cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of the Carboline Disaccharide Domain of Shishijimicin A

A synthetic route to the carboline disaccharide domain (2) of shishijimicin A (1) has been developed. The convergent synthesis relies on a novel application of the Reetz–Muller-Starke reaction to form the central, sulfur-bearing quaternary carbon center and addition of the carboline structural motif as a dianion to a disaccharide aldehyde fragment.
STRAY - An interactive program for the computation of stray radiation in infrared telescopes

The STRAY program to model the amount of stray radiation reaching the focal plane of a well-baffled telescope is described. The STRAY telescope model is addressed, including the aperture shade, barrel baffle, optics, mirror sectioning and chopping, and off-axis points in focal plane. The possible illumination paths are shown, and calculation options using STRAY are discussed. The stored data and computational aspects of STRAY are addressed. STRAY is compared to the MINI-APART model, and applications of STRAY are described.
Dialog Act classification using acoustic and discourse information of MapTask Data

In this work, we analyze both acoustic and discourse information for Dialog Act (DA) classification of HCRC MapTask dataset. We extract several different acoustic features and exploit these features in a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to classify acoustic information. For discourse feature extraction, we propose a novel parts-of-speech (POS) tagging technique that effectively reduces the dimensionality of discourse features manyfold. To classify discourse information, we exploit two classifiers such as a HMM and a Support Vector Machine (SVM) respectively. We further obtain classifier fusion between HMM and SVM to improve discourse classification. Finally, we perform an efficient decision-level classifier fusion for both acoustic and discourse information to classify twelve different DAs in HCRC MapTask data. We obtain accuracy of rate 65.2% (58.06% with cross validation) and 55.4% (51.08% with cross validation) DA classification using acoustic and discourse information respectively. Furthermore, we obtain combined accuracy of 68.6% (61.02% with cross validation) for DA classification. These accuracy rates of DA classification are comparable to previously reported results for the same HCRC MapTask dataset. In terms of average Precision and Recall, we obtain accuracy of 74.89% and 69.83% (without cross validation) respectively. Therefore, we obtain much better precision and recall rate for most of the classified DAs when compared to existing works on the same dataset.
Overdiagnosis of Prostate Cancer

This chapter addresses issues relevant to prostate cancer overdiagnosis. Factors promoting the overdiagnosis of prostate cancer are reviewed. First is the existence of a relatively large, silent reservoir of this disease, as can be seen by evaluating autopsy studies and histologic step-sectioning results of prostates removed for other causes. The second main factor responsible for prostate cancer overdiagnosis is fairly widespread prostate-specific antigen and digital rectal examination-based screening, which has been fairly widely practiced in the United States for the past 20 years among heterogeneous groups of men. This has resulted in the identification of many men from this reservoir who otherwise may never have been diagnosed with symptomatic prostate cancer and is substantially responsible for the current annual incidence to mortality ratio for prostate cancer of approximately 6 to 1. Finally, the relatively indolent natural history and limited cancer-specific mortality as reported in a variety of contemporary randomized screening and treatment trials is reviewed. We attempt to quantitate the proportion of newly diagnosed prostate cancers that are overdiagnosed using various trial results and models. We explore the impact of prostate cancer overdiagnosis in terms of patient anxiety and the potential for overtreatment, with its attendant morbidity. We explore strategies to minimize overdiagnosis by targeting screening and biopsy only to men at high risk for aggressive prostate cancer and by considering the use of agents such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Future prospects to prevent overtreatment, including better biopsy and molecular characterization of newly diagnosed cancer and the role of active surveillance, are discussed.
Operative Treatment in Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis Techniques, and the Results of Preoperative and Postoperative Clinical and Hemodynamic Assessments

Operations designed to relieve obstruction to left ventricular outflow were carried out in 25 patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS). All of the patients were symptomatic and 23 were in functional classes III or IV. Preoperatively, a systolic pressure gradient within the left ventricle was demonstrated in every patient (average, 102 mm Hg), and the average left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was 19 mm Hg. Six patients had pulmonary hypertension. During cardiopulmonary bypass, the outflow tract of the left ventricle was exposed through an aortotomy. In five early patients only ventriculomyotomy was carried out, but in all subsequent operations myotomy was combined with a limited resection of the hypertrophied muscular tissue. One patient died, apparently of arrhythmia, on the eighth postoperative day, and another 8 months after operation following cerebral thrombosis. In two other patients complete heart block was produced, and they have implanted pacemakers. Twenty-one of the ...
Inhibited Error-Correction Decoder Performance

An "inhibited" error-correction decoder is defined as one which inhibits its output of decoded information bits when an uncorrectable error is detected. The output bit error rate, probability of false acceptance, and other performance parameters of inhibited decoders are expressed as responses to uncorrectable errors and the effect of such errors on several error-correction decoders of practical interest is described in terms of the numerical results of a computer simulation.
The Validity of the Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language Scale with Mentally Retarded Children:

Although the Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language Scale (REEL) is frequently used with young mentally retarded children, there is little evidence that this test validly assesses the language functioning of these children. In this study the construct validity of the REEL was investigated in a sample of 60 mentally retarded children who were between one and three years of age. The results indicated that the language ages obtained from the REEL were generally consistant with samples of these children's communicative behavior and were also related significantly to indices of children's cognitive functioning. The construct validity of the REEL appears to be greater for two- and three-year-old children than for one-year-olds, although the average language ages at each of the three age levels were equivalent to children's average developmental ages.
Performance comparison of slotted and unslotted DS/SSMA networks

Throughput and delay for both slotted and unslotted direct-sequence spread-spectrum multiple-access (DS/SSMA) packet radio networks are compared. In both systems, each user employs a newly chosen random signature sequence for each bit in a transmitted packet. Accurate packet success probabilities for both systems are computed using an improved Gaussian approximation technique. Average throughput and delay results are obtained for varying levels of block error correction. The slotted system is shown to have better performance than the unslotted system in all cases. >
Homomorphisms of Multisource Trees into Networks with Applications to Metabolic Pathways

Network mapping is a convenient tool for comparing and exploring biological networks; it can be used for predicting unknown pathways, fast and meaningful searching of databases, and potentially establishing evolutionary relations. Unfortunately, existing tools for mapping paths into general networks (PathBlast) or trees into tree networks allowing gaps (MetaPathwayHunter) cannot handle large query pathways or complex networks. In this paper we consider homomorphisms, i.e., mappings allowing to map different enzymes from the query pathway into the same enzyme from the networks. Homomorphisms are more general than homeomorphism (allowing gaps) and easier to handle algorithmically. Our dynamic programming algorithm efficiently finds the minimum cost homomorphism from a multisource tree to directed acyclic graphs as well as general networks. We have performed pairwise mapping of all pathways for four organisms (E. coli, S. cerevisiae, B. subtilis and T. thermophilus species) and found a reasonably large set of statistically significant pathway similarities. Further analysis of our mappings identifies conserved pathways across examined species and indicates potential pathway holes in existing pathway descriptions.
Comet Halley - Chapter I in cometary exploration

The information gained on the Comet Halley by the international probe studies is presented. The new information includes data on the true size and shape of the cometary nucleus and the mass of its dust grains, the chemical composition of the nucleus, and the characteristics of the 'bow wave' of the comet. The requirements of future missions for solving the many questions that are still open are discussed.
Analysis of Senate Joint Resolution 1 (SJR1): Proposed Amendments to the Iowa Constitution for Limiting State General Fund Expenditures and Tax Revenues

* This report is designed to foster discussion among citizens, leaders and policy makers regarding a public issue of concern to Iowans. Iowa State University seeks to provide accurate research-based information on relevant issues and does not necessarily endorse or oppose any proposals that may be analyzed. The analysis provided herein was initiated after requests for information on the impacts of the proposals were expressed by leaders representing a coalition of more than twenty statewide interests. It is important to note that NO external support was received from any special interest groups for conducting this analysis. The methods and data used were judged to be valid, given the author’s training and expertise in the area. The goal of the project is to identify the potential unintended consequences regarding the probable impacts of the proposals and to provide objective information to assist leaders and citizens in making reasonable judgements. The author acknowledges and appreciates several helpful suggestions received from external reviewers identified for their legal and fiscal expertise. The author accepts full responsibility for all content and any errors or omissions.
Monolithic, lumped element, single sideband modulator

The design and performance of a monolithic single sideband modulator that uses lumped element technology to achieve a compact circuit are described. The circuit comprises two balanced mixers, a branch line hybrid to input the carrier frequency, and a Wilkinson power combiner for summing the two mixer outputs. For this design, the carrier frequency was 6.9 GHz and the modulating signal was in the range of 0-500 MHz. The lower sideband was 6.4 to 6.9 GHz and the upper sideband was 6.9 to 7.4 GHz. Upper bounds on the performance of the modulator were derived from an assessment of the circuit components based on computer simulations. >
Close-call counterfactuals and belief-system defenses: I was not almost wrong but I was almost right.

Drawing on samples of professional observers of world politics, this article explores the interrelations among cognitive style, theoretical outlook, and reactions to close-call counterfactuals. Study 1 demonstrated that experts (especially high scorers on a composite measure of need for closure and simplicity) rejected close-call counterfactuals that redirected history when these counterfactuals undermined a preferred framework for understanding the past (the "I-was-not-almost-wrong" defense). Study 2 demonstrated that experts (especially high scorers on need for closure and simplicity) embraced close-call counterfactuals that redirected history when these counterfactuals protected conditional forecasts from refutation (the predicted outcome nearly occurred—so "I was almost right"). The article concludes by considering the radically different normative value spins that can be placed on
Abstract 168: Coated-Platelets Improve TIA/Stroke Prediction in Asymptomatic Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis

Background: Coated-platelets, a subset of procoagulant platelets observed upon dual agonist stimulation with collagen and thrombin, support a robust prothrombinase activity and provide a unique measure of platelet thrombotic potential. Coated-platelet levels are increased in large artery stroke compared to controls, and higher levels are associated with early stroke recurrence. We now examine whether coated-platelet levels predict TIA/stroke in asymptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Methods: Consecutive patients referred for carotid Doppler evaluation were enrolled. Those taking anticoagulants, with dementia, or TIA/stroke within 6 months before enrollment were excluded. Coated-platelets were determined at baseline and reported as percent of cells converted to coated-platelets. Subjects were followed for up to 3 years for TIA/stroke. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was conducted to compare performance of two models in predicting incident TIA/stroke. The first model i...
Switching statin-treated patients from fenofibrate to the prescription omega-3 therapy icosapent ethyl: a retrospective case series

Introduction Patients receiving statin therapy for dyslipidaemia often require treatment with an additional agent to control triglyceride levels. Options for add-on therapy include fibrates and omega-3 fatty acids. This case series describes the effects of switching add-on therapy from fenofibrate to icosapent ethyl (the ethyl ester of the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid) on patient lipid profiles.
The Effect of CardioWaves Interval Training on Resting Blood Pressure, Resting Heart Rate, and Mind-Body Wellness.

An experimental study to examine the effects of CardioWaves interval training (CWIT) and continuous training (CT) on resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, and mind-body wellness. Fifty-two normotensive (blood pressure 140/90 mmHg) participants were randomly assigned and equally divided between the CWIT and CT groups. Both groups participated in the assigned exercise protocol 30 minutes per day, four days per week for eight weeks. Resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, and mind-body wellness were measured pre- and post-intervention. A total of 47 participants (15 females and 32 males) were included in the analysis. The CWIT group had a non-significant trend of reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) and increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP) while the CT group had a statistically significant decrease in awake SBP (p = 0.01) and total SBP (p = 0.01) and a non-significant decrease in DBP. With both groups combined, the female participants had a statistically significant decrease in awake SBP (p = 0.002), asleep SBP (p = 0.01), total SBP (p = 0.003), awake DBP (p = 0.02), and total DBP (p = 0.05). The male participants had an increase in SBP and DBP with total DBP showing a statistically significant increase (p = 0.05). Neither group had a consistent change in resting heart rate. Both groups showed improved mind-body wellness. CWIT and CT reduced resting blood pressure, with CT having a greater effect. Resting heart rate did not change in either group. Additionally, both CWIT and CT improved mind-body wellness.
Rapid Thermal Processing-Manufacturing Perspective

While repeatable and accurate measurement of temperature in rapid thermal processing (RTP) remains a subject of ongoing research, inception of large-diameter wafers and deep subhalf micron design rules may be viewed as good news for implementing RTP during the development phase for later transfer to volume manufacturing. To date, the only well-established application of RTP in manufacturing is silicide annealing. However, research during the past decade has demonstrated the feasibility of using RTP to replace essentially all furnace-based thermal processes in sub-half micron process flows. These developments in the RTP capability offer several technological and economic benefits such as improved defect control, higher product yields, and faster development cycles for DRAM-type technologies at a reduced cost and with an earlier entry of the driver products during the revenue-generating period. In this paper, we review several applications of RTP such as silicide anneals, borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG) reflow, dopant activation, and rapid thermal nitridation (RTN) and discuss the integration issues related to advanced process flows. Furthermore, we highlight important manufacturing parameters like throughput, machine cost and uptime, software and hardware issues, wafer dimensional analysis, and simulation expectations. While considering volume manufacturing, we make some calibration and process control recommendations.
Keratinocyte Migration and a Hypothetical New Role for Extracellular Heat Shock Protein 90 Alpha in Orchestrating Skin Wound Healing.

Significance: The treatment and care of patients with skin wounds are a major healthcare expenditure. Burn wounds, iatrogenic surgical wounds, venous stasis dermatitis ulcers, diabetic lower limb ulcers, pressure ulcers, and skin wounds from peripheral neuropathies are largely treated with only supportive care. Despite a great deal of research into using growth factors as therapeutic agents, to date, the field has been disappointing. The only biologic agent that is Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved for promoting skin wound healing is recombinant platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), but its modest efficacy and expense limit its use clinically. Recent Advances: Acute hypoxia induced by the clotting of dermal blood vessels during the wounding of skin is a major stress factor that leads to the re-programming of basal keratinocytes to initiate re-epithelialization. The laterally migrating keratinocytes secrete extracellular heat shock protein 90 alpha. Heat shock protein 90 alpha (hsp90α) engages...
Retention of Idioms Following One-Time Exposure.

This study explored retention of idioms and novel (i.e. newly created or grammatically generated) expressions in English-speaking girls following exposure only once during a conversation. Our hypot...
The Comparison of Unsteady Pressure Field over Flat- and Conformal-Window Turrets using Pressure Sensitive Paint

Spatially-temporally-resolved unsteady pressure fields on a surface of a hemisphere-oncylinder turret with either a flator a conformal-window were characterized using fastresponse pressure sensitive paint at M = 0.33 for several window viewing angles. Various statistical properties of pressure fields were computed and geometry effects on unsteady pressure, including an effect of either flator conformal-window, were analyzed and discussed. Proper orthogonal decomposition were also used to extract dominant pressure modes and corresponding temporal coefficients and to analyze and compare instantaneous pressure structures for different turret geometries and viewing angles. In addition, the effects of gaps and ‘smile’ cut-outs present on the turret were investigated.
Aging effects on the durability of tantalum nitride films

In this study, nanoindentation and nanoscratch testing were used to determine the effects of annealing and long term aging on the properties and fracture resistance of thin tantalum nitride resistor films on aluminum nitride substrates. These films were sputter-deposited to a thickness of 440 nm. Some films were left in the as-deposited condition while others were annealed or annealed and then aged. X-ray diffraction revealed that sputter deposition created high compressive residual stresses in the as-deposited films which were partially relieved by annealing. Subsequent aging of the annealed films had no effect on residual stress levels. Nanoindentation showed that mechanical properties were unchanged after annealing and after annealing and aging. However, nanoscratch testing showed that annealing markedly reduced the susceptibility to catastrophic failure with no further changes discernible after aging.
The Teacher–Occupational Therapist Relationship in School-Based Practice: Perspectives of the Teachers

Date Presented 4/16/2015 The role of the occupational therapist (OT) on the educational team and the teacher–therapist relationship was investigated via a survey. Results indicate that the majority of teachers understand the contributions of the OT as well as value the role of the OT. Results suggest that communication, collaboration, and the OT presence need improvement.
Subtleties of human exposure and response to chemical mixtures from spills.

Worldwide, chemical spills degrade drinking water quality and threaten human health through ingestion and inhalation. Spills are often mixtures of chemicals; thus, understanding the interaction of chemical and biological properties of the major and minor components is critical to assessing human exposure. The crude (4-methylcyclohexyl)methanol (MCHM) spill provides an opportunity to assess such subtleties. This research determined the relative amounts, volatilization, and biological odor properties of minor components cis- and trans-methyl-4-methylcyclohexanecarboxylate (MMCHC) isomers and major components cis- and trans-4-MCHM, then compared properties and human exposure differences among them. (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance and chromatography revealed that the minor MMCHC isomers were about 1% of the major MCHM isomers. At typical showering temperature of 40 °C, Henry's law constants were 1.50 × 10(-2) and 2.23 × 10(-2) for cis- and trans-MMCHC, respectively, which is 20-50 fold higher than for 4-MCHM isomers. The odor thresholds were 1.83 and 0.02 ppb-v air for cis- and trans-MMCHC, which were both described as predominantly sweet. These data are compared to the higher 120 ppb-v air and 0.06 ppb-v odor thresholds for cis- and trans-4-MCHM, for which the trans-isomer had a dominant licorice descriptor. Application of a shower model demonstrated that while MMCHC isomers are only about 1% of the MCHM isomers, during showering, the MMCHC isomers are 13.8% by volume (16.3% by mass) because of their higher volatility. Trans-4-MCHM contributed about 82% of the odor because of higher volatility and lower odor threshold, trans-MMCHC, which represents 0.3% of the mass, contributed 18% of the odor. This study, with its unique human sensory component to assess exposure, reaffirmed that hazard assessment must not be based solely on relative concentration, but also consider the chemical fate, transport, and biological properties to determine the actual levels of exposure across different media.
Embryonic development and pregnancy from fresh and cryopreserved sibling pronucleate human zygotes.

The number of pronucleate (PN) zygotes that cleave, rates of cell division, and pregnancy rates were compared from fresh and frozen sibling PN zygotes. Of 57 patients with randomly selected zygotes frozen at the PN stage, 26 have had 82 PN zygotes thawed with 76 (92.7%) morphologically intact immediately post-thaw. There was no significant difference ( P >0.05) in the proportion of fresh (110/123 [89.4%]) and frozen-thawed intact (62/76 [81.6%]) sibling PN zygotes that had cleaved by transfer. The number of fresh versus frozen-thawed sibling PN zygotes that developed into 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-cell embryos after 24 hours in culture were not significantly different. The numbers of pregnancies per patient cycle for fresh and frozen-thawed sibling PN zygotes were 12/60 (20.0%) and 5/27 (18.5%), respectively ( P >0.05). The current cumulative pregnancy rate per retrieval in all cycles with frozen zygotes is 28.3%, considerably higher than observed in single transfers of embryos without cryopreservation (19.8%); predicted cumulative pregnancy rate after eventual transfer of all frozen zygotes is 37.9%. It is concluded that embryo survival and pregnancy rates of cryopreserved PN zygotes are very similar to those from their fresh sibling counterparts and cryopreservation substantially enhances in vitro fertilization pregnancy attainment.
The Value of Rotational Venography Versus Anterior-Posterior Venography in 100 Consecutive IVC Filter Retrievals.

Accurately detecting inferior vena cava (IVC) filter complications is important for safe and successful retrieval as tip-embedded filters require removal with non-standard techniques. Venography prior to IVC filter retrieval has traditionally used a single anterior–posterior (AP) projection. This study compares the utility of rotational venography to AP venography prior to IVC filter removal. The rotational venograms from 100 consecutive IVC filter retrievals over a 35-month period were evaluated retrospectively. The AP view of the rotational venogram was examined separately from the full series by a radiologist blinded to alternative imaging and operative findings. The venograms were evaluated for tip embedding, filter fracture, filter thrombus, and IVC thrombus. Statistical analysis was performed. Using operative findings and peri-procedural imaging as the reference standard, tip embedding occurred in 59 of the 100 filters (59 %). AP venography was used to correctly identify 31 tip-embedded filters (53 % sensitivity) with two false positives (95 % specificity) for an accuracy of 70 %. Rotational venography was used to correctly identify 58 tip-embedded filters (98 % sensitivity) with one false positive (98 % specificity) for an accuracy of 98 %. A significant difference was found in the sensitivities of the two diagnostic approaches (P < .01). Other findings of thrombus and filter fracture were not significantly different between the two groups. Rotational venograms allow for more accurate detection of tip-embedded IVC filters compared to AP views alone. As this determines the approach taken, rotational venograms are helpful if obtained prior to IVC filter retrieval.
Environmental chemicals and breast cancer: An updated review of epidemiological literature informed by biological mechanisms.

Abstract Background Many common environmental chemicals are mammary gland carcinogens in animal studies, activate relevant hormonal pathways, or enhance mammary gland susceptibility to carcinogenesis. Breast cancer’s long latency and multifactorial etiology make evaluation of these chemicals in humans challenging. Objective For chemicals previously identified as mammary gland toxicants, we evaluated epidemiologic studies published since our 2007 review. We assessed whether study designs captured relevant exposures and disease features suggested by toxicological and biological evidence of genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, tumor promotion, or disruption of mammary gland development. Methods We systematically searched the PubMed database for articles with breast cancer outcomes published in 2006–2016 using terms for 134 environmental chemicals, sources, or biomarkers of exposure. We critically reviewed the articles. Results We identified 158 articles. Consistent with experimental evidence, a few key studies suggested higher risk for exposures during breast development to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dioxins, perfluorooctane-sulfonamide (PFOSA), and air pollution (risk estimates ranged from 2.14 to 5.0), and for occupational exposure to solvents and other mammary carcinogens, such as gasoline components (risk estimates ranged from 1.42 to 3.31). Notably, one 50-year cohort study captured exposure to DDT during several critical windows for breast development (in utero, adolescence, pregnancy) and when this chemical was still in use. Most other studies did not assess exposure during a biologically relevant window or specify the timing of exposure. Few studies considered genetic variation, but the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project reported higher breast cancer risk for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in women with certain genetic variations, especially in DNA repair genes. Conclusions New studies that targeted toxicologically relevant chemicals and captured biological hypotheses about genetic variants or windows of breast susceptibility added to evidence of links between environmental chemicals and breast cancer. However, many biologically relevant chemicals, including current-use consumer product chemicals, have not been adequately studied in humans. Studies are challenged to reconstruct exposures that occurred decades before diagnosis or access biological samples stored that long. Other problems include measuring rapidly metabolized chemicals and evaluating exposure to mixtures.
The Direction of Violence Against Women Research and Evaluation

Although researchers have made numerous advances in the understanding of the nature, extent, and dynamics of violence against women (VAW), there is an ever-increasing need for data used in academic...
Catalytic Steam and Partial Oxidation Reforming of Liquid Fuels for Application in Improving the Efficiency of Internal Combustion Engines

This study investigated the potential for catalytically reforming liquid fuels in a simulated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) mixture loop for the purpose of generating reformate that could be used...
Remember the greatest: Remaining in love and casting out fear in 1 John:

This article argues that the confusing admonition in favor of “love” and “casting out fear” in 1 John 4 is clarified when read in light of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. The commands to love God and lo...
Radiative extinction of large n-alkane droplets in oxygen-inert mixtures in microgravity

Abstract Experimental observations are presented concerning radiative extinction of large n-alkane droplets in diluent-substituted environments at moderately varied pressures in microgravity onboard the International Space Station. The fuels considered are n-heptane, n-octane, and n-decane with carbon dioxide, helium, and xenon used as inerts, replacing nitrogen as diluents at varying amounts. It is shown that a simple scaling analysis, based on the assumptions that radiative extinction occurs when the flame temperature drops to a critical value and that the radiative heat loss rate is a fraction of the heat-release rate at the flame, is able to correlate the measured droplet diameter at extinction as a function of its initial diameter and of the ambient gas-mixture properties.
Distribution of 21-Gene Recurrence Scores in Male Breast Cancer in the United States.

The 21-gene recurrence score (RS) is a RT-PCR assay estimating risk of distant recurrence in estrogen receptor positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2) breast cancer (BC). Studies validating RS are limited to women. Our objective was to assess RS distribution and factors associated with high-risk RS in male BC. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we identified men and women with ER+/HER2− BC from 2010 to 2013. Patients were categorized into risk groups using the traditional and the Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment (TAILORx) cutoffs. Multivariable logistic regression determined factors associated with testing and high-risk TAILORx RS. We identified 1388 men and 154,196 women with ER+/HER2− BC. Twenty-five percent of men and 30% of women had RS testing. Mean age of tested men was 63; most were white (81%), had grade I or II tumors (67%), and had stage I or II (95%) BC. Factors associated with increased RS testing were younger age, recent year of diagnosis, lymph node negativity, and lower-stage tumors (p ≤ 0.05). By TAILORx, 21% of men had high-risk RS compared with 14% of tested women. Men with grade III and PR negative tumors were more likely to have a high-risk RS (p ≤ 0.05). Chemotherapy utilization was correlated with RS. Using a large population-based dataset, we found that compared with women, men were significantly more likely to have high-risk RS. Grade III and PR-negative BC were significantly associated with high-risk RS. Higher RS in men correlated with increased chemotherapy utilization.
Simulating Ballast Breakage Under Repeated Loading Using the Discrete Element Method

The ballast layer in a railroad track helps distribute loads from the superstructure to the formation; a well-designed ballast layer is also meant to prevent excessive vertical, lateral and longitudinal movement of the track under loading. When subjected to repeated loading, the granular ballast particles often undergo breakage leading to significant changes in the shear strength as well as drainage characteristics of the ballast layer. Excessive ballast degradation leads to increased vertical settlements, and is often associated with speed restrictions and increased passenger discomfort. Several researchers in the past have studied the phenomenon of ballast breakage in a laboratory setting. However, due to complexities associated with these large-scale laboratory tests, detailed parametric studies are often not feasible. In such cases, numerical modeling tools such as the Discrete Element Method (DEM) become particularly useful. This paper presents findings from an ongoing research effort at Boise State University aimed at studying the phenomenon of ballast breakage under repeated loading using a commercially available Discrete Element Package (PFC3D®). Ballast particles were simulated as clusters of balls bonded together, and were allowed to undergo breakage when either the maximum tensile stress or the maximum shear stress exceeded the corresponding bond strength value. Different factors studied during the parametric analysis were: (1) load amplitude; (2) loading frequency; (3) number of cycles of loading; (4) bond strength; and (5) particle size distribution. The objective was to identify the relative importance of different factors that govern the permanent deformation behavior of railroad tracks under loading.Copyright © 2018 by ASME
Towards a More Comprehensive Concept of the Person

We are in the midst of a world-embracing philosophical and cultural interaction and reconstruction. Every cultural and philosophical tradition, as embodied somewhere in social customs, is involved. Every species of the old is both affecting and being transformed by the new. At the same time, two normatively incompatible political and economic philosophies for modernizing the world are competing for men’s minds and customs in Asia and Africa as well as the West, even to the brink of war in an atomic age.
Theory of DNA Superhelicity

When a duplex DNA molecule is covalently closed into a circle, conservation of the antiparallel chemical (5′–3′) orientations of the two strands dictates that the resulting ring molecule must have the topological structure of two closed, interlinked circles. This fixes the value of the molecular linking number Lk. This Lk is an integer topological invariant which measures the number of times either strand would have to be passed through the other before they could be physically disentangled (provided the molecule is not knotted). Its value remains fixed, independent of geometric deformation of the molecule, as long as both strands are covalently closed. Lk can only be varied by the introduction of transient strand breaks. A class of enzymes called DNA topoisomerases has been found whose function is to regulate Lk in this manner, suggesting a physiological function for this activity.1,2
Small groups, big mistakes: the emergence of faulty rules during a collaborative board game

Recent research using games as learning environments has provided us with examples of situated learning processes (e.g., Gee, 2007). Board games, in particular, foster rich think-aloud cognition and small group reasoning (Smith, 2007). This study uses a collaborative board game as a site for understanding sense-making in small groups. We investigate how groups 'reconstruct' rules, and unpack how and when they coordinate an understanding of goals. We suggest this is done with the aid of. handles: concrete signifiers, such as physical objects, words, or gestures that players use as substitutes for complex rules.
Augmented Time-frequency Mask Estimation in Cluster-based Source Separation Algorithms

Time-frequency mask estimation with various clustering approaches has proven effective in solving the audio source separation problem. In this framework, the time-frequency bins of the mixture spectrogram are represented in a high-dimensional embedding space, where various methods can be applied to group the embedded points to calculate either hard or soft source assignments and subsequently the time-frequency masks. However, the mismatch between the assignment algorithm during the training and inference phases in majority of the current approaches leads to a suboptimal solution, because the assignment objective that is used during the training (e.g. ideal binary mask) is not the same as the one used during the inference phase (e.g. k-means clustering). We propose a method to reduce the mismatch between these two conditions where the source embedding is trained such that the source assignment during training and inference phases results in similar outcomes. Our results show that matching the source assignment during training- and inference-phase results in more accurate and consistent mask estimation in the inference phase which significantly improves the source separation accuracy for various hard and soft clustering methods.
POLYNUCLEOTIDE BINDING PROPERTIES OF E. COLI RIBOSOMAL PROTEIN S1

ABSTRACT The E. coli ribosomal protein S1 is involved in mRNA binding to ribosomes, and appears to play a central role in the initiation steps of messenger translation. Physical studies of Sl-polynucleotide interactions have been carried out to obtain further insight into the role of this protein in protein synthesis. By exploiting a large tryptophan fluorescence quenching in S1 upon binding polynucleotides, we have shown: (i) that S1 appears to have two polynucleotide binding sites; (ii) that one site preferentially binds single-stranded polynucleotides over double-stranded, and does not discriminate between RNA and DNA, while the other site binds only RNA; and (iii) that binding polynucleotides of different base compositions to S1 has very different effects on the protein conformation.
Computing water flow through complex landscapes – Part 3: Fill–Spill–Merge: flow routing in depression hierarchies

Abstract. Depressions – inwardly-draining regions – are common to many landscapes. When there is sufficient moisture, depressions take the form of lakes and wetlands; otherwise, they may be dry. Hydrological flow models used in geomorphology, hydrology, planetary science, soil and water conservation, and other fields often eliminate depressions through filling or breaching; however, this can produce unrealistic results. Models that retain depressions, on the other hand, are often undesirably expensive to run. In previous work we began to address this by developing a depression hierarchy data structure to capture the full topographic complexity of depressions in a region. Here, we extend this work by presenting a Fill-Spill-Merge algorithm that utilizes our depression hierarchy to rapidly process and distribute runoff. Runoff fills depressions, which then overflow and spill into their neighbors. If both a depression and its neighbor fill, they merge. We provide a detailed explanation of the algorithm as well as results from two sample study areas. In these case studies, the algorithm runs 90–2600× faster (with a 2000–63 000× reduction in compute time) than the commonly-used Jacobi iteration and produces a more accurate output. Complete, well-commented, open-source code is available on Github and Zenodo.
Discrimination, Skin Color Satisfaction, and Adjustment among Latinx American Youth

Race-related biases and discrimination and easily observable race-related characteristics, such as skin color, appear to go hand and hand, but it remains unclear how these factors work together to shape youth development. The current study addresses this gap by investigating skin color satisfaction as a mediator between perceptions of discrimination and adjustment. Data are from a cross-sectional sample of Latinx youth (N = 175; Mage = 12.86; 51.4% female; 86.9% US-born) who completed measures of foreigner-based objectification, peer discrimination, adult discrimination, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and the importance or value attributed to academic success. Evidence of significant indirect effects of skin color satisfaction in the links between foreigner-based objectification and self-esteem as well as academic importance was found. Skin color satisfaction did not mediate links between either peer or adult discrimination and self-esteem, depression, and academic importance. The results provide support that being perceived as a foreigner has negative implications for Latinx youth adjustment through skin color satisfaction. The present study expands understanding of how different forms of differential treatment may affect minoritized youth. Implications and future research ideas are discussed.
The Room Itself is Not Enough: Student Engagement in Active Learning Classrooms

The primary purpose of this paper is to describe the variety of active engagements that characterize student behaviors in active learning classrooms (ALCs) across an undergraduate degree program. T...
Broadband PA Architectures with Asymmetrical Combining and Stacked PA cells across 50-70 GHz and 64-110 GHz in 250 nm InP

High-efficiency and broadband power amplifiers (PAs) are key to enabling the next-generation of millimeter-Wave (mm-Wave) systems and multi-functional communication, sensing and imaging arrays. Due to the low $f/f_{max}$ , low breakdown voltages and low gain in silicon devices at mm-Wave frequencies, InP HBTs have been promising candidates to enable high-efficiency, high power and broadband transmitter frontends for compact phased and MIMO arrays above 50 GHz. In this paper, we present two broadband PA architectures covering 50–70 GHz, and 64–110 GHz in 250 nm InP HBT process through specially designed asymmetrical power combining architectures with stacked PA cells. The PAs generate more than 20 dBm of peak power in both the bands with peak output collector efficiency (ηout) exceeding 40%, total collector efficiency (η) exceeding 30% and peak power added efficiency (PAE) >23 % for both bands. This work presents one of the highest bandwidth and highest efficiency PAs with peak power greater than 20 dBm.
Artificial Intelligence in Plastic Surgery: Current Applications, Future Directions, and Ethical Implications.

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare delivery has become an important area of research due to the rapid progression of technology, which has allowed the growth of many processes historically reliant upon human input. AI has become particularly important in plastic surgery in a variety of settings. This article highlights current applications of AI in plastic surgery and discusses future implications. We further detail ethical issues that may arise in the implementation of AI in plastic surgery. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review of all electronically available publications in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases as of February 5, 2020. All returned publications regarding the application of AI in plastic surgery were considered for inclusion. Results Of the 89 novel articles returned, 14 satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria. Articles procured from the references of those of the database search and those pertaining to historical and ethical implications were summarized when relevant. Conclusions Numerous applications of AI exist in plastic surgery. Big data, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and facial recognition are examples of AI-based technology that plastic surgeons may utilize to advance their surgical practice. Like any evolving technology, however, the use of AI in healthcare raises important ethical issues, including patient autonomy and informed consent, confidentiality, and appropriate data use. Such considerations are significant, as high ethical standards are key to appropriate and longstanding implementation of AI.
Design of High-Transmission Plasmonic Wavelength and Polarization Filters for Infrared Photodetectors

We have designed plasmonic filters that simultaneously perform wavelength and polarization filtering in the wavelength range 3–5 micrometers. In this work we outline the design and present the simulated results of our filters. The filters consist of subwavelength slits in a thin metal sheet which is deposited on top of a gallium antimonide (GaSb) substrate and a spacer layer of $\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{O}_{2}$. This configuration makes our filters suitable for integration with GaSb-based infrared photodetectors and photodetector arrays that are used in space applications. Our work opens up the possibility of using these detector arrays for highly compact Earth-observing infrared polarimeters and multispectral imaging applications.
Is Rural Kansas Prepared? An Assessment of Resources Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction This cross-sectional study investigated rural Kansas healthcare resources relevant to COVID-19 at the county level in the context of population characteristics. Methods The federal Area Health Resource File was used to assess system capacity and critical care-related resources and COVID-19-related risk factors at the county level. Data were described with summary statistics, cross-tabulations, and bivariate tests to discern differences across county rurality categories (2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes). Results Kansas has 105 counties. Metropolitan counties had an average of 1.5 physicians (M.D. or D.O., any specialty) per 1,000 people, while rural counties had 0.8. A total of 63.5% of rural counties had no anesthesia providers and 100.0% of rural counties had no pulmonary disease physicians. While 96 counties have at least one hospital, nearly 90% rural counties had no intensive care unit (ICU) services. The percent of the population estimated to be over 65 was higher among rural counties (24.2%) than metropolitan counties (19.3%). On average, rural counties had nearly twice as many deaths per 1,000 people by cardiovascular disease and more chronic obstructive pulmonary disease deaths than metropolitan and nonmetropolitan/urban adjacent counties. Conclusions Kansas faced limited ICU capabilities and physician workforce shortages in rural counties, both in primary care and specialties such as anesthesia and pulmonology. In addition, nonmetropolitan/urban adjacent and rural population age structures and mortality rates potentially demonstrated an increased risk to overwhelm local healthcare systems. This may have serious implications for rural health, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clonal hematopoiesis in prostate cancer inferred from somatic tumor profiling.

e17001Background: Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is a process associated with normal aging and may complicate the interpretation of liquid-biopsy genomic testing in oncology. Little is known about the p...
What Do We Know About Financial Innovation

This article is a survey of the academic literature on financial innovation. We review definitions and examples of financial innovation, the costs and benefits of financial innovation, financial innovators, factors that encourage or hinder financial innovation, incentives for financial innovation, welfare effects of financial innovation, and the role of regulation in influencing financial innovation.