cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
More than one previous cesarean delivery: A 5-year experience with 435 patients

Objective To evaluate the obstetric outcome of patients who have had more than one previous cesarean delivery, and to compare it with that of patients with one previous cesarean. Methods Medical records of 435 women with more than one previous cesarean and 1206 with one previous cesarean, and who delivered at our institution in the period 1987–1991, were reviewed retrospectively. All adverse outcomes related to uterine wound separation identified in medical records were reviewed individually. Statistical analysis of outcome used χ 2 test, Fisher exact test, and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results Uterine wound separation occurred in nine of 435 patients with more than one previous cesarean compared with 16 of 1206 with a single previous cesarean (2.1 versus 1.3%, not significant). Of those undergoing a trial of labor, separations occurred in six of 302 and 12 of 1110 patients with more than one and a single previous operation, respectively (2.0 versus 1.1%, not significant). Vaginal birth after cesarean was successful less often in women with more than one previous cesarean than in those with one previous operation (64 versus 77%, P Conclusion Our findings support allowing a trial of labor for patients with more than one previous cesarean delivery under conditions that permit prompt recognition and treatment of emergencies.
Analysis of long-range Cs Rydberg potential wells

We analyse bound states at long-range (R∼5 μm) for pairs of Cs atoms in the 89D and neighbouring states. These wells are due solely to avoided crossings between the van der Waals pair interaction potentials. The depth of the wells is ∼40 MHz, and vibrational spectra consist of hundreds of bound states. We present detailed calculations of the properties of two of these wells at different electric fields (∼ mV cm− 1), since the electric field changes the well depth and shape. We estimate bound-state lifetimes μs, lineshapes, and two-photon excitation and detection rates ∼Hz from the 6P state at a temperature of T = 40 μK for these molecules.
Gender-based violence against adolescent and young adult women in low- and middle-income countries.

Abstract Purpose Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global health and human rights issue with individual and social determinants. Youth are considered high risk; national influences include norms, policies and practices. By age, nation, and region, we contrast key GBV indicators, specifically intimate partner violence (IPV) and forced sexual debut among adolescent and young adult women using Demographic and Health Surveys across low- and middle-income countries. Methods National prevalence estimates were generated among adolescents (15–19 years) and young adults (20–24 years) for lifetime and the past-year physical and sexual IPV among ever-married/cohabitating women (30 nations) and forced sexual debut among sexually experienced women (17 nations). Meta-analyses provided regional estimates and cross-national comparisons, and compared the past-year IPV prevalence among adolescent and young adult women to adult women. Results An estimated 28% of adolescent and 29% of young adult women reported lifetime physical or sexual IPV, most prevalent in the East and Southern Africa region. Regional and cross-national variation emerged in patterns of violence by age; overall, young adult women demonstrated higher risk for the past-year IPV relative to adult women (meta-analysis odds ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.37) and adolescents had a comparable risk (meta-analysis odds ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, .91–1.23). Forced sexual debut was estimated at 12% overall, highest in the East and Southern Africa region. Conclusions GBV is pervasive among adolescent and young adult women in low- and middle-income countries. The unique risk to youth varies across nations, suggesting an age–place interaction. Future research is needed to clarify contextual determinants of GBV. Findings provide direction for integrating youth within GBV prevention efforts.
Surgical Resident Training Using Real-Time Simulation of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Physiology with Echocardiography

Background With increasing complexity of medical care and continuing limitations on medical education, the use of simulation is becoming ever more important. Several simulators have been developed to teach procedural-based surgical tasks. The care of the cardiac surgical patient requires an in-depth understanding of physiology, particularly as pertains to cardiopulmonary bypass. We describe the use of the Human Patient Simulator (HPS) to teach perioperative fundamentals to surgical residents. Methods General surgery residents from the University of Kentucky participated in an interactive simulation pilot program. The METI (Medical Education Technology, Inc, Sarasota, Florida) HPS was used with custom programming to demonstrate simulated intraoperative and postoperative physiology related to cardiopulmonary bypass. Didactics, in addition to intraoperative echocardiographic images, were provided. Fund of knowledge was assessed by a computerized pre- and posttest that was administered to the trainees, and self-assessment data were collected using a Likert scale. Results Nineteen general surgery residents participated. An overall improvement in performance on the test was demonstrated from 63% correct to 85% correct. In general, residents found the simulation useful, appreciated the opportunity to treat crisis situations without risk of harm to a patient, and felt they could apply the knowledge gained from this program in their future practice. Conclusions Simulation serves as a useful adjunct to medical education. We have demonstrated the use of the HPS to provide a real-time simulation of the physiology of cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative care. We plan to use this system as part of our standard curriculum of training rotating residents and junior fellows and anticipate this system could be used as part of future cardiothoracic simulations.
Kinetics of Diblock Copolymer Micellization by Dissipative Particle Dynamics

Micelle formation from a solution of randomly dispersed diblock copolymers in a selective solvent is found to be a three-stage process with a substantial contribution from kinetic processes involving small aggregates (dimers, trimers, etc.) and micelle fusion/fission resulting in a bimodal aggregation number distribution at intermediate times. Dissipative particle dynamics simulations were applied to study micellization kinetics and equilibrium properties of micelle solutions. The critical micelle concentration, micelle aggregation number distribution, and micelle structure were found to agree well with previous experimental and theoretical studies. The time-evolution of micelles from unimers is found to follow three stages: unimer consumption, equilibration of the number of micelles driven by the fusion/fission mechanism, and slow adjustment of the weight-average aggregation number by micelle fusion, unimer and small aggregate exchange. The effect of polymer concentration, hydrophobic interaction energy,...
Surface reaction mechanisms for atomic layer deposition of silicon nitride

Abstract We use density functional theory to investigate atomic layer deposition of silicon nitride using silane and ammonia as precursors. Cluster models are used to represent the reactive sites on the surface of silicon nitride. We have simulated surface reactions on as-deposited Si3N4 as well as the initial Si3N4 growth on Si(1 0 0). We have calculated the kinetics and mechanisms for the reactions of SiH4 and NH3 on Si–H∗ and N–H∗ surface sites. We find that reactions of NH3 and SiH4 with the Si–H∗ surface sites of as-deposited Si3N4 have activation barriers of 40 and 80 kcal/mol, respectively. On the other hand, SiH4 and NH3 react on the N–H∗ surface sites of as–deposited Si3N4 with activation barriers of 52 and 114 kcal/mol, respectively. The low activation barriers for forming Si–N bonds relative to the barriers for reactions that form Si–Si and N–N bonds lead to the properties of selectivity and self-limiting reaction required for ALD. The barrier for formation of Si–Si bonds is significantly below the barrier for formation of N–N bonds explaining the tendency for CVD grown Si3N4 films using SiH4 and NH3 to be Si rich.
Impacts of laurel wilt disease on redbay (Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng.) population structure and forest communities in the coastal plain of Georgia, USA

Laurel wilt disease (LWD), a fungal disease vectored by the non-native redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff), has caused mortality of redbay (Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng.) in the coastal plain of Georgia since 2003. Despite its rapid spread, little research has evaluated its impacts on redbay population structure and forest communities. Diseased populations of redbay in five sites (2–4 years post infestation) were compared to healthy populations in three uninfested sites in five counties in Georgia. The results showed high redbay mortality, shifts in size structure, and changes in community composition. An average of 90 % of redbay trees ≥3 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were dead in infested sites, compared to 0–35 % in control sites. Mortality was seen in individuals of the smallest stem diameter category (<1.00 cm diameter at ground height). DBH of live redbay trees in control sites was twice that of those in infested sites. Photosynthetically active radiation was 4.8 times greater at infested sites than control sites due to loss of redbay canopy. Community structure measurements showed redbay trees had the greatest mean importance value (IV) at control sites compared to the 8th mean IV at infested sites for live stems. Two species co-dominant to redbay, sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana L.) and loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus (L.) J. Ellis), were of higher importance at infested than control sites, suggesting they are increasing in dominance following the mortality of redbay. This study shows LWD has impacted redbay populations and altered associated forest communities in Georgia.
A proposed classification system for liver metastasis from colorectal carcinoma.

A proposed classification system for liver metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is presented. This proposed system utilizes the prognostic factors of the extent of hepatic involvement by metastasis at the time of laparotomy, performance status, preoperative serum alkaline phosphatase level, and the presence or absence of extrahepatic intraabdominal disease at the time of laparotomy. Because of the several different modes of treatment for liver metastasis from colorectal carcinoma, it is necessary that a liver classification system be adopted so that different treatment groups will be comparable. The proposed system utilizes the extent of hepatic involvement by metastasis at laparotomy with a division into three subsets of patients described by a Roman numeral. Roman numeral I represents less than or equal to 25 per cent involvement of the liver by metastasis; Roman numeral II represents greater than 25 per cent but less than or equal to 50 per cent involvement by liver metastasis, and Roman numeral III represents greater than 50 per cent involvement by liver metastasis: An Arabic subscript number is used to describe the patients' performance status. Alkaline phosphatase levels are described by a subscript letter with a representing less than two times normal alkaline phosphatase, b representing greater than two times, but less than four times normal levels, and c representing greater than four times normal levels. At the time of laparotomy extrahepatic intra-abdominal disease is represented by the superscript letter E.
South Carolina’s Tidal Rice Fields: Consultation, Collaboration, and Cultural Landscapes

South Carolina’s tidal rice fields are significant historic and cultural landscapes. A critical piece of the cultural significance is continuity in the process of using the land. This essay provides an overview of how collaboration among historic preservationists, archaeologists, biologists, federal and state agencies, consultants, and plantation managers resulted in new methods of permitting work in historic tidal rice fields and new understandings of rice fields as significant historic properties.
Small molecule-induced ablation and subsequent regeneration of larval zebrafish melanocytes

We developed a method to efficiently ablate a single cell type, the zebrafish melanocyte, and study the mechanisms of its regeneration. We found that a small molecule, (2-morpholinobutyl)-4-thiophenol (MoTP), specifically ablates zebrafish larval melanocytes or melanoblasts, and that this melanocytotoxicity is dependent on tyrosinase activity, which presumably converts MoTP to cytotoxic quinone species. Following melanocyte ablation by MoTP treatment, we demonstrate by BrdU incorporation experiments that regenerated melanocytes are derived from the division of otherwise quiescent melanocyte precursors or stem cells. We further show that larval melanocyte regeneration requires the kit receptor tyrosine kinase. Our results suggest that a small number of melanocyte precursors or stem cells unevenly distributed in larvae are drawn upon to reconstitute the larval melanocyte population following melanocyte ablation by MoTP.
Stress Protection Afforded by a Cast on Plate Fixation of the Distal Forelimb in the Horse In Vitro

Six forelimb specimens from three adult horses had the fetlock joint fused by application of a dorsal plate and by a screw placed in lag fashion through the metacarpus to each proximal sesamoid bone. Five specimens were instrumented on the central dorsal surface of the plate with a single rosette strain gage, and the plate of the sixth specimen was instrumented with four longitudinally oriented single-axis strain gages. The specimens were loaded axially in compression to 4,000 N in a cast (test 1), in a cast with a heel block (test 2), and uncast (test 3). The principal angle of strain in all specimens, in all tests, closely approximated the vertical axis at loads 1,000 N than the cast specimens (P 3,000 N, the principal angle in test 3 closely approximated the horizontal axis, indicating a change from tension to compression on the dorsal surface of the plate, whereas the principal angle of the cast specimens was unchanged. Specimens in a cast (tests 1 and 2) suffered less surface deformation than did uncast specimens (test 3). Therefore, the cast changed the direction and extent of bending at the point of fixation, and thereby decreased the deformation of the plate. This effect would lead to greater fatigue life of the implant in the cast specimens compared with the uncast specimens.
Experimental and numerical analyses of indentation in finite-sized isotropic and anisotropic rubber-like materials

Indentation tests perpendicular to the major plane of a material have been proposed as a means to index some of its in-plane mechanical properties. We showed the feasibility of such tests in myocardial tissue and established its theoretical basis with a formulation of small indentation superimposed on a finitely stretched half-space of isotropic materials. The purpose of this study is to better understand the mechanics of indentation with respect to the relative effects of indenter size, indentation depth, and specimen size, as well as the effects of material properties. Accordingly, we performed indentation tests on slabs of silicone rubber fabricated with both isotropic, as well as transversely isotropic, material symmetry. We performed indentation tests in different thickness specimens with varying sizes of indenters, amounts of indentation, and amounts of in-plane stretch. We used finite-element method simulations to supplement the experimental data. The combined experimental and modeling data provide the following useful guidelines for future indentation tests in finite-size specimens: (i) to avoid artifacts from boundary effects, the in-plane specimen dimensions should be at least 15 times the indenter size; (ii) to avoid nonlinearities associated with finite-thickness effects, the thickness-to-radius ratio should be >10 and thickness to indentation depth ratio should be >5; and (iii) we also showed that combined indentation and inplane stretch could distinguish the stiffer direction of a, transversely isotropic material.
Urinary Sediment Overlapping Cells Image Segmentation Based on Combination Strategy

The cell overlapping phenomenon often appears in the urinary sediment images. Separating overlapped cells into individual ones is a great important and difficult task for the automatic urinary sediment examination system. To solve this problem, an efficient segmenting algorithm based on combination strategy is proposed in this paper. The algorithm first locates the overlapped cells utilizing the improved adaptive threshold segmentation algorithm with mathematical morphology processing, and then adopts the watersheds algorithm based on distance transform to segment them. The experimental results of this algorithm are found to be very efficient and precise. Furthermore, the algorithm apparently improves the performance of the automatic urinary sediment examination system.
Theoretical study of CO and NO vibrational frequencies in Cu-water clusters and implications for Cu-exchanged zeolites

Local spin density functional theory calculations of vibrational frequencies were performed for small Cu-containing complexes in an effort to assess models of exchanged Cu ion sites in zeolites and to help interpret infrared spectroscopy results. Model complexes consisted of Cun+ (n = 0−2) ions with varying coordination to water ligands and to more realistic fragments of zeolites. Calculated CO and NO vibrational frequencies for Cu-bound mono- and dicarbonyl and mono- and dinitrosyl species lie in ranges consistent with experimentally observed frequencies and confirm earlier assignments. Our results show a clear linear correlation between bond length and frequency for both carbonyl and nitrosyl complexes. The (nominal) oxidation state of Cu in these complexes is the most important factor in determining CO and NO frequencies and bond lengths, with the local coordination of Cu and the presence of explicit countercharges producing secondary effects.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae exonuclease-1 plays a role in UV resistance that is distinct from nucleotide excision repair

Two closely related genes, EXO1 and DIN 7, in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been found to be sequence homologs of the exo1 gene from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe . The proteins encoded by these genes belong to the Rad2/XPG and Rad27/FEN-1 families, which are structure-specific nucleases functioning in DNA repair. An XPG nuclease deficiency in humans is one cause of xeroderma pigmentosum and those afflicted display a hypersensitivity to UV light. Deletion of the RAD2 gene in S. cerevisiae also causes UV hypersensitivity, due to a defect in nucleotide excision repair (NER), but residual UV resistance remains. In this report, we describe evidence for the residual repair of UV damage to DNA that is dependent upon Exo1 nuclease. Expression of the EXO1 gene is UV inducible. Genetic analysis indicates that the EXO1 gene is involved in a NER-independent pathway for UV repair, as exo1 rad2 double mutants are more sensitive to UV than either the rad2 or exo1 single mutants. Since the roles of EXO1 in mismatch repair and recombination have been established, double mutants were constructed to examine the possible relationship between the role of EXO1 in UV resistance and its roles in other pathways for repair of UV damaged DNA. The exo1 msh2 , exo1 rad51 , rad2 rad51 and rad2 msh2 double mutants were all more sensitive to UV than their respective pairs of single mutants. This suggests that the observed UV sensitivity of the exo1 deletion mutant is unlikely to be due to its functional deficiencies in MMR, recombination or NER. Further, it suggests that the EXO1 , RAD51 and MSH2 genes control independent mechanisms for the maintenance of UV resistance.
How brand community practices create value

Abstract Using social practice theory, this article reveals the process of collective value creation within brand communities. Moving beyond a single case study, the authors examine previously published research in conjunction with data collected in nine brand communities comprising a variety of product categories, and they identify a common set of value-creating practices. Practices have an “anatomy” consisting of (1) general procedural understandings and rules (explicit, discursive knowledge); (2) skills, abilities, and culturally appropriate consumption projects (tacit, embedded knowledge or how-to); and (3) emotional commitments expressed through actions and representations. The authors find that there are 12 common practices across brand communities, organized by four thematic aggregates, through which consumers realize value beyond that which the firm creates or anticipates. They also find that practices have a physiology, interact with one another, function like apprenticeships, endow participants ...
Bioabsorbable Fixation of Unstable Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions

BackgroundOsteochondritis dissecans lesions of the knee in adult patients frequently require surgical intervention. However, the ideal method of osteochondral fragment fixation remains uncertain.PurposeThis study was undertaken to determine the clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes of bioabsorbable fixation for unstable osteochondritis dissecans lesions involving the femoral condyles of the knee in skeletally mature patients.Study DesignCase series; Level of evidence, 4.MethodsSkeletally mature patients with an unstable osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the femoral condyle (Ewing and Voto stages II-IV) treated with bioabsorbable internal fixation and minimum 1-year follow-up were included in this retrospective study cohort. Pre- and postoperative radiographs were reviewed and postoperative Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were documented.ResultsA total of 21 knees in 21 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria, and 3 patients were lost to follow-up. The rem...
Needle Electrode-Based Electromechanical Reshaping of Cartilage

Electromechanical reshaping (EMR) of cartilage provides an alternative to the classic surgical techniques of modifying the shape of facial cartilages. The original embodiment of EMR required surface electrodes to be in direct contact with the entire cartilage region being reshaped. This study evaluates the feasibility of using needle electrode systems for EMR of facial cartilage and evaluates the relationships between electrode configuration, voltage, and application time in effecting shape change. Flat rabbit nasal septal cartilage specimens were deformed by a jig into a 90° bend, while a constant electric voltage was applied to needle electrodes that were inserted into the cartilage. The electrode configuration, voltage (0–7.5 V), and application time (1–9 min) were varied systematically to create the most effective shape change. Electric current and temperature were measured during voltage application, and the resulting specimen shape was assessed in terms of retained bend angle. In order to demonstrate the clinical feasibility of EMR, the most effective and practical settings from the septal cartilage experimentation were used to reshape intact rabbit and pig ears ex vivo. Cell viability of the cartilage after EMR was determined using confocal microscopy in conjunction with a live/dead assay. Overall, cartilage reshaping increased with increased voltage and increased application time. For all electrode configurations and application times tested, heat generation was negligible (<1 °C) up to 6 V. At 6 V, with the most effective electrode configuration, the bend angle began to significantly increase after 2 min of application time and began to plateau above 5 min. As a function of voltage at 2 min of application time, significant reshaping occurred at and above 5 V, with no significant increase in the bend angle between 6 and 7.5 V. In conclusion, electromechanical reshaping of cartilage grafts and intact ears can be effectively performed with negligible temperature elevation and spatially limited cell injury using needle electrodes.
A Framework of Composite Information Systems for Strategic Advantage

One important category of strategic applications involves intracorporate linkage or intracorporate integration. Applications in this category require multiple systems to work together. The authors refer to this category of information systems as composite information systems (CIS). They present the research issues and directions they have identified to date that may lead to a comprehensive foundation of CIS. With the systems environment in context, they investigate the strategic, technical, and organizational issues involved in CIS and the corresponding research directions. The authors are actively building a theory of CIS based on the research direction they have identified. >
Nuclear Factor I Regulates Expression of the Gene for Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP)

Abstract Nuclear factor-I (NFI) binds to the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (PEPCK) gene promoter immediately 5′ to the cAMP regulatory element (CRE). This suggests an interaction between NFI and factors that bind the CRE. Of the four NFI isoforms expressed in mammalian tissues, NFI-A and -B stimulate basal transcription from the PEPCK gene promoter in HepG2 cells, while NFI-C and -X are slightly inhibitory. All four NFI isoforms abrogate the 20-fold protein kinase Ac (PKAc)-mediated induction of transcription from the PEPCK gene promoter. Normal PKAc-mediated induction was noted when the CRE was moved 10 base pairs 3′ of its original location. However if the CRE was moved 5 base pairs 3′, placing it out of phase with the other elements in the promoter, or moved 5′ to −285 (the P3(I) site in the promoter), some PKA-mediated stimulation was lost. The NFI-C isoform effectively inhibited PKAc induction regardless of the relative positions of the CRE and the NFI binding sites. NFI-C also abrogated cAMP regulatory element-binding protein (CREB)-induced activity of wild type and mutant PEPCK promoters. There was some cooperativity in the binding of CREB and NFI to their respective binding sites but this did not appear to be physiologically important.
The Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene BRCA1 Regulates Progesterone Receptor Signaling in Mammary Epithelial Cells

The progesterone receptor (PR) plays roles in normal mammary development and breast cancer formation, where it may exert both stimulatory and inhibitory actions. Previously, the breast cancer susceptibility gene product BRCA1 was found to interact with and inhibit the transcriptional activity of estrogen receptor-alpha. In this study, we found that exogenous wild-type BRCA1 inhibited the activity of the PR in transient transfection assays utilizing a mouse mammary tumor virus-Luc reporter. Wild-type BRCA1 inhibited the activity of endogenous PR in human breast cancer cells (T47D and MCF-7) and inhibited the activity of exogenous PR-A, PR-B, and [PR-A plus PR-B] isoforms. On the other hand, knockdown of endogenous BRCA1 using small interfering RNA enhanced the progesterone-stimulated activity of the PR by about 4-fold. We documented an in vivo association of the endogenous BRCA1 with PR isoforms A and B and a direct in vitro interaction between BRCA1 and PR, which was partially mapped. Whereas down-regulation of the coactivator p300 contributes to the BRCA1-mediated repression of estrogen receptor-alpha, this mechanism does not contribute to inhibition of PR activity, because exogenous p300 did not rescue the BRCA1 repression of PR activity. The BRCA1-PR interaction has functional consequences. Thus, we showed that BRCA1 inhibits the expression of various endogenous progesterone-responsive genes and inhibits progesterone-stimulated proliferation of T47D cells. Finally, exogenous progesterone caused an exaggerated proliferative response in the mammary glands of mice harboring a mammary-targeted conditional deletion of the full-length isoform of Brca1. These findings suggest that BRCA1 regulates the activity of progesterone, a major hormone of pregnancy that may also participate in mammary carcinogenesis.
Spread of invading organisms

D.A. Andow', P.M. Kareiva2, Simon A. Levin3 and Akira Okubo4 'Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108; 2Department of Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195; 3Ecosystems Research Center; Center for Environmental Research; and Section of Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University, Ithaca, N Y 14853; 4Marine Sciences Research Center, State University of New York, Stony Brook, N Y 11794; and Ecosystems Research Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, N Y
Comparison of aphakic refraction formulas for secondary in-the-bag intraocular lens power estimation in children

Purpose Intraocular lens (IOL) formulas based on aphakic refraction alone have been proposed as an alternative to biometry-based formulas. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative accuracy of these simplified formulas. Methods Records of patients who received secondary in-the-bag (IOL) implants and for whom aphakic refraction was obtainable were retrospectively studied. The formulas for IOL power calculation by Hug (J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2004;41;209-11) and Khan and by AlGaeed (Br J Ophthalmol 2006;90:1458-60; modified to account for greater K values in our population) were compared with the biometry-based Holladay 1 formula by calculating the absolute prediction error for each. Results Twenty eyes met the inclusion criteria. The average age at IOL implantation was 4.8 ± 3.4 years. The mean of the absolute value of the prediction error when we used the Hug's formula was 2.4 ± 2.1 D; with Khan's formula, 2.4 ± 2.0 D; and with biometry, 1.6 ± 1.4 D. None of these differences was statistically significant (paired t test: Hug vs Khan, P = 0.9; biometry vs Hug, P = 0.3; biometry vs Khan, P = 0.2). The absolute prediction error was more than 2 D in 8 of 20 eyes (40%) when we used Hug's formula, 11 of 20 eyes (55%) with Khan's formula, and 5 of 20 eyes (25%) with biometry. Conclusions Although the 0.8 D reduction in accuracy of the refraction-based formulas was not statistically significant, we recommend continued use of biometry-based formulas for IOL power calculation. Aphakic refraction may be used to confirm IOL power prediction when biometry is difficult.
Self-Directed Learning: To be Aware or not to be Aware

Although prior research on outcome assessment on skill development has documented students' improvement through self-directed change, it is not clear whether students are aware of their own change. This study focused on students' awareness of self-directed change at a professional management school. A group of students were given repeated opportunities to reflect about their self-directed change process during the program, and their awareness of change was compared with other students who were not given a similar opportunity. Although both groups improved their managerial skills during the program, the reflective group had a greater awareness of its own change than the comparison group but overestimated the amount of improvement. Interestingly, despite the greater behavioral change, the comparison group displayed an extremely low level of awareness of change. A number of explanations for this discrepancy are offered, and the implications for learning and education are discussed.
Poetic Liberalism: Isaiah Berlin on Writing Liberal Citizenship

While Berlin scholarship has long debated the philosophical grounding of his liberal commitments, recent work has pointed to the role of psychology, not philosophy, as the basis of liberalism in Berlin’s thought. Noting that Berlin himself is extremely skeptical of the ability of philosophy to establish positive normative conclusions, this new direction instead focuses on Berlin’s own explanation of the factor that unites his central commitments: a kind of personality or temperament that is naturally drawn towards liberal and pluralist political convictions. But there remains the question of how this temperament emerges in the first place. How can liberals perpetuate the sentiments that underlie their political commitments? And can they do so in light of the liberal aversion to coercive form of moral education?In this paper, I offer an account of a Berlinian approach to fostering liberal convictions. I do so by drawing together two beliefs Berlin advances independent of one another, beliefs Berlin himself never explicitly connects. The first of these is Berlin’s understanding of the psychological basis of liberalism, which sees liberal convictions emerging from empathy and imagination, qualities cultivated by learning to think from perspectives alien to our own. The second belief is Berlin’s conception of humane scholarship, which emphasizes the role that empathy and imagination play in any study of human beings, including literature, art, and history. Considering these beliefs in conjunction with one another, it is clear that humane scholarship has a potentially important political function. Though there are many ways of encouraging the empathy and imagination so crucial to liberal politics - travel and literature, for example - the study of the history of ideas exercises these intellectual qualities in a robust way. As such, Berlin’s many essays and lectures in the history of ideas can be understood not only as contributions to political theory but also as a form of political practice. In this reading of Berlin’s political theory, his work in the history of ideas is not merely a scholarly pursuit, however valuable in itself, which runs parallel to and stands apart from Berlin’s more explicitly polemical defenses of liberalism. Rather, these studies in the history of ideas are themselves a form of liberal education, a way of building up the real foundations of liberal politics. Instead of catechizing citizens in certain liberal doctrines - itself a dubiously liberal enterprise - a Berlinian political education cultivates a kind of temperament that is likely to support tolerant, liberal policies. A political education that encourages these basic qualities can therefore sustain liberal politics without resorting to coercion or indoctrination. By reading Berlin in this way, then, we can not only come to a better understanding of his political theory as a whole; we can also see the potential for a genuinely liberal method of promoting liberal politics.
Launching Landscape Ecology in America and Learning from Europe

This chapter traces the United States Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (USIALE) evolution from and early relationship to the International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE). This chapter describes the early meeting sites of IALE, and individual leadership that emanated from the United States during these formative years.
Evaluation of Fetal First and Second Cervical Vertebrae: Normal or Abnormal?

OBJECTIVES To use 3-dimensional sonographic volumes to evaluate the variable appearance of the normal fetal cervical spine and craniocervical junction, which if unrecognized may lead to misdiagnosis of malalignment at the first and second cervical vertebrae (C1 and C2). METHODS Three-dimensional sonographic volumes of the fetal cervical spine were obtained from 24 fetuses at gestational ages between 12 weeks 6 days and 35 weeks 1 day. The volumes were reviewed on 4-dimensional software, and the vertebral level was determined by labeling the first rib-bearing vertebra as the first thoracic vertebra. The ossification centers of the cervical spine and occipital condyles were then labeled accordingly and evaluated for alignment and structure by rotating the volumes in oblique planes. The appearance on multiplanar images was assessed for possible perceived anomalies, including malalignment, particularly at the C1 and C2 levels. Evidence of head rotation was correlated with the presence of possible malalignment at C1-C2. Head rotation was identified in the axial plane by measuring the angle of the anteroposterior axis of C1 to the anteroposterior axis of C2. RESULTS Of the 24 fetuses, 16 had adequate quality to assess the entire cervical spine and craniocervical junction. All 16 cases showed an osseous component of C1 that did not align directly with C2 on some of the multiplanar images when the volumes were rotated, which could lead to suspected diagnosis of spinal malalignment or a segmental abnormality, as occurred in 2 clinical cases in our practice. All 16 cases showed at least some degree of head rotation, ranging from 2° to 36°, which may possibly explain the apparent malalignment. The lateral offset from C1 to C2 ranged from 0.0 to 3.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS The normal C1 and C2 ossification centers may appear to be malaligned due to normal offsetting (lateral displacement) of C1 on C2. An understanding of the normal development of the cervical spine is important in assessing spinal anatomy.
Differential Sensitivity of Profound Retardates to Adults' Steady Gaze

The profoundly mentally retarded (PMR) represent a group whose pre-verbal status defies efforts to decipher their primitive communicative modes (Cleland & Alunan, 1969). Research on visual interaction suggests that children do demonstrate a high degree of sensitivity to observation (Gibson & Pick, 1963), and in his extensive review of non-verbal modes of communication Duncan (1969) emphasizes the need for research focusing on the reactions of recipients of steady gazes, noting, "The effect on the subject of this possibly unnatural and obtrusive behavior is not known and should be investigated." The present study, exploring the responses of PMRs to one form of non-verbal communication (steady gaze), extends the search for fundamental and universal elements underlying paralinguistic systems (Trager, 1961) to yet another culture, perhaps the most primitive one of all. Ten ambulatory male Ss manifesting no visual-auditory or gross motor defects were selected from the population of PMRs at the Brown Schools, Austin, Texas. CA ranged from 18.0 to 33.4 yr. (M = 25.4). Most Ss were untestable on standardized intelligence tests, but Vineland Social Maturity Quotients ranged from 6.0 to 14.0 (M = 9.6). Ss were gazed at steadily by 1 of 2 male Es under both a free condition in the ward settings and individually in a distraction-free room. In addition, Es looked at S both with and without sunglasses in both settings. Under all conditions E approached S, began to gaze steadily at him from a distance of approximately 2 ft, and maintained his gaze until S clearly terminated contact. Ss' behavioral responses, including reaction time (R = 5-27 sec., M = 18 sec.) were recorded by two observers. This pilot study of 10 PMR Ss showed all were sensitive to steady gaze and two distinct types of behavior were elicited. Six Ss withdrew and turned away while four made approach responses, all responding within 30 sec. Avoiders typically turned and walked away, although one pulled his shirt over his head, and another whose avoidance moves were countered by E, struck E in the eye. Approachers typically laughed, exhibited increased babbling, embraced E, and appeared pleased, as though the steady gaze was a game. Indeed, one S spontaneously approached an E 20 min. after termination of the encounters, fixed E with a gaze, laughed playfully and jumped exuberantly toward E. Over-all, the important finding was the remarkable intra-subject consistency-all "avoiders" in one condition to one E avoided both Es under all conditions, and approachers were uniformly consistent. Such intra-subject consistency complements the inter-study consistency reported by Duncan and supports his notation of a "high degree of regularity and organization among the nonverbal behaviors under considerationm-visual interaction included.
Positive-Tone Polymer Images by Surface Modification in Ion Beam Exposures

Under exposures of high energy radiation in vacuum, decarboxylation takes place efficiently on polymer surfaces having carboxylic acid groups. Low energy electron and ion beams are particularly efficient in these chemical reactions on the surfaces because their energy deposition is limited to very shallow depths. The surface areas exposed to the radiation have properties similar to hydrocarbons after decarboxylation, resulting in non-reactions in gas phase silylation, while unexposed areas undergo silylation readily due to the presence of reactive acid groups. The non-silylated areas etch faster in oxygen reactive ion etchings, giving rise to positive tone polymer images. Polymers like poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylic acid), and their copolymers have been used. Other polymers like poly(styrene), poly(chloromethylstyrene), and Novolac resins can also be used, because these polymers readily undergo photo-oxidation under uv-irradiation in air, generating carboxylic acid groups on their surfaces.
Methodology of Data Collection and Energy Analysis for a Large Scale Agency

The operation, maintenance, and construction of buildings require a huge amount of energy and generate a significant amount of greenhouse gases (GHG’s) (Hendrickson 2000). The energy and GHG’s are generated from the process of extracting raw materials, producing and manufacturing new materials, transporting materials to sites, and installing materials (Junnila et al. 2006). Energy conservation and control of GHG’s are critical to ensure energy security for future generations and to alleviate the impact of climate change. This paper presents a new approach of Enterprise Carbon Accounting. The method is based on categorization depending on the size of the organization and its assets. Categorization of similar buildings and assets are averaged and analyzed as a unit. Outliers and averages of each type are then examined for causes, correlations, and future solutions. The proposed method will establish a carbon emission and energy use baseline for the large scale agency.
Chinese Stock Market; Characteristics, Risks and Countermeasures

This paper introduces the characteristics of our security market, its emerging cause and how it affects our stock market in detail. On this basis, this paper analyses the potential risks and advances the countermeasures.
The Circadian Clock as a Drug Target

The 24-h circadian rhythm manages virtually all aspects of physiology. Aberrations in circadian function are associated with myriad disorders ranging from behavioral disorders to metabolic diseases and cancer. The molecular clock regulating the circadian rhythm has been characterized and is composed of a transcriptional/translational feedback loop that maintains the rhythm and communicates with various physiological systems to maintain their circadian timing. Various molecular components of the clock are “druggable” and recent research has begun to illustrate the potential utility of targeting the clock for treatment of human disease. Here, we review the components of the clock and the drugs that have been designed to modulate their activities as well as their potential utility as therapeutic agents.
Legacy of Professor G.T. Heydt to Power Engineering Research, Education, and Outreach

I have known Prof. Jerry Heydt since the early 1970s as a contemporary colleague. I consider him not only a close and congenial friend but, more importantly, a mentor and inspiring colleague. I have learned a lot from my close association with him. Knowing him is a great asset in my professional as well as in my personal life. We have collaborated in all the three important domains of education, research, and outreach for over 40 years. In this chapter, I endeavor to cover the rich experiences of my close association with him in all these three areas that are the very essence of a successful academic professional. Though we now have both entered the stage in life that most would consider close to retirement, his Mantra has been that “Retirement is for quitters.” I whole-heartedly agree with that sentiment. Prof. Heydt not only keeps himself busy professionally but also continues to work very hard. I provide the details of my rich experiences with him in the following domains.
Doped multichannel AlAs0.56Sb0.44/In0.53Ga0.47As field effect transistors

A depletion-mode doped-channel field effect transistor (DCFET) using an AlAs/sub 0.56/Sb/sub 0.44//In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As heterostructure with multiple channels and a gate-length of 1.0 /spl mu/m is presented. The device structure is grown by molecular beam epitaxy and consists of three doped In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As channels separated by undoped AlAs/sub 0.56/Sb/sub 0.44/ layers. A zero gate-bias saturation current density of 350 mA/mm, extrinsic transconductance as high as 250 mS/mm, a unity current gain cutoff frequency of 18 GHz, and a maximum oscillation frequency of 60 GHz are reported. This multiple channel approach results in wide linearity of the DC and RF performances of the device.
Sensitivity of Northern Great Plains Convection Forecasts to Upstream and Downstream Forecast Errors

AbstractThe role of earlier forecast errors on subsequent convection forecasts is evaluated for a northern Great Plains severe convective event on 11–12 June 2013 during the Mesoscale Predictability Experiment (MPEX) by applying the ensemble-based sensitivity technique to Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model ensemble forecasts with explicit convection. This case was characterized by two distinct modes of convection located 150 km apart in western Nebraska and South Dakota, which formed on either side of an axis of high, lower-tropospheric equivalent potential temperature . Convection forecasts over both regions are found to be sensitive to the position of this axis. The convection in Nebraska is sensitive to the position of the western edge of the axis near an upstream dryline, which modulates the preconvective prior to the diurnal maximum. In contrast, the convection in South Dakota is sensitive to the position of the eastern edge of the axis near a cold front, which also modulates the preconvect...
An Interrupted Time Series Analysis to Determine the Effect of an Electronic Health Record–Based Intervention on Appropriate Screening for Type 2 Diabetes in Urban Primary Care Clinics in New York City

OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of a health system–wide primary care diabetes management system, which included targeted guidelines for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and prediabetes (dysglycemia) screening, on detection of previously undiagnosed dysglycemia cases. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Intervention included electronic health record (EHR)–based decision support and standardized providers and staff training for using the American Diabetes Association guidelines for dysglycemia screening. Using EHR data, we identified 40,456 adults without T2DM or recent screening with a face-to-face visit (March 2011–December 2013) in five urban clinics. Interrupted time series analyses examined the impact of the intervention on trends in three outcomes: 1 ) monthly proportion of eligible patients receiving dysglycemia testing, 2 ) two negative comparison conditions (dysglycemia testing among ineligible patients and cholesterol screening), and 3 ) yield of undiagnosed dysglycemia among those tested. RESULTS Baseline monthly proportion of eligible patients receiving testing was 7.4–10.4%. After the intervention, screening doubled (mean increase + 11.0% [95% CI 9.0, 13.0], proportion range 18.6–25.3%). The proportion of ineligible patients tested also increased (+5.0% [95% CI 3.0, 8.0]) with no concurrent change in cholesterol testing (+0% [95% CI −0.02, 0.05]). About 59% of test results in eligible patients showed dysglycemia both before and after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of a policy for systematic dysglycemia screening including formal training and EHR templates in urban academic primary care clinics resulted in a doubling of appropriate testing and the number of patients who could be targeted for treatment to prevent or delay T2DM.