cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ganoderic Acid DM: An Alternative Agent for the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and accounts for significant morbidity and mortality in the western world. While traditional therapies are effective at clearing early stage cancer, they often fail to treat late stage metastatic disease. Thus, an effective therapy that targets prostate tumor growth and metastasis is desired for alleviating the disease and improving patient outcomes. Natural extracts have been the focus of recent investigation, particularly those with reduced cellular toxicity to healthy tissue. In this review, we discuss one potential candidate, ganoderic acid, an extract from the Ganoderma lucidum mushroom that has been tested in multiple cancer models. Interestingly, ganoderic acid DM (GA-DM) has shown toxicity to both androgen-dependent and independent prostate cancer cells with reduced osteoclastogenesis in late stage metastatic disease. This review will discuss the current knowledge on this GA-DM extract and the potential benefit in treating advanced prostate cancer. We will also provide an overview on the targeted delivery of GA-DM through nanoparticles that would reduce bystander toxicity and improve the drug's effectiveness. An improved understanding of this drug and its uses will advance the field of natural chemotherapeutics, particularly in treating advanced prostate cancer.
Combustion Improvement of a Light Stratified-Charge Direct Injection Engine

In the effort to improve combustion of a Light-load Stratified-Charge Direct-Injection (LSCDI) combustion system, CFD modeling, together with optical engine diagnostics and single cylinder engine testing, was applied to resolve some key technical issues. The issues associated with stratified-charge (SC) operation are combustion stability, smoke emission, and NOx emission. The challenges at homogeneous-charge operation include fuel-air mixing homogeneity at partial load operation, smoke emission and mixing homogeneity at low speed WOT, and engine knock tendency reduction at medium speed WOT operations. In SC operation, the fuel consumption is constrained with the acceptable smoke emission level and stability limit. With the optimization of piston design and injector specification, the smoke emission can be reduced. Concurrently, the combustion stability window and fuel consumption can be also significantly improved. The optimized piston also helps to reduce NOx emission with local mixture enrichment around the spark-plug gap and improved internal residual amount tolerance. The study shows that one of the root causes of smoke emission at low speed WOT is liquid fuel impingement on the valve surface. The smoke emission level can be reduced with injector specification optimization. The mechanism by which split injection improves WOT performance is studied in detail. It is shown that at low speed WOT operation, the split injection improves the liquid spray distribution, thus improves the fuel-air mixing homogeneity and the engine output. At medium speed WOT operation, split injection does not have much effect on the mixing homogeneity, instead it improves the charge temperature distribution, thus reducing the knocking tendency.
Spectral Validation of Measurements in a Vehicle Tracking DDDAS

Abstract Vehicle tracking in adverse environments is a challenging problem because of the high number of factors constraining their motion and possibility of frequent occlusion. In such conditions, identification rates drop dramatically. Hyperspectral imaging is known to improve the robustness of target identification by recording extended data in many wavelengths. However, it is impossible to transmit such a high rate data in real time with a conventional full hyperspectral sensor. Thus, we present a persistent ground-based target tracking system, taking advantage of a state-of-the-art, adaptive, multi-modal sensor controlled by Dynamic Data Driven Applications Systems (DDDAS) methodology. This overcomes the data challenge of hyperspectral tracking by only using spectral data as required. Spectral features are inserted in a feature matching algorithm to identify spectrally likely matches and simplify multidimensional assignment algorithm. The sensor is tasked for spectra acquisition by the prior estimates from the Gaussian Sum Filter and foreground mask generated by the background subtraction. Prior information matching the target features is used to tackle false negatives in the background subtraction output. The proposed feature-aided tracking system is evaluated in a challenging scene with a realistic vehicular simulation.
Temporal variability and cooperative breeding: testing the bet-hedging hypothesis in the acorn woodpecker

Cooperative breeding is generally considered an adaptation to ecological constraints on dispersal and independent breeding, usually due to limited breeding opportunities. Although benefits of cooperative breeding are typically thought of in terms of increased mean reproductive success, it has recently been proposed that this phenomenon may be a bet-hedging strategy that reduces variance in reproductive success (fecundity variance) in populations living in highly variable environments. We tested this hypothesis using long-term data on the polygynandrous acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus). In general, fecundity variance decreased with increasing sociality, at least when controlling for annual variation in ecological conditions. Nonetheless, decreased fecundity variance was insufficient to compensate for reduced per capita reproductive success of larger, more social groups, which typically suffered lower estimated mean fitness. We did, however, find evidence that sociality in the form of larger group size resulted in increased fitness in years following a small acorn crop due to reduced fecundity variance. Bet-hedging, although not the factor driving sociality in general, may play a role in driving acorn woodpecker group living when acorns are scarce and ecological conditions are poor.
"We Knew Our Time Had Come": The Dynamics of Threat and Microsocial Ties in Three Polish Ghettos Under Nazi Oppression

*† Relying on interviews with Jews who were interned in three Polish ghettos during World War II—Piotrokow, Tarnow, and Lachwa—this study clarifies the mechanism by which the perception of threat can motivate collective resistance. As these data show, the normal response to extreme oppression is a reliance on microsocial ties to secure survival; available resources are focused on the protection of those ties rather than committed to collective resistance. Under specific, contingent structural circumstances, however, an unequivocal perception of threat can align this desire to protect the microsocial unit with a commitment to collective action. In Piotrokow and Tarnow, structural factors counteracted the perception of immediate threat. The survival of the microsocial unit appeared to be best secured by individual strategies of action. In Lachwa, the survival of the microsocial unit seemed to be tied to collective resistance, leading to a violent collective uprising against the Nazis.
T47D Cells Expressing Myeloperoxidase Are Able to Process, Traffic and Store the Mature Protein in Lysosomes: Studies in T47D Cells Reveal a Role for Cys319 in MPO Biosynthesis that Precedes Its Known Role in Inter-Molecular Disulfide Bond Formation.

Among the human heme-peroxidase family, myeloperoxidase (MPO) has a unique disulfide-linked oligomeric structure resulting from multi-step processing of the pro-protein monomer (proMPO) after it exits the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Related family members undergo some, but not all, of the processing steps involved with formation of mature MPO. Lactoperoxidase has its pro-domain proteolytically removed and is a monomer in its mature form. Eosinophil peroxidase undergoes proteolytic removal of its pro-domain followed by proteolytic separation into heavy and light chains and is a heterodimer. However, only MPO undergoes both these proteolytic modifications and then is further oligomerized into a heterotetramer by a single inter-molecular disulfide bond. The details of how and where the post-ER processing steps of MPO occur are incompletely understood. We report here that T47D breast cancer cells stably transfected with an MPO expression plasmid are able to efficiently replicate all of the processing steps that lead to formation of the mature MPO heterotetramer. MPO also traffics to the lysosome granules of T47D cells where it accumulates, allowing in-depth immunofluorescent microscopy studies of MPO trafficking and storage for the first time. Using this novel cell model we show that formation of MPO’s single inter-molecular disulfide bond can occur normally in the absence of the proteolytic events that lead to separation of the MPO heavy and light chains. We further demonstrate that Cys319, which forms MPO’s unique inter-molecular disulfide bond, is important for events that precede this step. Mutation of this residue alters the glycosylation and catalytic activity of MPO and blocks its entry into the endocytic pathway where proteolytic processing and disulfide bonding occur. Finally, using the endocytic trafficking of lysosomal hydrolases as a guide, we investigate the role of candidate receptors in the endocytic trafficking of MPO.
UAH Tactical Missile System Design of a Surface to Air Missile for Missile Defense

Students at the University of Alabama in Huntsville performed a system design of a surface to air missile as part of a tactical missile design class. This design and analysis study details the potential threats and the proposed interceptor vehicle and its analysis as it pertains to the Missile Design System Surface to Air Missile (MDS-SAM) proposal requirements. The class’s request for proposal was to design an interceptor capable of fitting inside a PAC-2 launcher for intercepting threats originating within a 1200 km radius of Israel. In addition, the interceptor needed to have a maximum velocity of at least Mach 5 and intercept the targets at least 75 km from the center of Israel. As part of the class, teams were formed to assess the primary and secondary missile threats against Israel over the next 10 to 15 years and design an interceptor to counter the threats. For this analysis, the primary threat was identified as a Scud-D missile launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon and the secondary threat was a Shahab-3 launched by Iran. The interceptor designed was based upon the THAAD missile but was modified to better meet the class requirements. The interceptor exceeded the class requirements against the primary threat with a maximum velocity of Mach 7.3 and a interception range of 100 km.
Growing Algae for Biodiesel on Direct Sunlight or Sugars: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment

Growing heterotrophic algae in reactors with sugar as the energy and carbon source rather than sunlight and carbon dioxide is an approach being commercialized today. However, the full environmental impacts of this fuel pathway have not been explored. The objective of this analysis was to compare the life cycle impacts of algal biodiesel produced heterotrophically to a phototrophic pathway featuring algae grown in ponds. A third, hybrid approach utilizing algae capable of both phototrophy and heterotrophy was also explored. Sugar beet and sugarcane were examined as feedstocks for the heterotrophic process. The results indicate that a reduction in the global warming potential (GWP) and an improvement in the net energy ratio (NER) for algal biodiesel could be possible for the heterotrophic and hybrid pathways relative to the phototrophic, but only if reactor cultivation can be performed efficiently and with sugarcane as the feedstock. For example, the NER varies from 0.6 to 1.6 for the heterotrophic pathway,...
Fast assessment of CO2 plume characteristics using a connectivity based proxy

Abstract During the operation of a geological carbon storage project, it is crucial to estimate the uncertainty in the flow characteristics of injected CO 2 . However, because a large suite of geological models are probable given sparse static data, it is impractical to conduct full physics flow simulations in the entire suite in order to quantify the uncertainty in CO 2 plume migrations. We propose a fast connectivity based proxy that approximates a CO 2 plume migration in a 3-dimensional heterogeneous reservoir during an injection period where viscous forces are dominant over capillary forces. The geological models are ranked based on the extent of the approximated CO 2 plumes. By selecting a representative group of models among the ranked models, the uncertainty in the spatial and temporal characteristics of the CO 2 plume migrations can be quickly quantified. We saved about 90% of the computational cost of quantifying the uncertainty in the extent of CO 2 plumes using the connectivity based proxy.
Non-Bloodsucking Flies as Vectors of Pathogenic Micro-Organisms

Although the title of this paper is in accord with accepted usage it is not altogether accurate since most of the species of flies that we shall consider do suck blood avidly when the opportunity is afforded them. vSome of these flies as a matter of fact see to it that this urge for blood is satisfied-they are positively haematophagous in habit. This fact, then, would readily establish such species in the list of possible vectors of pathogenic blood-inhabiting micro-organisms of man and other vertebrated animals. I shall revert to a consideration of this matter later in this paper.
First-principles study of Zintl aluminide SrAl 2

Zintl intermetallics hold promise for applications in oxide/semiconductor epitaxy. We report a density functional investigation of the Zintl phase strontium aluminide SrAl${}_{2}$. We calculate electronic properties of the orthorhombic and cubic phases. For the orthorhombic phase, we calculate the work function and surface energy for (001), (010), and (100) orientated surfaces. The work function varies between 2.0 eV and 4.1 eV, and it is determined by the predominant atomic species on the surface. The surface energy ranges from 320 erg/cm${}^{2}$ to 1842 erg/cm${}^{2}$. We also calculate the elastic constants.
Evaluation of a Coulter Chemistry Unit

Seventeen channels of a Coulter Chemistry Unit were evaluated. The evaluation included within-run and day-to-day precision, recovery, dilution, carryover and interference studies; as well as correlation studies between the Coulter Chemistry Unit and the procedures currently used in the author's laboratory. Criteria for acceptance of a procedure are outlined. Five channels of the particular instrument studied were found acceptable by the author's criteria, six channels had correctable defects, and six channels had either reagent or instrumentation deficiencies.
More realistic band gaps from meta-generalized gradient approximations: Only in a generalized Kohn-Sham scheme

Unlike the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), calculations with meta-generalized gradient approximations (meta-GGA) are usually done according to the generalized Kohn-Sham (gKS) formalism. The exchange-correlation potential of the gKS equation is nonmultiplicative, which prevents systematic comparison of meta-GGA band structures to those of the LDA and the GGA. We implement the optimized effective potential (OEP) of the meta-GGA for periodic systems, which allows us to carry out meta-GGA calculations in the same KS manner as for the LDA and the GGA. We apply the OEP to several meta-GGAs, including the new SCAN functional [Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 036402 (2015)]. We find that the KS gaps and KS band structures of meta-GGAs are close to those of GGAs. They are smaller than the more realistic gKS gaps of meta-GGAs, but probably close to the less-realistic gaps in the band structure of the exact KS potential, as can be seen by comparing with the gaps of the EXX+RPA OEP potential. The well-known grid sensitivity of meta-GGAs is much more severe in OEP calculations.
Study on pattern visual evoked potential of children with unilateral congenital ptosis

【Objective】 To assess objectively the effect of unilateral congenital ptosis on visual function by pattern visual evoked potential.【Methods】 Fifty-one children with unilateral congenital ptosis were selected,at the age of 2.5 to 3 years old,excluding strabismus、 anisometropia or severe refractive errors.Pattern visual evoked potential examination at 30',15',7'spatial frequency stimulation performed in both the ptotic and normal eyes.【Results】 P100 amplitudes at each frequency of ptotic eyes were significantly lower than those of normal eyes(respectively,t =3.15,2.81,4.02,P =0.02,0.03,0.01).Only at 7' spatial frequency stimulation,P100 latencies were significantly longer in ptotic eyes(t =-2.96,P =0.03).At 15'and 7' frequency,severe drooping eyes had significantly longer P100 latencies(respectively,t =-3.46,-5.02,P =0.02,0.01),and lower amplitudes(respectively,t =3.04,4.12,P =0.03,0.01),compared with moderate drooping eyes.【Conclusion】 Unilateral congenital ptosis can cause visual impairment without associated to strabismus or refractive status,particularly eyes with severe ptosis.To patients under 3 years old,PVEP can be chosen as objective indicators of surgery timing.
Using CS2013 for a department's curriculum review: a case study

Every 10-12 years, the professional computing societies, ACM and IEEE-CS, publish new curricular recommendations for undergraduate programs. On December 20, 2013, an ACM/IEEE-CS Task Force published its new recommendation. Each published recommendation challenges schools to respond. Three core questions involve, "To what extent do these recommendations fit with the mission and goals of a local institution?", "How can a school organize the extensive content into courses?", and "Is it feasible for a school to offer a major that meets all of the recommendations?" This paper describes how the Grinnell College Computer Science faculty utilized the CS 2013 recommendations, as they emerged, to review and update its program. Both the process and the resulting curriculum directly address the three core questions and may provide insights for faculty at other schools as they review their own programs.
Six decades of the Hall–Petch effect – a survey of grain-size strengthening studies on pure metals

Refining a metal’s grain size can result in dramatic increases in strength, and the magnitude of this strengthening increment can be estimated using the Hall–Petch equation. Since the Hall–Petch equation was proposed, there have been many experimental studies supporting its applicability to pure metals, intermetallics and multi-phase alloys. In this article, we gather the grain-size strengthening data from the Hall–Petch studies on pure metals and use this aggregated data to calculate best estimates of these metals’ Hall–Petch parameters. We also use this aggregated data to re-evaluate the various models developed to physically support the Hall–Petch scaling.
Fatal Zika Virus Infection with Secondary Nonsexual Transmission

This letter describes the nonsexual transmission of Zika virus with no mosquito vector from a patient who had fatal ZIKV infection with a high viral load.
Thermodynamics of nitrogen-molybdenum solid solutions

Abstract The equilibrium between N 2 gas at atmospheric pressure and molybdenum-nitrogen solid solutions has been measured in the temperature range 1618–1883 K. The solvent metal was in the form of single crystals of MARZ-grade Mo. Deviations in the thermodynamic behavior consistent with a dual site occupancy mechanism, suggested by previous data, were not found. The data have been discussed in terms of the effects of hydrostatic pressure on the metal lattice and the presence of trapping sites in the solvent lattice.
Abstract 44: Association of Somatic and Affective Factors with Inflammation: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Objective: Proinflamatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have been linked to the pathophysiology of depression. Depressive...
Natural History of Untreated Osteoblastoma: A Case Report.

Osteoblastoma is a rare bone-forming tumor constituting about 1% of all bone tumors; it most frequently involves the spine in young patients1-3. Most osteoblastomas are active benign lesions, although they rarely may be characterized as being aggressive or even malignant4,5. Osteoblastomas are distinguished from the closely related osteoid osteoma, which has similar radiographic and histological appearances, predominantly by their size and behavior. Osteoid osteomas run a self-limited course, do not enlarge in size over time, eventually become indolent even when untreated, and are considered by some to be disappearing bone tumors; osteoblastomas are larger lesions that are also distinguished by their unique potential for enlargement1,6-8. We present a case of spinal osteoblastoma that did not have any therapeutic intervention over a five-year period; over this time, there was very little radiographic progression other than an osteoblastic response. The literature documents the aggressive course of this disease, but there are few reports that describe the natural history of an untreated case of osteoblastoma1,9,10. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and he provided consent. A thirty-nine-year-old man presented with symptoms of sharp, persistent, and constant midline posterior thoracic pain of insidious onset and moderate strength that sometimes awakened him from sleep but did not radiate. The pain was aggravated by weight-bearing, lifting, and movement; it was partially alleviated with over-the-counter pain medications. By the patient’s estimation, it overlapped in nature and severity with some residual pain from a previous, and mostly thought to be irrelevant, lifting injury two years before, for which he had sought chiropractic assistance and had experienced temporary relief. No radiographs had been obtained at that time. The pain was not …
Redox supramolecular self-assemblies nonlinearly enhance fluorescence to identify cancer cells

Based on the nonlinear fluorescence enhancement, our H2O2 induced supramolecular self-assembly reveals a H2O2 threshold among multiple cancer and normal cells. Oxidative elimination restores an intramolecular hydrogen bond which can planarize the molecule to generate a fluorophore. The planarization enhances the intermolecular π-π stacking to promote self-assembly.
User Modeling for Syntax-Directed Editors

Design principles for user interface and system design are clearly needed, but no sound design principles will emerge until user cognitive styles and skills are characterized by adequate user models. We selected syntax-directed editors as a testbed for our research, primarily because we were interested in the reasons underlying their lack of success and in ways to increase their effectiveness. We formulated a five-dimensional user model, of which three dimensions are related to expertise and two dimensions are related to learning and decision-making styles. The user model shows relevancy to syntax-directed editor and other interface designs, and we found evidence of non-trivial interaction between the user model and system design.
The monolith challenge

This brief tribute to a friend focuses on one of the many contributions that Jean Phalippou made to sol–gel processing. He was part of a worldwide race to prepare crack-free silica monoliths. It seemed that a monolith was an end in itself, but it turns out it was more than that. The Monolith challenge was a way to rally the sol–gel community to collaborate and share their mutual interest in sol–gel processing.
Study on Voltage Withstand Characteristics and HVRT Control Strategy for DFIG Wind Turbines

In order to achieve High Voltage Ride Through (HVRT) ability for wind turbines, this paper firstly presents technical requirements of wind turbine HVRT which are formulated in different countries’ grid codes. The high voltage withstand characteristics of critical integration components for Double-Fed Induction Generator Wind Turbine (DFIG-WT) are evaluated systematically. Then, the effect of equivalent impedance on wind turbine terminal voltage is revealed. It’s between the wind turbine and the grid, mainly includes the impedance of set-up transformer and the current limiting branch of the capacitor-based HVRT test equipment. Therefore, a HVRT control strategy based on dynamic reactive power is proposed, which not only reduces the maximum terminal voltage of the wind turbine, but also supports the grid recovery, it can be achieved by software upgrading. The HVRT control loop for DFIG-WT is investigated and designed. Finally, a Bladed and Matlab co-simulation model of DFIG-WT is built, and the dynamic simulation of HVRT process for DFIG-WT is illustrated. A field test is carried out on a 2MW DFIG-WT. The simulation and experiment results demonstrate the theoretical analysis and the proposed control strategy.
Noise and Acoustic Fatigue Analysis in Valves (Case Study of Noise Analysis and Reduction for a 12″ × 10″ Pressure Safety Valve)

Safety and instrument engineers regularly analyze the noise in different types of valves to reduce its effect in sectors of the oil and gas industry such as offshore, refineries, and petrochemical plants. This paper reviews the mitigation strategies used to reduce acoustic fatigue and the risk of hearing damage from pressure safety valves and control valves used in piping systems. These two types of valves can generate high-frequency acoustical energy downstream of the valves. Different strategies are used to mitigate noise levels, such as installation of low-noise valves, process optimization to reduce the flow or delta pressure across valves, changing the valve design, acoustic piping installation, and increasing piping thickness. This paper discusses a case study of a noise calculation for a 12″ × 10″ pressure safety valve (PSV) at 1 m and 30 meters from the PSV discharge. The calculated noise level based on API 521, the standard for PSVs, has been compared with the maximum allowable noise limit from PSVs. The maximum allowable noise limit is calculated based on the NORSOK L-002 standard developed by Standards Norway. If the calculated noise level based on API 521 exceeds the allowable or acceptable noise limit based on NORSOK standards, the piping wall thickness should be increased to mitigate the risk of acoustic fatigue. The 12″ 6MO piping wall thickness outlet line of PSV is calculated based on the ASME B31.3 process piping code. The outlet pipe from PSV is in 6MO UNS 31254 material, which is expensive. Fortunately, there is no need to increase the piping wall thickness if the calculated noise based on the API 521 standard is within the accepted noise limit in the NORSOK standard.
THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND FLORISTIC COMPOSITION OF GENUS RHODODENDRON IN THE GONGGA MOUNTAIN REGION,SICHUAN

The Gongga Mountain Region is located on the eastern fringe of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the north-eastern end of Hengduan Mountains. As we know so far the genus Rhododendron in Gongga Mountain Region comprise 2 subgenera and 79 species (including 4 varieties and 2 subspecies) The vertical distribution of the genus Rhododendron in Gongga Mountain Region: Eastern slope: There are 16 species of genus Rhododendron at 1090～2200(2500)m alt. in the subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest zone. At the altitude 2500～3600(～3800)m, in the subalpine coniferous forest zone, found 23 species with 1 variety and 1 subspecies, There are 4 species (including 1 variety and 1 subspecies) at the alpine bush and meadow zone. Western slope: There are 16 species with 1 subspecy at 2300～2800(～3000)m alt., in the river valley shrub zone, at the altitude of 3000～4000m, in the subalpine coniferous forest zone, found 42 species with 2 varieties and 1 subspecies. There are 13 species with 1 subspecies and 1 variety at 4000～4600m alt., in the alpine bush andmeadow zone. The floristic composition of the genus Rhododendron in Gongga Mountain Region. 1. One specy is the elements of the Sino-Japanese Subregion. 2. 78 species (including 4 varieties and 2 subspecies) are the Sino-Himalayan Subregion. (1) One species is distributed to Burna;(2) 44 species (including 4 varieties and 1 subspecies belong to endemic distribution of Sichuan; (3) 5 species are endemic species of Gongga Mountain Region. The floristic characteristics of the genus Rhododendron in Gongga Mountain Region are shown as follows: (1) The Gongga Mountain Region is one of the genus Rhododendron distribution centers. (2) The Gongga Mountain Region is one of the genus Rhododendron differentiation centers. (3) The genus Rhoodendron in Gongga Mountain Region have vertical replacement phenomenon.
High-throughput quantitative histology in systemic sclerosis skin disease using computer vision.

Skin fibrosis is the clinical hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc), where collagen deposition and remodeling of the dermis occur over time. The most widely used outcome measure in SSc clinical trials is the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), which is a semi-quantitative assessment of skin stiffness at seventeen body sites. However, the mRSS is confounded by obesity, edema, and high inter-rater variability. In order to develop a new histopathological outcome measure for SSc, we applied a computer vision technology called a deep neural network (DNN) to stained sections of SSc skin. We tested the hypotheses that DNN analysis could reliably assess mRSS and discriminate SSc from normal skin. We analyzed biopsies from two independent (primary and secondary) cohorts. One investigator performed mRSS assessments and forearm biopsies, and trichrome-stained biopsy sections were photomicrographed. We used the AlexNet DNN to generate a numerical signature of 4096 quantitative image features (QIFs) for 100 randomly selected dermal image patches/biopsy. In the primary cohort, we used principal components analysis (PCA) to summarize the QIFs into a Biopsy Score for comparison with mRSS. In the secondary cohort, using QIF signatures as the input, we fit a logistic regression model to discriminate between SSc vs. control biopsy, and a linear regression model to estimate mRSS, yielding Diagnostic Scores and Fibrosis Scores, respectively. We determined the correlation between Fibrosis Scores and the published Scleroderma Skin Severity Score (4S) and between Fibrosis Scores and longitudinal changes in mRSS on a per patient basis. In the primary cohort (n = 6, 26 SSc biopsies), Biopsy Scores significantly correlated with mRSS (R = 0.55, p = 0.01). In the secondary cohort (n = 60 SSc and 16 controls, 164 biopsies; divided into 70% training and 30% test sets), the Diagnostic Score was significantly associated with SSc-status (misclassification rate = 1.9% [training], 6.6% [test]), and the Fibrosis Score significantly correlated with mRSS (R = 0.70 [training], 0.55 [test]). The DNN-derived Fibrosis Score significantly correlated with 4S (R = 0.69, p = 3 × 10− 17). DNN analysis of SSc biopsies is an unbiased, quantitative, and reproducible outcome that is associated with validated SSc outcomes.
Pulse Shape Discrimination and Energy Measurement in Phoswich Detectors Using Gated-Integrator Circuit

A simple readout circuit has been developed to discriminate the pulse shape from different scintillation crystals in a phoswich-based PET detector as well as measure event energy. As opposed to other methods, this approach only requires a single channel, single ADC with power efficient components. To test this concept, a phoswich PET detector comprising two 3×3×10 mm3 fast and slow LSO crystals (τ d = 34.39 ns and 43.07 ns respectively), side-coupled to a 1×2 array of 6×6 mm2 SensL J-series SiPMs was used. Experimental results verify that the small difference in decay times of the crystals leads to a difference in their integration times to the maximum integrated values. This validates a pulse shape discrimination with 98% of accuracy and a M = 2.33 FOM.
Impact of cytomegalovirus serologic status on heart transplantation.

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been associated with increased risk of mortality, cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and de novo malignancy following heart transplantation in prior institutional reports. This study examines the impact of the recipient and donor CMV status on heart recipients in the United States. Methods Adult heart transplant recipients were identified in the OPTN registry between 2005-2016. Recipients were stratified based on the recipient (R) and donor (D) CMV serologic status (+/-). The primary endpoint was survival 5-years after transplantation. The secondary endpoint was cardiac allograft vasculopathy 5-years after transplantation. Separate Cox proportional hazards regression models were developed to evaluate independent associations between CMV status and each of the study endpoints. Results A total of 21 878 recipients met the inclusion criteria. The breakdown of study arms by CMV serologic status was R-/D- = 3412, R+/D- = 4939; R-/D+ = 5230, and R+/D+ = 8,297. Five-year survival estimates were similar across groups (77-79%). CMV status was associated with increased mortality at 5-years (23%-41% increased risk) which was most evident in the first 3 months. The use of valganciclovir was associated with decreased risk of mortality (HR 0.56; 95% CI, 0.52-0.60). The cumulative incidence of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (R-/D- = 31%, R+/D- = 30%, R-/D+ = 31%, and R+/D+ = 30%) was similar across groups. Conclusions CMV seropositivity at the time of transplantation is associated with increased long-term risk of mortality. Chemoprophylaxis with antivirals seems to mitigate this risk. There was no association with an increased risk of allograft vasculopathy.
The Clinical Medical Librarian’S Handbook

Clinical medical librarianship is a fascinating subfield of librarianship, where the librarian is often intimately involved in patient healthcare. The Clinical Medical Librarian’s Handbook features...
Efficacy of postoperative antibiotic use after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs: A systematic review.

Objective A systematic review of published data to determine whether postoperative antibiotic use after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) decreases infection rates. Study design Systematic review. Methods A broad bibliographic search was performed in three online databases through March 2020 for publications on postoperative antibiotic use after TPLO in dogs. Search terms included dog, canine, TPLO, tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, infection, antibiotic, and antimicrobial. Articles that met inclusion criteria were evaluated for level of evidence (LoE) by a modified Oxford Level of Evidence (mOLE) and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) classification and evaluation. Results Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Effect of antibiotic use was the primary question in four studies. Among those, 50% (2/4) were assigned a mOLE of 1b and a GRADE of moderate, while the other 50% (2/4) were assigned a mOLE of 4b or 4c with a GRADE of low. The two studies with the highest LoE did not provide evidence of the benefit of antibiotic usage. Results of only one study provided evidence to support the use of postoperative antibiotics. The remaining nine studies provided evaluation of antibiotic use secondarily and were all assigned a low LoE. Among these, 78% (7/9) provided evidence to support the use of postoperative antibiotics. Conclusion We found little evidence to support the use of postoperative antibiotics to reduce the risk of surgical site infections in dogs after TPLO. The answer to this clinical question is complicated by the lack of prospective studies and inconsistent treatment protocols in the evaluated studies. Clinical significance The clinical impact of postoperative antibiotic administration on infection rates after TPLO is uncertain.
Gestational Weight Gain in Twin Pregnancies and Maternal and Child Health: An Updated Systematic Review.

Background: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has provisional gestational weight gain (GWG) guidelines for women pregnant with twins due to limited data in this population. To better inform guidelines, the objective of this systematic review was to build on prior work and examine recent data on the associations of GWG with maternal and child health in twin pregnancies. Materials and Methods: In February 2021, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were searched. Observational studies were eligible if published from January 1, 2013 through February 23, 2021, and examined associations of GWG with maternal or child health outcomes after accounting for gestational age at delivery and pre-pregnancy body mass index. Heterogeneity across studies precluded the use of meta-analytic methods. Results: A total of 29 studies were included. For maternal outcomes, excessive GWG was associated with an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; whereas studies examining gestational diabetes and delivery method reported mixed findings. For child outcomes, inadequate GWG was associated with lower birthweight, small for gestational age, and preterm birth. Adequate or excessive GWG was associated with later gestational age at delivery. Conclusions: This study advances an earlier review by including a more diverse array of maternal and child outcomes. Many of the limitations noted in the original review persist; for example, no studies examined the associations of GWG and outcomes beyond birth. Although it appears that GWG within the IOM guidelines is associated with more optimal outcomes, additional methodologically rigorous studies are needed to better inform evidence-based guidelines.
Interlocking theories and practice in treatment and recovery for women with opioid use disorders

The opioid epidemic has left pregnant and post-partum women in serious need of a specialized approach to ensure effective treatment interventions. It is challenging to provide services that effecti...
The impact of scheduling styles on time-limited promotions: The moderating role of redemption frames

Abstract This research investigates the influence of scheduling styles on consumers’ evaluation of time-limited promotions. We find that consumers who rely on an external clock to manage their activities (i.e., clock timers) evaluate a time-limited promotion negatively because they perceive the length of the time frame of the promotion to be insufficient to take advantage of the promotion. However, consumers who rely on an internal sense to manage their activities (i.e., event timers) evaluate a time-limited promotion positively because they perceive the length of the time frame of the promotion to be long enough to take advantage of the promotion. We also find that clock timers have a positive evaluation of the time-limited promotion when the promotion is advertised with an expansive frame (e.g., Anytime between 4 pm and 6 pm) rather than a restrictive frame (e.g., Only between 4 pm and 6 pm).
Classroom aerosol dispersion: desk spacing and divider impacts.

A study of aerosol dispersion was conducted in a university classroom using a CO2 tracer gas emitted from three source locations in a steady release, one source location per test. The tracer gas emitted from the single source location represented the potentially infectious aerosol droplets emitted from a single student and was thus a way to examine the influence of one sick student on the rest of the class. Two parameters were adjusted during the testing-the spacing of the desks, which included a spread and compressed configuration, and the inclusion of three-sided clear dividers attached to the student desk surfaces. Tracer dispersion was measured through the use of monitors in 13 locations within the classroom, with eight monitors representing seated student locations, four monitors representing a standing instructor along the classroom front, and one monitor at the return vent in the ceiling. As expected, spacing strongly influenced concentration levels at desks adjacent to the source location. The use of dividers reduced overall student and instructor location tracer concentrations when compared to desks without dividers in most cases. Finally, the influence of air change differences on the results was noted with consistent trends. The experimental construct provides a systematic means for classroom testing that may be broadly applicable to various configurations of classrooms beyond the one tested.
Behavioral outcomes of complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain in the rodent hind-paw: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT Many analgesics inadequately address the psychiatric comorbidities of chronic and persistent pain, but there is no standard preclinical model of pain-altered behavior to support the development of new therapies. To explore this conflicting and inconclusive literature, we conducted a focused systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced (CFA) rodent hind-paw inflammation on multiple classical indicators of exploratory behavior, stress coping, and naturalistic behavior. Our primary objective was to define CFA's effect on assays including but not limited to the elevated plus maze and forced swim test. Our secondary objective was to discover how variables such as species and strain may influence outcomes in such assays. We searched Ovid Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science in April and October 2020 for studies with adult rodents injected with CFA into the hind-paw, and subsequently tested for aspects of "anxiety-like" or "depressive-like" behaviors. 46 studies evaluated performance in the elevated plus or zero maze (EPM/EZM), open field test (OFT), light/dark box (LDB), place escape/avoidance paradigm (PEAP), forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), sucrose preference test (SPT), wheel running, and burrowing assay. CFA modestly but significantly decreased exploratory behavior, significantly increased passive stress coping in the TST but not the FST, and significantly decreased preference for sucrose and naturally rewarding activity. Sub-group analyses revealed significant differences between species and animal sourcing. Based on the evidence provided here, we conclude future studies should focus on CFA's effect on natural rewards and naturalistic behaviors.
Deoxycholic Acid and Risks of Cardiovascular Events, ESKD, and Mortality in CKD: The CRIC (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) Study

Abstract Rationale and Objective Elevated levels of deoxycholic acid (DCA) are associated with adverse outcomes and may contribute to vascular calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We tested the hypothesis that elevated levels of DCA were associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, CKD progression and death in patients with CKD. Study Design We conducted a prospective observational cohort study using Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study data. Setting and Population We included 3,147 CRIC Study participants who had fasting DCA levels. The average age was 59 ± 11 years, 45.3% were female, 40.6% were black, and the mean eGFR was 42.5 ± 16.0 ml/min/1.73m 2 . Predictor Fasting DCA levels in CRIC participants. Outcomes Risks of atherosclerotic and heart failure events, end stage kidney disease (ESKD), and all-cause mortality. Analytical Approach We used Tobit regression to identify predictors of DCA levels. We used Cox regression to examine the association between fasting DCA levels and clinical outcomes. Results The strongest predictors of elevated DCA levels in adjusted models were increased age and non-use of statins. The associations between log-transformed DCA levels and clinical outcomes were nonlinear. After adjustment, DCA levels above the median were independently associated with higher risks of ESKD and all-cause mortality (Hazard Ratio [HR] 2.67, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.51 – 4.74; HR 2.13, 95%CI 1.25 – 3.64; respectively). DCA levels above the median were not associated with atherosclerotic and heart failure events, and DCA levels below the median were not associated with clinical outcomes. Limitations We were unable to measure DCA longitudinally or in urinary or fecal samples, and we were unable to measure other bile acids. We also could not measure many factors that affect DCA levels. Conclusions In 3,147 participants with CKD stages 2-4, DCA levels above the median were independently associated with ESKD and all-cause mortality.
Short- and Long-term Memory during Infancy and Early Childhood across Cultures

Memory is a multidimensional construct that is evident from early in life yet undergoes a protracted course of development. This article features elaboration of the construct of memory with emphasis on distinctions between short- and long-term memory. It also features discussion of data on developmental changes in memory. Neurodevelopmental and social and cultural influences of change in memory are highlighted.
Environment of Arctic Life

The Arctic is now a familiar sight to many people who have looked down during flights over intercontinental arctic routes on uninhabited regions and have gained an impression of the vast extent of their frozen surface. As a matter of fact the two frigid zones within the Arctic and Antarctic Circles comprise the smallest areas of the earth’s climatic zones. Vague recognition of their small extent impelled explorers in the 16th through 19th centuries to sail eastward and westward from Europe in search of usable short arctic sea routes toward sources of the luxury goods of China. During the 20th century transarctic air routes have been established between America and Europe with attendant networks of communication to assure information about weather and navigation. Transport by sea has been established along the long coasts of arctic Asia and is under preparation over the shorter but more complex ice-filled sea routes north of America. These routes circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean, which forms a polar basin with bordering Eurasian and American coasts and with large islands projected northward from each continent.
Economics of Production and Technological Change

Technology can be defined as knowledge used in design of products, development and use of processes, and generation of services. Economics of production is the theory used to explain the interaction of various factors such as knowledge, labor, capital, and material used in the design of products or use of processes or services in the manufacture or development of products or outputs. As shown in Figure 3.1, some of the factors used in processes or services are actually generated or exchanged by the users or consumers of the outputs of the processes of production or services. For example, consumers may offer their labor or capital as factor inputs in the production of what they themselves consume. Although the feedback characteristics represented in the diagram is a gross simplification, it does show the interaction of input factors and outputs in a consuming and factor generating environment. To represent the interaction between factor inputs used in production processes or services and the output of such activities, a production function is used.