cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of torsion angle molecular dynamics for efficient sampling of protein conformations

We investigate the application of torsion angle molecular dynamics (TAMD) to augment conformational sampling of peptides and proteins. Interesting conformational changes in proteins mainly involve torsional degrees of freedom. Carrying out molecular dynamics in torsion space does not only explicitly sample the most relevant degrees of freedom, but also allows larger integration time steps with elimination of the bond and angle degrees of freedom. However, the covalent geometry needs to be fixed during internal coordinate dynamics, which can introduce severe distortions to the underlying potential surface in the extensively parameterized modern Cartesian-based protein force fields. A “projection” approach (Katritch et al. J Comput Chem 2003, 24, 254–265) is extended to construct an accurate internal coordinate force field (ICFF) from a source Cartesian force field. Torsion crossterm corrections constructed from local molecular fragments, together with softened van der Waals and electrostatic interactions, are used to recover the potential surface and incorporate implicit bond and angle flexibility. MD simulations of dipeptide models demonstrate that full flexibility in both the backbone ϕ/ψ and side chain χ1 angles are virtually restored. The efficacy of TAMD in enhancing conformational sampling is then further examined by folding simulations of small peptides and refinement experiments of protein NMR structures. The results show that an increase of several fold in conformational sampling efficiency can be reliably achieved. The current study also reveals some complicated intrinsic properties of internal coordinate dynamics, beyond energy conservation, that can limit the maximum size of the integration time step and thus the achievable gain in sampling efficiency. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 26: 1565–1578, 2005
A relation between the Akaike criterion and reliability of parameter estimates, with application to nonlinear autoregressive modelling of ictal EEG

The Akaike minimum information criterion provides a means to determine the appropriate number of lags in a linear autoregressive model of a time series. We show that the Akaike criterion is closely related to the reliability estimates of successively determined parameters of a linear autoregressive (LAR) model. A similar criterion may be applied to determine whether the addition of a nonlinear term to an LAR model provides a statistically significant improvement in the description of the time series. As an example, we use this method to identify quadratic contributions to a nonlinear autoregressive characterization of a typical 3/s spike and wave seizure discharge.
Efficiency in housing markets: Temporal and spatial dimensions

Abstract Previous research dealing with efficiency in housing markets has been based on time-series evidence. This paper extends this research by introducing spatial considerations as well. Efficiency in housing markets is examined here using a framework that considers both temporal and spatial dimensions. Using data from the Hartford, Connecticut, metropolitan area, we obtain findings that add to the accumulating evidence of inefficiency.
Promoter choice affects the potency of HIV‐1 specific RNA interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is mediated by small interfering (si) RNAs that target and degrade mRNA in a sequence-specific manner. Cellular expression of siRNA can be achieved by the use of expression cassettes driven by RNA polymerase III (pol III) promoters. Here, we demonstrate that a modified tRNA(met)-derived (MTD) promoter effectively drives the cellular expression of HIV-1-specific siRNA. We observed up to 56% greater inhibition of virus production when the MTD promoter was used to drive the expression of short hairpin (sh) RNA targeting the HIV-1 transactivator protein tat compared to cassettes containing other pol III promoters such as H1, U6+1 and U6+27. We conclude that the MTD promoter is ideally suited to drive intracellular expression of HIV-1 specific siRNA and may serve as an important component of future RNAi vector delivery systems.
Prolonged resuscitation of metabolic acidosis after trauma is associated with more complications.

Optimal patterns for fluid management are controversial in the resuscitation of major trauma. Similarly, appropriate surgical timing is often unclear in orthopedic polytrauma. Early appropriate care (EAC) has recently been introduced as an objective model to determine readiness for surgery based on the resuscitation of metabolic acidosis. EAC is an objective treatment algorithm that recommends fracture fixation within 36 h when either lactate <4.0 mmol/L, pH ≥ 7.25, or base excess (BE) ≥−5.5 mmol/L. The aim of this study is to better characterize the relationship between post-operative complications and the time required for resuscitation of metabolic acidosis using EAC. At an adult level 1 trauma center, 332 patients with major trauma (Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16) were prospectively treated with EAC. The time from injury to EAC resuscitation was determined in all patients. Age, race, gender, ISS, American Society of Anesthesiologists score (ASA), body mass index (BMI), outside hospital transfer status, number of fractures, and the specific fractures were also reviewed. Complications in the 6-month post-operative period were adjudicated by an independent multidisciplinary committee of trauma physicians and included infection, sepsis, pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, renal failure, multiorgan failure, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Univariate analysis and binomial logistic regression analysis were used to compare complications between groups. Sixty-six patients developed complications, which was less than a historical cohort of 1,441 patients (19.9 % vs. 22.1 %). ISS (p < 0.0005) and time to EAC resuscitation (p = 0.041) were independent predictors of complication rate. A 2.7-h increase in time to resuscitation had odds for sustaining a complication equivalent to a 1-unit increase on the ISS. EAC guidelines were safe, effective, and practically implemented in a level 1 trauma center. During the resuscitation course, increased exposure to acidosis was associated with a higher complication rate. Identifying the innate differences in the response, regulation, and resolution of acidosis in these critically injured patients is an important area for trauma research. Level 1: prognostic study.
Speed estimator for induction motor drives using an artificial neural network

This paper describes the application of a three layered feedforward artificial neural network for estimating the speed of an induction motor based on delayed samples of stator currents and voltages. Good accuracy is obtained even at low speeds of operation. The technique is robust and independent of variations in rotor resistance.
Estimating the Energy Use and Efficiency Potential of U.S. Data Centers

Data centers are a significant and growing component of electricity demand in the United States. This paper presents a bottom-up model that can be used to estimate total data center electricity demand within a region as well as the potential electricity savings associated with energy efficiency improvements. The model is applied to estimate 2008 U.S. data center electricity demand and the technical potential for electricity savings associated with major measures for IT devices and infrastructure equipment. Results suggest that 2008 demand was approximately 69 billion kilowatt hours (1.8% of 2008 total U.S. electricity sales) and that it may be technically feasible to reduce this demand by up to 80% (to 13 billion kilowatt hours) through aggressive pursuit of energy efficiency measures. Measure-level savings estimates are provided, which shed light on the relative importance of different measures at the national level. Measures applied to servers are found to have the greatest contribution to potential savings.
A Timetable of Management

The foregoing section has covered the basic workup of the infertile couple. In virtually all instances, before embarking on more intensive therapy, the physician should first complete the basic workup with the couple. The workup may reveal that infertility may be caused by a number of minor factors in both the husband and the wife, each of which alone, would not cause infertility; added together they significantly decrease the couple’s fertility potential. For example, time and energy might be wasted treating a husband with moderate oligospermia when a luteal phase deficiency in his wife has not been diagnosed and simultaneously treated.
Synchronous presentation of trigeminal, glossopharyngeal and geniculate neuralgias in a single patient

Orofacial pain disorders can present as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for oral health care providers. Odontogenic and nonodontogenic sources of orofacial pain should be considered and cranial neuralgias may be included in the differential diagnosis. Synchronous presentation of multiple cranial neuralgias is a rare occurrence. We report a case of a patient with a synchronous presentation of trigeminal, glossopharyngeal, and geniculate neuralgias. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a synchronous presentation of these conditions reported to date.
The Total Thurston–Bennequin Number of Complete and Complete Bipartite Legendrian Graphs

We study the Thurston–Bennequin number of complete and complete bipartite Legendrian graphs. We define a new invariant called the total Thurston–Bennequin number of the graph. We show that this invariant is determined by the Thurston–Bennequin numbers of 3-cycles for complete graphs and by the Thurston–Bennequin number of 4-cycles for complete bipartite graphs. We discuss the consequences of these results for \(K_4\), \(K_5\) and \(K_{3,3}\).
Transforming the Culture of the Academy Through Preparing Future Faculty Programs

Preparing Future Faculty programs were developed as an alternate way to prepare doctoral students for academic careers. The author discusses experiences of faculty of color in institutions of higher education. The article describes the original University of Georgia Preparing Future Faculty in Psychology program with its emphasis on students of color. Lessons learned and implications for training are discussed.
Secular Biography at Byzantium

CLASSICAL secular biography2 died a spectacular though lingering and somewhat disreputable death with productions like the Historia Augusta written at the end of the fourth century A.D.,3 or the Life of the Neoplatonist Isidore, written by his pupil Damascius at the beginning of the sixth century A.D.4 Even biographical secular panegyrics, the history of which cannot be separated from that of biography proper since the days of Isocrates' Euagoras, are not preserved in the East after the sixth century A.D.' When classical biography was far gone in years, perhaps already moribund, it had engendered a progeny which was to perpetuate the memory of the parent all through the Middle Ages: this was hagiography.6 But secular biography itself was reputed to be dead, so dead that Krumbacher7 listed the works that should have been classified under this heading in his chapters on historical writing. Nevertheless secular biography and secular panegyric were not unknown at Byzantium. We hear of them first in connection with Basil I, the Macedonian (867-886 A.D.). His biographer and grandson, the Emperor Constantine vii Porphyrogenitus (912-959 A.D.) mentions among the deeds which Basil per-
ON THE MACROSTRUCTURE OF THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE NEAR THE GEOMAGNETIC POLE(S)

This is the first report on a joint effort with the US Space Command to use archived Molniya data to define the need for improvements in atmospheric modeling. A remarkable conclusion from this study of 1982-047D (satno 13390), Molniya 6 rocket body, and confirmed by studies of other satellites in the Molniya family, is that contemporary density models commonly have errors in excess of 30% at altitudes near 100km during geomagnetically quiet times between 80 and 120 degrees East longitude, where the satellites often pass through the dayside auroral zone. It appears that the coupling between the thermosphere and mesosphere, as well as magnetospheric and mesospheric energy sources, will need to be explicitly included in thermospheric models to reproduce these observations. Any major future improvements in atmospheric density model development will rely on metric data collected at all latitudes by instruments that can make discrete measurements. Several kinds of instrumentation should be flown on each research satellite, and the sensor outputs should be cooperatively analyzed to eliminate ambiguities caused by winds, drag coefficients, and surface chemical reactions.
Metallic single-walled carbon nanotube for ionized radiation detection

In this paper, we have explored the feasibility of a metallic single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) as a radiation detector. The effect of SWCNTs’ exposure to different ion irradiations is considered with the displacement damage dose (DDD) methodology. The analytical model of the irradiated resistance of metallic SWCNT has been developed and verified by the experimental data for increasing DDD from 1012 MeV/g to 1017 MeV/g. It has been found that the resistance variation of SWCNT by increasing DDD can be significant depending on the length and diameter of SWCNT, such that the DDD as low as 1012 (MeV/g) can be detected using the SWCNT with 1cm length and 5nm diameter. Increasing the length and diameter of SWCNT can result in both the higher radiation sensitivity of resistance and the extension of detection range to lower DDD.
Clinical Study of Myocardial Injury in Critically Ill Children with Sepsis

Objective To explore the incidence of myocardial injury in the critically septic children,and the relationship between elevations of serum cardiac troponin I(cTnI),creatine kinase(CK-MB) and the incidence of myocardial injury and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS),mortality and acute physiology and chronic health Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ) scores.And to evaluate the significance of elevations of serum cTnI,CK-MB and APACHE Ⅱ in critically ill children with sepsis.MethodsThe relationships between levels of cTnI,CK-MB and MODS,myocardial injury,mechanical ventilation,and intensive care unit(ICU) stay were measured by means of retrospective study.Sepsis patients who had been admitted into ICU were studied.The levels of serum cTnI and CK-MB were measured on admission,in 24-72 h and on the 7th day after admission.The APACHE Ⅱ scores were recorded simultaneously.The APACHE Ⅱ scores,ICU mortality and 30 days survival rate between the elevated group and the normal group were compared.ResultsTwo hundred and five(44.7%)of the 459 critically ill children with sepsis had elevated levels of cTnI and/or CK-MB.Patients with myocardial injury were more frequently in need of mechanical ventilation(46% vs 21%),with longer duration of mechanical ventilation(7.5 d vs 3.2 d),higher mortality(26.34% vs 2.36%),and longer ICU stay(11.9 d vs 5.3 d),compared with patients without myocardial injury.The levels of serum cTnI,CK-MB and APACHE Ⅱ scores revealed a positive correlation.The APACHE Ⅱ scores and mortality were higher in elevated group than those in normal group on admission,in 24-72 h and on the 7th day(Pa0.05).The 30-day survival rate was worse in elevated group than that in normal group(P0.01).ConclusionsThe incidence of myocardial injury defined by elevated levels of serum cTnI and CK-MB are unexpectedly high and is associated with mortality,MODS incidence,mechanical ventilation,and ICU stay.cTnI,CK-MB,and APACHE Ⅱ scores are predictors for outcome in critically ill children with sepsis.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2011,26(6): 423-426
Reliability Demonstration and Field Analysis of a Communications Controller

This paper sets out to demonstrate the suitability of reliability growth models for reliability prediction during reliability demonstration and in the field for a communications controller.
Electrostatic versus Electrochemical Doping and Control of Ferromagnetism in Ion-Gel-Gated Ultrathin La0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ

Recently, electrolyte gating techniques employing ionic liquids/gels in electric double layer transistors have proven remarkably effective in tuning charge carrier density in a variety of materials. The ability to control surface carrier densities at levels above 1014 cm–2 has led to widespread use in the study of superconductivity, insulator–metal transitions, etc. In many cases, controversy remains over the doping mechanism, however (i.e., electrostatic vs electrochemical (e.g., redox-based)), and the technique has been less applied to magnetic materials. Here, we discuss ion gel gating of nanoscale 8-unit-cell-thick hole-doped La0.5Sr0.5CoO3-δ (LSCO) films, probing in detail the critical bias windows and doping mechanisms. The LSCO films, which are under compressive stress on LaAlO3(001) substrates, are metallic and ferromagnetic (Curie temperature, TC ∼ 170 K), with strong anomalous Hall effect and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Transport measurements reveal that negative gate biases lead to rever...
Molecules and Gases

This chapter is our first bridge between the study of ordinary objects and that of their microscopic constituents, the molecules. It is organized as follows.
Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and incidence of end-stage renal disease in the Southern Community Cohort Study

Background Whether polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in populations with a high burden of risk factors for kidney disease is unknown. We sought to determine whether PUFA intake is associated with ESRD.
Fifteen years of the Protein Crystallography Station: the coming of age of macromolecular neutron crystallography

The Protein Crystallography Station (PCS), located at the Los Alamos Neutron Scattering Center (LANSCE), was the first macromolecular crystallography beamline to be built at a spallation neutron source. Following testing and commissioning, the PCS user program was funded by the Biology and Environmental Research program of the Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-OBER) for 13 years (2002–2014). The PCS remained the only dedicated macromolecular neutron crystallography station in North America until the construction and commissioning of the MaNDi and IMAGINE instruments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which started in 2012. The instrument produced a number of research and technical outcomes that have contributed to the field, clearly demonstrating the power of neutron crystallo­graphy in helping scientists to understand enzyme reaction mechanisms, hydrogen bonding and visualization of H-atom positions, which are critical to nearly all chemical reactions. During this period, neutron crystallography became a technique that increasingly gained traction, and became more integrated into macromolecular crystallography through software developments led by investigators at the PCS. This review highlights the contributions of the PCS to macromolecular neutron crystallography, and gives an overview of the history of neutron crystallography and the development of macromolecular neutron crystallography from the 1960s to the 1990s and onwards through the 2000s.
Predicting the compressive strength of concrete using neural network and kernel ridge regression

Kernel methods and neural networks (NN) are two of the most powerful tools of machine learning to solve the engineering and science problems. In this paper, we propose kernel ridge regression (KRR) and NN to estimate the compressive strength (CS) of concrete with recycled aggregate based on the values of cement, natural aggregate, recycled aggregate, sand, and water. We collected a dataset of 182 samples and carried out the data analysis for each material used in making concrete. The dataset is used for training, validation, and testing of concrete's CS using KRR and NN. We use both linear and nonlinear kernels in ridge regression, and up to four layers NN with three hidden layers and one output layer for CS prediction. KRR and NN are designed in MATLAB, and we use different NN types and training functions with objective evaluation criterion to obtain the optimum models for CS prediction. We choose gradient descent with momentum weight bias learning and mean square error (MSE) performance functions for model training. Simulation results show that both KRR and NN predict the CS of concrete accurately and efficiently with admissible MSE and correlation coefficient close to one. KRR with nonlinear 4th order polynomial kernel outperforms the NN for CS prediction.
Can Trainees Effectively Deliver Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder? Outcomes From a Training Clinic.

Objective The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-month course of comprehensive dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) provided in a training clinic with doctoral students as therapists and assessors. Method Clinical outcomes for 50 individuals with borderline personality disorder (80% female, Mage = 29.52 [SD = 9.64]) are reported. Reliable change indices and clinical significance were calculated for measures. Finally, our results were benchmarked against a “gold standard” randomized clinical trial (RCT; McMain et al., 2009). Results Analyses with both the full sample and the treatment completers indicate significant reductions in mental health symptomatology that were reliable, clinically and statistically significant, and comparable in effect size to the benchmarked RCT. Conclusion This DBT training clinic produced good outcomes, comparable to that of a large RCT. Results have implications for who can provide DBT treatment, as well as improving access to DBT in community settings where training clinics may be located.
Catheter Placement in a Collateral Vein

This chapter discusses the case of a patient with type I diabetes since early childhood who presented with an infected groin hemodialysis (HD) catheter. She had multiple failed HD and peritoneal dialysis (PD) accesses and was not a transplant candidate due to a high panel reactive antibody (PRA).
On explicit formulas for solutions of evolutionary SPDE's (a kind of introduction to the theory)

For the author the theory of stochastic partial differential equations started in the fall of 1974 when A.K. Zvonkin and I were preparing, for a conference in Druskininkai, a review [1] on the theory of strong and weak solutions of Ito's stochastic equations. I was necessarily thinking about different representations of solutions. It appeared that one of them can be based on the fact that the solution of Ito's stochastic equation can be viewed as a solution of a SPDE. Actually, at that time the theory of such equations was not developed and in [1] (see also [2]) only a straightforward consequence of such point of view was presented. Now the theory of SPDE's does exist, it is well developed and is well connected with calculations of certain conditional expectations, which give representations of solutions of these SPDE's (see, e. g. [3], [4] and references there). These representations are proved rigorously, but, as it is often the case, the proofs scarcely explain genuine reasons why the representations are true and how in fact they were found. Exactly the latter I want to discuss here in a mere informal way, formal proofs being known for all our formulas but the two last ones (4.13), (4.18), general case of which is relatively new and very cumbersome. The author hopes that this article will serve as a (good) introduction to the theory of SPDE's.
Imprecision and Uncertainty in Database Systems

Databases are models of the real world. Yet, our knowledge of the real world is often imperfect, thus challenging our ability to create databases of integrity. To uphold the integrity of a database in situations where knowledge of the real world is imperfect, one may either (1) restrict the model to that portion of the real world about which perfect information is available, or (2) develop formalisms that allow the representation of imperfect information. This paper surveys some of the better-known database formalisms for capturing imperfect information. Imperfections in the specification and processing of transactions also have important impact on the quality of the information delivered to users, and this survey discusses them as well.
Canonized repertoire as conduit to creativity

Evidence found throughout the history of Western European art music reveals traditions that encompassed improvisation. This furthers the idea that without improvisation, music education based on ca...
Metabolic modelling of chronic wound microbiota predicts mutualistic interactions that drive community composition.

Aims To identify putative mutualistic interactions driving community composition in polymicrobial chronic wound infections using metabolic modelling. Methods and results We developed a 12 species metabolic model that covered 74% of 16S rDNA pyrosequencing reads of dominant genera from 2963 chronic wound patients. The community model was used to predict species abundances averaged across this large patient population. We found that substantially improved predictions were obtained when the model was constrained with genera prevalence data and predicted abundances were averaged over 5000 ensemble simulations with community participants randomly determined according to the experimentally determined prevalences. Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas were predicted to exhibit a strong mutualistic relationship that resulted in community growth rate and diversity simultaneously increasing, suggesting that these two common chronic wound pathogens establish dominance by cooperating with less harmful commensal species. In communities lacking one or both dominant pathogens, other mutualistic relationship including Staphylococcus/Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas/Serratia and Streptococcus/Enterococcus were predicted consistent with published experimental data. Conclusions Mutualistic interactions were predicted to be driven by crossfeeding of organic acids, alcohols and amino acids that could potentially be disrupted to slow chronic wound disease progression. Significance and impact of the study Approximately 2% of the US population suffers from nonhealing chronic wounds infected by a combination of commensal and pathogenic bacteria. These polymicrobial infections are often resilient to antibiotic treatment due to the nutrient-rich wound environment and species interactions that promote community stability and robustness. The simulation results from this study were used to identify putative mutualistic interactions between bacteria that could be targeted to enhance treatment efficacy.
Inflammation associated with noise-induced hearing loss

Inflammation is a complex biological response to harmful stimuli including infection, tissue damage, and toxins. Thus, it is not surprising that cochlear damage by noise includes an inflammatory component. One mechanism by which inflammation is generated by tissue damage is the activation of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Many of the cellular receptors for DAMPS, including Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, and DNA receptors, are also receptors for pathogens, and function in the innate immune system. DAMP receptors are known to be expressed by cochlear cells, and binding of molecules released by damaged cells to these receptors result in the activation of cell stress pathways. This leads to the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that recruit pro-inflammatory leukocytes. Extensive evidence indicates pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF alpha and interleukin 1 beta, and chemokines including CCL2, are induced in the cochlea after noise exposure. The recruitment of macrophages into the cochlea has also been demonstrated. These provide substrates for noise damage to be enhanced by inflammation. Evidence is provided by the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs in ameliorating noise-induced hearing loss. Involvement of inflammation provides a wide variety of additional anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution agents as potential pharmacological interventions in noise-induced hearing loss.
Is cause-related marketing a winning strategy? An event study analysis

Cause-related marketing (C-RM) is the fastest-growing category of U.S. sponsorship spending. However, extant research provides no examination of whether investments in C-RM are economically worthwh...
Evaluating hydrogen-bond propensity, hydrogen-bond coordination and hydrogen-bond energy as tools for predicting the outcome of attempted co-crystallisations

Two different structure-informatics based methods and one approach based on hydrogen-bond interaction energies were evaluated for their abilities to predict the experimental outcomes of attempted c...
Computational methods for describing the laser-induced mechanical response of tissue

Detailed computational modeling of laser surgery requires treatment of the photoablation of human tissue by high intensity pulses of laser light and the subsequent thermomechanical response of the tissue. Three distinct physical regimes must be considered to accomplish this: (1) the immediate absorption of the laser pulse by the tissue and following tissue ablation, which is dependent upon tissue light absorption characteristics; (2) the near field thermal and mechanical response of the tissue to this laser pulse; and (3) the potential far field (and longer time) mechanical response of witness tissue. Both (2) and (3) are dependent upon accurate constitutive descriptions of the tissue. We briefly review tissue absorption and mechanical behavior, with an emphasis on dynamic loads characteristic of the photoablation process. In this paper our focus centers on the requirements of numerical modeling and the uncertainties of mechanical tissue behavior under photoablation. We also discuss potential contributions that computational simulations can make in the design of surgical protocols which utilize lasers, for example, in assessing the potential for collateral mechanical damage by laser pulses.
Physician Staffing in Emergency Rooms (ERs): Opening the Black-box of ER Care via a Multi-Class Multi-Stage Network

Problem Definition and Relevance: Characterized by time-varying arrivals, multi-stage service, and multi-class patient population, emergency rooms (ERs) are complex healthcare delivery systems, where optimizing the staffing levels of physicians is a challenge. In collaboration with Mayo Clinic, we study a staffing and an associated routing problem for ER physicians and propose a new staffing rule to meet tail probability of delay (TPoD) type service targets. Methodology: We capture the time-varying patient flow in the ER with a multi-class multi-stage queuing network, describing the ER care as sequences of treatment queues, where physicians serve, and groups of diagnostic medical processes. Treatment stations in ER are busy-server queues, where waiting before service is common, but experience negligible abandonments. Motivated by these queues, we propose a new staffing algorithm, translating the offered load into staffing decisions for efficiency-driven queues with TPoD targets and perfectly patient customers. Results: We analytically show the asymptotic effectiveness of our staffing rule on stabilizing TPoD for M/M/s queues, operating in efficiency-driven mode, and numerically demonstrate its robustness and optimality in various time-varying ER settings via realistic and data-driven simulation experiments. We further show that as the service complexity of an ER increases, hybrid routing rules, using pre-determined (static) priorities and (dynamic) current system state jointly, become necessary to meet TPoD targets. Managerial Implications: Instead of treating the entire patient length of stay as a black-box service model, our multi-stage network model provides more managerial control over the internal components of ER service and is easily implementable in practice.
Association of radical cystectomy and increased risk of skeletal-related events in bone-metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

477Background: Bone metastases are common in patients with advanced cancer of the bladder or upper urinary tract; however, few studies have assessed the morbidity of bone metastases in these patien...
Multidimensional PROMIS Self-Efficacy Measure for Managing Chronic Conditions

This study used a multidimensional categorical model to concurrently estimate individual’s self-efficacy for managing their chronic conditions across five related domains measured with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Self-Efficacy Measure for managing chronic conditions (PROMIS-SE). A total of 1087 individuals with chronic conditions was analyzed in this study. A Diagnostic Classification Model (DCM) was applied to PROMIS-SE’s 4-item short forms measuring five behavioral domains (daily activities, emotions, medications and treatments, social interactions, and symptoms) to provide patient multidimensional categorical outcomes (high, transition, or low self-efficacy). Psychometric properties were examined using classification consistency, model fit, entropy value, domain and item-level information, and patient profiles. DCM PROMIS-SE showed adequate classification consistency, fit, and high entropy values. Five domains demonstrated different average probabilities of having high self-efficacy for patients with chronic conditions from 42.0% (emotions) to 70% (medications and treatments). Rating scale analysis indicated the rating 5 (very confident) most critically discriminated patients with high or low self-efficacy for managing chronic conditions across all domains. Only four common patient profile groups contained more than 5% of the sample. Acceptable psychometric properties indicate that DCM PROMIS-SE satisfactorily classified patients with chronic conditions. This study demonstrates a feasible approach for other existing multidimensional measures to classify patients’ conditions and support clinical judgment.
FINGERPRINT SIGN OF THE HENLE FIBER LAYER.

PURPOSE To describe the appearance of concentric, fingerprint-like waves within the Henle fiber layer (HFL) using en face optical coherence tomography in patients with tractional pathologies of the retina. METHODS Retrospective analysis of six eyes of six patients imaged by optical coherence tomography with volumetric slabs positioned at the level of the HFL. RESULTS Optical coherence tomography data from six patients with tractional vitreoretinal pathology were reviewed. Concentric, fingerprint-like microwaves were visualized through en face optical coherence tomography in all six study eyes at the level of the HFL. This finding resembled the finding of HFL waves previously noted histopathologically from force exerted on this layer. CONCLUSION In retinal pathologies in which specific physical forces act on the retina, volumetric optical coherence tomography may permit visualization of en face concentric, fingerprint-like hyperreflective rings within the HFL. This "fingerprint sign" may represent a biomechanical consequence of traction on the retina and allow clinical decision making based on improved recognition of the existence of such traction.
Inhaled aerosolized nicotine suppresses the lung eosinophilic response to house dust mite allergen

Nicotine of unprecedented concentrations and purity is being inhaled by those using commercially available electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The consequences of this route of self-administration on the immunological response to inhaled allergens are not known. In mice, sensitization and inhalation challenge with the common environmental house dust mite (HDM) allergen is an experimental model of this response. When mice were exposed to aerosolized nicotine base (aeroNic) twice daily, 5 days/wk for 8 wk, the HDM-induced recruitment of eosinophils (EOS) was substantially reduced as measured in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Oral nicotine administration had no effect. HDM challenge in the presence of nicotinic receptor subtype α7 (α7)-specific type-1 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) was alone sufficient to suppress EOS. RNA analysis of alveolar macrophages (AM) collected from BALF after HDM challenge of aeroNic revealed that α7 activation strongly suppresses initiation of Ccl24 (eotaxin 2) transcription. To examine possible cellular signaling mechanisms coupling α7 to Ccl24 transcription, an AM culture model system was used. In AM cultures of freshly collected BALF, Ccl24 transcription was robustly activated by a mixture of IL-4 and IL-10, and this was suppressed by coapplication of type-1 PAMs through a pathway that requires p38MAPK but is independent of Jak2. These results suggest that the EOS response to HDM inhaled allergen is subject to modulation through activation of the α7 receptor and suggest that the allergic response may be substantially modified in ENDS users.
Spherical-view photoacoustic tomography for monitoring in vivo placental function.

Abstract Photoacoustic tomography has great potential to image dynamic functional changes in vivo. Many tomographic systems are built with a circular view geometry, necessitating a linear translation along one axis of the subject to obtain a three-dimensional volume. In this work, we evaluated a prototype spherical view photoacoustic tomographic system which acquires a 3D volume in a single scan, without linear translation. We simultaneously measured relative hemoglobin oxygen saturation in multiple placentas of pregnant mice under oxygen challenge. We also synthesized a folate-conjugated indocyanine green (ICG) contrast agent to image folate kinetics in the placenta. Photoacoustic tomography performed at the wavelength of peak optical absorption of our contrast agent revealed increased ICG signal over time. Through these phantom and in vivo studies, we have demonstrated that the spherical view 3D photoacoustic tomographic system achieves high sensitivity and fast image acquisition, enabling in vivo experiments to assess physiological and molecular dynamics.
Bistable attachments for wideband nonlinear vibration attenuation in a metamaterial beam

This work investigates the amplitude-dependent dynamics of a locally resonant metamaterial beam with bistable attachments. The concept that was previously demonstrated for a discrete chain is extended to a continuous system, and the enhancement in vibration attenuation bandwidth is investigated through a cantilever beam under base excitation. The analysis approach combines the harmonic balance method and time-domain numerical integration to capture periodic and aperiodic responses for up-sweep and down-sweep harmonic excitation. The bistable attachments are shown to exhibit linear intrawell, nonlinear intrawell and nonlinear interwell oscillations for low, moderate, and high base acceleration levels. As a result, the metastructure leverages linear locally resonant bandgap under low excitation intensity, and nonlinear wideband attenuation due to chaotic vibrations of the bistable attachments under high excitation intensity. This is first demonstrated through frequency sweep numerical simulations for a broad range of excitation amplitudes. Experimental validations are then presented for a base-excited cantilever beam hosting seven magnetoelastic beam attachments. For moderate-to-high amplitude excitation levels, the interwell oscillations of the attachments produce an attenuation frequency range that is 350% wider than the corresponding linear locally resonant bandgap (observed for low-amplitude excitation levels), yielding the suppression of modes outside the bandgap with increased excitation intensity.
MET Amplification (MET/CEP7 Ratio ≥ 1.8) Is an Independent Poor Prognostic Marker in Patients With Treatment-naive Non-Small-cell Lung Cancer.

Abstract Introduction The MET pathway is a promising target in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis has become a standard method to detect MET amplification. However, no consensus has been reached regarding the definition of MET amplification. We aimed to find clinically meaningful cutoffs for MET amplification that could be used as a prognostic marker and/or indication for MET inhibitor therapy. Patients and Methods We reviewed the fluorescence in situ hybridization results of MET/CEP7 (centromere of chromosome 7) for 2260 patients with treatment-naive NSCLC from 2014 to 2019. Clinical and pathologic data were collected from the medical records. Log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the overall survival (OS) among patients with different MET/CEP7 ratios and/or MET copy numbers. Results Of the 2260 patients, 130 (5.8%) had had a MET/CEP7 ratio of ≥ 1.8 and 13 (0.6%) had had a ratio of ≥ 5.0. Of these 130 patients with a MET/CEP7 ratio of ≥ 1.8, 123 (95%) also had a MET copy number of ≥ 5. In general, a higher MET copy number and higher MET/CEP7 ratio were associated with advanced tumor stage. The OS was significantly shorter when the MET copy number was ≥ 10 and/or when the MET/CEP7 ratio was ≥ 1.8. A MET/CEP7 ratio of ≥ 1.8 remained a significant hazard to OS on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.63; P = .019). Conclusions Patients with a MET copy number of ≥ 10 and/or MET/CEP7 ratio of ≥ 1.8 showed significantly poorer survival, and a MET/CEP7 ratio of ≥ 1.8 was an independent poor prognostic factor.
A Systematic Review on the Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in Semen.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that is present in most bodily fluids. However, whether SARS-CoV-2 is present in the semen remains underexplored. Thus, we systematically reviewed the existing studies on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen. Methods: A literature search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Ovid databases was performed for articles from the dates of their inception to August 2020 using the following keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV2, seminal, semen, and sperm. After excluding non-human studies and articles that were not in the English language, we identified 19 relevant studies. The full text of the articles were reviewed and a total of eight articles remained after applying our selection criteria. Results: After reviewing the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the eight different studies using semen samples, only one reported the presence of the virus. Six out of 160 total semen samples with SARS-CoV-2 positive demonstrated the presence of viral RNA, of which 2 were from males in the recovery phase and 4 from the acute phase of the infection. Conclusion: The novel nature of SARS-CoV-2 has limited the number and size of studies on semen. Nevertheless, the current literature, while limited, has confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen in one out of the eight reported studies and totaling 4.3% of the population screened. Taken together, the risk of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen appears to be extremely low and likely negligible in recovered men. Future studies need to focus on whether complete viral particles can be seen in semen and the possibility of sexual transmission.
Children Show a Gender Gap in Negotiation

In the United States, there is an unfortunate yet pervasive gender gap in wages: Women tend to make less than men for doing the same work. One prominent account for why this wage gap exists is that women and men negotiate differently. However, we currently do not know whether differences in negotiation are a product of extensive experience or are deeply rooted in development. Here, we brought data from children to bear on this important question. We gave 240 children between the ages of 4 and 9 years old a chance to negotiate for a bonus with a female or a male evaluator. Boys asked for the same bonus from a male and a female evaluator. Older girls, in contrast, asked for a smaller bonus from a male than a female evaluator. Our findings suggest that a gender gap in negotiation emerges surprisingly early in development, highlighting childhood as a key period for interventions.
Surviving violent, traumatic loss after severe political persecution: lessons from the evaluation of a Venezuelan asylum seeker

In July 2019, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) released a report urging the Venezuelan government to take immediate action to address the 'grave violations of economic, social, civil, political and cultural rights' occurring in the country. This case study highlights the human rights violations occurring in Venezuela through the case of a Venezuelan woman who experienced political persecution and traumatic loss resulting from her opposition to the ruling socialist party. As the clinical team of evaluators explored the mental health effects of surviving threats on her own life and the politically motivated assassination of her husband, it was agreed that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition did not fully capture the extent of her suffering. Case discussion broadens the lens beyond the client's experiences of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression to include persistent complex bereavement disorder, and emphasises the importance of addressing the sequelae of traumatic loss in a multifaceted way that broadens understanding of emotional functioning postmigration.
Strategic Asset Allocation for Endowment Funds

An endowment fund serves as a permanent source of capital to support a specific mission. It has, in the case of a university, dual goals of providing current financial support to the university and preserving long-term purchasing power to ensure that support continues in perpetuity. This article explores methodology for constructing strategic asset allocation for endowment funds in the context of these competing long-term investment goals. Key findings: ▪ In constructing a strategic asset allocation for an endowment, a traditional mean-variance optimization framework alone does not provide sufficient context to generate comprehensive forward-looking analysis. However, adding additional measures such as maximizing the probability of achieving investment goals or minimizing relevant downside distress measures over the long term can improve the analysis. ▪ A typical endowment’s asset allocation, with an equity orientation and tilt towards alternative asset classes, nearly maximizes the probability of achieving the dual long-term investment goals of meeting a spending rate target while preserving real capital, as well as minimizes endowment-specific downside risk measures. ▪ Optimal portfolio choices are dependent on underlying return expectations across asset classes. Although expected returns are typically the highest for private investments, there are limits to investing in private asset classes, including an endowment’s liquidity requirements and ability to access the best-performing managers.
3D Printing of Microgel Scaffolds with Tunable Void Fraction to Promote Cell Infiltration

Granular, microgel-based materials have garnered interest as promising tissue engineering scaffolds due to their inherent porosity, which can promote cell infiltration. Adapting these materials for 3D bioprinting, while maintaining sufficient void space to enable cell migration, can be challenging, since the rheological properties that determine printability are strongly influenced by microgel packing and void fraction. In this work, a strategy is proposed to decouple printability and void fraction by blending UV-crosslinkable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) microgels with sacrificial gelatin microgels to form composite inks. It is observed that inks with an apparent viscosity greater than ≈100 Pa s (corresponding to microgel concentrations ≥5 wt%) have rheological properties that enable extrusion-based printing of multilayered structures in air. By altering the ratio of GelMA to sacrificial gelatin microgels, while holding total concentration constant at 6 wt%, a family of GelMA:gelatin microgel inks is created that allows for tuning of void fraction from 0.20 to 0.57. Furthermore, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) seeded onto printed constructs are observed to migrate into granular inks in a void fraction-dependent manner. Thus, the family of microgel inks holds promise for use in 3D printing and tissue engineering applications that rely upon cell infiltration.