cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of Diabetic Macular Edema: Nidek 3Dx Stereophotography Compared With Fundus Biomicroscopy

Purpose To assess the use of the Nidek 3Dx simultaneous stereophotography camera in diabetic patients, comparing the detection of clinically significant macular edema by fundus biomicroscopy to detection by the Nidek 3Dx simultaneous fundus stereophotograph. Methods Two hundred eight eyes of 123 diabetic patients at the Wilmer Retinal Vascular Center were examined for this prospective study between August 1993 and October 1993. Each patient was examined by one of three retina specialists by contact lens biomicroscopy for clinically significant macular edema and foveal center thickening. Nidek 3Dx fundus stereophotographs were obtained and graded independently for clinically significant macular edema and foveal center thickening by a fourth ophthalmologist masked from the clinical examination findings. Percent agreement, kappa statistic, and weighted kappa statistic were determined for the two diagnostic methods. Results One hundred eighty-four (88%) of the 208 stereophotographs were of sufficient quality to detect clinically significant macular edema; 175 (84%) of the 208 stereophotographs detected foveal center thickening. The agreement between the clinician and the photographic grading, measured by weighted kappa, was 0.52 for clinically significant macular edema and 0.58 for foveal center thickening, representing fair to good agreement beyond chance. Agreement was improved when normal fundus Nidek stereophotographs were available as standards for comparison. Conclusions The Nidek 3Dx camera is suitable for photographic detection of clinically significant macular edema and may have a potential advantage over conventional cameras by achieving good-quality, gradable stereophotographs in a large proportion of photographed eyes.
Performance enhancement through replication in an object-oriented DBMS

In this paper we describe how replicated data can be used to speedup query processing in an object-oriented database system. The general idea is to use replicated data to eliminate some of the functional joins that would otherwise be required for query processing. We refer to our technique for replicating data as field replication because it allows individual data fields to be selectively replicated. In the paper we describe how field replication can be specified at the data model level and we present storage-level mechanisms to efficiently support it. We also present an analytical cost model to give some feel for how beneficial field replication can be and the circumstances under which it breaks down. While field replication is a relatively simple notion, the analysis shows that it can provide significant performance gains in many situations.
MimoSA: a system for minimotif annotation

Background Minimotifs are short peptide sequences within one protein, which are recognized by other proteins or molecules. While there are now several minimotif databases, they are incomplete. There are reports of many minimotifs in the primary literature, which have yet to be annotated, while entirely novel minimotifs continue to be published on a weekly basis. Our recently proposed function and sequence syntax for minimotifs enables us to build a general tool that will facilitate structured annotation and management of minimotif data from the biomedical literature.
A physical map of bacteriophage SP82 DNA

Abstract SP82 DNA has been digested with HaeIII, SalI and HpaII and the molecular weights of the fragments have been determined. HaeIII cleaves SP82 DNA at four points yielding five fragments (Hae A through E), digestion with SalI produces four fragments (Sal A through D) and cleavage with HpaII and electrophoresis separates 37 bands. The sequential digestion of SP82 DNA first by HaeIII and then by SalI permits ordering of Hae and Sal fragments on a simple restriction endonuclease map of SP82 DNA. The origin of some of the HpaII fragments has been determined by digestion of purified Hae, Sal and combined Hae-Sal fragments by HpaII. The molecular weight of SP82 DNA, estimated from summation of the molecular weights of the restriction fragments, is 80–90 · 106 daltons.
CA3 Retrieves Coherent Representations from Degraded Input: Direct Evidence for CA3 Pattern Completion and Dentate Gyrus Pattern Separation

Theories of associative memory suggest that successful memory storage and recall depend on a balance between two complementary processes: pattern separation (to minimize interference) and pattern completion (to retrieve a memory when presented with partial or degraded input cues). Putative attractor circuitry in the hippocampal CA3 region is thought to be the final arbiter between these two processes. Here we present direct, quantitative evidence that CA3 produces an output pattern closer to the originally stored representation than its degraded input patterns from the dentate gyrus (DG). We simultaneously recorded activity from CA3 and DG of behaving rats when local and global reference frames were placed in conflict. CA3 showed a coherent population response to the conflict (pattern completion), even though its DG inputs were severely disrupted (pattern separation). The results thus confirm the hallmark predictions of a longstanding computational model of hippocampal memory processing.
C-MYB FUNCTION IN FIBROBLASTS

The protooncogene c-myb is a nuclear transcription factor that shares significant sequence homology with two other myb family members, A-myb and B-myb. Recent studies have suggested that c-myb is involved in regulation of the cell cycle via control of intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i concentration. Given the limited cell type expression of the c-myb gene, we set out to investigate whether myb-dependent cell cycle regulation occurs in cells not known to express the c-myb protein. NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were stably transfected with an inducible c-myb dominant negative construct composed of a myb DNA binding domain linked to the Drosophila engrailed transcription suppresser (pGREMEn) and a full-length murine c-myb cDNA sequence. Induced expression of the dominant negative construct was associated with a G1 cell cycle arrest and a failure to increase late G1 intracellular calcium levels. Similar expression studies in mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from the c-myb knockout mouse have demonstrated lower baseline [Ca2+]i levels than in normal mice fibroblasts that were not further lowered by MEn expression. We conclude that regulation of calcium homeostasis and cell cycle progression via myb-dependent transcription may play an important role in cells not possessing detectable levels of c-myb protein.
A case of acute kidney injury due to complex, partial, multifocal ureteral strictures

In this article, Segal describes the case of an 89-year-old man with a history of prostate cancer who presented with hyperkalemia and kidney failure. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with acute kidney injury due to both upper and lower urinary tract obstruction. A series of schematic diagrams illustrating an interpretation of the events that occurred in the patient is presented. Background An 89-year-old man with a history of prostate cancer who had undergone radical prostatectomy 15 years ago presented with hyperkalemia (serum potassium level 6.9 mmol/l) and kidney failure (serum creatinine level 937 µmol/l [10.6 mg/dl]). Ultrasound scan of his kidneys showed mild bilateral hydronephrosis. Although placement of a bladder catheter led to an initial increase in glomerular filtration rate, the improvement was delayed and incomplete. Subsequently, the patient's glomerular filtration rate decreased acutely. This unusual biphasic course of kidney injury begged explanation. Investigations Physical examination, measurements of serum creatinine level and electrolytes, imaging of the urinary tract (ultrasound and CT scans), and nephrostograms. Diagnosis Acute kidney injury due to upper (multiple ureteral strictures bilaterally) and lower (urethral) urinary tract obstruction. Management Placement of bladder catheter and percutaneous nephrostomy tubes followed by bilateral internal ureteral stents.
Thermally Limited Current Carrying Ability of Graphene Nanoribbons

We investigate high-field transport in graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) on ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$, up to breakdown. The maximum current density is limited by self-heating, but can reach $g3\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{mA}/\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ for GNRs $\ensuremath{\sim}15\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{nm}$ wide. Comparison with larger, micron-sized graphene devices reveals that narrow GNRs benefit from 3D heat spreading into the ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$, which enables their higher current density. GNRs also benefit from lateral heat flow to the contacts in short devices ($l\ensuremath{\sim}0.3\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$), which allows extraction of a median GNR thermal conductivity (TC), $\ensuremath{\sim}80\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{W}\text{ }{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{\mathrm{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at $20\text{ }\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{C}$ across our samples, dominated by phonons. The TC of GNRs is an order of magnitude lower than that of micron-sized graphene on ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$, suggesting strong roles of edge and defect scattering, and the importance of thermal dissipation in small GNR devices.
Global seasonal atmospheric fluctuations on Mars

The analysis of Mariner 9 radio occultation data concerning the Mars' atmosphere provides information on seasonal changes in pressure, changes in temperature, and the exchange of carbon dioxide between the polar caps and the Martian atmosphere. An error analysis of occultation data is briefly discussed along with zonal analysis procedures, hemispheric elevation differences on Mars, seasonal temperature variations near the surface of Mars, a pressure analysis on surfaces of equal potential, seasonal pressure oscillations in local regions, global seasonal pressure oscillations, and seasonal pressure oscillations associated with seasonal growth and decay of polar caps.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SCHILL'S SELF-DEFEATING PERSONALITY SCALE AND COOLIDGE'S PERSONALITY DISORDERS INVENTORY '

Summary.-81 men and 82 women were administered Schill's (1990) Self-defeating Personality Scale and Coolidge's (1992) Axis Two Inventory. As expected. Schill's and Coolidge's measures of self-defeating personahty disorder were highly correlated (.70 for men and .74 for women). Scores on Schill's scale also had correlations >.50 with scores on six of the other personality disorder scales for men and five for women. This argues against self-defeating personality disorder as measured by Schill's scale being a distinct construct. The pattern of the correlations suggests that besides assessing a person's maladaptive self-defeating traits, Schill's measure also may assess the person's anxiety and concerns about interpersonal relationships. This study evaluated the concurrent vahdity of Schill's (1990) Self-defeating Personahty Scale. The scale was developed as part of a research program to understand why some people consistently behave in a self-defeating manner. It uses a dimensional approach so the higher the score the more maladaptive self-defeating traits the respondent is assumed to have. Recently, the Coolidge Axis Two Inventory has been developed to assess the personality dsorders listed in DSM-111-R (Coolidge & Menvin, 1992). One would expect since both Schill's and Coolidge's measures are based on DSM-111-R criteria scores on them should be highly correlated. Correlations between Schill's measure and the other personality disorders measured by Coolidge's scale were also assessed to check for discriminant vahdity. Concern has been expressed (Fiester, 1991) that the Self-defeating Personality construct may overlap to a significant extent with the other personality dsorders. METHOD Subjects were 81 men and 82 women undergraduates who volunteered and received credt for participating in research conducted with an introductory psychology class. The course was both for majors and nonmajors. Seventy-six percent were Euro-American, 13% were black, while the remaining subjects were either Asian or Hispanic. Their mean age was 19 yr. Respondents completed two measures in groups of approximately 20 stu
A Short-Term Ensemble Wind Speed Forecasting System for Wind Power Applications

AbstractThis study develops an adaptive, blended forecasting system to provide accurate wind speed forecasts 1 h ahead of time for wind power applications. The system consists of an ensemble of 21 forecasts with different configurations of the Weather Research and Forecasting Single Column Model and persistence, autoregressive, and autoregressive moving-average models. The ensemble is calibrated against observations for a 6-month period (January–June 2006) at a potential wind-farm site in Illinois using the Bayesian model averaging technique. The forecasting system is evaluated against observations for the July 2006–December 2007 period at the same site. The calibrated ensemble forecasts significantly outperform the forecasts from the uncalibrated ensemble as well the time series models under all environmental stability conditions. This forecasting system is computationally more efficient than traditional numerical weather prediction models and can generate a calibrated forecast, including model runs and ...
An ab initio approximation for the modified Paschen's curve for breakdown in microscale electrode gaps

Summary form only given. Over the past decade, the nature of breakdown in microscale electrode gaps has begun receiving significant attention both because of the potential impact breakdown could have on MEMS devices and as the development of plasma devices trends to smaller and smaller scales. It has been shown that the traditional description of breakdown called Paschen's curve holds true for larger electrode gaps, in the range of approximately 3-15 u m, breakdown deviates significantly from this form. It is now generally accepted that electron field emission is the physical mechanism that causes this deviation to form the so-called modified Paschen's curve. While a simple mathematical formulation exists for Paschen's curve, there is no simple formulation for modified Paschen's curve. A form that includes the effect of ion-enhanced field emission has been previously suggested, but this form relies heavily on a fitting factor. In this work, the underlying physics and parameters of the fitting factor are investigated to formulate an ab initio form of the modified Paschen's curve. This formulation includes the factors of the Fowler-Nordheim equation, and an electrostatics approximation for the impact an ion approaching the cathode has on the electric field. The implications of this approximation, how well it compares to experimental data, and how it may be used for parameteric design are all discussed.
Creating a Comprehensive Care System for Frail Elders in “Age Boom” America

Current options being discussed by policymakers cannot yield the highly reliable, highly efficient service delivery system-inclusive of both health care and community-based supportive services-that the nation's upcoming and transformative "age wave" will require. More far-reaching and rapid innovations in policy and health care delivery are essential. The MediCaring Accountable Care Community initiative is a comprehensive model that can deliver higher quality care for frail elderly Medicare beneficiaries at a lower per capita cost. The savings generated by adhering to established geriatric principles in the delivery of medical care would help fund community-based long-term services and supports (LTSS), using a modified Accountable Care Organization (ACO) known as an Accountable Care Community (ACC). A Community Board would monitor the quality and supply of services for frail elders, the most expensive phase of most lives. The constellation of improvements that form the basis of this model are congruent with the goal of improving access to LTSS, which is one of the 4 areas targeted by the Sixth White House Conference on Aging.
The C-terminal tail of tetraspanin protein CD9 contributes to its function and molecular organization

Tetraspanin protein CD9 supports sperm–egg fusion, and regulates cell adhesion, motility, metastasis, proliferation and signaling. The large extracellular loop and transmembrane domains of CD9 engage in functionally important interactions with partner proteins. However, neither functional nor biochemical roles have been shown for the CD9 C-terminal tail, despite it being highly conserved throughout vertebrate species. To gain new insight into the CD9 tail, three C-terminal amino acids (Glu-Met-Val) were replaced with residues corresponding to C-terminal amino acids from tetraspanin protein CD82 (Pro-Lys-Tyr). Wild-type and mutant CD9 were then stably expressed in MOLT-4, K562, U937, RD and HT1080 cells. Whereas wild-type CD9 inhibited cell adhesion and spreading on fibronectin, mutant CD9 did not. Wild-type CD9 also promoted homotypic cell–cell aggregation and microvilli formation, whereas mutant CD9 did not. Protein interactions of wild-type and mutant CD9 were compared quantitatively using stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) in conjunction with liquid-chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology. SILAC results showed that, despite wild-type and mutant CD9 having identical expression levels, mutant CD9 and its major transmembrane interacting partners were recovered in substantially reduced amounts from 1% Brij 96 lysates. Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that mutant CD9 recovery was decreased in Brij 96, but not in more stringent Triton X-100 detergent. Additionally, compared with wild-type CD9 complexes, mutant CD9 complexes were larger and more oligomerized in Brij 96 detergent, consistent with decreased Brij 96 solubility, perhaps due to more membrane domains packing more tightly together. In conclusion, multiple CD9 functions depend on its C-terminal tail, which affects the molecular organization of CD9 complexes, as manifested by their altered solubilization in Brij 96 and organization on the cell surface.
Varicella-zoster virus: Pathogenesis, immunity, and clinical management in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients

New information about the mechanisms of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) pathogenesis and the host response to the v i rus has improved our understanding of the threat that VZV reactivation may pose after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Antiviral therapy compensates for some of the deficiencies in VZV immunity in HCT re c i p i e n t s , and inactivated varicella vaccine may be useful for the early reconstitution of adaptive immunity to VZV after HCT.
Interpretation of Tests for Resistance to Abrasion of Textiles

The resistance to abrasion of sixteen cotton fabrics, which varied systematically in warp and filling yarn number and in ends and picks, was determined with the Schiefer abrasion testing machine, u...
Virtual page tag reduction for low-power TLBs

We present a methodology for a power-optimized, software-controlled translation lookaside buffer (TLB) organization. A highly reduced number of virtual page number (VPN) bits sufficient to perform physical address translation is efficiently identified and used when performing TLB lookups, delivering significant power reductions. Information regarding the virtual address space of the program code and data provided by the compiler is augmented with information regarding the dynamically linked libraries and data allocated run-time by the loader, the dynamic linker, and the memory manager. The hardware support needed is constrained to disabling bitlines of the tag arrays associated to the 1-TLB and the D-TLB. Algorithms for identifying the reduced VPNs for power optimized TLB operations together with the required OS support are presented.
A TEST FOR DIFFUSIBLE IONS : I. THE IONIC NATURE OF TRYPSIN.

1. The Donnan equilibrium furnishes a test for the ionic nature of any diffusible substance, since the ratio of the concentration of any ion on the two sides of a membrane must be equal to the ratio of the concentrations of any other ion of the same sign and valence, whereas a non-ionic substance would be equally distributed on both sides. 2. The distribution of trypsin inside and outside of gelatin particles has been compared to the distribution of hydrogen and chloride ions under the same conditions. 3. The ratio of the trypsin concentration in the gelatin to the concentration in the outside liquid is equal to the ratio of the hydrogen ion under the same conditions and to the reciprocal of the chloride ion ratio. 4. This result was obtained between pH 2.0 and 10.2. At pH 10.2 the trypsin is equally distributed and on the akaline side of 10.2 the ratio is directly equal to the chloride ratio. 5. Trypsin is therefore a positive monovalent ion in solutions of pH 10 to 2. It is probably isoelectric at 10.2 and a monovalent negative ion on the alkaline side of 10.2 6. Trypsin must also be a strong base since there is no evidence of any undissociated form on the acid side of pH 10.2.
Strangeness mixing and quenching in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model☆

Abstract We study the mixing of quarks of one flavor into the wavefunction of constituent quarks of a different flavor when chiral symmetry breaks dynamically in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model. First we generalize the Nambu-Jona-Lasino model to N ƒ flavors including U(1) A symmetry breaking by a 2N ƒ - fermion interaction. In the Hartree-Fock approximation, this term is entirely responsible for flavor mixing. We specialize to three flavors and use meson properties and vacuum quark condensates to fix the three parameters of the model. We show that there are generically two different regimes in the broken chiral symmetry phase. Non-linearities in the strange quark mass are strong in the “barely broken regime”, allowing for a large Σ-term and a small s-quark content of the proton. In the “firmly broken regime”, non-linearities in m s , are small, chiral perturbation theory is likely to be reliable and the Σ-term is small. We also study deep inelastic scattering and demonstrate that dynamical chiral symmetry breaking gives rise to a non-negligible s-parton distribution.
The possibility of optical detection of generalized Wigner-crystal states in restricted-dimensional nanostructures

Abstract We discuss the possible detection of the onset of Wigner crystallization in 2-D electron systems (2-DES) using light scattering techniques. It is proposed that the transverse-like hybrid magneto-phonon mode with k 3 2 could be detected by light scattering owing to the unusually short Brillouin-zone wavevector of the Wigner lattice. The effect can be enhanced by the use of a specially prepared nanostructure where the 2-D layers are arranged in a superlattice along the z-direction, while each 2-D layer (x-y plane) is gated to be in the form of 2-D electron strips alternating with electron-free regions. The effect of the superlattice in the z-direction is to stabilize the Wigner crystal, while the effect of the in-plane periodic gating is to create folded transverse phonon modes of the Wigner lattice. Folding helps to access higher k-values in the dispersion. We consider the nature of the Wigner lattice of the 2-D electrons confined in strips, placed in a suitable magnetic field. It is found that these restricted geometries support a wide variety of Wigner lattices besides the usual hexagonal lattice of the infinite 2-D system. Here we consider the “toy model” of a quasi-one dimensional strip and discuss the stable lattices as a function of the filling factor. The ground state configurations of these restricted 2-DES are closely related to those of t-J type model Hamiltonians studied recently in relation to high temperature superconductors and anyon excitations.
An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for Serological Diagnosis of Neospora Sp. Infection in Cattle:

A kinetic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and optimized for detection of antibodies to Neospora sp. in cattle. Sonicated tachyzoites of Neospora sp. isolated from an aborted bovine fetus were used as antigen. Variability in immunoblot patterns among positive sera, and the fact that all life stages of the parasites are unknown, justified use of a multiple-antigen ELISA to allow for maximum sensitivity. Immunoblot analysis revealed negligible cross-reactions between Toxoplasma gondii antigen and Neospora sp. antisera and between Neospora sp. antigen and antisera from various apicomplexan parasites. The maximum positive-to-negative Vmax (average maximum slope of the optical density over time) ratio was obtained using 200 ng/well of sonicated tachyzoite antigen and a 1:200 serum dilution. Using logistic regression to determine the optimal cutoff point between known infected and noninfected cattle, a sample-to-positive control Vmax ratio of 0.45 was found to maximize the percent correct classification, with an estimated sensitivity of 88.6% and specificity of 96.5%. Use of Neospora caninum antigen following the same protocol demonstrated no difference in ELISA interpretation. Comparison with an existing indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test showed the ELISA to be the more sensitive and specific test for serodiagnosis of Neospora infection in cattle.
Armchair Comet Hunters

Amateur astronomer Michael Oates (Figure 13.1) had no idea that comets could actually be discovered by browsing images posted on the Internet, until 29 January 2000, but incredibly, between 30 January 2000 and the end of July 2002, he discovered no fewer than 136 comets without ever going outdoors!
Shifts in Stereotactic Radiosurgery Platform Utilization for Brain Metastases in the United States

survival and freedom from distant relapse were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The 5-year local control rate was 98%. Control of disease in the orbit was achieved in all but one patient who developed an outof-field recurrence after irradiation of a lacrimal tumor and was salvaged successfully with further radiation therapy. The 5-year regional control rate was 91% (3 patients failed in the contralateral orbit and 1 patient failed in the ipsilateral parotid). Freedom from metastasis, cause-specific survival, and overall survival rates at 5 years were 76%, 89%, and 76%, respectively. Acute toxicity was minimal. Eight patients (18%) reported worsened vision following radiation therapy, and cataracts developed in eight patients. Cataracts developed in 6 of 28 patients treated without lens shielding (21%) and 2 of 16 patients (13%) treated with lens shielding. No patient developed significant late lacrimal toxicity. Conclusion: Radiation therapy is a safe and effective local treatment in the management of orbital lymphoma. Author Disclosure: S. Kharod: None.M.P. Herman: None. C.G. Morris: None. J. Lightsey: None. W.M. Mendenhall: None. N.P. Mendenhall: None.
Extensions of the simultaneous design of gas-phase adiabatic tubular reactor systems with gas recycle

Luyben studied the simultaneous design of a simple gas-phase tubular reactor system with a single feed stream and independent reactor preheating and cooling for a reversible reaction. Reyes and Luyben studied an irreversible reaction system with a reactor feed preheating system (feed-effluent heat exchanger and furnace) but assumed equimolal concentrations of reactants in the recycle gas. A simple separation was assumed in both of these studies. Reyes and Luyben recently explored systems with more realistic separation systems (a distillation column) for gas-phase tubular reactors with liquid recycle and with a dual recycle system. This paper extends this work for two cases: (1) the reversible reaction system is explored with a realistic feed preheating system and with two fresh feed streams, and (2) the irreversible reaction system is studied for nonequimolal reactant concentrations. The exothermic gas-phase reaction A+B⇔C occurs in an adiabatic tubular reactor. A gas recycle returns unconverted reactants from the separation section consisting of a simple separator in which product C is removed in the liquid phase and reactants A and B are recycled in the gas phase back to the reactor inlet. Optimum steady-state economic designs are shown to lead to poor dynamic responses. Slight modifications of the plant design lead to a much more easily controlled plant. In the reversible case, the additional furnace heat input leads to a better dynamic performance. In the irreversible case, a higher reactor inlet temperature improves dynamics.
Transfer of allergic encephalomyelitis using splenectomized albino rats.

SummaryPreviously described methods of transferring allergic encephalomyelitis in commercially available randomly bred, albino rats sensitized to nervous tissue plus adjuvant, entailed use of parabiosis or pretreatment of recipients with normal spleen cells of prospective sensitized lymph node cell donors. Further study indicates that the disease may be transferred using lymph node cells of splenectomized donors sensitized to nervous tissue and either intact or splenectomized recipients. Splenectomy of only the recipient does not appear to facilitate transfer of the disease.
Direct Ridership Model of Rail Rapid Transit Systems in Canada

A direct ridership model for Canadian rail rapid transit systems is presented. The goal of the study was to produce a ridership model to evaluate the specific context of Canadian rapid transit: no comprehensive model existed. Data were collected for Canada’s five largest cities, including 342 stations with an average weekday ridership of more than 3 million passengers. Using bootstrapped ordinary least squares regression with station boardings as the dependent variable and 44 socioeconomic, built environment, and system attributes as potential explanatory variables, which were chosen after a review of the direct ridership model literature, the study yielded one model with an adjusted R2 value of .8033. The results are similar to those of models constructed in the United States with respect to densities, land uses, and station amenities, and socioeconomic variables do not appear to be significant. The absence of socioeconomic variables in the final model indicates that planners and policy makers have significant scope to exert influence over transit use through land use planning, design, and service features.
Microsystems in Health Care: Part 9. Developing Small Clinical Units to Attain Peak Performance

Article-at-a-Glance Background This last Microsystems in Health Care series article focuses on what it takes, in the short term and long term, for clinical microsystems—the small, functional, front-line units that provide the most health care to the most people—to attain peak performance. Case Study A case study featuring the intensive care nursery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center illustrates the 10-year evolution of a clinical microsystem. Related evolutionary principles begin with the intention to excel, involve all the players, use measurement and feedback, and create a learning system. Discussion A microsystem's typical developmental journey toward excellence entails five stages of growth—awareness as an interdependent group with the capacity to make changes, connecting routine daily work to the high purpose of benefiting patients, responding successfully to strategic challenges, measuring the microsystem's performance as a system, and juggling improvements while taking care of patients. A Model Curriculum Health system leaders can sponsor an action-learning program to catalyze development of clinical microsystems. A "green-belt curriculum" can help clinical staff members acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills that they will need to master if they are to increase their capacity to attain higher levels of performance; uses action-learning theory and sound education principles to provide the opportunity to learn, test, and gain some degree of mastery; and involves people in the challenging real work of improving.
Simultaneous integrated boost using stereotactic radiosurgery for resected brain metastases: rationale, dosimetric parameters, and preliminary clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND Radiosurgery has been shown to reduce the rates of local recurrence in the postoperative bed after the resection of brain metastases, but the ideal radiation dose has not been well defined. OBJECTIVE To present dosimetric parameters and preliminary clinical outcomes for patients undergoing postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) for brain metastases. METHODS AND MATERIALS 3 patients underwent surgery for a dominant metastatic focus and had residual or recurrent disease in the resection cavity. Our technique delivered a low dose to the resection cavity with an SIB dose to the gross tumor. Clinical target volume (CTV) was the magnetic resonance (MR)-defined resection cavity. Gross tumor volume (GTV) was the MR-defined residual disease. No additional margin was added to either the resection cavity or the residual disease area. Doses ranged from 14-15 Gy for CTV and 17-18 Gy for GTV prescribed to the 71%-78% isodose line. A traditional postoperative radiosurgery plan was constructed for each patient, and dosimetric values were compared using the paired t-test. RESULTS 3 patients were treated at our institution using SRS with SIB. No patient experienced local recurrence. 2 patients developed distant brain failure (mean, 3.5 months). No grade 3 or greater toxicities were observed. The volume of brain receiving 12 Gy was significantly reduced using SIB compared with traditional postoperative SRS (𝑃 = .04). There were no differences in the maximum dose delivered to the tumor (𝑃 = .15) and cavity (𝑃 = .13). The average mean cavity dose was 16.20 Gy using the SIB plan, compared with 19.71 Gy using the traditional plan (𝑃 = .05). CONCLUSIONS In patients with either recurrent or residual disease following surgical resection, SRS using SIB is technically feasible and safe.
Understanding Our Own Beliefs and Desires

Now that we have a framework for understanding the cognitive role of concepts in introspection, we can investigate some of the details of particular conceptual processes and their application to the understanding of one’s own mental states. One of the more interesting and relevant conceptual structures to consider here is folk psychology. Folk psychology, as it is typically understood in philosophy and cognitive science, is the common conceptualization of human activity in terms of ordinary mental states, most notably beliefs and desires, which we utilize to understand one another in everyday life. If, for example, someone mistakes you for a clerk in a bookstore, asking you where to find the gardening section, you will quite likely understand this person’s behavior in terms of a mistaken belief that you work in the store (assuming you are not actually a bookstore clerk, of course). The concept of belief helps you understand the person’s question, in terms of a background psychological state as the reasonable internal cause of her behavior. In this chapter, I will argue that the folk psychological concepts that we use to understand each other in such contexts are applied recursively as well, to one’s own mental states, thereby constituting a notable kind of conceptually mediated introspection. Moreover, in light of the conceptually mediated nature of folk psychology, we will see further how the introspective attribution of mental states to oneself is a fallible and opaque process, in contrast to the Cartesian transparency and infallibility often assumed of introspective knowledge.
Robotic Deposition of TiO2 Films on Flexible Substrates from Hybrid Inks: Investigation of Synthesis-Processing-Microstructure-Photocatalytic Relationships.

TiO2 is an important material widely used in optoelectronic devices due to its semiconducting and photocatalytic properties, nontoxicity, and chemically inert nature. Some indicative applications include water purification systems and energy harvesting. The use of solution, water-based inks for the direct writing of TiO2 on flexible substrates is of paramount importance since it enables low-cost and low-energy intensive large-area manufacturing, compatible with roll-to-roll processing. In this work we study the effect of crystalline TiO2 and polymer addition on the rheological and direct writing properties of Ti-organic/TiO2 inks. We also report on the bridging crystallite formation from the Ti-organic precursor into the TiO2 crystalline phase, under ultraviolet (UV) exposure or mild heat treatments up to 150 °C. Such crystallite formation is found to be enhanced by polymers with strong polarity and pKα such as polyacrylic acid (PAA). X-ray diffraction (XRD) coupled with Raman and X-ray photoelectron (XPS...
Psychopathy, Assessment, and the Structure of Crime

The chapter examines the underlying structure and various measures and assessments of psychopathy. An important issue is that psychopathy accommodates dimensional and categorical conceptualizations and examinations of antisocial behavior. Throughout its history, criminology has grappled with the best approach to studying criminal offenders. Are offenders categorically distinct from non-offenders? Do offenders and non-offenders differ in degree or in kind? If criminality is understood to range along a continuum, are there meaningful thresholds which can be set to distinguish bona fide offenders from lesser offenders? These issues are central in the psychopathy literature where there has been debate whether psychopaths are a distinct taxon or psychopathic personality is better understood as a continuously measured construct. It can be used as both.
One-cycle Controller for renewable energy conversion systems

The one-cycle control (OCC) technique developed in the UCI Power Electronics Laboratory is a simple and powerful method for renewable power conversion. OCC performs pulse-width modulation and sawtooth slope modulation, which results in accurate, fast, and stable control of nonlinear switching dynamics. Renewable energy generated from solar panels and wind turbines is wild in nature. A power converter is required to convert the solar power or wind power respectively to that acceptable to the power grid. In both cases, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is desirable to maximize the power extraction.
Immediate Rewards Predict Adherence to Long-Term Goals

People primarily pursue long-term goals, such as exercising, to receive delayed rewards (e.g., improved health). However, we find that the presence of immediate rewards is a stronger predictor of persistence in goal-related activities than the presence of delayed rewards. Specifically, immediate rewards (e.g., enjoyment) predicted current persistence at New Year's resolutions whereas delayed rewards did not (Study 1). Furthermore, immediate rewards predicted persistence in a single session of studying and exercising whereas delayed rewards did not, even though people report primarily pursuing these activities for delayed rewards (Studies 2 and 3). This is true for both short (1 week) and long (3 month) time frames (Study 4), and regardless of whether anticipated or materialized rewards are assessed (Study 5). Overall, whereas delayed rewards may motivate goal setting and the intentions to pursue long-term goals, a meta-analysis of our studies finds that immediate rewards are more strongly associated with actual persistence in a long-term goal.
A novel dual-polarized omnidirectional ceiling antenna

A novel dual-polarized omnidirectional ceiling antenna was proposed in this paper, including horizontal and vertical polarization. The vertical polarization adopt asymmetric biconical radiation element with ultra-wideband characteristic, having smart size for landscaping. The horizontal polarization adopt a ring array including five dipoles, produce horizontal omnidirectional radiation equivalent to uniform current loop. Then, the antenna model was simulated and optimized with software of Ansoft HFSS, results show that the vertical polarization works well during a ultra-wide-band of 790∼960MHz/1710∼2690MHz, and similarly, the horizontal polarization have a good performance in the frequency range of 1710∼2690MHz. After that, an actual antenna was made refer to the simulation model, and the test result match the simulation result well. In the end, this antenna can be used for all the standard mobile communication at this stage.
Exploration of the Influence of Factors Identified in the Literature on School-aged Children's Emotional Responses to Asthma

Approximately 6.3 million US children suffer from asthma. The purpose of this study was to explore factors on school-aged children's emotional responses to asthma, N=85, ages 6-12. Correlations included Asthma related child emotional functioning QOL and (a) asthma severity, r=-0.30, p<0.01, (b) child internalizing behaviors, r=-0.26, p<0.05, (c) child externalizing behaviors r=-0.43, p<0.001; Caregiver emotional functioning QOL and (a) asthma severity, r=-0.39, p<0.001, (b) child internalizing behaviors, r=-0.22, p<0.05, (c) child externalizing behaviors, r=-0.25; p<0.05. Multiple regression analysis revealed that asthma severity and child externalizing problems accounted for 26% of the variance in asthma related child emotional functioning QOL, F (4, 79)=7.051, p<0.001 (asthma severity, β=-0.31, p<0.01; child externalizing problem behaviors, β=-0.43, p<0.001). Findings imply that asthma research should consider problem behaviors of school-aged children when addressing asthma related emotional functioning QOL.
The influence of föhn winds on Glacial Lake Washburn and palaeotemperatures in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, during the Last Glacial Maximum

Large glacial lakes, including Glacial Lake Washburn, were present in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) despite a colder and drier climate. To address the mechanism capable of generating enough meltwater to sustain these large lakes, a conceptual model was developed based on the warming potential of infrequent contemporary fohn winds. The model suggests that fohn winds were capable of generating enough meltwater to sustain large glacial lakes during the LGM by increasing degree days above freezing (DDAF) and prolonging the melt season. A present-day relationship between infrequent summer fohn winds and DDAF was established. It is assumed that the Taylor Dome ice core record represents large-scale palaeoclimatic variations for the McMurdo Dry Valleys region. This analysis suggests that because of the warming influence of the more frequent fohn winds, summer DDAF in the McMurdo Dry Valleys during the LGM were equivalent to present-day values, but this enhanced summer signal is not preserved in the annually averaged ice core temperature record.
Sex Ratios, Single Motherhood, and Gendered Structural Relations: Examining Female-Headed Families Across Racial-Ethnic Populations

Sex ratio research often ignores how structural inequalities influence sex ratio effects. Employing decomposition analysis and using standardized U.S. Census tract data from 1970 to 2000, this research investigates how adult sex ratio effects predict the proportion of single parenting women among White, Black, and Hispanic/Latino populations, examining both main and conditional effects of sex ratios on female-headed families. Analyses reveal that main sex ratio effects consistently predict the proportion of single mothers across all racial-ethnic groups, but the conditional effect of gender-distributed labor force participation differentially influences sex ratio effects across race-ethnicities. Specifically, relative labor force participation consistently weakens the sex ratio effects on female headship among Whites. However, the relative female employment alters sex ratio effects among Blacks only when examining the same area over time, and it does not alter sex ratio effects among Hispanic/Latino populations. Findings underscore the importance of understanding family as a sociopolitical phenomenon.
Antibiotics May Equal Surgery for Children with Appendicitis

Antibiotic treatment appears to be effective for children with uncomplicated appendicitis without evidence of perforation or rupture, with 97% of children discharged without surgery. Approximately one in seven children will eventually have recurrence and require surgery. A couple of days of intravenous antibiotics is an option before surgery.
Pituitary Tumors in Pediatric Patients

Although pediatric pituitary and parasellar tumors are uncommon, they can produce significant disability and pose significant treatment challenges for pediatricians, endocrinologists, and neurosurgeons. Despite their rarity in pediatric patients, there are a wide range of lesions that affect the pituitary gland and parasellar region. Craniopharyngioma is the most common, followed by hormone-active pituitary tumors. Fortunately, most pituitary tumors in children are benign. However, given the location of these tumors, they can have a profound impact on hormonal regulation in growing children. Therefore, surgical interventions must be planned carefully in order to minimize operative morbidity and maximize functional recovery. As with adult pituitary lesions, the transsphenoidal corridor often is a surgical option for treating pituitary and parasellar tumors in children. In this chapter we discuss some of the surgical nuances of transsphenoidal surgery in pediatric patients. We then review the clinical presentation, operative considerations, and surgical outcomes for the most common pediatric pituitary tumors. Finally, we discuss complication avoidance and management.
Triple Smoking Cessation Therapy with Varenicline, Nicotine Patch and Nicotine Lozenge: A Pilot Study to Assess Tolerability, Satisfaction and End-of-Treatment Quit Rates

Introduction: The majority of attempts to stop smoking end in failure. One way to improve success may be to explore different combinations of existing cessation medications.Aims: This observational study examined ‘triple therapy’ (varenicline + nicotine patch + nicotine lozenge) in 36 smokers trying to quit.Methods: A 12-week, observational study exploring tolerability, via adverse events (AEs) elicited at each of nine phone assessments. Secondary outcomes included satisfaction rates, medication changes and self-reported quit rates at week 12.Results: Thirty five of thirty six participants reported at least one AE. Insomnia (75%), abnormal dreams (72%) and nausea (64%) were most common. Most were mild to moderate. No deaths, hospitalisations, cardiovascular events or suicidality were reported. Six participants (17%) decreased the dose of at least one medication, 5 (14%) decreased the dose then discontinued at least one medication and 13 (36%) discontinued at least one medication without trying a lesser dose. Participants were highly satisfied with their medications, and 58% reported quitting at 12 weeks, with 38% reporting prolonged abstinence.Conclusions: Despite high rates of AEs and medication changes, high rates of satisfaction and self-reported quitting, with no serious AEs, were observed with triple therapy. Additional data on tolerability and efficacy are needed.Trial Registration:Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT02681510.
Metadamping and energy dissipation enhancement via hybrid phononic resonators

Abstract A novel metamaterial configuration is presented that combines hybrid attributes from acoustic metamaterials and phononic crystals. The dispersion characteristics of the system, referred to as the phononic resonator (PR), is shown to vary across a wide spectrum of behaviors that can, via optimal selection of inertial and stiffness parameters, be tuned to resemble a locally resonant mechanism, a phononic system, as well as a uniform homogeneous lattice. When coupled with damping elements, the emergent dissipative effect, known as the metadamping phenomenon, of the PR is shown to exceed that of a statically equivalent acoustic metamaterial under certain conditions which are highlighted here. The metadamping amplification is verified in finite PR systems via a power flow approach that depicts the spatial rate of energy dissipation along the length of a 100 cells phononic resonator.