cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Viscosity on Specific Agglutination

In a previous note1 reference was made to the enhancing effect of increased viscosity on the agglutinative property of specific immune serum. Plasma of abnormally increased viscosity caused agglutination of bacteria to take place in higher dilutions of specific immune serum than normal plasma. Recently, opportunity was afforded to repeat the experiments using the plasma obtained from a patient with hyperinosis. The patient's plasma contained 10.12% protein, of which 5.48% were fibrinogen, 2.27% euglobulin, 1.47% pseudoglobulin I and II and 0.90% albumin (Dr. Grace Medes). The viscosity of this plasma tested with the Hess viscosimeter was over 7, as compared with normal plasma which, according to the technic employed, varied between 1.6 and 1.8.Tests were made by arranging parallel series of tubes, one row containing plasma with a viscosity of 7, the other with normal plasma with a viscosity of 1.7, from a normal individual. To each row was added type II antipneumococcus serum (New York State Department of...
Herpes simplex virus type 2 associated with HIV infection among New York heterosexuals living in high-risk areas

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) has been shown to increase the risk of sexual human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. A matched case-control design was used to examine the association between HSV-2 and HIV infection among heterosexuals in ‘high-risk areas’ (HRAs) in New York City (NYC). We identified NYC HRAs using HIV surveillance data on heterosexual-related adult HIV diagnoses and USA census data on household poverty. Heterosexuals who were socially or geographically linked to an HRA were recruited using respondent-driven sampling. HIV prevalence was 8.6% and HSV-2 prevalence was 80.1%. Only 6% of HIV-positives knew they were infected. HIV-positive cases were matched to HIV-negative controls on gender, race/ethnicity and age, and tested for antibody to HSV-2. In a multivariate model, HIV infection was associated with HSV-2 infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.5, 95% confidence interval 1.1–11.7) and non-HSV-related sexually transmitted infection diagnosis in the previous year (AOR = 2.6, 1.1–6.2). Effective approaches to HIV risk reduction for individuals with HSV-2 remain uncertain, and these are urgently needed in high-risk communities where multiple social, behavioural and biological factors that facilitate HIV infection coexist.
Study on Nutrition Intervention Among Impaired Glucose Regulation Population

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of nutrition intervention among the impaired glucose regulation population.METHODS Choosing 57 IGR persons in a community as the intervention group and 58 IGR persons in another community as the control group.The intervention group received a 6-month nutrition intervention.RESULTS Compare to the control,the fasting plasma glucose,glucose tolerance,HbAlc,TG,TC,blood pressure decreased in the intervention group(P0.05).CONCLUSIONS Nutrition intervention can improve the glucose metabolism and reduce the risk of IGR among the IGR population.
Research and Test on Downlink CoMP Technique in TD-LTE System

According to the technical research and outfield experiment in TD-LTE commercial network, downlink coordination between cells based on coordinated multiple points(Co MP) technique is presented in this paper. Without changing the deployment of existing base stations and transmission equipments, it can improve the throughput of the users at the cell boundary, enhance the quality of experience and improve the competitiveness of TD-LTE industry.
Transmembrane helices in “classical” nuclear reproductive steroid receptors: a perspective

Steroid receptors of the nuclear receptor superfamily are proposed to be either: 1) located in the cytosol and moved to the cell nucleus upon activation, 2) tethered to the inside of the plasma membrane, or 3) retained in the nucleus until free steroid hormone enters and activates specific receptors. Using computational methods to analyze peptide receptor topology, we find that the "classical" nuclear receptors for progesterone (PRB/PGR), androgen (ARB/AR) and estrogen (ER1/ESR1) contain two transmembrane helices (TMH) within their ligand-binding domains (LBD).The MEMSAT-SVM algorithm indicates that ARB and ER2 (but not PRB or ER1) contain a pore-lining (channel-forming) region which may merge with other pore-lining regions to form a membrane channel. ER2 lacks a TMH, but contains a single pore-lining region. The MemBrain algorithm predicts that PRB, ARB and ER1 each contain one TMH plus a half TMH separated by 51 amino acids.ER2 contains two half helices. The TM-2 helices of ARB, ER1 and ER2 each contain 9-13 amino acid motifs reported to translocate the receptor to the plasma membrane, as well as cysteine palmitoylation sites. PoreWalker analysis of X-ray crystallographic data identifies a pore or channel within the LBDs of ARB and ER1 and predicts that 70 and 72 residues are pore-lining residues, respectively. The data suggest that (except for ER2), cytosolic receptors become anchored to the plasma membrane following synthesis. Half-helices and pore-lining regions in turn form functional ion channels and/or facilitate passive steroid uptake into the cell. In perspective, steroid-dependent insertion of "classical" receptors containing pore-lining regions into the plasma membrane may regulate permeability to ions such as Ca(2+), Na(+) or K(+), as well as facilitate steroid translocation into the nucleus.
Nucleic acid sensing and innate immunity: signaling pathways controlling viral pathogenesis and autoimmunity

Innate immunity refers to the body's initial response to curb infection upon exposure to invading organisms. While the detection of pathogen-associated molecules is an ancient form of host defense, if dysfunctional, autoimmune disease may result. The innate immune response during pathogenic infection is initiated through the activation of receptors recognizing conserved molecular patterns, such as nucleic acids from a virus' genome or replicative cycle. Additionally, the host's own nucleic acids are capable of activating an immune response. Therefore, it follows that the nucleic acid-sensing pathways must be tightly controlled to avoid an autoimmune response from recognition of self, yet still be unimpeded to respond to viral infections. In this review, we will describe the nucleic acid sensing pathways and how they respond to virus infection. Moreover, we will discuss autoimmune diseases that develop when these pathways fail to signal properly and identify knowledge gaps that are prime for interrogation.
Metagenome-Assembled Draft Genome Sequence of a Novel Microbial Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Strain Isolated from Caenorhabditisremanei Tissue.

ABSTRACT Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a Gram-negative aerobic bacterium and emerging nosocomial pathogen. Here, we present a draft genome sequence for an S. maltophilia strain assembled from a metagenomic DNA extract isolated from a laboratory stock of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis remanei.
Diagnostic accuracy of a two-item Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-2).

Abstract Objective Drug use is prevalent and costly to society, but individuals with drug use disorders (DUDs) are under-diagnosed and under-treated, particularly in primary care (PC) settings. Drug screening instruments have been developed to identify patients with DUDs and facilitate treatment. The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is one of the most well-known drug screening instruments. However, similar to many such instruments, it is too long for routine use in busy PC settings. This study developed and validated a briefer and more practical DAST for busy PC settings. Method We recruited 1300 PC patients in two Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinics. Participants responded to a structured diagnostic interview. We randomly selected half of the sample to develop and the other half to validate the new instrument. We employed signal detection techniques to select the best DAST items to identify DUDs (based on the MINI) and negative consequences of drug use (measured by the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences). Performance indicators were calculated. Results The two-item DAST (DAST-2) was 97% sensitive and 91% specific for DUDs in the development sample and 95% sensitive and 89% specific in the validation sample. It was highly sensitive and specific for DUD and negative consequences of drug use in subgroups of patients, including gender, age, race/ethnicity, marital status, educational level, and posttraumatic stress disorder status. Conclusions The DAST-2 is an appropriate drug screening instrument for routine use in PC settings in the VA and may be applicable in broader range of PC clinics.
From God to Gab: Analyzing the First Amendment Rights of Religious Student Groups in an Age of Free Speech and Political Correctness

This Note analyzes two separate court decisions regarding the rights of religious student groups on public university campuses: Christian Legal Soc'y v. Walker, 453 F.3d 853 (7th Cir. 2006) and Christian Legal Soc'y v. Kane, No. C 04-04484 JSW, 2006 WL 997217 (N.D. Cal. May 19, 2006). This Note argues that the Supreme Court should uphold the Seventh Circuit's decision, finding university derecognition of a student religious group that refuses to welcome as members those with beliefs directly in contrast to the founding principles of the religious organization constitutes viewpoint-based discrimination, in violation of the group's First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and expressive association. Part I will examine the Court's treatment of religious groups operating in government-sponsored forums throughout the 1980s and 1990s. This Part will analyze how these religious group rights cases came to be argued and decided as First Amendment speech cases rather than Establishment Clause and Free Exercise cases. It will also track the development of speech and expressive association claims as they pertain to religious organizations during this time period. Part II will examine the CLS cases through the lens of the Court's most recent freedom of expressive association cases: Boy Scouts v. Dale and Rumsfeld v. FAIR. Both the Seventh Circuit and the California District Court relied upon these cases in coming to their contrary opinions. How do these cases, particularly Rumsfeld, support the holding of each court, and which argument is the Supreme Court most likely to favor? Finally, Part III will look toward the future at the likely outcome of a CLS appeal to the Supreme Court. Does the Supreme Court's recent denial of certiorari for another Ninth Circuit case dealing with antidiscrimination and the expressive association rights of a group indicate reluctance by the newly constituted Court to hear religion and morality cases? Finally, assuming the Supreme Court grants certiorari in the CLS cases, this section will analyze how the newly constituted Court will analyze the issues presented by these cases, ultimately concluding that the briefs and opinions previously written by Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito respectively support affirmance of the Seventh Circuit decision.
Synthesis of carbon nanofibers via hydrothermal conversion of cellulose nanocrystals

Carbon nanofibers of 1–2 nm height and micrometer length were synthesized via a hydrothermal conversion of cellulose nanocrystals at 240 °C. The fibers were characterized by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. In the hypothesized mechanism, the self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals prior to their carbonisation provides a template for the nanofiber formation.
CASCADE DISCRETE-CONTINUOUS STATE ESTIMATORS FOR A CLASS OF MONOTONE SYSTEMS

A cascade discrete-continuous state estimator is proposed for a class of monotone systems with both continuous and discrete state. The proposed estimator exploits the partial order preserved by the system dynamics in order to satisfy two properties. First, its computation complexity scales with the number of variables to be estimated instead of scaling with the size of the discrete state space. Second, a separation principle holds: the continuous state estimation error is bounded by a monotonically decreasing function of the discrete state estimation error, the latter one converging to zero. A multi-robot example is proposed.
Descartes on the Infinity of Space vs. Time

In two rarely discussed passages – from unpublished notes on the Principles of Philosophy and a 1647 letter to Chanut – Descartes argues that the question of the infinite (or indefinite) extension of space is importantly different from the infinity of time. In both passages, he is anxious to block the application of his well-known argument for the indefinite extension of space to time, in order to avoid the theologically problematic implication that the world has no beginning. Descartes concedes that we always imagine an earlier time in which God might have created the world if he had wanted, but insists that this imaginary earlier existence of the world is not connected to its actual duration in the way that the indefinite extension of space is connected to the actual extension of the world. This paper considers whether Descartes’s metaphysics can sustain this asymmetrical attitude towards infinite space vs. time. I first consider Descartes’s relation to the ‘imaginary’ space/time tradition that extended from the late scholastics through Gassendi and More. I next examine carefully Descartes’s main argument for the indefinite extension of space and explain why it does not apply to time. Most crucially, since duration is merely conceptually distinct from enduring substance, the end or beginning of the world entails the end or beginning of real (as opposed to imaginary or abstract) time. In contrast, extension does not depend on any enduring substance besides itself.
No evidence of seasonal variation in mild forms of depression.

Abstract Background and objectives Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is ubiquitous in popular culture and has influenced psychiatric diagnosis with the inclusion of the seasonal pattern modifier for the Major Depressive Episode in DSM. However, recent research has not supported the association of Major Depressive Episode with seasonal changes. The present study was conducted to determine if a seasonally-related pattern of occurrence of mild variants of depression could be demonstrated in a population-based study. Methods This is a cross-sectional U.S. survey of adults who completed the PHQ-8 Depression Scale with mild depression defined using a PHQ-8 cut score and a second model based on the DSM-5 diagnosis, Depression with insufficient symptoms. Regression models were used to determine if either variant of mild depression was related to season, latitude, or measures of daylight hours. Results Neither measure of mild depression was related to daylight hours or its proxy measures. Limitations Screening instruments for depression, even if consistent with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, do not allow a formal diagnosis of depression or the exclusion of similar-appearing disorders. Current depression symptoms but not duration of depressive episode is measured. Conclusions Mild depression is not related to seasonal changes or proxy measures of light exposure. The findings cast doubt on light deficiency as a causal factor of depressive disorders, which underpins the inclusion of the seasonal pattern modifier in DSM-5 and light supplementation as a treatment modality.
Healthy Air, Healthy Brains: Advancing Air Pollution Policy to Protect Children’s Health

Evidence is growing on the adverse neurodevelopmental effects of exposure to combustion-related air pollution. Project TENDR (Targeting Environmental Neurodevelopmental Risks), a unique collaboration of leading scientists, health professionals, and children's and environmental health advocates, has identified combustion-related air pollutants as critical targets for action to protect healthy brain development. We present policy recommendations for maintaining and strengthening federal environmental health protections, advancing state and local actions, and supporting scientific research to inform effective strategies for reducing children's exposures to combustion-related air pollution. Such actions not only would improve children's neurological development but also would have the important co-benefit of climate change mitigation and further improvements in other health conditions.
Are Moderates Better Representatives than Extremists? A Theory of Indirect Representation

Few, if any, elected representatives are capable of unilaterally implementing their platforms. Rather, they choose between options generated by other actors and/or external events. We present a theory of voters’ preferences over representatives who will cast votes on their behalf, and show that in this setting voters’ preferences over candidates’ platforms will not look like voters’ preferences over policies. We demonstrate that these induced preferences for representation tend to favor more extreme representatives, and we present two models of electoral competition in which induced preferences over representatives lead to elite polarization.
Inhibition of Autoxidation by Vitamin E and Bilirubin

Antioxidants are known to have an anticarcinogenic effect1,2. Although they are capable of reducing the incidence of tumors induced by chemical carcinogens, their effect on radiation-induced tumors has not been clearly demonstrated3,4. The mechanism of the anticarcinogenic action of antioxidants is poorly understood, and despite numerous mechanistic studies of autoxidation processes and antioxidants in model systems, detailed reaction mechanisms under physiological conditions are still elusive. However, inhibition of free radical processes may be an important part of this activity.
Evaluating the Utility of Routine Imaging in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Nail Unit.

BACKGROUND Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the nail unit. No guidelines currently exist regarding the role of imaging in this specific location. OBJECTIVE To investigate the utility of routine imaging in SCC of the nail apparatus. METHODS A multi-institutional retrospective review of patients treated for nail unit SCC was performed. Data were collected on patient characteristics, tumor qualities, treatment, and radiographic imaging. A change in treatment was defined as more aggressive treatment (amputation) rather than local excision or Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). RESULTS One hundred seven patients with nail unit SCC were identified. Approximately 44/107 (41.1%) of patients were imaged and 63/107 (58.9%) were not. Mohs micrographic surgery was the most common primary treatment (66.4%). Mohs micrographic surgery was more commonly performed in nonimaged patients, and amputation was more commonly performed in imaged patients (p < .001). Bony changes were identified in 13/44 (29.5%) of imaged patients. In 8/44 (18.2%), imaging findings caused a change in treatment. In 99/107 (92.5%) of the cohort, imaging was either not performed or did not change management. CONCLUSION In select cases, imaging may help guide patient management. Sufficient evidence does not yet exist to support routine imaging for patients with nail unit SCC.
CT-based True- and False-Lumen Segmentation in Type B Aortic Dissection Using Machine Learning

The authors developed a five-step segmentation pipeline that segments the true and false lumina on CT angiograms in patients with type B aortic dissection and can be used to derive quantitative mor...
Period-colour and amplitude-colour relations in classical Cepheid variables IV: The multi-phase relations

The superb phase resolution and quality of the OGLE data on LMC and SMC Cepheids, together with existing data on Galactic Cepheids, are combined to study the period-colour (PC) and amplitude-colour (AC) relations as a function of pulsation phase. Our results confirm earlier work that the LMC PC relation (at mean light) is more consistent with two lines of differing slopes, separated at a period of 10 days. However, our multi-phase PC relations reveal much new structure which can potentially increase our understanding of Cepheid variables. These multi-phase PC relations provide insight into why the Galactic PC relation is linear but the LMC PC relation is non-linear. This is because the LMC PC relation is shallower for short (log P 1) period Cepheids than the corresponding Galactic PC relation. Both of the short and long period Cepheids in all three galaxies exhibit the steepest and shallowest slopes at phases around 0.75-0.85, respectively. A consequence is that the PC relation at phase ~0.8 is highly non-linear. Further, the Galactic and LMC Cepheids with log P > 1 display a flat slope in the PC plane at phases close to the maximum light. When the LMC period-luminosity (PL) relation is studied as a function of phase, we confirm that it changes with the PC relation. The LMC PL relation in V- and I-band near the phase of 0.8 provides compelling evidence that this relation is also consistent with two lines of differing slopes joined at a period close to 10 days.
Increasing underrepresented minority cancer patient enrollment into cancer clinical trials: A systematic review.

e18574Background: Minorities continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials despite the National Institute of Health’s Revitalization Act, passed in 1993, mandating the representation of women ...
Usability Evaluation of a Tablet-Based Intervention to Prevent Intradialytic Hypotension in Dialysis Patients During In-Clinic Dialysis: Mixed Methods Study

Background: Patients on hemodialysis receive dialysis thrice weekly for about 4 hours per session. Intradialytic hypotension (IDH)—low blood pressure during hemodialysis—is a serious but common complication of hemodialysis. Although patients on dialysis already participate in their care, activating patients toward IDH prevention may reduce their risk of IDH. Interactive, technology-based interventions hold promise as a platform for patient activation. However, little is known about the usability challenges that patients undergoing hemodialysis may face when using tablet-based informatics interventions, especially while dialyzing. Objective: This study aims to test the usability of a patient-facing, tablet-based intervention that includes theory-informed educational modules and motivational interviewing–based mentoring from patient peers via videoconferencing. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed methods usability evaluation of the tablet-based intervention by using think-aloud methods, field notes, and structured observations. These qualitative data were evaluated by trained researchers using a structured data collection instrument to capture objective observational data. We calculated descriptive statistics for the quantitative data and conducted inductive content analysis using the qualitative data. Results: Findings from 14 patients cluster around general constraints such as the use of one arm, dexterity issues, impaired vision, and lack of experience with touch screen devices. Our task-by-task usability results showed that specific sections with the greatest difficulty for users were logging into the intervention (difficulty score: 2.08), interacting with the quizzes (difficulty score: 1.92), goal setting (difficulty score: 2.28), and entering and exiting videoconference rooms (difficulty score: 2.07) that are used to engage with peers during motivational interviewing sessions. Conclusions: In this paper, we present implications for designing informatics interventions for patients on dialysis and detail resulting changes to be implemented in the next version of this intervention. We frame these implications first through the context of the role the patients’ physical body plays when interacting with the intervention and then through the digital considerations for software and interface interaction.
Additional mislabeling in African Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae): the case of Onthophagus viviensis and Onthophagus laevatus.

The study of the type material of Onthophagus viviensis d’Orbigny, 1905 and Onthophagus laevatus d’Orbigny, 1902 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Onthophagini) revealed that these two species described from Africa are instead two South American Onthophagus Latreille, 1802. The male of O. viviensis is described for the first time and its systematic position within the O. curvicornis species complex of American Onthophagus is discussed. In addition, Onthophagus laevatus new synonym is established as junior subjective synonym of Onthophagus curvicornis Latreille, 1812. Photographs of the type material examined, pictures of the body and male genitalia of O. viviensis and O. curvicornis, and an updated map of the geographic distribution of these two South American species is provided. A neotype is designated for O. curvicornis and lectotypes are designated for O. laevatus, O. minax Kirsch, 1866 and O. viviensis.
Vigilante Injustice - Deputizing and Weaponizing the Public to Stop Abortions.

Vigilante Injustice Besides its flagrant disregard for Roe v. Wade, the most damaging element of the new Texas abortion law is its citizen-posse enforcement scheme. And the mischief the law can cau...
The Fight over Home Court: An Analysis of the SEC's Increased Use of Administrative Proceedings

The Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 gave the SEC new authority to pursue monetary penalties through its in-house administrative court system, rather than in federal court. Since then, the Commission has won the overwhelming majority of these administrative proceedings, over which one of five SEC-appointed judges preside, including 219 successive favorable decisions from October 2013 to January 2015. Doubling down, the Commission has begun bringing more complaints in its administrative court than ever before, fully leveraging the procedural advantages the in-house system has over federal court, including no right to trial by jury, looser evidentiary standards, and a dramatically shortened discovery period.This Article argues that the Commission’s lack of regulating guidelines for its administrative proceedings deprives litigants of due process. Additionally, this Article shows that a strict reading of Supreme Court precedent dictates that executive control over the Commission’s administrative law judges is too attenuated under the Appointments Clause. To solve this problem, this Article proposes that Congress or the SEC institute objective criteria for bringing administrative proceedings and revise the SEC’s Rules of Practice.
Molecular Biology of Calcium Channels in the Cardiovascular System

Abstract Calcium ions are key intracellular messengers in the cardiovascular system. Calcium homeostasis is regulated by an extracellular cycle, which controls the entry and removal of calcium between the cytosol and extracellular space, and an intracellular cycle, which controls calcium fluxes between the cytosol and intracellular stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Several protein families mediate these calcium fluxes including those that (1) regulate the entry of calcium into the cytosol; (2) recognize calcium within the cytosol; and (3) remove calcium from the cytosol. Intracellular calcium binding proteins (the “E-F hand” proteins) recognize the appearance of calcium in the cytosol; in the heart and vascular smooth muscle, these proteins initiate excitation–contraction coupling. Calcium efflux occurs via adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent calcium pumps and sodium–calcium exchangers, while two families of channels—intracellular release calcium channels and plasma membrane calcium channels—regulate calcium entry into the cytosol. The plasma membrane calcium channels, which include the L- and T-type channels, are of the greatest clinical interest because they are targets for pharmacologic therapy. T-type calcium channels, which activate contraction in vascular smooth muscle but have little or no role in cardiac excitation–contraction coupling, appear to be involved in signal transduction pathways that promote cell growth and proliferation. Calcium channel blockers that selectively block T-type calcium channels, therefore, offer a novel approach to cardiovascular drug therapy.
Postcataract surgery endophthalmitis in the United States: analysis of the complete 2003 to 2004 Medicare database of cataract surgeries.

Objective To estimate endophthalmitis incidence after cataract surgery nationally and at the state level in 2003 and 2004 and to explore risk factors. Design Analysis of Medicare beneficiary claims data. Participants We evaluated billed claims for cataract surgery and endophthalmitis diagnosis and treatment for all Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in 2003-2004. Methods Cataract surgeries were identified by procedure codes and merged with demographic information. Cataract annual surgical volume was calculated for all surgeons. Presumed postoperative endophthalmitis cases were identified by International Classification of Diseases-9 Clinical Modification Codes on claims within 42 days after surgery. Endophthalmitis rates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated at state and national levels. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between developing endophthalmitis and surgery location and surgeon factors. Main Outcome Measures Endophthalmitis incidence and risk factors. Results We included 4006 cases of presumed endophthalmitis, which occurred after 3 280 966 cataract surgeries. The national rate in 2003 was 1.33 per 1000 surgeries (95% CI, 1.27–1.38) and decreased to 1.11 per 1000 (95% CI, 1.06–1.16) in 2004. Males (relative risk [RR], 1.23; 95% CI, 1.15–1.31), older individuals (RR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.38–1.69; ≥85 compared with 65–74 years), blacks (RR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.03–1.33), and Native Americans (RR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.07–2.77) had increased risk of disease. After adjustment, surgeries by surgeons with low annual volume (RR, 3.80; 95% CI, 3.13–4.61 for 1–50 compared with ≥1001 annual surgeries) and less experience (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.25–1.59 for 1–10 compared with ≥30 years), and surgeries performed in 2003 (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.13–1.28) had increased endophthalmitis risk. Conclusions Endophthalmitis rates are lower than previous yearly US estimates, but remain higher than rates reported from a series of studies from Sweden; patient factors or methodologic differences may contribute to differences across countries. Patient age, gender, and race, and surgeon volume and years of experience are important risk factors. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.
Higher Moments in Perturbation Solution of the Linear-Quadratic Exponential Gaussian Optimal Control Problem

The paper obtains two principal results. First, using a new definition of higher-order (>2) matrix derivatives, the paper derives a recursion for computing any Gaussian multivariate moment. Second, the paper uses this result in a perturbation method to derive equations for computing the 4th-order Taylor-series approximation of the objective function of the linear-quadratic exponential Gaussian (LQEG) optimal control problem. Previously, Karp (1985) formulated the 4th multivariate Gaussian moment in terms of MacRae's definition of a matrix derivative. His approach extends with difficulty to any higher (>4) multivariate Gaussian moment. The present recursion straightforwardly computes any multivariate Gaussian moment. Karp used his formulation of the Gaussian 4th moment to compute a 2nd-order approximation of the finite-horizon LQEG objective function. Using the simpler formulation, the present paper applies the perturbation method to derive equations for computing a 4th-order approximation of the infinite-horizon LQEG objective function. By illustrating a convenient definition of matrix derivatives in the numerical solution of the LQEG problem with the perturbation method, the paper contributes to the computational economist's toolbox for solving stochastic nonlinear dynamic optimization problems.
Anti-de Sitter Space from Supersymmetric Gauge Theory

We construct a four dimensional Yang-Mills theory with N = 4 twisted super- symmetry whose classical vacua correspond to four dimensional anti-de Sitter space. The theory utilizes a complex gauge field whose real part is a spin connection which is used to enforce local Lorentz invariance. The imaginary part of the connection can then be inter- preted as a vierbein. The topological construction ensures that the partition function and classical vacua are independent of the background geometry. Additionally a supersymmetric and gauge invariant lattice construction is possible yielding a non-perturbative definition of the theory.
Blind Salamanders beneath and Resident Scientists within our science classrooms: Secondary Student Attitudes in a NSF GK-12 Program

The purpose of this three-year study was to examine secondary school students’ attitudes about science in classrooms with resident scientists who had been trained in inquiry science teaching. The study was based upon a National Science Foundation (NSF) program called Project Flowing Waters , a five-year NSF Graduate STEM Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12) program. The program funded 26 doctoral students, known as NSF GK-12 Fellows, who served as bi-weekly resident scientists in science classrooms in local schools. We analyzed 15 teacher-resident scientist partnerships involving 609 secondary students using a mixed-methods design. We surveyed student attitudes in three categories: (a) science and scientists, (b) student abilities in science, and (c) importance and usefulness of science. We found significant differences in positively changing student attitudes, in the category science and scientists, in 3 of the 15 partnerships although with small Cohen’s d effect sizes. We found a significant difference in a positive direction in one partnership in the category attitudes about own science ability, with a medium Cohen’s d effect size. We also surveyed, using open-ended questions, students’ perspectives about their resident scientists and what they had learned. Students indicated that resident scientists had affected their learning with 72% of the responses being positive. The five most common responses concerning resident scientists were: “helps me understand science better”, “made it more interesting”, “easier to understand”, “I have learned new things”, “helpful and helps with the labs.” We also found common themes in student comments concerning what they had learned from their resident scientists including endangered species such as blind salamanders.
A model for mining material properties for radiation shielding

Radiation shielding has been an active subject of research in the space industry for many years. We propose a new model for mining material properties for radiation shielding. This work represents an effective way of using learning and feature selection for selecting the material properties that most affect the shielding effectiveness of materials. The methodology relies on machine learning as a measure for the identified subsets of material properties for radiation shielding. This is a new direction in working with radiation shielding using purely computational techniques with machine learning. The experimental results showed that the approach is quite effective in eliminating redundant features and identifying the most significant properties related to radiation shielding capability of materials. For example, we have identified some material properties, besides Density, like Heat of Fusion, Atomic Number, X-ray Absorption Edge, Electrical Resistivity, and Specific Heat Capacity that are highly related to the radiation shielding as they have been proved computationally. The evaluation results also show that all machine learning algorithms can induce more robust separating models for the subsets of reduced number of features that are highly significant in the domain of radiation shielding.
High-energy physics: Proton smasher spots rare particle decays.

The extremely rare decays of particles known as neutral B mesons have been observed at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. The result may be a glimpse of physics beyond that of the standard model of particle physics. See Letter p.68 When searching for physics beyond the standard model of particle physics, one promising route is to consider processes at very high energies that can be produced in particle colliders. Here, the CMS and LHCb collaborations working at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the largest particle accelerator in the world, report the observation of the extremely rare decay of a B meson into muons. In this decay, discrepancies from the standard model predictions might point towards supersymmetry which is thought to be a plausible candidate for a theory beyond the standard model. The combined results from the CMS and LHCb collaborations, however, confirm the standard model and do not show any signs of supersymmetry. The restart of the Large Hadron Collider this spring with higher operation energies will increase the production rate of B mesons and might bring new surprises and constraints for theories beyond the standard model of particle physics.
Three-dimensional Contrast-Enhanced MR Angiography of the Extracranial Carotid Arteries: Two Techniques

Two methods of contrast-enhanced dynamic 3-D MR angiography of the head and neck are demonstrated. In the first, arterial and arteriovenous phases are temporally resolved by timing contrast injection such that maximum arteriovenous signal intensity difference is matched to acquisition of central k-space. A second, faster sequence allows for temporal resolution of arterial, early arteriovenous, late arteriovenous, and washout arteriovenous phases without a need for precise injection timing.
Issues with the integration of technical information in planning for and responding to nontraditional disasters.

In the post-9/11 environment, it has become recognized that the response to man-made disasters (such as chemical spills, bioterrorism, and radiation dispersal) requires a much broader range of tools and technical knowledge than needed for natural disasters (i.e., hurricanes, earthquakes, or drought). This need also requires that those who develop technical information for disaster planning maintain a broader perspective of how the information will be used and what the priorities are for developing new information. In addition, the ability to communicate information within a context understandable to the “end user” has become more critical. The intent of this article is to present issues to help those who traditionally collect and interpret technical information (toxicology, risk assessment, mitigation planners, etc.) to better understand how their information is used in planning for and responding to incidents. These issues are similar to those experienced when trying to provide the users of information p...
Alternative possibilities in descartes's fourth meditation

According to what philosophers nowadays call the principle of alternative possibilities (PAP), if a person chooses something freely, then she could have chosen otherwise. 1 PAP makes freedom a ‘two...
Secondary psychoses: an update

Psychotic disorders due to a known medical illness or substance use are collectively termed secondary psychoses. In this paper, we first review the historic evolution of the concept of secondary versus primary psychosis and how this distinction supplanted the earlier misleading classification of psychoses into organic and functional. We then outline the clinical features and approach to the diagnosis of secondary psychotic disorders. Features such as atypical presentation, temporal relation to detectable medical cause, evidence of direct physiological causal relationship to the etiological agent, and the absence of evidence of a primary psychotic illness that may better explain the presentation suggest consideration of a secondary psychosis. Finally, we discuss how careful studies of secondary psychotic disorders can help elucidate the pathophysiology of primary, or idiopathic, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. We illustrate this issue through a discussion of three secondary psychotic disorders — psychoses associated with temporal lobe epilepsy, velocardiofacial syndrome, and N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis — that can, respectively, provide neuroanatomical, genetic, and neurochemical models of schizophrenia pathogenesis.
Studies of the Electrocardiogram Using Realistic Cardiac and Torso Models

Several aspects of the forward and inverse problems of electrocardiography are investigated through the use of digital computer models. Two forms of a fixed location, variable moment, 20-dipole cardiac model of QRS are developed from actual cardiac excitation data. One form uses time-varying orientation dipoles; the other uses fixed orientation dipoles. An electric multipole expansion (EME) cardiac model employing the dipole, quadrupole, and octupole terms is also developed and used as an equivalent forward and inverse cardiac model. Two realistically shaped torso models are used. The homogeneous torso has uniform conductivity; the inhomogeneous torso contains realistically shaped lung regions with reduced conductivity. It is found that when the EME model is used as an equivalent forward cardiac model, it can accurately represent the actual 20-dipole cardiac model in the homogeneous torso. Limb leads are accurately represented by the dipole terms alone while the precordial leads require the quadrupole and octupole terms. It is also found that while the lung regions have little effect on the ECG's produced by the models, these regions can have a significant effect on the inverse solutions for certain dipoles in the 20-dipole cardiac model. These lung regions appear to have a much smaller effect on the dipole terms in the EME model. Solutions of the inverse problem for the terms in the EME model indicate that when a limited number of measurements are used, the best results can be obtained by uniform distribution of the measurements over the torso.
Notes on the Horizon Illusion: II

Resume L'ILLUSION DE L'HORIZON: II Les investigateurs (dont la plupart sont des physiologistes) donnent des description differentes et contradictoires de la grandeur et de la distance apparentes des corps celestes et de la forme et des dimensions du firmament. On ne considere pas comme il faut les procedes psychiques en jeu. Tandis que la contraction du champ de vision decroit la grandeur et la distance de l'objet vu pour un champ donne, les procedes de l'attention sont pour la plupart determinatifs des proportions de ces proprietes. Les investigations de Jaensch ont montre le role de l'attention dans les effets haploscopiques et dans les phenomenes de profondeur. Les observations des images du coucher du soleil lesquelles viennent apres indiquent le jeu de l'attention dans la determination de la grandeur et de la distance apparentes de l'image. Dans ces experiences et celles de pareille nature c'est la position entiere d'un objet laquelle determine les proprietes spatiales et non la comparison avec des o...
Laser cladding assisted by induction heating of Ni–WC composite enhanced by nano-WC and La2O3

Laser cladding of Ni–WC composites with a high weight fraction of WC results in certain issues, such as cracking susceptibility, non-homogeneity, and WC particle dissolution. In this study, laser cladding of Ni-60%WC using a high-power direct diode laser with and without induction heating was investigated. In addition, the effects of synthesizing a nano-WC powder and rare-earth element (RE) on the quality of Ni–WC coatings were investigated. The effects of utilizing the induction heater on the molten pool evolution were monitored using a pyrometer and an infrared camera. It was observed that laser cladding assisted with an induction heater yielded smooth and homogeneous composite coatings without cracks or porosity. The thermally captured images revealed that the evolution of the molten pool in laser cladding assisted with induction heating was uniform and smooth. The addition of nano-WC particles and La2O3 enhanced the coating homogeneity, microstructure refinement, and coating microhardness correspondingly.
Statement Desirability Ratings in Forced-Choice Personality Measure Development: Implications for Reducing Score Inflation and Providing Trait-Level Information

Recent studies have produced mixed results regarding the effectiveness of forced-choice formats in reducing faking on personality measures. The present research examined a potentially important factor influencing forced-choice measure effectiveness—namely, the manner in which statement desirability ratings used in constructing forced-choice items are obtained—with the goal of clarifying previous findings and providing guidance for those interested in developing these measures. Two studies indicated that different desirability rating instructions produce substantially different forced-choice measures that are differentially effective in reducing score inflation and retaining trait-level information under faking conditions. These studies suggest that the manner in which statement desirability ratings are obtained may be an important consideration in forced-choice measure development.
p53 Target Genes Sestrin1 and Sestrin2 Connect Genotoxic Stress and mTOR Signaling

The tumor suppressor p53 is activated upon genotoxic and oxidative stress and in turn inhibits cell proliferation and growth through induction of specific target genes. Cell growth is positively regulated by mTOR, whose activity is inhibited by the TSC1:TSC2 complex. Although genotoxic stress has been suggested to inhibit mTOR via p53-mediated activation of mTOR inhibitors, the precise mechanism of this link was unknown. We now demonstrate that the products of two p53 target genes, Sestrin1 and Sestrin2, activate the AMP-responsive protein kinase (AMPK) and target it to phosphorylate TSC2 and stimulate its GAP activity, thereby inhibiting mTOR. Correspondingly, Sestrin2-deficient mice fail to inhibit mTOR signaling upon genotoxic challenge. Sestrin1 and Sestrin2 therefore provide an important link between genotoxic stress, p53 and the mTOR signaling pathway.
Design aspects of waveguide hybrid advance MEMS (WHAM)

ABSTRACT Three different versions of high numerical aperture (NA, 1.9) 0.3 0 field diffraction limited WHAM lens systems aredesigned for hi-density data storage by using over-hemi-cylinder surfaces. A prototype WHAM lens with NA1 =1 .23 is alsodiscussed. Detail ofunique tolerance issue is presented.Key words: Waveguide hybrid advance MEMS lens hi-density data storage 1.INTRODUCTION The hybrid recording system proposed by Rauch et al. uses two kinds offields1. One is the magnetic field that controls bitlength, and the other is an optical beam that controls track width. The optical module uses a fiber-optic input coupler andfocuses to a small width in the radial direction on the disk. It is possible to make the optical module, shown schematically inFigurel, as a waveguide system by using MEMS technology. The use ofMEMS technology allows for flexibility to includeother opto-mechanical elements into the system. It is very convenient to assemble the whole lens system into one body atthe time ofproduction. We call the concept wave-guide hybrid advanced MEMS (WHAM).The waveguide behaves like a collection of two-dimensional toric optical elements. The mode index is analogous to therefractive index of normal optical elements. The extent of index selection is related to the thickness range of waveguidelayers confmed by the modes that can be transmitted inside that layer. In case of a SiN material, only two (m0,1) modescan be transmitted for the thickness variation range lOOnm to 400nm. The index changes for the fundamental mode inducedby these thickness variations are from 1.75 to 2.05. Consideration of possible manufacturing complexity mandates that weuse as few thickness as possible in designing the WHAM system. In this article, we discuss design of the lens system indetail for a two-index system.