cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Preliminary Study of JM-27: A Serum Marker That Can Specifically Identify Men With Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Purpose: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common disease in men that until recently was considered a single disease with varying symptoms. Our recent analysis has revealed that a molecular marker, JM-27, is able to distinguish at the tissue level between highly symptomatic individuals and those with histological disease. The goal of these studies was to determine if a serum based assay to detect JM-27 could distinguish men with different forms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.Materials and Methods: A serum based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed using a novel anti-JM-27 monoclonal antibody. The assay was sensitive, detecting JM-27 at the low ng/ml level within the serum. A quantitative measurement of serum JM-27 levels was performed in 68 patients. The patients consisted of 3 groups of 29 patients with asymptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (American Urological Association symptom score of 15 or less), 39 with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (American Urological Association sympt...
Price Sensitivities for U.S. Frozen Dairy Products

Price elasticities and flexibilities for frozen dessert products were estimated from weekly scanner data, with emphasis on functional form selection, system misspecification testing, and endogeneity testing. Reciprocals of elasticities and elasticity matrix inversion were invalid means of obtaining flexibility estimates, leaving direct estimation as the only viable, albeit resource-intensive, approach.
Total Thoracoabdominal Aortic Replacement in a Marfan Patient Following Heart Transplantation and Hemiarch Repair

Patients with Marfan syndrome were a well-known risk population to develop aortic root aneurysm and aortic dissection through entire life span. Repeated operations for ascending, descending and abdominal aortic pathology were not uncommon. We present a case report of a total thoracoabdominal aortic replacement in a Marfan patient following heart transplantation and hemiarch repair. We achieved a successful one-stage replacement of entire thoracoabdominal aorta. The peri-operative course was complicated with delayed, but reversible paraplegia. The surgical approach and strategy of spinal cord protection is discussed.
The Drosophila proboscis is specified by two Hox genes, proboscipedia and Sex combs reduced, via repression of leg and antennal appendage genes.

The proboscis is one of the most highly modified appendages in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the phenotypes of proboscipedia ( pb ) mutants, which transform the proboscis into leg or antenna, indicate a basic homology among these limbs. Recent genetic studies have revealed a developmental system for patterning appendages and identified several genes required for limb development. Among these are: extradenticle ( exd ) , homothorax ( hth ) , dachshund ( dac ), Distal-less ( Dll ) and spalt ( sal ). These limb genes have not been well studied in wild-type mouthparts and their role if any in this appendage is not well understood. Here we demonstrate that the homeotic gene products Proboscipedia (Pb) and Sex combs reduced (Scr) regulate the limb genes in the labial disc to give rise to a unique type of appendage, the proboscis. Pb inhibits exd, dac and sal expression and downregulates Dll . This observation explains the ability of Pb to inhibit the effects of ectopically expressed trunk Hox genes in the proboscis, to suppress leg identity in the trunk and to transform antenna to maxillary palp. Scr suppresses sal expression and also downregulates Dll in the labial discs; discs mutant for both pb and Scr give rise to complete antennae, further demonstrating appendage homology. In the labial disc, Pb positively regulates transcription of Scr , whereas in the embryo, Scr positively regulates pb . Additionally, our results suggests a revised fate map of the labial disc. We conclude that the proboscis constitutes a genetically distinct type of appendage whose morphogenesis does not require several important components of leg and/or antennal patterning systems, but retains distal segmental homology with these appendages.
Is Superior Local Processing in the Visuospatial Domain a Function of Drawing Talent Rather Than Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study challenges the prevailing assumption that superior local processing is specific to autism spectrum diagnosis and suggests instead that such processing skill is a function of realistic drawing talent. Fifteen children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 15 without ASD made an observational drawing scored for level of drawing realism and completed 2 tasks that allowed for the assessment of a local processing bias: the Block Design Task in unsegmented and segmented form at three levels of perceptual cohesiveness (minimal, intermediate, and maximal), and the Group Embedded Figures Test. Drawing realism score, not ASD diagnosis, predicted performance on the unsegmented version of the Block Design Task and on the most difficult items—the unsegmented maximally cohesive items. Accuracy on the Group Embedded Figures Test was also more strongly associated with level of drawing realism than ASD diagnosis. Thus, the superior local processing seen in ASD may be due to the drawing talent so often present in those with ASD.
Combining random number generators

The authors provide some support for the combination generator from a statistical theory viewpoint. The combination generator is generated from taking the fractional part of the sum of several random numbers generators. It is shown that combining several independent generators improves not only the uniformity, but also the independence over each component generator. >
Inflection Point Quintessence

We examine models in which the accelerated expansion of the Universe is driven by a scalar field rolling near an inflection point in the potential. For the simplest such models, in which the potential is of the form $V(\ensuremath{\phi})={V}_{0}+{V}_{3}(\ensuremath{\phi}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\phi}}_{0}{)}^{3}$, the scalar field can either evolve toward $\ensuremath{\phi}={\ensuremath{\phi}}_{0}$ at late times, yielding an asymptotic de Sitter expansion, or it can transition through the inflection point, producing a transient period of acceleration. We determine the parameter ranges which produce each of these two possibilities and also map out the region in parameter space for which the equation of state of the scalar field is close to $\ensuremath{-}1$ at all times up to the present, mimicking $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\mathrm{CDM}$. We show that the latter can be consistent with either eternal or transient acceleration. More complicated inflection point models are also investigated.
Ethylene glycol-assisted coating of titania on nanoparticles

Coating titania shells onto sub-micron sized particles has been widely studied recently, with success mainly limited to objects with sizes above 50 nm. Direct coating on particles below this size has been difficult to attain especially with good control over properties such as thickness and crystallinity. Here we demonstrate that titanium-glycolate formed by reacting titanium alkoxide and ethylene glycol is an excellent precursor for coating titania on aqueous nanoparticles. The new coating method is particularly useful for its ability to coat materials lacking strong polymers or ligands which are frequently needed to facilitate typical titania coatings. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the process of coating titania on metal nanoparticles ranging from citrate-stabilized gold and silver spheres to gold nanorods and silver nanoplates, and larger particles such as SiO2 microspheres and polymer spheres. Further the thickness of these coatings can be tuned from a few nanometers to ∼40 nm through sequential coatings. These coatings can subsequently be crystallized into TiO2 through refluxing in water or by calcination to obtain crystalline shells. This procedure can be very useful for the production of TiO2 coatings with tunable thickness and crystallinity as well as for further study on the effect of TiO2 coatings on nanoparticles.
A working model for the assessment of disruptions in social behavior among aged rats: The role of sex differences, social recognition, and sensorimotor processes

Aging results in a natural decline in social behavior, yet little is known about the processes underlying these changes. Engaging in positive social interaction is associated with many health benefits, including reduced stress reactivity, and may serve as a potential buffer against adverse consequences of aging. The goal of these studies was to establish a tractable model for the assessment of social behavior deficits associated with late aging. Thus, in Exp. 1, 1.5-, 3-, and 18-month-old male Fischer 344 (F344) rats were assessed for object investigation, and social interaction with a same-aged partner (novel/familiar), or a different-aged partner, thereby establishing working parameters for studies that followed. Results revealed that 18-month-old males exhibited reductions in social investigation and social contact behavior, with this age-related decline not influenced by familiarity or age of the social partner. Subsequently, Exp. 2 extended assessment of social behavior to both male and female F344 rats at multiple ages (3, 9, 18, and 24 months), after which a series of sensorimotor performance tests were conducted. In this study, both males and females exhibited late aging-related reductions in social interactions, but these changes were more pronounced in females. Additionally, sensorimotor performance was shown to be impaired in 24-month-olds, but not 18-month-olds, with this deficit more evident in males. Finally, Exp. 3 examined whether aging-related inflammation could account for declines in social behavior during late aging by administering naproxen (0, 7, 14, and 28 mg/kg; s.c.)-a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-to 18-month-old females. Results from this study revealed that social behavior was unaffected by acute or repeated (6 days) naproxen, suggesting that aging-related social deficits in females may not be a consequence of a general aging-related inflammation and/or malaise. Together, these findings demonstrate that aging-related declines in social behavior are (i) specific to social stimuli and (ii) not indicative of a general state of aging-related debilitation. Thus, these findings establish working parameters for a highly tractable model in which the neural and hormonal mechanisms underlying aging-related declines in social behavior can be examined.
Effects of Legislation on Sports-Related Concussion

Following the lead of Washington state and passage of the Lystedt Law in 2009, all states now have sports concussion laws designed to help protect youth athletes. This article examines the 3 basic tenets of youth sports concussion laws, challenges in implementation of state laws, and the first measures of success. Some of the major differences among state laws are also discussed.
Ensemble Neural Network Model for Predicting the Energy Consumption of a Milling Machine

Accurate prediction of the energy consumption is critical for energy-efficient production systems. However, the majority of existing prediction models aim at providing only point predictions and can be affected by uncertainties in the model parameters and input data. In this paper, a prediction model that generates prediction intervals (PIs) for estimating energy consumption of a milling machine is proposed. PIs are used to provide information on the confidence in the prediction by accounting for the uncertainty in both the model parameters and the noise in the input variables. An ensemble model of neural networks (NNs) is used to estimate PIs. A k-nearest-neighbors (k-nn) approach is applied to identify similar patterns between training and testing sets to increase the accuracy of the results by using local information from the closest patterns of the training sets. Finally, a case study that uses a dataset obtained by machining 18 parts through face-milling, contouring, slotting and pocketing, spiraling, and drilling operations is presented. Of these six operations, the case study focuses on face milling to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed energy prediction model.
Subcellular redistribution of the renal betaine transporter during hypertonic stress.

The betaine transporter (BGT1) protects cells in the hypertonic renal inner medulla by mediating uptake and accumulation of the osmolyte betaine. Transcriptional regulation plays an essential role ...
General Platform for Systematic Quantitative Evaluation of Small-Molecule Permeability in Bacteria

The chemical features that impact small-molecule permeability across bacterial membranes are poorly understood, and the resulting lack of tools to predict permeability presents a major obstacle to the discovery and development of novel antibiotics. Antibacterials are known to have vastly different structural and physicochemical properties compared to nonantiinfective drugs, as illustrated herein by principal component analysis (PCA). To understand how these properties influence bacterial permeability, we have developed a systematic approach to evaluate the penetration of diverse compounds into bacteria with distinct cellular envelopes. Intracellular compound accumulation is quantitated using LC-MS/MS, then PCA and Pearson pairwise correlations are used to identify structural and physicochemical parameters that correlate with accumulation. An initial study using 10 sulfonyladenosines in Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Mycobacterium smegmatis has identified nonobvious correlations between chemical ...
Global Asymptotic Stability in the Jia Li Model for Genetically Altered mosquitoes

Malaria remains a major killer with more than 1 million deaths each year in sub-Saharan Africa alone while yellow fever, dengue fever, West Nile virus, encephalitis and filariasis continue to have an impact on populations worldwide. The Anopheles strains of mosquitoes are largely responsible for the transmission of Plasmodium or malaria, the Culex tarsalis accounts largely for West Nile virus, encephalitis and filariasis and the Aedes aegypti is associated with yellow fever and dengue.
Sophisticated cooperation in FA/C distributed problem solving systems

In the functionally accurate, cooperative (FA/C) distributed problem solving paradigm, agents exchange tentative and partial results in order to converge on correct solutions. The key questions for FA/C problem solving are: how should cooperation among agents be structured and what capabilities are required in the agents to support the desired cooperation. To date, the FA/C paradigm has been explored with agents that did not have sophisticated evidential reasoning capabilities. We have implemented a new framework in which agents maintain explicit representations of the reasons why their hypotheses are uncertain and explicit representations of the state of the actions being taken to meet their goals. In this paper, we will show that agents with more sophisticated models of their evidence and their problem solving states can support the complex, dynamic interactions between agents that are necessary to fully implement the FA/C paradigm. Our framework makes it possible for agents to have directed dialogues among agents for distributed differential diagnosis, make use of a variety of problem solving methods in response to changing situations, transmit information at different levels of detail, and drive local and global problem solving using the notion of the global consIstency of local solutions. These capabilities have not been part of previous implementations of the FA/C paradigm.
Technical Note: A 3-D rendering algorithm for electromechanical wave imaging of a beating heart.

Purpose Arrhythmias can be treated by ablating the heart tissue in the regions of abnormal contraction. The current clinical standard provides electroanatomic 3- D maps to visualize the elec-trical activation and locate the arrhythmogenic sources. However, the procedure is time-consuming and invasive. Electromechanical Wave Imaging is an ultrasound- based non-invasive technique that can provide 2-D maps of the electromechanical activation of the heart. In order to fully visualize the complex 3-D pattern of activation, several 2-D views are acquired and processed separately They are then manually registered with a 3-D rendering software to generate a pseudo-3-D map However, this last step is operator-dependent and time-consuming. Methods This paper presents a method to generate a full 3-D map of the electromechanical ac-tivation using multiple 2-D images. Two canine models were considered to illustrate the method: one in normal sinus rhythm and one paced from the lateral region of the heart. Four standard echographic views of each canine heart were acquired. Electromechanical Wave Imaging was applied to generate four 2- D activation maps of the left ventricle. The radial positions and activation imings of the walls were automatically extracted from those maps. In each slice, from apex to base, these values were interpolated around the circumference to generate a full 3-D map. Results In both cases, a 3-D activation map and a cine-loop of the propagation of the elec- tromechanical wave were automatically generated The 3-D map showing the electromechanical activation timings overlaid on realistic anatomy assists with the visualization of the sources of earlier activation (which are potential arrhythmogenic sources). The earliest sources of activation corresponded to the expected ones: septum for the normal rhythm and lateral for the pacing case Conclusions The proposed technique provides, automatically, a 3-D electromechanical activation map with a realistic anatomy. This represents a step towards a non-invasive tool to efficiently localize arrhythmias in 3-D. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Marketing Strategies to Encourage Rural Residents of High-Obesity Counties to Buy Fruits and Vegetables in Grocery Stores.

INTRODUCTION Obesity rates in Appalachia are among the highest in the United States, and knowledge of upstream approaches to decrease prevalence among this vulnerable population is limited. The primary aim of this study was to examine the association between healthy, diet-based, social marketing interventions in grocery stores and frequency of fruit and vegetable intake. METHODS A social marketing campaign was conducted among 17 grocery stores (N = 240 participant surveys) over 4 months in 5 rural Kentucky counties. Interventions included providing food samples, recipe cards, and promotional discounts on fruits and vegetables and moving high-calorie foods to side aisles. RESULTS Most survey participants reported that recipe cards influenced their desire to purchase ingredients as well as fruits and vegetables in general. Results indicated a significant association between the influence of recipe cards and frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption. CONCLUSION Small-scale interventions in grocery stores influenced purchasing choices among Appalachian residents. Working with various store managers and food venues in rural high-obesity communities is a promising way to encourage purchasing of fruits and vegetables.
Damages to a Child and the Fair Calculations Act: A Case Study

The Fair Calculations Act introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R.6417) and Senate (S.3489) seeks to prohibit courts from using race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation in awarding damages to plaintiffs in civil actions. The following case study examines economic damages of a male and female child suffering the same traumatic injury shortly after birth assuming the Fair Calculation Act becomes law.
Activation of Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Suppresses Excitability of Mouse Main Olfactory Bulb External Tufted and Mitral Cells

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are abundantly expressed in the rodent main olfactory bulb. The function of Group I mGluRs has been investigated in a number of studies, while the actions of Group II mGluRs, which include the mGluR2 and mGluR3 subtypes, have been less well explored. Here, we used electrophysiological approaches in mouse olfactory bulb slices to investigate how Group II mGluR activation and inactivation modifies the activity of external tufted (ET) and mitral cells. The Group II mGluR agonist DCG-IV was found to directly and uniformly reduce the spontaneous discharge of ET and mitral cells. The inhibitory effect of DCG-IV was absent in mitral cells with truncated apical dendrites, indicating a glomerular site of action. DCG-IV did not influence olfactory nerve-evoked monosynaptic responses in ET or mitral cells, indicating that Group II mGluRs do not presynaptically modulate glutamate release from olfactory nerve terminals. In contrast, DCG-IV suppressed polysynaptic responses in periglomerular cells evoked by olfactory nerve stimulation. DCG-IV also inhibited glutamate release from ET cells, and suppressed the spontaneous and olfactory nerve-evoked long-lasting depolarization in mitral cells. Applied alone, Group II receptor antagonists were without effect, suggesting that basal activation of these receptors is nil. These findings suggest that Group II mGluRs inhibit ET and mitral cell activity and further dampen intraglomerular excitatory circuits by suppressing glutamate release.
What’s happened over the last five years with high-throughput protein crystallization screening?

Structure-based drug design (SBDD) heavily relies on the production of high-resolution (<2A) three-dimensional (3D) structures of the drug target in the presence or absence of the drug candidate [1...
Reactive Astrocytes in Cerebral Ischemic Reperfusion Injury

Currently, limited stroke treatments are available due to a short time window for effective treatment. Previous research on stroke therapies has focused on neurons as therapeutic targets, with little emphasis on manipulation of other brain cells. Today, research is increasingly finding evidence of the potentials of astrocytes for stroke therapies. Here, we present a review of the roles of astrocytes in the healthy brain as well as the altered functions of astrocytes in the ischemic and post-ischemic brain that modulate neuronal recovery. Astrocytic regulation of neuronal function occurs in both healthy and diseased brains as a result of their close association in the tripartite synapse. We will place an emphasis on the astrocytic properties that promote neural protection and restoration, and will also discuss the hurdles reactive astrocytes and glial scarring pose to functional neuronal recovery. To overcome these challenges, therapeutic advances have been made by exploring drug treatments that target astrocyte function to modulate reactive astrogliosis. Continued research into reactive astrocyte biology will allow us to better understand their potential as targets for stroke therapies.
Reform to Repatriation: Gendering an Americanization Movement in Early Twentieth-Century California

Between 1906 and the early 1940s, American state and federal officials, who were predominantly men, decided that the country’s patriotism was in peril. This time period would see not only two world wars but also the Great Depression. Sent off to war, separated from loved ones, or bankrupt from the stock market crash, Americans began to question the greatness of the supposed “American” dream. In response, the US government, corporations, and other social organizations set out to “Americanize” its populations. Many (but not all) Americanization programs reminded citizens and noncitizens alike how different Americans were from other nationalities and sought to create a homogenous national culture that subscribed to a shared belief system (Van Nuys 2002).
Spin Filtering Effects in a Quantum Point Contact

We simulate a quantum point contact (QPC). Using spin-density-fimctional theory (SDFT), we obtain a spin-dependent energy barrier structure in the QPC that may help explain anomalies observed in experiment.
Correlations of the Elemental Compositions of PrimaryCoal Tar and Char

Simulations of large-scale coal combustors rely on accurate submodels to describe the chemical and physical changes in coal during reaction. Typically, simplified empirical submodels are tuned to e...
Forty Years of Research on Predictors of Homelessness

Homelessness is a chronic public health issue in the U.S. This paper reviews the endurance and evolution of individual, youth, and family homelessness over the past 40-plus years. Thematic findings detail research on predictors of homelessness among adolescents, runaway youth, veterans, older adults, sheltered families, and female-headed families. Results provide a summary of contributors to homelessness, including issues related to family instability, unemployment and poverty, mental illness, substance use, unstable living arrangements, child maltreatment, social support, crime, and violence. Findings highlight key and persistent predictors of homelessness found across decades, as well as more recently identified and nuanced precursors to individual or family displacement. The goal of this work was to summarize what is known about predictors of homelessness to inform targeted research, practice, and policies.
Accuracy of The Cancer Genome Atlas Classification vs American Joint Committee on Cancer Classification for Prediction of Metastasis in Patients With Uveal Melanoma.

Importance The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) classification is a newly emerging method for prediction of uveal melanoma (UM)–related metastasis and death. Limited information is available regarding the accuracy of the TCGA classification for prediction of metastasis in patients with UM. Objective To investigate the accuracy of the TCGA classification for predicting UM-related metastasis compared with the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification. Design, Setting, and Participants In this retrospective cohort study, patients with UM treated with plaque radiotherapy at a tertiary referral center from October 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018, were evaluated. All patients with tumors classified according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, 8th Edition, and who completed pretreatment fine-needle aspiration biopsy sampling for genetic analysis of chromosomes 3 and 8 for TCGA classification were included. Tumors were classified into 4 categories, 17 subcategories, and 4 stages using AJCC classification and further grouped into 4 classes using TCGA classification. Main Outcomes and Measures Value of TCGA classification vs AJCC classification for predicting UM-related metastasis. Results Of 642 included patients, 331 (51.6%) were women, and the mean (SD) age was 58.0 (13.8) years. There were 642 tumors from 642 patients classified according to both AJCC and TCGA classifications. The mean (range) follow-up time for the entire cohort was 43.7 (1.4-159.2) months. At 5 years, TCGA classification showed higher value for prediction of metastasis (4 TCGA classes: Wald statistic, 94.8; hazard ratio [HR], 2.8; 95% CI, 2.3-3.5;P Conclusions and Relevance These results suggest that TCGA classification provides accuracy that is superior to AJCC categories, subcategories, and stages for predicting metastasis from UM. When genetic testing is available, TCGA classification can provide a more accurate way to identify patients at high risk of metastasis who might benefit from adjuvant therapy.
Inverse Charge Constant On-Time Control With Ultrafast Transient Performance

At the present time, current-mode constant on-time (CMCOT) control is widely used in voltage regulators (VRs) for higher light-load efficiency, higher bandwidth, and a simpler compensation network. In today’s VRs, a high load step with a very high slew rate is a very common requirement in microprocessor or memory applications. One issue of this ripple-based CMCOT control is the transient response limitation at load step-up and step-down, because of its fixed $T_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ time operation. In the heavy load step-up transient, the inductor current increment becomes limited by the on-time ( $T_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ ) and minimum off-time ( $T_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}\_{}{\mathrm{ MIN}}}$ ) ratio in each cycle, which can create large undershoot at the output. On the other hand, in the load step-down case, if a load change occurs at the beginning of the $T_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ , then the decrement of the inductor current will be delayed by the fixed $T_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ width, which can create a large overshoot at output. For the multiphase operation case, this ripple-based CMCOT control fails to operate at the ripple cancellation point where the inductor current ripple becomes zero. The state-of-the-art controllers add various nonlinear controls to the system to solve these issues; however, they are essentially difficult to optimize for different steady-state and transient conditions. In this article, a new concept called ‘inverse charge constant on-time’ (IQCOT) control is proposed, to improve the transient performance in CMCOT, by naturally increasing or decreasing the $T_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ time in the load step-up or step-down transient without adding any nonlinear control. As this $T_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ change is adaptive to the transient requirement, an optimized response is inherently provided, and hence, does not require any external adjustment. In a multiphase operation, IQCOT control can operate seamlessly at the ripple cancellation point. The proposed IQCOT control’s fast and optimized transient response, with higher light-load efficiency, makes it a perfect control candidate for today’s VR applications. Simulation and test results with a VR platform are also presented in this article to verify the benefits of the proposed control.
1549-P: Race and Gender Differences in the Initiation of Recently Approved Diabetes Drugs by Privately-Insured U.S. Adults

Three new classes of glucose-lowering drugs were introduced into practice over the past 15 years. DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors have low hypoglycemia risk, do not cause weight gain, and GLP-1RA and SGLT2i have additional cardiovascular and renal benefits. We previously found low rates of early SGLT2i use by women and black patients, but more recent data and data for other drugs were lacking. Using OptumLabs Data Warehouse, a de-identified dataset of commercially-insured and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, we identified adults with type 2 diabetes who first started a DPP-4i (n=140,933), GLP-1RA (n=107,331), SGLT2i (n=112,892), or any other diabetes drug (n=1,743,484) between 2013-2018. Odds of starting each medication class were examined in separate logistic regression models for white women (WW), non-white men (NM), and non-white women (NW) compared to white men, adjusting for other factors affecting drug choice (Figure). Results were mixed, as depicted by the Figure. Our study design cannot identify the causes of preferential use of DPP-4i among non-white patients, or the preferential avoidance of SGLT2i among women and NM and of GLP-1RA among NW. Because these drugs have important safety and efficacy benefits, our findings call for closer examination of potential implicit biases surrounding medication prescribing and diabetes management. Disclosure R.G. McCoy: None. H. Van Houten: None. S.M. Dunlay: None. X. Yao: None. T. Dempsey: None. P. Noseworthy: None. L.R. Sangaralingham: None. A.H. Limper: None. N. Shah: None. Funding National Institutes of Health (K23DK114497)
Continuous Noninvasive Arterial Pressure Monitoring for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objectives The objective of the present study, which was conducted in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, was to compare continuous noninvasive arterial pressure measured with the ClearSight device (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) with invasive radial artery pressure used as the reference method. The authors hypothesized that the ClearSight device is an accurate, precise, safe, and efficient method for arterial blood pressure measurement comparable with an invasive radial arterial line. Design The study included the retrospective review of 20 consecutive patients scheduled for elective transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve (Edwards Lifesciences) at a single tertiary academic hospital, who underwent monitoring with both the ClearSight device and an invasive radial arterial pressure line. The patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement from October to December 2019. Setting Single tertiary academic medical center. Participants The study comprised 20 patients, with 2,243 unique blood pressure data points. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results A statistically significant correlation between the invasive radial arterial pressure line and the ClearSight device was observed for systolic blood pressure (correlation coefficient 0.86; p Conclusions The accuracy, agreement, and precision of the ClearSight device were convincing for mean arterial pressure, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure for patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing elective transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
Hydration motifs of ammonium bisulfate clusters show complex temperature dependence.

The role of water in the formation of particles from atmospheric trace gases is not well understood, in large part due to difficulties in detecting its presence under atmospheric conditions and the variety of possible structures that must be screened computationally. Here, we use infrared spectroscopy and variable-temperature ion trap mass spectrometry to investigate the structural motifs adopted by water bound to ammonium bisulfate clusters and their temperature dependence. For clusters featuring only acid–base linkages, water adopts a bridging arrangement spanning an adjacent ammonium and bisulfate. For larger clusters, water can also insert into a bisulfate–bisulfate hydrogen bond, yielding hydration isomers with very similar binding energies. The population of these isomers shows a complex temperature evolution, as an apparent third isomer appears with a temperature dependence that is difficult to explain using simple thermodynamic arguments. These observations suggest that the thermodynamics of water binding to atmospheric clusters such as these may not be straightforward.
Geomechanical and energy analysis on the small- and medium-scale CAES in salt domes

Abstract The concept of small- or medium-scale CAES using salt domes at a depth shallower than 500 m and in the capacity of 10–100 MW was recently suggested to address a burden associated with geologic exploration and high investment cost. In this study, we employed an analytical approach to calculate the hoop and radial stresses at the crown and sidewall of the storage cavity under the given cavity depth ( h ), the dimension of the cavity ( W / H ), the ratio of horizontal-to-vertical geologic stresses ( K ), and the internal air pressure ( P in ). A good match of the hoop and radial stresses were observed for all tested parameters. The analysis of stress paths implies that the mechanical stability at the crown of the storage cavity could be a decisive factor for allowable storage pressure ranges. The allowable maximum storage pressure ( P max allow ) can be determined at the moment when the stress path touches the tensile failure criterion, while the allowable minimum storage pressure ( P min allow ) needs to be set to maintain stress paths below the shear failure envelope. A higher K and W / H values are advantageous for securing higher storage pressure, and the energy storage capacities are estimated between 1 and 10 MJ/m3 from this study.
The impact of laser control on the porosity and microstructure of selective laser melted nickel superalloy 718

Abstract Additively manufacturing high performance metals by laser processing represents an exciting opportunity to exploit localized properties by varying input parameters throughout the process. This work explores the solidification and microstructural properties of selectively laser melted (SLM) Inconel 718 (IN718) using unique processing parameters. By employing traditional pulsed laser physics techniques, samples were manufactured with a continuous wave laser to study a potential ubiquitous approach. While the overall power density was controlled, the power, speed, and hatch spacing were varied. The porosity and grain sizes of the samples were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopes. The influence of processing parameters showed physical differences in the final samples. Sample degradation was observed in higher power processes with porosity up 10%, likely due to increased temperatures and more intense thermal gradients.
Back to Basics: Applied Anatomy in Regional Anesthesia

In the last ten years, the practice of regional anesthesia has revolutionized perioperative patient care. Multidisciplinary clinical pathways that incorporate regional anesthesia have been shown to...
Is Twitter psychic? Social media analytics and television ratings

This study demonstrates the use of social media analytics in the context of network television (TV) programs. We first downloaded social media measures for 38 TV programs and their performance ratings over a period of five weeks resulting in a sample size of 165 weekly observations. Specifically we extracted the number of Twitter tweets, followers, followings, Facebook likes, and talk from the official Twitter and Facebook profiles of each TV program. Subsequently we applied OLS Regression techniques and determined that key social media measures positively affect ratings. In essence TV shows with a higher number of Twitter tweets, followers and Facebook talk are likely to associate with higher performance ratings. This study helps TV networks in realizing the pertinence of social media in garnering viewership. Consequently we also propose a social media analytics framework for businesses in identifying brands with higher social media buzz in the objective of improving future economic performance.
An efficient algorithm (FAPRIC) for finding the principal contacts possibly established due to uncertainties

An implemented algorithm is presented for finding all principal contacts possibly established between two surface features (i.e. faces, edges, or vertices) of two polyhedral objects due to location (i.e. position and orientation) uncertainties. The algorithm FAPRIC (finding all principal contacts) requires as inputs: the estimated locations of the two objects, the geometric models of the objects, and the bounds on position and orientation uncertainties. The algorithm is based on checking intersections between the grown regions of the objects by location uncertainties with the S-tope model. It is very efficient and apt for real-time processing. The information obtained can serve as a guide for more accurate extraction and further reasoning of the contact data, possibly with additional sensors. As the surface of an arbitrary object can be approximated by planar patches, the algorithm can also be applied to general objects. The work is motivated by the need for automatically recognizing contacts in spite of uncertainties in robotic tasks.
The application of fracture mechanics to failure analysis of photovoltaic solar modules

Cracking of silicon solar cells and solar module transparent cover panels such as glass or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a major cause of photovoltaic solar module failure in field service. Silicon and cover materials are brittle, and cracking of these materials is expected to result from the extension of preexisting flaws under stress. Study of the cracking mechanisms is therefore an appropriate area for the application of fracture mechanics principles. In this study, fracture mechanics techniques were employed to identify the mode of crack propagation, to examine the fracture-initiating flaw, to estimate the nature and magnitude of fracture stress in the field, and to predict analytically the service lifetime. Recommendations for corrective actions are also made.
CalNex cloud properties retrieved from a ship‐based spectrometer and comparisons with satellite and aircraft retrieved cloud properties

[1] An algorithm to retrieve cloud optical thickness and effective radius (reff) from spectral transmittance was applied to radiance and irradiance observations of the Solar Spectral Flux Radiometer (SSFR) during the Research at the Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change Campaign (CalNex). Data from an overcast day, 16 May 2010, was used to validate the algorithm. Retrievals from the SSFR, deployed on the Woods Hole Oceanic Institute R/V Atlantis, were compared to retrievals made from an airborne SSFR, the Geostationary Operations Environmental Satellite (GOES), an Atlantis-based microwave radiometer, and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer. In situ observations of reffduring a flight over the Atlantis were compared to the Atlantis SSFR and GOES retrievals. The cloud statistics for the CalNex campaign were compared to previous studies. The agreement between the different retrievals, quantified by determining the number of coincident observations when retrieval uncertainty overlapped, improved as the difference between the field-of-views (FOV) of the instruments decreased. It is shown that averaging the 1 Hz SSFR observations to the 15 minute GOES interval cannot fully account for the impact of the different FOVs. The average in situ reff (7.7 μm) fell between the average reffretrieved using the Atlantis-based SSFR radiance (5.7μm) and irradiance (9.5 μm). The CalNex clouds showed a diurnal pattern observed in previous studies of marine boundary layer clouds in the region. The distribution of cloud optical thickness and liquid water path during CalNex was shown to be a gamma distribution, consistent with previous studies of high cloud fraction marine boundary layer clouds.
Lithium (3,3‐Diethoxy‐1‐propen‐2‐yl)(phenylthio)cuprate

[57428-24-7] C13H18CuLiO2S (MW 308.87) InChI = 1S/C7H13O2.C6H6S.Cu.Li/c1-4-7(8-5-2)9-6-3;7-6-4-2-1-3-5-6;;/h7H,1,5-6H2,2-3H3;1-5,7H;;/q;;;+1/p-1 InChIKey = DIBNJAGQTUHNKQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M (α-bromoacrolein-derived heterocuprate capable of nucleophilic additions and substitutions;2 useful in the preparation of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones3) Alternate Name: lithium [(α-diethoxymethyl)vinyl](phenylthio)cuprate. Solubility: prepared as a solution in ether; presumably can also be prepared in THF. Analysis of Reagent Purity: an assay to determine relative thermal stabilities4 can be used to estimate reagent quality and concentration: a sample of known volume and temperature is quenched with excess PhCOCl. The yield of phenyl ketone is measured by GC, the response of which is calibrated using authentic product and n-dodecane as internal standard. Preparative Methods: preparation of the heterocuprate5 requires synthesis of 2-bromo-3,3-diethoxypropene,6 which can be obtained from the widely available diethyl acetal of acrolein via bromination–dehydrobromination. Under an inert atmosphere of nitrogen or argon, a 0 °C solution of distilled Thiophenol in anhydrous ether is treated with 1 equiv of n-Butyllithium. The resultant solution is transferred to a room-temperature suspension of 1 equiv of Copper(I) Iodide in anhydrous ether under nitrogen or argon, to provide a yellow suspension of Phenylthiocopper(I); this suspension is cooled to −78 °C. In a separate flask under nitrogen or argon at −78 °C, 1 equiv of 2-bromo-3,3-diethoxypropene in anhydrous ether is treated dropwise with 1 equiv of n-BuLi; the 3,3-diethoxy-2-lithiopropene7that results is added dropwise to the −78 °C solution of PhSCu. The heterocuprate that forms is typically reacted with electrophiles at −78 °C with subsequent warming to −40 °C. Modifications using other sources of PhSCu may be acceptable.8 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: best results are obtained with high purity copper(I) salts,9 dry, oxygen-free solvents, and alkyllithium solutions free of contaminating alkoxides or hydroxides.10 n-BuLi is used to prepare the intermediate reagents lithium thiophenoxide and 3,3-diethoxy-2-lithiopropene, and is pyrophoric;11 due care must be exercised in its handling. Thermal decomposition occurs at ≥−40 °C. Use in a fume hood.
Prophylactic CNS directed therapy in systemic diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Overall survival in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has significantly improved in the last decade, especially after the incorporation of rituximab. Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) at presentation or at recurrence is an uncommon event, but carries a dismal prognosis with median survival of less than 6 months. Although prophylactic CNS directed therapy is a widely used approach to prevent this complication, randomized clinical trials have been very limited. CNS prophylaxis has inherent toxicities; therefore, identifying the population of patients who would receive most benefit is of utmost importance. From an extensive review of current literature, we report the incidence of CNS relapse in DLBCL and describe the role of CNS prophylaxis in the post-rituximab compared to the pre-rituximab era. We also review the current modalities of CNS prophylaxis and attempt to identify the high-risk patients who would benefit. Lastly, we present a treatment algorithm that defines the role of CNS prophylaxis in the management of patients with DLBCL.
Laminar segregation of color cells in the monkey's striate cortex

Abstract In the monkey's striate cortex concentric cells with double opponent color properties were restricted to layers 4A and 40 β ; this cell type was also found in the lower half of 4C z but there it was always of the broad band class. Concentric cells of any type were absent from 4B. Simple cells were found in abundance in 4B and upper 4C z and were always broad band while those few found in 4A and 4C β were usually double opponent color but sometimes were broad band. Color-sensitive complex and hypercomplex cells were found in the supragranular and infragranular layers (2, 3, 5 and 6). Double opponent concentric cells were occasionally seen in the supragranular layers but never in the infragranular laminae.
High-precision self-characterization for the LUT burn-in information leakage threat

Information security in FPGAs is at risk; during system operation, data and usage patterns can potentially get imprinted into a chip's physical characteristics, allowing an attacker to later recover intellectual property or cryptographic secrets. Can “data burn-in” vulnerabilities in FPGAs be characterized at low cost? Specifically, can slight shifts in path delays due to burn-in be measured with enough precision? This paper contributes methods for self-characterization of delay changes using novel isolation of key FPGA transistors, improved clock sweeping, and enhanced estimation from launch-andcapture data. Hardware experiments on 2048 Xilinx Kintex-7 paths demonstrate measurement precision of 30–60 femtoseconds, which is more than 10× finer than previous self-characterization results. Further, results show that unintentional burn-in of FPGA LUT contents does indeed occur and can in some cases be detected within a single week, highlighting the need to deploy countermeasures.