cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monocrystalline silicon and the meta-shell approach to building x-ray astronomical optics

Angular resolution and photon-collecting area are the two most important factors that determine the power of an X-ray astronomical telescope. The grazing incidence nature of X-ray optics means that even a modest photon-collecting area requires an extraordinarily large mirror area. This requirement for a large mirror area is compounded by the fact that X-ray telescopes must be launched into, and operated in, outer space, which means that the mirror must be both lightweight and thin. Meanwhile the production and integration cost of a large mirror area determines the economical feasibility of a telescope. In this paper we report on a technology development program whose objective is to meet this three-fold requirement of making astronomical X-ray optics: (1) angular resolution, (2) photon-collecting area, and (3) production cost. This technology is based on precision polishing of monocrystalline silicon for making a large number of mirror segments and on the metashell approach to integrate these mirror segments into a mirror assembly. The meta-shell approach takes advantage of the axial or rotational symmetry of an X-ray telescope to align and bond a large number of small, lightweight mirrors into a large mirror assembly. The most important features of this technology include: (1) potential to achieve the highest possible angular resolution dictated by optical design and diffraction; and (2) capable of implementing every conceivable optical design, such as Wolter-I, WolterSchwarzschild, as well as other variations to one or another aspect of a telescope. The simplicity and modular nature of the process makes it highly amenable to mass production, thereby making it possible to produce very large X-ray telescopes in a reasonable amount of time and at a reasonable cost. As of June 2017, the basic validity of this approach has been demonstrated by finite element analysis of its structural, thermal, and gravity release characteristics, and by the fabrication, alignment, bonding, and X-ray testing of mirror modules. Continued work in the coming years will raise the technical readiness of this technology for use by SMEX, MIDEX, Probe, as well as major flagship missions.
Adsorption and capillary transition in heterogeneous nanostructures using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract Recent emerging nanotechnologies allow for demonstrating heterogeneous nanoporous structures. However, studies on the roles of heterogeneous nanostructures on adsorption and capillary transition are rare. Here, we examine the adsorption and capillary transition in heterogeneous structures using Ar-filled Pt-based nanogaps with one surface having nanoposts. Results from Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation show that the capillary transition pressure decreases at given temperature (or it increases at given pressure) by increasing the nanopost height, lz, decreasing the distance, lp, between nanoposts, and increasing the solid-fluid interatomic potential, esf. A bimodal adsorption-capillary transition is observed when the two characteristic sizes of nanoposts and nanogaps are similar, which is caused by the capillary transition among nanoposts followed by another capillary transition across the nanogap. The second capillary transition pressure decreases with increasing nanopost height. The presence of nanoposts on one surface reduces the hysteresis compared to both bare surfaces, and no apparent bimodal capillary transition is observed in the desorption curve. Obtained results provide new insights into the role of locally heterogeneous structures in adsorption and capillary transition and the role of surface interaction in changing the adsorption isotherm.
Relationships Among Perceived Functional Capacity, Self-Efficacy, and Disability After Dysvascular Amputation

Abstract Background Prosthesis rehabilitation after dysvascular transtibial amputation (TTA) is focused on optimizing functional capacity with limited emphasis on promoting health self-efficacy. Self-efficacy interventions decrease disability for people living with chronic disease, but the influence of self-efficacy on disability is unknown for people with dysvascular TTA. Objectives To identify if self-efficacy mediates the relationship between self-reported functional capacity and disability after dysvascular TTA. Design Cross-sectional, secondary data analysis. Setting Outpatient rehabilitation facilities. Participants Thirty-eight men (63.6 ± 9.1 years old) with dysvascular TTA. Methods Participants had been living with an amputation for less than 6 months and using walking as their primary form of locomotion using a prosthesis. The independent variable, functional capacity, was measured using the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire–Mobility Scale (PEQ-MS). The proposed mediator, self-efficacy, was measured with the Self-Efficacy of Managing Chronic Disease questionnaire (SEMCD). Main outcome measure Disability was measured using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) questionnaire. Results The relationship between self-reported functional capacity and disability is partially mediated by self-efficacy. Relationships between WHODAS 2.0 and PEQ-MS ( r = –0.61), WHODAS 2.0 and SEMCD ( r = –0.51), and PEQ-MS and SEMCD ( r = 0.44) were significant ( P P = .04), the relationship between PEQ-MS and WHODAS 2.0 remained significant ( P Conclusions This study provides initial evidence that the relationship between self-reported functional capacity and disability is partially mediated by self-efficacy after dysvascular TTA. The longitudinal effect of self-efficacy should be further examined to identify causal pathways of disability after dysvascular amputation. Furthermore, additional factors contributing to the relationship between self-reported functional capacity and disability need to be identified. Level of Evidence To be determined.
Impact of fellowship training level on colonoscopy quality and efficiency metrics

Background and Aims Previous studies have described variable effects of fellow involvement on the adenoma detection rate (ADR), but few have stratified this effect by level of training. We aimed to evaluate the "fellow effect" on multiple procedural metrics including a newly defined adenoma management efficiency index, which may have a role in documenting colonoscopy proficiency for trainees. We also describe the impact of level of training on moderate sedation use. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 2024 patients (mean age, 60.9 ± 10 years; 94% men) who underwent outpatient colonoscopy between June 2012 and December 2014 at our Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Colonoscopies were divided into 5 groups. The first 2 groups were first-year fellows in the first 6 months and last 6 months of the training year. Second- and third-year fellows and attending-only procedures accounted for 1 group each. We collected data on doses of sedatives used, frequency of adjunctive agent use, procedural times, and location, size, and histology of polyps. We defined the adenoma management efficiency index as average time required per adenoma resected during withdrawal. Results Of the colonoscopies performed, 1675 involved a fellow and 349 were performed by the attending alone. There was no difference in ADR between fellows according to level of training ( P = .8) or between fellows compared with attending-only procedures ( P = .67). Procedural times decreased consistently during training and declined further for attending-only procedures. This translated into improvement in the adenoma management efficiency index (fellow groups by ascending level of training: 23.5 minutes vs 18.3 minutes vs 13.7 minutes vs 13.4 minutes vs attending group 11.7 minutes; P P = .16 and P = .1, respectively). Compared with attending-only procedures, fellow involvement was associated with higher doses of fentanyl and midazolam and more frequent use of diphenhydramine and glucagon ( P P = .0002, P P = .01, respectively). Conclusions ADR was similar at different stages of fellowship training and comparable with the attending group. Efficiency of detecting and resecting polyps improved throughout training without reaching the attending level. Fellow involvement led to a greater use of moderate sedation, which may relate to a longer procedure duration and an evolving experience in endoscopic technique.
Clinical relevance of targeted interference with Src-mediated signal transduction events.

In the past decade, we have gained substantial insight into various signal transduction and molecular pathways regulating cancer cells. Moreover, we have recently been able to develop specific targeted therapies instead of classic chemotherapeutics that attempt to essentially provide more toxicity to the tumor than the normal cell. As a result, we have been able to decrease adverse side effects, thus improving the quality of life of cancer patients.
Turkish-African Relations in the Twenty-First Century

Paper abstract: In 1998, the Turkish foreign policy establishment surprised many observers of Turkish politics when it began to aggressively expand Turkey’s foreign relations portfolio to include deepening its economic, political and cultural ties to the African continent. Under the government of former Prime Minister Ahmet Mesut Yilmas, Turkey commenced it’s “Opening to Africa Policy” with the objective of seriously engaging the continent at the highest levels and on a long-term basis. Ten years later, in August 2008, Turkish President Abdullah Gul presided over his country’s first summit on Turkish-African Cooperation, in Istanbul. The summit brought together representatives from 50 African countries with their Turkish counterparts to discuss the qualitative expansion of Turkish-African relations. Two years later, in July 2010, Turkey hosted the United Nations Conference on mediating the armed conflict in Somalia. More importantly, this re- engagement emerges within the context of a rapidly unfolding multipolar world, Africa’s increasing importance to that emerging multipolar world, significant changes in the Turkish body politic, along with a re-balancing of Turkey’s relations with the west and developing world. Yet, Turkish-Africa relations have received scant attention in academic and policy circles.This paper seeks to contribute to the growing body of literature on Turkish-African Relations. It seeks to analyze the evolution of Turkish-African relations and policy, and to provide some policy implications and recommendations that could facilitate a smoother expansion of Turkey’s presence in Africa, as well helping Turkish policy planners avoid the array of potential pit falls and problem areas in the African theater. The paper will make the point that Africa’s problems are primarily political in nature. Thus in order to be successful in the African theater the Turkish government must deploy an aggressive and unconventional African strategy of positive neutrality, which focuses on facilitating dialogue, negotiation and conflict resolution among African States and non-state actors. Economic development and business growth will only develop in a stable political environment. Critical to the success of Turkey’s strategy will be the keen use of its cultural, religious, and geo-strategic capital in securing a reputation as a non-partisan mediator, as well as successfully navigating the expanding web competing interests on the continent.
Recognition of Dsdna by Anti-Dna Antibodies. Immune Complex Formation and Further Potential Biological Consequences

Abstract The recognition of dsDNA by specific antibody results in the formation of soluble immune complexes (IC) that can fix complement and therefore bind to the complement receptors of circulating cells. This entire process occurs in less than five minutes in whole blood of primates and non-primates. In primates these IC are bound to erythrocytes. However, in non-primates these IC are apparently bound to platelets. In vivo studies of circulating antibody/dsDNA IC in rabbits and guinea pigs suggest that a platelet mediated IC clearance mechanism may be operative in these animals that parallels the primate erythrocyte mediated IC clearance mechanism developed by Hebert. Furthermore, the molecular weight of the dsDNA significantly affects the nature of the binding of the IC to cells and the rate of clearance of the IC from the circulation. This finding suggests a particularly important role for dsDNA of intermediate molecular weight (ca. 100, 000 to 500, 000 Daltons) in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Proton beam re-irradiation for gastrointestinal malignancies: a systematic review

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) is part of the standard of care management of most gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Even with advanced RT, systemic therapy, and surgical techniques, locoregional recurrences or second primary cancers can still occur within previously irradiated fields, which can present challenges in delivering effective and safe treatment. Options for reirradiation are often limited, but given the favorable dosimetric aspects of proton-beam RT, it may provide an effective and safe re-irradiation option for patients with recurrent or second primary GI cancers. Methods: We conducted a systematic review as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement protocol, assessing for reports of proton-beam reirradiation for recurrent or second primary GI cancers, primarily via PubMed. From the initial 373 articles identified, 7 articles were ultimately included in the analysis. Results: The 7 included studies reported on proton-beam re-irradiation for the following disease sites: esophageal (n=2), pancreas (n=1), liver (n=2), rectal (n=1), and anal (n=1). Study sizes varied from as few as 1 to as many as 83 patients. Across studies, in patients who presented with tumor-related symptoms, palliation (stability/improvement) was achieved in 80–100% of the cases. Local control rates, with variable follow-up, ranged from 36–100%. All median overall survival values, when reported, were greater than 1 year. Across both liver studies, there were no cases of radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) from proton-beam re-irradiation. Across all studies, there were 2 acute (esophagopleural fistula in esophageal cancer, small bowel perforation in pancreatic cancer) and 1 late (esophageal ulcer in esophageal cancer) grade 5 toxicities, all favored to be due to progressive disease, rather than proton-beam re-irradiation. Two studies (1 esophageal, 1 rectal) generated comparison photon plans. One found that proton therapy reduced mean heart and lung doses, spinal cord dose, and lung V5Gy as compared to photon treatment, while resulting in higher lung V20Gy and V30Gy. The other found that protons decreased bowel V10Gy, V20Gy, and the dose to 200 and 150 cc of bowel, as compared to photons. Conclusions: Based upon the published experiences, proton-beam re-irradiation for recurrent or second primary GI cancers appears effective for palliation, with good disease-control, limited toxicity, favorable dosimetry, and overall compares well with published non-proton-beam experiences. Given short follow-up, additional studies are warranted to determine if dosimetric advantages from proton therapy will translate into comparative toxicity benefits.
An exploratory pilot of factors associated with premenstrual syndrome in minority women

Abstract Purpose This investigation explored factors associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in minority women, and compared the response of minority and non-minority women supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids (FA) in the form of fish oil. Methods This descriptive, correlational, retrospective pilot was a secondary data analysis. Participants consuming 2 g of fish oil/d ( n = 15) in the larger study were included. The Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MMDQ) was assessed monthly for two months to acquire a mean baseline MMDQ score. The total sample was stratified to evaluate racial variations in PMS symptoms (non-minority, n = 7; minority, n = 8). MMDQ score at 5 months was compared to the mean baseline score within each group. Results Fish oil supplementation significantly reduced PMS symptoms in both groups (non-minority p = 0.002; minority p = 0.046) with a large effect of 1.4 for both groups. Mean MMDQ total scores were not significantly different between groups at 5 months. Conclusions This pilot evidence of improved PMS symptoms in minority and non-minority groups related to fish oil supplementation supports a universal treatment approach and highlights need for a larger-scale investigation.
Management of Patient with Traumatic Brain Injury: Epidural Hematoma

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is defined as “an alteration in brain function or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by external force” (Menon et al., Arch Phys Med Rehabil 91(11):1637–40, 2010). TBI is a major cause of death and disability across the world causing significant economic impact in both developed and developing nations. In the USA alone, more than 50,000 people die annually from TBI and accounts for 2.2 million emergency department visits annually (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/data/rates.html, 2001–2010). TBI is classified as mild (>13), moderate (9–12), or severe ( 45 years) and motor vehicle accidents and assaults being more common in the 5–24 year group (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/data/rates.html, 2001–2010). Prevention of secondary injuries such as hypotension and hypoxia can significantly affect outcome, and anesthesiologists, emergency room physicians, and critical care physicians play a major role in the management during the secondary phase of TBI. Epidural Hematoma (EDH) is a serious complication resulting from head injury when bleeding into the space between the dura and skull occurs. Acute EDH with symptoms is a neurologic emergency which often requires operative intervention.
Incidence and Characteristics of Osteolysis in HXLPE THA at 16-Year Follow up in Patients 50 Years and Less.

Abstract Introduction Young patients present a challenge for total hip arthroplasty (THA) survivorship. Highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) liners have decreased the prevalence of osteolysis; however, concerns exist regarding the biologic activity of wear particles. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and characteristics of osteolytic lesions in young HXLPE THA patients at an average 16-year follow up and determine the ability to detect osteolysis. Methods We performed a retrospective study involving 22 patients (26 THA) under age 50 at primary THA receiving HXLPE liners coupled with cobalt-chrome (CoCr) femoral heads. Computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed for osteolysis. Chi-squared analysis was used for categorical variables and unpaired Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test for continuous variables. Logistic regression was used to compare wear rates between those patients with and without osteolysis. Results The mean age at surgery was 38.5 years. The mean time from surgery to CT scan was sixteen years (range 14.25–19.5 years). Nine of the 26 THA showed osteolysis. The mean volume of the lesions was 2.8 cm3. Linear (mean 0.008 mm/y) and volumetric (mean 4.5 mm3/year) wear rates were negligible. One-third of osteolytic lesions were visible on radiographs. Logistic regression failed to demonstrate a correlation between wear rates or UCLA activity score and osteolysis. Conclusion We observed osteolysis in 35% of HXLPE THA in young patients at mean 16-year follow up despite zero revisions for wear-related problems and clinically insignificant wear rates. Level of Evidence IV.
Safety and Tolerability of 3 CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies in Practice: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective We sought to assess the safety and tolerability of 3 calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies in patients with chronic migraine who have failed multiple classes of migraine preventive therapies. Background CGRP is an important neuromodulator implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine. They are approved for the treatment of episodic and chronic migraine. In current clinical practice, CGRP monoclonal antibodies are used in patients who have failed multiple preventive agents, but safety, tolerability, and efficacy have not been well described in real-world populations outside of clinical trials. Methods This was a single-center, observational, retrospective study in adults with chronic migraine treated with a CGRP monoclonal antibody between May 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019. Charts were reviewed at 0, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Results From May 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019, 77 patients with chronic migraine were prescribed 90 treatment trials of a CGRP monoclonal antibody. Patients reported adverse outcomes in 2/5 (40.0%) with erenumab 70 mg, 32/46 (69.6%) with erenumab 140 mg, 8/16 (50.0%) with fremanezumab, and 15/23 (65.2%) with galcanezumab. The most frequent adverse effects were constipation and injection site reactions. Adverse effects leading to discontinuation were reported as follows: erenumab 70 mg 1/5 (20.0%), erenumab 140 mg 10/46 (22.7%), fremanezumab 1/16 (6.3%), and galcanezumab 1/23 (4.3%), with 13/90 (14.4%) discontinuation rate overall. The most frequent reasons for discontinuation were lack of improvement in 17/90 (18.9%) and constipation in 4/90 (4.4%). A 50% or greater reduction in the number of severe headache days per month was achieved for 32/66 (48.5%) at 3 months and 17/48 (35.4%) at 6 months. Conclusions In patients with chronic migraine, the 3 CGRP monoclonal antibodies were well tolerated, and reduced the number of severe headache days.
Restroom restrictions: How race and sexuality have affected bathroom legislation

This research details how current bathroom legislation that discriminates against trans individuals is rooted in the same discriminatory practices that permitted Jim Crow bathroom policies to exist. Sexualities that are considered nonwhite, non‐heterosexual, or non‐cisgendered are considered “othered,” as they are perceived to be a threat to the fertility of cis white women. This study details how sexuality stereotypes have been defined between white and black men and women, homosexual people, and trans‐people (with an emphasis on trans women).
Do We Get the Police We Deserve? A Historical Review of Police Executive Selection in America’s Largest Cities

Woodrow Wilson’s The Study of Administration brought forth the notion that politics and administration are separate and distinct areas of study and that a new discipline of “administration” could standalone from political science. The late nineteenth century progressive reform movement, eager to eliminate corruption in government, misinterpreted Wilson’s treatise and advocated for the absolute schism between politics and administration, i.e., the so-called politics/administration dichotomy. This essay pays particular attention to political culture and how it affects the selection of the chief police executive over a 119-year period. Politics is not separate from administration, and by extension, a political culture is not divorced from a police culture. In James Q. Wilson’s Varieties of Police Behavior: The Management of Law and Order in Eight Communities, Wilson determined a municipality’s political culture is related either directly or indirectly to its police style. The present research examines the police chief executive (N = 129) selection process in the three largest American cities: New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The findings of this research and their relevance on contemporary policing in the United States will be delineated in comprehensive detail.
Association between 30-day readmission rates and health information technology capabilities in US hospitals.

Health information technology (IT) is often proposed as a solution to fragmentation of care, and has been hypothesized to reduce readmission risk through better information flow. However, there are numerous distinct health IT capabilities, and it is unclear which, if any, are associated with lower readmission risk. To identify the specific health IT capabilities adopted by hospitals that are associated with hospital-level risk-standardized readmission rates (RSRRs) through path analyses using structural equation modeling. This STROBE-compliant retrospective cross-sectional study included non-federal U.S. acute care hospitals, based on their adoption of specific types of health IT capabilities self-reported in a 2013 American Hospital Association IT survey as independent variables. The outcome measure included the 2014 RSRRs reported on Hospital Compare website. A 54-indicator 7-factor structure of hospital health IT capabilities was identified by exploratory factor analysis, and corroborated by confirmatory factor analysis. Subsequent path analysis using Structural equation modeling revealed that a one-point increase in the hospital adoption of patient engagement capability latent scores (median path coefficient s = −0.086; 95% Confidence Interval, −0.162 to −0.008), including functionalities like direct access to the electronic health records, would generally lead to a decrease in RSRRs by 0.086%. However, computerized hospital discharge and information exchange capabilities with other inpatient and outpatient providers were not associated with readmission rates. These findings suggest that improving patient access to and use of their electronic health records may be helpful in improving hospital performance on readmission; however, computerized hospital discharge and information exchange among clinicians did not seem as beneficial – perhaps because of the quality or timeliness of information transmitted. Future research should use more recent data to study, not just adoption of health IT capabilities, but also whether their usage is associated with lower readmission risk. Understanding which capabilities impact readmission risk can help policymakers and clinical stakeholders better focus their scarce resources as they invest in health IT to improve care delivery.
Conductive Fe3O4/PANI@PTFE membrane for high thermal efficiency in interfacial induction heating membrane distillation

Abstract Conventional membrane distillation (MD) undergoes interfacial temperature polarization and thus may suffer from a reduced thermal efficiency when using the hot saline water as the primary thermal driver. To address this issue, this study employed a conductive Fe3O4/polyaniline (PANI) coated polytetrafluoroethylene (Fe3O4/PANI@PTFE) membrane to achieve local interfacial heating under electromagnetic induction and promote the thermal efficiency of direct-contact MD (DCMD). Induction-responsive Fe3O4 nanoparticles were dispersed in a conductive PANI polymer matrix that binds to the hydrophobic porous PTFE membrane by spray coating. Dispersing Fe3O4 nanoparticles in a conductive PANI polymer matrix doubled the heating efficiency (2.0 °C s−1) than directly dispersing Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto PTFE without PANI (1.1 °C s−1). This enhanced heating efficiency is ascribed to the formation of multiple conductive pathways or eddy current channels via the conductive polymer networks. A parametric study of the DCMD performance revealed that the permeate flux increased from 0.7 to 3.4 L m−2 h−1 with the increase of the coolant flow velocity (1.4–22.9 cm min−1) and induction power (0.9–3.6 kW). However, increasing the feed (3.5 wt% NaCl solution) flow velocity (1.4–8.6 cm min−1) significantly reduced the permeate flux from 5.0 to 1.6 L m−2 h−1 due to the insufficient time of water/membrane contact for mass transfer. Moreover, thermal and mass transport processes at the induction-heated membrane interface were analyzed by finite element analysis (FEA), which matched well the experimental results and determined the thermal efficiency up to 88% as opposed to the reported levels (20–58%) for the conventional DCMD. Our study laid additional foundation for induction-heating DCMD by devising new composite membrane materials and new interfacial thermal and mass transfer mechanisms.
The Right Ventricle in the Trans-Catheter Era: A Perspective for Planning Interventions

Dysfunction of the right ventricle (RV) is common in patients with advanced left-sided valve disease and the significant impact of RV dysfunction on both short and long-term outcome is well established. However, considerations of RV function are largely absent in current management guidelines for valve disease and cardiac procedural risk models. As the indications and use of trans-catheter therapies rapidly expand for patients with acquired valvular disease, it is critical for clinicians to understand and consider RV function when making decisions for these patients. This review summarizes contemporary data on the assessment of RV function, the prognostic importance of baseline RV dysfunction on surgical and transcatheter procedures for acquired left-sided valvular disease, and the relative impact of these interventions on RV function. Baseline RV dysfunction is a powerful predictor of poor short- and long-term outcome after any therapeutic intervention for acquired left-sided cardiac valve disease. Surgical intervention for aortic or mitral valve disease is associated with a significant but transient decline in RV function, whereas trans-catheter procedures generally do not appear to have detrimental effects on either longitudinal or global RV function. Guidelines for therapy in patents with acquired left-sided valvular disease should account for RV dysfunction. Whereas surgical intervention in these patients leads to a predictable decline in RV function, trans-catheter therapies largely do not appear to have this effect. Further study is needed to determine the impact of these findings on current practice.
Child access prevention legislative language and pediatric firearm injury rates

Backgroud Firearm injuries are a significant public health problem facing young people in the USA. In 2015, a total of 16 878 people under 19 years old were injured or killed by firearms. To reduce firearm injuries, 29 states and Washington, DC have enacted child access prevention (CAP) legislation. CAP legislation is intended to reduce the likelihood of a minor obtaining a weapon and subsequent injury or death. This study evaluates the impact of CAP legislation based on language of the legislation, specifically it evaluates a relationship of the legal threshold of liability and the number of firearm injuries per capita of minors. Methods Data were collected from the Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System for patients less than 19 years of age who presented to emergency departments with firearm injuries in 2016. The Giffords Law Center classification was used to group states into three categories (strong/weak/no CAP) based on CAP language. Differences of firearm-related injury rates per capita were assessed. Results When controlling for population, states with CAP legislation had a 22% decrease in firearm injuries per capita compared with states without CAP legislation. States with ‘strong’ CAP legislation had a 41% decrease in firearm injuries per capita compared with states with ‘weak’ or no CAP legislation when controlling for population. Conclusions States with ‘strong’ CAP legislation had lower pediatric firearm injury rates per capita, but more complete data and further studies are needed to evaluate this relationship as well as other factors that may impact firearm injury rates.
Cerebellar target neurons provide a stop signal for afferent neurite extension in vitro

The contributions of cell-cell interactions to the establishment of specific patterns of innervation within target brain regions are not known. To provide an experimental analysis of the regulation of afferent axonal growth, we have developed an in vitro assay system, based on the developing mouse cerebellum, in which afferent axons from a brainstem source of mossy fiber afferents, the basilar pontine nuclei, were cocultured with astroglia or granule neurons purified from the cerebellum. In the absence of cells from the cerebellum, pontine explants produced axons that fasciculated and extended rapidly on a culture surface treated with poly-lysine or laminin. When pontine neurites grew onto cerebellar astroglial cells, outgrowth was more abundant than on substrates alone, suggesting that glial cells provide a positive signal for axon extension. Time-lapse video microscopy indicated that the rate of neurite extension increased from less than 50 microns/hr to more than 100 microns/hr when axonal growth cones moved from the culture substratum onto an astroglial-cell surface. Acceleration of neurite extension was also observed as pontine neurites grew onto other pontine neurites. By contrast, when pontine neurites grew on granule neurons, the appropriate targets of mossy fibers, the length of pontine neurites was greatly reduced. As growing axons terminated on granule neurons, the target cells appeared to provide a "stop-growing signal" for axon extension. The length of pontine neurites decreased with increasing granule neuron density. Two lines of evidence suggested that the stop signal was contact mediated. First, video microscopy showed that pontine growth cones stopped extending after contacting a granule neuron. Second, the length of afferent axons was not reduced when pontine neurites grew at a distance from granule neurons. Competition experiments where both astroglia and granule neurons were plated together suggested that the growth arrest signal provided by granule neurons could override the growth-promoting signal provided by astroglial cells. These results suggest that specific cell-cell interactions regulate the growth of pontine afferent axons within their cerebellar target, with axoaxonal and axoglial interactions promoting axon extension and axon-target cell interactions interrupting axon extension.
Ecological sustainability as the fourth landmark in the development of conservation ethics

Aldo Leopold, in "The Land Ethic," made 2 important contributions to conservation ethics: he emphasized the community and ecosystem levels of organization and he explicitly included people as members of the biotic community. Leopold's writings remain eloquent, inspirational, and influential, but the ideas he describes are inherently complex, and ecological science has continued to evolve since "The Land Ethic" was published in 1949. We used 4 sets of quotations from Leopold's essays to develop our commentary on the meaning of and challenges in interpreting his work and to explore the ongoing development of conservation ethics: the "A-B cleavage" (Leopold's description of the contrast between utilitarian value versus a broader definition of value in nature), "land health" and the rightness of human action, the right of all species to continued existence in natural populations "at least in spots," and humans as "plain member[s] and citizen[s]" of the "land-community." We define the broader function of land and land health in "The Land Ethic" as including completeness, dynamic stability, and self-renewal in a way that incorporates the needs of humans and all other species. We argue that the consequences of implementing Leopold's land ethic include multiple conservation goals nested within an overall systems approach and that conservation science must clarify the implications of Leopold's ethic by quantitatively investigating and defining large-scale, system-level ecological sustainability. At this scale, land use will encompass areas ranging from large expanses of wilderness to areas dominated by humans.
Random Walk Intersections: Large Deviations and Related Topics

The material covered in this book involves important and non-trivial results in contemporary probability theory motivated by polymer models, as well as other topics of importance in physics and chemistry. The development carefully provides the basic definitions of mutual intersection and self-intersection local times for Brownian motions and the accompanying large deviation results. The book then proceeds to the analogues of these concepts and results for random walks on lattices of Rd. This includes suitable integrability and large deviation results for these models and some applications. Moreover, the notes and comments at the end of the chapters provide interesting remarks and references to various related results, as well as a good number of exercises. The author provides a beautiful development of these subtle topics at a level accessible to advanced graduate students.
The in vivo and in vitro effects of clomiphene citrate on ovulation, fertilization, and development of cultured mouse oocytes

Clinical data indicate a high rate of discrepancy between ovulation and pregnancy rates and a high abortion rate in anovulatory women treated with clomiphene citrate. An animal model was used to examine the in vivo and in vitro effects of the drug on fertilization and preimplantation development. This work indicates that mice treated with clomiphene in the early follicular phase of pregnant mare's serum-induced cycles show a dose-dependent decrease in ovulated oocytes. No effect was seen on the further development of these ova. When the drug was administered in the late follicular phase, a dose-dependent decrease was seen in the rate of successful copulation, ovulation, and embryo development. Concomitant 17 beta-estradiol treatment reversed the copulatory, ovulatory, and developmental effects of clomiphene. A short in vitro treatment of oocytes with clomiphene prior to in vitro fertilization resulted in an increased proportion of degenerated and unfertilized ova. Moreover, this treatment caused a dose-dependent decrease in blastocyst formation.
Dynamics of S production in the 193-nm photodissociation of CH 3 SCH 3 , CH 3 SSCH 3 , CH 3 SH, and H 2 S

The production of S( 3 P, 1 D, 1 S) in the 193 nm photodissociation of CH 3 SCH 3 , CH 3 SSCH 3 , CH 3 SH, and H 2 S has been studied using 2 + 1 REMPI techniques. The 193 nm photodissociation cross sections of the radicals CH 3 S and HS initially formed in the photodissociation of CH 3 SCH 3 , CH 3 SSCH 3 , CH 3 SH, and H 2 S have been determined as 1 X 10 -18 cm 2 using a rate equation scheme. The dominant product from CH 3 S is S( 1 D), while that from SH is S( 3 P). The formation of S( 3 P) in the 1-photon (193 nm) photodissociation of CH 3 SSCH 3 is also observed.
The Journal Figure

Throughout the preceding chapters, differences between figures for publication and slide have been pointed out. In this chapter, the special requirements for publication in journals will be discussed. Succeeding chapters will deal with slides and posters.
Inhibition of Brain Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase-2 Prevents the Preparturient Increase in Fetal Adrenocorticotropin Secretion in the Sheep Fetus

Maturation of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis is critical for the timely somatic development of the fetus and readiness for birth. Recently, we proposed that prostaglandin generation within the fetal central nervous system is critical for the modulation of hypotension-induced fetal ACTH secretion. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that the preparturient increase in fetal ACTH secretion is dependent upon fetal central nervous system prostaglandin synthesis mediated by the activity of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS)-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) in the fetal brain. We performed two studies in chronically catheterized fetal sheep. In the first study, we infused nimesulide or vehicle intracerebroventricularly (icv) into singleton fetal sheep and collected blood samples until spontaneous parturition. Nimesulide significantly delayed parturition, and inhibited fetal ACTH and proopiomelanocortin secretion but did not prevent the preparturient increase in fetal plasma cortisol concentration. In the second study, we used twin fetuses. One fetus received intracerebroventricular nimesulide and the other intracerebroventricular vehicle. Nimesulide reduced brain tissue concentrations of prostaglandin estradiol, while not affecting plasma prostaglandin E2 concentrations, demonstrating an action restricted to the fetal brain. Nimesulide reduced PGHS-2 mRNA and increased PGHS-2 protein, while not altering PGHS-1 mRNA or protein in most brain regions, suggesting an effect of the inhibitor on PGHS-2 turnover and relative specificity for PGHS-2 in vivo. We conclude that the preparturient increase in fetal ACTH and proopiomelanocortin is dependent upon the activity of PGHS-2 in the fetal brain. However, we also conclude that the timing of parturition is not solely dependent upon ACTH in this species.
Doxorubicin drug eluting beads transcatheter chemoembolization (DEB TACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Survival outcomes and factors predicting survival outcomes in a 366-patient cohort

Purpose To investigate the factor associated with survival after DEB TACE in 366 patients (pts) with unresectable HCC. Materials and Methods Consecutive patients with unresectable HCC who received DEB TACE over last 82 months were studied. Survivals were analyzed according to different parameters from the time of 1st DEB TACE. Kaplan Meier estimator by log rank test and Cox proportional Hazard model (for multivariate analysis) were used survival analyses. Results 366 patients (mean 61.1 years, SD 10.4) were included in this study. Median overall survivals (OS) from diagnosis and from DEB TACE were 24.1 months (m) and 19.5 m respectively. Child-Pugh Class A, B and C stage were present in 55.2%, 38.5% and 6.3% of the pts with corresponding median OSs were 36.6m, 19.5m and 6.7 m respectively (p 10cm were present in 69.1%, 19.4% and 11.5% of the pts with corresponding median OSs were 25.6m, 9.4m and 5.6m respectively (p Conclusion Child-Pugh class, tumor size, ECOG PS, PVT, metastasis, and serum AFP level are significant independent predictor of survival after DEB TACE treatment. Table 1
Shortcomings and Challenges of Information System Adoption

The number of institutions implementing AIMS is increasing. Shortcomings in the design and implementation of EMRs have been associated with unanticipated consequences, including changes in workflow. These have often resulted from the carryover of paper-based documentation practices into an electronic environment. The new generation of mobile devices allows providers to have situational awareness of multiple care sites simultaneously, possibly allowing for improved proactive decision making. Although potentially facilitating safer anesthetic supervision, technologic and cultural barriers remain. Security, quality of information delivery, regulatory issues, and return on investment will continue as challenges in implementing and maintaining this new technology.
Comparative analysis of design codes for timber bridges in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

The United States recently completed its transition from the allowable stress design code to the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) reliability-based code for the design of most highway bridges. For an international perspective on the LRFD-based bridge codes, a comparative analysis is presented: a study addressed national codes of the United States, Canada, and Europe. The study focused on codes related to timber bridges and involved the following parameters: organization format, superstructure types, loads, materials, design for bending, design for shear, deflection criteria, and durability requirements. The investigation found many similarities and some distinctive differences between the three bridge codes. Although the United States and Canada have different design load configurations, these result in similar bending moments and shear effects over a typical span range. However, the design load configuration in the European code produces bending moment and shear effects that are two to three times greater than the U.S. and Canadian levels. The comparative design of a glulam girder bridge revealed that the smallest beam size was required by the Canadian code and the largest was required by the European code.
Operation of Rectifiers Under Unbalanced Conditions

THE development of single-anode rectifying elements has greatly stimulated the application of rectifiers to general industrial and essential duty loads. Sealed ignitron rectifiers1 have been made available in a range of ratings, and industry is vitally interested in the performance of these equipments when operated under conditions of partialanode complement, as when an anode is misfiring or is entirely out of service.
Comparison by electrophoresis of proteins characteristic of the lateral line and skin of Xenopus laevis.

Abstract 1. 1. In experiments aimed at determining acousticolateralis marker proteins, fractions of lateral-line organs and skin of Xenopus laevis were analyzed by one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. 2. 2. A protein fraction of approximately 44K mol. wt ( K = 1000 daltons ) and isoelectric pH 6.3, consisting of at least two components, was enhanced in lateral-line neuromast tissue (containing hair cells) and was decreased in tactile organs and skin (lacking hair cells). 3. 3. This “neuromast-marker-protein” fraction had a mol. wt close to that of actin but was shown to be different from actin. 4. 4. Two other major proteins, at mol. wts 16 and 28K, were present in gels of skin and absent in gels of lateral-line tissue. 5. 5. These proteins were shown to be due to secretion of the amphibian granular glands and were designated “negative marker proteins”.
The importance of polarisability in the modelling of solubility: quantifying the effect of charged co-solutes on the solubility of small non-polar solutes

In a recent work (Dyer et al., J. Chem. Phys. 129 (2008), 024508), we demonstrated that by accounting for the polarisability of small non-polar solutes, in an explicit manner, it is possible to approach quantitative agreement with experimental values of the excess chemical potential of the molecules in pure water. Here, we continue this line of research by considering the effects of ionic co-solutes (i.e. salts) on the solubility of an explicitly polarisable model suitable for a variety of small non-polar solutes. In doing so, we calculate the excess chemical potential that is related to the solubility of the solute in the solution, and investigate how the solubility of hydrophobic solutes varies with ion concentration, i.e. salting-out/salting-in effects, as measured by the Setchenow parameter. In particular, we consider the solubility of Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe and CH4 in aqueous NaCl solutions for the TIP3P, TIP4P-Ew and TIP4P/2005 models of water. Using these models, we discover that the addition of explicit p...
Adolescent pregnancy: combating the problem from a multi-systemic health perspective.

This article explores the problem of adolescent pregnancy from a health educator perspective. The problem of adolescent pregnancy has reached epidemic proportions in our society. Approximately one ...