . The D 0 for irradiation in vivo of one epithelioid cell line was nearly identical to that of the transplanted tumor strain from which it was derived. Studies of the tumor- and radiobiology of these cell lines are continuing.
Crystal structure and fluorescence lifetime of NdAl3(BO3)4, a promising laser material☆

The structure of NdAl3(BO3)4, determined by single-crystal x-ray analysis, is rhombohedral with space group R32 and cell parameters a = 9.3416 (6)A, c = 7.3066 (8)A, Z = 3. A full-matrix, least-squares refinement gives R = 0.033 and Rw = 0.037. The Nd atoms, Al atoms and B atoms occupy trigonal prisms, octahedra, and triangles of oxygen, respectively. Edge-shared Al octahedra form helices along the c-axis. These helices are connected by isolated B triangles and isolated Nd trigonal prisms. The fluorescence lifetime of the 4F32 → 4I112 transition of Nd+3 is reported for the system NdxGd1−xAl3(BO3)4. The lifetime of NdAl3(BO3)4 is 19us, and concentration quenching is reduced in the series, as happens in NdNa5(WO4)4 (85μs) and NdP5O14 (115μs). The shorter lifetime is attributed to noncentrosymmetry; the reduced concentration quenching to isolation of Nd polyhedra.
Circadian rhythm and uptake of taurine by the rat pineal gland

Abstract Taurine is believed to be a modulator of membrane excitability in muscle and a neuroinhibitory transmitter in the central nervous system. The retina and pineal contain relatively large quantities of taurine. Taurine levels in the retina are reported to be responsive to variations in lighting conditions. We report here a carcadian rhythm for taurine in the mature male rat pineal gland. The maximum taurine concentration occurs at the midpoint of the light period, 24 ± 1.9 nmoles/gland, and the minimum at the beginning of the dark period, 13.9 ± 1.6 nmoles/gland. Sympathectomy by bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy lowered pineal taurine levels. Constant light and blinding had no effect. Taurine was demonstrated to be taken up by the pineal gland in vitro in organ culture. The uptake was saturable, Km = 2.0 mM, and sodium dependent. The close structural analogs hypotaurine and β-alanine inhibited taurine uptake but α-alanine did not. We have demonstrated a circadian rhythm for taurine content in the rat pineal gland and the presence of a sodium-dependent transport system for taurine in the pineal in vitro in organ culture.
Detecting performance variance in complex surgical procedures: analysis of a step-wise technique for laparoscopic right hepatectomy

Abstract Background Laparoscopic right hepatectomy (LRH) is a technically challenging operation. Our aim is to evaluate a standardized technique of LRH and determine variances in performance. Methods The procedure was deconstructed into 7 major step-wise components. All LRH followed the same surgical sequence, and used the same devices and operating room set-up. Thirty randomly selected video recordings of the procedure underwent intraoperative time analysis. The variances measured by standard deviation of each step were calculated (mean in minutes ± standard deviation). Results Mean total operative time was 114 ± 25 min. The steps with the least variance were inferior vena cava dissection (8 ± 3) and right hepatic vein ligation (9 ± 5). The longest and also the step with the greatest variance was parenchymal transection (35 ± 12). Conclusions LRH can be performed consistently using a standardized step-wise technique. Parenchymal transection had most variation, and this could be explained by intrinsic liver factors. Surgical performance improvement should begin with deconstructing the operation into definable steps to identify areas for change.
Shared commitment to women's health abroad and at home

Although not to the same degree as in developing countries maternal mortality remains a problem in the USA especially among underserved populations. Pregnant women in the USA are affected by the same life-threatening health disorders as women worldwide: hypertension hemorrhage and sepsis among others. The author discusses in a woman’s ability to obtain health insurance in the USA. The Affordable Care Act the Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation have changed the way women access health services during pregnancy and enhanced prenatal care models. The author encourages that all parties assess the state of women’s health in their home countries which includes both developing and developed countries.
The Spin of the Pion via the Reaction π + + d ⇋ p + p

It is possible to determine the spin of the pion by comparing the forward and backward rates of the reaction ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}+d\ensuremath{\leftrightharpoons}p+p$. The backward rate has been measured in Berkeley. We have measured the forward rate. Comparison of the two results shows the spin to be zero. In the light of other recent experimental results the meson is then pseudoscalar.
Electrophysiological and morphological properties of neurons in the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus of the rabbit.

The ventral lateral geniculate nucleus of the rabbit has been studied with light and electron microscopy, as well as single unit extracellular recordings. There are two basic types of neurons in the nucleus, and three synaptic types, designated RS, RL and F. There are also synaptic glomeruli, in which RL axons are always involved. The arrangement of these synaptic types and their percentage of occurrence closely resembles that in dorsal thalamic nuclei. Retinal projections are found in both external and internal sectors of the nucleus, shown by both degeneration and autoradiographic techniques. Retinal projections to the internal sector are sparser and degenerate more rapidly than those to the external sector. Electrophysiological studies revealed some neurons in both external and internal sectors with receptive fields resembling those in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. There were, however, a significant number of neurons with an indefinite visual response or no visual response at all. The possible role of the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus in visual function is discussed.
Temperature affects physiological stress responses to acute confinement in sunshine bass (Morone chrysops×Morone saxatilis)

Abstract Sunshine bass ( Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis ) were subjected to a 15-min low-water confinement stressor at temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 °C. Physiological responses were evaluated by measuring hematocrit, and plasma chloride, glucose and cortisol. Fish acclimated to 30 °C had initial glucose concentrations of 3.13 mM (564 mg/L) which were significantly lower than in fish acclimated to 5 and 10 °C (4.32 and 4.82 mM or 779 and 868 mg/l, respectively). Fish survived the conditions imposed at every temperature except 30 °C, where 15 out of 42 fish died during the stress and recovery protocol. The general pattern was an initial increase in hematocrit, followed by a delayed decrease in hematocrit and chloride, and an increase in plasma glucose and cortisol. In general, fish stressed at temperatures below 20 °C had lower and more delayed changes in plasma glucose and cortisol than fish tested at 20, 25 and 30 °C. Initial cortisol concentrations were 65 ng/ml and increased to above 200 ng/ml in fish held at 20 °C and above. At the higher temperatures, glucose concentrations were twice the initial concentration after stress and cortisol changes were four to five times the initial concentration after the stress. Quantitative responses for glucose and cortisol were moderate and recovery rapid in fish stressed at 10 and 15 °C; therefore, this range of water temperature is recommended when handling sunshine bass.