cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electronic structure and phase stability of GaAs1-xNx alloys.

Using first-principle total-energy calculations we investigated the electronic structure and stability for several compositions and for various ordered structures of ${\mathrm{GaAs}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{N}}_{\mathit{x}}$ alloys. Our results show a strong bowing of the band gap which is consistent with recent experimental observations. For certain compositions the alloy may even become metallic; a process which is mainly driven by a strong atomic relaxation. Based on the calculated formation energies and assuming thermodynamic equilibrium a strong miscibility gap between these two structures is found. This is explained in terms of the large mismatch in the lattice constants between GaAs and GaN (more than 20%).
Percutaneous Balloon Valvuloplasty and Mitral Valve Repair

Percutaneous therapies for valvular heart disease were employed as early as the 1950s, using a wire valvulotome to treat pulmonic stenosis. The contemporary era of catheter therapy for valve lesions began with the introduction of balloon mitral valvotomy by Inoue in 1982. Descriptions of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV) using a variety of techniques followed over the ensuing decade. During that time and until recently, treatment for regurgitant lesions and the potential to replace valves percutaneously were distant concepts. Balloon valvotomy has matured and reached its plateau, while new mitral valve repair therapies for mitral regurgitation (MR) and aortic valve replacement approaches are developing rapidly. This chapter will review in detail the techniques of BAV and BMV. In addition there will be a detailed discussion of percutaneous mitral valve repair technologies and approaches. Despite the limitations of balloon therapy for stenotic lesions, there are still well-defined roles for both BMV and BAV. BMV is the preferred therapy for most patients with mitral stenosis, while BAV is an effective palliative therapy in highly selected high-risk patients with aortic valve stenosis.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Leukemia is the most common pediatric cancer. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most prevalent subtype, accounting for 75–80 % of all cases. Leukemias arise from genetic changes that occur in a single progenitor cell at various stages of maturation, resulting in a clonal expansion. The single-cell origin of ALL is demonstrated clearly by the finding of clonal rearrangements of T-cell receptor (TCR) or immunoglobulin genes [1]. ALL cells reflect, at least in part, the immunophenotypic and genetic characteristics of committed B- or T-lymphoid precursors; although they do not proliferate as rapidly as their normal counterparts [2], inability to differentiate and resistance to cell death lead to their buildup. By the time of diagnosis, ALL cells have usually occupied much of the bone marrow microenvironment at the expenses of normal hematopoietic cells, resulting in anemia, thrombocytopenia, and/or neutropenia.
Use of Telemedicine During Interhospital Transport of Children With Operative Intracranial Hemorrhage.

Objectives:To analyze the impact of an intervention of using telemedicine during interhospital transport on time to surgery in children with operative intracranial hemorrhage.Design:We performed a retrospective chart review of children with intracranial hemorrhage transferred for emergent neurosurgi
Not a matter of parental choice but of social justice obligation: Children are owed measles vaccination

This article presents arguments that reframe the discussion on vaccination ethics. The correct starting point for discussions on vaccination ethics is not what society owes parents, but rather what society owes children. Drawing on the justice theory of Powers and Faden, two conclusions are defended by presenting and defending a set of arguments. First, a just society is obligated to protect its children against serious vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles through adequate levels of vaccination. Second, this obligation of the just society rests on identifiable individuals and institutions: parents, healthcare professionals, government, and vaccine producers have important obligations in this regard. This removes vaccination out of the realm of individual or parental discretion, and situates it in the realm of societal obligation. Children are owed vaccination, society is obligated to provide it. If parents cannot or will not provide it, society ought to respond.
Why Polling Matters: The Role of Data in Our Democracy

Keiran Pedley argues that opinion polls are an essential part of the modern democratic process, but that they are often misused and misunderstood. He finds the accuracy of the polls at recent British elections and referendums less than satisfactory, but suggests that the most worrying problems arise more from the reporting than from the polls themselves. Excessive concentration on voting intentions raises expectations of a degree of accuracy which polls cannot guarantee to provide, and diverts attention from the more useful evidence which the polls can give on the public’s views of the issues and personalities. Polls have limitations, and attempt a very exacting task, but if these are taken into account, rather than being ignored, polling can make a valuable and unique contribution.
Quantitative evaluation of impact attenuation by football helmets using a modal impulse hammer

Concussions and changes in neurophysiology due to sub-concussive blows are common in contact sports, motivating a need for improved safety systems. While there have been attempts to determine wheth...
Signalling interactions during ontogeny are a cause of social plasticity in Enchenopa treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae).

Abstract We recently discovered that there is a social ontogeny of signals and preferences in Enchenopa treehoppers. Nymphs signalled throughout their development; some signal features changed gradually and in sexually dimorphic ways throughout ontogeny; and some adult male signal features and female mate preferences differed between individuals reared in isolation or groups. In this paper, we investigate whether signalling interactions during ontogeny are a cause of plasticity in mating signals and preferences. We subjected Enchenopa nymphs to treatments of either: rearing in aggregations (the natural condition), in isolation, or in isolation with playbacks of nymph signals. We then described variation in the signals and mating preferences of individuals that developed in those conditions. The playback treatments partially “rescued” the signal and preference phenotypes, resulting in phenotypes either similar to those that result from rearing in aggregations, or intermediate between those that result from rearing in isolation or in aggregations. These results pin-point signalling interactions during ontogeny as an important cause of plasticity in signals and mate preferences.
The Cancer-Associated Genetic Variant Rs3903072 Modulates Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have hitherto identified several germline variants associated with cancer susceptibility, but the molecular functions of these risk modulators remain largely uncharacterized. Recent studies have begun to uncover the regulatory potential of non-coding GWAS SNPs by using epigenetic information in corresponding cancer cell types and matched normal tissues. However, this approach does not explore the potential effect of risk germline variants on other important cell types that constitute the microenvironment of tumor or its precursor. This paper presents evidence that the breast cancer-associated variant rs3903072 may regulate the expression of CTSW in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. CTSW is a candidate tumor-suppressor gene, with expression highly specific to immune cells and also positively correlated with breast cancer patient survival. Integrative analyses suggest a putative causative variant in a GWAS-linked enhancer in lymphocytes that loops to the 3’ end of CTSW through three-dimensional chromatin interaction. Our work thus poses the possibility that a cancer-associated genetic variant could regulate a gene not only in the cell of cancer origin, but also in immune cells in the microenvironment, thereby modulating the immune surveillance by T lymphocytes and natural killer cells and affecting the clearing of early cancer initiating cells.
Ready or not? Teachers’ perceptions of young children’s school readiness:

Using a nationally representative dataset of young children in the United States (the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Birth Cohort), the purpose of this study was to test the associations betwee...
Investigating cerebellar neural function in schizophrenia using delay eyeblink conditioning: A pilot fMRI study

There is accruing evidence of cerebellar abnormalities in individuals with schizophrenia as measured by performance on a variety of tasks believed to be dependent on cerebellar integrity, including delay eyeblink conditioning. There is also evidence of cerebellar dysfunction on a neural level in schizophrenia from both task-based and resting state neuroimaging studies, however few studies have examined cerebellar neural function while the cerebellum is directly recruited in individuals with schizophrenia. In the current pilot study, we examined neural activity during an explicitly cerebellar task in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and non-psychiatric controls. Participants underwent delay eyeblink conditioning during fMRI. Results indicated eyeblink conditioning impairment in patients as evidenced by a group by time interaction for conditioned responses. A significant cluster of cerebellar activation was present in controls but not patients during the first half of conditioning; there were no significant differences in activation between groups. An ROI analysis focused on the cerebellum in patients revealed two significant clusters that were inversely associated with negative symptom severity. These results are broadly consistent with the theory of cognitive dysmetria, wherein cerebellar abnormalities are theorized to contribute to motor as well as cognitive and affective disturbances in schizophrenia.
Nutrient Subsidies to Southern California Estuaries Can Be Characterized as Pulse-Interpulse Regimes that May Be Dampened with Extreme Eutrophy

Humans have increased nitrogen inputs to estuaries, necessitating research on the patterns of these resource subsidies. When originating outside an estuary, nitrogen is a resource subsidy. This subsidy can be delivered with a variety of temporal patterns, ranging from presses to pulses. In other communities, press versus pulse subsidies has substantial and divergent impacts; however, this framework is not typically used in estuaries. This study documents nitrogen concentration-frequencies in 5 Southern California estuaries that demonstrate these nutrients subsidies can often be characterized as pulse-interpulse. There were extremely high pulses of nitrogen (> 500 uM NH4, > 2500 uM NO3), even compared with other eutrophic estuaries, that were likely driven by strong seasonal and rare rainfall typical of Mediterranean climates. High nutrient concentrations were occasionally decoupled from rainfall, likely due to land use. Extreme eutrophy may have the potential to dampened pulses, producing uniform, elevated concentration-frequency inputs. These data suggest managers should target rainfall events in nutrient sampling protocols as well as monitor changes in biological indicators following these events to characterize the impact of these inputs. Climate change, population size, and coastal development will likely increase nutrient subsidies to estuaries, necessitating further research on the timing, frequency, and duration of these inputs as well as their ecological consequences. In particular, our work highlights the need to integrate pulse events into work on biological indicators in estuaries.
Uncertainty amplification due to density/refractive index gradients in background-oriented schlieren experiments

We theoretically analyze the effect of density/refractive index gradients on the measurement precision of background-oriented schlieren (BOS) experiments by deriving the Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) for the 2D centroid estimation process. A model is derived for the diffraction limited image of a dot viewed through a medium containing density gradients that includes the effect of the experimental parameters such as the magnification and f-number. It is shown using the model that nonlinearities in the density gradient field lead to blurring of the dot image. This blurring amplifies the effect of image noise on the centroid estimation process, leading to an increase in the CRLB and a decrease in the measurement precision. The ratio of position uncertainties of a dot in the reference and gradient images is shown to be a function of the ratio of the dot diameters and dot intensities. We termed this parameter the amplification ratio ($$A_{\text{F}}$$), and a methodology for reporting position uncertainties in tracking-based BOS measurements is proposed. The theoretical predictions of the dot position estimation variance from the CRLB are compared to ray tracing simulations, and agreement is obtained. The uncertainty amplification is also demonstrated on experimental BOS images of flow induced by a spark discharge, where it is seen that regions of high amplification ratio correspond to regions of density gradients. This analysis elucidates the dependence of the position uncertainty on density and refractive index gradient-induced distortion parameters, provides a methodology for accounting its effect on uncertainty quantification and provides a framework for optimizing experiment design.
Releasing a preprint is associated with more attention and citations for the peer-reviewed article

Abstract Preprints in biology are gaining popularity, but release of a preprint still precedes only a fraction of peer-reviewed publications. We examined whether having a preprint on bioRxiv was associated with metrics of the corresponding peer-reviewed article. We assembled a dataset of 74,239 articles, 5,405 of which had a preprint, published in 39 journals. Based on log-linear regression and random-effects meta-analysis, articles with a preprint had a 51% higher Altmetric Attention Score and 37% more citations compared to articles without one. These associations were independent of several other article- and author-level variables (e.g., scientific subfield and last author publication age) and unrelated to journal-level variables such as access model and Impact Factor. This observational study can help researchers and publishers make informed decisions about how to incorporate preprints into their work.
The association between life satisfaction, emotional support, and perceived health among women who experienced intimate Partner violence (IPV) - 2007 behavioral risk factor surveillance system

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pressing phenomenon whose consequences are associated with severe physical and mental health outcomes. Every minute, around 24 people in the United States are raped, physically injured, or emotionally abused by their intimate partner. Although having experienced IPV is not modifiable, emotional support is a protective factor to prevent victims from committing suicide. The psychological state of IPV victims is critical in post-traumatic events and this is evidenced in numerous qualitative interviews. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the association between IPV with emotional support, life satisfaction, and perceived health status in the United States. This study analyzed the data from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Univariate analyses, multivariable logistic regression analyses, and ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for factors associated with IPV. Analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25. The analyses show that there is a strong association between IPV experience and emotional support (AOR:1.810; 95% CI = 1.626–2.015). Participants who had either physical violence or unwanted sex with an intimate partner in the past 12 months have 2.28 higher odds to receive less emotional support and 2.05 higher odds to perceive poor life satisfaction. Also, participants who reported experiencing IPV were associated with (AOR: 3.12; 95% CI =2.68–3.62) times the odds of having ≥6 days more mentally unhealthy days in a month. For perceived health outcomes, people who had been threatened with violence by a sex partner have 1.74 (95% CI =1.54–1.96) times the odds of having poor perceived general health status. IPV survivors have 3.12 (95% CI =2.68–3.62) times the odds of having ≥6 days more mentally unhealthy days in a month. People reported with any IPV experience are more likely to receive less emotional support, perceive dissatisfaction in life, and poor health outcomes. This study shows the need for policies centered on the development of interventions that focus on mental health for those who have experienced IPV.
Stock Market Volatility of the Financial Industry After TARP

This paper analyzes stock market volatility for the financial industry after the TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) legislation was passed. The purpose of this paper is to determine how TARP money affected short-term volatility of the market. Data for twenty financial companies which used TARP money and did not file for bankruptcy is collected from CRSP. We measure volatility by employing the following methods: in order to measure intraday volatility, Parkinson (1980) and Garman and Klass (1980) methods are used. Inter day volatility is measured by using the daily historical volatility and GARCH (1,1). F-tests are used to compare pre and post TARP volatilities. The hypothesis tested is whether there is a difference between pre and post TARP volatilities. The contribution of this paper is twofold: First, we measure the volatility of the financial industry aftermath of the sub-prime mortgage crisis. Second, we evaluate whether removing toxic assets reduced the volatility of financial institutions' stock prices or not. We find that intraday stock price volatility of the TARP recipient financial institutions decreased significantly.
Effect of intravascular ultrasound on clinical outcomes after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for blunt thoracic aortic injury.

Abstract Objective Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for blunt traumatic aortic injuries (BTAIs) can be complicated by inaccurate aortic measurements at the initial computed tomography angiography secondary to hypovolemic shock. The use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been proposed for more accurate aortic sizing, with prior data demonstrating larger aortic sizes measured by IVUS, potentially altering the vast majority of chosen endograft sizes. At present, and to the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined whether IVUS affects the clinical outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of IVUS on the clinical outcomes after TEVAR for BTAIs. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed of patients who had undergone TEVAR for BTAIs in the VQI registry. The cohorts were defined by the use of IVUS. The primary outcomes were mortality and reintervention at 1 year. Results A total of 919 patients who had undergone TEVAR for BTAIs were included in the present analysis. The IVUS patients had presented with higher injury severity scores (36.2 vs 42; P = .0004) largely because of more extremity and external trauma. IVUS was more often used for patients with grade III injuries (49.1% vs 56.9%; P = .02) and less often for patients with rupture (21.1% vs 12.4%; P = .001). A trend toward a delay in TEVAR was seen for the patients for whom IVUS was used (1.8 vs 3.5 days; P = .38), with additional trends toward reduced intraoperative resuscitation and blood loss. The hemodynamic status of the patients and differences in aortic or endograft sizes could not be assessed with the available data. IVUS use was not associated with any differences in survival or reintervention rates in-hospital or at 1 year (Kaplan-Meier survival estimates: 0.91 no IVUS vs 0.92 IVUS; P = .46). Fifteen aortic-related reinterventions occurred across the entire patient cohort for all-available follow-up with comparable rates of type I endoleaks (1 no IVUS vs 2 IVUS), with no recorded cases of sizing-related complications such as device rupture, migration, or dissection. Conclusions IVUS usage during TEVAR for BTAIs was associated with clinical scenarios in which patients were more stable and interventions to address BTAIs can be delayed. Despite this, the overall clinical outcomes were similar between cases in which IVUS was used and for which it was not.
Free Will, Determinism, and Stoic Counsel

Stoic philosophy has been charged with an inconsistency insofar as its deterministic worldview appears to conflict with its advocacy of various methods of self-discipline aiming at self-improvement...
Children with Friedreich Ataxia Undergoing Spinal Fusion Are at Risk for Arrhythmias (P2.037)

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes associated with spinal fusion surgery between children with and without Friedreich Ataxia (FA). BACKGROUND: FA is a neurosensory disorder with progressive gait and limb ataxia due to mitochondrial frataxin deficiency. Cardiomyopathy and scoliosis are also common in FA. We hypothesized that the cardiomyopathy associated with FA predisposes patients to higher morbidity, mortality, and hospital-associated charges when undergoing spinal fusion. DESIGN/METHODS: The Kids’ Inpatient Database, a large nationwide administrative database, was surveyed for spinal fusion surgeries and the diagnosis of FA for the years 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009. RESULTS: 31,969 children underwent spinal fusion, of whom 59 (0.2%) had FA. Spinal fusion occurred in 23% of all FA hospitalizations (n=252). FA patients were more likely to experience arrhythmia during spinal fusion hospitalization than non-FA patients (10.2% vs 4.1%, p=0.02; OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.1). Mortality was low in both groups (0% FA vs 0.3% non-FA, p=0.69). Length of spinal surgery hospitalization was 8.36 ±5.9 days in FA children with mean hospital charges of $104,506 ±75,673, compared with 7.57 ± 9.8 days (p=0.54) and $106,621 ± 498,208 (p=0.87) in non-FA children. There was no difference between FA and non-FA children during spinal fusion hospitalization with respect to stroke (0% vs 0.1%, p=0.78), acute renal failure (0% vs 0.3%, p=0.69), sepsis (0% vs 1.1%, p=0.43), and respiratory failure (0% vs 2.2%, p=0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Scoliosis surgery is common amongst hospitalized children with FA, but these comprise a small proportion of all children who undergo spinal fusion. Arrhythmias are more common in FA children undergoing spinal fusion; other comorbidities are similar to non-FA children. FA does not affect length of stay, mean hospital charges, and overall mortality in hospitalizations involving spinal fusion. The increased burden of arrhythmias in FA supports cardiac assessment for children with FA and scoliosis. Disclosure: Dr. Lin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lynch has received personal compensation for activities with Retrotape, Inc. as a consultant. Dr. Lynch has received research support from Santhera Pharmaceutical, Penwest, Edison Pharmaceutical, and ViroPharma. Dr. Flynn has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rossano has nothing to disclose.
Resurrecting Environmental Justice: Enforcement of EPA's Disparate-Impact Regulations Through Clean Air Act Citizen Suits

The environmental justice movement aims to eradicate disparate siting of environmental hazards in minority and low-income communities. Prior to the Supreme Court’s decision in Alexander v. Sandoval, environmental justice advocates had focused their efforts on enforcement of EPA’s disparate-impact regulations. These regulations prohibit recipients of federal funding from administering any program that has the effect of racial discrimination. However, the Sandoval decision declared that no private right of action existed to enforce the regulations. Despite this signiacant setback, the regulations may still be enforceable in circumstances where an appropriate statutory handle exists. For example, section 110(a)(2)(E) of the Clean Air Act requires states to provide assurances that their plans comply with federal law. To the extent the disparate-impact regulations remain valid federal law, they may be enforced through actions to compel EPA to reject plans that do not include the requisite assurances. This Note explores the substantive and procedural issues surrounding such actions.
Computational statistical mechanics of tethered membranes

Interface physics is of considerable interest to the condensed-matter theory community, an interface being defined as a boundary between two phases and controlled by a surface tension. Because of surface tension, the interface is essentially flat. Most recently, there has been a growing interest in “membranes.” While surface-like, membranes do not necessarily separate two distinct phases and are not composed of the molecules of the imbedding medium. It is typical that the membrane surface tension is vanishingly small, hence they execute “wild” fluctuations. This, in turn, makes for different physics, requiring new ideas and theoretical tools.1
Hysteroscopic sterilization in immunocompromised patients who have intrauterine devices in place: two case reports

The micro-inserts used in the hysteroscopic sterilization procedure elicit a benign occlusive tissue response leading to permanent tubal occlusion. Little is known about whether immunosuppressed patients mount the immunological response necessary to ensure tubal occlusion. Theoretical concern for non-occlusion has limited the use of hysteroscopic sterilization in patients on immunosuppressive therapies. In all patient populations, if an intrauterine device is in place, it is usually removed at the time of hysteroscopic sterilization. Little is known about maintaining intrauterine devices during the 3-month period to tubal occlusion. Our patient in case 1 was a 35-year-old Hispanic woman, gravida 2, para 2002, with a history of a living donor kidney transplant. Our patient in case 2 was a 32-year-old Hispanic woman, gravida 3, para 2103, diagnosed with undifferentiated autoimmune disease. Both patients underwent hysteroscopic sterilization. In both cases, a levonorgestrel intrauterine device was in place for contraception. At the time of micro-insert placement, our patients were both on daily immunosuppressive medications, including long-term glucocorticoids. Three months after the hysteroscopic procedure, both patients had successful tubal occlusion, demonstrated by a hysterosalpingogram. Hysteroscopic sterilization in an outpatient setting is a reasonable option for sterilization in immunocompromised patients on immunosuppressive therapies. Intrauterine devices can be maintained during the procedure and during the 3-month period to tubal occlusion.
Medial calcaneal osteotomy for relapsed equinovarus deformity. Long-term study of the results of Frederick Dwyer

In the 1950s Frederick Dwyer evolved the concept of treating resistant and relapsed clubfoot by osteotomy of the calcaneum. He published the results of his medial opening wedge procedure in 1963 with a mean follow-up of five years. We present the structured, radiographic and functional results at a mean elapsed time of 27 years of 36 feet (26 patients) all operated on by Dwyer. Their mean Laaveg and Ponseti (1980) grading was 83.7%. In 94% the heel was in neutral or valgus and 86% of the feet were plantigrade. A good range of movement was present in the ankle and subtalar joints in 83%.
Photophosphorylation accompanying the Hill reaction with ferricyanide.

A study of the dependence upon pH of ferricyanide photoreduction revealed that the reaction was most rapid but least stable at high pH (above pH 8) and that inadequate buffering could readily lead to differences in rate due to pH changes. Since the occurrence of phosphorylation may be associated with a pH change, precautions are necessary to prevent artifacts due to pH when determining the effect of phosphorylation on Hill reaction rates. Depending upon circumstances one may overestimate or underestimate the effect. For this reason a reappraisal has been made of the relationship between photophosphorylation and the photoreduction of ferricyanide as catalyzed by spinach chloroplasts. A study of the stoichiometry of photophosphorylation in relation to the Hill reaction revealed that the quantity of ATP formed approached a maximum of 1 mole for 2 moles of ferricyanide reduced and for 0.5 mole of O2 evolved, in agreement with previous reports from other laboratories. The effects of concomitant phosphorylation upon rates of ferricyanide photoreduction were smaller than those reported previously by other workers. They may best be described as an inhibition of ferricyanide photoreduction by added ADP and the relief of this inhibition by added phosphate. When phosphate was added to the ADP-inhibited system the extra ferricyanide reduced was equal to the amount of phosphate consumed. A scheme for the mechanism of the Hill reaction which can accommodate all of the observed stoichiometry is presented and discussed. It is pointed out that the only mechanism for the Hill reaction which can easily be brought into congruence with this scheme appears to be that proposed by Warburg.
New Insights into the Mechanism of Alzheimer Amyloid-β Fibrillogenesis Inhibition by N-Methylated Peptides

Alzheimer's disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder associated with the abnormal self-assembly of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides into fibrillar species. N-methylated peptides homologous to the central hydrophobic core of the Aβ peptide are potent inhibitors of this aggregation process. In this work, we use fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to study the interactions of the N-methylated peptide inhibitor Aβ16–20m (Ac-Lys16-(Me)Leu17-Val18-(Me)Phe19-Phe20-NH2) with a model protofilament consisting of Alzheimer Aβ16–22 peptides. Our simulations indicate that the inhibitor peptide can bind to the protofilament at four different sites: 1), at the edge of the protofilament; 2), on the exposed face of a protofilament layer; 3), between the protofilament layers; and 4), between the protofilament strands. The different binding scenarios suggest several mechanisms of fibrillogenesis inhibition: 1), fibril inhibition of longitudinal growth (in the direction of monomer deposition); 2), fibril inhibition of lateral growth (in the direction of protofilament assembly); and 3), fibril disassembly by strand removal and perturbation of the periodicity of the protofilament (disruption of fibril morphology). Our simulations suggest that the Aβ16-20m inhibitor can act on both prefibrillar species and mature fibers and that the specific mechanism of inhibition may depend on the structural nature of the Aβ aggregate. Disassembly of the fibril can be explained by a mechanism through which the inhibitor peptides bind to disaggregated or otherwise free Aβ16–22 peptides in solution, leading to a shift in the equilibrium from a fibrillar state to one dominated by inhibitor-bound Aβ16–22 peptides.
Hilbert Modular Threefolds of Arithmetic Genus One

Abstract In 1981, Weisser proved that there are exactly four Galois cubic number fields with Hilbert modular threefolds of arithmetic genus one. In this paper, we extend Weisser's work to cover all cubic number fields. Our main result is that there are exactly 33 fields with Hilbert modular threefolds of arithmetic genus one. These fields are enumerated explicitly.
Effect of p27 Deficiency and Rapamycin on Intimal Hyperplasia: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies Using a p27 Knockout Mouse Model

Effect of p27 Deficiency and Rapamycin on Intimal Hyperplasia: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies Using a p27 Knockout Mouse Model
Value-based insurance design: implications for gastroenterology.

D the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the tension between improved health care quality and escalating medical spending remains on public display. As the share of gross domestic product spent on health care passed 17% in 2009 —the biggest 1-year jump in history—the fiscal impact of the new health care law is the critical bone of contention. That the goal of our system is to produce health, not save money, is barely an afterthought. There is little disagreement over the fact there is already enough money in the system, and that health improvements almost always require incremental expenditures. That said, clinicians and policy makers, therefore, need to focus on how—not simply how much—we spend on health care. Actuarial studies conclude that if US medical expenditures were allocated similarly to other G7 countries, Americans would be among the healthiest populations on the planet.1 One concept included in the PPACA holds the promise of bridging this divide between quality improvement and cost containment. Section 2713(c) of the PPACA states, “The Secretary may develop guidelines to permit a group health plan and a health insurance issuer . . . to utilize value-based insurance designs.” Value-based insurance design (VBID)—whose basic premise is to reduce patient barriers and reward providers for pursuing high-value medical services— has the potential to simultaneously improve health and contain costs, while retaining clinician autonomy, maintaining the sanctity of the patient-provider relationship, and avoiding significant structural changes to the employer-based private insurance system.2,3 In this article, we explore the motivation for VBID and its potential application to gastroenterology (GI).
The redox state of pyridine nucleotides controls permeability of uncoupled mitochondria to K

Abstract Heart mitochondria respiring in the presence of Pi release endogenous K+ to a sucrose medium when an uncoupler is added. The uncoupled mitochondria retain K+, however, if the oxidation of NAD(P)H is prevented by the addition of rotenone or antimycin. Addition of rotenone, once the uncoupler-dependent K+-efflux has been initiated, results in a rapid reduction of NAD(P) and a simultaneous decrease in permeability to K+. These changes are independent of respiration. The results suggest that a latent pathway for K+-permeability is present in the membrane, that it can be opened and closed reversibly, and that it reflects, either directly or indirectly, the redox status of mitochondrial pyridine nucleotides. The possible relationship of this putative pathway to those available for Ca2+ uptake and release is considered.
Data mining: new arsenal for strategic decision-making

During the early years of database management the contemporary wisdom was to store only â€˜useful data.â€™ In large part, this philosophy was encouraged because of the then-limited storage capacity offered by the prevailing technology. Then along came the microprocessor revolution, enormously expanding the scope of data storage. Subsequent advancement in information technology and recognition of potential business opportunities thereof, resulted in enormous expansion of data storage. Although the future is unknown and unpredictable, it often provides new business opportunities. Thus, new management strategies emerged which encouraged the massive accumulation of data and thus the advent of data warehousing. These massive data depositories are now providing both challenges and opportunities for strategic decision-making concerned with improving existing businesses and exploring new business opportunities. Data mining is an essential part of the process involved in locating relevant information from data warehouses for use in making such strategic decisions. Naturally, business leaders everywhere are willing to make investments in corporate data warehouses to enhance their access to information. The return on such investment is by no means guaranteed but all business activities include a certain amount of risk.
CEPHALIC VASOMOTOR AND HEART RATE MEASURES OE ORIENTING AND DEEENSIVE REELEXES

The problem of differentiating orienting (OR) and defensive reflexes (DR) was investigated by measurements of forehead-skin pulse amplitude (PA), forehead-skin blood content (BC), and heart rate (HR). Thirty male college students received 30 stimulations of .5 sec white noise at either 80 db or 120 db. Beat-by-beat analyses of the physiological measures indicated that both intensities of stimulation produced decreases in PA. Forehead BC showed larger increases to 120 db than to 80 db, and successive stimulations produced a change to overall decreases in BC at both intensities. HR acceleration occurred to both stimuli, and a short-latency deceleration occurred to 80 db. The results were interpreted as showing that cephalic vasoconstriction is the dominant response to auditory stimulation, and cephalic vasomotor responses do not differentiate between ORs and DRs. The short-latency HR deceleration and smaller HR acceleration differentiated the OR from the DR.
Nonanalytic corrections to the Fermi-liquid behavior

The issue of nonanalytic corrections to the Fermi-liquid behavior is revisited. Previous studies have indicated that the corrections to the Fermi-liquid forms of the specific heat and the static spin susceptibility ${(C}^{\mathrm{FL}}\ensuremath{\propto}T,{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{s}^{\mathrm{FL}}=\mathrm{const})$ are nonanalytic in $Dl~3$ and scale as $\ensuremath{\delta}C(T)\ensuremath{\propto}{T}^{D},$ ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{s}(T)\ensuremath{\propto}{T}^{D\ensuremath{-}1},$ and ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{s}(Q)\ensuremath{\propto}{Q}^{D\ensuremath{-}1},$ with extra logarithms in $D=3$ and 1. It is shown that these nonanalytic corrections originate from the universal singularities in the dynamical bosonic response functions of a generic Fermi liquid. In contrast to the leading, Fermi-liquid forms which depend on the interaction averaged over the Fermi surface, the nonanalytic corrections are parametrized by only two coupling constants, which are the components of the interaction potential at momentum transfers $q=0$ and ${q=2p}_{F}.$ For three-dimensional (3D) systems, a recent result of Belitz, Kirkpatrick, and Vojta for the spin susceptibility is reproduced and the issue why a nonanalytic momentum dependence, ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{s}(Q,T=0)\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{s}^{\mathrm{FL}}\ensuremath{\propto}{Q}^{2}\mathrm{log}Q,$ is not paralleled by a nonanalyticity in the T dependence $[{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{s}(0,T)\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{s}^{\mathrm{FL}}]\ensuremath{\propto}{T}^{2}$ is clarified. For 2D systems, explicit forms of $C(T)\ensuremath{-}{C}^{\mathrm{FL}}\ensuremath{\propto}{T}^{2},$ $\ensuremath{\chi}(Q,T=0)\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\mathrm{FL}}\ensuremath{\propto}|Q|,$ and $\ensuremath{\chi}(0,T)\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{\mathrm{FL}}\ensuremath{\propto}T$ are obtained. It is shown that earlier calculations of the temperature dependences in two dimensions are incomplete.
Monte Carlo simulation studies of EEG and MEG localization accuracy.

Both electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) are currently used to localize brain activity. The accuracy of source localization depends on numerous factors, including the specific inverse approach and source model, fundamental differences in EEG and MEG data, and the accuracy of the volume conductor model of the head (i.e., the forward model). Using Monte Carlo simulations, this study removes the effect of forward model errors and theoretically compares the use of EEG alone, MEG alone, and combined EEG/MEG data sets for source localization. Here, we use a linear estimation inverse approach with a distributed source model and a realistic forward head model. We evaluated its accuracy using the crosstalk and point spread metrics. The crosstalk metric for a specified location on the cortex describes the amount of activity incorrectly localized onto that location from other locations. The point spread metric provides the complementary measure: for that same location, the point spread describes the mis-localization of activity from that specified location to other locations in the brain. We also propose and examine the utility of a "noise sensitivity normalized" inverse operator. Given our particular forward and inverse models, our results show that 1) surprisingly, EEG localization is more accurate than MEG localization for the same number of sensors averaged over many source locations and orientations; 2) as expected, combining EEG with MEG produces the best accuracy for the same total number of sensors; 3) the noise sensitivity normalized inverse operator improves the spatial resolution relative to the standard linear estimation operator; and 4) use of an a priori fMRI constraint universally reduces both crosstalk and point spread.
Character and Fitness Requirements for Professional Psychologists: Training Directors' Perspectives.

Do directors of psychology training programs consider whether program applicants and students possess essential moral character and psychological fitness characteristics? A survey revealed that directors of clinical training (DCTs) in clinical and counseling psychology training programs are very concerned about both character and fitness. DCTs reported that evidence accrued during interviews and from undergraduate references is most salient preadmission and that behavior in the program and in clinical situations is most meaningful postadmission. The authors highlight the practices and perspectives of DCTs when it comes to evaluating character and fitness and conclude with several recommendations for training programs, licensing boards, and psychology training organizations.
Headache Management in Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Headache is one of the most common symptoms after traumatic brain injury (TBI), and posttraumatic headache (PTH) may be part of a constellation of symptoms that is seen in the postconcussive syndrome. PTH has no defining clinical features; currently it is classified as a secondary headache based on its close temporal relationship to the injury. A growing number of studies are characterizing PTH by using primary headache classifications. Moderate to severe PTH that is often disabling may be classified as migraine or probable migraine and is found in substantial numbers of individuals. Recent data from civilian adult, pediatric, and military populations all find that PTH may be more of a chronic problem than previously thought, with a prevalence of close to half of the injured population. In addition, if PTH definitions are strictly adhered to, then many cases of PTH may be missed, thus underestimating the scope of the problem. New headaches may be reported well after the 7 days required for diagnosis of PTH by the guidelines of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition. A history of headache before a head injury occurs and female gender are possible risk factors for headache after TBI. Treatment of PTH may be acute or preventive, and recommendations are made for the use of migraine-specific acute therapy when indicated. Preventive therapy may be considered when PTH is frequent, disabling, or refractory to acute therapies. Comorbid conditions should be considered when choosing an appropriate preventive therapy. The symptom of headache as a "return to play" or "return to duty" barrier must be viewed in the context of other symptoms of mild TBI.
Noise of homes

Our homes are filled with products that provide comfort, convenience, and entertainment for the occupants and coincidentally produce noise. Most of these products operate only for short periods of time when users turn them on, but some cycle on and off continuously in response to automatic controls. Most are normally operated inside homes but some of the noisier ones are used outdoors and thereby contribute to community noise. Sound outputs vary widely between different types of products and to a lesser extent among different models of the same type, and many also vary with the mode or cycle of operation. The effects they produce also vary with the relative locations of the people exposed and their occupations at the time. While these factors add complications, considerable progress has been made on sound rating standards for many of these products, notably in the air conditioner industry, and quieter products will typically result from sound rating programs.
Double-blind study of high-dose fluoxetine versus lithium or desipramine augmentation of fluoxetine in partial responders and nonresponders to fluoxetine

In a previous study, of 41 depressed patients who had not responded to fluoxetine 20 mg/day, 53% were treated with high-dose fluoxetine (40-60 mg/ day) and responded (i.e., their 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HAM-D-17] score was <7) versus 29% and 25% of patients treated with fluoxetine plus lithium (300-600 mg/day) or fluoxetine plus desipramine (25-50 mg/day), respectively. We wanted to assess whether these findings could be replicated in a larger sample of depressed outpatients. We identified 101 outpatients with major depressive disorder (52 men and 49 women; mean age, 41.6 + 10.6 years) who were either partial responders (n = 49) or nonresponders (n = 52) to 8 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine 20 mg/ day. These patients were randomized to 4 weeks of double-blind treatment with high-dose fluoxetine (40-60 mg/day), fluoxetine plus lithium (300-600 mg/day), or fluoxetine plus desipramine (25-50 mg/day). In the overall group of patients (N = 101), there was no significant difference in response rates across the three treatment groups (high-dose fluoxetine, 42.4%; fluoxetine plus desipramine, 29.4%; fluoxetine plus lithium, 23.5%). Dropout rates were also comparable, ranging from 9.1% (high-dose fluoxetine) to 14.7% (fluoxetine plus desipramine and fluoxetine plus lithium). There were also no significant differences in response rates across the three treatment groups among partial responders (high-dose fluoxetine, 50.0%; fluoxetine plus desipramine, 33.3%; fluoxetine plus lithium, 33.3%) and nonresponders (high-dose fluoxetine, 35.3%; fluoxetine plus desipramine, 26.3%; fluoxetine plus lithium, 12.5%). At the end of the study, the mean lithium level was 0.37 + 0.15 mEq/L (n = 27; range, 0.1-0.8 mEq/L) among lithium-treated patients, and the mean desipramine level was 104.7 + 58.8 ng/mL (n = 22; range, 25-257 ng/mL). There were no significant relationships between lithium or desipramine blood levels and degree of improvement (as measured by the change in HAM-D-17 score). We found no significant differences in efficacy among these three treatment strategies among patients who had failed to respond adequately to 8 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine 20 mg/day, although the high-fluoxetine group was associated with nonsignificantly higher response rates in both partial responders and nonresponders.