cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Similar incidence of typhlitis in patients receiving various doses of daunorubicin or idarubicin as induction for acute myeloid leukemia.

Abstract Background The current standard of care for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an anthracycline plus cytarabine. Both anthracyclines and cytarabine have been associated with the development of typhlitis, a serious adverse event characterized by inflammation of the bowel wall in patients with profound neutropenia, diagnosed by abdominal CT imaging and clinical symptoms. Given the paucity of available data, the aim of our study was to determine the incidence of typhlitis among AML patients receiving induction chemotherapy with idarubicin 12 mg/m2 (IDA), daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 (DNA60), or daunorubicin 90 mg/m2 (DNA90). Methods Adult patients with AML or MDS receiving either daunorubicin or idarubicin along with cytarabine as part of their induction regimen between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2013 were included. A definition of typhlitis required CT confirmation of inflammation of the cecum only, defined as non-tumoral bowel wall thickening with or without pericolonic fat infiltration and fluid, according to CTCAE version 4.03 along with clinical symptoms. The primary endpoint was to determine the incidence of typhlitis among IDA, DNA60, and DNA90. Secondary endpoints included characterizing the variability of doses used in induction therapy and identifying any potential risk factors for the development of typhlitis. Results The overall incidence of typhlitis was 2.5%. When the definition was broadened to include the colitis, enteritis, or enterocolitis, the incidence increased. The inter-reliability ratings of the 2 radiologists’ evaluations for each definition indicated substantial agreement (0.803 cecum, 0.834 ileocecal region only, and 0.752 enterocolitis). Neither the anthracycline chosen, nor the dose had a statistically significant impact on the incidence of typhlitis. In patients that developed typhlitis, all patients had clinical symptoms in addition to documented cecum inflammation on CT scan. All patients were managed conservatively with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the incidence of typhlitis in adult patients receiving idarubicin or daunorubicin for the treatment of AML. The cumulative incidence of typhlitis was similar to the currently published literature, with the incidence being similar irrespective of the anthracycline chosen or dose. All patients were managed conservatively with broad-spectrum antibiotics. A more definitive definition of typhlitis may help clinicians identify affected patients sooner and choose appropriate targeted therapy.
Parsing with assertion sets and information monotonicity

We propose a new approach to parsing ambiguity in which a parser always moves forward with the common elements of competing syntactic analyses. The approach involves assertion sets constrained so that in formation is monotonically preserved throughout a parse Asseriion sets have several advantages over trees as a parsing representation. They may also lead to better computational understanding of the attention-shifting mechanism.
Good Girl, Bad Girl

Foreign women play a significant role in the narrative of the Deuteronomistic History. This article examines the similarities of how the Deuteronomistic authors portrayed these women and compares those characteristics with how foreign women are constructed within colonial/postcolonial literature from other periods. Foreign women are viewed with suspicion because they maintain their cultural identity and in some cases promote a kind of hybridity of religious beliefs and values. Typically foreign women are described in hypersexualized terms in both the Deuteronomistic History and in colonial/postcolonial literature. This article aims to expose the colonial entangle­ments of the Deuteronomistic authors and their construction of foreign women as symbolic of the threat of cultural hybridity.
The sleepwalker framework: Verification and validation of autonomous vehicles by mixed reality LiDAR stimulation

Verification and validation of autonomous mobile systems, such as autonomous vehicles, is indispensable, since conflicts and serious incidents are rarely acceptable when human beings are involved. Although integrative simulation frameworks are commonly applied to test these systems, such simulations are usually too idealistic, while real world tests are both, expensive and not reproducible. To overcome this problem, we present the framework Sleepwalker for verifying and validating autonomous vehicles: Similar to a human sleepwalker, our framework stimulates the automated driving function at a sensor close level with virtual laserscans mixed with sensor data from the real environment. Thus, the autonomous driving function explicitely builds up a mixed reality environment model as a basis for the subsequent components and therefore enables an overall performance assessment. The instantiation of the framework is adaptable so it to can be balanced between the required result's plausibility and scenario criticality. We demonstrate the distinguished benefits of our framework by different instantiations stimulating an autonomous vehicle and conclude with further research questions.
Numerical estimation of intrinsic stress in physical vapor deposited thin-films

Abstract A method of numerically estimating intrinsic stress has been developed for thin-film coatings of TiSiCN prepared by plasma enhanced magnetron sputtering at 280 °C. A portable optical setup was designed to be used with a commercial lab microscope, for taking measurements of the radii of curvature of the coated samples. The sensitivity of the optical instrument was optimized for taking measurements over a specific range of radii. A finite element model was developed in Abaqus to computationally determine the intrinsic and residual stresses in the thin films, with the help of the optical measurements. The computationally generated stresses and curvatures were found to agree well with previous analytical work. An average intrinsic stress of −2.49 GPa was observed for the thin-film samples. The stress relief in all the samples was calculated to be in the range of (20−30) %. Variations in the intrinsic and residual stress in the coatings indicate the possibility of a non-uniform deposition incidence based on their substrate positions.
An approach to analyzing the need for meta-level communication

This paper presents an analysis of static and dynamic organizational structures for naturally distributed, homogeneous, cooperative problem solving environments, exemplified by distributed sensor networks. We first show how the performance of any static organization can be statistically described, and then show under what conditions dynamic organizations do better and worse than static ones. Finally, we show how the variance in the agents' performance leads to uncertainty about whether a dynamic organization will perform better than a static one given only agent a priori expectations. In these cases, we show when meta-level communication about the actual state of problem solving will be useful to agents in constructing a dynamic organizational structure that outperforms a static one. Viewed in its entirety, this paper also presents a methodology for answering questions about the design of distributed problem solving systems by analysis and simulation of the characteristics of a complex environment rather than by relying on single-instance examples.
Models of Early Hormonal Effects on Intrasex Aggression in Mice

Aggression is a term that has been applied to many different types of behaviors, from hostile language and gestures to physical violence (Buss, 1961). Aggression, as used here, will refer to a category of behaviors associated with physical attack by one house mouse (male or female) on another mouse of the same sex. This type of aggression is therefore most appropriately referred to as “intrasex” aggression. But conspecific aggression in mammals is often referred to as “intermale” aggression, since fighting is generally considered to be a trait characteristic of males and uncharacteristic of females. An exception to this general statement has been the recognition that many, but not all, female mammals exhibit aggression during the postpartum period in defense of their young (Svare, 1981). It is important to recognize that other types of conspecific aggression (e.g., fear-induced aggression, sex-related aggression, infanticide) are commonly observed in many mammals. These other forms of conspecific aggression are influenced by variables different from those that influence either intermale or interfemale aggression (Moyer, 1974). For example, when a nonreceptive female mouse is placed into the home cage of a sexually experienced adult male, the male will attempt to mount the female and the mounting attempts will be rejected. As a result, the male often becomes highly aroused and attacks the female (vom Saal & Bronson, 1978).
Learning Under Uncertainty: Networks in Emergency Management

This paper examines the nature of learning in networks dealing with conditions of high uncertainty. I take Koppenjan and Klijn’s (2004) framework for understanding network uncertainty and apply it to an extreme example of uncertainty, an inter-organizational crisis taskforce dealing with an exotic animal disease. The paper identifies the basic difficulties involved in learning under crisis conditions. The taskforce had to learn most of the elements taken for granted in more mature structural forms – the nature of the structural framework in which it was working, how to adapt that framework, the role and actions appropriate for each individual, and how to deal with unanticipated problems. The network pursued this learning in a variety of ways. Most critically, the taskforce used standard operating procedures to provide a form of network memory. 1
Material Parameter Determination from Time-Domain Signals Transmitted and Reflected by a Layered Structure

The modeling of the time-domain signals transmitted and/or reflected by a layered structure is very useful for the simulation of wave propagation in the structure containing deteriorated layers, defects and delaminations and for the characterization of material properties in those layers. In this paper, we first present the relations between the signals transmitted and reflected by a layered plate in terms of transmission and reflection coefficients in the frequency domain. The time domain signals transmitted and reflected by the plate are then expressed by use of the inverse Fourier transform. The simulated signals transmitted and reflected by an Aluminum plate and a Titanium plate and a diffusion bonded Titanium plate are compared with measured signals. The inverse problem for the determination of the unknown parameters of the layered plates in the time-domain is also discussed.
PTPN14 regulates Roquin2 stability by tyrosine dephosphorylation

ABSTRACTProtein phosphorylation regulates a variety of cellular signaling pathways and fundamental mechanisms in cells. In this paper, we demonstrate that the mRNA decay factor Roquin2 is phosphorylated at tyrosine residue in position 691 in vivo. This phosphorylation disrupts the interaction with KLHL6, the E3 ligase for Roquin2. Furthermore, we establish that the tyrosine phosphatase PTPN14 specifically interacts with Roquin2 through its phosphatase domain and dephosphorylates Roquin2 tyrosine 691. Overexpression of PTPN14 promotes Roquin2 degradation in a KLHL6-dependant manner by promoting interaction with KLHL6. Collectively, our findings reveal that PTPN14 negatively regulates the protein stability of Roquin2, thereby adding a new layer of regulation to the KLHL6-Roquin2 axis.
Identifying Hesitation and Discomfort with Diagnosing Sepsis: Survey of a Pediatric Tertiary Care Center.

Objective Pediatric sepsis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality despite the development of strategies proven to improve diagnosis and treatment. Specifically, early recognition and urgent therapy initiation are consistently associated with improved outcomes. However, providers bring these principles inconsistently to the bedside. The objective of this study was to describe practitioner knowledge of, and attitudes toward, sepsis as a means of identifying potentially modifiable factors delaying life-saving treatment. We hypothesized there would be difficulties with sepsis recognition and self-reported discomfort with making the diagnosis among all provider groups in a pediatric tertiary care center. Methods Emergency department and inpatient pediatric physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists in a single, freestanding children's hospital received an electronic survey. Likert scales permitted anonymous self-reporting of comfort and diagnostic delays. Seven clinical vignettes assessed diagnostic knowledge. Independent sample t tests and Chi-square compared responses. Results Three hundred two staff participated (73% response rate), 41% of whom had at least 10 years of clinical experience. One in 5 was uncomfortable alerting coworkers to a patient with suspected sepsis or septic shock, and almost half were uncomfortable doing so in cases of compensated shock. Every role self-reported diagnostic delays, including faculty physicians. On average, physicians answered a greater percentage of vignette questions correctly (66%), compared with nurses (58%; P = 0.013) and respiratory therapists (52%; P = 0.005). Conclusions Sepsis knowledge deficits, provider discomfort, and diagnostic delays are prevalent within a tertiary care children's hospital. Their presence and scale suggest areas for future research and targeted intervention.
What's yours is mine, and what's mine is mine: Field experiment on income concealing between spouses in India

Abstract In this paper, I present results from a field-laboratory experiment in India where individuals in established marriages were randomly given the opportunity to choose to keep money private from their partner, assigned to a complete information, or to a private information treatment. The experiment was designed to test the effect of private information at the time when spouses decide on the amount of resources to bargain over with their partners (pre-bargaining stage) on intra-household allocation. I show that in the presence of asymmetric information 25% of spouses choose to keep (some) money private when given the opportunity, thus reducing the pool that their partners observe. The strategic exploitation of information advantages results in efficiency losses that amount up to 24% of average maximum potential earnings. The analysis suggests the mechanism driving the results is an income-hiding motive, and not alternative explanations such as mental accounting or alternative strategic behaviors.
Multiple phase-variable mechanisms, including capsular polysaccharides, modify bacteriophage susceptibility in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron

Abstract A variety of cell surface structures, including capsular polysaccharides (CPS), dictate the interactions between bacteria and elements of their environment including their viruses (bacteriophages). Members of the prominent human gut Bacteroidetes characteristically produce several phase-variable CPS, which have been demonstrated as key determinants in interacting with the host immune system. However, the contributions of Bacteroidetes CPS to bacteriophage interactions are unknown. We used engineered strains of the human symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, which differ only in the CPS they express, to isolate bacteriophages from two locations in the United States. Testing each of 71 bacteriophages against a panel of strains that express wild-type phase-variable CPS, one of eight different single CPS, or no CPS at all, revealed that each infects only a subset of strains. Deletion of infection-permissive CPS from B. thetaiotaomicron was sufficient to abolish infection for several individual bacteriophages. Likewise, infection of wild-type B. thetaiotaomicron with one bacteriophage from this collection selected for a cell population expressing non-permissive CPS. Surprisingly, acapsular B. thetaiotaomicron also escapes complete killing by this bacteriophage, but surviving bacteria increased expression of a family of 9 phase-variable lipoproteins. When constitutively expressed, one of these lipoproteins enhances resistance to this bacteriophage. Our results reveal distinct roles for Bacteroides CPS in mediating bacteriophage susceptibility. Beneath this vanguard protective layer, additional mechanisms exist to protect these bacteria from being eradicated by bacteriophage. Given the diversity of CPS and other phase-variable surface structures encoded by gut-dwelling Bacteroidetes, our results provide important insight into the adaptations that allow these bacteria to persist despite bacteriophage predation and hold important implications for using bacteriophages therapeutically to target gut symbionts.
The gradient flow of the L2 curvature energy near the round sphere

Abstract We investigate the low-energy behavior of the gradient flow of the L 2 norm of the Riemannian curvature on four-manifolds. We show long time existence and exponential convergence to a metric of constant sectional curvature when the initial metric has positive Yamabe constant and small initial energy.
Differential gene expression and AKT targeting in triple negative breast cancer

Background: Metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC) is a heterogeneous disease with poor prognosis. Molecular evolution of TNBC through chemotherapy selection pressure is well recognized but poorly understood. PI3K/AKT/mTOR is one of the most commonly identified oncogenic-driver pathways in breast cancer. The current study is designed to understand the genomic and transcriptomic changes, focusing on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway alterations in paired primary and metastatic TNBCs. Results: Genomic analysis of 7 paired specimens identified 67 known mutations including those from the following signaling pathways: cell cycle, p53, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, RAS/MAPK, and RTK/GF. Principle coordinate analysis (PCoA) identified 4 distinctive molecular groups based on the gene expression patterns of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Key differentially-expressed genes included AKT3, GSK3B, GNA11, PI3KR1, and GNAQ. Importantly, AKT-targeted therapy showed efficacy in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of TNBC in vivo. Conclusion: Genomic discordance of paired primary and metastatic TNBCs was identified, with significant increase in tumor proliferation pathways seen in metastases. Among the differentially expressed genes, AKT3 can potentially serve as a target for novel combination therapy for treatment of metastatic TNBC. Methods: Paired specimens from 10 patients with TNBCs were identified through an IRB-approved protocol (2002-2015). FoundationOneTM sequencing was performed for genomic profiling, and Affymetrix Human Genechip 2.0st was used for mRNA expression profiling. The similarity among samples was calculated based on Pearson correlation coefficients, which were used to construct hierarchical clustering and heat maps.
Silencing of HIF-1α by RNA Interference in Human Glioma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Higher-grade gliomas are distinguished by increased vascular endothelial cell proliferation and peritumoral edema. These are thought to be instigated by vascular endothelial growth factor, which in turn is regulated by cellular oxygen tension. Hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is a main responder to intracellular hypoxia and is overexpressed in many human cancers, including gliomas. Here we present methods for investigating the role of HIF-1alpha in glioma growth in vivo and in vitro using RNA interference in U251, U87, and U373 glioma cells.
The Representation of Coordinate Relations in Lexical Semantic Memory.

Experiment 1 examined the size of the typicality effect for true items in a category verification task as a function of the type of false item used. Compared to the case where false items paired unrelated concepts ("carrot-vehicle"), the typicality effect was much larger when false items paired an exemplar with a category coordinate to its proper category ("carrot-fruit"). In contrast, when false items paired coordinate concepts ("carrot-pea") or reversed the ordering of subject and predicate terms ("All vegetables are carrots"), the typicality effect did not change in size. Further, the time to verify true sentences did not increase monotonically with the semantic similarity of the two terms used in false sentences. Experiment 2 showed that the pattern of results for coordinate items reflected semantic processing, not simply task difficulty. Study 1 combined data across multiple experiments, increasing the power of the statistical analysis. The size of the typicality effect when coordinate false items were used was again the same as when false items paired unrelated concepts. The most straightforward explanation of this pattern of results seems to be in terms of a sparse semantic network model of lexical semantic memory, in which labeled links are used to indicate the semantic relation that exists between pairs of words.-3-Coordinate Relations in Semantic Memory
The rate of undetectable genetic causes by Cell-free DNA test in congenital heart defects.

Objective: The study aimed to estimate the rate of genetic causes that were undetectable by Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) test in prenatally diagnosed congenital heart defect (CHD) cases based on an assump...
When The “Genes” No Longer Fit: An Unusual Presentation of LMNA-related Cardiomyopathy

Introduction The diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy from genetic mutation of Lamin A/C (LMNA) is quite challenging in absence of known family disease or signs of skeletal myopathy. We present a case of high-grade AV block and septal ventricular tachycardia (VT) requiring orthotopic heart transplantation with post-transplant genetic testing showing LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy. Case A 58-year-old man with history of orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) for Hepatitis C cirrhosis and no familial cardiac history initially presented with symptomatic, sustained left bundle left superior axis ventricular tachycardia at 230 bpm. Baseline ECG after DCCV demonstrated a LBBB with periods of 2:1 AV block. Patient underwent an ischemic evaluation which was unremarkable. Cardiac MRI was negative for infiltrative disease but did show midmyocardial late gadolinium enhancement at the inferoseptal and apical right ventricle. He underwent secondary prevention CRT-D implantation. He had recurrent VT requiring radiofrequency ablation for inducible bundle-branch reentry VT. One year later, he presented with recurrent VT and underwent attempted radiofrequency ablation of numerous septal VT morphologies resulting in shock-refractory sustained VT complicated by cardiogenic shock requiring VA-ECMO and ultimately orthotopic heart transplantation. Pathology of the explanted heart showed scarring and fatty infiltration of the RV septum and free wall suggestive of a variant of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). However, despite suspicion for ARVC on pathology, genetic testing showed a genetic mutation in Lamin A/C Gene, suggestive of laminopathy. Conclusion Our case shows that LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy can present with phenotypic appearance similar to patients with pathologic suspicion of ARVC. Although LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy contributes to 6-8% of familial related cardiomyopathy, it is often difficult to diagnose due to its inheritance and penetrance. Patients presenting with unclear etiology of dilated cardiomyopathy and malignant ventricular arrhythmias should prompt a suspicion for LMNA-related cardiomyopathy.
TDP-ADMM: A Timing Driven Placement Approach for Superconductive Electronic Circuits Using Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers

This paper presents a novel timing driven global placement approach utilizing the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) targeting superconductive electronic circuits. The proposed algorithm models the placement problem as an optimization problem with constraints on the maximum wirelength delay of timing-critical paths and employs the ADMM algorithm to decompose the problem into two sub-problems, one minimizing the total wirelength of the circuit and the other minimizing the delay of timing-critical paths of the circuit. Through an iterative process, a placement solution is generated that simultaneously minimizes the total wirelength and satisfies the setup time constraints. Compared to an state-of-the-art academic global placement tool, the proposed method (called TDP-ADMM) improves the worst and total negative slack for seven single flux quantum benchmark circuits by an average of 26% and 44%, respectively, with an average overhead of 1.98% in terms of total wirelength.
Laboratory-Developed Test for SARS-CoV-2 Using Saliva Samples at the University of California, Riverside

ABSTRACT Here we describe a relatively quick, simple, economical and accurate laboratory developed test (LDT) for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in heated and diluted saliva samples without RNA extraction. Our protocol is a variation of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign SHIELD LDT. Differences include chilling of the samples during dilution and using a reduced volume for the qRT-PCR reactions. The level of detection for our LDT is 3125 copies/ml, which compares favorably with other saliva-based tests. Initial validation studies with a limited number of patient samples have demonstrated excellent agreement between results using our LDT and those obtained from external laboratories. The cost of consumables for our test is under $8 and a throughput of 1000 tests/day can be achieved with 3-4 personnel.
Correction of dynamic aberration in resonant optical scanners using tilted optics

Mirrors in resonant galvanometric optical scanners experience dynamic distortion due to torque which is proportional to angular displacement. The dominant aberration introduced by the sinusoidal oscillation of the scanner is oblique astigmatism that is linear with the field coordinate. Nodal aberration theory (NAT) indicates that such linear astigmatism can be compensated by tilting elements with power in an optical system. Here, we demonstrate a practical and low-cost solution that only requires tilting of existing optical elements immediately following the resonant scanner. The proposed method can be used to generate any desired third-order aberration that results from tilting or decentering optical surfaces in optical systems. This is illustrated by correcting linear astigmatism due to a resonant scanner by tilting elements in reflective and refractive afocal relays. In all cases, wavefront correction better than the classical diffraction limit (Strehl ratio > 0.8) was demonstrated.
Towards Dynamic Composition of Things in the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the connection of physical objects that collect and transfer data from one object to another. These objects are embedded with software, and sensors. A large number of IoT platforms have been introduced in the last few years. The major issue with available Internet of Things platforms, that support the communication between Things and their owners, is that they view Things as private property. Only the Thing owner can communicate with the Thing to obtain the service or functionality that is provided by the Thing. We believe a Thing should be viewed as a service or a functionality provider. Our research has introduced an architecture that supports the publication and discovery of Things in the Internet of Things. This architecture enables Thing owners to publish Thing specification and Thing requesters to find Things that best matches their needs. This paper is concerned with the dynamic composition of Things defined using our new architecture.
Prognostic Factors of Patients Undergoing an Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit

Introduction Patients who have received an allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) and require acute care in the intensive care unit (ICU) are unlike other patients requiring ICU care. The use of current ICU-based prognostic indices (APACHE II, SAPS II, and SOFA) have not shown to be useful for patients who have received an allo-HSCT. In order to better understand this patient population, we retrospectively analyzed patient, disease and hospital specific factors to determine if there were any risks that had significant prognostic value. Methods Data was collected from 413 patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplant at a single center from 2007-2013. Of the patients analyzed, 52 patients required ICU support during their HSCT admission. Of these patients the median age at time of transplantation was 59 (range: 26-75) with 52% male and 48% female. The indications for HSCT were: AML (42%), NHL (12%), ALL (10%), MM (10%), MDS (12%), CLL (10%), CML (2%), HD (2%) and AA (2%). The HSCT donor types were: matched-unrelated (56%), double cord (12%), matched-related (33%), and syngeneic. For these patients we reviewed and analyzed several variables, including age, performance status, HCT-CI, DRI, neutrophil engraftment status. The low range for HCT-CI was defined as 0-1 (52%), the moderate-high range 2+ (48%). Median time to neutrophil engraftment was 15 days (9-36 days). Results Our multivariate analysis revealed that HCT-CI and timing of ICU admission (pre or post-engraftment) where significant prognostic factors. Allo-HSCT patients requiring ICU support with a low HCT-CI score had a significantly better 1 year overall survival in comparison to similar patients with moderate to high HCT-CI scores (p=0.04). We also found that allo-HSCT patients requiring ICU support after neutrophil engraftment (>15 days) had a worse 1 year overall survival compared to HSCT patients requiring ICU prior to neutrophil engraftment (p= 0.04). Conclusion There is a great need for more specific prognostic factors for allo-HSCT patients requiring ICU support. Our findings demonstrate the potential utility of the HCT-CI and timing of ICU admission in the outcomes of HSCT patients admitted to the ICU. Based on these findings we plan to explore these factors in a larger prospective study. Download : Download high-res image (49KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure . Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Oral Appliances for OSA Treatment: Meeting the Quadruple Aim.

Introduction In order to better treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a more efficient and cost-effective way, a joint program between dental clinics and the sleep medicine clinic was piloted at Fort Hood, Texas. Obstructive sleep apnea negatively affects soldier readiness and deployability, leading to the need to establish a successful and proven workflow to treat these patients with oral appliance therapy (OAT). Materials and methods We performed a retrospective review of a de-identified data set which included 288 patients from July 2016 to July 2020. Projected cost data were obtained from routinely collected sleep clinic positive airway pressure (PAP) data. Data were analyzed to determine treatment success and potential cost savings using OAT versus continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Patient workflow including successes and challenges with the program is summarized. Results About 85.5% of patients met criteria for successful control of their OSA using OAT as treatment. Five patients did not tolerate OAT and switched back to CPAP. A higher (less severe) O2 nadir on diagnostic polysomnography is moderately correlated with OAT success. Diagnostic Apnea-Hypopnea Index was inversely and weakly correlated with success. Two of the major challenges noted in the program were (1) loss of follow-up and (2) the length of time from oral appliance referral to fitting the oral appliance. If this program was successfully implemented at other Defense Health Agency (DHA) medical treatment facility (MTF) markets nationwide, a potential cost savings of over $500,000/year/MTF could be achieved. Conclusions Oral appliance therapy has the potential to increase both readiness and deployability for active duty soldiers. Using baseline O2 nadir can help predict success with OAT patients, determining which patients will benefit from this joint program between the dental and medical sleep clinics. Future studies can aim to establish an evidence-based pathway for clinic testing and follow-up. If this patient workflow is implemented properly, there can be significant cost savings army-wide. This all helps The United States Medical Command (MEDCOM) align with the DHA's Quadruple Aim of increased readiness, better health, better care, and lower cost.
Rapid Open-Air Processing of Low-Cost Perovskite Solar Modules

We report an industrially relevant approach to both scalable and fast open-air perovskite photovoltaic (PV) module production. This work resolves some of the most formidable barriers to module-level scaling that the perovskite community has been facing. Key advances include scalable large-area spray deposition, new monolithic integration scribing techniques, advanced photoluminescence characterization, and reproducible high-throughput manufacturability. Our rapid spray processing techniques enabled the highest perovskite PV efficiency produced in open-air. Innovations in scribing techniques enabled the first single-source laser process to achieve perovskite module monolithic integration and technoeconomic analysis led to a comprehensive cost model for perovskite module manufacturing. We report significant progress in reducing perovskite manufacturing costs necessary to potentially compete with incumbent Si-based PV for utility-scale power generation.
Microsurgical techniques and tumor control in cavernous sinus meningiomas: A review

Meningiomas are the most common tumors of the cavernous sinus (CS) and are one of the most challenging/formidable tumors to operate on due to the complex anatomy and rich neurovascular contents of the space. Parkinson's initial approach to this surgical “no man's land” triggered the interest in the microsurgical removal of tumors within this region over the next three decades. However, this initial enthusiasm to attempt complete removal of meningiomas has been met with exceedingly high surgical morbidity, especially cranial nerve palsies, and considerable mortality, predominantly due to vascular complications. The later introduction of radiosurgery and its excellent tumor control rate and minimal complications has allowed surgeons to select less invasive approaches such as primary radiosurgery or partial resection followed by radiosurgery. The authors aim through this work to discuss the relevant microsurgical anatomy, evolution of approaches, and techniques of CS meningioma excision including the endoscopic endonasal approach. We discuss the available alternatives and adjuvant management options, proposing an up-to-date multimodality treatment algorithm to optimize outcomes.
Magic angle in electron energy loss spectra: Relativistic and dielectric corrections

Recently, it has been demonstrated that a careful treatment of both longitudinal and transverse matrix elements in electron energy loss spectra can explain the mystery of relativistic effects on the magic angle. Here, we show that there is an additional correction of order ${(Z\ensuremath{\alpha})}^{2}$, where $Z$ is the atomic number and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ the fine structure constant, which is not necessarily small for heavy elements. Moreover, we suggest that macroscopic electrodynamic effects can give further corrections which can break the sample independence of the magic angle.
A Darcian Model for the Flow of Big Spring and the hydraulic head in the Ozark aquifer, Missouri, USA

The complex discharge hydrographfor Big Spring, Missouri, can be described as the sum of two terms governed by Darcy’s Law. The dominant, long-term component is proportional to the regional hydraulic gradient, and constitutes about 80% of the average flow of 12.6 m 3 /s. Superimposed on this is a tran­sient component witha time-constant of about 1.5 days that represents the Darcian response to sharp, rainfall-driven pulses on the head of the shallow groundwater system. This tran­sient component delivers about 20% of the average total flow, but over short intervals can exceed the long-term component. However, the long-term component is so large that the ratio of record highflows to the average flow is only about 4x for Big Spring, and 1.5 to 4.5x for most other large Ozark springs; for comparison, this ratio is 10 to 3000x for most surface streams in Missouri . The strong correlation between the discharge of the large springs and the head in the Ozark aquifer permits the extension of the Darcian rainfall-runoff model to predict groundwater levels in wells.
NDE of Structural and Functional Carbon‐Carbon Composites after First Carbonization

In the processing cycle of carbon-carbon (C/C) composites, transition of the precursor polymer matrix to a carbon matrix takes place at the stage of first carbonization. Matrix microcracking, interfacial debonding, and development of distributed porosity are some consequences of first carbonization. A key to assessing and optimizing these properties of the final material is to successfully define nondestructive evaluation (NDE) microstructure-process relationships for different material precursor systems at the stage of first carbonization. Here such a study is undertaken through a systematic consideration of structural and functional fiber reinforced phenolic matrix precursor material systems. Structural composite precursor systems consisted of woven fabric architectures, such as plain, satin, and stretch broken, while the functional systems included nonwoven thermal bonded carbon fiber. These materials were subjected to ultrasonic, acoustic, and vibration NDE at their polymer and carbonized matrix stages. NDE parameters from these methods were studied in light of various mechanisms ensuing first carbonization
Remote Sensing in Fluctuating Range-Dependent Littoral Environments with Clutter

Abstract : The ongoing research addresses two areas crucial to the effective performance of Navy sonar systems in range-dependent shallow water environments. The first is an understanding of the characteristics of clutter and background reverberation in long range sonars. This is being used to develop operational and signal processing techniques to mitigate the effects of clutter and reverberation in order to enhance detection of man-man targets. In the second area, the dominant causes of fluctuation in measured acoustic signals is examined and used to determine the extent to which environmental variabilities limit our ability to perform source localization and environmental parameter estimation through match-field processing and beamforming in fluctuating ocean waveguides.
Launch vehicles and the commercial uses of outer space: The underlying economic issues

Abstract This article discusses the economics of the demand for and supply of launch vehicles. Demand is derived from both commercial and governmental uses of space, while the supply of launch vehicles is determined by governmental needs which are rarely based on economic criteria alone. Multipurpose launches such as the Space Shuttle should be viewed as a national resource instead of a profit-seeking venture. Because of the mixing of government and private uses for space vehicles, traditional economic analysis provides only a starting point for policy decisions.
Exploring Python as a learning and teaching language: conference workshop

Since adopting Python for our first two computer science courses we have come to appreciate its simplicity and power. We have also seen Python creep into other courses in our curriculum because it makes the presentation of concepts so easy and clear. In this workshop, participants will explore the Python programming language and consider ways that it can be used to facilitate the understanding of typical introductory computer science concepts. After a brief introduction to the Python essentials, we will implement a number of examples ranging from graphics and image processing to data structures, recursion, threading, and network programming. Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of the basic features of Python as well as an appreciation for the ease and clarity it can bring to the problem solving process.
Increased brain uptake of targeted nanoparticles by adding an acid-cleavable linkage between transferrin and the nanoparticle core

Most therapeutic agents are excluded from entering the central nervous system by the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Receptor mediated transcytosis (RMT) is a common mechanism used by proteins, including transferrin (Tf), to traverse the BBB. Here, we prepared Tf-containing, 80-nm gold nanoparticles with an acid-cleavable linkage between the Tf and the nanoparticle core to facilitate nanoparticle RMT across the BBB. These nanoparticles are designed to bind to Tf receptors (TfRs) with high avidity on the blood side of the BBB, but separate from their multidentate Tf–TfR interactions upon acidification during the transcytosis process to allow release of the nanoparticle into the brain. These targeted nanoparticles show increased ability to cross an in vitro model of the BBB and, most important, enter the brain parenchyma of mice in greater amounts in vivo after systemic administration compared with similar high-avidity nanoparticles containing noncleavable Tf. In addition, we investigated this design with nanoparticles containing high-affinity antibodies (Abs) to TfR. With the Abs, the addition of the acid-cleavable linkage provided no improvement to in vivo brain uptake for Ab-containing nanoparticles, and overall brain uptake was decreased for all Ab-containing nanoparticles compared with Tf-containing ones. These results are consistent with recent reports of high-affinity anti-TfR Abs trafficking to the lysosome within BBB endothelium. In contrast, high-avidity, Tf-containing nanoparticles with the acid-cleavable linkage avoid major endothelium retention by shedding surface Tf during their transcytosis.
Numerical modeling of endothermic pyrolysis and ignition delay of composite materials exposed to an external radiant heat flux

A numerical model is developed to predict endothermic pyrolysis and piloted ignition delay of solid composite materials exposed to an external radiant heat flux. The model considers the coupled thermochemical processes that take place in the condensed phase and therefore describes the piloted ignition of solid combustible materials only under conditions of fast chemical kinetics in gas phase. The condensed phase processes considered in the model include oxidative and thermal pyrolysis, phase change, radiation absorption, and heat and mass transfer in a multiphase and multicomposition medium. Ignition is considered to occur when a critical pyrolysate mass flow is reached at the composite surface. The implication is that the ignition of the material is subjected to the attainment of a minimum concentration of fuel in the gaseous mixture adjacent to the pilot (lean flammability limit). The ignition delay is predicted over a wide range of external heat fluxes for polypropylene/fiberglass composite with varied composition and thickness. The results agree well with the available experimental data and show that the ignition delay and critical external heat flux for ignition depend on the composition of the material, increasing as the fiber content is increased. From the results it is possible to identify the fiberglass content required to prevent ignition at a given radiant flux, a result that could provide guidelines toward the development of fire-safe composites. Finally, based on the ignition delay, it is possible to identify three categories of fuel thickness: thermally thin, transition, and thermally thick, each representing a distinct ignition delay.
Partial melting of amphibolite/eclogite and the origin of Archean trondhjemites and tonalites

The generation of trondhjemites and tonalites on a massive scale during the Archean (3.8-2.5 Ga ago) marked the transition from a simatic to a sialic crust, and represents the magmatic contribution to cratonization. Petrogenetic models for the origin of these rocks based on their highly fractionated, HREE-depleted rare earth patterns suggest a mafic crustal source, either through a process of partial melting of amphibolite, garnet-amphibolite, or eclogite, in which hornblende and/or garnet are essential residual phases, or by hornblende-controlled fractionation of hydrous basaltic magma. A series of vapor-absent (i.e., Pfluid< Ptotal) melting experiments on four natural basaltic compositions were conducted at 8, 16, 22 and 32 kbar in order to assess the validity of models for the origin of Archean granitoids which assume a mafic crustal source. Melt compositions produced by 10–40% melting are tonalitic-trondhjemitic at all pressures investigated; residual assemblages are amphibole+plag±opx±FeTi at 8 kbar, garnet+cpx±amphibole±plag±opx±FeTi oxide at 16 kbar, and garnet+cpx±rutile at 22 and 32 kbar. REE patterns for most of the trondhjemitic-tonalitic partial melts, calculated on the basis of estimated modal proportions of melt and residual phases, are highly fractionated (LaYb is 30–50), heavy rare earth-depleted (YbN is 1–10) when garnet is present to some extent in the residue; these REE patterns are similar to those of trondhjemitic and tonalitic gneisses from several Archean “grey gneiss” and granite-greenstone terrains. A consideration of estimated Archean geotherms with respect to the experimental P-T conditions indicates that a temporally diminishing Archean geotherm might have progressively swept through a P-T regime in which trondhjemitic-tonalitic melts could have been generated initially from a water-saturated (Pf=Pt) to undersaturated (Pf<Pt) amphibolite source by partial melting at 5–8 kbar. Subsequent relaxation of the geotherm through the mid- to late-Archean would have produced similar melts by vapor-absent melting of garnet-amphibolite at 16 kbar and eclogite at 22–32 kbar. However, the degree of melting required to produce melts of trondhjemitic-tonalitic composition increases with pressure, 10–15% melting being appropriate at 8 kbar in a amphibole-dominated residue, but 25–35% melting being required at 22–32 kbar, where garnet dominates the residue. Supposing the tendency for melt segregation and/or magma mobilization mechanisms to be more effective at higher degrees of melting, an origin by partial melting of eclogite seems to be the most likely source for massive plutonic trondhjemite-tonalite contributions to the juvenile continents. Such a source is consistent with the generation of trondhjemite-tonalite protocontinental cores in any number of plausible Archean tectono-thermal scenarios, though not necessarily in a conventional subduction-zone setting.
The opiomelanotropinergic neuronal and endocrine systems.

Abstract Opiomelanotropinergic cells in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary and in neurons in the brain secrete at least 7 peptides related to melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) and β-endorphin (BE). This paper reviews the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of opiomelanotropinergic neurons and discusses the implications of multi-neurotransmitter and multi-hormone neurons and cells.