cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interval Estimation of Prescribed Accuracy

For a fixed sample problem the accuracy of an estimator of a parameter θ typically depends on the unknown value of θ and perhaps also on the value of an unknown nuisance parameter λ. To achieve estimators of prescribed accuracy, it seems natural to proceed sequentially, to get some preliminary idea of the value of (θ,λ) and use the preliniminary information to determine the final sample size.
A mutually beneficial assignment to mathematics and computer programming: nifty assignment

Needless to say, functions are one of the most fundamental concepts in (discrete) mathematics. Most students feel that they know this concept well because they have been dealing with functions since middle school. Unfortunately, this may not be the case. Misconceptions about functions exist and are common among students. The purpose of this assignment is to let student correct their misconception about functions by writing a (short) Java program that prints out all required functions.
College students' perceptions of the links between alcohol use and sexual experiences

Alcohol use is associated with impaired decision making and unwanted sexual outcomes, but emerging adults generally perceive the co-occurrence of alcohol use and sexual behavior positively. The current study examined perceived links between alcohol use and sexual experiences. Data were from 279 college students using stratified random sampling with replacement (56% female, 25% Hispanic/Latino, 22% African American, 28% Asian American/Pacific Islander, and 51% European American; M = 19.95 [0.43] years old). We coded participants' responses to an open-ended question about how their alcohol use and sexual feelings were related. Students generally perceived that alcohol is facilitative of sex or has no effect. The most common responses were that alcohol leads to arousal and disinhibition. Almost no students mentioned alcohol's impact on contraceptive use or sexual assault. RESULTS differed by gender, prior sexual behavior, and heavy drinking. We interpret results in light of alcohol myopia theory and discuss implications for prevention. Language: en
Time-to-space conversion of ultrafast optical pulses via spectral nonlinear optics in the communications band

In ultrahigh-speed optical communication networks, time-to-space conversion, which maps the serial time-domain ultrafast optical signal into its spatial replica, is important both for demultiplexing and to enable spatial or parallel processing for various higher-layer functionalities, such as header recognition and data encryption [1]. Time-to-space conversion is also interesting as a new approach for ultrafast optical waveform measurement. Several groups have reported recently on time-to-space converters [1-4]. From the viewpoint of applications for real-world optical communication networks, however, several requirements will have to be fulfilled simultaneously. For example, the operating wavelength must fall within the 1.55 µm lightwave communications band, the response time of the nonlinear medium must be fast, the efficiency must be high, and the temporal processing window must be large enough to accommodate parallel processing of many optical bits. In this paper we report the first spectral nonlinear optics time-to-space converter operating in the lightwave band. The use of second harmonic generation (SHG) as the spectral nonlinear optical process [1,3,5] provides ultrafast response. Furthermore, drawing on our analysis of the conversion efficiency of a SHG time-to-space converter [5], we have optimized the sensitivity of our converter to realize the first direct, single-shot measurements of a single laser pulse with no averaging.
A Design-Based Approach to Improve External Validity in Welfare Policy Evaluations.

Background:Large-scale randomized experiments are important for determining how policy interventions change average outcomes. Researchers have begun developing methods to improve the external valid...
Comparison of treatment modalities for breast cancer arising in Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivors

Breast cancer (BC) in Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) survivors is traditionally treated with mastectomy, especially in those who received prior supradiaphragmatic radiation therapy (RT). Chest irradiation is a contraindication for breast-conserving therapy (BCT); however, retrospective studies have found that BCT is an acceptable treatment option for BCs that arise after prior RT. This study compares BC treatment modalities for female HL survivors. Data was extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) from 1983 to 2009. All female HL survivors who subsequently developed BC and received surgical treatment were included. BC events were grouped by the type of surgical resection and RT utilization. All were staged using the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) seventh edition criteria. Multivariate analysis was performed to compare treatment groups. There were 413 BC events arising in female HL survivors that received surgical management. Of these BC events, 371 were fully staged. Sixty-one received a bilateral mastectomy, 227 received a mastectomy, and 83 received a lumpectomy. A total of 65 BC events received RT, 19 after mastectomy and 46 after lumpectomy. On multivariate analysis for overall survival (OS) and cause-specific survival (CSS), there were no statistically significant favorable or adverse prognostic factors, including treatment modality. BCT did not have an inferior CSS or OS compared to other treatment modalities for female HL survivors. BCT is an acceptable treatment option for a select group of female HL survivors who develop BC.
New donor polymer with tetrafluorinated blocks for enhanced performance in perylenediimide-based solar cells

The synthesis of a new tetrafluorinated semiconducting donor polymer, poly[(4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)-4-fluorothiophene-2-yl)-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene)-alt-(5,6-difluoro-4,7-(4-(2-ethylhexyl)-dithien-2-yl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (PBTZF4), and its photovoltaic performance in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) blends with the non-fullerene molecular acceptor [1,2:3,4]-bis-[N,N′-bis-1-pentylhexyl-perylenediimide-1,12-yl]-benzene (bPDI2P), are reported. PBTZF4:bPDI2P solar cells exhibit a high open circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.118 V, a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 10.02 mA cm−2, and a fill factor (FF) of 49.5%, affording a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.55%. Interestingly, a lower PCE of 3.68% is obtained with the difluorinated analogue, poly[(4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)-thiophene-2-yl)-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene)-alt-(5,6-difluoro-4,7-(4-(2-ethyl-hexyl)-dithien-2-yl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (PBTZF2). Both PBTZF4:bPDI2P and PBTZF2:bPDI2P cells benefit from complementary (donor/acceptor) light absorption and very low geminate recombination, with bimolecular recombination being the dominant loss mechanism, as established by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. DFT computation and physicochemical characterization data argue that the “additional” tetrafluorination planarizes the PBTZF4 backbone and enhances aggregation versusPBTZF2, affording superior charge carrier transport as assayed by field-effect mobility. In addition, fluorine-originated HOMO stabilization, −5.41 eV for PBTZF4versus −5.33 eV for PBTZF2, and a superior blend microstructure afford a higher PBTZF4:bPDI2P solar cell PCE versusPBTZF2:bPDI2P.
APRIN, a highly expressed gene in the brain and reproductive tissues is silenced in malignancies of the breast, prostate and ovary

431 Background. Differentiation programs are hormonally regulated in the reproductive tissues and appear to fail in cancer. We searched for the genetic elements involved and found a novel hormone-induced differentiation factor APRIN, which was mapped on chromosome 13, next to BRCA2. Deletions (loss of heterozygosity) in the BRCA2 region in prostate, breast, ovarian and other cancers indicated a cryptic suppressor gene in the APRIN area. Objective. Deletions targeting the APRIN gene may indicate that the loss of APRIN is a critical factor in cancer progression. The objective of the present work is to investigate this hypothesis. Based on our previous studies, we extended our analysis of APRIN expression in reproductive cancers and analyzed the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of silencing. Methods. We used clinical samples from invasive ductal breast adenocarcinomas, prostate adenocarcinomas and ovarian cancer to assess APRIN expression. Our immunohistochemistry results were compared with microarray and SAGE data. We also analyzed APRIN expression in vitro, in cell lines from reproductive cancers. In samples where APRIN expression was absent, we performed both genetic and epigenetic analyses to study the molecular mechanisms. In the extensive CpG island of the APRIN promoter methylation can repress promoter activity. We performed promoter methylation studies using various techniques and innovative applications. R e s u l t s. Our data indicated downregulation or silencing of APRIN expression in up to 90% of the clinical samples we analyzed. In contrast, in normal tissues in the same samples and in control biopsies APRIN was highly expressed. Microarray and SAGE data were also consistent with our immuno-histochemistry results and showed that in most breast and ovarian cancer cell lines APRIN was lost or downregulated. In prostate adenocarcinomas, however, APRIN losses were less manifest and showed clonal morphology. We found DNA methylation in the APRIN promoter in samples where APRIN was silenced. Conclusions. APRIN, a conserved chromatin factor is highly expressed in the nervous and reproductive systems. We showed that it is a mediator in hormonally regulated differentiation in reproductive organs. We also showed that early on in the oncogenic process, the loss of APRIN expression contributes to reproductive and other malignancies through epigenetic mechanisms. Our results will help to establish novel epigenetic markers in early diagnosis and prognosis.
Characterizing constraining forces in the alignment phase of orthodontic treatment

ABSTRACT Objectives: To describe the frictional forces (FF) that constrain wire sliding in the initial alignment phase of treatment using a new term, the “constraining force” (CF), and to hypothesi...
Naval Special Warfare (NSW) crewmen demonstrate diminished cervical strength and range of motion compared to NSW students.

Background Cumulative effects of high-impact vertical forces, like those experienced on an open-ocean mission, could be an injury concern for the cervical spine. Objective Compare cervical range of motion (ROM) and strength measures between students and NSW Crewmen and secondarily to compare these measures between students and Crewmen separated into three groups based on years of service. Methods A volunteer sample of 186 students (age: 22.8±3.1 years) and 167 Operators (age: 26.9±5.1 years) completed cervical isometric strength (% BW) and ROM (°) measurements using a handheld dynamometer and CROM-3 device, respectively. Independent samples t-tests were done to evaluate differences between students and Crewmen. Analysis of Variance and appropriate post-hoc tests were calculated to compare students to Crewmen separated into three groups based on years of service. Data is reported as mean±SD and (student mean vs. Operator mean). Results Students demonstrated higher flexion strength (21.7±4.9 vs. 19.1±5.0) and greater ROM: flexion (54.3±10.6 vs. 51.2±9.2), and extension (77.0±14.4 vs. 71.3±11.4) than Crewmen. Students demonstrated greater flexion strength than Crewmen with ≤2 (19.4±5.1), 3-6 (19.4±5.3), and ≥7 (18.6±4.7) years of service. Conclusions Students demonstrated greater cervical strength and ROM. A trend of decreasing ROM/strength in Crewmen with greater years of service was also observed.
What propositional structure could not be

The dominant account of propositions holds that they are structured entities that have, as constituents, the semantic values of the constituents of the sentences that express them. Since such theories hold that propositions are structured, in some sense, like the sentences that express them, they must provide an answer to what I will call Soames’ Question: “What level, or levels, of sentence structure does semantic information incorporate?” (Soames in Philos Mind Action Theory 3:575–596, 1989). As it turns out, answering Soames’ Question is no easy task. I argue in this paper that the two most promising ways of answering it, the Logical Form Account and the LF Account, are both unsatisfactory. This result casts doubt on the very idea that propositions are structured.
Bidirectional Relationships between Alcohol-Specific Parental Socialization Behaviors and Adolescent Alcohol Misuse.

Background: Although numerous studies have examined parental influence on adolescent alcohol misuse, few have examined how adolescents impact parental behavior or the reciprocal nature of parent-ad...
DNA-encoded morphological evolution of bimetallic Pd@Au core-shell nanoparticles from a high-indexed core

DNA-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles with different morphologies has proven to be a powerful method to synthesize and access many exclusive shapes and surface properties. While previous studies employ seeds that contain relatively low-energy facets, such as a simple cubic palladium seed in the synthesis of Pd-Au bimetallic nanoparticles, few studies have investigated whether DNA molecules can still exert their influence when the synthesis uses a seed that contains high-energy facets. Seeds that are enclosed by such high-energy facets or sites are known to act as easy nucleation sites in nanoparticles growth and could potentially suppress the effect of DNA. To answer this question, we herein report DNA-encoded control of morphological evolution of bimetallic Pd@Au core-shell nanoparticles from a concave palladium nanocube seed that contains high indexed facets. Based on detailed spectroscopic and SEM studies of time-dependent growth of the bimetallic nanoparticles, we found that each of 10-mer DNA molecules (T10, G10, C10 and A10) has a unique way of interacting with both the seed's surface and the precursor. Among them, the most important factor is the binding affinity of the nucleobase to the Pd surface, with the A10 possessing the highest binding affinity and thus capable of stabilizing the seed's high energy surfaces. Furthermore, for bases with lower binding affinity (T10, G10 and C10) than A10, the growth is completely dictated by the seed's surface energy initially, but the later growth can still be influenced by the different DNA sequences, resulting in four unique morphologically different Pd@Au bimetallic nanoparticles. The effect of these DNA molecules with medium binding affinity can only be observed when there is more deposition of Au. Based on the above results, a scheme for the DNA controlled growth is proposed. Together these results have provided insights into factors governing DNA-mediated growth of core-shell structures using seeds with high-energy sites, and the insights can readily be applied to other bimetallic systems that adopt seed-mediated synthesis.
Introduction to High-Concentration Proteins

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become a major class in protein therapeutics. Many mAbs require development at high concentrations, due to the high dose required for efficacy and patient-preferred self-administration through subcutaneous injection, which is oftentimes limited by dosing volume. Development of high-concentration protein products, however, has been associated with two major challenges—high solution viscosity and enhanced aggregation tendency. These challenges and the relevant strategies to overcome them are discussed herein, and future directions in the development of high-concentration products are proposed.
Structure and Properties of Aromatic Liquid Crystalline Copolyesters

Liquid crystalline materials have the ability to form anisotropic mesophases with order intermediate between the crystalline solid state and the isotropic liquid. In 1888, Reinitzer reported two melting points for cholesteryl ethers, between which a birefringent phase was observed.1 Since that time, the existence of such mesophases has been reported for an enormous range of compounds, and their structures and properties have received extensive study. Vorlander2 studied the properties of the oligomers of LC compounds, setting the stage for work on LC polymers (LCPs). These are classified as lyotropic or thermotropic, depending on whether the LC behavior is seen in solution or in the melt. Early work on LCPs focused on the concentration-dependent lyotropic phases formed by rod-like polymers, notably poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate)3 and tobacco mosaic virus.4 The first commercial LCP products were Kevlar® fibers, based on poly(phenylene terephthalamide), which were developed by DuPont in the 1960s.5 The fibers were produced by dry-jet wet spinning from an LC solution in hot concentrated sulfuric acid. The first well characterized thermotropic LCP was the ethylene terephthalate/oxybenzoate copolyester developed in the early 1970s by Eastman Kodak.6 This copolymer, which is often referred to in the literature as X7G, could be melt-spun as fibers, but the tensile properties were greatly inferior to those of Kevlar. Nevertheless, this discovery prompted the development of a range of wholly aromatic LC copolyesters, which will be the topic of this review. Two such LCPs that are now commercially available are Xydar®, produced by Amoco,7 and Vectra®, produced by Hoechst Celanese.8 Xydar is based on the copolymer of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), biphenol (BP), and terephthalic acid (TPA); Vectra is a copolymer of HBA and 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid (HNA).
q-Taylor’s Formula for Polynomials

As has been shown in the previous chapter, P n (x) = (x − a) q n /[n]! satisfies the three requirements of Theorem 2.1 with respect to the linear Operator D q . Therefore, we now obtain the q-version of Taylor’s formula.
Advancing an Integrated Theory of Sexual Minority Alcohol-Related Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent and serious public health problem. Alcohol use and misuse is one of the most well-known antecedents of IPV perpetration. However, minimal research examined whether alcohol use increases the risk for IPV perpetration among individuals who identify as a sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, or another non-heterosexual identity [LGB+]). This is particularly concerning given that rates of IPV and alcohol use are as high, if not higher, in LGB+ populations relative to their heterosexual peers. In this article we provide a brief review of existing alcohol-related IPV research among LGB+ populations, advance an integrated model of alcohol-related IPV perpetration among LGB+ populations, and discuss avenues for future research on this topic. Our review identified limited research on alcohol-related IPV perpetration among LGB+ populations, with no longitudinal or event level research on this topic. Incorporating tenets of minority stress models with models of alcohol-related IPV (i.e., I3 and Alcohol Myopia Theory), we propose an integrated theory of alcohol-related IPV perpetration among LGB+ populations. Based on the limited information available in the literature, our integrated theoretical model suggests several avenues for future research on alcohol-related IPV perpetration among LGB+ populations. We discuss these future areas for research and the importance of incorporating sexual minority stress frameworks into these investigations.
A Review of Alzheimer's Disease Classification Using Neuropsychological Data and Machine Learning

Early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is essential. Compared with manual judgment, using machine learning to recognize AD has the advantages of high efficiency and low cost. After reviewing the research progress in using machine learning technology and neuropsychological data to identify AD, we point out that, firstly, the dataset of AD should be expanded by discussing around a specific topic, secondly, more reasonable features should be automatically selected by machine learning, at last, DNN model for predicting AD should be further study.
Overview: Policy Responses, Political Realities and Cross-National Variations: Responding to Health and Social Needs of the Latino Century

The Latino century will witness dramatic demographic changes affecting the United States and its neighbors to the South. How nations respond to the political needs and the public policy decisions necessary to ensure a quality of life for elders throughout the America’s, will hinge on our understanding of the economic, health, ethnic and political dynamics of longevity and governmental responses. This section explores the complexities and nuances of these challenges and presents the opportunities for a bold approach to aging and diversity.
Imaging Needs of Clinicians Caring for PAD Patients

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is common, affecting over eight million Americans. PAD negatively impacts both the quality and length of life among those affected. Treatment of PAD focuses on two areas: helping patients “live longer” by reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and helping patients “feel better” by improving quality of life. To that end, imaging plays a key role in the care of the PAD patient.
An Exploration of Parental Support in the Retention of Rural First-Generation College Students:

Rural first-generation college students (FGCSs) encounter complications in college that are often the result of a lack of college readiness, difficulty adjusting to new communities, and the absence...
Chapter 4 – Correlation Immune and Resilient Boolean Functions

This chapter gives a detailed discussion of the concept of correlation immunity, which was introduced in a seminal 1984 paper of Siegenthaler. The basic idea is that given a Boolean function f in n variables and a subset of k variables, 1⩽k⩽n1⩽k⩽n, knowing the values of these k variables gives no more information about the value of f than we would have if we chose any other subset of size k. In other words, there is no correlation between the choice of subset and the value of f. If this is true, we say f is correlation immune of order k. Correlation immunity is important in cryptography because if it is absent for a function f used in a cryptosystem, then various effective cryptanalytic attacks on the cryptosystem are possible. As often happens in cryptography, the desirable property of correlation immunity cannot be maximized at the same time as other desirable cryptographic properties. Such tradeoffs between correlation immunity and the desirable properties of large algebraic degree and large nonlinearity are discussed in detail. A function that is both correlation immune and balanced is called resilient, and there is a connection between such functions and the theory of orthogonal arrays.
Phlebotomy requirements are lower in polycythemia vera patients with low ferritin stores.

e19537Background: Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloid neoplasm of clonal red cell proliferation. Most PV patients are iron deficient at diagnosis, prior to the onset of therapeutic phlebotomy, the ...
Hardware-Accelerated Platforms and Infrastructures for Network Functions: A Survey of Enabling Technologies and Research Studies

In order to facilitate flexible network service virtualization and migration, network functions (NFs) are increasingly executed by software modules as so-called “softwarized NFs” on General-Purpose Computing (GPC) platforms and infrastructures. GPC platforms are not specifically designed to efficiently execute NFs with their typically intense Input/Output (I/O) demands. Recently, numerous hardware-based accelerations have been developed to augment GPC platforms and infrastructures, e.g., the central processing unit (CPU) and memory, to efficiently execute NFs. This article comprehensively surveys hardware-accelerated platforms and infrastructures for executing softwarized NFs. This survey covers both commercial products, which we consider to be enabling technologies, as well as relevant research studies. We have organized the survey into the main categories of enabling technologies and research studies on hardware accelerations for the CPU, the memory, and the interconnects (e.g., between CPU and memory), as well as custom and dedicated hardware accelerators (that are embedded on the platforms); furthermore, we survey hardware-accelerated infrastructures that connect GPC platforms to networks (e.g., smart network interface cards). We find that the CPU hardware accelerations have mainly focused on extended instruction sets and CPU clock adjustments, as well as cache coherency. Hardware accelerated interconnects have been developed for on-chip and chip-to-chip connections. Our comprehensive up-to-date survey identifies the main trade-offs and limitations of the existing hardware-accelerated platforms and infrastructures for NFs and outlines directions for future research.
Interpreting deep learning models for weak lensing

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are powerful algorithms that have been proven capable of extracting non-Gaussian information from weak lensing (WL) datasets. Understanding which features in the data determine the output of these nested, nonlinear algorithms is an important but challenging task. We analyze a DNN that has been found in previous work to accurately recover cosmological parameters in simulated maps of the WL convergence ($\ensuremath{\kappa}$). We derive constraints on the cosmological parameter pair $({\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{m},{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{8})$ from a combination of three commonly used WL statistics (power spectrum, lensing peaks, and Minkowski functionals), using ray-traced simulated $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ maps. We show that the network can improve the inferred parameter constraints relative to this combination by 20% even in the presence of realistic levels of shape noise. We apply a series of well-established saliency methods to interpret the DNN and find that the most relevant pixels are those with extreme $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ values. For noiseless maps, regions with negative $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ account for 69%--89%. of the attribution of the DNN output, defined as the square of the saliency in input space. In the presence of shape noise, the attribution concentrates in high-convergence regions, with 36%--68% of the attribution in regions with $\ensuremath{\kappa}g3{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\ensuremath{\kappa}}$.
Developing a methodology to collect empirical data that informs policy and practices for stockpiling personal protective equipment.

Abstract Background Personal protective equipment (PPE) are stockpiled across the nation to offset supply depletion during public health emergencies. Stockpiled PPE inventories vary across the United States by type, model, quantity, and the conditions in which they are stored. Over the past decade, federal, state, and local stockpile managers have had concerns for the viability of aging PPE. Methods To understand factors that may affect stockpiled PPE, we explored the breadth of stockpile storage conditions and respirator and surgical gown inventories through collaboration with the national PPE community, qualitative observations collected at 10 different US stockpiles, and by compiling stockpile PPE inventories and climate data from a convenience sample of US stockpiles. Results The aggregated inventory from 20 stockpiles is reported, accounting for approximately 53 million respirators. Most respirators (69% or 35.8 million) have been stored between 5 and 10 years. Upon visiting 10 stockpile facilities, we report on the storage conditions observed and summarize the storage environment data collected. Conclusions This is the first study to identify common PPE types, inventories, and storage conditions across federal, state, and local government stockpile facilities as well as health care organization-managed caches. These findings will be leveraged to guide the development of sampling protocols for air-purifying respirators and surgical gowns in US stockpiles to understand the performance viability after long-term storage.
Risk and Mitigation of African Swine Fever Virus in Feed

Since the 2013 introduction of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus into the United States (U.S.), feed and feed ingredients have been recognized as potential routes for the introduction and transmission of foreign animal diseases of swine. Feed ingredients for swine diets are commodities traded worldwide, and the U.S. imports thousands of metric tons of feed ingredients each year from countries with circulating foreign animal diseases. African swine fever (ASF) is the most significant foreign animal disease threat to U.S. swine production, and the recent introduction of ASF into historically negative countries has heightened the risk for further spread. Laboratory investigations have characterized the stability of the ASF virus (ASFV) in feed ingredients subjected to transoceanic shipment conditions, ASFV transmissibility through the natural consumption of plant-based feed, and the mitigation potential of certain feed additives to inactivate ASFV in feed. This review describes the current knowledge of feed as a risk for swine viruses and the opportunities for mitigating the risk to protect U.S. pork production and the global swine population from ASF and other foreign animal diseases.
Beyond the Textbook: Introducing Undergraduates to Practical Electrochemistry

Electrochemistry is broad and interdisciplinary by nature and as such has become a powerful tool in science, technology, engineering, math, and medical (STEMM) fields ranging from energy storage to biotechnology. However, traditional undergraduate chemistry education does not offer students the opportunity to create direct connections between topics learned in a lecture course and applications beyond the examples depicted in textbooks. Here, we offer a framework that introduces learners to hands-on cyclic voltammetry in a general chemistry laboratory course setting or in outreach activities. In 2–4 h, learners practice electrode care, data acquisition, and the pattern recognition needed for discerning reversible, quasireversible, and irreversible solution-phase redox events.
Constrictor responses of cerebral resistance arterioles in male and female rats exposed to prenatal alcohol.

While it is known that dilation of cerebral arterioles to NOS-dependent agonists is impaired in rats exposed to prenatal alcohol, no studies have examined the influence of prenatal alcohol on constrictor response of cerebral arterioles. Our goal was to determine whether constrictor responses of cerebral resistance arterioles are altered by prenatal exposure to alcohol and if any changes differed as a function of age or sex. We fed Sprague-Dawley rat dams a liquid diet with or without alcohol (3% ethanol) for the duration of their pregnancy. We then examined reactivity of cerebral arterioles to thromboxane (U-46619; 0.01 and 0.1 µM), arginine vasopressin (0.1 and 1 nM), and angiotensin II (1 and 10 µM) in four groups of offspring: control male and female, and prenatal alcohol male and female at two different ages (adolescent: 4-6 weeks old and adult: 14-16 weeks old). Constriction of cerebral arterioles to U-46619 and AVP were similar in male and female rats regardless of exposure to prenatal alcohol and age. Similarly, adolescent male and female rats showed no difference to angiotensin II following prenatal exposure to alcohol. However, alcohol-exposed females exhibited an unexpected dilation to the high concentration of angiotensin II in adulthood, which was absent in males. We suggest that the findings from these studies may have implications regarding the susceptibility of the brain to cerebral ischemic damage. We speculate that impaired vasodilation, coupled with preserved vasoconstriction, can lead to a scenario favoring a decrease in cerebral blood flow during times of increased metabolic demand.
The Planetary Data System data model

The authors describe the object-based data model in use by the Planetary Data System (PDS). This model, based on the Object Description Language (ODL) and consisting of keyword/value statements, is both human- and computer-readable and has been used to label large volumes of science data being prepared for CD-ROM archive volumes. The use of ODL for defining the objects that compose the PDS model, as well as its use in the actual labeling, has shown it to be a powerful yet simple tool for supporting the science-data archive process. >
The Macroeconomic Impact of Healthcare Financing Alternatives: Reform Options for Hong Kong SAR

With much healthcare publicly funded, Hong Kong's rapidly aging population will significant raise fiscal pressure over coming decades. We ask what the implications are of meeting these costs by public funding, or private funding voluntarily or through mandates. Our simulations suggest that without early reform, these costs quickly become unsustainable. Prefunding is key. Whether this is done through the public system or through mandatory private provision is less important. Voluntary schemes are likely to result in insufficient savings without tax incentives. Even then, voluntary accounts are unlikely to yield better macroeconomic outcomes, while mandates tend to produce more equitable consumption.
PT03. Piezoelectric actuator renaissance

Actuator applications of piezoelectrics started in late 1970s, and enormous investment was installed on practical developments during '80s, aiming at consumer applications such as precision positioners with high strain materials, multilayer device designing and mass-fabrication processes for portable electronic devices, ultrasonic motors for micro-robotics and smart structures. After the slump due to the worldwide economic recession in late '90s, we are now facing a sort of “Renaissance” of piezoelectric actuators according to the social environmental changes. This paper reviews the recent advances in materials, designing concepts, and new applications of piezoelectric actuators, and describes the future perspectives of this area.
X-ray crystal structure of the Ala-109-->Thr variant of human transthyretin which produces euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia.

The structure of the Ala-109–>Thr mutation of human transthyretin, a nonamyloidogenic variant with enhanced thyroxine binding, has been determined by x-ray diffraction to a resolution of 1.7 A. The model, including 175 solvent water molecules, has been refined by constrained least squares to an R-value of 0.157. The standard deviations for protein geometry are 0.016 A for bond distances, 0.5 degree for bond angles, 0.031 A for 1-4 distances, and 0.005 A for deviations of planar groups from their least squares plane. The estimated error in protein atomic coordinates is 0.12 A. Residue 109 extends inward between the two beta sheets which form the major component of the monomer, as does the side chain of residue 30 in the amyloidogenic Met-30 variant. Comparison of the Thr-109 structure with that of the normal shows that the extra atoms of the threonine fit into empty space between sheets and make no extensive changes to the molecular conformation. The substitution at 109 causes small local changes in the secondary structure of the A, G, and H strands resulting in a shift of residues 15-17, 108-110, and 117 in each monomer. The thyroxine-binding sites of the Thr-109 and Met-30 variants and of the normal protein are compared, and the results suggest that the variation in affinity for thyroxine between the three proteins may arise from differences in the size of the binding pocket.
Abstract P1-11-07: Multivariable analysis of repeat utilization of mobile mammography units: 10 year analysis of a comprehensive cancer center

Introduction: Mobile Mammography Units (MMU) are a model of outreach. This study analyzes the association of race, insurance and location to MMU utilization. Our group previously reported these variable as independent predictors of MMU repeat use. This study explores if race, age, insurance and location jointly can predict the utilization of MMU. Methods: From Jan 2001- Dec 2010, 48,324 screening mammograms were performed with 21,587 unique subjects. Demographic data was retrospectively reviewed to identify race/ethnicity, insurance and location for each encounter. Locations were grouped as Corporate (C), Partnership Clinic (PCl,) Partnership Community (PCo.) Insurance type was classified as Private Insurance (PI,) Medicaid (MCaid), Medicare (MCare) and Uninsured (UI.) Insurance type was classified based on the primary insurer. Utilization was defined as 1x or more than 2x in 10 yrs. Descriptive statistics related to different predictors were produced and statistical comparisons were conducted. P-values were calculated using Chi-square test for comparison between the two groups. Odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval were provided. Logistics regression analysis is used to jointly model the effect of independent factors on repeat unitization of MMU. Reference range for race, insurance and location were chosen based on prior work. Results were declared significant at significance level of 5%. Results: Univariable analysis of race, insurance status, location and age were predictive of repeat utilization of the MMU over a 10 yrs. (p= value Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the reported largest database of MMU. Race, insurance status and location remained independent predictors of repeat utilization. Interestingly an insured subset (MCare) was more likely to repeat utilize the van regardless of race and location. This may reflect the average age of screening mammography however a better understanding of the uninsured subset may be important given the intended outreach of the MMU. Citation Format: Tezo Karedan, Elizabeth Riley, Lane Roland, Laura Barkley, Jianmin Pan, Shesh Rai, Sarah Mizuguchi. Multivariable analysis of repeat utilization of mobile mammography units: 10 year analysis of a comprehensive cancer center [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-07.
Normal Pituitary Stalk Size in Children: CT Study

A retrospective study was undertaken of 1005 normal contrast-enhanced head computed tomographic (CT) scans in children to determine normal standards for pituitary stalk diameter, basilar artery diameter, and their ratio for age and gender. The pituitary stalk enlarges with age, and girls have larger stalks than do boys after age 8. The pituitary stalk-to-basilar artery ratio is easily estimated visually. Ratios greater than or equal to I are unusual In normal children. A ratio greater than or equal to 1 should prompt direct measurement of the stalk and comparison with age-matched normal values, If the stalk measurement is greater than 2 SD above the age-matched mean, it is presumably abnormal and deserves further evaluation for numerous possible pathologic conditions including histiocytosis X, pituitary adenoma, hypothalamic lesions, Rathke cleft cysts, metastases, sarcoidosis, hypothyroidism, and infection.
Inorganic Constituents of Breast Milk from Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Women: Relationships with Each Other and with Organic Constituents

Changes in concentrations of minerals, trace elements, protein, lactose and total lipids during 20 mo of lactation and correlations between levels of these milk constituents were studied in a carefully defined set of 222 milk samples collected from 52 women, one-half of whom were vegetarians. Milk samples from vegetarians and those from nonvegetarians contained similar levels of iron, copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, lactose and fat. Following a brief but sharp initial decrease, levels of protein and iron did not change significantly between mo 2 and 20 of lactation. Levels of zinc, copper, sodium and potassium declined for the first 6 mo of lactation. Levels of lipid, sodium and zinc increased during later months of lactation while that of calcium decreased. Levels of lactose, copper, potassium and magnesium remained unchanged during mo 7-20. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed positive correlations between levels of three pairs of inorganic constituents during the first 6 mo of lactation: copper and zinc, copper and potassium, and potassium and calcium. During the subsequent 14 mo of lactation, potassium was correlated with copper. The level of iron was positively correlated with that of lipid, while that of calcium was negatively correlated with that of lipid. These relationships, and others reported in the paper, are discussed in relation to current hypotheses of the mechanism of milk secretion and the binding of inorganic to organic milk constituents.
Improved Body Mass Index Measures Following a Middle School-Based Obesity Intervention-The MATCH Program.

BACKGROUND Motivating Adolescents with Technology to CHOOSE Health™ (MATCH) is an educational and behavioral intervention in seventh grade. METHODS Teachers in 2 schools delivered the MATCH curriculum, with 1 control school. Using a quasi-experimental design, outcome measures included lessons completed, body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score (zBMI), BMI percentile, weight category, and self-reported lifestyle behaviors. We used multiple regression models to compare group results. RESULTS For the MATCH group (N = 189), teachers provided lessons over 14 weeks; the control group (N = 173) received usual curriculum. Postintervention, the MATCH group had significant decreases in BMI measures compared with the control. In combined overweight and obese participants, the mean (95% confidence interval) zBMI change was −0.05 (−0.07, −0.03) in MATCH and −0.01 (−0.04, 0.02) in control, p = .034 between groups. After 1 year, improvements are sustained: for the overweight subgroup, the mean zBMI decreased from 1.34 to 1.26 post-MATCH, then to 1.26 after 1 year; for the obese subgroup, mean zBMI = 2.16, to 2.13 post-MATCH to 2.08 after 1 year. Self-reported lifestyle behaviors showed no differences. CONCLUSIONS MATCH integrates theory-based strategies into standard curriculum delivered by teachers. No prior middle-school intervention has shown sustained change in BMI measures. MATCH warrants further study as a strategy to address obesity.
Head parallax tracking for control of a virtual space: a comparison of algorithms

Describes and compares five techniques for vision-based tracking of a subject's head in front of a desktop PC. These algorithms are based on color, motion magnitude, background subtraction, face detection, and a probabilistic fusion of the first three algorithms. Head tracking is used to determine the subject's position with respect to the monitor noninvasively. This information is used, in turn, to control a 3D virtual space in which the viewpoint changes according to the user's head position. All of the algorithms are analyzed in terms of their qualitative strengths and weaknesses. Results compared with ground-truth collected from a Polhemus tracking device verify our analyses. It comes as no surprise that probabilistic fusion of simple elements is shown to outperform any single method, but at the cost of additional computational expense. For environments that can be constrained, color-based tracking or motion-based tracking tends to provide the most stable and most accurate state estimates of subject head position.
Evolutionary pulse shaping in CARS signal enhancement

We discuss the role of evolutionary adaptive algorithms in shaping femtosecond pulses with an eye toward their use in the quantum control of optical properties. In particular, we report preliminary results from an ongoing attempt to implement the recently proposed FAST CARS technique for the detection and identification of bacterial spores. In the initial phase of this project, we are studying the CARS signal from a deuterated water (D2O) solution of Dipicolinic Acid (DPA), which is an important constituent of the spores. We have detected CARS signal associated with the DPA vibrational resonances at ∼1,600 and ∼ 3,000cm-1. We also find preliminary evidence of a pulse shaping enhancement of the CARS intensity. This effect is weak, but significant. It is premature to ascribe it to any particular mechanism, but its detection encourages its optimization by searching the space of all possible pulse shapes via an evolutionary feedback algorithm.
A Mössbauer spectroscopy study of the β ↔ γ (abma → P42/ncm) structural phase transition of (CH3NH3)2FeCl4

In this article the results of a zero field 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy study of a polycrystalline and undiluted sample of (CH3NH3)2FeCl4 over the range 77 to 294 K are reported. There is clear evidence of the β → γ structural phase transition at 231 K that was previously observed by a variety of other physical techniques but curiously not observed in an earlier Mossbauer spectroscopy investigation The observation of the phase transformation is found to be highly dependent on the quality (crystallite size) within the polycrystalline sample and handling.
Form and dimensions of isolated hyaluronic acid.

1. 1. A highly purified sample of the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid (HA) was prepared free of contaminants from the vitreous humor. 2. 2. The HA was studied by ultracentrifugation, light scattering, streaming birefringence and electron microscopy. All of the data could be interpreted in terms of an asymmetric molecule of particle approximately 6,000 A in length which contracted to approximately one half this value in the presence of ions. 3. 3. The data indicate a polydisperse material of weight average molecular weight 1.27·106. 4. 4. Electron microscopy revealed thread-like particles which were sensitive to the depolymerizing action of hyaluronidase. The particles were intermediate in form between a stiff rod and a flexible coil. There were no large spheres present and the dimensions and form seen in electron microscopy were in agreement with similar values deduced by light scattering and streaming birefringence studies.
The physics of the photovoltaic effect

The main parts of a photovoltaic cell and their function are described. Photovoltaic cells are then classified in respect to their operation. The operation of typical cells is analyzed with the goal to obtain current-voltage characteristics in a self-consistent physical model. This is achieved by connecting the emitter diffusion current with the voltage drop in the junction by a doubly acting boundary condition, the electron density at the emitter-junction interface. The consequently obtained characteristics have near the open circuit voltage (Boltzmann range), the form of the commonly used shifted diode characteristic, however, with parameters in substantially improved agreement with the experiment. Outside the Boltzmann range, integration of transport and Poisson equation yields the shape of the characteristics. This theory is then extended to include photovoltaic cells with dominant interface recombination. Such interface recombination causes mostly a lowering of the open circuit voltage. The agreement between theory and experiment is surprisingly good for CdS/Cu2S solar cells. Die Hauptteile einer photovoltaischen Zelle und ihre Funktion werden beschrieben. Die Zellen werden dann hinsichtlich ihrer Wirkungsweis⊖ klassifiziert. Die Wirkungsweise typischer Zellen wird analysiert, um Strom-Spannungs-Kennlinien in einem selbstkonsistenten physikalischen Modell zu erhalten. Das wird erreicht, indem der Emitter-Diffusionsstrom mit dem Spannungsabfall im Ubergang durch eine doppelt agierende Randbedingung, namlich die Elektronendichte an der Grenzschicht zwischen beiden Gebieten, verbunden wird. Die Charakteristiken haben im Bereich der Leerlaufspannung die ublche Form einer um den Kurzschlusstrom verschobenen Diodencharakteristik, jedoch mit Parametern, die erheblich besser mit dem Experiment ubereinstimmen. Diese Theorie wird dann fur Zellen mit dominierender Zwischenschichtrekombination erweitert. Solche Rekombination verursacht im wesentlichen eine Verringerung der Leerlaufspannung. Die erzielte Ubereinstimmung zwischen Theorie und Experiment fur CdS/Cu2S-Solarzellen ist erstaunlich gut.