cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Change in prostate cancer presentation coinciding with USPSTF screening recommendations at a community-based urology practice.

Abstract Objective The benefits of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)–based prostate cancer screening are controversial. We sought to determine the change in prostate cancer presentation coinciding with the release of the United States Preventative Services Task Force recommendations against screening in a high-volume community-based urology practice. Methods Characteristics of men presenting for an elevated PSA at a community urology practice from August 2011 to August 2015 were queried from a prospectively collected database. A retrospective analysis of presenting PSA, Gleason grade at biopsy, and prostatectomy as well as clinical and pathologic stage was performed. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum and chi-square tests were used for analysis. Results Referrals for elevated PSA decreased from 933 in year 1 to 816 by year 4 (12.5% decrease) with a concomitant reduction in biopsies performed in newly referred men from 461 to 356 (22.8% decrease, P = 0.02). The proportion of men presenting with PSAs>10 increased from 28.1% to 36.8% (P = 0.009). First-time biopsy-positivity rate increased from 48.4% to 62.4% with a rise in the proportion having Gleason≥7 from 51.6% to 69.7% (P = 0.0001). Of the 578 men who underwent radical prostatectomy, there was a 19.4% increase in Gleason≥7 tumors (P = 0.01). Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a decrease in elevated PSA referrals, increase in PSA at the time of referral, decrease in detection of low-risk disease, and increase in detection of intermediate-/high-risk disease in a high-volume, multisite, community-based urology practice, coinciding with the United States Preventative Services Task Force recommendations against PSA screening.
The transition from folk to engineered roads in the Mojave Desert

Abstract In 1916 the federal government directed the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to begin a program to survey water sources as well as mapping and marking roads in the Mojave Desert, the first federal effort at doing so for automobile routes. Improved highways arrived later but based on an entirely different approach; these were maintained by a highway department which carried out numerous improvements over time based on goals of reducing travel cost. This engineered highway network has little in common with the earlier road network and remains in use today. This research will examine these changing road networks of the Mojave Desert from 1917 to 1940 to identify whether the changing purpose of these routes can explain how one road network so effectively replaced another despite using the same type of vehicles. Maps of the 1917, 1922, and 1940 road networks were digitized and cost distance routes generated in GIS in an attempt to replicate both the 1917 and 1940 networks. The expectation is that the 1940 network was based on optimization while that of 1917 was instead based on creating feasible routes between water sources that avoided physical barriers. The ability of cost distance routes to replicate the 1940 routes but not those of 1917 confirms that these two networks were based on different principles. Despite this transition a few early roads remain in the desert and the mapping work of the USGS remains relevant in the twenty first century.
Dressed up: Baiting Attackers through Endpoint Service Projection

Honeypots have been widely employed to track attackers' activities and divert potential threats against real assets. A critical challenge of honeypot research is how to better integrate deceptive honeypots as part of an overall production network. Conventional honeypots are typically deployed as separate assets near those they are protecting---they are not in the direct line of fire. Such a setup does not effectively protect real assets since attackers do not require a full network scan to identify certain production hosts.In this paper, we present a novel framework to transparently project vulnerable honey services atop real production systems without interfering the production system. The key idea is to use SDN technology to divide a production network into segments of production and decoy servers. Traffic intended for production workloads is redirected to decoys based on port or service information. The decoy servers run "vulnerable" services that are heavily monitored. From the attackers' perspective, these vulnerable services run on production systems, but traffic is instead relayed to a honeypot with the same configuration (e.g., IP address, MAC address, running services) of the protected production system. In this way, our approach capitalizes on capturing attacks before they reach protected assets. We demonstrate its feasibility with a prototype implementation and practical deployment model. Evaluation shows that our approach incurs negligible overhead and resists potential side channel fingerprinting attacks.
Multiphoton Microscopy for Imaging Mammalian Embryos

It has been said that “you can see a lot just by looking”. This is certainly true in the field of embryology. Indeed, morphology is one, if not the major, criterion for assessing embryo quality in both human and domestic animal reproductive fields. Microscopy has been an important tool for improving our ability to observe and investigate mammalian embryo development. Much has been learned by electron microscopy (Stern et al., 1971; Longo, 1973; Panigel et al., 1975; Calarco et al., 1976; Cran et al., 1980; Hillman and Tasca, 1983; Cran, 1985; Hyttel and Niemann, 1990; Oura et al., 1990; 1994; Van Blerkom and Runner, 1990; Gallicano et al., 1992; Plante and King, 1994; Sathananthan, 1994) and fluorescence microscopy (Maro et al., 1984; Van Blerkom et al., 1984; Maro et al., 1985; Schatten et al., 1985; Batten et al., 1987; Noto et al., 1993; Calarco, 1995; Navara et al., 1995; Barnett et al., 1996; Hewitson et al., 1996; Luoh and Wu, 1996; Hewitson et al., 1997) of embryos from a number of species. Although vastly informative, such fixed specimen studies are limited: it is unsatisfactory to study a dynamic process, such as embryo development, with static images collected from different specimens at various time points. There are a number of problems with this approach including artefacts introduced by the fixation and processing but, more importantly, this approach limits both the amount of information gathered from a single embryo (you only get information about a single time point) as well as the reliability of the information (once the specimen is fixed you no longer have information about its developmental potential).
Whipple's disease, familial Mediterranean fever, adult-onset Still's disease, and enteropathic arthritis

Whipple's disease is a rare multisystem disorder of infectious etiology. Efforts to culture the responsible organism have been unsuccessful. Nucleotide sequencing and amplification of bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA revealed the organism to be most similar to bacteria of the Rhodococcus, Streptomyces, and Arthrobacter genera. Several clinical studies of the long-term use of colchicine for the treatment of familial Mediterranean fever demonstrate its utility for symptom control and prevention of complications by amyloidosis in both adults and children. Normal growth, development, and subsequent fertility were seen in children treated with colchicine. Adult-onset Still's disease has previously been thought to have a generally good outcome, although some patients develop chronic arthritis and disability. No markers have been available for prognosis. A study of 62 patients revealed the presence of polyarthritis, root joint involvement, and rash at initial presentation to be associated with a poorer outcome. Enteropathic arthritis may be seen as a complication of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The onset of peripheral arthritis coincides with or follows the onset of bowel symptoms in most cases, whereas spondylitis may precede the onset of inflammatory bowel disease by years. HLA-B27 is present in 50% to 75% of cases of spondylitis. No HLA association with inflammatory bowel disease or peripheral arthritis has been consistently found.
Fast incremental square root information smoothing

We propose a novel approach to the problem of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) based on incremental smoothing, that is suitable for real-time applications in large-scale environments. The main advantages over filter-based algorithms are that we solve the full SLAM problem without the need for any approximations, and that we do not suffer from linearization errors. We achieve efficiency by updating the square-root information matrix, a factored version of the naturally sparse smoothing information matrix. We can efficiently recover the exact trajectory and map at any given time by back-substitution. Furthermore, our approach allows access to the exact covariances, as it does not suffer from under-estimation of uncertainties, which is another problem inherent to filters. We present simulation-based results for the linear case, showing constant time updates for exploration tasks. We further evaluate the behavior in the presence of loops, and discuss how our approach extends to the non-linear case. Finally, we evaluate the overall non-linear algorithm on the standard Victoria Park data set.
Incorporating Forward-Looking Market Data into Linear Multifactor Fundamental Models

Linear multifactor models are of great importance in portfolio construction and risk management since they provide market dimensionality reduction, which has numerous useful implications. In particular, factor models reduce the dimensionality of the asset covariance matrix, allowing for better estimation. Since estimation is traditionally based on historical time series of asset returns and other historical attributes, a model based on such a covariance matrix tends to suffer from a time lag, ie, it underestimates risk during a crisis period and overestimates it when the market panic subsides. Two novel methodologies for incorporating forward-looking market data into the classical multifactor fundamental models are presented in this paper. The first technique utilizes general market indicators such as the VIX index to dynamically adjust certain model parameters, allowing the model to become more responsive to current market conditions. The idea of having certain parameters of the model depend on time and market conditions is quite intuitive, resembling the “business time” concept, and can be applied in various other contexts when time series are used to estimate model parameters.The second methodology incorporates data from individual securities, such as option-implied and realized volatility. Both techniques are thoroughly back-tested on multiple portfolios using US market historical data. When compared with the traditional methodology, the new models exhibit significantly higher correlation between realized and model-predicted variance, and show reduced forecast bias. The new techniques incorporate and reflect market sentiment more accurately and prove to be of greater benefit to portfolio risk management.
Fuel-Cycle Analysis of Molten-Salt Breeder Reactors

Thermal- and intermediate-energy molten-salt breeder reactors appear capable of fuel doubling times less than 20 years and fuel-cycle costs under 0.4 mill/kWh. These reactors are fueled with circul...
An introduced plant is associated with declines in terrestrial arthropods, but no change in stream invertebrates

Riverine systems often spread non-native species, yet the co-occurring impacts of introduced riparian vegetation on aquatic- and terrestrial-derived resources are unknown. We compared aquatic and t...
How is exercise different from physical activity? A concept analysis

The aim of this study is to clarify the concept of exercise using Walker and Avant concept analysis method. The author offers a definition of exercise, including its distinction from physical activity and how the two terms are not the same and should not be used interchangeably. In the traditional concept analysis format will be used. Exercise is a subcategory of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and purposefully focused on improvement or maintenance of one or more components of physical fitness. Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that require energy expenditure. Sample cases are provided. A clear definition of exercise allows health care providers to speak to patients about improving their physical activity, particularly given that physical inactivity is a leading but very modifiable risk factor for a wide range of diseases. One of the urgent goals of nursing should be getting people to become more active. This means communicating in clear terms with patients. Sometimes that will mean exercise, and sometimes that will mean simply moving more daily. Researchers of behavior change need to be precise in their definitions and the methods need to be provided in detail to be useful and reproducible.
Interscalene Approach to the Brachial Plexus: Paresthesiae Versus Nerve Stimulator

Thirty-eight patients (ASA class I-III), scheduled for hand or forearm surgery, were randomly assigned to either the paresthesia or nerve stimulator group. After injection of 5.5 mg/kg of 1% mepivacaine, motor and sensory function was evaluated by testing over the distribution of the three major nerve trunks in the hand. The results showed that the overall success rate in the paresthesia group, when paresthesia could be elicited, was 82%. The success rate in the stimulator group was 75%. There was no statistical difference between the two groups. It appears that both techniques are equally effective and predictable.
Selective Prevention of Bethanechol-induced Decrements of Histofluorescence in Sympathetic Ganglia

ABSTRACT Pancuronium and gallamine enhanced contraction of the cat nictitating membrane resulting from muscarinic transmission in the superior cervical ganglion. Later investigations disclosed that these muscle relaxants reduced, and haloperidol enhanced ganglionic muscarinic hyperpolarization (s-IPSP) without altering ganglionic muscarinic slow depolarization (s-EPSP). These results provided pharmacological evidence for muscarinic receptors, on the ganglionic interneuron, termed Mi, that are distinct from those on the ganglionic neuron, termed Me. The ability of pancuronium and gallamine to selectively block the Mi receptors was confirmed by histofluorescence studies wherein these drugs prevented bethanechol-induced decreases in interneuronal (SIF) cell fluorescence without providing similar protection for ganglion cell fluorescence. Studies with apomorphine, complementary to haloperidol, demonstrated a reduction of the s-IPSP; an effect opposite to haloperidol but similar to pancuronium or gallamine. A conclusion that both the dopaminergic agonist, apomorphine, and antagonist, haloperidol, were reacting exclusively with presynaptic dopamine receptors could not be substantiated by subsequent histofluorescence experiments.
Abstract 4151: Siglec-15 is a novel immunomodulatory effector of adaptive immune evasion in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Despite advances in therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), it remains a leading cause of illness-related death in children and has poor long term disease-free survival and prognosis in recurrence in adults. Recent developments in immune-based therapies, such as CAR T cells, have shown great promise, but immune evasion mechanisms of leukemia remain poorly understood, and alternative strategies to engage the immune system are needed. Our group has characterized a role for calcineurin (CN) as a driver of a potent immune escape mechanism in an aggressive murine model of BCR-ABL+ ALL. We performed RNA-seq analysis of control and CN-deficient ALL cells to identify downstream mediators of this effect. Siglec-15 emerged as one of the most differentially expressed genes, being preferentially downregulated in the more immunogenic CN-deficient cells. The role of this Siglec-family immunomodulator is yet unstudied in the context of leukemia and could represent a novel mechanism for immune evasion. We first validated lower expression of Siglec-15 in CN-deficient leukemia cells by RT-qPCR. We next mined publicly available databases, which revealed higher expression of Siglec-15 in primary B-ALL and AML leukemias as compared to normal PBMCs, as well as in post-chemotherapy MRD samples as compared to at-diagnosis samples. Western blot analysis of human leukemia cell lines demonstrated upregulation of Siglec-15 expression in B-ALL, some AML, as well as DLBCL, as compared to normal PBMCs. To determine if Siglec-15 mediates immune evasion in vivo, we knocked down Siglec-15 in the murine model of BCR-ABL+ ALL, which resulted in rapid suppression of the leukemia following engraftment in immunocompetent mice, an effect lost in immunocompromised counterparts. Preliminary studies with cells in which Siglec-15 was knocked-out using CRISPR/Cas9 revealed similar results. Importantly, Siglec-15-deficient cells do not have any changes in proliferation or susceptibility to DNA damage-induced apoptosis. To address the capacity for therapeutic targeting of Siglec-15, mice with parental leukemia were treated with a monoclonal blocking antibody against Siglec-15, yielding an overall reduction in leukemic burden and prolonged survival. Taken together, these results suggest that Siglec-15 is a novel immunomodulatory effector and has a therapeutically exploitable role in immune evasion of ALL. Citation Format: Claire Pillsbury, Jairo A. Fonseca, Jodi Dougan, Lori Gardner, Jennifer Rabe, Christy Gearheart, Chris C. Porter. Siglec-15 is a novel immunomodulatory effector of adaptive immune evasion in acute lymphoblastic leukemia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4151.
Experimental Results on LETOR

In this chapter, we take the official evaluation results published at the LETOR website as the source to perform discussions on the performances of different learning-to-rank methods.
Validation of Curriculum-Based Reading Passages and Comparison of College Students with and without Dyslexia or ADHD.

Although reading is an essential skill for college success, little is known about how college students with and without disabilities read within their actual college curriculum. In the present article, we report on two studies addressing this issue. Within study 1, we developed and validated curriculum-based oral reading fluency measures using a sample of college students without disabilities (N = 125). In study 2, we administered the curriculum-based measures to four groups (each with n = 25): college students without disabilities, college students with dyslexia, college students with ADHD, and a clinical control group. Study 1 results indicated that the curriculum-based measures demonstrated good reliability and criterion validity. Results from study 2 indicated that college students with dyslexia were substantially slower readers than all groups without dyslexia (ds > 1.8). The curriculum-based measures demonstrated high accuracy in classifying participants with dyslexia and with impaired oral reading fluency (area under the curve > .94). Implications for incorporating curriculum-based measures in postsecondary settings are discussed.
Direct-space-self-consistent-phonon treatment of monolayer structures and dynamics.

Computations, which would have been intractable just a few years ago, are now possible on desktop workstations. Such is the case for the application of the Self-Consistent-Phonon (SCP) approximation to large monolayer clusters on structured surfaces, combining a SCP approach to the system dynamics with a random walk approach to finding the optimum positions of the adsorbed atoms. This combination of techniques enables the investigation of the stability, structure, and dynamics of incommensurate adsorbed monolayers at low temperatures. We refer to this approach as the Direct-Space–Self-Consistent-Phonon framework. We present the application of this framework to the study of rare-gas and molecular hydrogen adsorbates on the graphite basal-plane surface and (for xenon) the Pt(111) surface. The largest cluster size consists of 4096 particles, a system that is large enough to examine incommensurate phases without significant adverse boundary effects. The existence of “pseudo-gaps” in the phonon spectrum of nearly commensurate monolayers is demonstrated, and the implication of such “pseudo-gaps” for the determination of the location of any commensurate ↔ incommensurate phase transition is explored. The stability of striped incommensurate structures vs hexagonal incommensurate structures is examined. The inherent difficulties of using this approach for the highly quantum monolayer solids is shown to generate some particular problems. Nevertheless, we demonstrate that this approach to the stability, structure, and dynamics of quantum monolayer solids is a very useful tool in the theorist’s arsenal. By implication, this approach should also be useful in the study of adsorption on graphene and carbon nanotubes at low temperatures.Computations, which would have been intractable just a few years ago, are now possible on desktop workstations. Such is the case for the application of the Self-Consistent-Phonon (SCP) approximation to large monolayer clusters on structured surfaces, combining a SCP approach to the system dynamics with a random walk approach to finding the optimum positions of the adsorbed atoms. This combination of techniques enables the investigation of the stability, structure, and dynamics of incommensurate adsorbed monolayers at low temperatures. We refer to this approach as the Direct-Space–Self-Consistent-Phonon framework. We present the application of this framework to the study of rare-gas and molecular hydrogen adsorbates on the graphite basal-plane surface and (for xenon) the Pt(111) surface. The largest cluster size consists of 4096 particles, a system that is large enough to examine incommensurate phases without significant adverse boundary effects. The existence of “pseudo-gaps” in the phonon spectrum of nea...
Reclassifying neurodegenerative diseases.

Neuropathologies can be classified, on the basis of post-mortem histopathology and by using machine learning, into six transdiagnostic clusters associated with clinical phenotypes.
Alcohol Dependence and Withdrawal Impair Serotonergic Regulation of GABA Transmission in the Rat Central Nucleus of the Amygdala.

Excessive serotonin (5-HT) signaling plays a critical role in the etiology of alcohol use disorder. The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is a key player in alcohol-dependence associated behaviors. The CeA receives dense innervation from the dorsal raphe nucleus, the major source of 5-HT, and expresses 5-HT receptor subtypes (e.g., 5-HT2C and 5-HT1A) critically linked to alcohol use disorder. Notably, the role of 5-HT regulating rat CeA activity in alcohol dependence is poorly investigated. Here, we examined neuroadaptations of CeA 5-HT signaling in adult, male Sprague Dawley rats using an established model of alcohol dependence (chronic intermittent alcohol vapor exposure), ex vivo slice electrophysiology and ISH. 5-HT increased frequency of sIPSCs without affecting postsynaptic measures, suggesting increased CeA GABA release in naive rats. In dependent rats, this 5-HT-induced increase of GABA release was attenuated, suggesting blunted CeA 5-HT sensitivity, which partially recovered in protracted withdrawal (2 weeks). 5-HT increased vesicular GABA release in naive and dependent rats but had split effects (increase and decrease) after protracted withdrawal indicative of neuroadaptations of presynaptic 5-HT receptors. Accordingly, 5-HT abolished spontaneous neuronal firing in naive and dependent rats but had bidirectional effects in withdrawn. Alcohol dependence and protracted withdrawal did not alter either 5-HT1A-mediated decrease of CeA GABA release or Htr1a expression but disrupted 5-HT2C-signaling without affecting Htr2c expression. Collectively, our study provides detailed insights into modulation of CeA activity by the 5-HT system and unravels the vulnerability of the CeA 5-HT system to chronic alcohol and protracted withdrawal. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Elevated GABA signaling in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) underlies key behaviors associated with alcohol dependence. The CeA is reciprocally connected with the dorsal raphe nucleus, the main source of serotonin (5-HT) in the mammalian brain, and excessive 5-HT signaling is critically implicated in the etiology of alcohol use disorder. Our study, using a well-established rat model of alcohol dependence, ex vivo electrophysiology and ISH, provides mechanistic insights into how both chronic alcohol exposure and protracted withdrawal dysregulate 5-HT signaling in the CeA. Thus, our study further expands our understanding of CeA cellular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of alcohol dependence and withdrawal.
Growth and Business Sustainability

This chapter introduces a discounted cash flow approach to valuation of business ventures and highlights the key elements of growth. The success of a business, sustainable or not, is dependent on its growth. Expansion of a business relies on expanding its markets’ reach (demographics), its innovation or creation of new products, and its capital structure (leverage) within a legal and governmental framework. The interplay of social distance and demographics highlights the markets that a business may expand as it builds customer relationships. Those relationships will be based on the marketing of innovative sustainable products to new markets. The role of leverage on capital structure will be laid out within a risk and return framework.
JIT’s Complicated: A Comprehensive System For Derived Field Generation

Derived field calculations are a vital part of the visualization and analysis workflow. These calculations allow simulation users to create important quantities of interest that are not generated by the simulation, and systems that calculate derived quantities must be flexible enough to accommodate a wide variety of user requests. In situ analysis imposes additional constraints on the system, and derived field calculations must be able to leverage the same resources as the simulation to minimize the runtime and memory usage. Just-in-time (JIT) compilation defers code creation until runtime, and a JIT based system is capable of fusing a complex expression into a single kernel invocation (i.e., kernel fusion). Without kernel fusion, the system would be forced to evaluate each piece of the expression (e.g., an operator or function call) as separate kernel invocations, which increases both runtime and memory pressure on the host simulation. In this paper, we present a production-oriented in situ derived field system that leverages JIT compilation to target heterogeneous HPC architectures. Additionally, we explore the runtime costs of using this system to calculate three expressions in three simulation codes.
The Lambert Function Should Be in the Engineering Mathematical Toolbox.

Abstract Discovered well over two centuries ago and little used for long, the Lambert function has emerged in an increasing number of science and engineering applications in the last couple of decades. Here we present case studies relevant to the diverse interests of chemical engineers. We show how the Lambert function can be used for both analysis and computation. While some of these studies expound on prior literature results, the rest are new. We conjecture that if this tool becomes more widely known, many more instances of application will appear. Therefore, given its simplicity and usefulness, we would reasonably argue that the Lambert function should be included in the standard mathematical toolbox of chemical engineers.
Too Much SALT? The Nuanced Impact of the State and Local Tax Deduction Cap on Pass-Through Business Taxpayers

Perhaps the most controversial provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is the state and local tax deduction limitation (or SALT cap), particularly with respect to how the cap impacts pass-through entities in high-tax states. This particular provision of the tax law has been criticized by opponents as deliberately punitive to small businesses in blue states, while proponents maintain that eliminating the SALT cap would primarily benefit high income taxpayers. Politicians from blue states have called for the repeal of the SALT cap and some states have enacted various work-arounds with questionable prospects of success. Still, many taxpayers will not benefit from a SALT deduction irrespective of the SALT cap, particularly taxpayers that either take the standard deduction or are subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT). We examine the developing law around the SALT cap and provide descriptive empirical evidence of its disparate impact on closely held business taxpayers. Consistent with prior economics literature, we find that the impact is indeed most pronounced among high-income taxpayers in blue states. However, we note that the impact is substantially less than the furor over the limitation would suggest because many high-income taxpayers are subject to the AMT and so are not significantly affected by the limitation. These findings suggest two underemphasized points. First, the imposition of the SALT cap was not the drastic financial hit to blue state taxpayers that policy makers and commentators have suggested. Second, with a new administration that favors eliminating the SALT cap, Congress could consider whether the repeal of the cap alone is enough because further changes would be needed to return the SALT deduction back to its earlier prominence.
Bifurcation analysis of unbending and eversion of a bilayer

Abstract This study analyzes the finite deformation and the bifurcation behavior associated with the opening (i.e., unbending and eversion) of a bilayered cylinder, with layers made of hyperelastic and incompressible materials. The solution to the finite deformation problem reveals interesting stress states, including the presence of multiple neutral axes, as well as in certain cases the absence of neutral axes. Additionally, we show that the presence of a second layer can significantly impact the bifurcation behavior of the system, when compared to the homogeneous cylinder. The addition of a stiff, thin layer (i.e., coating) both at the tensile as well as at the compressive side can significantly affect when a system loses stability on applying unbending and eversion.
A PIPS + SrI2(Eu) detector for atmospheric radioxenon monitoring

Abstract The PIPS–SrI2(Eu) is a prototype atmospheric radioxenon detection system designed at Oregon State University in support of international efforts towards monitoring clandestine nuclear weapon testing activities. This detector aims to address some shortcomings found in currently deployed beta–gamma atmospheric radioxenon detection systems, such as lackluster energy resolution and memory effect, by employing modern detection materials and readout. The system uses a PIPSBox, a silicon-based gas cell, for electron detection, and a pair of ultrabright, D-shaped SrI2 (Eu) scintillators coupled to silicon photomultipliers for photon detection. A custom eight-channel digital pulse processor equipped with a field programmable gate-array (FPGA) identifies electron–photon coincidences between the volumes in near real-time. Gas samples of the four radioxenon isotopes of interest were independently measured with the PIPS–SrI 2(Eu) detection system to determine energy resolution and efficiency. Application of FPGA-based coincidence discrimination in near real-time reduced the ambient background count rate by 95.85 ± 0.04%. Using parameters from the Xenon International gas processing unit and assuming a blank sample and zero memory effect the minimum detectable concentrations (MDCs) for the isotopes were calculated to be 0.12 ± 0.03, 0.27 ± 0.05, 0.15 ± 0.02, and 1.00 ± 0.08 mBq/m3 air for 131mXe, 133Xe, 133mXe, and 135Xe, respectively. These MDC estimates compare well with other radioxenon detection systems employed in the International Monitoring System (IMS) and indicate that the PIPS–SrI2(Eu) is in compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty Organization (CTBTO) sensitivity requirement of ≤ 1 mBq/m3 for 133Xe.
Synergy of Pt-Free Single Metal Sites for Promoting Pt and Pt3co Ordered Intermetallic Catalysts for Fuel Cells: Performance and Durability Improvements

The reduction of platinum use and improvement of its catalytic performance has become the most critical steps to accelerate the development of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Here we report a novel and facile method to boost the performance of the Pt-cased catalyst by integrating with an atomic platinum-group metal (PGM)–free active sites. Using iron-doped zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) derived carbon as support, we achieved a uniform deposition of Pt and intermetallic Pt-Co nanoparticles (NPs) through one-step synthesis, with average particle size 2.4 nm for Pt, 3.4 nm for L10 PtCo, and 4.2 nm for L12 Pt3Co. Besides, easy phase transfer during synthesis between ordered intermetallic structures L10 PtCo and L12 Pt3Co was achieved, and a comprehensive comparison between their catalytic performance was established. Synergistic catalysis between Pt or Pt-Co NPs over a PGM–free catalytic substrate derived from iron-doped ZIF-8 led to excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance under both rotating disk electrode (RDE) and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) testing. Resulting pure Pt catalysts achieved ORR mass activities of 0.451 A/mgPt and retained 80% initial values after 30,000 voltage cycles in a fuel cell, superior to the DOE 2020 targets without using Pt alloy. Both PtCo and Pt3Co catalysts achieved better performance and exhibited all-sided excellence among mass activity, stability, and power density. Among them, Pt3Co reached the power density at 0.67 V of 923 mW/cm2 and retained 86% initial mass activity after 30,000 voltage cycles in a fuel cell. Their performance dependences on support material particle size and ionomer content were discussed and optimized in MEAs.
“Now I know how to not repeat history”: Teaching and Learning Through a Pandemic with the Medical Humanities

We reflect on our experience co-teaching a medical humanities elective, "Pandemics and Plagues," which was offered to undergraduates during the Spring 2021 semester, and discuss student reactions to studying epidemic disease from multidisciplinary medical humanities perspectives while living through the world Covid-19 pandemic. The course incorporated basic microbiology and epidemiology into discussions of how epidemics from the Black Death to HIV/AIDS have been portrayed in history, literature, art, music, and journalism. Students self-assessed their learning gains and offered their insights using the SALG (Student Assessment of their Learning Gains), describing how the course enhanced their understanding of the current pandemic. In class discussions and written assignments, students paid particular attention to issues of social justice, political context, and connections between past pandemics and Covid-19. Student responses indicate enhanced understanding of the scientific and medical aspects of epidemics and also increased appreciation of the insights to be gained from the medical humanities. We discuss co-teaching the class during a real-time, twenty-four-hour-news-cycle pandemic, and the ways in which that experience underlines the value of a "critical medical humanities" approach for undergraduates.
Experiments on Interaction Between a Traveling Shock Wave and a Turbulent Jet

The interaction of a turbulent jet and a plane shock wave traveling in a shock tube was optically observed. Various arrangements of both subsonic and supersonic jets were used. Some typical shadowgraphs are reproduced and discussed. As a direct result of its passage through the jet, the shock wave developed a bulge. The growth and behavior of this bulge were recorded through a sequence of instantaneous shadowgraphs. The transverse spread and the changing profile of this bulge offer an interesting visual demonstration of the angle of spread and decay of the jet flow. I t is shown that beyond an equivalent distance of about twelve jet diameters the bulge-profile reaches a state of similarity. When the shock and the jet impinged against each other head on, an intense, intermittent, and high frequency acoustic radiation manifested itself in the flow field behind the shock front. Some plausible explanations of this phenomenon are advanced.
The Size and Significance of the Pareto Set in Spatial Voting Models

The size of the Pareto set in the issue space of spatialvoting models is a function of the tax prices that voters arecharged. When all voters pay Lindahl prices for all goods, thePareto set collapses to a single point. The Pareto set can beenlarged by altering tax shares so they are further fromLindahl prices, and can be reduced by moving toward Lindahlpricing. A smaller Pareto set moves voters closer to consensuson issues, so reduces political decisionmaking costs and makesthe political system more stable.
Observation versus neck dissection for positron-emission tomography-negative lymphadenopathy after chemoradiotherapy.

Objectives/Hypothesis To analyze outcomes among patients with residual positron-emission tomography (PET)-negative lymphadenopathy after chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer based on whether or not they underwent neck dissection. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods Fifty-five patients with stage III/IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were identified with residual PET-negative lymphadenopathy based on standardized uptake value of <3. All patients had been treated with chemoradiotherapy to a median dose of 70 Gy (range, 60–4 Gy). Results With a median follow-up of 30 months (range, 6–67 months), the 3-year overall survival (85% vs. 81%, P = .57), progression-free survival (88% vs. 88%, P = .42), and local-regional control (96% vs. 100%, P = .68), did not differ between patients treated by neck dissection or observation. Conclusions Omission of neck dissection appears to be reasonable for patients with residual lymphadenopathy but negative PET after chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 124:902–906, 2014
Model Conflicts of Interest in Medicine Act (MCIMA)

In complex professions competing interests are inevitable. Though not all conflicts of interest are harmful, conflicts pose risk of harm when they threaten to compromise a person’s professional duty or judgment. Health care providers experience conflicts of interest throughout their professional lives. Financial, professional, or ethical interests may compete - consciously or unconsciously - with a health care provider’s interests in the uniquely important societal interests in patient care and unbiased research. Recent years have seen growing concern about the dangers posed by conflicts of interest in medicine. Academic and research institutions often enact internal policies to regulate conflicts of interest. However, there is considerable variation among institutions’ policies, and most health care providers outside of such institutions are not subject to any conflict of interest regulations. The Model Conflicts of Interest in Medicine Act creates a uniform policy in the form of a State law, which may stand alone, or upon which an institution may build.
Host suitability of an endophyte-friendly tall fescue grass to Mesocriconema xenoplax and Pratylenchus vulnus.

Nyczepir, A. P. 2011. Host suitability of an endophyte-friendly tall fescue grass to Mesocriconema xenoplax and Pratylenchus vulnus. Nematropica 41:45-51. Tall fescue grass [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumont] cultivars with or without endophytes were evaluated for their susceptibility to Mesocriconema xenoplax and Pratylenchus vulnus in the greenhouse. Four tall fescue cultivars evaluated included, i) wild-type Jesup (E+, ergot-producing endophyte present), ii) endophyte-free Jesup (E-, no endophyte present), iii) Jesup (Max-Q, non-ergot producing endophyte) and iv) ‘Georgia 5’ (E+). Peach (susceptible Nemaguard rootstock) was included as the control. Nematode reproduction criteria were used in evaluating tall fescue susceptibility. Peach supported greater (P ≤ 0.05) reproduction of P. vulnus and M. xenoplax than all tall fescue cultivars. Furthermore, all tall fescue cultivars were rated as poor hosts for P. vulnus and good hosts for M. xenoplax based on nematode reproduction factor. It was also observed that root endophyte status was not related to nematode reproduction and host susceptibility. These results provide useful insights into the potential use of tall fescue grass as a preplant groundcover alternative to chemical control of P. vulnus.
Public Reverence for the United States Supreme Court: Is the Court Invincible?

Social science knowledge about public attitudes toward the United States Supreme Court has accumulated over the last few decades to the point that a number of sound empirical propositions have emerged. This article reviews those findings and provides new data from a 2011 nationally representative survey to test various hypotheses about the willingness of citizens to extend legitimacy to the Supreme Court. The most important findings of this analysis are that the legitimacy of the Court is high, it is not dependent upon satisfaction with the Court’s decisions, and, as a consequence, the Court’s legitimacy has changed almost imperceptibly over the last few decades. Ironically, by being a sharply divided policy-making institution, the Court is able to please those of all ideological stripes at least some of the time, which may undermine policy dissatisfaction as a source of threat to the institution’s legitimacy. The Court is a majoritarian institution not in the sense that its decisions are necessarily in line with the policy preferences of the majority, but rather in the sense that it is dependent upon the willingness of most Americans to cede legitimacy to the Court, and therefore to accept policy decisions with which they disagree.
Clinical features, use of evidence-based therapies, and cardiovascular outcomes among patients with chronic kidney disease following non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The underlying pathobiology and optimal treatments for this population continue to be evaluated. Hypothesis Patients with CKD will receive fewer evidence-based therapies and experience high rates of adverse cardiovascular events in both the short- and long term. Methods The MERLIN-TIMI 36 (Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 36) trial randomized non–ST-elevation ACS patients to ranolazine or placebo, with no exclusion for renal dysfunction (except dialysis). We conducted a prespecified analysis among 6543 patients based on the degree of CKD. Results Patients with worse renal function were older with more comorbidities (P < 0.0001 for each). They were less likely to receive evidence-based cardiovascular medicines (P < 0.04 for each). Rates of an early invasive management strategy varied based on renal function; however, among patients with the highest TIMI risk scores, the rates of an early invasive management strategy were similar regardless of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (Pinteraction = 0.005). Lower GFR was associated with increased rates of cardiovascular disease or myocardial infarction in the short and long term, even after adjustment (GFR <30 vs ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2; hazard ratio [HR]: 3.24 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.26-8.38] through 7 days and HR: 2.12 [95% CI: 1.33-3.39] through 1 year). The effect of ranolazine vs placebo on clinical outcomes was similar among those with and without CKD (Pinteraction = not significant). Conclusions Following ACS, patients with renal dysfunction had more cardiovascular risk factors but were less likely to receive evidence-based medical therapies. A strong graded, independent relationship between the degree of CKD and poor clinical outcomes was observed over time. Continued efforts to optimize ACS treatment strategies in patients with CKD are warranted.
Deuteronomy?: A Puzzle of Deuterium and Oxygen on Mars

Mars is covered by channels that were likely formed by liquid water sometime in its past. Among the very few available clues to a wetter and warmer ancient climate on Mars are the isotopic signatures left by processes that have modified its atmosphere over time. In their Research Commentary, Yung and Kass discuss two sets of results in the same issue: Krasnopolsky et al . have used the Hubble Space Telescope to detect the presence of deuterium in the upper atmosphere of Mars, and Farquhar et al . report measurements of the Martian meteorite ALH84001 showing that the oxygen isotopes in the carbonate are fractionated with respect to silicate minerals. The findings suggest the presence of chemical processes operating in Mars' atmosphere that have yet to be fully understood.
Case mix planning in hospitals: a review and future agenda.

The case mix planning problem deals with choosing the ideal composition and volume of patients in a hospital. With many countries having recently changed to systems where hospitals are reimbursed for patients according to their diagnosis, case mix planning has become an important tool in strategic and tactical hospital planning. Selecting patients in such a payment system can have a significant impact on a hospital’s revenue. The contribution of this article is to provide the first literature review focusing on the case mix planning problem. We describe the problem, distinguish it from similar planning problems, and evaluate the existing literature with regard to problem structure and managerial impact. Further, we identify gaps in the literature. We hope to foster research in the field of case mix planning, which only lately has received growing attention despite its fundamental economic impact on hospitals.
Peripheral blood cytokine profiling during pregnancy and post-partum periods.

Citation Kraus TA, Sperling RS, Engel SM, Lo Y, Kellerman L, Singh T, Loubeau M, Ge Y, Garrido JL, Rodriguez-Garcia M, Moran TM. Peripheral blood cytokine profiling during pregnancy and post-partum periods. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 64: 411–426 Problem Pregnancy requires that the maternal immune system adapt to prevent rejection of the fetal semi-allograft. This immunologic adaptation may contribute to pregnancy-related alterations in disease susceptibility and severity of infections from viral pathogens such as influenza virus. Method of Study As part of a larger study investigating the maternal systemic immune response during pregnancy, peripheral blood was collected three times during pregnancy and twice post-partum to measure serum levels of 23 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. This longitudinal study design allowed each woman’s post-partum blood draw to serve as her own comparison, thus controlling for interpersonal variability in expression levels. Results When compared to the post-partum samples, significant pregnancy-related changes in IFNγ, TNFα, VEGF, GCSF, Eotaxin, and MCP-1 expression were observed. These changes have significant immunologic effects in vivo and in culture. Conclusion Pregnancy-associated changes to steady state serum cytokines may have important immunologic consequence.