cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Indirect Comparison of Novel Oral Anticoagulants in Women with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Abstract Background: For nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been found noninferior to warfarin for stroke/systemic embolization prevention, and major bleeding events. Recent meta-analysis of NOACs versus warfarin in atrial fibrillation (AF) showed that women on warfarin have greater risk of stroke/embolism than men, and when both are treated with NOACs, differences disappear. Methods: NOACs differ in pharmacologic properties, thus they may differ from one another in their effects on women with AF. Using dose-adjusted warfarin as the common comparator, an indirect comparison of rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran 110 and 150 mg, and edoxaban 30 and 60 mg for efficacy (stroke/embolism prevention) and safety (major bleeding events) in women with AF was performed. Data from ROCKET-AF, RE-LY, ENGAGE AF TIMI, and ARISTOTLE were analyzed and compared according to the Bucher method. Results: No significant difference was found for any NOAC compared with alternatives in sa...
Understanding students' perception of academic and professional relevance in STEM courses

In this Work-in-Progress paper we examine students' situational motivation in introductory STEM courses through analysis of survey responses about students' experiences in a required course at each of two large public institutions. The students in each course convey different perceptions of course relevance: learning-performance relevance and temporal relevance. Learning-performance relevance, exclusive to Course A, refers to students' perceptions of course content and activities as relevant to their performance, which in turn serve as necessary prerequisites for achieving future academic and professional goals. Temporal relevance, described primarily by students in Course B, pertains to students' non-performance-based perceptions of course content as applicable to their long-term academic and professional careers, as well as their personal intellectual growth. We posit that understanding the ways in which students perceive the relevance of course assessments, content, and activities to their near- and long-term future aspirations may allow for improved instructor support of intrinsic motivational attitudes in STEM classrooms.
Chapter III.8 – Hemoglobin-Based Blood Substitutes

Publisher Summary Biomimetic research and development of red blood cell function toward development of a resuscitative artificial oxygen carrying fluid has been one active area of blood substitute research. The efforts to develop such a fluid have focused on using the allosteric oxygen binding properties of the protein hemoglobin or the solublization of oxygen by fluorocarbons. Both strategies have been fertile areas of research and have resulted in the development of products that have been, and are now being tested in the clinic. The studies of the oxygen delivery properties of these solutions have raised new questions over the appropriate physiologic need and delivery of oxygen both systemically and in microcirculation. In addition, the development of these products has raised new regulatory challenges, as these agencies have struggled with the determination of efficacy of these products in spite of the assumption that a plasma expander that carried oxygen was better than one that did not. Because of the difficulty in clearly demonstrating the efficacy of red blood cell transfusion in the clinic, and the differing clinical practices of red blood cell use, indirect demonstrations of efficacy (surrogate end points) through the reduction in the use of allogeneic blood in the clinic have been allowed.
Indications of anisotropy at large angular scales in the arrival directions of cosmic rays detected at the Pierre Auger Obser

The large-scale distribution of arrival directions of high-energy cosmic rays carries major clues to understanding their origin. The Pierre Auger Collaboration have implemented different analyses to search for dipolar and quadrupolar anisotropies in different energy ranges spanning four orders of magnitude. A common phase ≈ 270◦ of the first harmonic modulation in right-ascension was found in adjacent energy intervals below 1 EeV, and another common phase ≈ 100◦ above 4 EeV. A constancy of phase measurements in ordered energy intervals originating from a genuine anisotropy is expected to appear with a smaller number of events than those needed to achieve significant amplitudes. This led us to design a prescribed test aimed at establishing whether this consistency in phases is real at 99% CL. The test required a total independent exposure of 21,000 km2 sr yr. We report on the status of this prescription. We also report the results of the search for a dipole anisotropy for cosmic rays with energies above 4 EeV using events with zenith angles between 60◦ and 80◦. Compared to previous analyses of events with zenith angles smaller than 60◦, this extension increases the size of the data set by 30%, and enlarges the fraction of exposed sky from 71% to 85%. The largest departure from isotropy is found in the energy range above 8 EeV, with an amplitude for the first harmonic in right ascension r1 = (4.4±1.0)×10−2, that has a chance probability P(≥ r1) = 6.4×10−5, reinforcing the hint previously reported with vertical events alone.
Contribution of small conductance K+ channels to sinoatrial node pacemaker activity: insights from atrial-specific Na+ /Ca2+ exchange knockout mice.

Key points Repolarizing currents through K+ channels are essential for proper sinoatrial node (SAN) pacemaking, but the influence of intracellular Ca2+ on repolarization in the SAN is uncertain. We identified all three isoforms of Ca2+-activated small conductance K+ (SK) channels in the murine SAN. SK channel blockade slows repolarization and subsequent depolarization of SAN cells. In the atrial-specific Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) knockout mouse, cellular Ca2+ accumulation during spontaneous SAN pacemaker activity produces intermittent hyperactivation of SK channels, leading to arrhythmic pauses alternating with bursts of pacing. These findings suggest that Ca2+-sensitive SK channels can translate changes in cellular Ca2+ into a repolarizing current capable of modulating pacemaking. SK channels are a potential pharmacological target for modulating SAN rate or treating SAN dysfunction, particularly under conditions characterized by abnormal increases in diastolic Ca2+. Abstract Small conductance K+ (SK) channels have been implicated as modulators of spontaneous depolarization and electrical conduction that may be involved in cardiac arrhythmia. However, neither their presence nor their contribution to sinoatrial node (SAN) pacemaker activity has been investigated. Using quantitative PCR (q-PCR), immunostaining and patch clamp recordings of membrane current and voltage, we identified all three SK isoforms (SK1, SK2 and SK3) in mouse SAN. Inhibition of SK channels with the specific blocker apamin prolonged action potentials (APs) in isolated SAN cells. Apamin also slowed diastolic depolarization and reduced pacemaker rate in isolated SAN cells and intact tissue. We investigated whether the Ca2+-sensitive nature of SK channels could explain arrhythmic SAN pacemaker activity in the atrial-specific Na+/Ca2+ exchange (NCX) knockout (KO) mouse, a model of cellular Ca2+ overload. SAN cells isolated from the NCX KO exhibited higher SK current than wildtype (WT) and apamin prolonged their APs. SK blockade partially suppressed the arrhythmic burst pacing pattern of intact NCX KO SAN tissue. We conclude that SK channels have demonstrable effects on SAN pacemaking in the mouse. Their Ca2+-dependent activation translates changes in cellular Ca2+ into a repolarizing current capable of modulating regular pacemaking. This Ca2+ dependence also promotes abnormal automaticity when these channels are hyperactivated by elevated Ca2+. We propose SK channels as a potential target for modulating SAN rate, and for treating patients affected by SAN dysfunction, particularly in the setting of Ca2+ overload.
Recent Operating Experience with the Fermilab Central Helium Liquefier

Operating experience since the last report, Aug. 1983, is covered. The current mode of supplying liquid helium to the superconducting accelerator ring is explained including a discussion of the interaction of the system with upsets in the ring. The method of controlling helium flow to the dewars, liquid helium pump, helium subcooler, and cold box is very stable and largely automatic. The capacity of the plant is 136 g/s at the current operating point with a peak demand flow of greater than 250 g/s using liquid pumped from dewar storage. The design specifications of the major equipment are tabulated giving the main characteristics of the compressors, cold box, and helium and nitrogen storage. The operating history is analyzed to yield a lifetime efficiency of 97% in 19840 hours of running, and a breakdown of major failures and their causes is given. The major sources of downtime have been contamination of the helium stream by dust, water, and nitrogen. The solutions to these problems are discussed. A new liquid helium pump has been commissioned which has improved the system reliability and performance. This reciprocating pump is described and test data is presented. A third compressor has been commissioned as a backup for the two original compressors. A new control system utilizing a Texas Instruments PM550 programmable controller is used to monitor and control the third compressor. The performance of the PM550 has been excellent, and it is being implemented to control other parts of the system.
Naphthylbipyrrole-Containing Amethyrin Analogue: A New Ligand for the Uranyl (UO22+) Cation

Using naphthobipyrrole as a functional building block, a new expanded porphyrin, naphthoisoamethyrin, was prepared in 85% yield under acid-catalyzed [4 + 2] MacDonald coupling conditions. Treatment of naphthoisoamethyrin with the nonaqueous uranyl silylamide salt [UO2[N(SiMe3)2]2·2THF] yielded the corresponding uranyl complex. Upon metalation, naphthoisoamethyrin undergoes a two-electron oxidation to yield a formal 22 π-electron aromatic species, as inferred from 1H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy, as well as cyclic voltammetry.
Comparing Measures of HDL: On the Right Path with the Wrong Map.

HDL cholesterol is often referred to as the “good” cholesterol. This is due to HDL involvement in transport of cholesterol from vascular plaques and peripheral tissues back to the liver during reverse cholesterol transport. Additional protective aspects attributed to HDL include antioxidant, antiinflammatory, vasodilatory, and antithrombotic activities. This variety of HDL physiological functions is made possible by structural and compositional heterogeneity of circulating HDL particles. Direct measures of HDL activity are available but remain limited to research applications at present. Reverse cholesterol transport studies have demonstrated that the size and composition of HDL particles can influence the mechanism and capacity for cholesterol efflux and other potential protective activities (1). Thus, measurement of HDL size and composition may provide a surrogate for protective HDL activity. In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , investigators from the Boston Heart Diagnostics group report a comparison of their HDL mapping method with 4 different clinical methods for HDL subfractionation (2). Comparing these methods is not a trivial task. The authors used a clever approach by normalizing the relative amount of large, medium, and small HDL to the total HDL reported by each method. Passing–Bablok and Bland–Altman plots for each pairing of methods were then used to compare normalized large, medium, or small HDL among 98 subjects. In this way, correlation and bias between the various methods were quantifiable. Unfortunately, the approach of normalization cannot adequately address some confounders. First, the methods of separation are not the same. Some methods separate subfractions according to HDL size while others separate them according to HDL density. Second, …
Retrospective Experiences of Cyberbullying and Emotional Outcomes on Young Adults Who Stutter

The objective of this quantitative research study was to identify and examine psychological effects on adults who stutter who were cyberbullied as an adolescent, specifically looking at depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Using survey methodology, a two-way between-groups multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was utilized to determine if young adults who stutter and were cyberbullied in middle and/or high school express current depression, anxiety, or stress levels as compared to three other groups (no cyberbullying and no stuttering; cyberbullying and no stuttering; and no cyberbullying and stuttering). This study used the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) instrument in an online survey format to determine which, if any, lasting psychological stressors were found. Results indicate that the cyberbullied and stuttering group have significantly higher anxiety levels compared to the three additional groups, significantly higher depression levels compared to the group with no cyberbullying and no stuttering, and significantly higher stress levels compared to the groups with stuttering and no cyberbullying and no cyberbullying and no stuttering. This research indicates the effects that cyberbullying can have on mental health, and additionally the negative effect that stuttering can have on a person’s overall mental health as well.
The Effect of Inoculation byThiobacillusThiooxidans on Phosphorus Availablity in Soil

The aim of this laboratory experiment which includes isolating of sulfur oxidizing bacteria (genus Thiobacillus) fromRhizosphere of some plants and soil treated with sulfur and contaminated with oil and choose the best isolates in reducing the degree of pH and production of sulfate .The isolate T2 is excellent on the rest of the isolates in reducing the degree of pH (8) to (5.51 , 6.07) and produced sulfate29.1and 114.90 mg.L -1in sulfur and thiosulfate Liquid media as compared with other isolate and used as inoculum in pots experiment .The pots are filled with 4 Kg soil of Qurna Fertilizaedwith nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer as recommended maize and added the sulfur levels (0,2,4,6) tan S. Ha-1soil and rock phosphate levels (0,400,800,1600) Kg rock.Ha-1.The pots have beendivided into twoparts: one of them is inoculation with 15 ml of T2 isolate and the other is left without inoculated and incubated pots laboratory for a month and moisteur tap water to complete the process of sulfer oxidation. After the end of the incubation the pots trancfered to the wired of the college of Agriculture, University of Al-Basra and planted with seeds of maize by (6) seed .pot-1 and placed according to the design (RCBD) with three replications .After germination with 60 days took samples from the soil14 ,42and exet the experiment and measurement of avilable phosphorus. The results showed that the treatment of best isolated T2,6 tan.ha-1 1600 Kg rock.ha-1as gived the highest concentration of available phosphorus in the soil 90.60 ,48.43 and 44.75 mg P. kg-1. soil during the two- six-week periods and after harvest as compared to the treatment without inoculation and non treatment with sulfur and rock phosphate.
D. Oliver Herbel: Turning to Tradition: Converts and the Making of an American Orthodox Church

A mere footnote in many historical and sociological analyses of American religions, Eastern Orthodoxy has finally begun to receive the sustained attention of scholars interested in exploring its interplay with the American cultural context. In this vein, historian D. Oliver Herbel’s monograph, Turning to Tradition: Converts and the Making of an American Orthodox Church, contributes significantly to our understanding of at least one vital strand of this interplay: the extent to which twentieth-century American conversions to the Orthodox Church represent a subset of American ecclesial restorationism. Certainly, at an initial glance, Eastern Orthodoxy’s exotic ‘‘otherness’’ and entrenched doctrinal conservatism make it appear, in Herbel’s assessment, ‘‘a very un-American choice’’ (3) amidst the religious plurality, innovation, and individualism marking the contemporary American landscape. Yet, over the course of the twentieth century, the Orthodox Church has consistently attracted self-propelled, theologically-informed American converts to its doors. Herbel examines how these conversions reflect aspects of the American religious scene in featuring the case studies of four intra-Christian converts who have become ‘‘iconic and theologically normative’’ (2) within American Orthodoxy: Fr. Alexis Toth (1853–1909), Fr. Raphael Morgan (ca. 1869–1916), Fr. Moses Berry (1951-present), and Fr. Peter Gillquist (1938–2012). In addition to their clerical prominence, these figures are significant in inspiring entire movements of fellow seekers to embrace the Orthodox faith and for reflecting, at least to some extent, the ethnic and racial diversity within American Orthodoxy. While motivations for conversion can be quite idiosyncratic in their biographical specificity, these men cite Orthodoxy’s claim to embody, in its doctrine and
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of A Spray-Atomized and Deposited Al-Cu-Mg-Ag Alloy

In this paper, the results of a recent study designed to improve our understanding of the hardness, tensile properties, cyclic fatigue response, and fracture characteristics of a spray-atomized and deposition-processed Al-Cu-Mg-Ag Alloy are presented. Specimens of the alloy were deformed to failure at ambient temperature under both quasi-static and cyclic stress amplitude-controlled conditions. The hardness, tensile properties, high-cycle fatigue response, and fracture characteristics of the alloy are compared with a conventional ingot metallurgy-processed counterpart and discussed in light of intrinsic microstructural effects, nature and magnitude of loading, and ductility of the microstructure.
Organized Medicine and Lifelong Learning

Physicians in the United States have unprecedented educational resources from county, state, and national medical organizations, and particularly specialty societies. County societies sponsor computer bulletin boards, chat rooms, legislative updates, and, often, short reviews of important medical studies. State associations provide in-depth information on current state and national medical legislation and ethics, and may offer help and advice to impaired physicians and those with other such problems. Dennis Wentz addressed the issue of organized medicine: “Despite diminishing membership, city, county, and state medical societies still serve a valuable purpose. Unlike the major specialty societies, which convene a single annual meeting, city and county medical societies meet at least monthly and promote collegiality to all members. In an address to the Canadian Medical Association, Osler highlighted these assets: ‘By no means the smallest advantage of our meetings is the promotion of harmony and good fellowship. Medical men, particularly in smaller places, live too much apart and do not see enough of each other. In large cities we rub each other’s angles down and carom off each other without feeling the shock very much, but it is an unfortunate circumstance that in many towns the friction, being on a small surface, hurts; and mutual misunderstandings arise to the destruction of all harmony.
Overview of chromium(III) toxicology

Environmental exposure to chromium (Cr) is becoming an increasing concern, and certain Cr compounds are recognized as human carcinogens. Chronic use of Cr picolinate has been reported to cause nephrotoxicity in humans if ingested in excess. In addition, it has been reported that Cr picolinate consumption is associated with some acute physiological and behavioral impairment. Chromium supplements have been shown to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. Reactive oxygen species are oxygen-containing and highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons formed during oxidative metabolism. Considerable evidence has shown that ROS play an important role in the initiation of cellular injury, which can lead to the development of cancer. Humans who are exposed to Cr(III) picolinate or other environmentally relevant organic Cr(III) complexes humic acid complexes), are potentially accumulating high levels of Cr(III) in cells. This intracellular accumulation of Cr(III) can result in the formation of covalent bonds between Cr(III) and DNA and/or other macromolecules, causing genotoxic effects.
Tellurene: its physical properties, scalable nanomanufacturing, and device applications

Tellurium (Te) has a trigonal crystal lattice with inherent structural anisotropy. Te is multifunctional, e.g., semiconducting, photoconductive, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, etc., for applications in electronics, sensors, optoelectronics, and energy devices. Due to the inherent structural anisotropy, previously reported synthetic methods predominantly yield one-dimensional (1D) Te nanostructures. Much less is known about 2D Te nanostructures, their processing schemes, and their material properties. This review focuses on the synthesis and morphology control of emerging 2D tellurene and summarizes the latest developments in understanding the fundamental properties of monolayer and few-layer tellurene, as well as the recent advances in demonstrating prototypical tellurene devices. Finally, the prospects for future research and application opportunities as well as the accompanying challenges of 2D tellurene are summarized and highlighted.
High-Resolution Deformation Mapping Across Large Fields of View Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Digital Image Correlation

This paper details the creation of experimental and computational frameworks to capture high-resolution, microscale deformation mechanisms and their relation to microstructure over large (mm-scale) fields of view. Scanning electron microscopy with custom automation and external beam control was used to capture 209 low-distortion micrographs of 360 μm × 360 μm each, that were individually correlated using digital image correlation to obtain displacement/strain fields with a spatial resolution of 0.44 μm. Displacement and strain fields, as well as secondary electron images, were subsequently stitched to create a 5.7 mm × 3.4 mm field of view containing 100 million (7678 × 13,004) data points. This approach was demonstrated on Mg WE43 under uniaxial compression, where effective strain was shown to be relatively constant with respect to distance from the grain boundary, and a noticeable increase in the effective strain was found with an increase in the basal Schmid factor. The ability to obtain high-resolution deformations over statistically relevant fields of view enables large data analytics to examine interactions between microstructure, microscale strain localizations, and macroscopic properties.
Variations in the use of definitive chemoradiotherapy and immunoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

e18074Background: Clinical practice guidelines recommend definitive concurrent bi-modality treatment, either with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or immunoradiotherapy (IRT) using cetuximab, for locally ad...
Computational Thinking Bins: Outreach and More

Computational Thinking Bins are stand alone, individual boxes, each containing an activity for groups of students that teaches a computing concept.We have a devised a system that has allowed us to create an initial set, test the set, continually improve and add to our set. We currently use these bins in outreach events for middle and high school students. As we have shared this resource with K-12 teachers, many have expressed an interest in acquiring their own set. In this paper we will share our experience throughout the process, introduce the bins, and explain how you can create your own set.
A Nonlinear Network Model with Application to Modeling the Retinal Responses

Understanding many of the complex visual functions in the vertebrate retina requires characterizing various types of interactions between its excitatory and inhibitory neural pathways. Although quite successful in predicting retinal responses to simple synthetic visual stimuli, existing computational models are not sufficient to characterize retinal responses to more complex visual stimuli whose processing involves various types of excitatory and inhibitory interactions. In this study, we develop a computational model in the convolutional neural network framework in order to incorporate both excitatory and inhibitory computations generating retinal responses. The successfully predicts the spiking rate of retinal ganglion cells. The recovered model parameters represent the linear and nonlinear processing across different layers in the retina. This novel model of retinal responses provides a powerful tool for understanding how complex computations at the integration of excitatory and inhibitory pathways lead to the retina’s complex visual functions, which can in turn advance existing retinal prosthetic devices to be able to implement more naturalistic processing of real-world visual scenes.
Topical amitriptyline combined with ketamine for the treatment of erythromelalgia: a retrospective study of 36 patients at Mayo Clinic.

Background Erythromelalgia is an uncommon neurovascular disorder characterized by redness, increased skin temperature, and pain that usually occurs in the extremities. Treatment remains challenging because of its varying response to medical therapy. The objective of this study was to assess the response of erythromelalgia to compounded topical amitriptyline-ketamine. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 36 patients with erythromelalgia who were treated with compounded topical amitriptyline-ketamine from January 1, 2004, through January 31, 2011. Results Thirty-two patients (89%) were female. Mean (standard deviation) age was 44.7 (15.8) years (range, 5-74 years). Patients applied the medication 1 to 6 times per day (median, 5 times). One patient (3%) had complete relief from symptoms, 14 (39%) had substantial relief, 12 (33%) had some relief, 7 (19%) had no relief, and 2 (6%) had local worsening of symptoms. No patients had systemic adverse effects. Conclusions A majority of patients with erythromelalgia (75%) reported improvement in pain with topical application of a compounded amitriptyline-ketamine formulation. The medication was well tolerated.
Irresoluciones en la poesía de Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera

Irresolutions in the Poetry of Manuel Gutierrez NajeraLiterary Existentialism, due to its contemporaneity, calls for a synchronized analysis in its Hispanic American variant since it is often interpreted from a peripheral perspective. That is to say, to speak of a Hispanic American Existentialism requires an examination of the literary production of the latter period of nineteenth century modernismo. The central idea of this article is to continue documenting the imprint of modernismo in the Existentialism canon by using a poetic voice that addresses the problems of being in the world, in other words, a testament to the axiological breakdown vis-a-vis the symptoms of modernity. In this article, I offer some commentaries on the anthropocentric disposition of a leading figure of Hispanic American poetic modernity, Manuel Gutierrez Najera, focusing on the most impressionistic moments of this epistemological issue. I turn to introspective poems that consider human solitude. This theme, centered on the problem of commitment and the pursuit of purpose in life, is more accurately termed protoexistentialism of the nineteenth century.
Understanding place meaning through integrative research: Perspectives from the natural resource social sciences and the humanities

The complexity of our world demands that our knowledge systems shift from reductionist and mechanistic to holistic, organic, and complex approaches that consider diverse viewpoints. This is especia...
Uncertainty Analysis of Wind Power Fluctuations in Yunnan Power Grid

The statistical analysis of wind power characteristics is the basic work of wind power integration research, and the statistical analysis method based on actual output data is the most direct and credible method to understand the characteristics of wind power fluctuations. Yunnan (a province in southwestern China) is rich in wind power resources. It is estimated that by 2020, the total installed capacity of wind power in Yunnan will reach 10 million kilowatts. Wind power output is characterized by volatility, randomness and intermittentness. As the penetration of wind power in the power grid is getting higher and higher, it will have an important impact on the stable and economical operation of power system. Based on the actual wind power output data of Yunnan power grid, this paper deeply studies and mines the uncertainty of wind power fluctuations in Yunnan power grid. The research results can provide important reference for power grid planning, scheduling, and wind power integration.
Are US Wineries Prepared for the Next ‘Black Swan’ Event?

Increasingly destructive natural disasters and human-created crises together have thrust the topic of strategic preparedness to the forefront of managerial conversations around the globe. Stakeholders increasingly expect firms to have plans in place to mitigate disasters and sustain, or quickly resume production and sales. Regional economic vitality relies upon the strategic preparedness of the firms, which operate within their communities. Following recent fire, flood, and earthquake disasters, we investigate perceived organisational preparedness and resilience within the western US wine industry via field research. Four constructs are presented that reveal organisational preparedness, i.e. realising a need, building stakeholder support, securing resources and capabilities, and exemplifying best practices. Comparative case studies and a model for active planning are analysed.
Channel Model for Spiking Neural Networks Inspired by Impulse Radio MIMO Transmission

In analogy with impulse radio counterpart in wireless communication, a channel model for spiking neural networks (SNNs) is proposed. The neuron channel model includes fanout and fanin with weighted sum in axons, synapses, and dendrites. It is based on a wireless channel model with multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) air and digital interfaces, but is orders of magnitude scaled down in size and the group velocity of signaling waves for broadcasting and superposition. The neuron channel matrix can flexibly encode weights and delays per synaptic connection to facilitate native processing of temporal SNNs by wave passive propagation dynamics over the physical media.
Transpiration drivers of high-elevation five-needle pines (Pinus longaeva and Pinus flexilis) in sky-island ecosystems of the North American Great Basin

Abstract We investigated the interaction between soil water supply and atmospheric evaporative demand for driving the seasonal pattern of transpiration in sky-island high-elevation forest ecosystems. Sap flow measurements were collected at 10-minute intervals for five consecutive years (2013–2017) on two co-occurring subalpine conifers, i.e. limber pine (Pinus flexilis) and bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva). Our study site is part of the Nevada Climate-ecohydrological Assessment Network (NevCAN), and is located at 3355 m a.s.l. within an undisturbed mixed-conifer stand. We found that seasonal changes in soil moisture regulated transpiration sensitivity to atmospheric conditions. Sap flow density was mainly limited by evaporative demands under non-water limiting conditions, but was influenced only by soil moisture when water availability decreased. Daily sap flow density increased with radiation and soil moisture in June and July when soil moisture was generally above 10%, but correlated only with soil moisture in August and September when soil drought occurred. Sap flow sensitivity to vapor pressure deficit and solar radiation was therefore reduced under decreasing soil moisture conditions. Transpiration peaked in mid-to-late June during both dry and wet years, with a lower peak in late summer during wet years. Normalized mean daily canopy conductance of both species declined with decreasing soil moisture (i.e., increasing soil drought). Severe soil drying (i.e., soil moisture
Control and Toxicity in Melanoma Versus Other Brain Metastases in Response to Combined Radiosurgery and PD-(L)1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibition

Abstract Purpose Prior studies have mixed conclusions about the efficacy and central nervous system (CNS) toxicity profile of combining radiosurgery with anti-programed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) for brain metastases. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of combined radiosurgery and anti-PD-1 ICI for melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) brain metastases (BM). Methods and Materials Forty-one patients with 153 radiation naive melanoma BM and 33 patients with 118 BM of NSCLC and RCC origin from 2014 through 2019 received radiosurgery and either anti PD-1 receptor inhibition or anti PD-L1 inhibition targeting the PD-1 ligand with less than 4 months separating either therapy. Similar to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9005, high-grade CNS toxicity was defined as irreversible grade 3 or any grade 4/5 neurologic event. Salvage resection revealing necrosis and viable tumor was considered grade 4 toxicity and local failure. An increase in greatest cross-sectional diameter of 25% on contrasted magnetic resonance imaging was designated as a local failure. Results Median follow-up was 10 months (range, 1-41 months). Local control was estimated to be 90.3% at 1 year. Distant control was 38.8% at 1 year, and neither local nor distant control were significantly influenced by limiting steroids to the day of treatment (P = .55, .52 respectively). One-year freedom from high-grade toxicity was 90.4% for patients and 94.6% for tumors. Though melanoma accounted for 41 (55%) patients and 153 (56%) tumors, it accounted for all high-grade toxicities (P = .03). These patients had some combination of high tumor burden, aggressive steroid taper, and treatment with ipilimumab. Conclusions Stereotactic radiosurgery combined with anti-PD-1 ICI appears to result in a high rate of local tumor control and a low rate of high-grade CNS toxicity, comparable to historical series with radiosurgery alone. High-grade toxicity is more likely in melanoma than RCC and NSCLC. Coming prospective studies will shed light on further questions about treatment timing, steroids, and response.
An exploratory analysis of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances in pet food packaging from the United States

Abstract Poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were reported to be used in food packaging to impart water and oil repellency. Little is known, however, with regard to the occurrence of PFAS in pet food packaging. In this study, 37 pet food packaging and 11 pet foods were analyzed for the determination of 13 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), including nine perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA; C 4 - C 12 ) and four perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSA; C 4 - C 10 ). Furthermore, samples were extracted in organic solvents (methanol and ethyl acetate) and an aliquot of the extract was analyzed using total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay to determine the occurrence of PFAS precursors that may be present in packaging. PFSA concentrations were below their respective limits of detection. Plastic food packaging samples contained ∑ PFCA (sum of 9 PFCAs) concentrations an order of magnitude higher (range: ∑ PFCA concentrations (range: 0.600–14.3 ng/g; mean: 5.71 ng/g) following oxidation than those measured prior to oxidation (range: ∑ PFCA concentrations following the TOP assay suggested the occurrence of PFAA precursors in food packaging. Fluorotelomer alcohols were suspected to contribute to higher PFCA concentrations measured following the oxidation of extracts of food packaging.
Reducing boundary voxelization errors of 3-D monte carlo photon simulation

The voxel-based Monte Carlo method (VMC) offers efficiency in modeling light transport in complex bio-tissues, but is known to produce erroneous results due to its terraced boundaries. We present a significantly improved VMC by incorporating mesh-based boundary information in a hybrid modeling approach. A fast preprocessing step first extracts surface meshes from an arbitrary voxelated domain using the marching-cubes algorithm. An extended voxel format is developed to encode oblique surface information while keeping the data structure efficient for parallel processing. This enables modeling of subvoxel boundaries, resulting in significantly improved accuracy in benchmarks, including an MRI human brain atlas.
Safety and effectiveness of metformin in patients with reduced renal function: A systematic review.

Aim To examine clinical and safety outcomes associated with metformin use in patients with impaired renal function. Materials and methods We searched PubMed and Embase databases from inception to August 2020, supplementing our search with a review of investigator files and reference lists of included studies. Any study reporting original data on metformin and patient-centred outcomes in patients with impaired renal function, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73m2 , was included. Post hoc meta-analysis was performed for the outcomes of mortality, cardiovascular events and acidosis. Results Nine small prospective studies enrolling patients with significantly impaired renal function identified only one case of clinically apparent lactic acidosis. Among 13 larger retrospective studies, seven examined the risk of mortality across patient subgroups; meta-analysis showed reductions in overall mortality at an eGFR of 45 mL/min/1.73m2 or higher but not at an eGFR of less than 45 mL/min/1.73m2 . Eight retrospective studies evaluated acidosis as an outcome; meta-analysis showed no increase in risk of acidosis except at an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min/1.73m2 , in which group the HR was 1.97 (95% CI 1.03-3.77). Conclusions The literature shows metformin to be associated with reduced mortality and no increased risk of acidosis at an eGFR of 45 mL/min/1.73m2 or higher. Metformin appears to be associated with fewer benefits and possible increases in the risk of acidosis at an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min/1.73m2 . Consistent with US Food and Drug Administration guidelines, metformin should not be used at an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73m2 , and further research on its risk-benefit profile at eGFR values approaching 30 mL/min/1.73m2 is warranted.
A high accuracy cavity optomechanical accelerometer with electro-optic frequency comb readout

A cavity optomechanical accelerometer based upon a Fabry-Perot geometry is demonstrated. Electro-optic frequency combs are employed as a rapid and high accuracy method to interrogate a cavity mode and elucidate the corresponding acceleration.
The Effect of COVID-19 on the Medical School Experience, Specialty Selection, and Career Choice: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Objectives : While COVID-19 had a profound impact on healthcare, its effects on medical students are less clear. This study explored the effects of COVID-19 safety measures on medical students’ specialty selection and career choices. It further considers the potential differential effects of COVID by gender. Design Between June and November 2020 at a Midwestern medical university, medical students with an anticipated graduation in 2021 through 2023 participated in virtual focus group sessions, which explored students’ transition to remote learning during COVID-19, perception of gender bias within medical education, and personal and professional goals. Nine focus groups were held, with two to six students per session (N = 22). Focus groups were video recorded, transcribed verbatim, and data were deidentified. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using consensual qualitative analysis to identify themes. Results : Our analysis captured three themes: (1) Impact of Institutional Decision-Making due to COVID-19, (2) Impact of Unstructured Time on Professional and Personal Decision Making, and (3) Impact of Societal Pressures, Gender Bias, and Mentorship on Career Planning. Conclusions : COVID-19 disrupted important learning opportunities for medical students. Mentorship and shadowing are critical in helping students make career and specialty decisions, particularly for women. The loss of these opportunities may have lasting career impacts for all students.
Chemical Reactor Network Targeting and Integration: An Optimization Approach

While synthesis strategies are well developed for energy integration and separation systems, relatively little work has been done in synthesizing reactor networks. This is due to the complex and nonlinear behavior of the reacting system, coupled with the combinatorial aspects inherent in all synthesis problems. This paper provides a brief summary of work to date in this area, focusing on targeting approaches for reactor network synthesis As with energy integration, reactor network targeting seeks to describe the performance of the network without its explicit construction. Once this description has been obtained, a network is then determined that is guaranteed to match this target. To achieve these objectives, we rely on recent concepts of attainable regions and extend these to simple optimization formulations. With these formulations, network targets can be achieved for isothermal and nonisothermal systems with complex kinetics Moreover, these optimization formulations can easily be coupled to other process systems such as heat integration and separation sequences. As a result, they provide a framework for integrated process design. This strategy is illustrated with detailed examples. Finally, limitations of the current approach are summarized and topics for future work are outlined
CONSTRAINTS ON THE VELOCITY AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF HELIUM-LIKE IONS IN THE WIND OF SMC X-1 FROM OBSERVATIONS WITH THE XMM-NEWTON REFLECTION GRATING SPECTROMETER

We present here X-ray spectra of the HMXB SMC X-1 obtained in an observation with the XMM-Newton observatory beginning before eclipse and ending near the end of eclipse. With RGS on board XMM-Newton, we observe emission lines from hydrogen-like and helium-like ions of nitrogen, oxygen, neon, magnesium, and silicon. Although the resolution of the RGS is sufficient to resolve the helium-like n = 2→ 1 emission into three line components, only one of these components, the intercombination line, is detected in our data. The lack of flux in the forbidden lines of the helium-like triplets is explained by pumping by ultraviolet photons from the B0 star, and, from this, we set an upper limit on the distance of the emitting ions from the star. The lack of observable flux in the resonance lines of the helium-like triplets indicates a lack of enhancement due to resonance line scattering, and, from this, we derive a new observational constraint on the distribution of the wind in SMC X-1 in velocity and coordinate space. We find that the solid angle subtended by the volume containing the helium-like ions at the neutron star multiplied by the velocity dispersion of the helium-like ions must be less than 4π sr km s−1. This constraint will be satisfied if the helium-like ions are located primarily in clumps distributed throughout the wind or in a thin layer along the surface of the B0 star.
Thermally-induced interlaminar crack-tip singularities in laminated anisotropic composites

Thermally-induced stress singularities of an interlaminar crack in a fiber-reinforced composite laminate under a state of generalized plane deformation are examined within the framework of steady-state anisotropic thermoelasticity. The crack is assumed to be embedded within a matrix-rich interlaminar region of the composite. The Fourier integral transform technique and the flexibility/stiffness matrix method are introduced to formulate the current mixed boundary value problem. As a result, two sets of simultaneous Cauchy-type singular integral equations of the first kind are derived for the heat conduction and thermoelasticity. Within the context of linear elastic fracture mechanics, the mixed-mode thermal stress intensity factors are defined in terms of the solutions of the corresponding integral equations. Numerical results are presented, addressing the effects of laminate stacking sequence, crack location, and crack surface partial insulation on the values of thermal stress intensity factors.
Immunohistochemical Correlates of Response to Recombinant Interleukin-2-based Immunotherapy in Humans

We have evaluated immunohistochemical characteristics of tumors and the infiltrating cells in patients treated with various immunotherapy regimens. Forty-eight patients with advanced malignancies were treated with high dose i.v. recombinant interleukin-2 alone or incombination with cyclophosphamide, recombinant tumor necrosis factor, recombinant interferon-α, antimelanoma antibody 9.2.27, adoptively transferred tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, or lymphokine-activated killer cells. Thirty-four patients with metastatic melanoma and two patients with breast carcinoma underwent excision of one or more s.c. metastases either before, during, or after treatment. Twelve patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma underwent pretreatment nephrectomy and these tumors were also studied. Tumor cells were evaluated for class I (HLA-A,B,C) and II (HLA-DR) antigen expression and the mononuclear infiltrate was characterized using an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique. All melanomas were class I antigen positive. Fifty-three % of biopsied metastatic melanoma lesions, 58% of primary renal cell carcinomas, and neither of the two breast carcinomas expressed class II antigen prior to therapy. The pretreatment expression of class II antigens by a tumor was not predictive of a clinical response to recombinant interleukin 2-based therapy. After treatment, however, seven of seven biopsied regressing individual metastases intensely expressed DR antigen on over fifty percent of the cells while only three of ten nonresponding lesions did so. Regressing lesions were permeated with macrophages and both CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets. There were no CD1 or NKH-1 positive infiltrating cells detected in any lesion. The response to recombinant interleukin 2-based immunotherapy is associated with T-cell as well as macrophage infiltration. DR antigen expression by tumor cells and T-cell infiltrate appear in individual lesions to be associated with this response.
Processing of the Notch Ligand Delta by the Metalloprotease Kuzbanian

Signaling by the Notch surface receptor controls cell fate determination in a broad spectrum of tissues. This signaling is triggered by the interaction of the Notch protein with what, so far, have been thought to be transmembrane ligands expressed on adjacent cells. Here biochemical and genetic analyses show that the ligand Delta is cleaved on the surface, releasing an extracellular fragment capable of binding to Notch and acting as an agonist of Notch activity. The ADAM disintegrin metalloprotease Kuzbanian is required for this processing event. These observations raise the possibility that Notch signaling in vivo is modulated by soluble forms of the Notch ligands.
The mythology of ground bounce

The concepts of "ground bounce" or "noisy reference planes" or "voltage drops along ground" are all tied in with the idea that a ground plane (or just a length of wire for that matter) can be modeled as an equivalent lumped inductor. If care is taken to consider the entire circuit, and mutual inductances are properly taken into account, this inductor model works. However, it appears that this model is often interpreted too literally. One notices that in the literature, authors often refer to "voltage drops" along ground. Some even purport to be able to measure this voltage. Others claim that this voltage is real and causes "ground bounce". Still others claim that this voltage can be used to drive antenna elements. In this paper we show that this voltage is a fiction. The above inductor model is valid only when measuring a voltage from well-defined model "terminals" or "ports". Misuse of the model can lead to erroneous conclusions.