cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved Submerged Inlet Conceptual Design Process using Data Mining and Surrogate Modeling

Submerged inlets have the potential to increase aircraft performance, but are difficult to design and integrate within an aircraft fuselage. This difficulty comes from the inherent complexity of submerged inlet flowfields. The strong vortices, thick boundary layers, and turbulent behavior of the submerged inlet requires that Navier-Stokes simulation or wind tunnel testing be used to provide design analysis. For the designer who wishes to optimize submerged inlet geometries at the low to medium fidelity “conceptual design” level, few viable optimization strategies are available. RANS CFD-based shape optimization is useful for producing localized optima for detailed design but remains too computationally expensive for large scale conceptual design studies. The execution of a coarse set of wind tunnel experiments at the conceptual level is prohibitively expensive and time consuming. Published wind tunnel studies provide limited sensitivity information, tend to be univariate in nature, and provide data within a limited range of applicability. The ability to interpolate a large mixed database of separate wind tunnel or computational experiments would provide an enhanced multivariate simulation capability for the inlet designer. This paper presents a methodology for the efficient data mining of a large non-homogenous, mixed database of submerged inlet experiments for the purposes of conceptual design. The methodology presented uses the techniques of design of experiments, surrogate modeling, and genetic algorithm optimization to efficiently determine an optimized inlet design. Steps of the proposed methodology are described in detail. Finally, a practical example problem is shown using NACA submerged inlet wind tunnel experiments as a database and ANSYS Fluent® with Sculptor® by Optimal Solutions for final solution verification.
A new species of shearwater of the genus Calonectris (Aves: Procellariidae) from a middle Pleistocene deposit on Bermuda

ABSTRACT Remains of at least 26 individuals of a Calonectris shearwater were recovered from a Pleistocene beach deposit on Bermuda that formed when sea-level was more than 21 m above present level during an interglacial (Marine Isotope Stage 11) 400,000 yr ago. Two prefledging juveniles in the sample indicate breeding on the island. This shearwater was the general size of C. d. diomedea of the Mediterranean but differs in proportions and in qualitative characters and is described as Calonectris wingatei, new species. The species appears to have become extinct shortly after the time of deposition, when rising sea-level is also thought to have caused the extinction of the Short-tailed Albatross Phoebastria albatrus on Bermuda. The Neogene history of the taxa of Calonectris in the Atlantic basin is examined in the context of major geological and oceanographic events.
Self-Regulatory Failure: A Resource-Depletion Approach

Three studies were conducted to test the behavioral consequences of effortful self-regulation. Individuals with chronic inhibitions about eating were exposed to situations varying in level of self-regulatory demand. Subsequently, participants' ability to self-regulate was measured. Two studies manipulated self-regulatory demand by exposing participants to good-tasting snack foods, whereas a third study required participants to control their emotional expressions. As hypothesized, exerting self-control during the first task led to decrements in self-control on a subsequent task. Moreover, these effects were not due to changes in affective state and occurred only when self-control was required in the first task. These findings are explained in terms of depletion of self-regulatory resources, which impairs successful volitional control.
Trace metal bioavailability in municipal solid waste and sewage sludge composts

A sequential extraction procedure was employed to determine the soil fractions, and assess plant availability of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in a Glynwood silt loam amended with five rates (0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 metric tons/ha) of composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) or composted sewage sludge (CSS) cropped to oats (Avena sativa). The application of the composts tended to shift the solid phase forms of the metals away from those extractable with HNO3 to those extractable with NaOH and EDTA. The more labile fractions (KNO3 and H2O extracts) of the metals typically decreased with application of CMSW and CSS. Crop dry matter increased at the 30 and 60 MT/ha CMSW rates by 142 and 152%, respectively, after which yields declined to below control values. Yields at all rates of CSS declined. The CMSW and CSS had an insignificant effect on concentrations of Cr and Pb in oat tissue, but tissue levels of Cu, Ni and Zn increased with increased rate of compost application.
Lessons to be learned from natural control of HIV - future directions, therapeutic, and preventive implications

Accumulating data generated from persons who naturally control HIV without the need for antiretroviral treatment has led to significant insights into the mechanisms of durable control of AIDS virus infection. At the center of this control is the HIV-specific CD8 T cell response, and the basis for this CD8-mediated control is gradually being revealed. Genome wide association studies coupled with HLA sequence data implicate the nature of the HLA-viral peptide interaction as the major genetic factor modulating durable control of HIV, but that host genetic factors account for only around 20% of the variability in control. Other factors including specific functional characteristics of the TCR clonotypes generated in vivo, targeting of vulnerable regions of the virus that lead to fitness impairing mutations, immune exhaustion and host restriction factors that limit HIV replication all have been shown to additionally contribute to control. Moreover, emerging data indicate that the CD8 T cell response may be critical for attempts to purge virus infected cells following activation of the latent reservoir, and thus lessons learned from elite controllers are likely to impact the eradication agenda. Ongoing efforts are also needed to understand and address the role of immune activation in disease progression, as it becomes increasingly clear that durable immune control in elite controllers comes at a cost. Taken together, the research achievements in the attempt to unlock the mechanisms behind natural control of HIV will continue to be an important source of insights and ideas in the continuous search after an effective HIV vaccine, and for the attempts to achieve a sterilizing or functional cure in HIV positive patients with progressive infection.
Behavioral Data and Methodology Issues in Studies of Zinc Nutrition in Humans

Despite the widespread incidence of childhood zinc (Zn) deficiency and strong evidence that Zn deprivation during periods of rapid growth affect brain development and behavior in animals, there is little research on the behavioral effects of Zn deficiency in children or adults. A brief review of previous human studies is followed by more detailed discussion of recent studies of Chinese and Mexican-American children, which showed beneficial effects of Zn repletion on neuropsychologic function. Methodology issues are reviewed and recommendations are made to assess the following: 1) a broad range of cognitive, psychomotor, emotional and social factors; 2) performance in the presence of secondary stressors to approximate real-world conditions more accurately; 3) continuous activity and rest in older children by the use of electronic activity monitors; and 4) electrophysiologic measures of brain function. It is concluded that research on cognition, behavioral activity and brain electrophysiology as outcomes of Zn deficiency and response to improved Zn nutrition is critical, given that Zn deficiency is common in both developing and developed countries.
Constructive engagement is the key to climate action

This year, scientists should resolve to follow the lead of Pope Francis and seek an inclusive approach to climate change, says Daniel Sarewitz.
Reducing Stress in Feline Patients

The standard of care for handling veterinary patients has changed. The late Dr. Sophia Yin devoted her career to teaching veterinary team members about the importance of attending to the behavioral needs of patients. Her books and videos1 clearly demonstrate practical techniques that can be used to reduce fear in dogs and cats when they are handled for veterinary procedures. Reducing patient stress is not an option. There is building evidence that it is a necessity. Over the years, studies in many species have demonstrated that there are physical, emotional, and economic consequences to overlooking the behavioral needs of animals. This report focuses on recent research regarding the cost of behavioral distress in cats and the ease with which their well-being can be maintained. Detecting stress in cats can be challenging. Their postural signals are less overt than those of dogs and are therefore easily overlooked. Nevertheless, cat owners are exquisitely sensitive to their cats’ needs. Veterinarians need to be equally sensitive.
Recent Cis-Trans Coevolution Driven by the Emergence of A Novel Gene in Drosophila

Young, or newly evolved, genes arise ubiquitously across the tree of life, and can rapidly acquire novel functions that influence a diverse array of biological processes1. Previous work identified a young regulatory gene in Drosophila, Zeus, which diverged rapidly from its parent Caf40 and took on roles in the male reproductive system. This neofunctionalization was accompanied by differential binding of the Zeus protein to loci throughout the Drosophila melanogaster genome2. However, the way in which new DNA-binding proteins acquire and co-evolve with their targets in the genome is not understood. Here, by comparing Zeus ChIP-seq data from D. melanogaster and D. simulans to the ancestral Caf40 binding events from D. yakuba, a species that diverged before the duplication event, we find a dynamic pattern in which Zeus binding rapidly co-evolved with a previously unknown DNA motif under the influence of positive selection. Interestingly, while both copies of Zeus acquired targets at male-biased and testis-specific genes, D. melanogaster and D. simulans proteins have specialized binding on different chromosomes, a pattern echoed in the evolution of the associated motif. Our results suggest that evolution of young regulatory genes can be coupled to substantial re-wiring of the transcriptional networks into which they integrate, even over short evolutionary timescales. Our results thus uncover dynamic, genome-wide evolutionary processes associated with new genes.
A comparative study of the endometrial jet-washing technic and endometrial biopsy.

A study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of the endometrial jet-washing technic for the detection of endometrial carcinoma. An endometrial biopsy, curettage, or hysterectomy was performed on each patient and the findings were correlated. The endometrial washing procedure and biopsy were done on an outpatient basis without analgesia or anesthesia. The sediment obtained by the endometrial washing procedure was prepared by paraffin section technic and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. One hundred and seventy-two washings were performed. One hundred and fifty-eight of the patients were more than 40 years of age. All six cases of endometrial carcinoma, four of the six cases of invasive cervical carcinoma, and five of the seven cases of carcinoma in situ of the cervix which were encountered were diagnosed by this technic. Only one case of atypical endometrial hyperplasia of the seven cases seen in the series was detected in the jet-washing specimen.
The Importance of Place in the Life and Career of a Social Work Pioneer: Insights From Interviews With Hortense King McClinton

This column explores the importance of place in the life of social work pioneer Hortense McClinton. McClinton's story is underscored by the centrality of place, especially her all-black hometown. M...
High Temperature Potting Materials for Wire Bond Encapsulation

Abstract Test results for a range of potting materials for encapsulation of wire bonds for a high temperature multi-chip module is presented. The potting materials include gels and more rigid epoxies, silicone, and silicone-ceramic materials. The materials were initially screened based on ease of processing, cracking, and weight loss at 200, 225, and 250°C. Materials that performed well after this initial screening were tested for insulation resistance at 200, 225, and 250°C and wire bonds were encapsulated for thermal cycled at −55 to 200°C and −55 to 250°C.
Pleasure and rebellion 1965???1980

“The more I make love, the more I make revolution.” So went the popular slogan in France at the height of the student revolts in 1968, when radicals also plastered the walls of Paris with signs demanding “Orgasm without Limits.” Or as a West German saying from the era had it, “Pleasure, sex and politics belong together.” It felt as though a new era had dawned. In British feminist Angela Carter's words, looking back on the later 1960s, “Truly it felt like Year One.” In Italy there was a slight time lag. As one commentator put it retrospectively, remembering the year 1975 (in not quite grammatical English): “In my (religious) country we saw sexual revolution only in TV, from U.S.; hippy generation was end in America but was just arrived in Italy!”
Mid-Holocene cultural adaptations to central Maine

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the cultural adaptations as a result of climatic changes in the state of Maine in the New England region (United States), focusing on the central Maine region. The study assesses the potential impacts of climatic and environment changes on humans, which can be seen as vegetation and climatic changes, wetland evolution, and changes in water levels. It explores the reason for stating that a climatic perturbation or environmental change impacted hunters and gatherers living in an ecosystem with considerable biological diversity, especially if, as suspected, cultural coping devices had evolved to buffer negative aspects of environmental variability. Central Maine experienced a lengthy warm and dry mid-Holocene period. A decade-long effort has produced a Holocene record of cultural events, vegetation, wetland evolution, lake levels, and moisture balance at comparable temporal and spatial scales. Following deglaciation, wetlands of various types dominated central Maine. As far as cultural changes are concerned, this chapter states that Maine’s aboriginal populations practiced hunting, fishing, and gathering in mid-Holocene times. Finally, it indicates that though changes did occur, aboriginal people could mitigate, or at least minimize, the impacts of environmental perturbations, through prey switching and moving people from affected areas.
Does Obesity Predispose Medical Intensive Care Unit Patients to Venous Thromboembolism despite Prophylaxis? A Retrospective Chart Review

Background. Obesity is a significant issue in the critically ill population. There is little evidence directing the dosing of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis within this population. We aimed to determine whether obesity predisposes medical intensive care unit patients to venous thromboembolism despite standard chemoprophylaxis with 5000 international units of subcutaneous heparin three times daily. Results. We found a 60% increased risk of venous thromboembolism in the body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 group compared to the BMI < 30 kg/m2 group; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance. After further utilizing our risk model, neither obesity nor mechanical ventilation reached statistical significance; however, vasopressor administration was associated with a threefold risk. Conclusions. We can conclude that obesity did increase the rate of VTE, but not to a statistically significant level in this single center medical intensive care unit population.
Adsorption capacity of multiple DNA sources to clay minerals and environmental soil matrices less than previously estimated

The cultivation and consumption of transgenic crops continues to be a widely debated topic, as the potential ecological impacts are not fully understood. In particular, because antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have historically been used as selectable markers in the genetic engineering of transgenic crops, it is important to determine if the genetic constructs found in decomposing transgenic crops persist long enough in the environment and if they can be transferred horizontally to indigenous microorganisms. In the present study, we address the question of persistence. Others have also estimated the DNA adsorption capacity of various clays, but have done so by manipulating the surface charge and size of particles tested which may overestimate sorption and underestimate the DNA available for horizontal transfer. In the present study, isotherms were generated using model Calf Thymus DNA and transgenic maize DNA without surface modification. Montmorillonite, kaolinite, and 3 soil mixtures with varying clay content were used in this study. The adsorption capacity of pure montmorillonite and kaolinite minerals was found to be one to two orders of magnitude less than previously estimated likely due to the distribution of clay particle sizes and heteroionic particle surface charge. However, it appears that a substantial amount of DNA is still able to adsorb onto these matrices (up to 200 mg DNA per gram of clay) suggesting the potential availability of free transgenic DNA in the environment may still be significant. Future studies should be conducted to determine the fate of these genes in agricultural soils.
Carbon nanotube based hybrid nanocarbon foam

Carbon nanotube (CNT) based nanocarbon foams (NFs) and the hybrid nanocarbon foams (HNFs) are fabricated in this work. The NFs are formed by using poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres as a template to create micro-scaled pores. The cell walls are made of CNT networks with nano-scaled pores. The interconnections among CNTs are secured using graphene and nanographite generated via carbonization of polyacrylonitrile. The resulting NFs are ultra-lightweight, highly elastic, electrically and thermally conductive, and robust in structure. The HNFs are made by infiltrating thermoplastic polymer into the NFs in a controllable procedure. Compared to NFs, the HNFs have much higher strength, same electrical conductivity, and limited increase in density. The compressive strength of the HNF increased more than 50 times while the density was changed less than 10 times due to the polymer infiltration. It is found that the deformed HNFs can recover in both structure and property when they are heated over the glass transition temperature of the infiltrated polymer. Such remarkable healing capability could broaden the applications of the HNFs.
Self-timing: a step beyond synchrony (tutorial talk)

Each part of a self-timed system starts work as soon as all its inputs are available, taking whatever time it needs to do its job and signaling when it is done. Each part waits for its predecessors to finish. The parts operate concurrently but not synchronously. Self-timed systems use local timing signals rather than a global clockSelf-timing eliminates the rigidity and energy consumption of a global clock. Self-timed systems operate over a wide range of power supply voltage. They automatically go slower at reduced voltage, saving energy both from lower voltage and from reduced speed. Their power-saving properties are making them increasingly attractive.The design challenge posed by self-timing is the subject of this tutorial. Self-timed systems need the usual proofs of logical correctness. In addition, because they can take advantage of average rather than worst-case delay, analysis of circuit delay based on data statistics will be important. Of course, it's essential to check the timing of local signals, but commercial timing tools all check timing against a global "clock" signal that's absent from self-timed systems. Instead, self-timing focuses attention on the relative timing of pairs of signals. Self-timed systems pose all the elusive problems of concurrency: deadlock, non-determinism, and arbitration.
Access Control Model for Virtual Objects (Shadows) Communication for AWS Internet of Things

The concept of Internet of Things (IoT) has received considerable attention and development in recent years. There have been significant studies on access control models for IoT in academia, while companies have already deployed several cloud-enabled IoT platforms. However, there is no consensus on a formal access control model for cloud-enabled IoT. The access-control oriented (ACO) architecture was recently proposed for cloud-enabled IoT, with virtual objects (VOs) and cloud services in the middle layers. Building upon ACO, operational and administrative access control models have been published for virtual object communication in cloud-enabled IoT illustrated by a use case of sensing speeding cars as a running example. In this paper, we study AWS IoT as a major commercial cloud-IoT platform and investigate its suitability for implementing the afore-mentioned academic models of ACO and VO communication control. While AWS IoT has a notion of digital shadows closely analogous to VOs, it lacks explicit capability for VO communication and thereby for VO communication control. Thus there is a significant mismatch between AWS IoT and these academic models. The principal contribution of this paper is to reconcile this mismatch by showing how to use the mechanisms of AWS IoT to effectively implement VO communication models. To this end, we develop an access control model for virtual objects (shadows) communication in AWS IoT called AWS-IoT-ACMVO. We develop a proof-of-concept implementation of the speeding cars use case in AWS IoT under guidance of this model, and provide selected performance measurements. We conclude with a discussion of possible alternate implementations of this use case in AWS IoT.
Exploring how Digital Technologies Can Support Co-Construction of Equitable Curricular Resources in STEM

The recent emphasis on engineering practices provides an opportunity for K-12 science and mathematics teachers to apply STEM concepts to real-world engineering design challenges (EDCs) for students (Next Generation Science Standards, 2013). We argue that engineering practices are more equitable when they are relatable to students and rooted in local experiences and social justice connections. There is promise in connecting middle school STEM teachers with minoritized engineers to achieve this goal. Digital technologies accessed through tablets can support teachers and engineers to form a community of practice (CoP; Lave & Wenger, 1991) and to collaborate, research, illustrate, and implement plans for equitable EDCs. We use a case study analysis to describe how two middle school STEM teachers and collaborating engineers use digital technologies within a blended community of practice to plan equitable EDCs using online collaboration and presentation tools. Teachers Kevin and Tania visually map their process of planning an EDC with professional engineers, creating connections between their middle school students, social justice issues, their own experiences, and content standards to create an EDC in which students were invested and motivated to devise solutions. The cases highlight how teachers adapted digital technologies to their needs to facilitate the co-construction of lesson plans with engineers.
Correlation of mRNA Expression and Signal Variability in Chronic Intracortical Electrodes.

Objective. The goal for this research was to identify molecular mechanisms that explain animal-to-animal variability in chronic intracortical recordings. Approach. Microwire electrodes were implanted into Sprague Dawley rats at an acute (1 week) and a chronic (14 weeks) timepoint. Weekly recordings were conducted, and action potentials were evoked in the barrel cortex by deflecting the rat’s whiskers. At 1 and 14 weeks, tissue was collected, and mRNA was extracted. mRNA expression was compared between 1 and 14 weeks using a high throughput multiplexed qRT-PCR. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between mRNA expression and signal-to-noise ratios at 14 weeks. Main Results. At 14 weeks, a positive correlation between SNR and NeuN and GFAP mRNA expression was observed, indicating a relationship between recording strength and neuronal health, as well as reactive astrocyte activity. The inflammatory state around the electrode interface was evaluated using M1-like and M2-like markers. Expression for both M1-like and M2-like mRNA markers remained steady from 1 to 14 weeks. Anti-inflammatory markers, CD206 and CD163 however, demonstrated a significant positive correlation with SNR quality at 14 weeks. VE-cadherin, a marker for adherens junctions, and PDGFR-β, a marker for pericytes, both partial representatives of blood brain barrier health, had a positive correlation with SNR at 14 weeks. Endothelial adhesion markers revealed a significant increase in expression at 14 weeks, while CD45, a pan-leukocyte marker, significantly decreased at 14 weeks. No significant correlation was found for either the endothelial adhesion or pan-leukocyte markers. Significance. A positive correlation between anti-inflammatory and BBB health mRNA markers with electrophysiological efficacy of implanted intracortical electrodes has been demonstrated. This data reveals potential mechanisms for further evaluation to determine potential target mechanisms to improve consistency of intracortical electrodes recordings and reducing animal-to-animal/implant-to-implant variability.
Filtration initiated selective homogeneity (FISH) desolvation: A new method to prepare gelatin nanoparticles with high physicochemical consistency

Abstract Biopolymer nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered much interest in the food industry as encapsulating materials for flavors, nutraceuticals and other bioactive compounds. The ability to control and reproduce NP physicochemical properties is a crucial step in the utilization of nanoscale formulations for food based and sustainable packaging applications. Conventional preparations of gelatin NPs involve a range of solution based methods with inconsistent nanoscale properties. Integrating a filtration step prior to gelatin NP formation obtained highly consistent physicochemical properties between two different gelatin types. The average diameter of the entire population was 143 ± 12 nm with a low polydispersity index of 0.07 ± 0.03. Volume distributions revealed a single peak confirming the existence of uniformly sized NPs. Gelatin NPs obtained high chemical crosslinking extents (≥87%) with synonymous chemical bonding determined via FTIR. Rhodamine 110 fluorescent agent incorporation maintained consistent diameters (∼140 nm) with significantly higher fluorescence measurements compared to empty particles. Our results indicate that greater control and reproducibility of gelatin nanoscale properties is dependent on gelatin molecular weight homogeneity prior to NP synthesis. The production of consistent NP properties is anticipated to propel the translation of gelatin NPs as bioactive encapsulators in food and sustainable packaging applications.
Safety and Feasibility of a Nocturnal Heart Rate Elevation-Exploration of a Novel Treatment Concept.

ABSTRACT Background Diastolic dysfunction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are associated with myocardial fibrosis and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). In a preclinical model of LVH, we demonstrated that a moderate increase in heart rate can reduce interstitial fibrosis and improve LV compliance. We therefore hypothesized that moderately elevated heart rates can be used to beneficially modify the myocardial substrate in patients with diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF. As a preliminary step to test this hypothesis, we evaluated if patients can tolerate this novel pacemaker-based treatment approach without adverse effects. Methods and Results A pacemaker-mediated increase in heart rate to 100 beats/min for 5 hours at night was tested over 4 weeks in 10 patients with diastolic dysfunction. The patients underwent a physical examination, biomarker collection, 6-minute walk test, heart failure questionnaire, and echocardiography before and after the pacing intervention. None of the patients reported any symptoms at night. No arrhythmias were induced. Eight patients completed the protocol. Three patients experienced unanticipated daytime pacing from an interfering pacemaker function. There were no detrimental changes in biomarkers or LV systolic function. Conclusions Nocturnal pacing at a rate of 100 beats/min appears to be safe and well tolerated in this small exploratory patient cohort.
IMRT planning parameter optimization for spine stereotactic radiosurgery

Spine stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS) is a noninvasive treatment for metastatic spine lesions. MD Anderson Cancer Center reports a quality assurance (QA) failure rate approaching 15% for SSRS cases, which we hypothesized is due to difficulties in accurately calculating dose resulting from a large number of small-area segments. Clinical plans typically use 9 beams with an average of 10 segments per beam and minimum segment area of 2 to 3 cm2. The purpose of this study was to identify a set of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning parameters that attempts to optimize the balance among QA passing rate, plan quality, dose calculation accuracy, and delivery time for SSRS plans. Using Pinnacle version 9.10, we evaluated the effects of 2 IMRT parameters: maximum number of segments and minimum segment area. Initial evaluation of the data revealed that 5 segments per beam along with minimum segment area of 4 cm2 and 4 minimum Monitor Units (MU) per segment (544 plans) was the most promising. IMRT QA was performed using an OCTAVIUS 4D phantom with a 2D detector array. Our data showed no significant plan quality change with decreased number of segments and increased minimum segment area. The average coverage of GTV and CTV was 82.5 ± 13% (clinical) vs 82.5 ± 13% (544) and 92.3 ± 8% (clinical) vs 91.5 ± 8% (544). Maximum point dose to cord was 11.4 ± 3.5 Gy (clinical) vs 11.0 ± 4.0 Gy (544). Total plan delivery time was decreased by an average of 11.3% for the 544 plans. In addition, the QA passing rate for the original plan vs the 544 plan averaged 90.3% and 91.9%, respectively. In conclusion, IMRT parameters of 5 segments per beam and 4 cm2 minimum segment area provided a better balance of plan quality, delivery efficiency, and plan dose calculation accuracy for SSRS.
A Neural Circuit-Based Model for Depression Anchored in a Synthesis of Insights From Functional Neuroimaging

Abstract Because of rapid advances in neuroimaging tools, we have an understanding of brain circuits involved in human self-reflective, affective, and cognitive functions. Disruptions in these functions are core to depression. Thus, we now have a framework for redefining depression as a neural circuit disorder. Here, we synthesize evidence that subtypes of depression may arise from profiles of dysfunction in at least six neural circuits: default mode, salience, negative affective, reward, attention, and cognitive control circuits. We illustrate how a neural circuit framework for depression also informs more precisely tailored treatment choices and a foundation for probing mechanisms of treatment response.
Improvements in the nutritional quality of US young adults based on food sources and socioeconomic status between 1989-1991 and 2011-2014.

Fast food and other away from home food sources are linked with poorer diet quality and adverse health outcomes. The diet quality of young adults, major consumers of fast food, is understudied in terms of long-term shifts based on food sources for key subpopulation disparities. The study included young adults ages 18–39 (n = 8012) from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1989–1991 (n = 4217) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 (n = 3795). We stratified individuals based on their combination of food sources, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Using 24-h dietary recall data, we measured diet quality with the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). Differences in diet quality were determined using 95% confidence intervals. Overall, diet quality increased across all food sources between the 1989–1991 and 2011–2014 surveys. The restaurant category overtook the at home category as the healthiest food source, while the fast food category remained the unhealthiest on days it was consumed. Vegetable intake decreased, while added sugar intake increased across all sources. Non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks experienced similar increases in HEI-2015 scores across all food sources except restaurants, while Mexican American diet quality remained unchanged. Although all income levels experienced an increase in diet quality, the disparity between low- and high-income groups increased considerably. US young adults consume healthier foods from all food sources, however, fast food consumers have significantly lower quality in the remainder of their diets. Additionally, Mexican Americans and low-income individuals emerge as high-risk groups for poor diet quality.
Abstract 3669: Defining an ELAVL1-Musashi 2 signaling cascade in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis

Background: Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma endure an extremely intense, multidrug treatment regimen and yet, approximately half of them die, thus mandating a better approach to this cancer. Our laboratory is investigating the overarching hypothesis that RNA binding proteins (RBPs), which play key roles in balancing self-renewal, differentiation, and cell proliferation, are deregulated in neuroblastoma, and drive oncogenic signaling networks. Therefore, RBPs may constitute novel targets for therapeutic development. In this work, we focus on Musashi 2 (MSI2), an RBP that has been shown to play a critical role in the maintenance of stem cell populations and in the formation of aggressive tumors, notably in acute myeloid leukemia and in colon cancer. The role of MSI2 in neuroblastoma, however, has not been assessed and is the focus of this investigation. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we used in silico analysis of neuroblastoma gene expression datasets annotated with clinical parameters. Additionally, we used shRNAs to manipulate transcripts of interest in neuroblastoma cells and measured effects on cell proliferation, cell cycle status, and apoptosis. Results: Gene expression profiling revealed that MSI2 is robustly expressed in neuroblastoma cell lines, tumors, and patient derived xenografts, within both the MYCN and non-MYCN amplified context. Immunoblotting in a representative panel of lines confirmed the expression of MSI2 at the level of protein. High MSI2 expression was associated with more advanced stages of neuroblastoma across multiple independent datasets and was correlated with worse survival. Depletion of MSI2 using four independent shRNAs led to 2 to 3-fold decreased proliferation across four cell lines that was due in part to increased apoptosis. Another RBP, ELAVL1, is also expressed within neural lineages, and has been shown to regulate MSI1 expression. We hypothesized that ELAVL1 might similarly promote MSI2 expression and we demonstrated that, ELAVL1 depletion led to decreased MSI2 expression. Conclusions: MSI2 is robustly expressed in multiple models of neuroblastoma and appears to drive increased proliferation and survival. Currently, we are investigating the functional interplay between ELAVL1 and MSI2 providing a foundation for designing strategies to target the ELAVL1-MSI2 interaction for therapeutic effect. Citation Format: Selma M. Cuya, Adeiye Pilgrim, Komal Rathi, DongDong Chen, Robert Schnepp. Defining an ELAVL1-Musashi 2 signaling cascade in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3669.
Perceived Hearing Loss, Social Disengagement, and Declines in Memory

A growing body of evidence suggests that age-related hearing loss is related to changes in older adults' memory. We test the hypothesis that the association is due to social disengagement following the onset of perceived hearing loss. At ages 65 (2004) and 72 years (2011), 3,986 participants from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) self-reported on hearing problems and several types of social engagement and completed three tests of memory. We estimated fixed effects regression models. Perceived hearing loss was related to significant decline in memory. Declines in frequency of in-person social contact were also associated with declining memory, but there was no evidence of a mechanism wherein reductions in social engagement explained the association between perceived hearing loss and memory decline. We conclude that self-reported hearing loss and social disengagement are likely independent risk factors for memory loss among older adults.
Olfaction Is Associated With Sexual Motivation and Satisfaction in Older Men and Women

Abstract Background Sensory function declines with age and may impact sexual function in older adults. Indeed, the sense of smell plays a uniquely strong role in sexual motivation. Therefore, olfactory dysfunction in older adults may be intimately linked to changes in sexual desire and satisfaction. Aim To test whether impaired olfactory function is associated with decreased sexual activity and motivation in older adults. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older U.S. adults from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Outcomes 2 modalities of olfactory function were measured (sensitivity to n-butanol and odor identification) via validated methods (Sniffin’ Sticks). Respondents answered survey questions about frequency of sexual thoughts (motivation) and sexual activity, and satisfaction with their most recent sexual relationship. A wide range of demographic, health, and social information were also collected. Results Decreased olfactory function in older U.S. adults was associated with decreased sexual motivation (odds ratio 0.93, P = .03) and less emotional satisfaction with sex (odds ratio 0.89, P = .04), but not decreased frequency of sexual activity or physical pleasure, in analyses that were adjusted for age, gender, race, education, cognition, comorbidities, and depression. Clinical Implications Olfactory dysfunction may affect sexuality in older adults. Potentially treatable causes of sensory loss should be addressed by clinicians to improve quality of life. Strengths & Limitations These results rely on validated olfactory testing, detailed measures of sexual attitudes and behaviors, and extensive demographic, health, and social history in a nationally representative sample of older U.S. adults. Owing to the cross-sectional nature of these analyses, we cannot determine causality. Conclusions Olfactory dysfunction in older U.S. adults is associated with decreased sexual motivation and emotional satisfaction, potentially due to evolutionarily-conserved neurological links between olfaction and sexuality. Siegel JK, Kung SY, Wroblewski KE, et al. Olfaction Is Associated With Sexual Motivation and Satisfaction in Older Men and Women. J Sex Med 2021;18:295–302.
The Research of an Optimized Three-Level SVPWM Strategy

Three-level converter is a hot spot in the field of high power commutation research and application, and one of its key technologies is modulation strategy that deserves attention. Traditional space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) has some disadvantages such as complex algorithm and large amount of computation. For this, an optimized strategy is proposed. By redividing the vector sector, the three-level SVPWM is converted into two-level SVPWM. And the mature and simple seven-stage two-level SVPWM technology is used to obtain the control of equivalent switching state, which simplifies the calculation and is easier to be realized digitally. At the same time, according to the characteristics of this modulation strategy, a neutral point voltage balance control method is proposed. Finally, the feasibility of this strategy is proved by simulation experiments.
Terahertz transients and coherent cyclotron resonance spectroscopy in semiconductors

The generation and characterization of THz radiation originating from real and virtual electronic excitations in a semiconductor in the presence of a magnetic field is described through representative experimental results for GaAs.
State of the Field Survey: Spinal Cord Stimulator Use by Academic Pain Medicine Practices

Objective The concept of neuromodulation via the use of spinal cord stimulators (SCS) was first established over forty years ago. Since then, its popularity has grown as numerous studies have demonstrated its utility to reduce chronic pain, improve patient function, and reduce long-term health care costs. The aim of this study was to update the pain medicine community on the evolution of SCS practice trends in academic centers. Design Ninety-three pain medicine fellowship programs in the United States were identified from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Website and were contacted to participate in an internet survey. A 37-item questionnaire was inspired by a previous study performed by Fanciullo et al. Questions focused on three main themes regarding SCS clinical application, namely demographics, education, and technical matters. Results Completed surveys were received from 50 institutions, all of which reported performing SCS interventions. Annual implants ranged from 0 to 150. Fellowship training was cited as the most valuable modality for learning implantation. Nearly all programs reported manufacturer representative participation during SCS procedures, with a minority of program directors discouraging their involvement in fellow education. SCS trials were performed exclusively on an outpatient basis. The average length for trials was 4–7 days. The most common indication for SCS implantation was failed back surgery syndrome, which also had the highest 2-year success rate. Post procedure, patients generally were followed up every 2–4 weeks for device reprogramming, which was performed by company representatives 92% of the time. Conclusion Standardized SCS training is imperative as the implementation of neuromodulation therapy continues to increase.
Characterization of ultra wideband channel in data centers

In this paper, we present a measurement based characterization of the Ultra Wideband (UWB) channel in a data center environment. We find that although a modified Saleh-Valenzuela model characterizes the UWB channel, some of the model parameters such as delay spread and log normal shadowing are unique to the data center environment.
Association Sites of Lysozyme in Solution I. THE ACTIVE SITE

Abstract Sedimentation equilibrium experiments with lysozyme at 13° and 20°, 0.15 ionic strength, and near pH 8 have shown that the presence of N-acetylglucosamine and of the disaccharide (GlcNAc-GlcNAc) and trisaccharide (GlcNAc-GlcNAc-GlcNAc) greatly reduces the extent of reversible dimerization of lysozyme reported previously (Sophianopoulos, A. J., and Van Holde, K. E., J. Biol. Chem., 239, 2516 (1964)). This indicates that the enzymatically active region of lysozyme is one of the sites of contact for the formation of dimer in solution or is near such a site. The dimer dissociation constant of lysozyme in the absence of saccharide at 20° and under the conditions described above is Kd = (P)2/(PP) = (2.71 ± 0.24) x 10-3 m. If it is assumed that saccharide (S) can bind to the monomer protein species (P) to form a complex (PS) but that the dimer species (PS·PS) cannot be formed, the values for the dissociation constant of the PS complex Ks = (P)(S)/(PS) can be calculated indirectly, by using exclusively results from sedimentation equilibrium experiments in the presence and absence of the saccharides. Two distinct sets of values of Ks are obtained, depending on whether it is assumed that the reversible dimerization is a "head to tail" process (Case 1) or a "head to head" one (Case 2). The average values of Ks obtained for the GlcNAc-protein complex are: assuming Case 1 at 20°, (2.1 ± 0.7) x 10-2 m and at 13°, (1.0 ± 0.4) x 10-2 m; for Case 2 at 20°, (7.5 ± 2.8) x 10-2 m and at 13°, (4.8 ± 1.7) x 10-2 m. The saccharides GlcNAc-GlcNAc and GlcNAc-GlcNAc-GlcNAc are hydrolyzed slowly during sedimentation equilibrium so that equilibrium, presumably, was not reached. The values of Ks calculated for GlcNAc-GlcNAc and GlcNAc-GlcNAc-GlcNAc were approximately an order of magnitude larger than those obtained by dialysis. The values of Ks obtained when Case 1 is assumed for GlcNAc agree much better with the ones obtained from equilibrium dialysis. Previous studies indicated that a group with a pKa of 6.2 is affected by the dimerization of lysozyme and that this group is probably a carboxylate. Since the present study indicated that the active site is involved in the dimerization of lysozyme and crystallographic studies indicate that glutamic acid residue 35 lies in the "cleft" of the active region and that it probably has a high pKa, a reasonable conclusion is that the ionizable group with a pKa of 6.2 which is involved in dimerization is glutamic acid residue 35.
Democratization and Redistributive Policymaking: Taxation, Social Spending and Labor Market Regulation in Brazil and the Dominican Republic

One of the longest standing notions about the policy impact of democracy is that it tends to undermine inequality by politically empowering the economically disadvantaged. Theorists as far back as Aristotle have argued that, given the chance, the poor will use the tools of democracy to pressure for policies that redistribute income downward (Lenski 1966; Meltzer and Richard 1981). Tests of this hypothesis, however, have arrived at conflicting conclusions: while some support it (Cutright 1967; Huber et al 2006) others do not (Bollen and Jackman 1985; Ross 2006). That there would be no consistent empirical relationship between regime type and redistribution is not altogether surprising if one considers the enormous range of redistributive outcomes that can readily be found among both democratic and authoritarian regimes. For every Denmark, with its generous democratic welfare state, there is a Switzerland, where elected governments have avoided extensive redistribution. The contrasts are even sharper on the authoritarian side. For every Spain, where the Franco regime stonewalled demands for redistributive reforms for decades, there is a Cuba, where the post-1959 revolutionary elite implemented such reforms on a massive scale.
History Matters: Individual Analysts' Responses to Quarterly Guidance

We ask whether the history of interactions between a firm and its analysts affects management's quarterly earnings forecast decision and analysts' subsequent earnings estimate revisions. We show that the history of their interactions not only reflects their individual incentives but is also used to form expectations about current decisions. Specifically, guidance is more likely to be pessimistically biased if management has a history of offering pessimistic forecasts and if analysts have tended to respond passively (i.e., by mimicking guidance or revising in the direction indicated by management). Individual analysts are more likely to respond passively to management's current forecast if they have historically responded in such a manner or if management has tended to offer unbiased or accurate guidance. Analysts with superior earnings forecasting track records are less likely to respond passively to guidance that is pessimistically biased. Collectively, our results indicate that downward bias in quarterly guidance and information production by analysts depend on what management and analysts have learned about each other over time as reflected in their forecasting histories.