cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of Phase Control Technology in the Prevention of DC Offset Risk of Circuit Breaker of EHV Transmission Line with Parallel Reactance

In this paper the DC omponent in current of circuit breaker during transmission line energizing is analyzed.The impact of closing phase,compensation degree and closing resistors of circuit breaker on the amplitude of DC component are discussed.And measures which could be taken to prevent the failure risks of circuit breakers caused by DC offset are also studied.Phase control technology is chosen as the most feasible measure on the base of comparison of the applicability of all the measures,which include phase control breaker closing,reducing compensation degree and addtion of closing resistors.The application of phase control technolgy on the prevention of DC offset is studied.The phase control strategy of breaker closing,and the monitor variable for adaptive feedback regulation are disscussed.The impact of application of phase control on operationg overvoltage is also analyzed by simulation with PSCAD/EMTDC.The effectiveness of phase control breaker closeing on DC offset prevention is valided by field test on a typical transmission line.The impact of mechanical dispersion and pre-breakdown between contacts of circuit breakers are discussed on base of the test results,and the applicability of phase control is also analyzed.
Prevalence of Eligibility Criteria for the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial in US Adults Among Excluded Groups: Age <50 Years, Diabetes Mellitus, or a History of Stroke.

Background Adults <50 years old, with diabetes mellitus, or a history of stroke were not enrolled in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). Estimating the size and characteristics of these excluded groups who meet the other SPRINT eligibility criteria may provide information on the potential impact of providers extending the SPRINT findings to these populations. Methods and Results We analyzed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2012 (n=25 076) to estimate the percentage and characteristics of US adults ≥20 years in 3 populations (age <50 years, diabetes mellitus, or history of stroke) excluded from SPRINT who otherwise meet the trial eligibility criteria: age ≥50 years, systolic blood pressure (SBP) 130–180 mm Hg, high cardiovascular disease risk, and not having trial exclusion criteria. Overall, 1.0% (95% CI 0.8–1.3) of US adults age <50 years, 25.4% (95% CI 23.4–27.6) with diabetes mellitus, and 19.0% (95% CI 16.0–22.4) with history of stroke met the other SPRINT eligibility criteria. Among US adults with SBP ≥130 mm Hg, other SPRINT eligibility criteria were met by 7.5% (95% CI 6.1–9.2) of those age <50 years, 32.9% (95% CI 30.5–35.4) with diabetes mellitus, and 23.0% (95% CI 19.4–27.0) with history of stroke. Among US adults meeting the other SPRINT eligibility criteria, antihypertensive medication was being taken by 31.0% (95% CI 23.9–41.3) of those <50 years, 63.0% (95% CI 58.2–67.6) with diabetes mellitus, and 68.9% (95% CI 59.4–77.1) with a history of stroke. Conclusions A substantial percentage of US adults with diabetes mellitus or history of stroke and a small percentage <50 years old meet the other SPRINT eligibility criteria.
Extraction Processes for Gallium and Germanium

The present article provides information on uses, mineral resources and production methods of gallium and germanium. Both of these metals are used in advanced technology. Gallium is mainly used in the production of high-speed computer chips (integrated circuits) and optoelectronic devices. Germanium is employed as semiconductor in electronics and infrared optic industries. They occur in nature in widely dispersed forms and are associated principally with aluminum and zinc minerals. Gallium is present in bauxite in isomorphous substitution with aluminum, and germanium is contained in significant amounts in sphalerite. In southwestern Utah, at the Apex Mine, gallium and germanium were found to be concentrated in jarosite and geothite, respectively. Gallium is conventionally obtained as a byproduct of aluminum, and germanium as byproduct of zinc processing. An exception to this rule is the Apex Mine ore which has served as the only primary source in the world for direct production of gallium and germanium. I...
Immunological Detection of Radiation Damage in DNA

Antibodies specific for photoproducts in nucleic acid offer many distinct advantages in detecting and estimating damage and repair in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Sensitive immunoassays often facilitate the investigation of intact DNA irradiated at doses within the range affecting biological activities. When combined with techniques that allow visualization, antibodies can also be used to monitor the production and elimination of lesions in the DNA of cells and tissue sections in situ.
Clinical relevance of small copy-number variants in chromosomal microarray clinical testing.

The 2010 consensus statement on diagnostic chromosomal microarray (CMA) testing recommended an array resolution ≥400 kb throughout the genome as a balance of analytical and clinical sensitivity. In spite of the clear evidence for pathogenicity of large copy-number variants (CNVs) in neurodevelopmental disorders and/or congenital anomalies, the significance of small, nonrecurrent CNVs (<500 kb) has not been well established in a clinical setting. We investigated the clinical significance of all nonpolymorphic small, nonrecurrent CNVs (<500 kb) in patients referred for CMA clinical testing over a period of 6 years, from 2009 to 2014 (a total of 4,417 patients). We excluded from our study patients with benign or likely benign CNVs and patients with only recurrent microdeletions/microduplications <500 kb. In total, 383 patients (8.67%) were found to carry at least one small, nonrecurrent CNV, of whom 176 patients (3.98%) had one small CNV classified as a variant of uncertain significance (VUS), 45 (1.02%) had two or more small VUS CNVs, 20 (0.45%) had one small VUS CNV and a recurrent CNV, 113 (2.56%) had one small pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNV, 17 (0.38%) had two or more small pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNVs, and 12 (0.27%) had one small pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNV and a recurrent CNV. Within the pathogenic group, 80 of 142 patients (56% of all small pathogenic CNV cases) were found to have a single whole-gene or exonic deletion. The themes that emerged from our study are presented in the Discussion section. Our study demonstrates the diagnostic clinical relevance of small, nonrecurrent CNVs <500 kb during CMA clinical testing and underscores the need for careful clinical interpretation of these CNVs. Genet Med 19 4, 377–385.
Targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells and the PD-1/PD-L1 axis to enhance immunotherapy with anti-CEA designer T cells for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

3079 Background: Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) is limited by the intrahepatic immunosuppressive environment mediated in part by myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC...
Predicting the potential moisture ingress characteristics of polyisobutylene based edge seals(Conference Presentation)

Photovoltaic devices are often sensitive to moisture and must be packaged in such a way as to limit moisture ingress for 25 years or more. Typically, this is accomplished through the use of impermeable front and backsheets (e.g., glass sheets or metal foils). However, this will still allow moisture ingress between the sheets from the edges. Attempts to hermetically seal with a glass frit or similarly welded bonds at the edge have had problems with costs and mechanical strength. Because of this, low diffusivity polyisobutylene materials filled with desiccant are typically used. Although it is well known that these materials will substantially delay moisture ingress, correlating that to outdoor exposure has been difficult. Here, we use moisture ingress measurements at different temperatures and relative humidities to find fit parameters for a moisture ingress model for an edge-seal material. Then, using meteorological data, a finite element model is used to predict the moisture ingress profiles for hypothetical modules deployed in different climates and mounting conditions, assuming no change in properties of the edge-seal as a function of aging.
Exenatide induces an increase in vasodilatory and a decrease in vasoconstrictive mediators

In view of the known vasodilatory effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 and exenatide, we investigated the effects of exenatide on vasoactive factors. We analysed blood samples and mononuclear cells (MNCs) from a previous study, collected after a single dose and 12 weeks of exenatide or placebo treatment in a series of 24 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. After exenatide treatment, plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide, cyclic guanyl monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic adenyl monophosphate increased significantly at 12 weeks. Plasma cGMP and adenylate cyclase expression in MNCs increased significantly after a single dose. Angiotensinogen concentration fell significantly 2 hours after a single dose and at 12 weeks, while renin and angiotensin II levels fell significantly only after a single dose and not after 12 weeks of treatment. Exenatide also suppressed the plasma concentration of transforming growth factor-β and the expression of P311 in MNCs at 12 weeks. Thus, exenatide induces an increase in a series of vasodilators, while suppressing the renin-angiotensin system. These changes may contribute to the overall vasodilatory effect of exenatide.
Inhibition of AKT1 signaling promotes invasion and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer cells with K-RAS or EGFR mutations

Accumulating evidence supports a role of the PI3K-AKT pathway in the regulation of cell motility, invasion and metastasis. AKT activation is known to promote metastasis, however under certain circumstances, it also shows an inhibitory activity on metastatic processes, and the cause of such conflicting results is largely unclear. Here we found that AKT1 is an important regulator of metastasis and down-regulation of its activity is associated with increased metastatic potential of A549 cells. Inhibition of AKT1 enhanced migration and invasion in KRAS- or EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. The allosteric AKT inhibitor MK-2206 promoted metastasis of KRAS-mutated A549 cells in vivo. We next identified that the phosphorylation of Myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) and LAMC2 protein level were increased with AKT1 inhibition, and MARCKS or LAMC2 knockdown abrogated migration and invasion induced by AKT1 inhibition. This study unravels an anti-metastatic role of AKT1 in the NSCLC cells with KRAS or EGFR mutations, and establishes an AKT1-MARCKS-LAMC2 feedback loop in this regulation.
Multi- and Hyper-Spectral Sensing for Autonomous Ground Vehicle Navigation

Robotic vehicles that navigate autonomously are hindered by unnecessary avoidance of soft obstacles, and entrapment by potentially avoidable obstacles. Existing sensing technologies fail to reliably distinguish hard obstacles from soft obstacles, as well as impassable thickets and other sources of entrapment. Automated materials classification through advanced sensing methods may provide a means to identify such obstacles, and from their identity, to determine whether they must be avoided. Multi- and hyper-spectral electro-optic sensors are used in remote sensing applications to classify both man-made and naturally occurring materials on the earth's surface by their reflectance spectra. The applicability of this sensing technology to obstacle identification for autonomous ground vehicle navigation is the focus of this report. The analysis is restricted to system concepts in which the multi- or hyper-spectral sensor is on-board the ground vehicle, facing forward to detect and classify obstacles ahead of the vehicle. Obstacles of interest include various types of vegetation, rocks, soils, minerals, and selected man-made materials such as paving asphalt and concrete.
A protein with an unusually short PPR domain, MEF8, affects editing at over 60 Arabidopsis mitochondrial C targets of RNA editing

An RNA-seq approach was used to investigate the role of a PLS-subfamily pentatricopeptide repeat protein, Mitochondrial Editing Factor 8 (MEF8), on editing in Arabidopsis mitochondria and plastids. MEF8 has an intact DYW domain, but possesses an unusually short PLS repeat region of only five repeats. The MEF8 T-DNA insertion (mef8) line exhibited reduced editing at 38 mitochondrial editing sites and increased editing at 24 sites; therefore the absence of MEF8 affects 11% of the mitochondrial editome. Notably, 60% of the matR transcripts' sites showed a decrease of editing extent in the mef8 mutant. An E549A substitution in the MEF8 protein replaced the putatively catalytic glutamate of the HXE motif in the DYW domain. Complementation with MEF8-E549A failed to restore editing at the main target sites but was able to restore editing at the matR transcript; it also decreased the editing extent of most of the C targets exhibiting an increase of editing extent in the mef8 mutant plant. Thus, MEF8 has two antagonistic effects on mitochondrial editing: stimulatory, which requires a catalytic glutamate for most of the targets except for the matR transcript, and inhibitory, for which glutamate is dispensable.
Technical Note: Dosimetric impact of spherical applicator size in Intrabeam™ IORT for treating unicentric breast cancer lesions.

Purpose To characterize the dosimetric impact of using different sizes of spherical applicators in Intrabeam™ Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IB-IORT) to treat unicentric cancer lesions after breast-conserving lumpectomy. Methods Using the commissioned depth dose rates, the three-dimensional dosages of the 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0 cm spherical applicators of the IB-IORT PRS400 machine were established. Five different cancer cell infiltration depths of unicentric breast lesions were formulated by a linearly declining cancer cell density distribution from the surgical surface. The equivalent uniform dose (EUD), which is the dosage of a homogeneous dose treatment for killing the same amount of cancer cells as IB-IORT in the same target volume, was then calculated using the modified linear quadratic model (MLQ). The radiobiological response of two types of cancer cell lines and three types of normal tissues in the TARGIT-A clinical trial of 20 Gy dose was estimated. The study was carried out for an acutely responding breast cancer cell line with an α/β ratio of 10 and a slow responding breast cancer cell line with an α/β ratio of 3.85, respectively. The cancer cell density at the surgical excision surface was assumed to be 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, and 10%, respectively. The three types of normal tissue are radiosensitive, moderate radiosensitive, and radioresistant, respectively. The therapeutic ratio (TR), which was defined by a ratio between the survival fractions of normal tissue cells respectively in IB-IORT and in homogeneous dose treatments, was calculated. Results The EUDs are moderately dependent on the applicator size (increasing from 1 to 10% depending on the cancer infiltrating depth when increasing diameter by 0.5 cm), not on the cancer cell radiosensitivity (differing by less than 1.30% between two cancer cell lines), and not dependent on the cancer cell population density at the surgical excision surface (differing by 0% among the tested surface densities). The EUDs decrease with the cancer cell maximum infiltrating depth. EUD of a 10 mm spherical shell target volume is about 50% of EUD of a 1 mm spherical shell. TRs are dependent on the applicator size, cancer cell infiltrating depth, and the radiosensitivities of cancer cells and normal tissue. A smaller size of applicator was found to produce a greater TR for a shallowly seated lesion ( 5 mm). Conclusions The applicator size has a moderate impact on the EUDs, a greater size of applicator will deliver a greater EUD at the same cancer cell infiltrating depth, but a smaller size of applicator is seen to produce a greater TR for the shallow lesions (depth 5 mm) because it produces a greater TR and EUD than a smaller size of applicator. IB-IORT is a preferable alternative to uniform dose treatment when treating unicentric breast cancer at smaller infiltration depths.
Concordance between administrative data and clinical review for mortality in the randomized on/off bypass follow‐up study (ROOBY‐FS)

BACKGROUND The optimal methodology to identify cardiac versus non-cardiac cause of death following cardiac surgery has not been determined. METHODS The Randomized On/Off Bypass Trial was a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial of 2203 patients (February 2002-May 2008) comparing 1-year cardiac outcomes between off-pump and on-pump bypass surgery. In 2013, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program funded a follow-up study to assess 5-year outcomes including mortality. Deaths were identified and confirmed using the National Death Index (NDI), VA Vital Status file, and medical records. An Endpoints Committee (EC) reviewed patient medical records and classified each cause of death as cardiac, non-cardiac, or unknown. Using pre-determined ICD-10 codes, NDI death certificates were independently used to classify deaths as cardiac or non-cardiac. Cause of death was compared between the NDI and EC classifications and concordance measured, using Kappa statistics. RESULTS Of the 297 5-year deaths identified by the NDI and/or VA vital status file and confirmed by the EC, 219 had adequate patient records for EC cause of death determination. The EC adjudicated 141 of these deaths as non-cardiac and 78 as cardiac, while the NDI classified 150 as non-cardiac and 69 as cardiac; agreement was 77.6% (kappa 0.500; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Since concordance between EC and NDI cause of death classifications was only moderate, caution should be exercised in relying exclusively on NDI data to determine cause of death. A hybrid approach, integrating multiple information sources, may provide the most accurate approach to classifying cause of death.
Influence of HLA mismatch on rejection after heart transplantation: A multiinstitutional study

HLA mismatch has been shown to influence survival after heart transplantation. No large multicenter study has examined the effect of HLA mismatch on cardiac allograft rejection. HLA mismatch and other potential risk factors for rejection were analyzed in data from 27 institutions (1719 patients) participating in the Cardiac Transplant Research Database between January 1, 1990, and June 30, 1992. Complete HLA information on the A, B, and DR loci was available for both donor and recipient in 1190 patients. Of these, 619 (52%) had five or six mismatches; 68 (6%) had zero, one, or two mismatches. The mean number of mismatches was 4.4 and did not differ, regardless of donor-recipient race match (4.3 versus 4.8, p = 0.19). According to multivariate analysis, risk factors for time to first rejection included younger recipient age (p < 0.0001), female gender of both donor and recipient (p < 0.0006), number of HLA mismatches (p = 0.013) and black recipient race (p < 0.004). Patients with zero, one, or two mismatches (n = 67) had a 54% freedom from rejection at 1 year versus 36% for patients with three or more mismatches (n = 1005, p = 0.02). HLA mismatch number did not affect time to first rejection or rejection frequency among black patients. Risk factors (by multivariate analysis) for death or retransplantation because of rejection included female recipient gender (p = 0.008) and black recipient race (p = 0.006). The probability of rejection-related death or retransplantation by 2 years was 0% with zero, one, or two HLA mismatches versus 5% for three to six mismatches (p = 0.14). These findings should stimulate further investigation of methods to clarify the HLA effect in heart transplantation and eventually the use of HLA typing in donor-recipient selection.
Quasi-Continuous and Discrete Confidence Rating Scales for Observer Performance Studies: Effects on ROC Analysis

Rationale and Objectives To examine the effects of the number of categories in the rating scale used in an observer experiment on the results of ROC analysis by a simulation study. Materials and Methods We have previously evaluated the effects of computer-aided diagnosis on radiologists’ characterization of malignant and benign breast masses in serial mammograms. The evaluation of the likelihood of malignancy was performed on a quasi-continuous (0−100 points) confidence rating scale. In this study, we simulated the use of discrete confidence rating scales with fewer number of categories and analyzed the results with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methodology. The observers’ estimates of the likelihood of malignancy were also mapped to BI-RADS assessments with five and seven categories and ROC analysis was performed. The area under the ROC curve and the partial area index obtained from ROC analysis of the different confidence rating scales were compared. Results The fitted ROC curves and the performance indices do not change significantly when the confidence rating scales were varied from 6 to 101 points if the estimated operating points obtained directly from the data are distributed relatively evenly over the entire range of true-positive fraction (TPF) and false-positive fraction (FPF). The mapping of the likelihood of malignancy observer data to the seven-category BI-RADS assessment scale allowed reliable ROC analysis, whereas mapping to the five-category BI-RADS scale could cause erratic ROC curve fitting because of the lack of operating points in the mid-range or failure in ROC curve fitting because of data degeneration for some observers. Conclusion ROC analysis of discrete confidence rating scales with few but relatively evenly distributed data points over the entire FPF and TPF range is comparable to that of a quasi-continuous rating scale. However, ROC analysis of discrete confidence rating scales with few and unevenly distributed data points may cause unreliable estimations.
COPPER(II) COMPLEXES OF FORMYLPYRAZINE N(4)-SUBSTITUTED THIOSEMICARBAZONES

Copper(II) complexes of formylpyrazine N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazones coordinated either as neutral or monoanionic ligands, [M(HL)X2] and [M(L)X], respectively, have been prepared and characterized. I.r., electronic and e.s.r spectra of the complexes, as well as 1H-n.m.r. spectra of the thiosemicarbazones, have been obtained. The N(4)-dialkyl and azacyclothiosemicarbazones and their copper(II) complexes show significant growth inhibitory activity against both Aspergillus niger and Paecilomyces variotii.
Six Different Stress Functions for Membranes of Revolution

In the membrane theory of shells there are one moment and three force equilibrium equations. For shells of revolution, force equilibrium in a meridional plane may be expressed in the radial and axial directions or in the tangential and normal directions. An observation by Reissner suggests six different ways of introducing a membrane stress function into the linear theory of shells of revolution, each stress function implying the identical satisfaction of all but one equilibrium equation. Three of the stress functions turn out to be special cases of results of Pucher, Finzi, and Vekua from general membrane theory; another is a stress function introduced by Nemenyi specifically for shells of revolution, and two appear to be new.
Unique Challenges for Family Members of Patients with Acute and Chronic Critical Illness: The Older Caregiver

Informal caregivers are the primary source of long-term care in the United States, and their numbers are only expected to rise. With the changing demographics, there will be an increase in the numbers of older intensive care unit (ICU) patients and survivors, and subsequently the number of caregivers over the age of 65 years will also rise. Evidence continues to emerge that caregivers of individuals with acute and chronic critical illness may be at increased risk for adverse outcomes. In the acute ICU setting, family and caregivers commonly experience symptoms of anxiety and depression that may persist after ICU discharge. In long-term caregivers of individuals with chronic critical illness, psychiatric symptoms frequently persist, with further increased risks for poor physical health outcomes, loneliness and social isolation, and financial strain. Older caregivers are understudied and may face unique challenges and increased risk for adverse outcomes. They are more likely to be the primary caregiver, work more hours, be unemployed, and have poor personal health. These personal factors may negatively impact their roles as caregivers in the acute ICU and long-term outpatient settings. Research into caregiver support interventions remains limited and lacking in meaningful clinical outcomes. Informal caregivers serve a vital role in healthcare and to their loved ones, frequently at a high personal cost to themselves. More research is needed regarding how to effectively support this vulnerable group, with an additional focus on the unique older caregiver population.
Middle-Range Theory and Hunter-Gatherers

Contemporary hunter-gatherer archaeology is preoccupied with theories of limited sets. It will be recalled that such theories are called upon to articulate the principles of general theories. This they do by relating the general principle to particular cases and showing how such cases result from that principle in the presence of special conditions. In this sense, limited theories are theories about special cases that coincide with expectations of general theory. The limited theories that presently dominate hunter-gatherer archaeology began as attempts to articulate the neofunctional general theory (or paradigm) out of which the ecological model of hunter-gatherers was constructed during the “man-the-hunter” era. In broad terms, that paradigm implied that hunter-gatherer societies had to be explained as functioning adaptive systems. As attractive and promising as the idea seemed, it was not altogether clear what it actually meant.1
Test Fixtures to Apply Variable DC Bias and AC Ripple Current for Reliability Testing of Electrolytic Capacitors

Electrolytic capacitors are widely used in the dc link of variable frequency drives (VFDs). Their reliability has a significant impact on VFD performance and lifetime. Typically, the lifetime of electrolytic capacitors is specified in vendors’ datasheets at the rated continuous dc voltage and at the rated ripple current at one fixed frequency, under rated temperature, and humidity conditions. In order to analyze and verify their life time specified in the datasheet, a test fixture is needed to apply both adjustable dc-bias voltage and ac ripple current at a specific frequency. In this paper, two portable test fixtures with low kVA requirements are proposed for electrolytic capacitor reliability testing for different dc-bias voltage. The test fixtures can easily be scaled to test large capacitors with high ripple current rating. Multiple capacitor samples or entire capacitor bank assemblies used in VFDs can be tested. Design details of the test fixtures and reliability test results are provided.
Fingerprinting individual bio-nanoparticles by interferometric photothermal microscopy (Conference Presentation)

Chemical characterization of biological specimens in the mid-infrared (IR) window plays a central role in the analysis of their functionalities. Although recent advances in mid-IR microscopy have demonstrated detection of the sample’s chemical contrast at a sub-micron resolution using a visible probe beam, they have limited sensitivity at high-throughput. To overcome this limit, we employ wide-field interferometric microscopy to detect the minute change in the optical path induced by mid-IR absorption. Our technique enables high-speed fingerprinting of more than thousands of sub-200 nm nanoparticles at once. This method paves the way for high-throughput, ultrasensitive, and label-free chemical imaging of individual bio-nanoparticles at sub-micron resolution.
OSCILLATION OF A FORCED NON-LINEAR SECOND ORDER DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the oscillation of a forced nonlinear second-order differential equation. Oscillation criteria are presented in the chapter for the forced nonlinear equation y″ + p(t)g(y) = f(t) where p, f ∈ C(0, ∞), p > 0 on (0, ∞) g ∈ C(−∞, ∞), yg(y) > 0 for y ≠ 0 and g'(y) ≥ 0 for y ≠ 0. The criteria discussed in the chapter differ from known results, in that it does not require all solutions of u″ + p(t)g(u) = 0 to be oscillatory. All solutions of equation u″ + p(t)g(u) = 0 are permitted to be oscillatory.
Advanced Digital Health Technologies for COVID-19 and Future Emergencies.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a national health care emergency in the United States and exposed resource shortages, particularly of health care providers trained to pro...
Beyond Risk-Based Stratification: Impacts of Processing Speed and Executive Function on Adaptive Skills in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Purpose: The number of adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer is increasing, and the impacts of therapy on their daily lives are not well understood. Adaptive functions are ...
Longitudinal assessment of dementia measures in Down syndrome

Author(s): Koehl, Lisa; Harp, Jordan; Van Pelt, Kathryn L; Head, Elizabeth; Schmitt, Frederick A | Abstract: IntroductionEarly detection ofndementia symptoms is critical in Down syndrome (DS)nbutncomplicated by clinical assessmentnbarriers. The current study aimed to characterize cognitive and behavioral impairment using longitudinal trajectories comparing several measures of cognitive and behavioral functioning.MethodsMeasures included global cognitive status (Severe Impairment Battery [SIB]), motor praxis (Brief Praxis Test [BPT]), and clinical dementia informant ratings (Dementia Questionnaire for People with Learning Disabilities [DLD]). One-year reliability was assessed using a two-way mixed effect, consistency, single measurement intraclass correlation among non-demented participants. Longitudinal assessment of SIB, BPT, and DLD was completed using linear mixed effect models.ResultsOne-year reliability (n = 52; 21 male) was moderate for DLD (0.69 to 0.75) and good for SIB (0.87) and BPT (0.80). Longitudinal analysis (n = 72) revealed significant age by diagnosis interactions for SIB (F(2, 115.02) = 6.06, P = .003), BPT (F(2, 85.59) = 4.56, P = .013), and DLD (F(2, 103.56) = 4.48, P = .014). SIB progression (PR) had a faster decline in performance versus no-dementia (ND) (t(159) = -2.87; P = .013). Dementia had a faster decline in BPT performance versus ND (t(112) = -2.46; P = .041). PR showed quickly progressing scores compared to ND (t(128) = -2.86; P = .014).DiscussionCurrent measures demonstrated moderate to good reliability. Longitudinal analysis revealed that SIB, BPT, and DLD changed with age depending on diagnostic progression; no change rates were dependent on baseline cognition, indicating usefulness across a variety of severity levels in DS.
Combined Application of 4D BIM Schedule and an Immersive Virtual Reality on a Modular Project: UNLV Solar Decathlon Case

The use of a 4D schedule as technological advancement has brought significant improvement to the planning and execution of construction projects, through visualizing step-wise construction progress, following a sequence of pre-planned activities, and finalizing a baseline schedule with necessary changes. Moreover, the application of immersive virtual reality (IVR) to create an interactive 4D BIM schedule of a planned structure has made it possible to create a detailed plan of any construction project. Because of these benefits, the use of 4D schedules and immersive virtual reality in the construction industry has increased, leading to improved planning and execution. However, past studies have given little attention to the applications of such technologies on modular projects. Thus, this research applied a 4D schedule, along with immersive virtual reality, on a modular project, and verified their benefits and effectiveness. The results showed that most of the participants who experienced a 4D BIM schedule, along with immersive virtual reality (4D/IVR), strongly agreed that it is an easy and straightforward way to visualize the project, understand the schedule, and find any errors. Moreover, while fewer than half of the participants scheduled the assembly sequence correctly with conventional schedule and 2D drawings, almost all of them sequenced the assembly successfully with 4D/IVR. Based on the findings, this research concludes that the implementation of a 4D BIM schedule, along with virtual reality technology, can enhance the fabrication and assembly performance of modules.
Melanocortin 5 Receptor Expression and Recovery of Ocular Immune Privilege after Uveitis.

Purpose: The therapeutic use of the RPE-neuropeptide α-MSH suppresses experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). This suppression is partially through the α-MSH melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5r). Therefore, we examined the possible role of MC5r-expression in the recovery of RPE suppression of phagolysosome-activation in macrophages following α-MSH-treatment of EAUMethods: The conditioned media of cultured in situ RPE-eyecup from α-MSH-treated EAU wild-type and MC5r(-/-) mice were used to treat macrophages to assay for phagolysosome activation.Results: MC5r(-/-) mice treated with α-MSH recovered from EAU, but with greater retinal damage, and the RPE suppressed phagolysosome activation in wild type but not in MC5r(-/-) macrophages. In addition, α-MSH did not suppress phagolysosome activation in MC5r(-/-) macrophages, and resting-MC5r(-/-) macrophages had augmented phagocytic activity.Conclusion: α-MSH treatment of EAU mediates a MC5r-dependent recovery of RPE suppression of phagolysosome activation in macrophages possibly altering antigen processing and presentation. Also, MC5r-expression helps protect the retina from inflammatory damage. In addition, MC5r-expression is important in the homeostatic maintenance of phagosome-maturation within macrophages.
The Challenges of Managing Depredation and Bycatch of Toothed Whales in Pelagic Longline Fisheries: Two U.S. Case Studies

Direct interactions with fisheries are broadly recognized as the leading conservation threat to small cetaceans. In open-ocean environments, one of the primary gear types implicated in these interactions is the pelagic longline. Unlike accidental entanglement in driftnets or deliberate entrapment by purse-seines, interactions between cetaceans and longlines are often driven by attraction of the animals to feed on bait or fish secured on the gear, a behavior known as depredation. Many small and medium-sized delphinid species have learned to exploit such opportunities, leading to economic costs to fisheries and a risk of mortality to the animals from either retaliation by fishermen or hooking or entanglement in fishing gear. Two pelagic longline fisheries in the United States experience depredation and bycatch by odontocete depredators: the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery, which is depredated primarily by false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), and the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery depredated primarily by short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus). These fisheries are among the most intensively documented and managed pelagic longline fisheries in the world, with high levels of observer coverage, and bycatch mitigation measures required to reduce the mortality of seabirds, sea turtles and cetaceans. Both fisheries have active, multi-stakeholder ‘Take Reduction Teams’, enacted under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), that are tasked to develop measures to reduce the bycatch of cetaceans below statutory reference points. Consequently, these two Teams represent model processes within which to address depredation and bycatch, having access to detailed, high-quality data on the nature and frequency of interactions with cetaceans, meaningful stakeholder involvement, resources to test potential solutions, and the institutional will to improve outcomes. We review how mitigation strategies have been considered, developed, and implemented by both Teams and provide a critical analysis of their effectiveness in addressing these problems. Notably, in the absence of straightforward avoidance or deterrence strategies, both Teams have developed gear and handling strategies that depend critically on comprehensive observer coverage. Lessons offered from these Teams, which have implemented consensus-driven management measures under a statutory framework, provide important insights to managers and scientists addressing other depredation problems.
Elementary prospective teachers’ visions of moving beyond mathematics anxiety

Previous studies of prospective elementary mathematics teachers’ mathematics anxiety have documented that many prospective teachers often worry about managing their repeated experiences of anxiety while developing their pedagogical and content knowledge to teach mathematics. The literature further indicates the importance of developing learning opportunities for prospective teachers to confront their past experiences while they (re)learn and learn to teach mathematics during methods courses. This study is situated within one such learning opportunity and seeks to analyze potential mathematics anxiety coping strategies generated by forty-eight prospective elementary teachers enrolled in a mathematical methods course. Written responses generated by the prospective teachers were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis to identify patterns of key ideas related to lesson planning for content they felt anxious and/or not confident about teaching and patterns focused on episodes of mathematics anxiety they might experience in the moment of teaching mathematics. Findings indicate that prospective teachers envision using between two and seven strategies grouped across eight coping strategy themes when given the opportunity to reflect on how they might deal with future instances of anxiety when they are tasked with teaching mathematics to their students. We highlight how some of the coping strategies that the prospective teachers envisioned as a means to cope with mathematics anxiety may have more potential to be helpful than others and present implications of our research for mathematics teacher educators.
Intermittent fasting is gaining interest fast.

Krista Varady discusses two seminal papers on intermittent fasting that inspired her to enter this research area.
Liquid Film Translocation Significantly Enhances Nasal Spray Delivery to Olfactory Region: A Numerical Simulation Study

Previous in vivo and ex vivo studies have tested nasal sprays with varying head positions to enhance the olfactory delivery; however, such studies often suffered from a lack of quantitative dosimetry in the target region, which relied on the observer’s subjective perception of color changes in the endoscopy images. The objective of this study is to test the feasibility of gravitationally driven droplet translocation numerically to enhance the nasal spray dosages in the olfactory region and quantify the intranasal dose distribution in the regions of interest. A computational nasal spray testing platform was developed that included a nasal spray releasing model, an airflow-droplet transport model, and an Eulerian wall film formation/translocation model. The effects of both device-related and administration-related variables on the initial olfactory deposition were studied, including droplet size, velocity, plume angle, spray release position, and orientation. The liquid film formation and translocation after nasal spray applications were simulated for both a standard and a newly proposed delivery system. Results show that the initial droplet deposition in the olfactory region is highly sensitive to the spray plume angle. For the given nasal cavity with a vertex-to-floor head position, a plume angle of 10° with a device orientation of 45° to the nostril delivered the optimal dose to the olfactory region. Liquid wall film translocation enhanced the olfactory dosage by ninefold, compared to the initial olfactory dose, for both the baseline and optimized delivery systems. The optimized delivery system delivered 6.2% of applied sprays to the olfactory region and significantly reduced drug losses in the vestibule. Rheological properties of spray formulations can be explored to harness further the benefits of liquid film translocation in targeted intranasal deliveries.
Invasive Fungal Infection Complicating Treatment With Ibrutinib.

Ibrutinib is a selective Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other B-cell malignancies. Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) have recently been reported in patients on BTKis despite the absence of significant immunocompromise raising great interest among oncologists regarding the mechanism by which BTKi's permit fungal infections. Here, we describe a fatal case of cerebral aspergillosis in a patient with relapsed CLL while on treatment with ibrutinib. There are few hypotheses on the mechanism by which ibrutinib permits fungal infections. As it becomes more widely used in B-cell cancers, clinicians should be aware of the potential for decreased anti-fungal immunity with this drug.
Hydrodynamics of a semipermeable inextensible membrane under flow and confinement

The permeating solvent flux across a lipid bilayer membrane depends on both mechanical and osmotic stresses. In the absence of osmolarity, we use numerical simulations to show that the mechanically induced semipermeability (albeit small) can alter the equilibrium shape of a relaxing vesicle over long timescales, or the hydrodynamics of a vesicle going through the strong confinement of a narrow channel. We further quantify the role of membrane tension and bending on the permeating solvent flux.
Recent Advances and Current Perspectives on Endometrial Receptivity

The purpose of this review is to update readers on our current understanding of endometrial receptivity and to review the literature regarding endometrial assessment and pathologic states which may influence receptivity. Topics discussed include molecular mechanisms implicated in endometrial receptivity on the basis of which three commercially available yet controversial tests have been developed (Endometrial Function Test, Endometrial Receptivity Assay, and ReceptivaDx), as well as current evidence surrounding how common gynecologic conditions such as polyps, fibroids, adenomyosis, and chronic endometritis may influence endometrial receptivity and the success of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). While the sequential action of estrogen and progesterone is central to the development of endometrial receptivity, the exact molecular mechanisms governing the transition from non-receptive to receptive endometrium remain poorly understood. Commercially available tests attempt to harness molecular markers to assess and potentially improve endometrial receptivity; however, current evidence is insufficient to support their routine clinical application. Polyps, fibroids, adenomyosis, and chronic endometritis may negatively impact implantation either directly by impeding embryo transport and attachment or indirectly by influencing endometrial receptivity. Given the likely heterogenous genetic construct and molecular expression of any pathologic condition, further research is needed to develop molecular testing to guide approach to clinical treatment.
Investigation of 6x Scramjet Inlet Configurations

This work represents an initial attempt to determine what, if any, issues arise from scaling demonstration supersonic combustion scramjets to a flight scale making the engine a viable candidate for both military weapon and civilian access to space applications. The original vehicle sizes tested and flown to date, were designed to prove a concept. With the proven designs, use of the technology for applications as weapon systems or space flight are only possible at six to ten times the original scale. To determine effects of scaling, computations were performed with hypersonic inlets designed to operate a nominal Mach 4 and Mach 5 conditions that are possible within the eight foot high temperature tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center. The total pressure recovery for these inlets is about 70%, while maintaining self start conditions, and providing operable inflow to combustors. Based on this study, the primary scaling effect detected is the strength of a vortex created along the cowl edge causing adverse boundary layer growth in the inlet.
A Comparison of Criterion Standard Methods to Diagnose Acute Heart Failure

©2012 Wiley Periodicals Inc. The authors sought to compare and contrast the clinical criterion standards currently used in a cohort of emergency department (ED) patients to diagnose acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS). In a prospective observational study of patients with signs and symptoms of AHFS, 3 criterion standards were examined: (1) the treating ED physician’s diagnosis; (2) the hospital discharge diagnosis; and (3) a diagnosis based on medical record review by a panel of cardiologists. Using Cohen’s kappa (κ) coefficient, the authors assessed agreement and then compared the different standards by repeatedly setting one as the criterion standard and the other two as index tests. A total of 483 patients were enrolled. Across all criterion standards, patients with AHFS were more likely to have a history of AHFS, congestion on physical examination and chest radiography, and elevated natriuretic peptide levels than those without AHFS. The standards agreed well (cardiology review vs hospital discharge diagnosis, κ=0.74; cardiology review vs ED diagnosis, κ=0.66; ED diagnosis vs hospital discharge diagnosis κ=0.59). Each method had similar sensitivity but differing specificities. Different criterion standards identify different patients from among those being evaluated for AHFS. Researchers should consider this when choosing between the various criterion standard approaches when evaluating new index tests.
The Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire Predicts Heavy Episodic Drinking In a High-Risk Eating Disorder Population

Objective Heavy episodic drinking (HED) is a serious problem among college women at high-risk for developing eating disorders (EDs). The main objectives of this study are to determine the relationship of the self-rating of the effects of alcohol (SRE) questionnaire and HED over time, and to determine the effects of relationship breakups on HED among college-aged women at high-risk for EDs. Method Data collected from 163 participants in a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an ED prevention program were used in the analyses. Measures included the SRE, obtained at baseline, and self-reports of the number of HED episodes and relationship breakups each month for the past 12 months. Results Generalized linear mixed-effect regression models with Poisson distribution were conducted to test the effects of several variables on reported HED episodes over 12 months. Analyses demonstrated that SRE scores and the presence of a breakup predicted increased HED over time. Discussion The SRE may be useful in identifying individuals at risk of or with EDs who are at increased risk of HED. Furthermore, relationship breakups predict HED. Findings from the current study could be used to inform clinical interventions for this population. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:333–336