cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of Algorithms to Identify Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Administrative Data.

Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease, and much of our understanding stems from single-center studies, which are limited by sample size and generalizability. Administrative data offer an appealing opportunity to inform clinical, research, and quality improvement efforts for PAH. Yet, currently no standardized, validated method exists to distinguish PAH from other subgroups of pulmonary hypertension (PH) within this data source. Research Question Can a collection of algorithms be developed and validated to detect PAH in administrative data in two diverse settings: all Veterans Health Administration (VA) hospitals and Boston Medical Center (BMC), a PAH referral center. Study Design and Methods In each setting, we identified all adult patients with incident PH from 2006 through 2017 using International Classification of Diseases PH diagnosis codes. From this baseline cohort of all PH subgroups, we sequentially applied the following criteria: diagnosis codes for PAH-associated conditions, procedure codes for right heart catheterizations (RHCs), and pharmacy claims for PAH-specific therapy. We then validated each algorithm using a gold standard review of primary clinical data and calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPVs), and negative predictive values. Results From our baseline cohort, we identified 12,012 PH patients in all VA hospitals and 503 patients in BMC. Sole use of PH diagnosis codes performed poorly in identifying PAH (PPV, 16.0% in VA hospitals and 36.0% in BMC). The addition of PAH-associated conditions to the algorithm modestly improved PPV. The best performing algorithm required ICD diagnosis codes, RHC codes, and PAH-specific therapy (VA hospitals: specificity, 97.1%; PPV, 70.0%; BMC: specificity, 95.0%; PPV, 86.0%). Interpretation This set of validated algorithms to identify PAH in administrative data can be used by the PAH scientific and clinical community to enhance the reliability and value of research findings, to inform quality improvement initiatives, and ultimately to improve health for PAH patients.
Vasopressin in vasoplegic shock: A systematic review

Background Vasoplegic shock is a challenging complication of cardiac surgery and is often resistant to conventional therapies for shock. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are standards of care for vasoplegic shock, but vasopressin has increasingly been used as a primary pressor in vasoplegic shock because of its unique pharmacology and lack of inotropic activity. It remains unclear whether vasopressin has distinct benefits over standard of care for patients with vasoplegic shock. Aim To summarize the available literature evaluating vasopressin vs non-vasopressin alternatives on the clinical and patient-centered outcomes of vasoplegic shock in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods This was a systematic review of vasopressin in adults (≥ 18 years) with vasoplegic shock after cardiac surgery. Randomized controlled trials, prospective cohorts, and retrospective cohorts comparing vasopressin to norepinephrine, epinephrine, methylene blue, hydroxocobalamin, or other pressors were included. The primary outcomes of interest were 30-d mortality, atrial/ventricular arrhythmias, stroke, ICU length of stay, duration of vasopressor therapy, incidence of acute kidney injury stage II-III, and mechanical ventilation for greater than 48 h. Results A total of 1161 studies were screened for inclusion with 3 meeting inclusion criteria with a total of 708 patients. Two studies were randomized controlled trials and one was a retrospective cohort study. Primary outcomes of 30-d mortality, stroke, ventricular arrhythmias, and duration of mechanical ventilation were similar between groups. Conflicting results were observed for acute kidney injury stage II-III, atrial arrhythmias, duration of vasopressors, and ICU length of stay with higher certainty of evidence in favor of vasopressin serving a protective role for these outcomes. Conclusion Vasopressin was not found to be superior to alternative pressor therapy for any of the included outcomes. Results are limited by mixed methodologies, small overall sample size, and heterogenous populations.
A Conceptual Replication of Targeted Professional Development to Increase Teachers’ Behavior-Specific Praise

Multitiered support for professional development (MTS-PD) is a framework for applying a three-tiered support system to teacher classroom management professional development through targeted trainin...
Day-level associations between drug use and sexual behavior in male couples: Actor partner interdependence modeling of timeline follow-back data.

Abstract Background Both marijuana and other illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine/crack, methamphetamines, ecstasy, gamma-hydroxybuterate, and ketamine) have been linked to the occurrence of condomless anal sex (CAS) with casual partners among sexual minority men (SMM) and these associations largely generalize to partnered SMM. Software advances now permit testing the day-level correspondence between participants’ sexual behavior and their own drug use (actor effects) as well as their partners’ (partner-effects). Methods Participants comprised 50 couples (100 individuals) recruited in the New York City metro area. All were 18 or older and identified as cis male. In each couple, at least one partner was 18–29 years old, HIV-negative, reported recent (past 30 day) drug use and recent (past 30 day) CAS with a casual partner or CAS with a non-monogamous or sero-discordant main partner at screening. Results Marijuana was associated with CAS between main partners on days both partners reported its use. A similar pattern was observed for other illicit drugs. Respondents were more likely to report CAS with casual partners on days CAS between main partners occurred. Both marijuana and other illicit drugs were associated with increased likelihood of CAS with casual partners on days a main partner did not use drugs. These associations were attenuated on days where partners reported the use of different drugs. Conclusions The co-occurrence of CAS with main and casual partners maximizes shared sexual risk. Results support the continued emphasis on dyadic HIV prevention interventions and the development of theoretically-based interventions that may address drug use by both partners in the relationship.
Initiation of 2014 Oso Landslide Using 3D Slope Stability Analyses: Effect of Infiltration

March 2014 Oso landslide, which demolished Steelhead Haven Community near Oso, Washington, is the deadliest in US history. Several factors have been suggested for the initiation of this landslide by various researchers including, the heavy rainfall before the landslide, timber harvesting on the upper plateau, river erosion at the slope toe, groundwater rise due to rainfall infiltration, and irregular 3D topography of the slope. This study utilizes 3D limit equilibrium and 3D finite element seepage analyses to investigate the effect of rainfall infiltration in the 7.5 acres timber harvest area at the top of the slope as well as potential changes of groundwater elevation on the initiation of 2014 Oso landslide. To achieve these objectives, the infiltration rate was varied in the harvested area to investigate its effect on the first phase initiation. Also, two potential groundwater levels were examined to assess the sensitivity of the first phase slide mass to changes in groundwater conditions. The 3D factor of safety for the critical slip surfaces was obtained for the two groundwater levels using two conventional limit equilibrium methods. The safety factor for the critical slip surface is slightly different for the first and second groundwater levels. The difference is such small that it can be concluded that a reasonable rise in groundwater level would not have been the triggering factor for the 2014 Oso landslide. The impacts of other potential factors such as shear strength reductions of upper layers due to the rainfall infiltration, timber harvesting, and/or 3D slope geometry effects appear to have been more influential in the initiation of the landslide.
Pilot-phase PET/CT study targeting integrin αvβ6 in pancreatic cancer patients using the cystine-knot peptide-based 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2.

A novel cystine-knot peptide–based PET radiopharmaceutical, 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 (knottin), was developed to selectively bind to human integrin αvβ6 which is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, biodistribution, dosimetry, and lesion uptake of 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 in patients with pancreatic cancer. Fifteen patients (6 men, 9 women) with histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer were prospectively enrolled and underwent knottin PET/CT between March 2017 and February 2021 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02683824). Vital signs and laboratory results were collected before and after the imaging scans. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) and mean SUV (SUVmean) were measured in 24 normal tissues and pancreatic cancer lesions for each patient. From the biodistribution data, the organ doses and whole-body effective dose were calculated using OLINDA/EXM software. There were no significant changes in vital signs or laboratory values that qualified as adverse events or serious adverse events. At 1 h post-injection, areas of high 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 uptake included the pituitary gland, stomach, duodenum, kidneys, and bladder (average SUVmean: 9.7–14.5). Intermediate uptake was found in the normal pancreas (average SUVmean: 4.5). Mild uptake was found in the lungs and liver (average SUVmean < 1.0). The effective dose was calculated to be 2.538 × 10−2 mSv/MBq. Knottin PET/CT detected all known pancreatic tumors in the 15 patients, although it did not detect small peri-pancreatic lymph nodes of less than 1 cm in short diameter in two of three patients who had lymph node metastases at surgery. Knottin PET/CT detected distant metastases in the lungs (n = 5), liver (n = 4), and peritoneum (n = 2), confirmed by biopsy and/or contrast-enhanced CT. 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 is a safe PET radiopharmaceutical with an effective dose comparable to other diagnostic agents. Evaluation of the primary pancreatic cancer and distant metastases with 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 PET is feasible, but larger studies are required to define the role of this approach. NCT02683824.
Optofluidic double-layer Fano resonance photonic crystal slab liquid sensors

We report refractive index sensing with ultra-compact surface-normal double-layer stacked Fano resonance photonic crystal slabs. A quality factor of 6,757 and a limit of detection of 5.6×10−5 RIU were experimentally demonstrated, respectively.
Valuing Lives and Allocating Resources: A Defense of the Modified Youngest First Principle of Scarce Resource Distribution

In this paper, I argue that the 'modified youngest first' principle provides a morally appropriate criterion for making decisions regarding the distribution of scarce medical resources, and that it is morally preferable to the simple 'youngest first' principle. Based on the complete lives system's goal of maximizing complete lives rather than individual life episodes, I argue that essential to the value we see in complete lives is the first person value attributed by the experiencer of that life. For a life to be 'complete' or 'incomplete,' the subject of that life must be able to understand the concept of a complete life, to have started goals and projects, and to know what it would be for that life to be complete. As the very young are not able to do this, it can reasonably be said that their characteristically human lives have not yet begun, giving those accepting a complete lives approach good reason to accept the modified youngest first principle over a simple 'youngest first' approach.
Rapid protection of the gastroduodenal mucosa against aspirin-induced damage by rabeprazole.

Summary Background The ability of a proton pump inhibitor to reduce or prevent NSAID-induced gastroduodenal damage during the first 24 h has not been tested. Aim To determine, whether oral rabeprazole, administered 5 h before the initiation of therapeutic dosing of aspirin protects the gastroduodenal mucosa. Methods Normal subjects were randomized into two groups – one received rabeprazole, 20 mg at 07:00 hours and the other placebo, before initiation of aspirin 650 mg at 12:00 hours, and then q4 h for 3 days. Upper endoscopic examinations were performed on all subjects at baseline, 24 and 72 h after initiation of aspirin. Gastroduodenal mucosal damage was scored. Results Thirty subjects were compliant with study medications and underwent three endoscopic examinations. Salicylate concentrations were similar for the placebo and the rabeprazole groups at all times. On rabeprazole, the Lanza scores were significantly lower compared with placebo at 24 h (1.3 ± 0.26 vs. 2.1 ± 0.26, P 0.05) and 72 h (5.3 ± 1.8 vs. 8.0 ± 1.5; P > 0.05). Conclusions Rabeprazole, initiated 5 h before the start of therapeutic dosing with aspirin, decreased Lanza scores and antral erosion counts at 24 h. These findings suggest that prophylaxis with rabeprazole could start concurrently with aspirin administration.
A Reflective Diode Linearize for Spacecraft Applications

There is an increasing interest in the use of predistortion linearizes to improve Carrier-to-Intermodulation ratios (C/I) of spacecraft power amplifiers. This paper describes a Ku band reflective diode linearizer designed to provide high reliability and to function over the changing environmental conditions required for space applications. This linearize is electrically tunable to allow its characteristics to be easily trimmed to compensate for the different non-linearities of a variety of amplifiers. When used in conjunction with a TWTA, it is is capable of providing a two-tone C/I of 30 dB or an improvement of greater than 10 dB over the critical power back-off range from -3 to -8 dB. Both two and multi-tone C/I performance are reported and the performance degradations of aging, temperature and bandwith are discussed.
ENDOMETRIAL ADENOCARCINOMA WITH PSAMMOMATOUS BODIES.

Abstract The histochemical nature of psammoma-like bodies in an unusual endometrial adenocarcinoma is presented. The results indicate that they are composed of basic proteins and AMPS, and are roughly intermediate, histochemically, between squamous areas in an adenoacanthoma and psammoma bodies in a meningioma. The significance of psammoma-like bodies in general is not well known, but is a feature peculiar to the tissue of origin. Although this patient had deep myometrial invasion at hysterectomy, she lived 14 years longer and, at autopsy, had quantitatively limited, though widespread and critically situated, metastatic disease. While no meaningful conclusion can be drawn about the prognostic value of psammomatous structures in endometrial carcinomas on the basis of one case, we believe this patient's long postoperative survival, despite deep muscular invasion in the hysterectomy specimen, is worthy of note. It is tempting to suggest that the bodies which we investigated are secretion products of tumor cells, and indicate a high degree of differentiation. It is hoped that similar cases will be reported, allowing further comparison of morphological and behavioral patterns in endometrial adenocarcinoma. The histochemical nature of psammoma-like bodies in an endometrial adenoacanthoma is investigated and compared to squamous areas in another adenoacanthoma and to psammomas in a meningioma. The laminated areas in the endometrial tumor were intermediate, histochemically, between similar areas in the other two tissues, and composed of AMPS and basic protein. Histochemically and morphologically, they appeared to be secretory rather than degenerative phenomena, and were thus thought to be an index of differentiation and to have a possible relationship to this patient's 14 year postoperative survival despite deep myometrial invasion at the time of operation.
Dynamic enhancement of semiconductor lasers in the present of coherent feedback

A harmonic conversion approach is presented for the enhancement of the dynamic of semiconductor laser. By efficient transfer of power to the desired harmonic of a directly modulated semiconductor laser diode, the modulation bandwidth will be extended. The focus of this study is a laser diode with an external cavity, of which the resonant frequency matches to the fourth harmonic of the modulation signal. The number of modes of the laser with optical feedback is increased as the external cavity modes matches up with the Fabry-Perot cavity modes. The experimental results show that the fourth harmonic is enhanced by ? 23dB from the case of without feedback.
Healing power of honey.

Say the word “insect” and what comes to mind? I asked that question to nonentomology, first-year undergraduate students on the first day of class. The typical response: “Insects suck.”
Polymers derived from 9,10-dihydroxystearic acid

A number of film forming polyester resins have been produced from 9,10-dihydroxystearic acid. The resins cured readily at room temperature when crosslinked with 20% toluene diisocyanate to form flexible films. The properties of the films indicated that useful, internally plasticized polyester resins can be readily obtained from condensations of 9,10-dihydroxystearic acid and polybasic acids. Maleic anhydride derived films gave the most desirable propertios.
Selective specialization for object-oriented languages

Dynamic dispatching is a major source of run-time overhead in object-oriented languages, due both to the direct cost of method lookup and to the indirect effect of preventing other optimizations. To reduce this overhead, optimizing compilers for object-oriented languages analyze the classes of objects stored in program variables, with the goal of bounding the possible classes of message receivers enough so that the compiler can uniquely determine the target of a message send at compile time and replace the message send with a direct procedure call. Specialization is one important technique for improving the precision of this static class information: by compiling multiple versions of a method, each applicable to a subset of the possible argument classes of the method, more precise static information about the classes of the method's arguments is obtained. Previous specialization strategies have not been selective about where this technique is applied, and therefore tended to significantly increase compile time and code space usage, particularly for large applications. In this paper, we present a more general framework for specialization in object-oriented languages and describe a goal directed specialization algorithm that makes selective decisions to apply specialization to those cases where it provides the highest benefit. Our results show that our algorithm improves the performance of a group of sizeable programs by 65% to 275% while increasing compiled code space requirements by only 4% to 10%. Moreover, when compared to the previous state-of-the-art specialization scheme, our algorithm improves performance by 11% to 67% while simultaneously reducing code space requirements by 65% to 73%.
LOW METABOLIC RATES IN SALAMANDERS ARE CORRELATED WITH WEAK SELECTIVE CONSTRAINTS ON MITOCHONDRIAL GENES

Mitochondria are the site for the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), the final steps of ATP synthesis via cellular respiration. Each mitochondrion contains its own genome; in vertebrates, this is a small, circular DNA molecule that encodes 13 subunits of the multiprotein OXPHOS electron transport complexes. Vertebrate lineages vary dramatically in metabolic rates; thus, functional constraints on mitochondrial-encoded proteins likely differ, potentially impacting mitochondrial genome evolution. Here, we examine mitochondrial genome evolution in salamanders, which have the lowest metabolic requirements among tetrapods. We show that salamanders experience weaker purifying selection on protein-coding sequences than do frogs, a comparable amphibian clade with higher metabolic rates. In contrast, we find no evidence for weaker selection against mitochondrial genome expansion in salamanders. Together, these results suggest that different aspects of mitochondrial genome evolution (i.e., nucleotide substitution, accumulation of noncoding sequences) are differently affected by metabolic variation across tetrapod lineages.
Occurrence of Nitride Nitrogen in Silicate Minerals

NITROGEN is one of the most abundant elements in the cosmos; in the Sun, only H, He, O and C exceed it1. In the Earth's crust it ranks only as the thirty-first element in magmatic rocks2, at a level of about 20 p.p.m. Because of the analytic difficulties in determining the nitrogen content of rocks little work has been done in this direction since Lord Rayleigh's determinations3, which gave nitrogen contents in the range of 28 to 68 p.p.m. for a variety of magmatic rocks. These values are confirmed by recent determinations4. Most workers assume, without further proof, that most or all nitrogen is present as the ammonium ion3,5, substituting to a small extent for alkali ions in the minerals.
Periodontal repair after reduction o inflammation

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between alveolar bone repair and level of connective tissue attachment after reduction of inflammation in an experimental marginal periodontitis. Perodontitis was induced by tying plaque retentive silk ligatures around the mandibular second and third bicuspids in four squirrel monkeys. Ten weeks later the ligatures were removed. An oral hygiene regime of mechanical claning was started and continued three times a week for ten weeks. Induction of perodontitis around the same teeth of the contralateral side (control) of the jaw was timed so that the interproximal perodontium corresponded to the situation immediately prior to ligature removal. The coronal interproximal perodontium between the bicuspids was histometrically analyzed for level of connective tissue attachment, location of crestal alveolar bone, percentage of infiltrated supracrestal connective tissue. Before reduction of inflammation, apporximately 70% of the supracrestal connective tissue was infiltrated After oral hygiend, the infiltrate was loclized adjacent to the epithlium and occupied 20% of the connective tissue. Although the supracrestal connective tissue became organized, there was no coronal gain of connective tissue attachemnt and long junctional epithlia were present. However, singnificant bone repair occurred which increased bone volume and reduced periodoantal ligament width. Mechanism of bone resorption and reapair in periodontitis are discussed.
Bloodstain age analysis: toward solid state fluorescent lifetime measurements

One of the most pressing unsolved challenges in forensic science is the determination of time since deposition (TSD) of bloodstains at crime scenes. Despite a number of high profile cases over the past couple hundred years involving controversy over TSD methods, no reliable quantitative method has been established. We present here an approach that has yet to be explored by forensic scientist: measuring the fluorescence lifetime of solid-state blood. Such a method would allow for on-site measurements of bloodstains utilizing the appropriate device, and would allow for rapid results returned in real-time to investigators.
Temporary workers as real options

Abstract Firms experiencing or anticipating substantial workforce expansion face increasing pressure to accurately project the costs associated with human asset investments and potential future layoff requirements. With that in mind, the decision whether to take on temporary workers in lieu of hiring permanent employees is a decision that involves significant risk. Traditional valuation methods assume that investments are fully reversible and thus do not capture the idiosyncrasies of workforce management, in which investments are not fully reversible. However, real options theory offers managers the ability to consider irreversibility and to make workforce investment decisions under conditions of minimum uncertainty and maximum flexibility. We present real options theory as an especially useful means for managers to more accurately value human asset investment decisions, achieve expansion and defer commitment until future uncertainties can be at least partially resolved.
The Solar X-ray Imager on GOES-13: design, analysis, and on-orbit performance

The Solar X-ray Imager (SXI) is a staring grazing incidence X-ray telescope being flown all future GOES Weather satellites. It provides full solar disc images over the spectral range 10A < λ < 60A. Optimizing a field-weighted-average measure of resolution for this wide-angle application led to a new non-aplanatic hyperboloid-hyperboloid optical design. A complete systems engineering analysis of the "as-manufactured" telescope mirrors for the SXI telescope is described. This includes image degradation due to diffraction effects, geometrical aberrations (from both residual design errors and manufacturing figure errors), surface scatter effects, all of the miscellaneous errors in the mirror manufacturer's error budget tree, and a rigorous analysis of mosaic detector effects. Four flight models and a spare of the SXI telescope mirrors have been fabricated. The first of these SXI telescopes was launched on the NOAA GOES-13 satellite on May 24, 2006. This presentation first qualitatively illustrates the superb on-orbit performance of the GOES-13 SXI instrument and compares it to the experimental results from the prototype Wolter Type I instrument on GOES-12. Then quantitative information is extracted from the raw on-orbit images to provide experimental validation of the computationally intensive image quality predictions that include both surface scatter effects and detector effects.
Observation of a Relaxed Plasma State in a Quasi-Infinite Cylinder

A helical relaxed plasma state is observed in a long cylindrical volume. The cylinder is long enough so that the predicted minimum energy state is a close approximation to the infinite cylinder solution. The plasma is injected at v ≥ 50 km/s by a coaxial magnetized plasma gun located at one end of the cylindrical volume. The relaxed state is rapidly attained in 1-2 axial Alfven times after initiation of the plasma. Magnetic data are favorably compared with an analytical model. Magnetic data exhibit broadband fluctuations of the measured axial modes during the formation period. The broadband activity rapidly decays as the energy condenses into the lowest energy mode, which is in agreement with the minimum energy eigenstate of [Symbol: see text] × B = λB.
Some properties of components of bigraphs

For small values of n it is easily seen that the components of a bigraph on 2n points are themselves bigraphs of their point set.Simmons had asked whether this was always the case and had shown that if a bigraph on 2n points existed which had a component that was not in itself a bigraph then 2n≧16. In this paper we answer his question affirmatively by using a result ofLovasz. We also show that any two components of a bigraph intersect.
Margin gap size of ceramic inlays using second-generation CAD/CAM equipment.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to determine if the fit of second-generation computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) (CEREC 2, Sirona Dental Systems, Bensheim, Germany) inlays within Class II cavity preparations were within the range of 50 to 100 microns and were equal or better to CEREC 1 inlays. MATERIALS AND METHODS Extracted human molars free of surface defects and caries were prepared with standard mesio-occlusodistal cavity preparations. Ceramic inlays were fabricated with CEREC 2 CAD/CAM equipment and seated into cavity preparations. Digital images were captured at 100 times magnification. Marginal gaps were measured with an image analysis program. For each restoration, gaps were measured at 12 locations along interproximal margins and 10 locations along occlusal margins. RESULTS No difficulty occurred in seating any of the milled inlays. Average marginal gaps for occlusal (59 +/- 35 microns) and interproximal (97 +/- 66 microns) margins were statistically different (t-test, p < or = .01). Average marginal gap for all sites combined was 80 +/- 57 microns. Marginal gap widths were smaller than those obtained from a similar study done earlier with the CEREC 1 unit for occlusal (89 +/- 65 microns) and interproximal (105 +/- 81 microns) margins. Ease of seating with CEREC 2 inlays was much better than with CEREC 1. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Improvements in software and hardware allow the CEREC 2 to adapt well to standard inlay cavity preparations. The ability of the device to create inlays that seat without interference is remarkable. The improved fit and ability to create the occlusal surface in a variety of ways make CEREC 2 an attractive restorative option for all-ceramic restorations.
Cognitive style and order of recall effects in dichotic listening.

Abstract Dichotic listening performance (ear preference and accuracy) was examined as a function of cognitive style and order of recall. In replication of earlier work, a right ear preference was found for free and right ear first recall and a left preference for left ear first recall, thus validating the dichotic instrument used. Cognitive style (field dependence, independence) did not show any systematic differential association with ear preference. Accuracy in contrast varied significantly as a function of cognitive style. Field independent subjects were more accurate than their field dependent counterparts; variability appeared to be due to their greater accuracy in left and right ear first recall conditions, with no apparent group differences under free recall. The order of recall factor was without effect here. No differences emerged between males and females in terms of ear preference, accuracy or cognitive style. In addition, no correlation between handedness and ear preference could be ascertained. The observed lack of influence of the cognitive style variable on lateralization patterns is discussed with respect to earlier assertions to the contrary. Current models of dichotic listening are evaluated in terms of all of the above findings.
Critical evaluation of the modified lapidus procedure

The modified Lapidus procedure has been used for treatment of hallux abducto valgus for many years, yet only a handful of reports evaluate procedure outcome. The purpose of this investigation was twofold: 1) to provide a retrospective outcome analysis of the modified Lapidus procedure using subjective and objective criteria, and 2) to evaluate procedure outcome in patient populations with differing functional demands: athletes, active patients, and sedentary patients. Thirty-four patients (42 feet) had the modified Lapidus procedure performed by the senior author (R.T.B.) over a 7-year period. Nine patients were lost to follow-up leaving 25 patients (32 feet) for study inclusion. Twenty-three females and two males with average age 44.4 years (range 15-71 years) were evaluated at an average follow-up time of 39 months (range 13-91 months). Evaluation consisted of subjective questionnaire, physical examination, and radiographic assessment. Subjective evaluation revealed that 78% of patients rated surgery "completely" or "very" effective. Athletes demonstrated lower return to preoperative activity levels (30%) than did active patients (86%) and sedentary patients (75%), but this was not statistically significant. Seventy-seven percent of athletes rated surgery "completely" or "very" effective. Postoperative intermetatarsal angle averaged 8.2 degrees (range -2 to 15) and first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion averaged 62.6 degrees (range 20- 90 degrees). Intermetatarsal angle correction to 10 degrees or less and postoperative first metatarso-phalangeal joint dorsiflexion 45 degrees or greater correlated with improved subjective results. The modified Lapidus procedure is an effective procedure in patients with hypermobility of the first metatarsocuneiform joint. Success is dependent on patient selection, meticulous surgical technique and comprehensive postoperative management.
Photorefractivity in polymeric composite materials

The results of photorefractivity studies in newly developed polymer composite C 60 /PVK/DEANST are presented. The composite contains fullerene (C 60 ) photosensitizing molecules, second-order active molecules of diethylaminonitrostyrene (DEANST) and charge transporting polymeric matrix of poly[N-vinylcarbazole] (PVK). Photorefractive properties of the material were investigated using erasable volume holography and two-beam coupling techniques. Additional information was obtained from the results of photoconductivity, electro-optic modulation and the angular dependence of holographic diffraction. The kinetics of the effect, as well as the writing beams and the external dc field switching of the refractive grating are discussed. A previously developed theory of space-charge field gratings formation in photoconductive polymers is used to calculate four-wave mixing diffraction efficiency.
Food insecure families: Description of access and barriers to food from one pediatric primary care center

Despite evidence that food insecurity negatively impacts child health, health care providers play little role in addressing the issue. To inform potential primary care interventions, we sought to assess a range of challenges faced by food insecure (FI) families coming to an urban, pediatric primary care setting. A cross-sectional study was performed at a hospital-based, urban, academic pediatric primary care clinic that serves as a medical home for approximately 15,000 patients with 35,000 annual visits. Subjects included a convenience sample of caregivers of children presenting for either well child or ill care over a 4 months period in 2012. A self-administered survey assessed household food security status, shopping habits, transportation access, budgeting priorities, and perceptions about nutrition access in one's community. Bivariate analyses between food security status and these characteristics were performed using Chi square statistics or Fisher's exact test. The survey was completed by 199 caregivers. Approximately 33% of families were FI; 93% received food-related governmental assistance. FI families were more likely to obtain food from a corner/convenience store, utilize food banks, require transportation other than a household car, and prioritize paying bills before purchasing food. FI families perceived less access to healthy, affordable foods within their community. Thus, FI families may face unique barriers to accessing food. Knowledge of these barriers could allow clinicians to tailor in-clinic screening and create family-centered interventions.
Partial chemical characterization of the anionic sites in the basal lamina of fenestrated capillaries

The distribution of anionic sites in the basal laminae of the blood capillaries of the murine pancreas was studied in specimens fixed in ruthenium red (RR)-glutaraldehyde mixtures. The sites appeared as discrete, small (6 to 18 nm) particles distributed throughout the three laminae but concentrated primarily in the lamina rara externa, in which--spaced 80-100 nm apart--they formed a planar, partially ordered lattice comparable to that revealed by cationized ferritin in previous studies (M. Simionescu, N. Simionescu, and G. E. Palade, 1982, J. Cell Biol. 95, 425-434). The chemical nature of the anionic sites was explored by incubating fresh tissue specimens in solutions of selected enzymes before fixation in RR-glutaraldehyde mixtures. Pronase P and papain removed completely the anionic sites and left behind an extensively degraded and disorganized basal lamina. Trypsin caused the removal of anionic sites only, did not degrade the rest of the basal lamina, but detached it completely from the endothelium. Chondroitinase ABC reduced slightly the size and the surface density of RR-stainable particles, and detached focally the rest of the basal lamina from the endothelium and pericytes. Crude heparinase caused a nearly complete removal of anionic sites, and pure heparitinase gave comparable but less extensive results. Similar effects were recorded on the basal laminae of smooth muscle fibers and pancreatic acini and ducts. The results indicate that the anionic sites of all basal laminae examined are contributed primarily by heparin sulfate proteoglycans and trace amounts of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans.
New Firm Formation in the Semiconductor Industry: Elements of a Flexible Manufacturing System

ANGEL D. P. (1990) New firm formation in the semiconductor industry: elements of a flexible manufacturing system, Reg. Studies 24, 211–221. This paper examines the proliferation of small start-up firms in the US semiconductor industry during the 1980s. Much of the success of start-up firms derives from their ability to provide a high quality and flexible production capability within low volume and fast turnaround product markets. In order to achieve this flexibility, start-up firms use sophisticated CAD/CAM equipment within small modular facilities. Flexibility is also supported by a distintegrated organizational structure in which firms are linked together through a variety of close transactional relations and labour market processes. Start-up firms exhibit a marked tendency to locational agglomeration in Silicon Valley. ANGEL D. P. (1990) La creation de nouvelles entreprises dans l'industrie des semi-conducteurs; des elements d'un systeme de fabrication souples, Reg. Studies 24, 211–221. Cet article exa...
Splenectomy reduces packed red cell transfusion requirement in children with sickle cell disease.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study was to measure the effect of splenectomy on packed-cell transfusion requirement in children with sickle cell disease. Methods Thirty-seven sickle cell children who underwent splenectomies between January 2000 and May 2006 at a children's hospital were reviewed. Data were collected 6 months preoperatively to 12 months postsplenectomy. Paired t test, analysis of variance, and multivariable regression analyses were performed. Results Of 37 children with median age 11 years (range, 2-18 years), 34 (21 males) had data that allowed analyses. Twenty-six had Hgb-SS, 5 had Hgb-SC, and 3 had Hgb S-Thal. Laparoscopic splenectomy was attempted in 36 and completed successfully in 34 (94% success). The number of units transfused decreased by 38% for 0 to 6 months and by 45% for 6 to 12 months postsplenectomy. Postoperatively, hematocrit levels increased and reticulocytes concurrently decreased with a reduction in transfusion clinic visits. The decrease in transfusion was not influenced by spleen weight, age, or hemoglobin type. Two children had acute chest syndrome (6%), and 1 had severe pneumonia (3%). Conclusion Laparoscopic splenectomy can be successfully completed in sickle cell children. Splenectomy significantly reduces the packed red cell transfusion requirement and frequency of clinic visits, in sickle cell children for at least 12 months postoperatively.
Cognitive robotics: a new approach to artificial intelligence

This paper describes a research program about how to achieve artificial intelligence by building robots. It is part of the behavior-oriented AI approach, but differs in some of its hypotheses and methodological approach.
Corrigendum to “Next-generation sequencing reveals phylogeographic structure and a species tree for recent bird divergences” [Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 62 (2012) 397–406]

Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States Department of Vertebrate Zoology, MRC-116, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012, United States Center for Macroecology, Evolution, and Climate, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen O, Denmark
Police crackdowns, societal cost, and the need for alternative approaches

Reports results from an ecological study that found that police crackdowns were not associated with elevated hospitalisations for injection-related abscesses and endocarditis in New York City. This paper makes many insightful points in the discussion section related to possible explanations.
Partial differential equations with deviating arguments in the time variable

Abstract Some classes of partial differential equations with deviating arguments in the time variable are investigated. The equations are written as abstract ordinary functional differential equations of the form d dt u(t) = −Au(t) + F(u t ), u 0 = φ , where −A is the infinitesimal generator of a linear semigroup and F is not necessarily continuous. Existence, uniqueness, and stability properties are developed by studying the equations in appropriately chosen spaces of initial functions φ.
Linkage of plasminogen (PLG) and apolipoprotein(a) (LPA) in baboons

Four allelic forms of serum plasminogen (PLG) were detected in baboons (Papio hamadryas Linneaus 1758) by isoelectric focusing and were determined to be inherited as autosomal codominant traits. Linkage analysis of data from 179 progeny and their parents revealed that PLG is tightly linked (lod score = 30.20) to the gene encoding apolipoprotein(a) (LPA), as in humans. No recombinant individuals were identified. This is the first linkage detected between PLG and LPA in any species other than humans and is the first genetic linkage identified in a nonhuman primate species by family studies.
The timing of norplant insertion and postpartum depression in teenagers.

Abstract Background: This study tested the hypothesis that teenagers who have Norplant inserted during the puerperium report more depressive symptoms during the first postpartum year than their peers who do not receive Norplant. Methods: We studied the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a group of 212 mothers aged 19 years less, in relation to the timing of Norplant insertion. The participants were divided into 3 groups: 100 (47%) had Norplant inserted during the puerperium (early Norplant users); 72 (34%) had Norplant inserted during the next 10 months (late Norplant users); and 40 (19%) used other contraceptives (40% oral contraceptives; 17% condoms; 43% nothing). Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression Scale. Postpartum depression was defined as a scale score ≥16, 6–12 months after Norplant insertion or delivery. Variables examined as potential confounders were identified a priori from a review of the literature and controlled for in analysis of variance. Results: At delivery, members of the 3 contraceptive groups did not differ significantly with regard to age, race, parity, educational, marital, or socioeconomic status. Late Norplant users were, however, more apt to have new boyfriends ( p = .03), to rate the support they received from the baby's father as poor ( p = .004), and experience depression prior to Norplant insertion ( p = .02). Contrary to the study hypothesis, late rather than early Norplant insertion was associated with postpartum depression. Multivariate analyses identified 3 independent predictors of the severity of depressive symptoms at follow-up (depression prior to Norplant insertion, a new boyfriend at delivery, and late Norplant insertion); R 2 = 41.3%. Conclusions: Contrary to the study hypothesis, puerperal Norplant insertion did not exacerbate postpartum depression. Delaying Norplant insertion may increase the risk of depression during the first postpartum year, particularly in teenagers with other psychosocial risk factors.
The paradoxical pro- and anti-apoptotic actions of GSK3 in the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis signaling pathways

Few things can be considered to be more important to a cell than its threshold for apoptotic cell death, which can be modulated up or down, but rarely in both directions, by a single enzyme. Therefore, it came as quite a surprise to find that one enzyme, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), has the perplexing capacity to either increase or decrease the apoptotic threshold. These apparently paradoxical effects now are known to be due to GSK3 oppositely regulating the two major apoptotic signaling pathways. GSK3 promotes cell death caused by the mitochondrial intrinsic apoptotic pathway, but inhibits the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway. Intrinsic apoptotic signaling, activated by cell damage, is promoted by GSK3 by facilitation of signals that cause disruption of mitochondria and by regulation of transcription factors that control the expression of anti- or pro-apoptotic proteins. The extrinsic apoptotic pathway entails extracellular ligands stimulating cell-surface death receptors that initiate apoptosis by activating caspase-8, and this early step in extrinsic apoptotic signaling is inhibited by GSK3. Thus, GSK3 modulates key steps in each of the two major pathways of apoptosis, but in opposite directions. Consequently, inhibitors of GSK3 provide protection from intrinsic apoptosis signaling but potentiate extrinsic apoptosis signaling. Studies of this eccentric ability of GSK3 to oppositely influence two types of apoptotic signaling have shed light on important regulatory mechanisms in apoptosis and provide the foundation for designing the rational use of GSK3 inhibitors for therapeutic interventions.
Cisplatin induces cytoplasmic to nuclear translocation of nucleotide excision repair factors among spiral ganglion neurons

Abstract Genomic DNA is a high-affinity target for the antineoplastic molecule cisplatin. Cell survival from cisplatin DNA damage is dependent on removal of cisplatin-DNA adducts by nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathways. The rate-limiting steps in the NER pathways are DNA damage identification and verification. These steps are accomplished by xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C and A (XPC and XPA) and RNA polymerase II. Unlike RNA polymerase II, XPC and XPA have no known cellular function beyond DNA repair. Cisplatin is known to damage spiral ganglion neurons at the basal coil of the cochlea therefore it was posited that cisplatin may target their DNA and mobilize XPC and XPA. Female Fisher344 rats were given two, four day cycles of cisplatin (2 mg/kg) or saline, separated by a 10 day rest period. A 2 × 3 × 2 factorial design, consisting of two treatment conditions (cisplatin and saline treatment), three survival times (5, 19 and 22 days) and two analysis methods (quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry) was employed to evaluate the expression and distribution of XPC and XPA. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed statistically significant differences in cochlear XPC and XPA mRNA levels after cisplatin treatment at all times except day 22 for XPA. Immunohistochemistry revealed that a proportion (∼50%) of spiral ganglion neurons in control rats showed cytoplasmic expression of XPC and XPA. After cisplatin treatment, a similar proportion (∼50%) of spiral ganglion neurons showed increased nuclear expression of XPC and XPA, which appears to represent translocation from the cytoplasm. Basal coil spiral ganglion neurons translocated XPC and XPA at later treatment cycles and with less magnitude than apical coil neurons after cisplatin treatment. Therefore, it is suggested that cisplatin treatment induces nuclear translocation of NER proteins among spiral ganglion neurons and that this nuclear translocation is less efficient at the base relative to the apex.