cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opioid Fills in Children Undergoing Surgery From 2011 to 2014: A Retrospective Analysis of Relationships Among Age, Initial Days Supplied, and Refills.

OBJECTIVE The primary objective is to describe the relationship between the days supplied of postsurgical filled opioid prescriptions and refills. BACKGROUND The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has called for surgeons to alter opioid prescribing to counteract the opioid epidemic while simultaneously providing pain relief. However, there is insufficient evidence to inform perioperative prescribing guidelines and quality metrics in children. METHODS We performed a secondary data analysis of nationwide commercial claims from the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) data spanning 2010 and 2014. Based on initial opioid fill and refill rates for 11 common pediatric procedures, the refill analysis focused on anterior cruciate ligament repair, humerus fracture repair, cholecystectomy, posterior spinal fusion, and tonsillectomy. RESULTS There were 178,990 cases with a median age of 6. Overall, 48.5% of patients filled an opioid prescription between 30 days before surgery through 7 days after surgery, and 14.2% filled a second opioid prescription within 30 days. There was a significant negative relationship between days supplied in the initial prescription and probability of a refill for humerus fracture, spinal fusion, and tonsillectomy. The largest effect was seen for tonsillectomy, with the odds of having a refill decreasing by approximately 12% for each day supplied in the initial prescription (odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.87-0.89, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric postoperative opioid-prescribing guidelines need to be procedure-specific and based on patient age. We provide the days supplied associated with a 20% probability of a refill by age to further guideline development.
Circulating Very-Long-Chain SFA Concentrations Are Inversely Associated with Incident Type 2 Diabetes in US Men and Women.

Background Very-long-chain SFAs (VLCSFAs), such as arachidic acid (20:0), behenic acid (22:0), and lignoceric acid (24:0), have demonstrated inverse associations with cardiometabolic conditions, although more evidence is needed to characterize their relation with risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In addition, little is known regarding their potential dietary and lifestyle predictors. Objective We aimed to examine the association of plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of VLCSFAs with incident T2D risk. Methods We used existing measurements of fatty acid concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes among 2854 and 2831 participants in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), respectively. VLCSFAs were measured using GLC, and individual fatty acid concentrations were expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids. Incident T2D cases were identified by self-reports and confirmed by a validated supplementary questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the association between VLCSFAs and T2D, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and dietary variables. Results During 39,941 person-years of follow-up, we documented 243 cases of T2D. Intakes of peanuts, peanut butter, vegetable fat, dairy fat, and palmitic/stearic (16:0-18:0) fatty acids were significantly, albeit weakly, correlated with plasma and erythrocyte VLCSFA concentrations (|rs| ≤ 0.19). Comparing the highest with the lowest quartiles of plasma concentrations, pooled HRs (95% CIs) were 0.51 (0.35, 0.75) for arachidic acid, 0.43 (0.28, 0.64) for behenic acid, 0.40 (0.27, 0.61) for lignoceric acid, and 0.41 (0.27, 0.61) for the sum of VLCSFAs, after multivariate adjustments for demographic, lifestyle, and dietary factors. For erythrocyte VLCSFAs, only arachidic acid and behenic acid concentrations were inversely associated with T2D risk. Conclusions Our findings suggest that, in US men and women, higher plasma concentrations of VLCSFAs are associated with lower risk of T2D. More research is needed to understand the mechanistic pathways underlying these associations.
Three months of informational trends in COVID-19 across New York City.

In the midst of widespread community transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in New York, residents have sought information about COVID-19. We analyzed trends in New York State (NYS) and New York City (NYC) data to quantify the extent of COVID-19-related queries. Data on the number of 311 calls in NYC, Google Trend data on the search term 'Coronavirus' and information about trends in COVID-19 cases in NYS and the USA were compiled from multiple sources. There were 1228 994 total calls to 311 between 22 January 2020 and 22 April 2020, with 50 845 calls specific to COVID-19 in the study period. The proportion of 311 calls related to COVID-19 increased over time, while the 'interest over time' of the search term 'Coronavirus' has exponentially increased since the end of February 2020. It is vital that public health officials provide clear and up-to-date information about protective measures and crucial communications to respond to information-seeking behavior across NYC.
A biomimetic soft robotic pinna for emulating dynamic reception behavior of horseshoe bats.

Encoding of sensory information is fundamental to closing the performance gapbetween man-made and biological sensing. It has been hypothesized that the coupling of sensingand actuation, a phenomenon observed in bats among other species, is critical to accomplishingthis. Using horseshoe bats as a model, we have developed a biomimetic pinna model with asoft actuation system along with a prototype strain sensor for enabling motor feedback. Theactuation system used three individually controlled pneumatic actuators per pinna which actuateddifferent portions of the baffle. This prototype produced eight different possible motions thatwere shown to have significant effects on incoming sound and could hence function as a substratefor adaptive sensing. The range of possible motions could be expanded by adjusting the fill andrelease parameters of the actuation system. Additionally, the strain sensor was able to representthe deformation of the pinna as measurements from this sensor were highly correlated withdeformation estimates based on stereo vision. However, the relationship between displacementsof points on the pinna and the sensor output was nonlinear. The improvements embodied inthe system discussed here could lead to enhancements in the ability of autonomous systems toencode relevant information about the real world.
A theory of reparameterizations for AdS3 gravity

We rewrite the Chern-Simons description of pure gravity on global AdS3 and on Euclidean BTZ black holes as a quantum field theory on the AdS boundary. The resulting theory is (two copies of) the path integral quantization of a certain coadjoint orbit of the Virasoro group, and it should be regarded as the quantum field theory of the boundary gravitons. This theory respects all of the conformal field theory axioms except one: it is not modular invariant. The coupling constant is 1/c with c the central charge, and perturbation theory in 1/c encodes loop contributions in the gravity dual. The QFT is a theory of reparametrizations analogous to the Schwarzian description of nearly AdS2 gravity, and has several features including: (i) it is ultraviolet-complete; (ii) the torus partition function is the vacuum Virasoro character, which is one-loop exact by a localization argument; (iii) it reduces to the Schwarzian theory upon compactification; (iv) it provides a powerful new tool for computing Virasoro blocks at large c via a diagrammatic expansion. We use the theory to compute several observables to one-loop order in the bulk, including the “heavy-light” limit of the identity block. We also work out some generalizations of this theory, including the boundary theory which describes fluctuations around two-sided eternal black holes.
A comparative study on microemulsion synthesis of hydroxyapatite powders by ionic and Non-Ionic surfactants

Abstract Hydroxyapatite (HAP) [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] is an excellent bio-ceramic material for artificial bone substitution in biomedical field owing to its chemical and crystallographic similarities of natural bone and teeth. In this research work, we have attempted the synthesis of hydroxyapatite powders with controllable size in the presence of three different surfactants sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) which is an anionic surfactant, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a cationic surfactant and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) as a non-ionic surfactant. The as-synthesised HAP powders were characterised by analytical techniques such as FTIR, XRD and SEM. The results have shown that the non-ionic surfactant is a better choice for developing this bio-nanomaterial due to its good dispersing power than CTAB and SDS. The results have also indicated that, nano-hydroxyapatite particle has a uniform morphology, well crystallinity and the particle size was controlled with the use of non-ionic surfactant. The crystallite size was calculated using Scherer’s formula. Experiments were performed under controlled environment by maintaining the required pH, concentration and temperature. The biomedical application studies of the as-synthesised material are yet to be studied.
Awe & Memories of Learning in Science and Art Museums

This study looks at the types of awe guests feel when they leave art and science cultural institutions of various sizes and context, and how it may be related to what they remember learning. We sur...
Inverse machine learning framework for optimizing lightweight metamaterials

Abstract Structure scouting and design optimization for superior mechanical performance through inverse machine learning is an emerging area of interest. Inverse machine learning can be a substantial approach in structural design to explore complex and massive numbers of geometrical patterns within short periods of time. Here, an inverse design framework using generative adversarial networks (GANs) is proposed to explore and optimize structural designs such as lightweight lattice unit cells. Lightweight lattice structures are widely accepted to have excellent mechanical properties and have found applications in various engineering structures. Using the proposed framework, different lattice unit cells that are 40–120% better in load carrying capacity than octet unit cell are discovered. These new lattice unit cells are analyzed numerically and validated experimentally by testing 3D printed lattice unit cells and lattice cored sandwiches. The proposed inverse design framework can be applied to the design and optimization of other types of load bearing structures.
Tales of Greed and the Search for Remedies

Examples of greed and environmental beneficence will be discussed in this chapter. The first example involves the crash of Wallstreet in 2008. Subprime mortgages instruments, complex derivatives and overleveraging in investment banks were major provocateurs in bringing down the economy. Volkswagen’s deceptive practices in measuring diesel fuel efficiency follows. The final example of greed is Boeing and the shoddy decision-making processes on the Boeing 737 MAX that led to the catastrophic crashes resulting in 346 deaths. Good news examples comprise the second focus of this chapter. Some corporations have also demonstrated practices of good will, particularly toward the environment. We focus specifically on Interface Carpets, Unilever and 3M.
An experimental and theoretical study of subharmonic resonances of a spur gear pair

Abstract This study focuses on a class of dynamic behavior observed in spur gear pairs as a parametrically excited system. Stiffness at the gear contact interface that couples the gear bodies is a periodically time-varying due the fluctuation of number of tooth pairs in contact. In presence of such stiffness fluctuation as part of the excitations, various published studies predicted subharmonic resonances near speeds that are integer multiples of the speed at which the primary resonance occurs, with little or no validation. This study presents an extensive experimental investigation to show such subharmonic resonances and various associated period-n motions ( n ≥ 2 ) under both transient and steady-state conditions. A test set-up and a pair of test gears developed for this purpose are described along with solutions to various measurement and data processing challenges. Two different models of the gear pair, a purely torsional discrete model and a deformable-body model, are employed, and their predictions are compared to the measured period-1 and period-n motions to assess their accuracy.
Improved Capsule Hardware and Software

The prospect of endoscopically visualizing the small bowel is a medical breakthrough. Significant technological advancements are pushing the frontier even further: improved optics, maneuverable capsules, and the possibility of simultaneous sampling and localized treatment. The field has also witnessed software advancements. This chapter will give a basic overview of the current manufacturers capsule endoscopy hardware and software with a major emphasis on the technological improvements since initial release into the marketplace.
Is the List of Incomplete Open Cubes Complete

Variations of Incomplete Open Cubes is the major project by the twentieth-century conceptual artist Sol LeWitt. In this paper we interpret the enumerative component of the project as embeddings of graphs. This formulation permits use of an algorithm to check the completeness of the list of the structures produced by the artist. Our conclusion is that the artist found the correct number of structures (that is, 122), but that his list contains a mistake in the presentation of a pair of incomplete cubes, a discovery that appears not to have been noted before.
Municipal Finances in Latin America: Features, Issues, and Prospects

This paper takes an in-depth look at the current state of the local public finances in the Latin America region, identifies and analyzes some of the main challenges for improving efficiency, equity and effectiveness in the delivery of public services and it closes by offering a set of recommendations for policy reform.
The symmetry plane of the zodiacal cloud near 1 AU

Analysis of zodiacal light observations from Mt. Haleakala, Hawaii shows that the symmetry plane of the zodiacal cloud near 1 A.U. is close to the invariable plane of the solar system. Since the symmetry plane of the inner zodiacal cloud is close to the orbital plane of Venus (Misconi and Weinberg, 1978; Leinert et al., 1979), it is suggested that the symmetry plane changes inclination with heliocentric distance.
Enzymatic Defect in a Child With Hereditary Hepatic Porphyria Due to Homozygous δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Deficiency: Immunochemical Studies

Immunochemical studies of the enzyme defect in the first reported child with acute hepatic porphyria due to homozygous δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency are described. This enzyme activity was markedly decreased (approximately 2% of the normal control level) in the proband, a 3-year-old boy, and intermediately decreased (23% to 57%) in both parents, in both grandfathers, and in a sister, but it was normal in two siblings and in both grandmothers. In contrast to the profound decrease in δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, the immunoreactive enzyme protein in the child9s erythrocytes was decreased to only 28% of the normal control level, suggesting the presence of positive cross-reactive material. In other family members with abnormally decreased δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, and in the proband immediately after transfusion of normal RBCs, the positive cross-reactive material was not detectable. The immunochemical and enzyme activity data support the idea that δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency in this porphyric child is associated with the production of a catalytically abnormal enzyme protein.
Methionine Toxicity and Ornithine δ-Aminotransferase in Chang's Liver Cells

Abstract The addition of excess l-methionine to culture media in which were incubated Chang's liver cells resulted in inhibition of cell multiplication, accumulation of cellular protein, and, relative to the latter, an excessive increase of ornithine δ-aminotransferase activity. Activity of ornithine δ-aminotransferase per cell increased about 250% and specific activity about 65% during 3 days of growth under these conditions. Glycine, serine, histidine, tyrosine, and tryptophan also inhibited cell multiplication and brought about an accumulation of cellular protein, but did not increase ornithine δ-aminotransferase activity relative to other protein. Incorporation of 14C-leucine into cellular protein was also inhibited by excess methionine and the degree of inhibition roughly paralleled the inhibition of cell multiplication. A potential metabolic product of methionine, namely homocysteine, added to the culture medium produced the same effects as methionine at about one-tenth the concentration. The toxic manifestations of excess dietary methionine, which are in this case growth retardation and protein accumulation, were not antagonized by glycine or arginine as they are in animals in vivo. Arginine, in excess in the medium, did not inhibit cell multiplication appreciably, nor cause accumulation of cellular protein, but did significantly elevate ornithine δ-aminotransferase activity. These results suggested that the increase of ornithine δ-aminotransferase activity was probably unrelated to inhibition of cell division and accumulation of cellular protein. The specific increase of ornithine δ-aminotransferase activity in response to excess methionine is parallel to similar observations with rat liver and kidney.
In Memoriam: Dr Kenichi Miya

This paper is an obituary in memory of Dr. Kenichi Miya who made many contributions in the research of radio waves and satellite communications. Dr. Miya was been a president of the International Communications Society (ISCS) and involved in ionospheric research during the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58. In honor of his many achievements, he received the IEEE award in International Communications in 1987.
Dexamethasone and cyclosporin A modulation of human retinal pigment epithelial cell monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-8.

PURPOSE: To examine the modulation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion and transcription in human retinal pigment epithelial (HRPE) cells by dexamethasone (DEX) and cyclosporin A (CSA). METHODS: Cultured HRPE cells were stimulated with IL-1 beta (0.2 to 20 ng/ml) or TNF-alpha (0.2 to 20 ng/ml) for 8 or 24 hours without (control) and with DEX (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) or with CSA (0.3 to 30 ng/ml). Secreted levels of HRPE MCP-1 and IL-8 were measured in the media using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Both MCP-1 and IL-8 mRNA were analyzed by Northern blot. RESULTS: Although DEX (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) inhibited IL-1 beta-stimulated MCP-1 and IL-8 production, it did not inhibit TNF-alpha-stimulated chemokine secretion. In contrast, CSA significantly inhibited TNF-alpha-stimulated, but not IL-1 beta-stimulated, HRPE MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion. Both DEX and CSA inhibitions showed dose dependence. Northern blot analysis of HRPE steady state MCP-1 and IL-8 mRNA corroborated the ELISA measurements of secreted MCP-1 and IL-8. CONCLUSIONS: Although DEX and CSA inhibit HRPE MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion, this is dependent on whether the inducing inflammatory mediator is IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha. IL-1 beta-induced chemokine secretion is sensitive to DEX, whereas MCP-1 and IL-8 induced by TNF-alpha are inhibited by CSA. This information may be useful in explaining in vivo observations and in suggesting targeted clinical treatments and combinations of immunosuppressive agents.
The structure and characterization of type I P-450(15) alpha gene as major steroid 15 alpha-hydroxylase and its comparison with type II P-450(15) alpha gene.

Abstract The structures of genes 15 alpha OH-1 and 15 alpha OH-2, within the mouse steroid 15 alpha-hydroxylase (P-450(15) alpha) family were determined. Genes 15 alpha OH-1 and -2 encoded mouse Type I and II P-450(15) alpha, respectively (Squires, E.J., and Negishi, M. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 4166-4171). The two genes, which spanned approximately 8 kilobase pairs of total length, showed nearly identical structures and were divided into nine exons at the same positions. A high nucleotide sequence homology (greater than 96%) indicated that 15 alpha OH-1 and -2 were duplicated within 5 million years. The two major transcription start sites were located at 14 and 24 base pairs (bp) upstream from the initiation Met in both genes. No tissue-specific difference in 15 alpha OH-1 and -2 transcriptional start sites was found in mouse liver and kidney. Both 15 alpha OH-1 and -2 had TATA and CAAT boxes at 30 and 100 bp, respectively, upstream from their major transcription start sites. A glucocorticoid regulatory element was present at 336 bp upstream from the start site in both genes. In addition to these motifs, 15 alpha OH-2 had an SV40 enhancer core sequence immediately downstream from its CAAT box. There were only 11 substitutions between Type I and II P-450(15) alpha in their 494-amino acid residues. Type I cDNA-transfected cell homogenates had testosterone 15 alpha-hydroxylase activity at approximately 9 pmol/min/mg protein. Type I also catalyzed progesterone and androstenedione 15 alpha-hydroxylase activities. Type II, on the other hand, exhibited little activity toward these steroids. The results indicated that Type I was the major steroid 15 alpha-hydroxylase. The differential 15 alpha OH-1 expression, therefore, determined the sexual dimorphism of the tissue-specific 15 alpha-hydroxylase activity in mice.
Changes in Functional Connectivity in Orbitofrontal Cortex and Basolateral Amygdala during Learning and Reversal Training

Interconnections between orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and basolateral amygdala (ABL) are critical for encoding and using associative information about the motivational significance of stimuli. Previously, we reported that neurons in OFC and ABL fired selectively to cues during odor discrimination learning and reversal training. Here we conducted an analysis of correlated firing in the cell pairs recorded in the previous study. Correlated firing during the intertrial intervals was compared across task phases during different phases of acquisition and reversal learning. Changes in correlated activity during initial learning and subsequent accurate performance on the discrimination problems closely resembled the changes in odor selectivity in OFC and ABL reported earlier. Increased correlated firing was most pronounced in OFC during accurate go, no-go performance in the postcriterion phase of performance, whereas correlated firing in ABL increased primarily during an earlier phase of learning. In contrast, findings during subsequent reversal training diverged from our earlier report in which odor selectivity diminished in OFC and reversed in ABL. When the reinforcement contingencies of the odors were reversed after the rat had learned the original associations, correlated firing further increased significantly in OFC but remained stable in ABL. This evidence that associative encoding increments with reversal learning in OFC suggests that the original associations, although not expressed as stimulus driven activity, may be maintained within the network as new associations are acquired.
CfA Surveys and Their Extensions

Our progress in studies of large-scale structure and other areas of observational cosmology is punctuated by the construction of new telescopes and the development of more powerful instruments. I describe here current and future CfA surveys against the backdrop of the instruments that make them possible. The CfA’s instrumental capabilities will shortly undergo a dramatic change. Current CfA surveys are largely carried out on 1.5m class telescopes where the spectra are collected individually. In about one year, the converted MMT will be brought into operation with a 6.5 m primary and a spectrograph (fed by optical fibers) that will collect 300 spectra simultaneously in a 1° diameter field.
An improved switching converter model

The nonlinear modeling and analysis of dc-dc converters in the continuous mode and discontinuous mode was done by averaging and discrete sampling techniques. A model was developed by combining these two techniques. This model, the discrete average model, accurately predicts the envelope of the output voltage and is easy to implement in circuit and state variable forms. The proposed model is shown to be dependent on the type of duty cycle control. The proper selection of the power stage model, between average and discrete average, is largely a function of the error processor in the feedback loop. The accuracy of the measurement data taken by a conventional technique is affected by the conditions at which the data is collected.
The challenges of improving revenue-recognition standard for multiple -element firms: Evidence from the software industry (SOP 97-2)

I investigate whether implementing SOP 97-2, the revenue-recognition standard for the software industry, reduces earnings informativeness. This standard is particularly important for two reasons: First, its provisions coincide with provisions of SAB 101, the current general revenue-recognition standard. Second, the software industry provides a laboratory setting for examining multiple-element firms, whose revenue-recognition challenges keep mounting as more and more firms bundle multiple products and services. I find that implementing SOP 97-2 leads to additional revenue deferrals and a decline in earnings informativeness. However, the market prices these deferrals as revenues, as if these amounts had not been deferred. Moreover, the proforma earnings, which I calculate by undoing the revenue deferrals, more strongly correspond with market returns than do the reported earnings. My findings indicate that the accounting numbers calculated using the pre-SOP 97-2 revenue-recognition rules more strongly correspond with market returns than do those calculated using SOP 97-2. My findings should interest FASB in its project on developing a new revenue-recognition standard. I thank my dissertation committee Ekkehart Boehmer, Mary Lea McAnally, Edward. P. Swanson (Chair), and Senyo Y. Tse for their guidance and comments. I also thank Anwer Ahmed, Michael Drake, Thomas Omer, James Myers, Linda Myers, Nate Sharp, Elizabeth Tebeaux, Connie Weaver, and the workshop participants at Texas A&M University for helpful comments. † E-mail: asrivastava@mays.tamu.edu. Tel. (979) 845-9401.
No New HIV Infections With Increasing Use of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis in a Clinical Practice Setting

Referrals for and initiation of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection increased dramatically in a large clinical practice setting since 2012. Despite high rates of sexually transmitted infections among PrEP users and reported decreases in condom use in a subset, there were no new HIV infections in this population.
The Influence of Item Response Indecision on the Self-Directed Search.

Students (N = 247) responded to Self-Directed Search (SDS) per the standard response format and were also instructed to record a question mark (?) for items about which they were uncertain (item re...
New Simplified Three-Spheres Intersection Algorithm for the Forward Pose Kinematics of Cable-Suspended Robots

A novel simplified analytical three-spheres intersection algorithm is presented for use with forward pose kinematics solutions of a four-cable-suspended robot (the method is applicable to various other cable-suspended robots with equal pole heights and three cables intersecting in one point). It is required that the vertical center heights of all three spheres are equal (otherwise one can use the existing more-complicated algorithm). We derive this new algorithm and show that the multiple solutions, algorithmic singularity, and imaginary solutions do not cause any trouble in practical implementation. The algorithmic singularity of the original three-spheres intersection algorithm regarding equal Z heights is eliminated with the new algorithm. The new algorithm requires significantly less computation compared with the original algorithm. Examples are presented to demonstrate the new three-spheres intersection algorithm for a 4-cable robot.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Low-loss rectifier for RF powering of implantable biosensing devices

The biochips are considered as one of the promising concepts for in-vivo or in-vitro characterizing or quantifying of biomolecules. The inductive powering can not only maintain the continuous wireless power from the external source for long term operation of implantable biochip to reduce the risk from the battery leakage or skin infection from the connecting wires, but also establish a wireless communication system between the biochip and the external device. A high-efficiency rectifier unit is needed in inductive-power transfer system to convert the received energy into a usable DC voltage. In this paper, a high power-conversion-efficiency differential inductor based class-E type zero-voltage-switching structure is presented to replace the low efficiency conventional full-wave bridge rectifier. The proposed rectifier unit is designed using 0.5-μm standard CMOS process. Simulation results show that the proposed differential rectifier circuit can achieve more than 92% power-conversion-efficiency for an input AC source of 7 MHz frequency with signal amplitude of 2 V (peak).
Degradation of Poliovirus Polypeptides in vivo

CELLS infected with attenuated type 1 poliovirus (LSc) at 39° C synthesize only 20% of the viral proteins produced at 35° C. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of viral peptides shows that only four peptides (with molecular weights of 230,000, 212,000, 196,000 and 160,000) are produced at the restrictive temperature1. It was suggested that the last three are cleavage products of the 230,000 molecular weight peptide. Furthermore, since smaller peptides were never observed it was suggested that proteolysis might eliminate them from infected cells at 39° C. Nonsense and deletion mutations cause degradation of incomplete peptides of β-galactosidase2 and the lac repressor3. We have studied whether there is significant proteolysis of the peptides of attenuated poliovirus in vivo at 39° C. There is extensive degradation of viral peptides at the restrictive temperature and essentially no degradation at the permissive temperature. The peptides of wild type virulent virus are not degraded at either 35° C or 39° C.
Enzymic analysis of rat liver carbohydrate: Glucose and oligoglucoside contents as additional indices in metabolic studies

Abstract A technique for the enzymic determination of oligoglucosides in liver homogenate has been described and evaluated. Examples were cited to illustrate the utility of determining glucose and oligoglucoside contents in the investigation of in vivo and in vitro liver carbohydrate metabolism. The reliability of routine application of the analytical methods employed in this investigation was evaluated by performing repeat assays of several homogenates. Although numerous liver homogenates with high glycogen and low oligoglucoside contents have been analyzed, detectable quantities of oligoglucosides were present in each specimen.
Growth responses of individual roots of Opuntia ficus‐indica to salinity

Responses of individual roots of the widely cultivated cactus Opuntia ficus-indica to salinity stress were evaluated using a split-root system. Three roots from a plant with at least 20 roots were isolated from the remainder of the root system and exposed to 0, 30 or 100 mol m-3 NaCl for up to 28 d. Cortical cells became shorter and lateral root development was substantially reduced as salinity increased. Compared with the control, the increase in dry weight for the isolated roots was reduced 40% by 30 mol m-3 NaCl and 93% by 100mol m-3 NaCl. The sodium content of roots increased only two-fold with increasing salinity. Respiration rates of roots exposed to 30 or 100 mol m-3 NaCl were higher than those of the control. Carbon accumulation in roots measured 2 d after exposing shoots to 14CO2 was not initially affected by 30 mol m-3 NaCl but was substantially reduced at 100 mol m-3 NaCl. Thus, roots exposed to short periods of moderate salinity stress maintained sufficient carbon sink strength for continued growth of the roots. Moreover, increased salinity led to decreased efficiency of carbon usage for the expansion of root surface area.
Time course analysis of gene expression during light-induced photoreceptor cell death and regeneration in albino zebrafish.

Constant intense light causes apoptosis of rod and cone photoreceptors in adult albino zebrafish. The photoreceptors subsequently regenerate from proliferating inner nuclear layer (INL) progenitor cells that migrate to the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and differentiate into rods and cones. To identify gene expression changes during this photoreceptor regeneration response, a microarray analysis was performed at five time points during the light treatment. The time course included an early time point during photoreceptor death (16 h), later time points during progenitor cell proliferation and migration (31, 51, and 68 h) and a 96 h time point, which likely corresponds to the initial photoreceptor differentiation. Mean expression values for each gene were calculated at each time point relative to the control (0 h light exposure) and statistical analysis by one-way ANOVA identified 4567 genes exhibiting significant changes in gene expression along the time course. The genes within this data set were clustered based on their temporal expression patterns and proposed functions. Quantitative real-time PCR validated the microarray expression profiles for selected genes, including stat3 whose expression increased markedly during the light exposure. Based on immunoblots, both total and activated Stat3 protein expression also increased during the light treatment. Immunolocalization of Stat3 on retinal tissue sections demonstrated increased expression in photoreceptors and Muller glia by 16 h of light exposure. Some of the Stat3-positive Muller cells expressed PCNA at 31 h, suggesting that Stat3 may play a role in signaling a subset of Muller cells to proliferate during the regeneration response.
The operating performance of preferred stock issuers

We examine the operating performance of preferred stock issuers using the sample of preferred stock issues during 1991–2000. We find the median profit margin and Return On Assets (ROA) of the preferred stock issuers deteriorate until the year of preferred issuance, hit the bottom in the year of issuance and gradually recover after the issue. Our finding is in contrast to the Loughran and Ritter's (1997) report of Seasoned Equity Offering (SEO) firms’ operating performance; improvement before the issuance and deterioration after the offering. Our finding of the operating performance behaviour of preferred stock issuers is consistent with the common stock performance behaviour of preferred stock issuers found in Howe and Lee (2006), where preferred stock issuers show only transient (1 year post-issue) common stock underperformance and no longer-term (2 and 3 years post-issue) underperformance.
Simulation modeling for pandemic decision making: A case study with bi-criteria analysis on school closures

Pandemic influenza continues to be a national and international public health concern, and has received significant attention worldwide with the A/H1N1 influenza outbreak in 2009. Many countries, including the United States, have developed preparedness plans for an influenza pandemic. Preparedness plans are falling under renewed scrutiny as decision-makers apply new findings and seek key leverage points for more effective preparedness and response. School closure has been recommended by the World Health Organization as one of the best ways to protect children and other susceptible individuals at the early stages of the pandemic. However, school closure is a difficult mitigation policy to implement from both strategic and operational points of view. Challenges include impacts on alternative education delivery services, such as student meals and after-school oversight, as well as direct and indirect economic outfalls. To help public health decision makers address these issues, we developed an epidemiological simulation tool for pandemic influenza which enables users to make decisions during a simulated pandemic. We then designed a school closure tabletop exercise using our simulation model as a decision-support tool for evaluating the effectiveness of school closure as a community mitigation strategy for pandemic influenza. We conducted two exercises in February 2009 for the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services including high-ranking health and education administrators from across the state. The purpose of these exercises was to test the state's pandemic preparedness plans with respect to school closure timing and impact. The exercises required participants to make (hypothetical) strategic and operational decisions to mitigate the impacts of pandemic influenza at the state and local levels. Our simulation and decision analysis tool was used to assess the impact of key decisions in the exercises. This paper presents the technical details involved in the design and evaluation of this pandemic decision-support tool. Based on the decisions made in the exercises, we present a bi-criteria decision analysis framework to evaluate analytical results obtained from the simulation model. Our analyses show that sequential school closure and re-opening strategy with a specific decision rule gives the best compromised solution in terms of minimizing the total number of infections and providing minimal educational discontinuity.
Patient characteristics and the likelihood of initiation on olanzapine or risperidone among patients with schizophrenia.

Abstract Although pharmacologic treatments are available for patients with schizophrenia, little is known about how prescription patterns of atypical antipsychotic agents are related to patient characteristics. In this study, we examined the association between patient characteristics and the likelihood of being initiated on olanzapine or risperidone, two of the most frequently prescribed atypical agents for schizophrenia. We selected patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder based on ≥ 1 inpatient or ≥ 2 outpatient ICD-9-CM codes (≥ 7 days apart) between 7/1/98 and 6/30/99 from the Veterans Health Administration (VA). We classified patients into one of three types of initiation: (a) not on olanzapine or risperidone, (b) not on any atypical agents, or (c) not on any antipsychotic agents for 6 months, and then subsequently being prescribed the target drugs. Using logistic regression, we examined whether the odds ratio of being initiated on olanzapine versus risperidone are related to patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Compared to risperidone initiators, olanzapine initiators used more drugs for psychiatric conditions (including antiparkinsonian agents, typical antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers) than risperidone initiators. On the other hand, risperidone initiators had more medical comorbidities and more non-psychiatric hospitalizations. Olanzapine and risperidone appear to be prescribed to patients with different characteristics. Initiation of risperidone was more common among patients who presented with more medical comorbid conditions, whereas initiation of olanzapine was more common among patient who presented with more mental comorbid conditions. Future research needs to determine the reasons for those differences.
Apparent lunar activity - Historical review

Historical review of lunar surface events from 5 March 1587 to 15 November 1965 - correlation to earth tidal action
Near infra‐red analysis: The use of multivariate statistics for investigation of variables in sample preparation and presentation of tea leaf

A data analysis procedure involving principal component and canonical variate analyses was used to investigate the effects of three sample variables (particle size, temperature and sample rotation) on the near infra-red spectra of six teas of different geographical origin. The effects of milling method were shown to be much larger than those of sample temperature or rotation. The analysis provided a rational basis for the choice of a milling technique and sample presentation for a study of the possible relationship between tea quality and near infra-red spectroscopic data.
Meteorite analysis: the search for diamond

Abstract An investigation of various chemical methods involving non-oxidizing conditions for separation of diamonds in stone meteorites was continued. A new technique which employs KHF2 fusion was successful in recovering graphite from several meteorites. No diamonds were found in seventeen meteorites using the methods described.
The Corona as Lightning Arrester

Occasional suggestion has been made in recent years that the properties of the high-voltage corona might be utilized as a protection against lightning and other similar types of disturbance on transmission lines. The idea in these suggestions is that since the ionization attending corona renders the air conductint, the excess voltage following the lightning discharge will be relieved or lowered by leakage between lines or to ground. It has been stated that lines operating in the highest range of transmission voltages are more immune from lightning disturbances than those of lower voltage, and that this is due to the fact that they operate nearer to corona-forming voltage, and that abnormal rises of voltage are thus prevented by the relatively low value at which corona forms. This paper aims to present additional evidence that the suggestion mentioned is not only sound but has important possibilities. Experiments are described indicating a relatively simple and inexpensive method of equipping transmission lines to take advantage of the protective properties of the corona, without incurring its disadvantages.
Abnormal detection using interaction energy potentials

A new method is proposed to detect abnormal behaviors in human group activities. This approach effectively models group activities based on social behavior analysis. Different from previous work that uses independent local features, our method explores the relationships between the current behavior state of a subject and its actions. An interaction energy potential function is proposed to represent the current behavior state of a subject, and velocity is used as its actions. Our method does not depend on human detection or segmentation, so it is robust to detection errors. Instead, tracked spatio-temporal interest points are able to provide a good estimation of modeling group interaction. SVM is used to find abnormal events. We evaluate our algorithm in two datasets: UMN and BEHAVE. Experimental results show its promising performance against the state-of-art methods.
Health Related Quality of Life in Patients Treated With Radical Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion for Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder: Development and Validation of a New Disease Specific Questionnaire

ABSTRACTPurpose: The impact of treatment on the health related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients is being recognized with increasing importance, particularly in those with urological malignancies. However, a validated disease and treatment specific instrument to assess HRQOL following radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion (UD) is currently lacking. We report the results of a new questionnaire designed specifically to measure HRQOL in these patients.Materials and Methods: A 45-item questionnaire consisting of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-General and 17 additional items designed to measure disease and treatment specific health outcomes were combined to form the Vanderbilt Cystectomy Index (FACT-VCI). FACT-VCI and the generic RAND 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) were administered to 50 patients from our institution RC data base who were more than 1 year from the time of surgery. Each patient was asked to complete the survey at 1 and 4 weeks. The results of the SF-36 and FACT-VCI...
The Entangled Trinity: Quantum Physics and Theology

Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks for authors in theology and science is writing with scholarly erudition that keeps pace with a rapidly complexifying field, while simultaneously maintaining ...
Mechanism and significance of a decrease in ejection fraction during exercise in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction at rest

The purpose of this study was to determine whether an exercise-induced decrease in ejection fraction in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction at rest represents ischemia or the nonspecific response of a compromised left ventricle to exercise stress. Accordingly, radionuclide ejection fraction responses of 246 patients with coronary artery disease and an ejection fraction at rest of less than 0.50 were compared with those of a “nonischemic” control group of 48 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and a similar degree of ventricular dysfunction. The significance of the ejection fraction response in the group with coronary artery disease was further examined by relating it to the angiographic extent of coronary artery disease, severity of angina, incidence of chest pain and electrocardiographic ST segment depression during exercise and long-term prognosis. The ejection fraction decreased by ≥ 0.01 and ≥ 0.05 during exercise in 48 and 28%, respectively, of the patients with coronary artery disease compared with only 8 and 2%, respectively, of the patients with cardiomyopathy. When exercise was limited by fatigue at a submaximal heart rate, the ejection fraction decreased in 25% of the patients with coronary artery disease but in none of the patients with cardiomyopathy. Patients with coronary artery disease whose ejection fraction decreased during exercise had a significantly higher incidence of three vessel disease, exercise-induced chest pain or ST depression and late mortality than did patients whose ejection fraction did not decrease. These relations were confirmed equally in subgroups of patients with moderate (ejection fraction 0.30 to 0.49) and severe (ejection fraction
Position of origin of donor posterior chick wing bud tissue transplanted to an anterior host site determines the extra structures formed.

Abstract The formation of supernumerary limb structures was studied by juxtaposing normally nonadjacent embryonic chick limb bud tissue. Different “wedges” (ectodern and mesoderm) of posterior donor right wing bud (stage 21) were transplanted to a slit made in stage 20–23 host right wing buds. Donor posterior tissue was transplanted to an anterior position in a host wing bud or, as a control, to the same position as its position of origin. Transplanting different wedges of posterior tissue to the same anterior host position results in wings with supernumerary structures, and different extra structures form depending on the position of origin of the donor tissue. The identification of extra limb structures formed was based on the skeletal and integumentary patterns of resulting wings and the pattern of muscles as seen in serial sections of resulting limbs. The results of experiments presented here are considered in light of current models that have been used to describe the formation of supernumerary limb structures by the embryonic chick limb bud.