cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Managing the experience co-creation process in tourism destinations: Empirical findings from Naples

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the main antecedents and consequences of experience co-creation in tourism. Based on an in-depth literature review, a survey was designed, and data was collected from 385 tourists visiting Naples, Italy. A path analysis revealed that the interactions among tourists and tourism service providers and the active participation of tourists are antecedents of experience co-creation in the tourism industry. Experience co-creation positively affects the satisfaction of tourists, their level of expenditures, and their happiness. Study results also revealed that the attitude of tourists of sharing their experiences with others does not influence experience co-creation. As one of the first studies in this area in the field of tourism, this study contributes to the body of knowledge by proposing and empirically testing a model that shows three antecedents and three consequences of experience co-creation in tourism.
Changes in Cervical Alignment after Multilevel Schwab Grade II Thoracolumbar Osteotomies for Adult Spinal Deformity.

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe changes in cervical alignment (CA) and cervical deformity (CD) after multilevel Schwab Grade II Osteotomies for adult spinal deformity (ASD). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Reciprocal cervical and global changes after ASD surgery have not been previously described in the setting of multilevel osteotomy. METHODS Patients with long-segment (> five levels) fusion and osteotomy for ASD were radiographically evaluated. Pre- and postoperative cervical parameters evaluated included cervical lordosis (CL), C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (C2-C7 SVA), and the T1 slope (T1S) minus the CL (T1S-CL). CD was defined as C2-C7 SVA >4 cm, CL < 0°, or T1S-CL ≥15°. RESULTS Eighty-five patients (mean age 64 ± 11.1) were identified. Preoperative lumbar lordosis (LL) was 28.7° ± 13.8°, thoracic kyphosis (TK) was 28.2° ± 17.0°, C7 plumbline (C7 SVA) was 7.54 ± 6.7 cm, pelvic tilt (PT) was 30.0° ± 8.96°, lumbopelvic mismatch was 32° ± 17.1°, and the T1 pelvic angle (TPA) was 26.8° ± 12.9°. The C7 SVA and TPA corrected to 3.90 cm (P < 0.0001) and 17.5°, respectively (P < 0.0001). CD increased from 41 (48%) to 47 (55%) patients. The mean CL changed from 16.5° to 11.9° (P < 0.013), C2 SVA from 10.1 to 6.37 cm (P < 0.0001), T1S-CL from 10.2° to 14.3° (P = 0.021), and TK from 28° to 39° (P < 0.0001). A correlation was observed between T1S and CL (ρ = 0.435, P < 0.0001) and C2-C7 SVA (ρ = 0.624, P < 0.0001). T1S was the only independent predictor of both the postoperative C2-C7 SVA and CL.In this study, the presence of any single preoperative CD criterion was noted to be a risk for persistent global deformity on postoperative radiograph [odds ratio (OR) = 2.5] and the development of PJK (OR = 2.1). The T1-CL < 15° may indicate an even greater risk for persistent global deformity (OR = 3.5). CONCLUSION Thoracolumbar fusion with multilevel Schwab Grade II Osteotomies was associated with a decreased CL and reciprocal increases in TK and T1S-CL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Identifying global expression patterns and key regulators in epithelial to mesenchymal transition through multi-study integration

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the process by which stationary epithelial cells transdifferentiate to mesenchymal cells with increased motility. EMT is integral in early stages of development and wound healing. Studies have shown that EMT could be a critical early event in tumor metastasis that is involved in acquisition of migratory and invasive properties in multiple carcinomas. In this study, we used 15 published gene expression microarray datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) that represent 12 cell lines from 6 cancer types across 95 observations (45 unique samples and 50 replicates) with different modes of induction of EMT or the reverse transition, mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET). We integrated multiple gene expression datasets while considering study differences, batch effects, and noise in gene expression measurements. A universal differential EMT gene list was obtained by normalizing and correcting the data using four approaches, computing differential expression from each, and identifying a consensus ranking. We confirmed our discovery of novel EMT genes at mRNA and protein levels in an in vitro EMT model of prostate cancer – PC3 epi, EMT and Taxol resistant cell lines. We validate our discovery of C1orf116 as a novel EMT regulator by siRNA knockdown of C1orf116 in PC3 epithelial cells. Among differentially expressed genes, we found known epithelial and mesenchymal marker genes such as CDH1 and ZEB1. Additionally, we discovered genes known in a subset of carcinomas that were unknown in prostate cancer. This included epithelial specific LSR and S100A14 and mesenchymal specific DPYSL3. Furthermore, we also discovered novel EMT genes including a poorly-characterized gene C1orf116. We show that decreased expression of C1orf116 is associated with poor prognosis in lung and prostate cancer patients. We demonstrate that knockdown of C1orf116 expression induced expression of mesenchymal genes in epithelial prostate cancer cell line PC3-epi cells, suggesting it as a candidate driver of the epithelial phenotype. This comprehensive approach of statistical analysis and functional validation identified global expression patterns in EMT and candidate regulatory genes, thereby both extending current knowledge and identifying novel drivers of EMT.
THE ACCOUNTING RECORDS OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY

The rather extensive and complex collection of accounting and related materials of the East India Company may be viewed in four distinct periods. Paradoxically, the first period (1600–1663) is marked by an absence of account books. The second period (1664–1697), however, provides us with a near-complete set of books. The maintenance of three separate sets of accounting records distinguishes the third period (1698–1712) when three East India Companies (London, English, United) were operating simultaneously. From around 1712 until final liquidation of the Company in 1858 - fourth and last archival period - record keeping assumed certain features of modern accounting.
Preschool teachers' read-aloud practices in Chile as predictors of children's vocabulary

Abstract Book reading is a common practice among teachers in developed countries; yet, little is known about the nature and the role of this activity in the development of children's language skills in Spanish-speaking countries. The present study sought to address this gap by examining teacher ( N = 31) read-aloud practices in low-income Chilean preschools. We examined whether the use of specific ( High/Low-level ) read-aloud strategies predicted preschoolers' vocabulary growth over a school year. The results showed substantial variability among teachers. The frequency of strategies that focused on discussing meaningful aspects of the stories predicted children's vocabulary scores at the end of the school year, controlling for their scores at the start of the year. The use of these high-level strategies was associated with teachers' prior participation in professional training. The implications of findings for further research on classroom linguistic environment and for teaching practices are discussed.
Bow Shocks from Radio Pulsars: Observations of the Guitar Nebula

We present optical observations and radio non-detections of the bow shock nebula associated with the pulsar B2224+65 (the “Guitar Nebula”), and fit an analytic model to the observed bow shock to estimate its inclination and constrain other parameters (distance, pulsar velocity, ISM density). We also test scaling laws for bow shock parameters.
An evaluation of changes in opinion from an expert workshop on turbidity in drinking water supplies and acute gastrointestinal illness

Several epidemiological studies have found associations between turbidity in drinking water supplies and acute gastrointestinal illness, although these results have been controversial. This project sought to critically evaluate these epidemiological studies through a workshop of multidisciplinary subject matter experts. Pre- and post-workshop surveys were conducted to assess any changes in opinion occurring after the one-day workshop where issues identified in the literature review were discussed. Changes were mostly small, non-significant shifts toward less favourable views of the studies. The only significant change was a shift weak agreement to weak disagreement with the statement that more should be done to ensure US drinking water quality. Responses to questions differed significantly by affiliation, discipline, and by role in the study. The survey results indicate that the workshop did not produce consensus among the participants. The survey provided a means of documenting differences in opinions expressed by all workshop attendees.
EL: a formal, yet natural, comprehensive knowledge representation

We present Episodic Logic (EL), a highly expressive knowledge representation well-adapted to general commonsense reasoning as well as the interpretive and inferential needs of natural language processing. One of the distinctive features of EL is its extremely permissive ontology, which admits situations (episodes, events, states of affairs, etc.), propositions, possible facts, and kinds and collections, and which allows representation of generic sentences. EL is natural language-like in appearance and supports intuitively understandable inferences. At the same time it is both formally analyzable and mechanizable as an efficient inference engine.
Transbronchial Lung Biopsy

Transbronchial Lung biopsy (TBBx) also known as “Bronchoscopic Lung Biopsy” is one of the most important sampling procedures performed during flexible bronchoscopy. In majority of cases, TBBx is performed under conscious sedation in an outpatient setting. TBBx is performed for obtaining tissue specimen from peripheral lung masses and focal or diffuse lung infiltrates. The technique is useful in patients with suspected lung cancer, fungal and mycobacterial lung infections, unexplained infiltrates in immunocompromised hosts and in patients with suspected pulmonary sarcoidosis, lymphangitic carcinomatosis, and in selected cases of pulmonary Langerhan’s cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia. TBBx also plays important role in assessment of rejection and infectious complications following lung transplantation.
A Brief History of Race and the Supreme Court

This essay presents a brief history of the Supreme Court on race issues from the Marshall Court to the present. The analysis starts with Brown v. Board of Education and the development in the mid-1970s of a narrow purposeful discrimination rule that made it near impossible for minority claims of discrimination to succeed. Only 20 years after Brown, discrimination and minority disadvantage proceeded, and were extended in new, usually nonexplicit ways, without interference or serious questioning by the Supreme Court. Then the Court prohibited legislative and executive attempts to make equality meaningful - invalidating good faith affirmative action and good faith remedial efforts as if they were constitutionally and socially the same as the white-imposed segregation and discrimination of the not-so-distant past. The essay places this recent shift in the full history of the Supreme Court's race decisions and addresses methodology and legal decision making. An unsentimental look at the legal history of the United States reveals only two periods characterized by sustained, systematic protection of civil rights and civil liberties by the Supreme Court: from about 1937 to 1944 and from about 1961 to 1973. These are also periods in which powerful movements built on the same values - the labor movement in the 1930s and the civil rights movement in the 1960s - demanded such rights and successfully moved public and private institutions, government officials and public opinion in their direction.
The Dance of the Middle West

(1938). The Dance of the Middle West. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 9, No. 10, pp. 622-645.
A Continuous-Mode 23.5-41GHz Hybrid Class-F/F-l Power Amplifier with 46% Peak PAE for 5G Massive MIMO Applications

This paper presents a continuous-mode hybrid Class-F and inverse Class-F (i,e., Class-F/F-l) power amplifier (PA) to achieve high efficiency and wide bandwidth covering the potential 5G bands of 28, 37, and 39GHz. The proposed continuous-mode harmonically tuned output network provides the proper harmonic impedance terminations for the continuous Class-F and Class-F-l operation modes at lower and higher frequency bands, respectively. Moreover, both modes present high efficiency and deliver almost the same saturated power Psat with a Psat variation less-than 0.1dB. The proposed PA is implemented in a 45nm CMOS SOI process, achieving 46% peak PAE, 54.3 % Psat output power 1dB bandwidth (23.5GHz to 41GHz), and 51 % small-signal 3dB bandwidth (25.9GHz to 43.7GHz). Also, it achieves 43.4% PAE and 18.6dBm Psat at 27GHz, 40.2% PAE and 18.6dBm Psat at 37GHz, and 41.2% PAE and 18.5dBm Psat at 39GHz, respectively, outperforming reported mm-Wave silicon PAs at similar frequencies. This is the first demonstrated continuous-mode hybrid Class-F/F-l PA in CMOS to cover the 28, 37, and 39GHz mm-Wave 5G bands.
Designing Linear FM Active Sonar Waveforms for Continuous Line Source Transducers to Maximize the Fisher Information at a Desired Bearing

Several authors previously found that echolocating animals aim their sonar beam askew of the target of interest. Analysis found the animals' beam aiming strategy maximized the Fisher Information (FI) about the target bearing encoded in the frequency spectrum of the received echoes by the transmitter's frequency dependent beampatterns. This paper reverses the focus from analysis to synthesis. We present design methods to maximize the FI of the bearing estimate at a desired angle using linear frequency modulated (LFM) waveforms transmitted by a continuous line source (CLS) transducer. If the center frequency of the transmitted chirp is sufficiently larger than the bandwidth, the angle maximizing the bearing FI is solely determined by the center frequency. Numerical simulations confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methods for several bearings and waveforms.
In vivo noise texture estimation: development and validation of an automated methodology

The purpose of this study was to develop, validate, and evaluate a method for measuring noise texture directly from patient CT images (i.e., “in vivo”). The method identifies target regions within patient scans which are least likely to have major contribution of patient anatomy, detrends these regions locally, and measures noise power spectrum (NPS) there using previously phantomvalidated techniques. Method development and validation used scanner-specific CT simulations of computational, anthropomorphic phantom (XCAT phantom at three phases of contrast enhancement) with known ground truth of the NPS. Simulations were based on a clinical scanner (Definition Flash, Siemens) and clinically relevant settings (tube voltage of 120kV at 3 dose levels). Images were reconstructed with filtered backprojection (kernel: B31, B41, B50) and Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction (kernel: I31, I41, I50) algorithms using a manufacturer-specific reconstruction software (ReconCT, Siemens). All NPS measurements were made in the liver. Ground-truth NPS were taken as the sum of 1) a measurement in parenchymal regions of anatomy-subtracted (i.e. “noise only”) scans, and 2) a measurement in the same region of “noise-free” (pre-noise-insertion) images. To assess the performance of the in vivo NPS, the accuracy and bias of NPS average frequency (favg), and integrated noise magnitude were reported across the simulated scan population representing 2 reconstruction algorithms, 3 kernels, 3 dose levels, and 3 liver vasculature-to-parenchyma contrast levels. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient pairs were 0.97 and 0.93, and 1.0 and 0.99 for favg and noise magnitude, respectively. Finally, the NPS estimation method was further deployed on clinical cases to assess the feasibility of clinical analysis.
Correction for cone beam CT image artifacts via a deep learning method

Flat-panel detector based cone-beam CT systems have been widely used in image-guided interventions and image-guided radiation therapy. However, several notoriously difficult challenges persist in these cone-beam CT systems: given the relatively large cone angles used in data acquisition, scatter induced artifacts significantly degrade image quality and thus the algorithms to reduce these artifacts have remained an active area of research through out the past decade. To accommodate for the limited detector dynamic range, these systems often use auto-exposure control to homogenize the noise distribution, and as a result, both kV and mA are modulated in some systems making beam hardening correction extremely difficult. Additionally, when data acquisition time is long, inadvertent motion artifacts often exacerbate the situation. In this paper, we develop a deep learning method to empirically correct these most often observed artifacts in flat-panel based CBCT images.
The importance of diversity and outreach in geroscience research: Insights from the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students

US academic science lacks racial, ethnic, sex, gender, disability, and socioeconomic diversity. Addressing this problem is essential to drive scientific progress but is confounded by broad misunderstandings regarding diverse groups. Increasing representation in science is particularly relevant in geroscience, where our research to maximize healthy human lifespan must also address existing racial and socioeconomic health disparities. The American Aging Association (AGE) is committed to addressing these issues as part of its larger mission to advance and promote geroscience research. Over the last three years, AGE has sponsored an exhibition booth staffed by trainee leaders to promote our society and research at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), an ideal venue to interact with diverse students from across the country. Through our interactions with students, advocates, and representatives from other institutions and societies, we have learned a great deal about how to engage and promote the success of diverse students in the sciences. Here, we share these insights that are helping shape our own outreach efforts. In addition to interacting with ABRCMS attendees, we also learned a great deal about how societies like AGE can partner with other organizations to advance our shared goals and the importance of reaching students early in their academic journey to promote their success. Finally, we consider how to grow our outreach efforts beyond ABRCMS to reach those in disadvantaged areas and support students navigating academic science.
Brain acetylcholine―A view from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Abstract The CSF studies reported in the article of Hollander et al. are critically reviewed. In particular, conflicting results reported in the literature with regard to acetylcholine, related enzymes and choline are discussed.
Decomposing financial inequality across U.S. higher education institutions.

Abstract The level of financial inequality among U.S. higher education institutions has important implications for students and society, yet few scholars have examined this topic using established methods for measuring inequality. This paper updates and extends previous work while introducing decompositions that shed light into key trends that we observed for the 2004–2017 period: increasing inequality in total expenditures and decreasing inequality in per-student expenditures. The results of our decomposition highlight how these opposing trends related to rising differences in enrollments and an increasingly positive correlation between an institution's enrollment level and its expenditures per student. Our decomposition results also show that both between-group differences and within-group differences contributed to the observed trends. Further examination of within-group differences reveals that inequality patterns differed meaningfully by institutional type, with doctoral universities and private baccalaureate colleges possessing higher levels of inequality and a more positive correlation between per-student expenditures and enrollments than master's institutions and public associate's colleges.
Abstract 2240: How Does Load Affect Diastolic Mitral Annular (E’) Velocity in Humans?

Background: Increased afterload prolongs relaxation in invasive studies, but the effects of altered load and loading sequence on commonly-measured indexes of diastolic function, such early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E’), remains unresolved. Methods: 48 healthy volunteers (age 19 – 84, 48% female, 54% hypertensive) underwent comprehensive echo-Doppler and 2-D tissue Doppler exam with noninvasive BP measurement and carotid tonometry at rest, during sympathetic stimulation (isometric handgrip, HG; cold pressor test, CPT), and with pharmacologic preload reduction (sublingual nitroglycerin, GTN). Results: At rest, there was an inverse relationship between E’ and afterload, whether measured as mean resistance (SVRI, r=0.44, p=0.003), effective arterial elastance (Ea, r=0.44, p=0.003), characteristic impedance (Z 0 , r=0.47, p=0.001), or by the amplitude of late-systolic reflected waves (augmentation index, AI, r=0.64, p 0 , r=0.53, p=0.0002; AI, r=0.57, p Conclusions: Early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E’) is diminished with increasing afterload, but varies directly with preload volume. Acute, balanced increases in afterload and preload (as with CPT and HG) are thus associated with neutral effects on E’, whereas isolated preload reduction (GTN) reduces E’.
A Novel Tool and Training Methodology for Improving Finger Strength in Rock Climbers

Abstract Recently a novel finger strength training tool for rock climbers, the Rock Prodigy Training Center (RPTC) and its associated training protocol, the Rock Prodigy Method (RPM) were developed. The RPTC incorporates several innovations that improve upon similar, traditional devices to provide a sport-specific, repeatable method for improving finger strength in climbers, and to improve overall climbing performance. After several months of use by climbers around the world, the efficacies of these tools were evaluated by comparing pre- and post-training climbing performance. Training and performance data are presented from 118 athletes which clearly demonstrate that the RPTC and RPM are highly effective at increasing sport-specific finger strength. Finger strength improved an average of 21.5% after only 4 weeks of training, and overall climbing ability improved an average of 2.5 Yosemite Decimal System letter grades after using these training tools.
Enthalpies of formation of SrPbO3 and Sr2PbO4

Abstract Alkaline–earth plumbates are important accessory phases in {(bismuth, lead) + strontium + calcium + copper + oxygen} (“BSCCO”) high-temperature superconductor materials. Reliable values for standard molar enthalpies of formation (ΔfH0m) of the plumbates are therefore an essential part of the BSCCO high-temperature superconductor thermodynamic data base. To obtain ΔfH0m of SrPbO3 and Sr2PbO4, we measured the enthalpies of solution of SrO,PbO2,SrPbO3, and Sr2PbO4 in 6 mol · dm −3 HCl by isoperibol solution calorimetry and derived the values of ΔfH0m for the strontium plumbates from Hess cycles. The values obtained were Δ f H 0 m ( SrPbO 3 ,298.15 K )=−(949.3±3.5) kJ · mol −1 and Δ f H 0 m ( Sr 2 PbO 4 ,298.15 K)=−(1565.1±6.9) kJ · mol −1 . In previous experiments, we measured the total vapor pressures over SrPbO3 by Knudsen effusion vacuum thermogravimetry. In the present paper, these data were used for an independent derivation of Δ f H 0 m ( SrPbO 3 ,298.15 K ) via a van’t Hoff extrapolation, which yielded −(945.8±7.5) kJ · mol −1 , in good agreement with the value obtained calorimetrically. Our determination of Δ f H 0 m ( Sr 2 PbO 4 ,298.15 K ) agrees well with a recently published value obtained from electrochemical measurements.
Use of One Cannula for Both Blood Sampling and Drug Administration: A Potential Cause of Overestimation of Drug Concentration

The purpose of this study was to determine whether one cannula can be used for both drug administration and blood sampling in midazolam pharmacokinetic studies. Rats were implanted with two silicon cannulas into the jugular vein and carotid artery, and received a single dose of midazolam (10mg kg−1) intravenously or intraperitoneally. The intravenous dose was administered through the venous cannula. After administration, blood samples for midazolam measurement were collected from both cannulas. Midazolam administration through the venous cannula resulted in higher venous midazolam concentrations than arterial. In contrast, venous and arterial midazolam concentrations after intraperitoneal administration were similar, indicating that the higher venous midazolam concentrations after intravenous dose were due to contamination of the cannula used for drug infusion. An in-vitro experiment using two cannulas, one of which was used for both drug infusion and serum sampling, also showed that serum midazolam concentrations from cannula infused with midazolam solution greatly exceeded actual midazolam concentrations. Use of the silicon cannula for both midazolam administration and blood sampling results in overestimation of the actual midazolam concentration.
Complications after subpectoral biceps tenodesis using a dual suture anchor technique.

Purpose: A variety of fixation techniques for subpectoral biceps tenodeses have been described including interference screw and suture anchor fixation. Biomechanical data suggests that dual suture anchor fixation has equivalent strength compared to interference screw fixation. The purpose of the study is to determine the early complication rate after subpectoral biceps tenodesis utilizing a dual suture anchor technique. Materials and Methods: A total of 103 open subpectoral biceps tenodeses were performed over a 3-year period using a dual suture anchor technique. There were 72 male and 31 female shoulders. The average age at the time of tenodesis was 45.5 years. 41 patients had a minimum of 6 months clinical follow-up (range, 6 to 45 months). The tenodesis was performed for biceps tendonitis, superior labral tears, biceps tendon subluxation, biceps tendon partial tears, and revisions of prior tenodeses. Results: There were a total of 7 complications (7%) in the entire group. There were 4 superficial wound infections (4%). There were 2 temporary nerve palsies (2%) resulting from the interscalene block. One patient had persistent numbness of the ear and a second patient had a temporary phrenic nerve palsy resulting in respiratory dysfunction and hospital admission. One patient developed a pulmonary embolism requiring hospital admission and anticoagulation. There were no hematomas, wound dehiscences, peripheral nerve injuries, or ruptures. In the sub-group of patients with a minimum of 6 months clinical follow-up, the only complication was a single wound infection treated with oral antibiotics. Conclusions: Subpectoral biceps tenodesis utilizing a dual suture anchor technique has a low early complication rate with no ruptures or deep infections. The complication rate is comparable to those previously reported for interference screw subpectoral tenodesis and should be considered as a reasonable alternative to interference screw fixation. Level of Evidence: Level IV-Retrospective Case Series
The Physical Metric and Compact Objects

In the previous work, the author introduces the physical metric for spherically symmetric and static metric which satisfies all the experimental tests of general relativity. This metric changes the nature of gravity for compact objects, such as black holes and neutron stars. It introduces the extended horizon which is 2.60 times of the Schwarzschild radius and plays a determinant role in the size of compact objects. This provides the prediction that the gravitational red shift z on the surface of compact objects is universal value of . None of the observed neutron stars rotate fast enough to change this prediction significantly. The gravity inside the extended horizon is repulsive. The effect of this repulsive force causes supernova explosion, high energy cosmic ray generation from AGN and explains the acceleration of the universe expansion.
New Calcium-Based Sorbents for Flue Gas Desulfurization

Three sorbents for SO2 in flue gas have been investigated. One is the mixture made by agitating a high water-to-solids slurry of Ca(OH)2 and a reactive SiO2 such as diatomite or a reactive SiO2 source such as perlite or pumice. This mixture is composed largely of a porous form of the calcium silicate hydrate known as C-S-H. This C-S-H is the main active component in it. A second is the mixture prepared by vigorously agitating a high water-to-solids slurry of Ca(OH)2 and an amount of fumed SiO2 which is sufficient to react with only part of the Ca(OH)2. This mixture is made up of Ca(OH)2 particles imbedded in porous C-S-H. Both the C-S-H and the Ca(OH)2 contribute to the effectiveness of this sorbent. It is presumed that similar sorbents can be prepared from mixtures in which diatomite, perlite or pumice are used in place of the fumed SiO2. The third sorbent is prepared by vigorously agitating a high water-to-solids slurry of type I (ordinary) portland cement. This sorbent is composed largely of a mixture of porous C-S-H, Ca(OH)2 and the aluminate phase known as AFm. All three of these species contribute to its effectiveness. Each of these sorbents is effective and of practical interest. Each is simple to prepare. The first and third can be made from readily available, low-cost reactants, and the second probably also can be made from such reagents. The cement sorbent is unique and appears to be of the most interest.
Extragonadal tumor and testicular microlithiasis.

To the Editor: The recent case report on an extragonadal tumor and testicular microlithiasis1 is commendable for presenting an interesting case with important clinical ramifications. Unfortunately, it includes several misleading or erroneous statements about the appearance of regressed testicular tumors and about the clinical importance of testicular microlithiasis. 1. Most, if not all, of the burned-out germ cell cancers I have seen in the testis in 23 years of practice (probably 5 cases) have been amorphous and chunky, not the “focal microlithiasis” that the authors state is common in these situations. I have not found any data to describe the prevalence of coarse calcifications versus microlithiasis, but most textbooks showing a case of a burned-out tumor show chunky or macrocalcifications and not the tiny calcifications of microlithiasis. 2. The authors state in the “Discussion” section that “The prevalence of testicular microlithiasis is reported to be lower than initially expected and therefore may be more clinically important.” Lower prevalence than what? And how does this statement relate to microlithiasis being more clinically relevant? 3. The authors appear to have overstated the importance of testicular microlithiasis as a risk factor for testicular germ cell tumors. A meta-analysis of 33 studies of testicular microlithiasis2 was published at about the same time as the case report discussed here and was therefore probably unavailable to the authors. The metaanalysis reviewed 33 studies through 2009 and found that testicular microlithiasis was not associated with an increased risk of testicular germ cell tumors in lowrisk, asymptomatic men. It was associated with a very high risk in referral populations. Other studies have reached much the same conclusions for testicular microlithiasis and metachronous testis carcinoma, and testicular microlithiasis in the general population, without any risk factors for testicular carcinoma, most likely does not merit any sonographic follow-up but monthly or bimonthly testicular self-examinations, as in any other young patient of testicular cancer age. The authors do make several comments regarding microlithiasis follow-up in pediatric patients, but they need to make it clearer that their recommendations— if the data support them, and I do not think they do— are targeted at the pediatric population. I note also that the authors did not have references after 2002 for testicular microlithiasis and only list 2 references for testicular microlithiasis and testicular cancer. I suggest an update of their references to more recent articles on the importance of testicular microlithiasis and the risk for developing testicular germ cell tumors to more accurately reflect the current thinking of most experts.3
Relationship between procedural adverse events associated with cardiac catheterization for congenital heart disease and operator factors: Results of a multi‐institutional registry (C3PO)

Background Data examining the effect of operator years in practice and volume on adverse events (AE) after cardiac catheterization in patients with congenital heart disease is limited. Methods and Results Data were prospectively collected using a multi-center registry (C3PO). 10,885 catheterizations performed between 02/07 and 06/10 at eight institutions were included. AE rates were risk-adjusted for hemodynamic vulnerability, procedure type risk group, and age and compared between operators with different years in practice (YIP) and volume. AE occurred in 13% of procedures. Operators with less than five YIP had higher adjusted odds of any AE (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.14–1.77) or a high severity AE (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04–1.75), when compared with operators with 5 to less than 25 YIP (5 < 25), while operators with ≥25 YIP had higher odds of a high severity (but not any) AE (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08–1.80). Operators with <5 YIP had a higher percentage of preventable AE (out of all AE, 16% vs. 8%, P < 0.001) as well as higher odds of vascular or cardiac trauma (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.11–2.97), or technical AE (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.31–2.99) when compared with operators with 5 < 25 YIP. There was no consistent relationship between operator volume, and incidence of AE. Conclusions Operators with less than 5 years in practice have higher risk-adjusted AE rates. While an important consideration in guiding and mentoring operators with fewer years in practice, it is important to emphasize that reporting adverse events does not take into account procedural efficacy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING INVESTMENTS AND VIOLENT CRIME IN SEATTLE, 1981–2007*

Despite significant advances in the study of neighborhoods and crime, criminologists have paid surprisingly less attention to the extralocal forces that shape violence. To address this issue, we draw on an emerging body of work that stresses the role of home mortgage lending--a resource secured via interaction with external actors--in reducing neighborhood violence and extend it by addressing concerns that the lending-violence relationship is spurious and confounded by simultaneity. We explore the longitudinal relationship between residential mortgage lending and violence in Seattle with a pooled time series of 118 census tracts over 27 years, and we instrument our endogenous predictors (home mortgage lending and violent crime) with changes in their levels from prior periods. Employing Arellano-Bond difference models, we assess both the effect of mortgage lending on violent crime as well as the effect of violent crime levels on mortgage activity. We find that infusions of home mortgage lending yield reductions in subsequent violent crime; yet the impact of violent crime on subsequent lending is not significant. Results underscore the importance of incorporating external forces such as home mortgage lending into explanations of neighborhood violence. Language: en
Competing views of teaching in a school–university partnership

Abstract This case study examines how differing views on the teacher's role in school reform affected the work of a school–university partnership. The school district and the university had a history of partnerships and shared common general goals. Yet, as the partnership progressed, conflicting perspectives about teaching and the purpose of professional development became evident and created dilemmas that influenced the nature of the work. We provide background information about each partner, describe the two views, and examine how the differing perspectives influenced the goals and activities of the partnership. This study highlights the complex issues embedded in school–university collaboration.
Recombination in bacteriophage λ: III. Studies on the nature of the prophage attachment region☆☆☆★

Abstract The λ prophage attachment region (att) may be partially characterized by the results of vegetative phage crosses in which recombination is promoted by the site-specific prophage integration system (Int). This sort of recombination among λ+ and the variants λb2, λbio and λb2bio occurs at characteristic frequencies determined by both parents. Extensive control experiments strongly suggest that these frequency differences reflect structural differences among the att regions of the four phages, rather than functional differences in the Int system. It is therefore very likely that the att in phage λ is structurally different from the corresponding one in its host Escherichia coli. The results suggest that structural elements affecting Int-promoted recombination frequency lie on both sides of the Int-promoted crossover locus, and that elements on one side interact with those on the other. A crude model for att is discussed.
Propagation and reduction of error in three-dimensional structure determined from biplane views of unknown orientation.

We are developing a technique for determination of the three‐dimensional (3‐D) structure of vascular objects from two radiographic projection images acquired at arbitrary and unknown relative orientations. No separate calibration steps are required with this method, which exploits an inherent redundancy of biplane imaging to extract the imaging geometry as well as the 3‐D locations of eight or more object points. The theoretical basis of this technique has been described previously. In this paper, we review the method from the perspective of linear algebra and describe an improvement, not heretofore reported, that reduces the method’s sensitivity to experimental error. We then examine the feasibility and inherent accuracy of this approach by computer simulation of biplane imaging experiments. The precision with which 3‐D object structure may be retrieved, together with the dependence of precision on the actual imaging geometry and errors in various measured quantities, is studied in detail. Our simulation studies show that the method is not only feasible but potentially accurate, typically determining object‐point configurations with root‐mean‐square (RMS) error on the order of 1 to 2 mm. The method is also quite fast, requiring approximately one second of CPU time on a VAX 11/750 computer (0.6 MIPS).
A contemporary public affairs approach to changing and improving police services in Puerto Rico: the administration, organisation, and community triumvirate

In 2011, the Civil Rights Division within the US Department of Justice published a report that summarised an investigation of the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD). The report states that the PRPD is broken in a number of critical and fundamental respects. Moreover, Puerto Rico has experienced a significant increase in violent crime over the past few years. To create a new public safety paradigm in Puerto Rico, this complex, extraordinary public issue requires a comprehensive public affairs framework. This article presents a multi-dimensional approach that discusses police services management research and a public affairs triumvirate that includes administrative, organisational, and community sciences. The concepts and theories of social control, the public administrative integrative and boundary-exchange process, governance, rational and open systems, contingency, institutional theory and isomorphic forces, social construction, community policing, organisational reframing, and a confirmatory model are presented in an effort to create a social architecture to guide and influence public safety policy and practice in Puerto Rico.
Human Tear Protein Analysis Enabled by an Alkaline Microfluidic Homogeneous Immunoassay

The ability to probe the protein content of human tear fluid has enormous potential for deepening our understanding of ocular and systemic disease pathology and enabling novel noninvasive tear-based diagnostic technologies. To overcome current challenges in tear proteomic measurements, we report on the first microfluidic homogeneous immunoassay capable of making rapid, quantitative, and specific measurements of endogenous tear protein biomarkers in human tear fluid. Lactoferrin (Lf) is a tear-specific biomarker for Sjogren’s syndrome (SS), a serious systemic autoimmune disease currently diagnosed through rudimentary volumetric and surface chemistry measurements and an invasive lip biopsy. We detail optimization of a homogeneous electrophoretic immunoassay for Lf in <1 μL of tear fluid at clinically relevant concentrations. In particular, we present assay development details and a final assay that enables quantification of Lf in <5 s in a clinically relevant range for SS diagnostics. Characterization sugge...
Molecular Basis for CARMIL Function in Lamellipodia

Coordinated intracellular rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton in response to extracellular cues is an important theme in cell motility. CARMIL is emerging as a crucial regulator of lamellipodia-based motility, linking GTPase signaling to actin filament dynamics at the leading edge. CARMIL's role in regulating lamellipodium formation and maintenance makes it an important player in tumor metastasis, neuronal development, and cell motility. However, the molecular basis for CARMIL's role in these cellular processes is unclear. The objective of this study is to determine the molecular mechanism by which CARMIL affects lamellipodia formation. We primarily used the methods of x-ray crystallography and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), as well as biochemical and biophysical approaches for this objective. The main results of this study are: (1) we demonstrate for the first time that CARMIL can bind specific types of lipids in vitro. (2) Using site-directed mutagenesis, we identify several residues involved in membrane interaction. (3) Maximum lipid-binding activity requires a dimerization domain, which does not directly contribute to membrane binding. (4) The 2.9 A crystal structure of a large portion of CARMIL addresses the structural basis for membrane binding. Our main conclusions are that CARMIL is capable of directly binding the plasma membrane, leading to co-localization at the lamellipodium leading edge with its known binding partners Capping Protein (CP) and Myosin I to regulate actin dynamics. CARMIL's lipid-binding specificity provides a possible mechanism for further spatiotemporal regulation of lamellipodia. CARMIL dimerization may play a role in signal transduction by CARMIL from the membrane to the actin cytoskeleton, in addition to enhancing membrane interaction. Our results addressing CARMIL's mechanism of action in lamellipodial dynamics will likely also be relevant to its role in neuronal development and tumor metastasis.
Functional Morphology of the Honey Stomach Wall of the European Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The crop, or honey stomach, of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), is invested in cords of muscles that are numerous enough, in both latitudinal and longitudinal directions, to fully enclose and confine the underlying, cuticle-lined epithelium. Although appressed against the inner wall of this enclosure by the crop's contents, the epithelium is largely free of ligations that would immobilize it. It can therefore slide on the inner wall and undergo extensive pleating as needed to conform to the diameter of the enclosure, regardless of the extent of contraction or distention. The two primary components of the epithelial layer, epidermal cells and procuticle, can undergo extreme compression to maintain pleats while enduring the pressure exerted by the volume of crop contents. During engorgement with nectar, the muscular enclosure relaxes to larger and larger diameters. Correspondingly, pleats unfold as needed. During dispensation of nectar in the hive, the muscular enclosure contracts and forces the epithelium to pleat itself again. Pleats are present in even the most grossly distended crops, indicating that capacity is not a limiting factor in the volume of nectar a bee can accumulate during foraging. Individual pleats are appressed, too, indicating that a lubricating, cohering substance occurs between them.
Limbic System Involvement in the Increase in Plasma Prolactin Following Cortical Spreading Depression in Gonadotropin-Treated Female Rats11

Cortical spreading depression (SD) was induced by applying 25% KC1 to thefrontal cerebral cortex in female rats under continuous ether anesthesia. Three weeks previously the animals had been subjected to sham operation, bilateral surgical “deefferentation” of the amygdala or transection of the dorsal columns of the fornix. During the week prior to experiment the rats were made “pseudopregnant“ by treatment with PMS and hCG. Plasma prolactin was measured by radioimmunoassay in blood samples obtained from the peripheral circulation at 20 min intervals. After two control samples had been taken, KC1 was applied to the cortex and sampling continued for another 100 min. In the sham-operated group prolactin levels increased with time following the application of KC1. Fornix-cut animalsshowed a similar, although briefer, increase with values significantly lower than those foundin sham-operated animals at 80 min. The increase in plasma prolactin observed in sham-operated and fornix groups was completely abolished ...
Interfacial Shear Strength Studies Using the Single-Filament-Composite Test. I: Experiments on Graphite Fibers in Epoxy

The failure of the interface in a carbon fiber-epoxy system was studied for six different epoxy blends using the single-filament-composite technique. The blends were formulated to yield a wide range of stiffnesses, and their effect on interfacial failure was examined. Specimens were made from Hercules IM6-G carbon fiber and the different blends of epoxy, and then strained to obtain a distribution of fiber fragment lengths. Birefringence patterns near the fiber breaks were observed and recorded. Some of the specimens were strained until they failed and the resulting fracture surfaces were observed under a scanning electron microscope to determine fracture patterns and the existence of debonding. The fragment length distributions were interpreted using a Monte-Carlo simulation of a Poisson/Weibull model for fiber strength and flaw occurrence. The results were used to calculate an effective interfacial shear strength. From this analysis we conclude that one cannot accurately predict the interfacial properties of a composite based solely upon conventional single fiber and bulk matrix properties. Local matrix properties and fiber/matrix interactions, on a microscale, play a key role in composite strength.