cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cellular automata modeling of nitriding in nanocrystalline metals

Abstract Severe plastic deformation has made it possible to alter the grain size of metal surface to nanoscale. With refined nanograins, the grain boundary effect on diffusion and phase transformation cannot be neglected. Consequently, the widely used conventional 1D nitriding model is not applicable. In this study, a 2D model considering grain boundary diffusion has been developed to investigate nanocrystalline nitriding. As a multi-physical process, both phase transition and diffusion are modeled. Cellular automata method was used to integrate the two models, and more importantly to deal with the moving 2D interface induced by grain boundaries. The phase transition model and diffusion model were validated with experimental data and the Maxwell–Garnett effective diffusion model, respectively. After validation, nitriding of nanocrystalline iron at low temperature (300 °C) was simulated and compared with nitriding of coarse-grained (μm level) iron. In addition, the growth kinetic, composition and spatial distribution of the nitride layer in nanocrystalline nitriding, with different temperatures, surface nitrogen concentrations and different grain sizes, were studied. It has been found that these parameters could significantly affect the growth rate as well as the composition of the nitrided layers. The results also demonstrated that the presence of nanoscale grain can not only decrease nitriding temperature and nitriding duration making low temperature nitriding possible, but also increase the volume fraction of ∊ and γ′ phases in the nitride layer and therefore a better nitriding quality.
The general AMBER force field (GAFF) can accurately predict thermodynamic and transport properties of many ionic liquids.

We have applied molecular dynamics to calculate thermodynamic and transport properties of a set of 19 room-temperature ionic liquids. Since accurately simulating the thermophysical properties of solvents strongly depends upon the force field of choice, we tested the accuracy of the general AMBER force field, without refinement, for the case of ionic liquids. Electrostatic point charges were developed using ab initio calculations and a charge scaling factor of 0.8 to more accurately predict dynamic properties. The density, heat capacity, molar enthalpy of vaporization, self-diffusivity, and shear viscosity of the ionic liquids were computed and compared to experimentally available data, and good agreement across a wide range of cation and anion types was observed. Results show that, for a wide range of ionic liquids, the general AMBER force field, with no tuning of parameters, can reproduce a variety of thermodynamic and transport properties with similar accuracy to that of other published, often IL-specif...
A Sacrifice Without a Deity in the Athenian State Calendar

A fairly long, though incomplete, list of sacrifices for the festival of the Eleusinia from the Athenian State Calendar of the end of the fifth century B.C. is preserved in the inscription published in Hesperia 4 (1935), 21, column three, lines 60–86. The arrangement of items can best be illustrated by the beginning of the column in question:Throughout the State Calendar the scheme of entries is regularly the same:A few successive lines will illustrate this further:
ECOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS OF GENE FLOW IN DARTERS (TELEOSTEI: PERCIDAE)

Life history should relate to gene flow (Nm) through its influence on dispersal and effective population size. Comparative studies designed to elucidate this relationship must contend with historical events that can yield misleading estimates of gene flow and statistical problems associated with inclusion of life-history traits correlated with phylogeny. We studied the relationships of life-history characters and gene flow in 15 species of darters, a monophyletic group of stream fishes. Populations of coexisting species were sampled in three geographic regions with different Pleistocene glaciation histories. Gene flow was estimated indirectly from allozymes using two methods, 8 and private alleles. Isolation-by-distance was also tested using regression of pairwise estimates of gene flow (M) on distance. Theta and private-alleles methods produced congruent estimates of Nm, except in a study region hypothesized to have been historically fragmented and then united following Pleistocene glaciation. A relatively weak association between life-history traits and Nm (based on θ) was observed when species from the historically fragmented region were included in stepwise regression analysis, because Nm was low despite life-history differences among taxa in this region. Excluding observations from this region produced stronger associations between clutch size and Nm (r2 = 0.57), and between female size, egg size, and Nm (r2 = 0.95). Additional analyses that corrected for female body size and phylogenetic nonindependence agreed that darters with high fecundity and small eggs exhibited high gene flow, whereas darters with small clutches and large eggs had low gene flow. The latter combination of life-history traits primarily is exhibited in species from headwater habitats where parental investment presumably confers survivorship on offspring. Reduced gene flow and genetic divergence among demes appear to be evolutionary consequences of this strategy.
Effects of pretreatment with tramadol or morphine on children T lymphocyte proliferation and serum interleukin-2 in vitro

OBJECTIVE To investigate and compare the effects of pretreatment with tramadol and morphine on children T lymphocyte proliferation and serum interleukin-2(IL-2) in vitro.METHODS Sixty ASA I patients aged 3-7yrs scheduled for minor day-care surgery were enrolled in this study.Blood samples were taken from peripheral vein.The mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood(PBMCs) and whole blood were incubated with medium(group C,n=20),morphine 100ng·mL-1(group M,n=20) or tramadol 500ng·mL-1(group T,n=20) for 48h.Then irritants was added and incubated for another 6 or 24h.Lymphocyte proliferation was evaluated by mixed lymphocyte culturing.In the whole blood the level of IL-2 were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELASA).RESULTS The cpm value of group M was significantly lower than that of group C(P0.01).But the cpm value of group T was higher than that of group C(P0.05).The serum IL-2 level decreased significantly in group M,but increased in group T compared with group C(P0.01,P0.05).CONCLUSION Tramadol and morphine have different effect on immune function of children.Tramadol can enhance immune function,and it is more suitable for children postoperation analgesia.
Reperfusion-induced leukocyte adhesion and vascular protein leakage in normal and hypercholesterolemic rats

The objective of this study was to define the influence of hypercholesterolemia on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and albumin leakage in rat mesenteric venules. The microvascular alterations normally elicited by I/R (leukocyte adherence and emigration, albumin leakage, and platelet aggregation) were more pronounced in hypercholesterolemic rats (compared with control rats). Monoclonal antibodies against the adhesion glycoproteins CD11/CD18 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 attenuated the I/R-induced leukocyte adherence and emigration and albumin leakage. Leukocyte adherence, but not albumin leakage, was diminished in animals pretreated with a P-selectin-specific antibody. Platelet aggregation was reduced by antibodies directed against either P-selectin, CD18, or intercellular adhesion molecule-1, as well as a GPIIb-IIIa antagonist. These results indicate that the enhanced reperfusion-induced albumin leakage in hypercholesterolemic rats is dependent on leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. Furthermore, P-selectin- and CD11/CD18-dependent heterotypic and GPIIb-IIIa-mediated homotypic platelet aggregation appear to influence the extravasation of both leukocytes and albumin in postischemic venules of hypercholesterolemic rats.
Choosing questions that people can understand and answer.

The goal of any researcher is to select measurements methods that are "good enough" to distinguish between rival hypotheses and thereby provide the information needed to guide policy-making decisions. Therefore, when selecting a method to measure health outcomes, it is important to keep in mind the goal of these measurements. As was well stated by a number these authors, we need measures that allow us to accomplish the following ends:
Time-Resolved Measurements of Photocarrier Dynamics in TiS3 Nanoribbons

We report synthesis and time-resolved transient absorption measurements of TiS3 nanoribbons. TiS3 nanoribbons were fabricated by direct reaction of titanium and sulfur. Dynamics of the photocarriers in these samples were studied by transient absorption measurements. It was found that following ultrafast injection of nonequilibrium and hot photocarriers, the thermalization, energy relaxation, and exciton formation all occur on a subpicosecond time scale. Several key parameters describing the dynamical properties of photocarriers, including their recombination lifetime, diffusion coefficient, mobility, and diffusion length, were deduced.
The Ideal Eight-Step Urologic Diet and Lifestyle Program: Heart Health = Urologic Health

The primary cause of mortality in the USA and in most developed countries is cardiovascular disease (CVD), and it is the primary cause of death in the largest clinical trials ever conducted for preventing a variety of urologic health conditions. The overall risk of mortality needs to be placed into perspective. It does not serve to belittle the seriousness of other common and not so common urologic health conditions; rather, it serves as an ideal nexus for healthcare professional and patient educational purposes. Heart-healthy recommendations have been tantamount to overall urologic health recommendations because there are simplistic correlations between heart health and urologic-specific diseases. Healthcare professionals working in the field of urology need to motivate and provide a simplistic and realistic set of diet and lifestyle recommendations to patients in order to impact the more important statistic of urologic health known as “all-cause morbidity and mortality.” A list of eight heart-healthy recommendations is provided in this chapter to assist the clinician and patient in their discussions of practical, logical, and realistic changes that may not only be accomplished in a short period of time but should provide at least some type of tangible overall benefit for the individual concerned about her or his urologic health.
Phase-sensitive THz imaging using single-pixel intensity-only measurements

We present, for the first time, a phase-sensitive 2-dimensional imaging system for THz- and mmW-band applications using a single pixel intensity-only detector and the “PhaseLift” algorithm. The complex sampling mask required for the PhaseLift procedure is implemented using a commercial LCD projector and a high-resistivity silicon wafer combined to work as a spatial light modulator harnessing the photoelectric effect. Measuring the intensity of the modulated signal, both the magnitude and phase of the image are reconstructed via the PhaseLift procedure. We demonstrate the superior contrast and resolution achieved by the reconstructed phase images at 690 GHz.
Resisting Paternalism in Prenatal Whole-Genome Sequencing.

In their article “A Framework for Unrestricted Prenatal Whole-Genome Sequencing,” Chen and Wasserman (2017) argue against restrictions on noninvasive prenatal whole-genome sequencing (NIPW) that se...
A method for determining exercise oscillatory ventilation in heart failure: Prognostic value and practical implications.

Abstract Background Exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) has been shown to be a powerful prognostic marker in chronic heart failure (CHF). However, EOV is poorly defined, its measurement lacks standardization and it is underutilized in clinical practice. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the prognostic value of a modified definition of EOV in patients with CHF. Methods Eighty-nine CHF patients (56.5 ± 8.4 years) (64% NYHA class III-IV) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing. EOV was defined as meeting all the following criteria: (1) ≥ 3 consecutive cyclic fluctuations of ventilation during exercise; (2) average amplitude over 3 ventilatory oscillations ≥ 5 L; and (3) an average length of three oscillatory cycles 40s to 140 s. Adverse cardiac events were tracked during 28 ± 19 months follow up. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to determine the association between cardiac events and EOV. Results Forty-eight patients (54%) met all three criteria and were determined to have EOV. These patients exhibited significantly increased risk for adverse cardiac events [hazard ratio = 2.2, 95% CI (1.2 to 4.1), p = 0.011] compared to patients without EOV. After adjusting for age and established prognostic covariates (peak VO2 and VE/VCO2 slope), the modified EOV definition was the only significant variable in the multivariate model [hazard ratio = 2.0, 95% CI (1.1 to 3.7), p = 0.035]. Conclusions The proposed method for determining EOV was independently associated with increased risk for adverse cardiac events in CHF patients. While larger prospective studies are needed, this definition provides a relatively simple and more objective characterization of EOV, suggesting its potential application in clinical practice.
Contempt for the Law: Presidential Subterfuge

This chapter discusses the political policies and practices associated with President Obama and John Brennan, former director of the CIA, including drone-targeted assassination, deregulation, and the pivot of American forces and geopolitical interest from Europe to Asia. Throughout, the author includes his journal entries from 2013, responding to political events at the time.
The Career Advancement of Military Veterans in Recent Cohorts of the U.S. Executive Branch

To measure the effect of veterans’ preference on U.S. federal workforce quality, researchers have assessed whether military veterans advance in their federal careers at a different rate than nonvet...
Ecological Indicators of Marine Condition

Oceans cover two-thirds of the Earth’s surface and contain approximately 90 percent of its biota, yet very little is known about marine ecosystems. Information about offshore and deep-sea ecosystems is particularly scant. Recognizing this lack of information about the character of the Earth’s dominant feature, the need for and complexities of marine monitoring are discussed.
Young Mothers' and Fathers' Perceptions of Relationship Violence: A Focus Group Study.

Teens and young adults who are pregnant or parenting are important targets for efforts to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV). To intervene appropriately and effectively, we need to fully understand the unique issues and contexts for IPV in this population. This focus group study examined young parents’ (N = 28) perceptions of their relationships, stressors and sources of conflict, forms of IPV, and help-seeking behaviors. We examined data using template, content, thematic, and framework analyses. Findings about relationships and violence between young parents provide valuable insights for future intervention programs designed to prevent or address IPV among teen parents.
A tumor board report of an 83-year-old woman with stage IB grade 3 endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Abstract An 83-year-old woman presented with postmenopausal bleeding ultimately leading to surgery and a final diagnosis of stage IB grade 3 endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. The tumor board reviewed current literature regarding the efficacy of sentinel lymph node dissection in appropriately allocating stage in high-grade endometrial cancer. The optimal role of adjuvant treatment in this setting is unclear. Current literature surrounding adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy, as well as current practices in molecular diagnostics for endometrial cancer were reviewed. The tumor board concluded that literature surrounding sentinel lymph node evaluation in high-grade endometrial cancers is robust enough to incorporate into clinical practice. Based on the best available evidence, a decision was made to treat with external beam radiotherapy and withhold chemotherapy.
Seamless fill of deep trenches by chemical vapor deposition: Use of a molecular growth inhibitor to eliminate pinch-off

Attempts to fill deep trenches by chemical vapor deposition often result in a “bread-loaf” profile, an overhang near the trench opening that arises whenever the growth rate is slightly higher near the opening than deeper in the feature. Continued growth leads to premature pinch-off at the opening, which leaves an undesirable void or seam along the centerline. Bread-loaf profiles can form even under superconformal growth conditions, as the authors recently found for the growth of HfO2 from the precursor tetrakis(dimethylamino)hafnium and a forward-directed flux of H2O coreactant. The current paper describes a method that can reduce or eliminate the bread-loaf problem: addition of an isotropic flow of a reactant that inhibits growth near the trench opening but leaves the growth rate unchanged deeper in the trench. A Markov chain model for ballistic transport of the inhibitor inside trenches is developed to account for this behavior: the model reveals that suppression of a bread-loaf profile is best accomplished with growth inhibitors that have a high sticking probability (>0.1 per wall collision) and that are consumed during growth. Four molecules are investigated as potential inhibitors during HfO2 growth: tris(dimethylamino)silane, 3DMAS; methoxytrimethylsilane, MOTMS; hexafluoroacetylacetone, H(hfac); and acetylacetone, H(acac). The molecules 3DMAS and MOTMS inhibit growth but do so everywhere. As a result, they improve conformality, but are unable to eliminate the bread-loaf profile. In contrast, relatively small partial pressures (fluxes) of H(hfac) or H(acac) strongly inhibit HfO2 growth and do so selectively on the upper substrate surface and near trench openings. In conjunction with the use of a forward-directed water flux that affords superconformal growth, the use of H(hfac) or H(acac) enables seamless fill of HfO2 in trenches with aspect ratios as large as 10.
Sexual risk classes among youth experiencing homelessness: Relation to childhood adversities, current mental symptoms, substance use, and HIV testing.

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are meaningful subgroups with different types of sexual risk behaviors among youth experiencing homelessness and examine the associations between potential classes and other risk variables. A latent class analysis was used to identify classes of youth according to sexual risk behaviors and sexual assault. A two-class solution was found to be the best fit for the data–Lower and Higher Risk groups. The Higher Risk class had significantly higher levels of synthetic marijuana and alcohol use, mental health diagnoses, and were more likely to have been tested for HIV than the Lower Risk group. Youth were more likely to be in the Higher Risk group if they were cisgender female or lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning (LGBQ). Nearly all youth (10/11) who reported having HIV infection were in the Higher Risk group. The Lower Risk group were sexually active but had lower rates of risk behaviors and sexual assault. Youth who were not sexually active had the lowest rates of marijuana and alcohol use as well as HIV testing. Health and social service providers should be aware of the added risks for stress, mental distress, mental health diagnoses, and substance use among youth who also report higher risk sexual behaviors and treat as needed.
Congenital Valvar and Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis

Congenital left ventricular outflow tract obstruction accounts for 10% of all congenital heart disease. This heterogeneous group includes valvar aortic stenosis, the most common type, to the rare supravalvar aortic stenosis. Presentation, diagnostic work up and management strategies are dependent on age, anatomy, and physiology. In neonates with critical aortic stenosis suitable for biventricular repair both balloon and open interventions are established as an effective treatments. Management strategy in older children with valvar and/or supravalvar aortic stenosis should take into consideration factors such as growth, an active life style, and the difficulties in medical compliance. In general, the prosthetic materials should not compromise cardiac growth and life style. In particular, reconstruction of the aortic valve and pulmonary autograft procedure for replacement of the aortic valve and aortic root have dramatically changed the approach to children with congenital aortic valve disease. Alternatively, in some children the best option is still to use a mechanical prosthetic valve or allograft, despite the well-known drawbacks of these procedures. In nearly all cases, congenital left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is a life-long condition, with palliative intervention, and an ongoing need for long term follow-up.
Viperin Reveals Its True Function

Most cells respond to viral infections by activating innate immune pathways that lead to the induction of antiviral restriction factors. One such factor, viperin, was discovered almost two decades ago based on its induction during viral infection. Since then, viperin has been shown to possess activity against numerous viruses via multiple proposed mechanisms. Most recently, however, viperin was demonstrated to catalyze the conversion of cytidine triphosphate (CTP) to 3'-deoxy-3',4'-didehydro-CTP (ddhCTP), a previously unknown ribonucleotide. Incorporation of ddhCTP causes premature termination of RNA synthesis by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of some viruses. To date, production of ddhCTP by viperin represents the only activity of viperin that links its enzymatic activity directly to an antiviral mechanism in human cells. This review examines the multiple antiviral mechanisms and biological functions attributed to viperin.
Twisting K3 × T2 orbifolds

We construct a class of geometric twists of Calabi-Yau manifolds of Voisin-Borcea type (K3 × T2)/2 and study the superpotential in a type IIA orientifold based on this geometry. The twists modify the direct product by fibering the K3 over T2 while preserving the 2 involution. As an important application, the Voisin-Borcea class contains T6/(2 × 2), the usual setting for intersecting D6 brane model building. Past work in this context considered only those twists inherited from T6, but our work extends these twists to a subset of the blow-up modes. Our work naturally generalizes to arbitrary K3 fibered Calabi-Yau manifolds and to nongeometric constructions.
Do Security Analysts Reduce Noise

This study investigates the role of security analysts in reducing noise in stock price fluctuations. Using a sample of analyst coverage initiations between 1984 and 2006, the study finds that (1) noise is significantly reduced in the year following the initiation and (2) the extent of the noise reduction is a function of the intensity of analyst coverage during the initiation year. The results suggest that analyst coverage makes stock prices less noisy. Analysts’ noise-reducing ability can have positive consequences for the performance of corporate and portfolio managers who rely on forecasting to make long-term financial decisions.
A neuronal social trait space for first impressions in the human amygdala and hippocampus

People instantaneously evaluate faces with significant agreement on evaluations of social traits. However, the neural basis for such rapid spontaneous face evaluation remains largely unknown. Here, we recorded from 490 neurons in the amygdala and hippocampus in 5 neurosurgical patients and show that amygdala and hippocampal neurons encode a social trait space. We further investigated the temporal evolution and modulation on the social trait representation, and we employed encoding and decoding models to reveal the critical social traits for the trait space. We also recorded from another 259 neurons and replicated our findings using different social traits. Lastly, the neuronal social trait space may have a behavioral consequence likely involved in the abnormal processing of social information in autism. Together, our results suggest that there exists a neuronal population code for a comprehensive social trait space in the human amygdala and hippocampus that underlie spontaneous first impressions.
Kinematic synergies in over-ground slip recovery outcomes: Distinct strategies or a single strategy?

Abstract Background After experiencing an unexpected slip perturbation, individuals’ behavioral performance can be classified into three categories: recovery, feet-forward fall, and split fall. Researchers are uncertain whether these differences in slip outcomes are due to distinct strategies or part of a single strategy. Research question Whether older adults with different behavioral outcomes during their novel slip have different kinematic synergies? Methods The kinematic synergies were extracted from segment angles in 87 participants using principal component analysis (PCA). The first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) in pre-slip, early-reactive, and late-reactive phases were compared across different slip outcomes. Results Results showed that the kinematic synergies in pre-slip and early-reactive phases are highly consistent among the three outcomes (recovery, split fall, and feet-forward fall). For the late-reactive phase, both split falls and feet-forward falls showed different kinematics synergies from recoveries. Significance Our findings indicated that a single strategy might be used for different slip outcomes in the pre-slip and early-reactive phases, while distinct strategies were used by fallers compared to recovered individuals. Specifically, larger trunk flexion in pre-slip phase, larger knee flexion and plantar flexion of the slipping limb in both early-reactive and late-reactive phase, and larger knee extension of the recovery limb in late-reactive phase would lower the fall risk. This study would help to assess the vulnerabilities in control strategy, according to which individualized treatment could be provided to reduce predisposition to specific types of falls.
Conflicts of Interest and Election Cybersecurity: How Bipartisan Congressional Oversight Can Inform the Public and Address Election System Vulnerabilities

Fewer than four months out from what will certainly be one of the most consequential and polarizing presidential elections in American history-and four years after unprecedented foreign efforts to influence a U.S. presidential election-much of our election infrastructure remains dangerously vulnerable to cyber manipulation or attack. This Article begins by recounting the core principles that comprise election cybersecurity best practices. It then identifies some of the more egregious examples of existing systems falling short of those standards. Next, the Article turns to an examination of the role that congressional oversight already has played-and in coming months might continue to play-in shoring up our election infrastructure against vulnerabilities to attack. To do so, this Article first surveys the congressional inquiries into election security that have to date occurred and discusses the major themes that have emerged from those proceedings. It then explores why, going forward, congressional oversight may offer the best avenue for federal intervention in support of improving election cyber security. For reasons both practical and theoretical, the best that federal legislators may be able to do at this point is to shine the light of disclosure on problems remaining unresolved in the hopes of bringing public attention and political pressure to bear on those currently in positions to address these problems directly. But this proposed use of oversight to reveal wrongdoing itself raises fundamental questions about the proper purpose and reach of congressional investigatory authority. Those questions are examined herein in the light cast by the Supreme Court's rather ambivalent treatment of Congress's "informing function" over the last eighty years. This Article concludes by identifying principles for differentiating between appropriate congressional efforts to "inform" the public as to existing problems needing attention and improper and abusive congressional efforts to "expose" for the purpose of punishing; these principles illustrate why the congressional oversight. of election security that is discussed in this Article falls on the correct side of that divide.
Signal velocity, causality, and quantum noise in superluminal light propagation

Summary form only given. We consider superluminal pulse propagation in the framework of a microscopic atomic theory. Quantum fluctuations of the ground-state atomic coherences that provide gain are responsible for the excess noise in this situation. The excess noise grows exponentially with the magnitude of pulse advancement (referenced to propagation in vacuum), therefore preventing a signal being sent faster than c.
Chapter 3 – Carbohydrate Metabolism and Its Diseases

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the biochemical mechanisms underlying diseases associated with carbohydrate metabolism. The major function of ingested carbohydrates is to serve as energy sources. Carbohydrates are also precursors of essential intermediates for use in synthetic processes. The digestion of carbohydrates in animals begins with the initial contact of the carbohydrates in their food with the enzymes of salivary juice. Starch of plant foods and glycogen of meat are split into their constituent monosaccharides by the action of amylase and maltase. This activity ceases as the food matter passes into the stomach, where the enzymatic action is destroyed by hydrochloric acid. Within the stomach, only a small portion of the ingested carbohydrate is hydrolyzed before passing into the small intestine. In the small intestine, digestion of carbohydrates takes place quickly by the carbohydrate-splitting enzymes contained in the pancreatic juice and in the succus entericus. This chapter begins with a discussion on digestion, absorption, and metabolism of absorbed carbohydrates. The chapter also elaborates concepts related to insulin and carbohydrate metabolism. The subject of blood glucose and its regulation is also explained. The chapter concludes with presenting an overview of the disorders of carbohydrate metabolism and disorders of ruminants associated with hypoglycemia.
Bilateral asymmetry of bone density adjacent to pelvic sarcomas: A retrospective study using computed tomography.

Limb-salvaging hemipelvectomy surgeries involving allograft or custom prosthesis reconstruction require high quality remaining pelvic bone for adequate device fixation. Modeling studies of custom pelvis prosthesis designs typically mirror contralateral pelvic bone material properties to the ipsilateral pelvis. However, the extent of bone material property and geometric symmetry, and thus the appropriateness of mirroring, remains unknown and should be considered when designing or analyzing the performance of pelvic prostheses. This study investigates preoperative differences between ipsilateral and contralateral pelvic bone for patients with a pelvic sarcoma. Computed tomography (CT) data were obtained retrospectively from eight patients with a pelvic sarcoma. Subject-specific computational models of the pelvic bones were constructed from the CT data. Bilateral asymmetry of bone material properties and cross-sectional areas between the ipsilateral and contralateral hemipelvis were quantified at points adjacent to the pelvic sarcoma. Large bilateral asymmetry (>20%) in trabecular but not cortical bone density was observed within 20 mm of the tumor location. Differences in trabecular bone density typically declined with increased distance from the tumor. The greatest bilateral difference in cross-sectional area occurred within 10 mm of the tumor boundary for three patients and within 40 mm from the tumor site for four patients. Our results suggest that pelvic sarcomas can cause significant bilateral asymmetries in trabecular bone density for patients with a pelvic sarcoma. These differences should be taken into account when designing custom implants for this patient population.
Proton beam radiotherapy for patients with early-stage and advanced lung cancer: a narrative review with contemporary clinical recommendations

Although lung cancer rates are decreasing nationally, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related death. Despite advancements in treatment and technology, overall survival (OS) for lung cancer remains poor. Proton beam therapy (PBT) is an advanced radiation therapy (RT) modality for treatment of lung cancer with the potential to achieve dose escalation to tumor while sparing critical structures due to higher target conformality. In early and late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), dosimetric studies demonstrated reduced doses to organs at risk (OARs) such as the lung, spinal cord, and heart, and clinical studies report limited toxicities with PBT, including hypofractionated regimens. In limited-stage SCLC, studies showed that regimens chemo RT including PBT were well tolerated, which may help optimize clinical outcomes. Improved toxicity profiles may be beneficial in post-operative radiotherapy, for which initial dosimetric and clinical data are encouraging. Sparing of OARs may also increase the proportion of patients able to complete reirradiation for recurrent disease. However, there are various challenges of using PBT including a higher financial burden on healthcare and limited data supporting its cost-effectiveness. Further studies are needed to identify subgroups that benefit from PBT based on prognostic factors, and to evaluate PBT combined with immunotherapy, in order to elucidate the benefit that PBT may offer future lung cancer patients.
Mental health outcomes among early-entrance to college students: A cross-sectional study of an emerging educational system in the united states

Introduction In the United States, students who attend early-entrance to college programs (EECP) undergo a unique, accelerated educational path. Many of these programs require students to forego their final years of high school to take dual-enrollment classes while residing on a college campus. While previous literature has documented mental health outcomes among traditional college and high school student populations, there is scarce literature on the mental health among this hybrid population in the United States. Objectives Investigate anxiety and depression among students enrolled in EECPs in the United States. Methods Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-8 item (PHQ-8) were asked in 3 sets for how students felt before, during, and after their attendance in their EECP. Results 66 alumni students who graduated from an EECP were surveyed after giving informed consent. GAD-7 average scores before the students attended was 4.83 (median = 4, “mild anxiety”), during attendance was to 11.5 (median = 12, “moderately-severe anxiety”), and currently was 6.95 (median = 6, “moderate anxiety”). PHQ-8 scores for depression before attending were 5.1 (median = 4, “mild to potentially moderate depression”, during the program 10.9 (median 11.5, “moderately severe depression”), and current PHQ-8 was 16 (median = 16, “severe depression”). Conclusions Anxiety and depression seem to have a presence in this student population, compared to traditional college student populations, but different compared to international cohorts. Academic rigor was a notable driving force of these outcomes, differing from the literature on traditional college student populations.
Identifying factors that impact general dentists’ referrals to orthodontists

Introduction Referrals from general dentists are a significant source of orthodontic patients, but our knowledge of factors guiding referral decisions predates recent marketplace trends of direct-to-consumer products and broad digitization. To provide orthodontists with current, nationwide data on referral values and communication preferences, a mixed-methods study was conducted. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with practicing general dentists (n = 23), and interviews were analyzed to identify factors important to communication and referrals. Qualitative data provided the foundation to develop and pretest a survey distributed nationally to American Dental Association general dentists through email (n = 373). Survey results were evaluated using bivariate and descriptive statistics. Results Although 42% of general dentists provide orthodontics, of those, 68% report insufficient orthodontic training in dental school, and 61% have increased orthodontic care in recent years. General dentists refer to orthodontists for complex cases and growing patients, with the orthodontist’s perceived skill and proximity to the patient being important for choosing a specific orthodontic practice. Phone (70%) and email (61%) are the most used interoffice communication methods, with email (40%) and then phone (30%) being the most preferred. The most important aspects of a working relationship were patient satisfaction and final occlusal outcome, whereas the best way to boost referrals was through improving communication. Conclusions Excellent care and patient satisfaction remain primary motivators for referrals from generalists to orthodontists. An improved orthodontic curriculum is needed for general dentists. Good communication with dentists is critical for growing referral streams and enhancing patient care.
Optimizing the Lignocellulosic Biomass-to-Ethanol Supply Chain. A Case Study for the Midwestern United States

Abstract A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem formulation is proposed to optimize the net present value of a biomass-to-ethanol supply chain. Facility locations and capacities are determined simultaneously with biomass harvest and distribution. Sensitivity analysis and robustness are performed for a 9-state region of the United States case study to elucidate the impact of price uncertainty on a burgeoning biorefinery industry that may be affected by policy. Near term technology is favored for biomass collection and conversion to ethanol.
Evidence for an evolutionarily conserved interaction between cell wall biosynthesis and flowering in maize and sorghum.

Background Factors that affect flowering vary among different plant species, and in the grasses in particular the exact mechanism behind this transition is not fully understood. The brown midrib (bm) mutants of maize (Zea mays L.), which have altered cell wall composition, have different flowering dynamics compared to their wild-type counterparts. This is indicative of a link between cell wall biogenesis and flowering. In order to test whether this relationship also exists in other grasses, the flowering dynamics in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) were investigated. Sorghum is evolutionarily closely related to maize, and a set of brown midrib (bmr) mutants similar to the maize bm mutants is available, making sorghum a suitable choice for study in this context.
Infection and persistence of erythrovirus B19 in benign and cancerous thyroid tissues.

Human erythrovirus B19 (EVB19) is a small, pathogenic DNA virus that has been associated with a wide range of illnesses. The primary site of replication is in bone marrow-derived erythroid progenitor cells, but EVB19 DNA has been detected in a wide range of organs. Recently, studies have linked EVB19 to thyroid cancers and other thyroid diseases. Previous studies from multiple laboratories have detected EVB19 capsid proteins in Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer tissues. Data on viral gene expression and mechanism of infection in the thyroid are lacking. To investigate EVB19 infection and persistence in the thyroid, previously archived adult and pediatric tissue sections were examined for EVB19 DNA, RNA, and capsid proteins, as well as EVB19 receptor P-antigen and co-receptor α5β1 integrin. EVB19 DNA and protein were detected in a majority of tissues examined (87% and 68%, respectively). Detection was similar in adult and pediatric samples. Quantification of viral genomes revealed no significant difference in the amount of viral DNA in benign, cancerous, or metastatic thyroid tissues. EVB19 capsid RNA was detected in 67% of the tissues examined, confirming at least low-level viral gene expression. Immunohistochemical staining for P-antigen and α5β1 detected the receptor and co-receptor most frequently on normal thyroid epithelial cells. EVB19 capsid staining could be detected in tumors lacking viral receptors. These results suggest that normal thyroid epithelial cells are the initial target for EVB19 infection in the thyroid and allow for continued persistence in both normal and cancerous thyroid tissues. J. Med. Virol. 86:1614–1620, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluating the female pelvic floor.

Treating pelvic floor prolapse in women depends on successfully identifying the prolapsed area, the degree of prolapse and the extent of pelvic floor dysfunction. Both conservative and surgical options are available but treatment choices must be individualized for each patient. Practitioners assessing pelvic floor prolapse need to have an understanding of the interaction among all pelvic floor organs. Pelvic floor prolapse is caused by a break in the continuity of the endopelvic fascia and/or a loss of suspension or attachment of pelvic organs to adjacent structures. Nurses need to be able to focus on the interaction, diagnosis and treatment of all pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic floor prolapse and urinary incontinence. Here's how.
Mental Health Courts or Therapeutic Courts

Mental health courts are specialized courts that offer an alternative to standard prosecution for criminal offenders who have mental health problems. The goal of mental health courts is to prevent the incarceration of offenders with mental health problems by linking eligible offenders with community-based mental health and substance use treatment services. Program participation is monitored through judicial status hearings, and sanctions and rewards are used to increase compliance with program requirements. Upon completion of the mental health program, offenders typically receive reduced sentencing or their charges may be dropped. Although eligibility requirements and court operations vary across jurisdictions, research suggests that mental health courts increase access to and provision of behavioral health services and reduce recidivism rates in a cost-effective manner. There are nearly 200 mental health courts in the United States, with many more in the planning stages. Keywords: mental health; criminal justice; recidivism
Beyond Problem Solving: Reconceptualizing the Work of Public Deliberation as Deliberative Inquiry

This article introduces deliberative inquiry (DI), a practical theory designed to guide the work of deliberative practitioners working in their local communities to better address wicked problems by improving the quality of public discourse. DI reconceptualizes the work of public deliberation as sparking and sustaining a unique form of inquiry suited to addressing wicked problems. DI moves from a linear event-focused model where deliberation produces refined public opinion and decision outcomes to using deliberative principles to guide a cyclical learning process. DI seeks to improve community decision making by focusing on obstacles to deliberative engagement, deliberative tensions inherent to wicked problems, and resources for collaborative action. Understanding of these elements is refined throughout the 4 tasks of the deliberative cycle.
Characterization of functional domains of the su(Hw) protein that mediate the silencing effect of mod(mdg4) mutations.

The suppressor of Hairy-wing [su(Hw)] protein represses enhancer function in a unidirectional fashion: enhancers segregated from the promoter by the su(Hw) binding region are rendered inactive, whereas those in the same domain are unaffected. In the case of the gypsy -induced y 2 allele, the repressive effect of su(Hw) is rendered bidirectional in mod ( mdg4 ) mutant flies, and all enhancers of the affected gene become inactive. This silencing of enhancer elements might be due to exposure of specific domains of su(Hw) when the mod ( mdg4 ) protein is absent. Two of three regions of su(Hw) that are located adjacent to the leucine zipper motif and are conserved across Drosophila species are necessary for both the unidirectional and bidirectional repression of transcription by su(Hw). In contrast, two acidic domains that are dispensable for the unidirectional repression of enhancer elements are critical for the bidirectional silencing of enhancer activity observed in mutants lacking functional mod ( mdg4 ) protein.
“Those Damn Horse Soldiers”: True Tales of the Civil War Cavalry – By George Walsh

This book of “tales” about the cavalry of both armies during the American Civil War is aimed at general readers who enjoy a colorful story that is well told and who are not overly concerned about t...
Corrosion Currents in the Cathodic and Anodic Sections of a Circular Stress Concentrator

A quantitative relationship between the mechanical stress field and local distribution of the shifts of electrode potentials and corrosion current densities in the metal containing a circular stress concentrator filled with corrosive medium is analytically determined. The dependences of the sizes of cathodic and anodic sections on the applied forces and the contents of Na+ and Cl− ions in the medium are analyzed. The boundaries of the cathodic and anodic sections on the surface of the circular hole are determined.
Thin Film Cracking and Ratcheting Caused by Temperature Cycling

Layered materials are susceptible to failure upon temperature cycling. This paper describes an intriguing mechanism: cracking in a brittle layer caused by ratcheting in an adjacent ductile layer. For example, on a silicon die directly attached to an organic substrate, cracking often occurs in the silicon nitride film over aluminum pads. The silicon die and the organic substrate have different thermal expansion coefficients, inducing shear stresses at the die corners. Aided by cycling temperature, the shear stresses cause ratcheting in the aluminum pads. Incrementally, the stress relaxes in the aluminum pads and builds up in the overlaying silicon nitride film, leading to cracks.
A Soft X-Ray/EUV Reflectometer Based on a Laser Produced Plasma Source

A soft x-ray reflectometer is described which is based on a laser-produced plasma source and is continuously tunable over the range 40 A < λ < 400 A. The source is produced by focusing 0.532-μm light from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser on a solid target. The x-ray wavelength is defined using a high throughput spherical grating monochromator with moderate resolving power (λΔλ ≈ 100 to 500). A time-averaged monochromatized flux of more than 109 photons/s in a 1% bandwidth at 100 eV is obtained. Photon “shot noise” limited measurements are obtained by the use of an I0 detector to normalize out the shot-to-shot variations in source intensity. Measurements with submillimeter spot sizes are readily obtainable. Various detectors have been used and the advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. The higher order contamination of the monochromator output has been analyzed using a second grating for the purpose of making measurement corrections. The reflectometer thus provides the capability for precision absolute measurements of the reflectance of gratings and multilayer mirrors, the transmittance of thin film filters, or other properties of x-ray optical elements.