cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical trials of cancer prevention agents: True versus observed prevention effect

Important considerations in the design and conduct of cancer and other long-term prevention trials include intervention compliance and frequency of events during follow-up. Each of these can produce observed proportions of events for control and test groups that differ less than anticipated. Methods and approximate ‘rules of thumb’ are presented that relate power and sample size to the impact of compliance and latent intervention effect. Results are based upon specific modifications in well-known formulae that reflect long-term prevention trials. Data from an ongoing cancer prevention trial illustrate the methods. Compliance was estimated accurately using the low cost capsule count method.
Mössbauer properties of the diferric cluster and the differential iron(II)-binding affinity of the iron sites in protein R2 of class Ia Escherichia coli ribonucleotide reductase: a DFT/electrostatics study.

The R2 subunit of class-Ia ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) from Escherichia coli (E. coli) contains a diiron active site. Starting from the apo-protein and Fe(II) in solution at low Fe(II)/apoR2 ratios, mononuclear Fe(II) binding is observed indicating possible different Fe(II) binding affinities for the two alternative sites. Further, based on their Mossbauer spectroscopy and two-iron-isotope reaction experiments, Bollinger et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1997, 119, 5976-5977) proposed that the site Fe1, which bonds to Asp84, should be associated with the higher observed (57)Fe Mossbauer quadrupole splitting (2.41 mm s(-1)) and lower isomer shift (0.45 mm s(-1)) in the Fe(III)Fe(III) state, site Fe2, which is further from Tyr122, should have a greater affinity for Fe(II) binding than site Fe1, and Fe(IV) in the intermediate X state should reside at site Fe2. In this paper, using density functional theory (DFT) incorporated with the conductor-like screening (COSMO) solvation model and with the finite-difference Poisson-Boltzmann self-consistent reaction field (PB-SCRF) methodologies, we have demonstrated that the observed large quadrupole splitting for the diferric state R2 does come from site Fe1(III) and it is mainly caused by the binding position of the carboxylate group of the Asp84 sidechain. Further, a series of active site clusters with mononuclear Fe(II) binding at either site Fe1 or Fe2 have been studied, which show that with a single dielectric medium outside the active site quantum region, there is no energetic preference for Fe(II) binding at one site over another. However, when including the explicit extended protein environment in the PB-SCRF model, the reaction field favors the Fe(II) binding at site Fe2 rather than at site Fe1 by ~9 kcal mol(-1). Therefore our calculations support the proposal of the previous Mossbauer spectroscopy and two-iron-isotope reaction experiments by Bollinger et al.
SOURCE SINK FLOWS OF A STRATIFIED FLUID IN A ROTATING ANNULUS

We examine the steady axisymmetric source–sink flows of a stably stratified fluid in a rotating annulus, for which S ∼ O (1), E [Lt ] 1. Numerical methods are used to integrate the unsteady Navier–Stokes equations to obtain the approximate steady solutions. Results on the radial and vertical structures of the flow and temperature-field details are presented. Specific comparisons of the relative sizes of the terms in the equations are conducted to reveal the balance of the dynamic effects. The profiles of the vorticity components are displayed. In the linear flow regime of a homogeneous fluid, the transport of fluid in the meridional plane takes place entirely via boundary layers. As stratification increases, the meridional flows are less concentrated in the boundary layers, and an appreciable portion of the meridional fluid transport is carried through the main body of fluid. The distinction between the sidewall layers and the interior becomes less clear. The flows in the main body of fluid develop vertical velocity shear, resulting in a thermal-wind relation. In the nonlinear case, the source sidewall layer thickens and the sink layer thins. As stratification increases, the meridional fluid transport through the main body of fluid is more pronounced than in the linear case. The balance of terms indicates that the bulk of the flow field is still characterized by the thermal-wind relation.
Source signature and elastic waves in a half-space under a sustainable line-concentrated impulsive normal force

First, the response of an ideal elastic half-space to a line-concentrated impulsive normal load applied to its surface is obtained by a computational method based on the theory of characteristics in conjunction with kinematical relations derived across surfaces of strong discontinuities. Then, the geometry is determined of the obtained waves and the source signature—the latter is the imprint of the spatiotemporal configuration of the excitation source in the resultant response. Behind the dilatational precursor wave, there exists a pencil of three plane waves extending from the vertex at the impingement point of the precursor wave on the stress-free surface of the half-space to three points located on the other two boundaries of the solution domain. These four wave-arresting points (end points) of the three plane waves constitute the source signature. One wave is an inhibitor front in the behaviour of the normal stress components and the particle velocity, while in the behaviour of the shear stress component, it is a surface-axis wave. The second is a surface wave in the behaviour of the horizontal components of the dependent variables, while the third is an inhibitor wave in the behaviour of the shear stress component. An inhibitor wave is so named, since beyond it, the material motion is dying or becomes uniform. A surface-axis wave is so named, since upon its arrival, like a surface wave, the dependent variable in question features an extreme value, but unlike a surface wave, it exists in the entire depth of the solution domain. It is evident from this work that Saint-Venant's principle for wave propagation problems cannot be formulated; therefore, the above results are a consequence of the particular model proposed here for the line-concentrated normal load. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The DNA Binding Domain of the Gene 2.5 Single-stranded DNA-binding Protein of Bacteriophage T7

Gene 2.5 of bacteriophage T7 encodes a single-stranded DNA-binding protein that is essential for viral survival. Its crystal structure reveals a conserved oligosaccharide/oligonucleotide binding fold predicted to interact with single-stranded DNA. However, there is no experimental evidence to support this hypothesis. Recently, we reported a genetic screen for lethal mutations in gene 2.5 that we are using to identify functional domains of the gene 2.5 protein. This screen uncovered a number of mutations that led to amino acid substitutions in the proposed DNA binding domain. Three variant proteins, gp2.5-Y158C, gp2.5-K152E, and gp2.5-Y111C/Y158C, exhibit a decrease in binding affinity for oligonucleotides. A fourth, gp2.5-K109I, exhibits an altered mode of binding single-stranded DNA. A carboxyl-terminal truncation of gene 2.5 protein, gp2.5-Delta26C, binds single-stranded DNA 10-fold more tightly than the wild-type protein. The three altered proteins defective in single-stranded DNA binding cannot mediate the annealing of homologous DNA, whereas gp2.5-Delta26C mediates the reaction more effectively than does wild-type. Gp2.5-K109I retains this annealing ability, albeit slightly less efficiently. With the exception of gp2.5-Delta26C, all variant proteins form dimers in solution and physically interact with T7 DNA polymerase.
ECTOPARASITIC FAUNA OF GLASS EEL AND ELVER STAGES OF AMERICAN EEL (Anguilla rostrata)1

Glass eels and elvers collected biweekly from freshwater portions of Cooper River, South Carolina, during spring migrations (15 February-26 April 1978) were examined for external parasites. No parasites were found on glass eels. Four species of Protozoa and one species of Monogenea were found on elvers, 62% of which harbored at least one parasite species. Management implications and potential chemical treatment for wild glass eels and elvers used in culture are discussed.
Maternal residential proximity to chlorinated solvent emissions and birth defects in offspring: a case–control study

Background: Some studies have noted an association between maternal occupational exposures to chlorinated solvents and birth defects in offspring, but data are lacking on the potential impact of industrial air emissions of these solvents on birth defects. Methods: With data from the Texas Birth Defects Registry for births occurring in 1996–2008, we examined the relation between maternal residential proximity to industrial air releases of chlorinated solvents and birth defects in offspring of 60,613 case-mothers and 244,927 control-mothers. Maternal residential exposures to solvent emissions were estimated with metrics that took into account residential distances to industrial sources and annual amounts of chemicals released. Logistic regression was used to generate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations between residential proximity to emissions of 14 chlorinated solvents and selected birth defects, including neural tube, oral cleft, limb deficiency, and congenital heart defects. All risk estimates were adjusted for year of delivery and maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, and public health region of residence. Results: Relative to exposure risk values of 0, neural tube defects were associated with maternal residential exposures (exposure risk values >0) to several types of chlorinated solvents, most notably carbon tetrachloride (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09, 1.86); chloroform (aOR 1.40, 95% CI 1.04, 1.87); ethyl chloride (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08, 1.79); 1,1,2-trichloroethane (aOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.11, 2.18); and 1,2,3-trichloropropane (aOR 1.49, 95% CI 1.08, 2.06). Significant associations were also noted between a few chlorinated solvents and oral cleft, limb deficiency, and congenital heart defects. We observed stronger associations between some emissions and neural tube, oral cleft, and heart defects in offspring of mothers 35 years or older, such as spina bifida with carbon tetrachloride (aOR 2.49, 95% CI 1.09, 5.72), cleft palate with 1,2-dichloroethane (aOR 1.93, 95% 1.05, 3.54), cleft lip with or without cleft palate with ethyl chloride (aOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.06, 3.07), and obstructive heart defects with trichloroethylene (aOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.08, 1.88). Conclusions: These findings suggest that maternal residential proximity to industrial emissions of chlorinated solvents might be associated with selected birth defects in offspring, especially among older mothers.
Miniaturized UWB bandpass filters integrated with notch filters using a Si-based integrated passive device technology

Summary form only given, as follows. Miniaturized UWB filters with low loss, steep rejection, and spurious-free response on a silicon substrate are reported. A UWB filter is demonstrated with less than 1 dB insertion loss, more than 30 dB stop-band rejection, occupying 2.9 mm × 2.4 mm of die area. A UWB filter with a notch filter is presented having a footprint of 4.6 mm × 2.9 mm. The notch filter centered at 5.285 GHz provides a maximum attenuation of 23 dB with 10 dB bandwidth of 7% and shows excellent temperature stability.
Relationships between use of television during meals and children's food consumption patterns.

Objective. We examined relationships between the presence of television during meals and children9s food consumption patterns to test whether children9s overall food consumption patterns, including foods not normally advertised, vary systematically with the extent to which television is part of normal mealtime routines. Methods. Ninety-one parent–child pairs from suburbs adjacent to Washington, DC, recruited via advertisements and word of mouth, participated. Children were in the fourth, fifth, or sixth grades. Socioeconomic data and information on television use were collected during survey interviews. Three nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls, conducted with each child, were used to construct nutrient and food intake outcome variables. Independent sample t tests were used to compare mean food and nutrient intakes of children from families in which the television was usually on during 2 or more meals ( n = 41) to those of children from families in which the television was either never on or only on during one meal ( n = 50). Multiple linear regression models, controlling for socioeconomic factors and other covariates, were used to test strength of associations between television and children9s consumption of food groups and nutrients. Results. Children from families with high television use derived, on average, 6% more of their total daily energy intake from meats; 5% more from pizza, salty snacks, and soda; and nearly 5% less of their energy intake from fruits, vegetables, and juices than did children from families with low television use. Associations between television and children9s consumption of food groups remained statistically significant in multiple linear regression models that controlled for socioeconomic factors and other covariates. Children from high television families derived less of their total energy from carbohydrate and consumed twice as much caffeine as children from low television families. There continued to be a significant association between television and children9s consumption of caffeine when these relationships were tested in multiple linear regression models. Conclusion. The dietary patterns of children from families in which television viewing is a normal part of meal routines may include fewer fruits and vegetables and more pizzas, snack foods, and sodas than the dietary patterns of children from families in which television viewing and eating are separate activities.
EFFECTS OF CARBOHYDRATE SUBSTITUTION AND PREBLENDING ON THE PROPERTIES OF REDUCED FAT‐HIGH MOISTURE BEEF FRANKFURTERS12

Two carbohydrates (CHO; beans or rice) at three levels (0, 12.5 and 25.0%), and water were substituted for fat in preblended and nonpreblended beef franks. Fat levels averaged 24.8% for the controls, 12.6% for the 12.5% CHO source products, and 5.7% for the 25% CHO source products. Cholesterol averaged 28 mg, 19 mg and 15 mg per serving for the controls, 12.5% CHO and 25% CHO source products, respectively. Organoleptic scores for juiciness were not different (P > 0.05) among treatments at 3 and 9 weeks. Flavor and overall acceptance were satisfactory for all products. Generally, nonpreblended, 12.5% CHO source, and bean products were firmer (P < 0.05) than preblended, 25% CHO or rice products, respectively. The 25% rice products had lower (P < 0.05) Instron maximum load and fracturability values. The high CHO formulations were 16% less costly to produce than the controls.
Ultra-Low-Power 500-MSPS 12-bit A/D Converter Using Interleaving and CMOS Charge-Domain Technology

A 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) has been developed using a unique charge-domain method of handling the analog signals. By interleaving two 250-MS/s unit ADCs on a single chip, an aggregate sample rate of 500 MS/s is achieved. Performance is comparable or superior to all existing ADCs at this sample rate, with power consumption less than 1/5 th of that needed by other available designs. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 65.6 dBFS and spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of 78 dBc are obtained at an input frequency of 250 MHz. Total power consumption is 432 mW from a single 1.8-V supply. Added sampling jitter is 60 fs. Index Terms — Analog-digital conversion, CMOS analog integrated circuits.
The Effect of Female Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster) Immigrants on Space Use of Conspecific Female Residents

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that female prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) residents change their space use patterns in response to immigration pressure. We established prairie vole populations in four 32 × 32-m enclosures during 2000 and 2001. Four populations were supplemented with adult female immigrants and the other four served as control populations in which no females were introduced. Using radio-telemetry, we monitored and compared the home ranges and movement distances of residents vs. immigrants within the same enclosures and residents in enclosures with and without immigrants. Immigrants had significantly larger home ranges and moved greater distances during the evening hours than residents. Resident home ranges and hourly movements were unaffected by the presence of immigrants. The results suggested that resident females could successfully defend their territories without changes in their home ranges and movement distances. However, due to our experimental design, we could not exclude t...
On the coexistence of 802.11 and 802.15.4 networks with delay constraints

Coexisting 802.11 and 802.15.4 single-cell wireless networks are experiencing significant performance degradation due to the aggressive nature of 802.11 (when compared to 802.15.4) and to their different traffic characteristics [1]. Providing tight delay guarantees to certain 802.15.4 applications (e.g., health monitoring with unsaturated, periodic traffic) is becoming increasingly infeasible, in the presence of coexisting WiFi with bursty and bandwidth-hungry traffic. Optimizing the performance of these coexisting networks (e.g., WiFi throughput maximization, while satisfying 802.15.4 deadlines) has been a challenging task, primarily due to the lack of: i) analytical models that take into consideration realistic network traffic conditions; and ii) accurate simulators for coexistence. In this paper, we address the aforementioned research challenges by modeling the transmission buffers of wireless devices as M/G/1 queues, and employ queuing theory and Markov Chain models to derive, for the first time, closed form solutions for throughput and delay in 802.11/802.15.4 coexisting networks. Using our proposed models, this paper presents a novel approach for joint MAC protocol tuning, that maximizes 802.11 throughput while satisfying delay constraints of 802.15.4. We validate our proposed solutions and models through new 802.11/802.15.4 coexistence capabilities in the ns-3 simulator (important for the research community).
Physician Preferences for Physician-Targeted HIV Testing Campaigns.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued HIV testing recommendations, encouraging physicians to routinely test all adult patients for H...
Transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective is to determine if apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) improve after transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty (TPAP) with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults, using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nine databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, were searched through April 1, 2016. All studies that included patients who underwent TPAP alone were included in this analysis. Fifty-six studies were potentially relevant, 37 were downloaded and five studies met criteria with 199 patients (age: 42.5 ± 9.7 years and body mass index: 29.0 ± 4.0 kg/m2). The grand mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) for AHI (199 patients) pre and post-TPAP decreased from 54.6 ± 23.0 [95 % CI 51.4, 57.8] to 19.2 ± 16.8 [95 % CI 16.9, 21.5] events/h (relative reduction: 64.8 %). Random effects modeling demonstrated a mean difference (MD) of −36.3 [95 % CI −48.5, −24.1], overall effect Z = 5.8 (p < 0.00001), and I 2 = 85 % (significant inconsistency). The standardized mean difference (SMD) for TPAP demonstrated a large magnitude of effect for AHI −1.76 [95 % CI −2.4, −1.1]. For LSAT (70 patients), the pre and post-TPAP M ± SD improved from 81.9 ± 8.1 [95 % CI 80.0, 83.8] to 85.4 ± 6.9 [95 % CI 83.8, 87.0], with a MD of 3.55, overall effect Z = 1.79 (p = 0.07). Thus far, few studies have evaluated transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty; therefore, we recommend additional studies, especially prospective studies. Research comparing TPAP to pharyngoplasty procedures without palatal advancement would help determine the optimal role for this procedure.
Metal ion transport quantified by ICP-MS in intact cells

The use of ICP-MS to measure metal ion content in biological tissues offers a highly sensitive means to study metal-dependent physiological processes. Here we describe the application of ICP-MS to measure membrane transport of Rb and K ions by the Na,K-ATPase in mouse skeletal muscles and human red blood cells. The ICP-MS method provides greater precision and statistical power than possible with conventional tracer flux methods. The method is widely applicable to studies of other metal ion transporters and metal-dependent processes in a range of cell types and conditions.
Biologic Therapy for Psoriasis

Biologic therapies have revolutionized the treatment of psoriasis due to their effectiveness and relatively safe side effect profile. Biologic drugs used to treat psoriasis are generally monoclonal antibodies, or derivatives of these molecules, that target specific proteins involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Unlike traditional systemic agents like cyclosporine and methotrexate, biologics specifically target only one or two cytokines or cellular receptors central to psoriasis pathophysiology. Furthermore, biologics generally have very few drug-drug interactions and can usually be used in patients with comorbid conditions such as renal insufficiency or liver disease, a population that is otherwise challenging to treat with conventional systemic agents.
Cytomorphology, clinicopathologic, and cytogenetics correlation of myelomatous effusion of serous cavities: A retrospective review

Background Myelomatous effusions (ME) of the serous cavities are rare. Identification of the atypical plasma cells in the body fluids may be critical for prognostic considerations. Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinicopathologic findings of 21 serous effusion specimens from 13 cases of ME including 10 pleural, two concurrent pleural and pericardial, and one peritoneal from 1994 to 2014. Result All 13 patients had bone marrow biopsy-proven plasma cell myeloma (PCM), including one plasmablastic-variant, one anaplastic-variant and one plasma cell leukemia. The time between the bone marrow diagnoses to serous cavity involvement ranged from 43 days to 9 years (mean 2.6 years, median 1.8 years). Monoclonal protein types showed predominant IgA subtypes (50%) including IgA-kappa (2), IgA-lambda (3), IgG-kappa (2), IgG-lambda (1) free kappa chain (1) and free lambda chain (1) and three unknown. All 13 patients died of disease (median survival 32 days). Concurrent imaging studies showed evidence of adjacent local disease. Cytology of the serous fluids revealed abundant plasma cells with varying degrees of atypia, including large cells with increased N/Cratios, coarse chromatin, and prominent nucleoli. All were CD138 positive. Of these, Cytology confirmed malignancy in 19/21(90%) cases. Five cases were positive for kappa-light chain and eight cases for lambda-light chain. Cytogenetics of 3/7 cases showed normal karyotype and 4/7 cases showed complex-karyotype. The patients with kappa light-chain had better survival compared to lambda light-chain (p = 0.051, log rank test). Conclusion ME in PCM can present early in the natural history of the disease or very late. The preponderance of IgA-myeloma and complex-cytogenetics abnormalities is a noteworthy finding. Although there are different hypotheses regarding how ME develops in PCM, our finding supports the hypothesis that direct spread of PCM into serous cavities is a likely mechanism. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:742–747. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Crystal Chemistry and Stability of a High-Pressure Hydrous 10Å Layer Silicate in the System MgO-SiO2-H2O

Previous studies in the system MgO-SiO2-H2O at high pressures [1,2,3,4] has resulted in the discovery of a unique, quenchable, hydrous phyllosilicate phase with the deduced chemical formula [(H3O)2Mg5Si8O20(OH)4]. This phase was synthesized by reaction of brucite [Mg(OH)2] — silicic acid mixtures in the pressure and temperature range 3.2 < P < 9.5 GPa and 375 < T < 525°C, respectively. Preliminary crystallographic analysis of this phase [1] indicated that its structure was that of a mica with a 10-A basal spacing; in this model structure, the presence of discrete H3O+ ions in the 12-coordinated interlayer sites was invoked. The apparent alkali-bearing isostructural equivalents of this phase, namely, K2Mg5Si8O20(OH)4 and Na2Mg5Si8O20(OH)4, were independently synthesized at pressures of 0.1 GPa and 0.1–0.5 GPa by Seifert and Schreyer [5] and Franz and Althaus [6], respectively. The potassium end member was later found to be part of an extensive solid-solution series which included the aluminous mica phlogopite [K2Mg6Al2Si6O20(OH)4] [7] and the solid-solution series [K2Mg5Si8O20(OH)4 – K2Fe5 +2Si8O20(OH)4] has also been synthesized [8]. The high-pressure 10-A phase in the system MgO-SiO2-H2O, therefore, appeared to be an oxonium-bearing non-aluminous member of the phlogopite series of micas. Recent high-pressure experimentation [9] using brucite-silica gel mixtures representing a wide range of bulk compositions indicates that the composition of the 10-A phase is represented best by the stoichiometric ratio 3MgO:4SiO2:2H2O, which appears to be incompatible with a simple mica model. It was concluded [9] that the thermal stability of the 10-A phase was much greater than initially proposed [1,2,4].
Quantitative impact of oil and revolution on conflict

Aside from military defense, there is no project of more central importance to national security and indeed independence as a sovereign nation than energy security. – Henry Kissinger Chapter 2 argues that the combination of oil income and revolutionary politics generates systematic political incentives that increase a state’s aggressiveness and propensity to initiate international conflict, a phenomenon I call petro-aggression . This chapter tests the argument using statistical evidence. Specifically, the theoretical hypotheses to be tested are: H1: States led by revolutionary governments are more likely to instigate militarized interstate disputes than comparable non-revolutionary governments. H2: The difference between revolutionary and non-revolutionary governments, in terms of their propensity to instigate international conflict, will be greater in petrostates than in non-petrostates. To preview the findings, the empirical evidence supports both hypotheses. Among non-petrostates, revolutionary governments are about 50 percent more likely to instigate militarized interstate disputes (MIDs) than non-revolutionary ones. And among petrostates, the difference is even more dramatic: petro-revolutionary governments are about 250 percent more likely to instigate MIDs than non-revolutionary ones.
Correlated Rearrangements of Disordered Colloidal Suspensions in the Vicinity of the Reentrant Glass Transition

We experimentally investigate correlated rearrangements (dynamic heterogeneity) in disordered colloidal suspensions as a function of increasing inter-particle attraction strength across the reentrant glass transition. Attractive interactions between constituent spheres are induced by polymer depletion forces at fixed particle volume fraction. We vary sample inter-particle attraction strength and concurrently measure particle trajectories by confocal microscopy at each attraction strength. The reentrant transition from repulsive glass to ergodic fluid and from ergodic fluid to attractive glass is readily observed. As the inter-particle attraction increases, we find that inter-particle bonding causes an increasing number of particles to undergo cooperative or correlated displacements; the length scale associated with these correlated rearrangements exhibits reentrant behavior. Other dynamical quantities such as the mean square displacement, the long-time diffusion constant, and the non-Gaussian parameter also exhibit changes as a function of attraction strength. Notably, the arrested (glass) states show small particle displacements at long lag times, whereas the fluid states exhibit fast dynamics over large length scales.
Metatronic transistor amplifier

Utilizing the notion of metamaterials, in recent years the concept of a circuit and lumped circuit elements have been extended to the optical domains, providing the paradigm of optical metatronics, i.e., metamaterial-inspired optical nanocircuitry, as a powerful tool for design and study of more complex systems at the nanoscale. In this paper we present a design for a new metatronic element, namely, a metatronic transistor that functions as an amplifier. As shown by our analytical and numerical paper here, this metatronic transistor provides gain as well as isolation between the input and output ports of such two-port device. The cascadability and fan-out aspects of this element are also explored.
Ethical Dilemmas in Utah’s Division of Services for People with Disabilities

The article describes daily ethical decisions required of social workers. It presents two cases that called for ethical consideration.
The current status of robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy in the United States: an experience from two centers

Background: Few studies exist regarding the state of robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy (RT) and its outcomes at high-volume institutions. Methods: Eighty-nine patients underwent RT between January 2009 and September 2015 at two tertiary centers. Data were collected from prospectively-maintained IRB-approved databases. Patient demographic and clinical data, and trends were evaluated. Results: Indications for RT included biopsy-proven or suspicion for malignancy in 20.2%, atypical cells or follicular neoplasm in 27.7%, multinodular goiter in 26.6%, thyrotoxicosis in 8.5%, need for completion thyroidectomy in 5.3%, and non-diagnostic FNA in 3.2%. 56% underwent total thyroidectomy and 44% lobectomy. Operative time (OT) was 153.5 minutes for lobectomies and 192.6 minutes for total thyroidectomy. The complication rate was 11.7%: temporary RLN neuropraxia in 2 patients, permanent hypoparathyroidism in 1 patient, temporary hypoparathyroidism in 6 patients, flap seroma in 1 patient, and flap hematoma in 1 patient. Pathology showed malignancy in 43 patients. At a mean follow-up of 31.9 months, there were no recurrences. Since 2013, the number of RTs performed has risen. The number of out-of-state patients increased from 18% to 37% after 2011. Conclusions: RT was performed without compromising outcomes in selected patients. There remains interest among patients seeking this procedure in expert centers.
How J M Keynes's Logical Theory of Probability Totally Refutes All Attacks on the Concept of Probability

J Derbyshire has recently repeated G L S Shackle’s original attack on the concept of probability in a number of recent articles. He adds nothing new to Shackle’s arguments of forty to eighty years ago that were completely refuted in 1959 by R. Weckstein, who based his refutation of Shackle on a relatively limited understanding of chapters 1-3 and 6 of Keynes’s A Treatise on Probability (1921). Shackle never replied to Weckstein’s repeated demonstrations in 1959 that Keynes’s approach refuted his arguments, which held only against the limiting frequency, relative frequency, propensity and subjective interpretations of probability. Shackle’s arguments failed completely when confronted with Keynes’s theory of logical probability. J M Keynes’s theory of probability is a logical, objective, epistemological approach that is based on partial ordering and not complete orderings. This results in non additive, non linear interval valued probabilities, specified and operationalized in terms of logical propositions about any kind of event. It can easily deal with unique events, single events, crucial events, infrequent events, frequent events, non repeatable events, irreversible events, path dependence, sensitivity to initial conditions, emergence, complex causation, attractor states, partial uncertainty, complete and total uncertainty, fundamental uncertainty, irreducible uncertainty, by means of Keynes’s weight of the evidence analysis, which, when combined with his interval valued probability, can demonstrate that Shackle’s theory is a very special theory that applies only to situations of complete and total uncertainty, which Keynes categorized as ignorance. There is not a single one of Derbyshire’s objections to the concept of probability left standing if Keynes’s logical approach to probability is used.
The “Catholic Grotesque” at the Sacro Monte of Varallo: the Protestant aversion to a graphic space during the late 19th and early 20th centuries

The hyper-sensual Early Modern Italian Sacro Monte of Varallo was dismissed by nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Protestant scholars and tourists as nothing more than the “Catholic Grotesque....
A necessary combination in Downingia (Campanulaceae) for the North American flora.

The following new combination in Campanulaceae is proposed: Downingia ornatissima Greene var. mirabilis (J. T. Howell) Schultheis & Zarucchi.
Risk Factors for Postoperative Venous Thromboembolic Complications after Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant cause of postoperative morbidity and a focus of patient safety initiatives. Despite giving appropriate prophylaxis in accordance with the Caprini risk assessment model, we observed a high incidence of VTE in patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction at our institution. To explore factors contributing to these events, we compared patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction who sustained postoperative VTEs to those who did not. Methods A retrospective review of all patients who underwent microsurgical free flap breast reconstruction at Montefiore Medical Center from January 2009 to January 2016 was conducted. Patients were divided into two cohorts; those sustaining postoperative VTE and those who did not. Patients were compared based on demographics, comorbidities, operative time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, need for transfusion, volume of transfusion, and discharge on postoperative aspirin. Results A total of 133 patients underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction during the study period. Nine patients (6.8%) had postoperative VTE and there was one (0.8%) death. Patients having VTE were more likely to be Hispanic (33.3%, n = 3) in the VTE group versus 8.1% (n = 6) in the control group (p = 0.011), more likely to have an increased mean transfusion volume (455.5 ± 367.8 vs. 139.51 ± 221.7 mL, p = 0.03), and were more likely to be discharged without aspirin (77.8%, n = 7 and 58.1%, n = 72; p = 0.003). Conclusion Patients sustaining postoperative VTE after microsurgical breast reconstruction are more likely to have an increased volume of blood transfusions and lack of discharge on postoperative aspirin.
ATP/2e − Stoichiometries for the Coupling Sites of Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation: Evaluation by Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics

In mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, free energy is liberated to drive ATP synthesis at three coupling sites — Sites 1, 2 and 3. In keeping with chemiosmotic principles (Mitchell, 1961, 1965), each of these coupling sites generates an electrochemical gradient of protons (ΔμH +) across the membrane. There remains, however, considerable disagreement as to the proton stoichiometries for these sites as well as for the proton stoichiometries of the proton-translocating ATPase and the various transport systems.
Surgical Treatment of Combined PCL/Lateral-Sided Injuries: Acute and Chronic

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries can occur in combination with other ligamentous disruptions, such as the structures of the posterolateral corner (PLC). Appropriate and timely identification of these combined injuries is crucial when formulating a treatment plan for affected patients, as mismanagement of these injuries may lead to continued instability and premature posttraumatic arthritis. Specifically, early identification of acute injuries allows for possible PCL augmentation and PLC primary repair. Surgical reconstruction remains the mainstay of treatment for the PCL and PLC in concomitantly injured knees. Unrecognized and thus untreated insufficiencies in knees with a combined PCL and lateral-sided injury will lead to early failure of a surgical repair or reconstruction if one is undertaken without addressing concomitant pathology. Although some controversy remains regarding treatment options for these difficult injuries, we will present our preferred surgical techniques and the rationale behind these. We recommend a double-bundle arthroscopic inlay technique for reconstruction of the PCL. For the PLC, we discuss our technique of a bifid graft to reconstruct the popliteus tendon (PT), popliteofibular ligament (PFL), and fibular collateral ligament (FCL). Timely identification and appropriate treatment of combined PCL and lateral-sided injuries are crucial to restoring knee stability and function.
Cartoonish sketch-based face editing in videos using identity deformation transfer

Abstract We address the problem of using hand-drawn sketches to create exaggerated deformations to faces in videos, such as enlarging the shape or modifying the position of eyes or mouth. This task is formulated as a 3D face model reconstruction and deformation problem. We first recover the facial identity and expressions from the video by fitting a face morphable model for each frame. At the same time, user’s editing intention is recognized from input sketches as a set of facial modifications. Then a novel identity deformation algorithm is proposed to transfer these facial deformations from 2D space to the 3D facial identity directly while preserving the facial expressions. After an optional stage for further refining the 3D face model, these changes are propagated to the whole video with the modified identity. Both the user study and experimental results demonstrate that our sketching framework can help users effectively edit facial identities in videos, while high consistency and fidelity are ensured at the same time.
A model-based dynamic optimization strategy for control of indoor air pollutants

Abstract The American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHARE) prescribes fixed ventilation rates for the operation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which is sub-optimal in terms of controlling indoor air pollutants and energy consumption. This paper relies on a physics-based model of a residential house to predict the concentrations of indoor pollutants such as ozone, formaldehyde (HCHO), and particulate matter (PM) as function of time, outdoor conditions, and indoor emissions. The model captures real-world scenarios such as pollutants entering the house from ambient air through an air handling unit (AHU) and pollutants emitted in the house. A dynamic optimization problem is then formulated and solved to calculate the optimal ventilation rate at each time instant, that minimizes the total energy consumption, while maintaining the indoor pollutant concentrations below or as close as possible to their respective acceptable thresholds. For the considered example day, operation under optimized conditions reduces the peak pollutant concentration by 31%, time of exposure to undesirable concentrations by 48%, and energy consumption of the AHU by 17.7%.
Cardiotoxicity of HER2-targeted therapies.

Purpose of review Cardiotoxicity is a well recognized adverse effect of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapies. The goal of this review is to highlight recent studies that have advanced our knowledge of the diagnosis, prevention, and management of cardiotoxicity associated with HER2-targeted agents. Recent findings Several clinical risk factors for cardiotoxicity associated with HER2-targeted therapies have been identified including age, low-baseline left ventricular ejection fraction, and treatment with anthracyclines; however, these remain insufficient to identify all patients at risk for cardiotoxicity. Routine cardiac monitoring remains the standard for cardiotoxicity surveillance, although the optimal frequency and modality of monitoring remains uncertain. Global longitudinal strain, T1/T2 weighted CMR imaging protocols, and circulating biomarkers can detect early signs of cardiotoxicity, but studies are needed to investigate whether use of these markers in clinical practice improves patient outcomes. Cardioprotective medications (e.g. beta-blockers or ACE-inhibitors) may be of benefit to patients at increased risk for cardiotoxicity from HER2-taregeted therapies, particularly those who are treated with an anthracycline-containing regimen. Summary Improved risk stratification of patients during HER2-targeted therapy and effective prevention and management strategies for cardiotoxicity are needed to enhance the value of longitudinal cardiac monitoring and increase cardiac safety so that optimal breast cancer treatment can be delivered.
Apnea Following Intravenous Regional Guanethidine Blockade

Intravenous regional guanethidine blockade (IVRGB) has been used as an attempt at relieving pain in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy who obtain poor or no pain relief following stellate ganglion blockade. There have been few reports of side effects of IVRGB to date. However, apnea occurred in one of 40 IVRGBs done in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy in our pain clinic.
Evaluation of spin in abstracts of papers in psychiatry and psychology journals.

We have identified ‘spin’ in abstracts of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with nonsignificant primary endpoints in psychiatry and psychology journals. This is a cross-sectional review of clinical trials with nonsignificant primary endpoints published in psychiatry and psychology journals from January 2012 to December 2017. The main outcome was the frequency and manifestation of spin in the abstracts. We define spin as the ‘use of specific reporting strategies, from whatever motive, to highlight that the experimental treatment is beneficial, despite a statistically nonsignificant difference for the primary outcome, or to distract the reader from statistically nonsignificant results’. We have also assessed the relationship between industry funding and spin. Of the 486 RCTs examined, 116 were included in our analysis of spin. Spin was identified in 56% (n=65) of those included. Spin was found in 2 (2%) titles, 24 (21%) abstract results sections and 57 (49.1%) abstract conclusion sections. Evidence of spin was simultaneously identified in both results and conclusions sections in 15% of RCTs (n=17). Twelve articles reported industry funding (10%). Industry funding was not associated with increased odds of spin in the abstract (unadjusted OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.3 to 3.2). We found no relationship between industry funding and spin in abstracts. These findings raise concerns about the effects spin may have on clinicians. Further steps could be taken to address spin, including inviting reviewers to comment on the presence of spin and updating Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines to contain language discouraging spin.
Prevalence and Severity of Fecal Incontinence in Veterans

Background/Aims Fecal incontinence (FI) is a common complaint that increases in prevalence with age. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of FI and assess its severity by self-report in a male-predominant Veteran outpatient clinic setting. Methods An anonymous 28 item questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of veterans awaiting appointments. FI was defined as a loss of liquid or solid stool at least monthly. Multivariable logistic and linear models were used to identify predictors of FI prevalence and severity. Results One hundred thirty-three gastroenterology (GI) participants and 126 primary care (PC) participants completed the survey. Ninety-four of 259 participants (36.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.4-42.5) reported an episode of FI (41.4% GI participants vs 31.0% PC participants; P = 0.078) with 33.6% having FI within the last 30 days (36.8% GI participants vs 30.2% PC participants; P = 0.122). Participants with more bowel movements per week (P = 0.005) and per day (P < 0.001) and with a higher Bristol Stool Scale form (P = 0.010) were more likely to have FI. Of participants with FI, mean Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score was 23.0 ± 9.5 with a significantly higher symptom score in GI participants compared to PC participants (25.2 ± 10.0 vs 20.1 ± 8.2; P = 0.011). Few participants had ever been asked by (35.0%) or evaluated by (18.0%) a doctor for FI symptoms. Conclusion FI is a common complaint and under-recognized problem in the male-dominant Veteran population. Despite its prevalence, relatively few participants were asked about FI, with even less being treated. Due to the possible effects and implications on quality of life, more should be done to recognize this condition and arrange treatment.
Detecting and Tracking Community Structure in Temporal Networks: A Low-Rank + Sparse Estimation Based Evolutionary Clustering Approach

Networks provide a powerful tool to model complex systems where the different entities in the system are presented by nodes and their interactions by edges. With the availability of network-type data, different community detection algorithms have been proposed to investigate the organization of the nodes within these networks. In particular, numerous graph-based community detection algorithms have been developed for static networks. However, most real complex systems vary with time. Consequently, it is important to develop graph-based community detection techniques for temporal networks. In this paper, a new low-rank + sparse estimation based evolutionary spectral clustering approach is proposed to detect and track the community structure in temporal networks. The proposed method decomposes the network into low-rank and sparse parts and obtains smooth cluster assignments by minimizing the subspace distance between consecutive time points. The extracted low-rank adjacency matrix is then used for clustering and the subspaces are defined through spectral embedding. The introduced framework is robust to noise and outliers and can detect the community structure in both binary and weighted temporal networks efficiently without making any prior assumptions about the network structure. The proposed approach is evaluated on several weighted and binary simulated and real temporal networks. The results show that the proposed algorithm can detect and track the correct community structure over time efficiently and outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms.
Out of Time: Resisting the Nation in One Hundred Years of Solitude

In this chapter, Perez offers up a reading that rejects interpreting the text as a national allegory. Specifically, this chapter argues that there is important political work that is done in magical realism by willfully reading against the allegorical and symbolic as a way to challenge the hegemony of colonial and imperial logic, and, ultimately, the primacy of the nation-state itself. By analyzing how the novel engages in what she calls “non-national time,” Perez, drawing on Benedict Anderson and Wai Chee Dimock, suggests that the temporal chaos of the novel resists national formation and as such enacts a profound re-imagining of social and political life outside the confines of national logic.