cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple myeloma in a dog: a typical presentation with an atypical serum protein electrophoretogram

A nine-year-old spayed female labrador retriever presented with marked paraparesis. Radiographic imaging revealed regions of osteolysis within the spinous process of the L1 vertebra and the lamina and pedicles of the T13 vertebra. Cytological examination of the bone marrow exhibited a marked increase in plasma cells; histopathology of a core needle biopsy from the L1 spinous process revealed normal bone marrow findings with only scattered plasma cells. The serum biochemical profile demonstrated multiple abnormalities, some of which are frequently observed in cases of multiple myeloma such as hypercalcaemia and hyperglobulinemia. Initial serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) exhibited a tall, narrow peak of the β-1 region superimposed onto a broad total β globulin base. The SPE also demonstrated a second α-2 spike and low γ fraction. Although a urinalysis revealed a significant proteinuria, the patient lacked a Bence Jones proteinuria. The combined diagnostic workup was consistent with multiple myeloma.
A longitudinal study regarding the gestational changes in iodine nutrition and thyroid function among pregnant women in the iodine deficient areas of Henan province

Objective To characterize the gestational changes of iodine nutrition and thyroid function and to explore the factors associated with the thyroid function in pregnant women. Methods A longitudinal survey was conducted in 130 pregnant women in Luohe city of Henan province from October 2012 to May 2013. Samples of fasting blood and urine were collected in each trimester to test on thyroid function and urinary iodine. Data regarding social demography and lifestyle behavior were collected through questionnaire in the first trimester. Results The medians of urinary iodine(MUI) for pregnant women were 238.9, 150.8 and 306.4 μg/L in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively (P 0.05) but the level of free thyroxine (FT4) decreased (P<0.05), with the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) increased and then declined (P<0.05). A U-shaped curve were seen between iodine nutrition and thyroid function. With the increase of iodine level, the level of TSH first increased and then decreased while the levels of FT3 and FT4 showed the opposite trend. The level of TSH was influenced by factors as education level, history of chronic diseases, history of CT and X-ray examination, and intake of pickled food etc. The level of FT4 was associated with residence (urban or rural),stressful events in the previous year, daily means of transportation, and the hours of sedentariness, working and sleeping. Conclusion Significant differences were noticed in iodine nutrition and thyroid function of pregnant women during the three trimesters. It was essential to establish specific reference ranges for different trimesters. Thyroid functions of pregnant women seemed to be associated with iodine level and lifestyle. Key words: Iodine; Pregnancy; Thyroid function
Mechanistic Origin of the Ultrastrong Adhesion between Graphene and a-SiO2: Beyond van der Waals

The origin of the ultrastrong adhesion between graphene and a-SiO2 has remained a mystery. This adhesion is believed to be predominantly van der Waals (vdW) in nature. By rigorously analyzing recently reported blistering and nanoindentation experiments, we show that the ultrastrong adhesion between graphene and a-SiO2 cannot be attributed to vdW forces alone. Our analyses show that the fracture toughness of the graphene/a-SiO2 interface, when the interfacial adhesion is modeled with vdW forces alone, is anomalously weak compared to the measured values. The anomaly is related to an ultrasmall fracture process zone (FPZ): owing to the lack of a third dimension in graphene, the FPZ for the graphene/a-SiO2 interface is extremely small, and the combination of predominantly tensile vdW forces, distributed over such a small area, is bound to result in a correspondingly small interfacial fracture toughness. Through multiscale modeling, combining the results of finite element analysis and molecular dynamics simula...
Three-dimensional spectral domain optical coherence tomography of a clear corneal cataract incision

A prototype 1,310-nm wavelength spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) instrument was constructed and mounted onto a conventional slit lamp for imaging of the anterior segment. The device had an axial resolution of 8 microm and was able to acquire real-time two-dimensional images at 14 frames/second and full three-dimensional datasets in approximately 7 seconds. An SD-OCT dataset of 100 B-scans, each consisting of 512 A-scans, was acquired from the left eye ofa patient who had undergone phacoemulsification with a clear corneal incision. The resulting dataset could be manipulated in three-dimensional space to analyze the geometry of the wound. Additionally, stromal edema and iris features were clearly imaged with the device. SD-OCT can be used to analyze clear corneal incisions to determine optimal wound construction technique and geometry as they relate to the prevention of complications such as postoperative wound leak, infection, and epithelial ingrowth.
A Global Green New Deal: Conclusion: international priorities for a Global Green New Deal

Promoting global governance, facilitating access to financing and enhancing trade incentives are the three priority areas for actions by the international community in support of a Global Green New Deal. Without these actions, the effectiveness of the GGND may be severely constrained. The GGND strategy outlined in this book recommends an expanded global policy role for the twenty rich and emerging economies that comprise the G20 forum. This recommendation is consistent with the strategy outlined in part II, that the G20 economies should spend at least 1 percent of their GDP over the next several years on reducing carbon dependency, including improving the sustainability of transport. The total amount spent would amount to about one-quarter of the nearly US$3 trillion in G20 stimulus investments to date (see box 1.1). If the G20 economies coordinated the timing and implementation of these investments globally, the overall impact on moving the world economy to a low-carbon recovery path would be boosted. Another way in which concerted policy action by the G20 could signal its commitment to greening the global economic recovery would be if the G20 also instigated pricing and regulatory reforms for reducing carbon dependency, including the removal of perverse subsidies and other distortions in energy, transport and similar markets. In addition, all G20 economies should agree to adopt carbon pricing policies, such as cap-and-trade or carbon taxes, to assist the transition of their economies to a low-carbon growth path.
Low Serum Testosterone Level Predisposes to Artificial Urinary Sphincter Cuff Erosion

Objective To examine the association between decreased serum testosterone levels and artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) cuff erosion. Materials and Methods We evaluated serum testosterone levels in 53 consecutive patients. Low testosterone was defined as t tests, Kaplan-Meier analysis, binary logistic regression, and Cox regression analysis were used to determine statistical significance. Results Nearly all men with AUS cuff erosions had low serum testosterone (18/20, 90.0%) compared to those without erosions (12/33, 36.4%, P P = .009) and Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated decreased erosion-free follow-up (log-rank P = .002). Low testosterone was the sole independent risk factor for erosion in a multivariable model including coronary artery disease and radiation (odds ratio 15.78; 95% confidence interval 2.77-89.92, P = .002). Notably, history of prior AUS, radiation, androgen ablation therapy, or concomitant penile implant did not confound risk of cuff erosion in men with low testosterone levels. Conclusion Men with low testosterone levels are at a significantly higher risk to experience AUS cuff erosion. Appropriate counseling before AUS implantation is warranted and it is unclear whether testosterone resupplementation will mitigate this risk.
Rapid identification of transformed wheat using a half-seed PCR assay.

A simple, nondestructive PCR-based screening method has been developed for identifying putative transgenic soft white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) carrying the coat protein gene of wheat str...
Meckel Cave Prominence, Asymmetry, and Petrous Apex Cephaloceles

Meckel cave is the location of the gasserian ganglion of the trigeminal cranial nerve V (CNV), being situated in the medial portion of the middle cranial fossa and inferolateral to the cavernous sinus. Basically, the trigeminal fibers (using the sensory pathways as an example) from V1 (ophthalmic), V2 (maxillary), and V3 (mandibular) combine in Meckel cave at the gasserian ganglion (also termed the trigeminal ganglion or semilunar ganglion). The nerves then pass through the porus trigeminus (the transit point between the middle cranial fossa into the posterior fossa) into the cisternal portion (prepontine cistern) to enter the brainstem at the root entry zone (REZ) and then to the appropriate nuclei.
Molecular cloning of an endo-pectate lyase gene from Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica

Abstract We report the construction of a clone library of the Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica genome and the isolation of a gene for endo -pectate lyase. The library, inserted into the Pst I site of plasmid pBR322, contains approximately 1700 clones. Five of these produce pectolytic enzymes as detected by a plate screening assay. Using a cloned endo -pectate lyase gene from the related bacterium, E. carotovora subsp. carotovora , as a probe, we found that one pectolytic E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica clone had strong homology to the probe. We characterized that clone by restriction endonuclease mapping and studied its pectolytic protein product. The purified enzyme is an endo -pectate lyase with a cofactor preference for Co 2+ . The molecular weight of the protein is 31 000 and it has an isoelectric focusing point of 9·2, corresponding to an endo -pectate lyase produced by E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica , but not to the protein product of the E. carotovora subsp. carotovora probe DNA, which has a pI of 9·5. Restriction endonuclease site polymorphisms in the two cloned endo -pectate lyase genes suggest substantial sequence divergence between these two loci.
Bioelectricity production in photosynthetic microbial desalination cells under different flow configurations

Abstract This study presents the first report on the performance of Photosynthetic microbial desalination cells under different flow configurations. Three different photosynthetic MDCs (using Chlorella vulgaris) were evaluated for their performance and energy generation potentials. Static (fed-batch, SPMDC), continuous flow (CFPMDC) and a photobioreactor MDC (PBMDC, resembling lagoon type PMDCs) were developed to study the impact of process operation and design on wastewater treatment, electricity generation, nutrient removal, and biomass production capacities. A maximum power density of 753.75 mW m−3 was produced in a SPMDC while a higher biomass growth rate of 7 mg L−1 h−1 was recorded for CFPMDC. In addition, PMDCs showed high removal rates of organic carbon and nutrient compounds. Experimental studies revealed that PMDCs can be configured to maximize energy recovery through either biomass or bioelectricity production. Finally, microbial composition analysis on different biosolids samples in the PMDCs revealed very diverse groups of microbial communities.
Consensus, Convergence, and Strategic Public Reasoning

Theories of public reason hold that authoritative commands are justified if all who are subject to such commands have reason to accept them. Beyond this, public reason theories differ. Consensus public reason liberals hold that persons must have the same reason for endorsing the commands they live under. Convergence public reason liberals hold that persons may have different reasons for accepting the commands. Strikingly, there is little examination of the effects these theories of public reason have in terms of likely policy outcomes. This paper develops a game theoretic model of consensus and convergence theories of public reason. The model finds a genuine trade-off between the two theories. Convergence public reason gives too much power to the (potentially arbitrary) agenda setter, while consensus public reason has a tendency to over-implement unjust reforms. These results inform where public reason liberals should focus their attention when debating accounts of public justification.
Firearm mortality in California, 2000-2015: the epidemiologic importance of within-state variation.

Abstract Purpose Firearm mortality is a significant problem in the United States. Previous studies have largely focused on firearm mortality at the national or state level, leaving open the question of within-state variation. This study examined firearm mortality within California. Methods We used Multiple Cause of Death data files to identify all firearm fatalities in California from 2000 to 2015. We described firearm mortality rates and counts over time, by age and county, stratifying by intent, gender, and race/ethnicity. County-level rates were smoothed with empirical Bayes estimates from random-effect Poisson models. Results From 2000 to 2015, there were 24,922 firearm homicides and 23,682 firearm suicides in California. Rates of firearm homicide decreased 30% and suicide rates increased 1% since the mid-2000s, but these trends varied substantially by county. Due to a decline in firearm homicides in metropolitan areas, there was no significant difference in these rates between urban and rural counties by 2015. Non-Hispanic black men had the highest rate of firearm homicide, but Hispanic men had the greatest number of deaths. Conclusions We found considerable intrastate variation in firearm mortality in California. Our results will be of interest to researchers, policymakers, and public health practitioners. Similar epidemiologic profiles of firearm mortality are warranted for other states.
The protection against crime as a Human right: positive obligations of the Police

The police are seen as a professional service provider when their duties and standards of care are enforced by the clients of their service, that is ordinary individuals. Actual or potential victims of crime use constitutional review, which examines positive obligations of the police in relation to specific human rights. Within the scope and limits of constitutional review, police duties are determined before, as well as after, harm has been inflicted on innocent individuals. These duties encompass both systemic and more specific and practical measures of protection of human rights against crime. The individual form of protection is subject to certain conditions of proximity (such as the element of knowledge of the personal need for human rights protection). Additional limits are recognised where there is a conflict of rights, and in relation to the availability of resources. Accordingly, the professional duties and requisite performance standards of the police are determined, reviewed and enforced under a consistent legal framework.
Developing the Working Alliance in Marital Therapy; A Psychodynamic Perspective

A good working alliance in marital therapy is one in which the partners are actively collaborating with their therapist to work through conflicts. The therapist begins to develop the alliance by setting the frame of therapy and helping the couple understand the guidelines of treatment. The partners gradually identify with and emulate the therapist's working style and use of self as a reflective instrument. The working alliance can be weakened by empathic failures and strengthened by increased feelings of trust in the therapist and the process of treatment This paper looks at the development of the working alliance in marital therapy from a psychodynamic perspective. A clinical illustration is included.
Improving Transaxle Performance at Low Temperature with Reduced-Viscosity Automatic Transmission Fluids

The effects of automatic transmission fluid viscosity on the low-temperature performance of a front-wheel-drive transaxle were determined in a cold room maintained at a temperature of -20/sup 0/F (-28.9/sup 0/C), using both a cranking apparatus and a vehicle. Cranking and vehicle tests were conducted to determine the effects of fluid viscosity on the power required to crack a transaxle and on transaxle performance under low-temperature transient operation, respectively. Four automatic transmission fluids were tested, ranging in viscosity from 2 600 to 16 000 cP at - 20/sup 0/F. All test fluids contained the same additive package and were blended using the same types of base oils.
On multiple-objective optimal designs

Abstract Experiments with multiple objectives form a staple diet of modern scientific research. Deriving optimal designs with multiple objectives is a long-standing challenging problem with few tools available. The few existing approaches cannot provide a satisfied solution in general: either the computation is very expensive or a satisfied solution is not guaranteed. A novel algorithm is proposed to address this literature gap. We prove convergence of this algorithm, and show in various examples that the new algorithm can derive the true solutions with high speed.
The feasibility of an inpatient intervention to improve end-of-life care in gynecologic oncology patients.

69Background: Unscheduled hospitalizations in patients with advanced cancer predicts < 6 month median survival. Patients with cancer hospitalized near the end of life (EOL) often receive aggressive treatments without survival advantages and have poor quality-of-life. EOL discussions and palliative care (PC) services reduce aggressive care. Methods: An intervention was designed to decrease aggressive EOL care in Gynecologic Oncology (GO) inpatients at a high risk for death within 6 months. Inclusion criteria were advanced gynecologic cancer and 1 of the following: bowel obstruction, failure to thrive, dehydration, cancer-related pain, malignant pleural effusion or ascites, or PCN management. Patients were identified by the care team on admission. An independent auditor assessed if patients were appropriately identified. Eligible patients received a 3-part high risk Gynecologic Oncology (HR-GO) bundle: 1) PC consult, 2) goals of care (GOC) conversation ≤ 48 hours of admission, and 3) PC follow-up within 2 w...
Health and Academic Consequences of Sexual Victimization Experiences among Students in a University Setting.

The current study examines the association between multiple interpersonal violence victimisation types experienced in a university setting and the consequences for each type. Students at a mid-Atla...
Outbreak of Mycobacterium chelonae associated with use of jet injector and receiving injections at an outpatient podiatry clinic, Indiana

BACKGROUND Recent outbreak investigations in nonhospital settings have identified infection control breaches and concerns with injection safety. Infections due to Mycobacterium chelonae were identified in six patients who received injections at a podiatry clinic. Prior to injection, all patients received lidocaine via needleless/jet injector to reduce pain associated with the injection. An investigation was initiated to determine the extent of infection, assess risk factors, and implement infection control measures. METHODS All identified patients received an injection within one month. Upon patient identification, data was collected on all patients with a positive laboratory result or clinical symptoms associated with receiving an injection within that month. Patient case classification was determined from medical chart review. A confirmed case was defined as having symptoms of redness, swelling, and abscess at the injection site, with a positive culture indicating Mycobacterium ?chelonae. Because of the ubiquity of Mycobacterium chelonae in the environment, various samples were taken from water sources at the clinic, including a device flush of sterile water from the needleless/jet injector. Infection control was assessed using the “Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Tool for Outpatient Settings” (ICAR) from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS Of the six patients that met the confirmed case definition, the average time between injection and illness onset was 15?days. Common symptoms included redness, swelling, and abscess. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results were indistinguishable. Environmental samples of tap water grew Mycobacterium phocaicum/mucogenicum and the device flush grew Bacillus cereus group species. The ICAR identified numerous infectious control breaches. CONCLUSIONS This investigation found that a breach in infection control took place, specifically associated with improper aseptic technique, inadequate disinfection and sterilization of equipment, batch compounding, and environmental cleaning. Because the jet injector was consistently cleaned with tap water, the cultured organisms support the possibility of an infection control breach, namely Mycobacterium chelonae.
Vibrationally specific photoionization cross sections of acrolein leading to the X̃A′2 ionic state

The vibrational branching ratios in the photoionization of acrolein for ionization leading to the XA′2 ion state were studied. Computed logarithmic derivatives of the cross section and the corresponding experimental data derived from measured vibrational branching ratios for several normal modes (ν9, ν10, ν11, and ν12) were found to be in relatively good agreement, particularly for the lower half of the 11–100 eV photon energy range considered. Two shape resonances have been found near photon energies of 15.5 and 23 eV in the photoionization cross section and have been demonstrated to originate from the partial cross section of the A′ scattering symmetry. The wave functions computed at the resonance complex energies are delocalized over the whole molecule. By looking at the dependence of the cross section on the different normal mode displacements together with the wave function at the resonant energy, a qualitative explanation is given for the change of the cross sections with respect to changing geometry.
Price Decision Making in a Centralized/Decentralized Solid Waste Disposal Supply Chain with One Contractor and Two Disposal Facilities

Solid waste management has been an interesting topic for researchers in few last decades. This paper studies a price-sensitive demand for the waste disposal service of two disposal facilities who are dealing with a contractor to gain more profit. The waste disposal process is studied in a supply chain structure where a contractor manages to collect the waste from the producers and transport them to the facilities for disposal. Two scenarios are proposed where at the first one the disposal facilities lead a price Stackelberg game over the contractor, and in the second scenario, both disposal facilities and the contractor cooperate on the chain decision variables in an integrated framework. A numerical example is performed to illustrate the efficiency and applications of the proposed model.
A Combined MEMS Threshold Pressure Sensor and Switch

In this study, a combined threshold pressure sensor and switch is introduced. The sensor detects when the pressure drops below a threshold value and automatically triggers a switch without the need for any computational overhead to read the pressure or trigger the switch. This system exploits the significant fluid interaction of a MEMS beam undergoing a large oscillation from electrostatic levitation to detect changes in ambient pressure. The levitation electrode configuration is combined with a parallel-plate system by adding an extra voltage to an electrode that is traditionally grounded, giving the system the ability to simultaneously act as a switch by toggling to and from the pulled-in position. It is experimentally demonstrated that the pressure sensing/switching mechanism is feasible and the threshold pressure to trigger the switch can be controlled by adjusting the voltage applied to the switch electrode.
Frequency Response of Induced-Charge Electrophoretic Metallic Janus Particles.

The ability to manipulate and control active microparticles is essential for designing microrobots for applications. This paper describes the use of electric and magnetic fields to control the direction and speed of induced-charge electrophoresis (ICEP) driven metallic Janus microrobots. A direct current (DC) magnetic field applied in the direction perpendicular to the electric field maintains the linear movement of particles in a 2D plane. Phoretic force spectroscopy (PFS), a phase-sensitive detection method to detect the motions of phoretic particles, is used to characterize the frequency-dependent phoretic mobility and drag coefficient of the phoretic force. When the electric field is scanned over a frequency range of 1 kHz–1 MHz, the Janus particles exhibit an ICEP direction reversal at a crossover frequency at ~30 kH., Below this crossover frequency, the particle moves in a direction towards the dielectric side of the particle, and above this frequency, the particle moves towards the metallic side. The ICEP phoretic drag coefficient measured by PFS is found to be similar to that of the Stokes drag. Further investigation is required to study microscopic interpretations of the frequency at which ICEP mobility switched signs and the reason why the magnitudes of the forward and reversed modes of ICEP are so different.
Effects of strain-hardening representation in sheet metal forming calculations of 2036-T4 aluminum

This paper describes numerical results from finite element modeling of several standard sheet metal forming tests of 2036-T4 aluminum, using two hardening representations, namely, the conventional power law model and a saturation stress model. Both hardening models are acceptable based on their fit to uniaxial tensile data for strains up to 0.18, but their behaviors at the large strain values typical in sheet metal forming are quite different. The forming tests calculated in this paper are: (a) a uniaxial tension test, (b) the hydraulic bulge test, (c) hemispherical punch stretching, and (d) cup drawing with a hemispherical headed punch. The results obtained from the two hardening models differ substantially, indicating that an accurate description of material hardening behavior is important for the numerical modeling of sheet metal forming operations. Comparison of the calculated results with existing experimental data in the uniaxial tension test suggests that the saturation stress model is currently a better choice for representing 2036-T4 aluminum.
Abstract P142: Sex-differences In M1-like Macrophage Counts In Aortic Perivascular Adipose Tissue Precedes High Fat Diet-induced Hypertension In Dahl S Rats

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) may connect adiposity to hypertension because of its functions and proximity to blood vessels. Immune cells in adipose tissue are proposed to couple adiposity to ...
Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients taking tumor necrosis factor inhibitors or methotrexate: A multicenter research network study.

Background Data on the impact of biologics and immunomodulators on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related outcomes remain scarce. Objective We sought to determine whether patients taking tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) or methotrexate are at increased risk of COVID-19–related outcomes. Methods In this large comparative cohort study, real-time searches and analyses were performed on adult patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and were treated with TNFis or methotrexate compared with those who were not treated. The likelihood of hospitalization and mortality were compared between groups with and without propensity score matching for confounding factors. Results More than 53 million (53,511,836) unique patient records were analyzed, of which 32,076 (0.06%) had a COVID-19–related diagnosis documented starting after January 20, 2020. Two hundred fourteen patients with COVID-19 were identified with recent TNFi or methotrexate exposure compared with 31,862 patients with COVID-19 without TNFi or methotrexate exposure. After propensity matching, the likelihood of hospitalization and mortality were not significantly different between the treatment and nontreatment groups (risk ratio = 0.91 [95% confidence interval, 0.68-1.22], P = .5260 and risk ratio = 0.87 [95% confidence interval, 0.42-1.78], P = .6958, respectively). Limitations All TNFis may not behave similarly. Conclusion Our study suggests that patients with recent TNFi or methotrexate exposure do not have increased hospitalization or mortality compared with patients with COVID-19 without recent TNFi or methotrexate exposure.
Parametric Shape Optimization of Pin-Fin Arrays Using a Surrogate Model-Based Bayesian Method

Pin-fin arrays are generally present in trailing-edge regions of gas-turbine blades for internal cooling purposes. An elevated temperature is important to enhance the thermodynamic efficiency of ga...
The Symbolic Dilemmas of Suburban Poverty: Challenges & Opportunities Posed by Variations in the Contours of Suburban Poverty

Poverty increased significantly in US suburbs during the 1990s. What we know about suburban poverty is largely limited to demographic and economic information. Building off of the organizational perspective approach, I use in-depth interviews with nonprofit, antipoverty organizations in eight Pennsylvania suburbs to better understand the suburban poverty experience. My focus is on how organizations compete for external resources. By working directly with the poverty problem while also working in broader metropolitan political and economic fields of decision making, this “middleman” role (Marwell 2007) gives us insights into contemporary poverty dynamics for suburbs. I find that how suburban organizational leaders perceive the challenges that they face, and what strategies they adopt to confront such difficulties, revolves around symbolic dilemmas posed by the history, distribution, and politics of poverty in the suburbs. Symbolic dilemmas cluster around three different situational contexts of poverty in the suburbs. I use this to develop a three-part typology of suburban poverty: symbiotic suburbs, skeletal suburbs, and overshadowed suburbs. This typology has implications for future research and for policy makers interested in developing tools to appropriately address this pressing issue.
Challenges in the Identification and Interpretation of Phenological Shifts: Anthropogenic Influences on Adult Migration Timing in Salmonids

Migration timing has evolved in many animals, allowing them to maximize breeding and feeding success by matching seasonal changes in abiotic conditions and resource pulses. These seasonal changes c...
Structural Racism and Risk of SARS-CoV-2 in Pregnancy: A Local Population Analysis (preprint)

Background: Structural racism leads to adverse health outcomes, as highlighted by inequities in COVID-19 infections. We characterized black/white disparities among pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 in a county with some of the most extreme health disparities in the U.S. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using data collected as part of public health surveillance. Findings: One hundred and sixty-two women submitted information to the surveillance team from March to October 2020. 81 (50%) were Black, 67 (41%) White, 9 (0.05%) Hispanic, 2 (0·01%) Asian; and three did not self-identify with any particular race. More than half who supplied occupational information (n=132) were essential workers as classified by the CDC definition (55%, n=73). Black women were younger (p=0.0062), more likely to be obese (p=0·052), and more likely to identify an occupational contact as exposing them to SARS-CoV-2 (p=0·020). Non-black women were more likely to work from home (p=0·018) and indicate a personal or household contact as their exposure (p=0·020). Occupation was a risk factor for severe symptoms (aOR 4·487, p = 0·037). Most black women lived in areas with median income <$39,000 and black women were more likely to have a preterm delivery (22·2% versus 0%, p=0·083). Interpretation: Many pregnant women infected by SARS-CoV-2 are essential workers. Black women are more likely than white counterparts to have occupational exposure as the presumed source for their infection. These vocational exposures and limitations in controlling risk could be related to lower socio-economic status, resulting from a long history of structural racism. Funding: None Declaration of Interests: None Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the institutional review board of University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.
Resilience as a Mediator between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Prescription Opioid Misuse among U.S. Adults

Studies have shown some linkage between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and prescription opioid misuse. While preventable, once an individual is exposed to ACEs, they can have irreparable heal...
Nasal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in the pediatric population: literature review and report of midline presentation

Background Congenital midline nasal masses are rare anomalies and are typically benign nasal dermoid sinus cysts (NDSCs). Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMSs) are even less common, and only a fraction affect sites like the external nose, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and paranasal sinuses. We review the clinical presentation and treatment of nasal, nasopharyngeal, and paranasal RMSs and report the first documented midline presentation. Methods We queried PubMed for articles with titles containing the terms rhabdomyosarcoma or sarcoma botryoides and nose, nasal, paranasal, sinonasal, nasopharynx, or nasopharyngeal. We then searched the references of each included article using the same parameters and continued this process iteratively until no new articles were found. Results The paranasal sinuses were the most commonly affected site, followed by the nasopharynx, nasal cavity, and external nose. Two patients presented with involvement of the external nose, but each presented with involvement of the right ala rather than a midline mass. The rates of intracranial extension and/or skull base involvement were comparable to those of NDSCs. The alveolar subtype was most common, followed by the embryonal subtype. Conclusions Most midline nasal masses are benign; however, we report the first documented presentation of an RMS as a midline nasal mass. Accordingly, RMS should be included in the differential diagnosis of midline nasal masses in the pediatric population. Surgery for midline nasal masses is sometimes delayed due to the risks of interfering with developing structures and early anesthesia. However, early surgical treatment should be considered given this new differential and its predilection for early metastasis.
Linear differential equations with constant coefficients

We consider the second order homogeneous linear differential equation (H) with real coefficients a, b, c, and a ≠ 0. The function y = emx is a solution if, and only if, m satisfies the auxiliary equation am2 + bm + c = 0. When the roots of this are the complex conjugates m = p ± iq, then y = e(p ± iq)x are complex solutions of (H). Nevertheless, real solutions are given by y = c1epx cos qx + c2epx sin qx.
Factors associated with dual and polytobacco use among people in residential substance use disorder treatment.

Background and objectives Little is known about whether people in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment are at risk for multiple-tobacco use. We examined the factors associated with dual- and polytobacco use among clients in SUD treatment. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2019 among 562 clients (Mage = 39, 74% male) in 20 residential SUD treatment programs in California, USA. The outcomes included single-, dual- (use of two products), and polytobacco use (use of three of more products). Independent variables were nicotine dependence, quitting-related factors, blunt/spliff use, and health-related factors. A multinomial model examined associations between the independent variables and the outcome, controlling for demographics, and time in treatment. Results Overall, 32.6%, 18.9%, and 14.0% of the sample were single-, dual-, and polytobacco users, respectively. Factors associated with increased odds of polytobacco use included greater nicotine dependence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.19, 2.16), ever using e-cigarettes for quitting (AOR = 4.56; 95% CI = 2.23, 9.34), and past 30-day use of blunt/spliff (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.48, 5.89). Factors associated with increased odds of dual use were ever using e-cigarettes for quitting (AOR = 3.19; 95% CI = 1.79, 5.66) and reporting more mentally unhealthy days (AOR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.07). Conclusion and scientific significance This study extends the literature on tobacco use among people in SUD treatment by revealing the high prevalence of dual- and polytobacco use and the unique characteristics of users. The findings have implications for interventions reducing all types of tobacco use in this understudied population.
Ultra-diffuse galaxies on the run

Cosmological simulation TNG50 reveals that a recently discovered population of isolated but non-star-forming ultra-diffuse galaxies may have been gas-rich satellites of much more massive galaxies in the distant past.
Range Description of a Conical Radon Transform

In this work we consider the Conical Radon Transform, which integrates a function on $\mathbb{R}^n$ over shifted copies of a given circular cone. Transforms of this type are known to arise naturally as models of Compton camera imaging and single-scattering optical tomography (in the case $n=2$). The main results (which differ depending on the parity of $n$) provide a description of the range of the transform on the space $C_0^\infty(\mathbb{R}^n)$
Number of teeth is associated with all-cause and disease-specific mortality.

BACKGROUND Tooth loss has been shown to correlate with multiple systemic comorbidities. However, the associations between the number of remaining natural teeth (NoT) and all-cause mortality have not been explored extensively. We aimed to investigate whether having fewer NoT imposes a higher risk in mortality. We tested such hypotheses using three groups of NoT (20-28,10-19, and 0-9), edentulism and without functional dentition (NoT < 19). METHODS The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States (NHANES) (1999-2014) conducted dental examinations and provided linkage of mortality data. NHANES participants aged 20 years and older, without missing information of dental examination, age, gender, race, education, income, body-mass-index, smoking, physical activities, and existing systemic conditions [hypertension, total cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke (N = 33,071; death = 3978), or with femoral neck bone mineral density measurement (N = 13,131; death = 1091)] were analyzed. Cox proportional hazard survival analyses were used to investigate risks of all-cause, heart disease, diabetes and cancer mortality associated with NoT in 3 groups, edentulism, or without functional dentition. RESULTS Participants having fewer number of teeth had higher all-cause and disease-specific mortality. In fully-adjusted models, participants with NoT0-9 had the highest hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality [HR(95%CI) = 1.46(1.25-1.71); p < .001], mortality from heart diseases [HR(95%CI) = 1.92(1.33-2.77); p < .001], from diabetes [HR(95%CI) = 1.67(1.05-2.66); p = 0.03], or cancer-related mortality [HR(95%CI) = 1.80(1.34-2.43); p < .001]. Risks for all-cause mortality were also higher among the edentulous [HR(95%CI) = 1.35(1.17-1.57); p < .001] or those without functional dentition [HR(95%CI) = 1.34(1.17-1.55); p < .001]. CONCLUSIONS Having fewer NoT were associated with higher risks for all-cause mortality. More research is needed to explore possible biological implications and validate our findings.
Cardiovascular Risk Related to Body Fat and Physical Activity in Young Girls

Adiposity has been associated with cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors in children, but whether moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) affects the association remains unclear. PURPOSE: To dete...
Understanding Resource: Maldistribution and Acting on Inequality of Resources

The United States is both morally and legally obligated to equally educate all of its students. As a nation, we have high expectations of our schools and invest in them to provide our children with the means to succeed in an increasingly uncertain world of work (Aronowitz, 2008). That would of course mean providing all students with equal access and equal resources. Historically and currently this goal has not been met. To truly provide all students with equal resources would require reformative action at many levels. Leveling the playing field is more than equally distributing monetary resources (Bowles & Gintis, 1976; Jones, 2003). In this article we examine seven maldistribution conditions that impact educational equity and resources to actualize equal educational access for Latino and low income communities. Maldistribution of resources cuts across every educational activity and human development domain (Brofenbrenner, 1979). Maldistribution is defined as faulty distribution or apportionment of resources over an area such as a school, school community or a particular group. In the case of schooling, not only is less money spent on “at risk” schools, but students in such schools get less of their teacher’s time, fewer of their teachers are able or willing to be legitimate authorities, students receive a lower level of encouragement because of deficit thinking, and more of the teachers are not prepared to work in Latino and/or low income school communities.
Six Patterns for Persuasion in Online Social Networks

Social psychology research has shown that persuasion happens in predictable ways. To identify patterns of persuasion in online social networks, we studied Facebook as a persuasive technology. Using a Grounded Theory approach, we found and named six persuasion patterns. Four patterns that led to large-scale viral adoption--Provoke and Retaliate, Reveal and Compare, Expression, and Group Exchange--are native to Facebook. Two patterns--Competition and Deception--are adapted to Facebook. We describe these native and adapted patterns and offer psychological explanations for each. We conclude that persuasion in online social networks follows regular, observable patterns, and we suggest promising avenues for future research.
Effects of Cd-doping on high-field low-temperature superconducting state in CeCoIn5

Abstract We report specific heat of CeCo ( In 0.975 Cd 0.025 ) 5 in magnetic field along basal plane. The superconducting transition is not sharp first order-like in high fields and the specific heat at field 12 T displays a sharp peak anomaly at 0.14 K inside the superconducting state. The anomaly is larger and sharper than that for the proposed Fulde–Ferell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov state in pure CeCoIn 5 .
Micro Mobile Programs

This paper describes a three-layer architecture for mobile code based on a distinction between code that is mobile versus code that is resident. We focus on code that is mobile but not resident and consider two contexts in which such code is constrained by its delivery mechanism to be small in size, resulting in micro mobile programs. The contexts we consider are programs carried in network communication packets and programs carried in two-dimensional barcodes.
Temperature and Wind in the Lower Stratosphere

Publisher Summary The lower boundary of the stratosphere is the tropopause. In contrast to conditions in the troposphere, the temperature in the lower stratosphere varies slowly with height unless it is invaded by air from higher levels, in which case, strong inversions develop. The temperature generally increases upward in the tropics, is nearly constant in moderate latitudes and polar regions in summer, and decreases in the surroundings of the winter pole. The percentages of the permanent gases in the stratosphere are the same as in the troposphere. The chapter presents the general characteristics of stratospheric properties. Synoptic properties between the tropopause and 20 km and above are given. The stratosphere from 20 to 30 km is a region of large-scale wind systems increasing in intensity upward that may undergo profound changes over periods of weeks and sometimes days. Westerlies normally prevail between the polar vortex and the high-pressure belt in the subtropics, but the actual flow patterns are often completely different from the normal flow patterns. Summer patterns vary less from the normal than do winter patterns. The summer wind systems occur in about the same location each summer, but large differences may exist between different winters.
Quantitative spectrographic analysis of the rare earth elements—X: Determination of rare earth impurities commonly associated with purified thulium, ytterbium, lutetium and scandium

Abstract Emission-spectrometric methods are described for the following quantitative determinations: yttrium, holmium, erbium, ytterbium and lutetium in thulium; samarium, yttrium, erbium, thulium, lutetium and scandium in ytterbium; yttrium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium in scandium. The basic method involves the d.c. carbon arc excitation of rare earth oxide-graphite mixtures. In all cases the percent deviation from the mean is less than ± 5 per cent.
Updated Lagrange Formulation Of Internally Balanced Compressible Hyperelastic Materials

Nonlinear continuum mechanics is commonly used to study the response of highly de- formable materials. Nowadays, the proposed material models often include internal ma- terial variables in order to capture realistic engineering behavior. The theoretical back- ground is mature and its implementation in the frame of nite element method is well established. Solely, these material constitutive models are expressed in terms of defor- mation gradient F, its derived quantities, and various multiplicative decompositions such as F = ^F F (1) This multiplicative decomposition serves to pertain particular portions of F to specic parts of the material response. The usual scheme is then that ^F models elastic response and it is associated to the rules of variational calculus. The F portion then models inelastic response, usually by means of a time dependent evolution law. Recently, the arguments of variational calculus have been applied to both portions of the deformation gradient decomposition for incompressible hyperelastic material [1]. The decomposition itself is then determined by an additional internal balance equation that is generated by such a variational treatment. The internally balanced compressible hyperelastic material response is presented in [2]. Fundamental studies of this type are key to better physics-based modeling of complex biomechanical processes in soft tissue, including long time scale processes of growth, and short time scale processes of wound healing. The FE formulation of this internal balance multiplicative decomposition is naturally achieved by linearizing the weak form that is obtained by the variation with respect to both portions of the multiplicative decomposition. In this work, we would like to present the Updated Lagrange Formulation. This formulation will be implemented into com- mercial nite element package FEAP that will facilitate in future studying engineering application in the eld of biomechanics. The correctness of implementation will be ex- amined by simulating homogeneous deformations such as uniaxial loading, dilatation and simple shear. References [1] H. Demirkoparan, T. J. Pence, and H. Tsai. Hyperelastic internal balance by multi- plicative decomposition of the deformation gradient. Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis, 2014. DOI: 10.1007/s00205-014-0770-9. [2] A. Hadoush, H. Demirkoparan, and T.J. Pence. Modeling of soft materials via mul- tiplicative decomposition of deformation gradient. In USNCTAM, 2014.