cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reactive Molecular Dynamics Studies of DMMP Adsorption and Reactivity on Amorphous Silica Surfaces

By using molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulations in conjunction with the ReaxFF reactive force fields, the interaction of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) with amorphous silica as a function of surface hydration was examined. Surface hydroxylation densities of 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 4.5 hydroxyl/nm2 were modeled. The amorphous silica surface used in our simulations is quantified structurally and compares well to experimental findings. At the higher OH densities, binding of DMMP to the hydroxylated silica was found to occur through a combination of van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding. In addition to these types of interactions, at the lower OH surface coverages, strong covalent bonding between the phosphonyl (P═O) oxygen of DMMP and 3-coordinate Si defects on the surface was observed. Finally, at extremely low hydroxyl coverages (2.0 nm−2), DMMP fragmentation was found to occur. The binding energy of DMMP on amorphous silica with a hydroxyl density of 4.5 OH/nm2 was calculated to be −4.7 kcal...
Tuning polymorphism and orientation in organic semiconductor thin films via post-deposition processing

Though both the crystal structure and molecular orientation of organic semiconductors are known to impact charge transport in thin-film devices, separately accessing different polymorphs and varying the out-of-plane molecular orientation is challenging, typically requiring stringent control over film deposition conditions, film thickness, and substrate chemistry. Here we demonstrate independent tuning of the crystalline polymorph and molecular orientation in thin films of contorted hexabenzocoronene, c-HBC, during post-deposition processing without the need to adjust deposition conditions. Three polymorphs are observed, two of which have not been previously reported. Using our ability to independently tune the crystal structure and out-of-plane molecular orientation in thin films of c-HBC, we have decoupled and evaluated the effects that molecular packing and orientation have on device performance in thin-film transistors (TFTs). In the case of TFTs comprising c-HBC, polymorphism and molecular orientation...
Efficient Markov Blanket Discovery and Its Application

In a Bayesian network (BN), a target node is independent of all other nodes given its Markov blanket (MB), and finding the MB has many applications, including feature selection and BN structure learning. We propose a new MB discovery algorithm, simultaneous MB (STMB), to improve the efficiency of the existing topology-based MB discovery algorithms. The proposed method removes the necessity of enforcing the symmetry constraint that is prevalent in existing algorithms, by exploiting the coexisting property between spouses and descendants of the target node. Since STMB mainly reduces the number of independence tests needed to complete the MB set after finding the parents-and-children set, it is applicable to all previous topology-based methods. STMB is both sound and complete. Experiments show that STMB has a comparable accuracy but much better efficiency than state-of-the-art methods. An application on benchmark feature selection datasets further demonstrates the excellent performance of STMB.
Multidisciplinary Computational Rotor Noise Prediction for Helicopter Rotor in High-speed Forward Flight

A physics-based, systematically coupled, multidisciplina ry prediction tool (MUTE) for computational prediction of rotorcraft noise under a wide r ange of flight conditions is presented. MUTE is an aggregation of multidisciplinary co mputational tools to accurately and efficiently model the physics of the source of rotorcraft n oise, and predict the noise at far-field observer locations. It uses systematic coupling approaches among multiple disciplines including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with high-fidelity wake modeling, Computational Structural Dynamics (CSD), and Acoustic Analysis. Near the rotor blade, the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) CFD solver is used to accurately model the physics of source noise around the rotor blade, such as the viscous boundary layer, vortex shedding, and shock effects etc. The complex rotor wake effects are modeled with either fast free-wake method or CFD overset grid method or high-fidelity Particle Vortex Transport Method (PVTM). The accuracy of the source noise prediction is further improved by utilizing a coupling approach between CFD and CSD, so that the effects of key structural dynamics, elastic blade deformations, and trim s olutions of rotorcraft are correctly represented in the prediction system. The blade loading i nformation (for impermeable surface method) and/or the flow field parameters around the rotor blade ( for permeable surface method) predicted by the CFD/CSD coupling approach are used to get the acoustic signatures at the far-field observer locations with a high-fidelity noise propagation code, PSU-WOPWOP, which is based on the Ffowcus Williams ‐ Hawkings (FW-H) equation. The validations of the MUTE tool for rot or noise prediction at high-speed forward flight condition are presented here, where the high-speed imp ulsive noise is dominated. The predicted noise results from both impermeable surface method and permeable surface method are compared with the DNW experimental data set.
Effect of cortisone on immunization against Trypanosoma equiperdum in the rat.

We have reported previously the course of Trypanosome equiperdum infections during concurrent administration of cortisone and oxophenarsine.) The behavior of this infection in rats treated with a single dose of 2 or 4 micromoles per kg of oxophenarsine led to the hypothesis that cortisone exerts an adverse effect on treatment by inhibiting the development of acquired immunity which normally results from the antigenic stimulus provided by the trypanosomes killed by the oxophenarsine. This hypothesis was supported by experience with other antigens in various species.2-is
Lab study on water base drilling fluid for horizontal wells

To cope with problems of drilling fluids such as bad lubrication, ineffective cleanning and formation damage used in QK17-2 oilfield, a new water base drilling fluid is studied and its properties are evaluated. Results show this fluid have good inhibition, lubrication and formation protection, with parent viscosity of 39 mPa.s, dynamic shear force of 16 Pa, thixotropic data of 8 Pa, filtration of 5 mL, adhesion factor of 0. 055, retrieving ratio of cutting of 89. 5% and core permeability returned value is 87. 5%. This drilling fluid is non-toxic and environment acceptable.
Rearticulating New York Times v. Sullivan as a Social Duty to Journalists

During the frenzied run of presidential primaries in 2016, Republican nominee Donald Trump vowed to “open up” libel laws to make suing the media easier. This apparent attempt to resurrect seditious libel brought a flurry of debate about how American libel laws might be altered in this context. “We are going to have people sue you like you’ve never got sued before,” Trump said. This article seeks to rearticulate the landmark New York Times v. Sullivan decision as a case about social duty and the duty that is owed to journalists in an increasingly contentious political climate. I argue that protecting this right to criticize public officials and public figures is as important as ever in our democratic system. Sullivan was a case about civil rights, about the right of African-American leaders and the media to cover and criticize how the police behaved in the 1960s when faced with the social revolution of the civil rights movement. This essay also focuses on three previously unstudied cases filed by police of...
Mapping 3D genome architecture through in situ DNase Hi-C

With the advent of massively parallel sequencing, considerable work has gone into adapting chromosome conformation capture (3C) techniques to study chromosomal architecture at a genome-wide scale. We recently demonstrated that the inactive murine X chromosome adopts a bipartite structure using a novel 3C protocol, termed in situ DNase Hi-C. Like traditional Hi-C protocols, in situ DNase Hi-C requires that chromatin be chemically cross-linked, digested, end-repaired, and proximity-ligated with a biotinylated bridge adaptor. The resulting ligation products are optionally sheared, affinity-purified via streptavidin bead immobilization, and subjected to traditional next-generation library preparation for Illumina paired-end sequencing. Importantly, in situ DNase Hi-C obviates the dependence on a restriction enzyme to digest chromatin, instead relying on the endonuclease DNase I. Libraries generated by in situ DNase Hi-C have a higher effective resolution than traditional Hi-C libraries, which makes them valuable in cases in which high sequencing depth is allowed for, or when hybrid capture technologies are expected to be used. The protocol described here, which involves ∼4 d of bench work, is optimized for the study of mammalian cells, but it can be broadly applicable to any cell or tissue of interest, given experimental parameter optimization.
Symbol Manipulation Reexamined: An Approach to Bridging a Chasm

Epistemologists have long sought a firm basis on which to found knowledge. People are not firm and mechanical data-processing systems, but quivering masses of sensitive protoplasm. To be sure, our tissues are mechanically integrated with a loosely jointed framework of bone, and they communicate with each other electrically through an exceedingly complex system of neurons, glial cells, and other channels. But as a consequence, we function like trigger-sensitive amplifiers of minute events of both internal and external origin, and we are subject to all manner of delusions and illusions. How can such systems produce, let alone contain, certain knowledge? The answer to this fundamental epistemological problem, from the point of view that dominates Western science and philosophy today, comes to this in brief: individually, man’s claims to knowledge are to be mistrusted, but collectively, because of the syntactic and semantic properties of social codes called language, reliable, if not certain, knowledge is possible.
The Effects of Chronic Opiates Pain Therapy in Sickle Cell Anemia.

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients experience high rates of morbidity and early mortality. Hydroxyurea (HU) therapy is associated with decreased morbidity and mortality as well as improved patient health outcomes (Charache et al, 1995 and Steinberg et al, 2003). However, the effect of chronic opiate pain management on HU treatment outcomes is unknown. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of HU and chronic long acting opiate therapy-OxyContin, methadone, fentanyl and MS Contin-on the following laboratory parameters: white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Changes in these variables are known to be linked with HU effects on morbidity and mortality in SCD. 142 homozygous sickle cell anemia patients (75 females and 67 males) from the outpatient clinic at Duke University Medical Center were included in this study. Clinical data were collected by patient interview as well as review of medical records after informed consent. Patients were classified in 4 groups based on report of chronic daily use of long acting opiates and/or HU (current therapy with HU) as follows: No HU or opiates (None); opiates only; HU only; and HU and opiates. ANOVAs were used to identify combined effects of opiate therapy, HU therapy and the 3 laboratory parameters. Overall, we found that patients on HU (n=76, 54%), had lower WBC and higher Hb and MCV than the no HU patients (n=66, 46%), with p Download : Download high-res image (76KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
Elemental analysis of infant airborne particulate exposures.

Air pollution is hypothesized to have negative impacts on infant pulmonary health because of infants' increased rates of respiration and ongoing lung development. The severity and type of impact may differ depending on elemental concentrations. We conducted a study of 21 infants <6 months old whose parents carried a small personal particulate monitoring device (RTI MicroPEM) and GPS unit with the infant for 7 days in January and February 2015. The study area was Utah County, UT, USA. Real-time particulate exposure levels, as well as optical density and elemental analysis of the particulate matter (PM), were compared with levels from an outdoor stationary monitor. Infants spent an average of 87.4% of their time indoors. PM levels varied widely by infant and time of day (average=19.07 μg/m3, range=0.63-170.25 μg/m3). Infant particulate exposures were not well approximated by the outdoor monitor. Infants had lower exposures to Sb, Mn, Pb, W and Fe than the outdoor monitor and higher exposures to Cd, Ni and Na. Differences were most pronounced for Na. Brown carbon was only detected by personal monitors and not by the outdoor monitor. Further research is needed to understand the potential implications of indoor elemental exposures on early respiratory development.
Organizational Change and Evolution from a Knowledge-in-Practice Perspective

An extensive body of research on organizational change and development has significantly enhanced our understanding of these phenomena and the drivers and inhibitors of them. Traditional approaches...
Abstract 14697: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in nonagenarians: Midterm Outcomes and Quality of Life assessment

PCI in Nonagenarians: Mid-term outcomes and Quality of Life assessment Background: As the population ages, the number of nonagenarians is projected to increase at an unprecedented rate. A limited number of studies have demonstrated that these patients can be treated successfully with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). As these individuals continue to live longer, a greater number will require myocardial revascularization. However, mid-term clinical and functional benefits of PCI in this cohort of patients have not been clearly defined. Methods: Between January 2005 and June 2009, 173 patients 90 years and older underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization of which 93 patients had PCI. There were 48 males (52%) and 45 females (48%) with a mean age of 92.06 years (range: 90-101). Of these patients 24 (26%) presented with a STEMI, 32 (34%) patients with a Non-STEMI, 30 (32%)patients with unstable angina, 2 (2%) patients with stable angina, and 5 (5%) patients were studied for pre-operative risk assessment. Results: A total of 127 lesions were successfully treated utilizing 102 drug eluting stents and 37 bare metal stents with a mean of 1.5 stents per patient. Post-procedure complications included renal insufficiency in 5 patients (5.6%), congestive heart failure in 6 patients (6.7%) and cardiogenic shock in 2 patients (2.2%). Seventy-seven patients (85.6%) experienced no post-procedure complications. The in-hospital mortality was 7.8% and the actuarial survival was 61.5% ± 5.2% at 24 months and 31.6% ± 6.1% at 48 months. The Short Form 36 Health Survey was administered at follow-up and results demonstrated a quality of life similar to that of the general population corrected for age and gender. Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrates that PCI in nonagenarians can be accomplished with acceptable hospital mortality, morbidity and excellent mid-term results. Moreover, functional improvement in nonagenarians support an enhanced a quality of life comparable to that of the general population.
Examination into the effects of a second pregnancy on postpartum anhedonia and neuroimmune function

We have previously found that pregnancy (in first time mothers) produces significant anhedonia or depressive-like behavior immediately postpartum (Posilico and Schwarz, 2016). This anhedonia, as determined by a decrease in sucrose preference, is identical to that seen in female rats that are stressed for 1 week. We have also found that first time mothers have a striking increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 within both the medial prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, as well as a significant increase in Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) within the medial prefrontal cortex all on the day of birth. These two brain regions are important for modulating mood and behavior, and have been implicated in many mood disorders, including depression. Similarly, elevated levels of circulating IL-6 have been associated with clinical depression in humans (Rich et al., 2017). This would suggest one of two things: either rats experience a short-lived postpartum anhedonia (resembling the “baby blues” described in humans) that is driven by an increase in IL-6 within the medial prefrontal cortex or the hippocampus; or the stress of a first-time pregnancy may be the cause of increased IL-6 within the brain and the associated postpartum anhedonia. We have begun to examine these hypotheses by studying postpartum sucrose preference and cytokine expression to see whether second pregnancies are also associated with these changes in neuroimmune function and mood.
Thermometer Encoding: One Hot Way To Resist Adversarial Examples

It is well known that it is possible to construct "adversarial examples" for neural networks: inputs which are misclassified by the network yet indistinguishable from true data. We propose a simple modification to standard neural network architectures, thermometer encoding, which significantly increases the robustness of the network to adversarial examples. We demonstrate this robustness with experiments on the MNIST, CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100, and SVHN datasets, and show that models with thermometer-encoded inputs consistently have higher accuracy on adversarial examples, without decreasing generalization. State-of-the-art accuracy under the strongest known white-box attack was increased from 93.20% to 94.30% on MNIST and 50.00% to 79.16% on CIFAR-10. We explore the properties of these networks, providing evidence that thermometer encodings help neural networks to find more-non-linear decision boundaries.
Multilevel Matrix-Variate Analysis and Its Application to Accelerometry-Measured Physical Activity in Clinical Populations

The number of studies where the primary measurement is a matrix is exploding. In response to this, we propose a statistical framework for modeling populations of repeatedly observed matrix-variate ...
Characterization of the Interface of an Alloy 625 Overlay on Steels Using Nanoindentation

Industry standards require postweld heat treatment (PWHT) to reduce the heat-affected zone hardness of steels such as F22 (2.25Cr-1Mo) and AISI 8630 overlaid (clad) with Alloy 625 weld metal. PWHT results in carbon diffusion and accumulation at the interface between the steel and overlay. The accumulation of carbon in a planar solidification growth zone adjacent to the fusion boundary results in high hardness and the potential for hydrogen-assisted cracking. The planar growth zone (PGZ) is so narrow that normal Vickers hardness testing cannot fully reveal the hardness distribution in this zone. This study focused on the application of nanoindentation to characterize the hardness in the narrow microstructural regions adjacent to the fusion boundary. The development of nanohardness maps revealed that the PGZ is not necessarily the region that exhibits peak hardness after PWHT. The highest hardness values were associated with clusters of M7C3 carbides in specific subregions in the PGZ and also in the partially-mixed zone adjacent to the fusion boundary or in steel “swirl” structures. It was also confirmed in this study that nanohardness has a linear correlation with Vickers hardness values. The results presented here provide new insight into the role of carbon diffusion during PWHT and its effect on interface embrittlement associated with Alloy 625 overlays on steel.
Design of a New High Speed Amplifier Circuit for the Analog Subsystems

A high speed CMOS amplifier circuit with a new architecture especially suited for analog subsystems and a simple high speed CMOS comparator utilizing the proposed CMOS amplifier circuit are presented. The proposed circuit is simulated using 0.35 μm process parameters. The configuration results in several performance improvements over a typical CMOS differential to single ended amplifier. Design details and simulation results show that the newly designed CMOS amplifier circuit and the high speed CMOS comparator are applicable to high speed analog subsystems, especially the flash A/D converter.
Oxymetholone Therapy in Aplastic Anemia

Four consecutive children with acquired aplastic anemia, including one refractory to prolonged testosterone treatment, have responded to the synthetic anabolic drug oxymetholone. Three of these four are now off all medication and have remained well for eighteen to twenty-four months. A fifth child, with constitutional aplastic anemia refractory to testosterone therapy, has also improved while on oxymetholone. Mild virilization was the only side effect noted. Significant improvement in peripheral blood was noted in all five children during the second and third month of treatment. Oxymetholone appears to be a potent bone marrow stimulant.
Driver Accommodation Assessment Using Physics-Based Posture Prediction Model

Driver accommodation plays an important role in driver and vehicle safety. Many vehicles on the market do not have proper driver seat adjustment range due to the lack of efficient methods to assess an optimal adjustment range for all drivers. Traditional methods are mainly from experiments. They are time-consuming and expensive. This study aims to develop a simulation-based method by using physics-based posture prediction to assess driver accommodation easily and efficiently. Three different types of vehicles-a sedan (Car 1), a SUV (Car 2) and a truck (Car 3) were used to demonstrate the procedure of the proposed method. A global optimization technique-pattern search was adapted for solving the physics-based posture prediction. Population sampling method was used to generate the digital human models between 5th and 95th % females and males (in stature and weight) separately. Also, for a special population-pregnant woman, digital human models were created and used in simulations. The maximum break force 100 N was implemented in the prediction model. As a result, driver seat adjustment ranges in horizontal direction were found to be 218 ± 14, 222 ± 17 and 207 ± 12 mm for Car 1, Car 2 and Car 3, respectively. Likewise, adjustment ranges in vertical direction were found to be 54 ± 3, 57 ± 2 and 59 ± 3 mm. The proposed method can be used in early stages of design as a computer aided engineering tool in order to reduce time and cost.
Constructing the Immersive Interactive Sonification Platform (iISoP)

For decades, researchers have spurred research on sonification, the use of non-speech audio to convey information [1]. With ‘interaction’ and ‘user experience’ being pervasive, interactive sonification [2], an emerging interdisciplinary area, has been introduced and its role and importance have rapidly increased in the auditory display community. From this background, we have devised a novel platform, “iISoP” (immersive Interactive Sonification Platform) for location, movement, and gesture-based interactive sonification research, by leveraging the existing Immersive Visualization Studio (IVS) at Michigan Tech. Projects in each developmental phase and planned research are discussed with a focus on “design research” and “interactivity”.
Kinetics of photocatalytic, self-cleaning surfaces: A decision tree approach for determination of reaction order

Abstract Self-cleaning photocatalytic surfaces have several decades of application, yet satisfactory rate equations for analyzing the kinetics of reactions on such solid surfaces are lacking, due in large part to the many configurations of the catalyst and the deposited contaminants. We analyze the existing literature and show that nearly all studies can be described by application of the power law for rate of reaction: Rate = kcat [C] n where n = apparent reaction order, and kcat is a fundamental constant of the catalytic material. The value of reaction order, n, we show requires answers to the following six questions. In each case, the observed apparent kinetic order depends upon interplay among the distributions of photocatalyst, reactant, and irradiance. 1. Is the photocatalyst porous or non-porous? Example: Stearic acid on/within non-porous/porous photocatalyst layer. 2. Is the photocatalytically active layer optically thin or thick? Example: Dye conversion in TiO2 layers vs. 10% TiO2/SiO2? 3. Is the probe reactant deposit a submonolayer or multilayer? Examples: Dye sub/multilayers with TiO2 4. Is probe reactant light absorption negligible or important? Example: Stearic acid vs. soot 5. Is the probe reactant present as a continuous film or as a distribution of discrete islands? Example: Long chain carboxylic acids on TiO2 6. If distributed, what is breadth of distribution? Example: Stearic acid on TiO2 For contaminant removal we demonstrate apparent reaction orders of 0, ½, 1, and 2! Simple analysis is used to explain this diversity of apparent reaction orders. We use the six questions posed to construct a decision tree for determination of the apparent reaction order, n, as a function of responses to the six questions.
Prognostic correlation of plasma cell acid phosphatase and beta- glucuronidase in multiple myeloma: a Southwest Oncology Group study [see comments]

In 1982 a randomized trial of either alternating or syncopated VMCP/VBAP regimens for the treatment of active multiple myeloma was begun (Southwest Oncology Group Study 8229/30). A concurrent investigation was undertaken to evaluate the clinical importance and significance of cytochemically stainable plasma cell acid phosphatase (AP) and beta-glucuronidase enzymes (BG). Pretreatment bone marrow aspirates were available for analysis from 399 patients for AP and 398 patients for BG. The AP scores ranged between 42 and 395, and the BG scores ranged between 1 and 346. There was a significant increase of AP (P = .001) and BG (P = .002) in multiple myeloma as compared with a set of patients with benign plasmacytosis. The enzyme scores did not significantly relate to Ig idiotype of myeloma or other prognostic variables except that the BG scores varied significantly with the level of albumin (P = .03) and hemoglobin (P = .01). Analysis of patient groups with different levels of enzyme scores showed that 61 of 398 patients with an AP score of less than 130 had a poorer median survival of 1.7 versus 2.8 years for patients with higher scores (P = .001). In the multivariate analysis of survival, low AP score was an important prognostic factor (P = .006), but BG did not contribute significantly. It is suggested that the subset of patients presenting with low AP should be considered for specialized or more aggressive therapy.
Attitudinal and mathematical assessments as measures of student success in a college general chemistry II course

This study reports results from administering unannounced attitudinal and mathematical assessments to 118 students, at the beginning of the term, in second-semester general chemistry classes (designed for science majors) at Eastern Michigan University. Testing was conducted during the 2010-2011 school year. The question to be answered was: which is more important in determining student course grades, attitudes toward chemistry and mathematics, or mathematical skill? The hypothesis was that attitudes and mathematical skill equally affect final course grade. A modified Wiebe instrument was selected to evaluate student attitudes toward chemistry and mathematics. To evaluate student mathematical skills, this study employed a mathematics assessment developed and performed at the University of Minnesota, and hence will be called the Minnesota Mathematics Assessment or MMA—a 20-question, multiple choice quiz designed for second-semester general chemistry students. Results were inter-correlated to determine what factors influenced student success. This study found a strong correlation between mathematics attitudes and chemistry attitudes, with a Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r) of 0.50. Between course grade vs. either chemical attitudes or mathematics attitudes, the r values were 0.25 and 0.23 respectively, showing weak correlations. The correlation of course grade versus total MMA score gave an r value of 0.35, a moderate correlation. Comparison of the current study's MMA results with those of a previous Minnesota study demonstrates that the MMA is reproducible. The correlation coefficient found for course grade vs. total MMA score was comparable to that found in the Minnesota study. Analysis of the 20-question MMA data resulted in a 10-question subgroup whose r = 0.41. Although some gender attitude differences were found, these did not correlate with course grade.
Lateral Temporal Subcutaneous Brow Lift: Clinical Experience and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background Numerous techniques have been described to correct brow aesthetics in facial rejuvenation. We report the senior author's (A.M.) current approach for eyebrow elevation utilizing a lateral subcutaneous brow lift and, when indicated, a medial subgaleal brow lift. Furthermore, a systematic review of the literature was performed comparing the different surgical approaches and techniques. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed using the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. Studies were included if the content was original, provided outcome data, and complications. Results The senior author (A.M.) has performed over 500 lateral temporal subcutaneous brow lifts for lateral brow ptosis. The vast majority was highly satisfied with the outcome and there were minimal complications. This represents the largest series of patients utilizing this technique. Twenty-six articles were reviewed and 5 met our screening criteria and were analyzed critically for inclusion and further objective review. All of the studies were retrospective in nature and report high patient satisfaction with an acceptable risk profile. Conclusions In this study, we described the largest series of patients undergoing lateral subcutaneous brow lifts (n > 500), as well as a systematic review of the current literature. The current literature described an overall high degree of patient satisfaction with low complication rates, similar to the senior author's (A.M.) experience. This technique has emerged as a reliable technique for lateral brow elevation with a very low and acceptable risk profile.
Dioxin-like compound exposures and DNA methylation in the Anniston Community Health Survey Phase II

The Anniston Community Health Survey (ACHS-I) was initially conducted from 2005 to 2007 to assess polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposures in Anniston, Alabama residents. In 2014, a follow-up study (ACHS-II) was conducted to measure the same PCBs as in ACHS-I and additional compounds e.g., polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like non-ortho (cPCBs) substituted PCBs. In this epigenome-wide association study (EWAS), we examined the associations between PCDD, PCDF, and PCB exposures and DNA methylation. Whole blood DNA methylation was measured using Illumina EPIC arrays (n=292). We modeled lipid-adjusted toxic equivalencies (TEQs) for: ΣDioxins (sum of 28 PCDDs, PCDFs, cPCBs, and mPCBs), PCDDs, PCDFs, cPCBs, and mPCBs using robust multivariable linear regression adjusting for age, race, sex, smoking, bisulfite conversion batch, and estimated percentages of six blood cell types. Among all exposures we identified 10 genome-wide (Bonferroni p≤6.74E-08) and 116 FDR (p≤5.00E-02) significant associations representing 10 and 113 unique CpGs, respectively. Of the 10 genome-wide associations, seven (70%) occurred in the PCDDs and four (40%) of these associations had an absolute differential methylation ≥1.00%, based on the methylation difference between the highest and lowest exposure quartiles. Most of the associations (six, 60%) represented hypomethylation changes. Of the 10 unique CpGs, eight (80%) were in genes shown to be associated with dioxins and/or PCBs based on data from the 2019 Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. In this study, we have identified a set of CpGs in blood DNA that may be particularly susceptible to dioxin, furan, and dioxin-like PCB exposures.
Interplay of Effective Surface Area, Mass Transport,and Electrochemical Features in Nanoporous Nucleic Acid Sensors

Electrochemical biosensors transduce biochemical events (e.g., DNA hybridization) to electrical signals and can be readily interfaced with electronic instrumentation for portability. Nanostructuring the working electrode enhances sensor performance via augmented effective surface area that increases the capture probability of an analyte. However, increasing the effective surface area via thicker nanostructured electrodes hinders the analyte's permeation into the nanostructured volume and limits its access to deeper electrode surfaces. Here, we use nanoporous gold (np-Au) with various thicknesses and pore morphologies coupled with a methylene blue (MB) reporter-tagged DNA probe for DNA target detection as a model system to study the influence of electrode features on electrochemical sensing performance. Independent of the DNA target concentration, the hybridization current (surrogate for detection sensitivity) increases with the surface enhancement factor (EF), until an EF of ∼5, after which the sensor performance deteriorates. Electrochemical and fluorometric quantification of a desorbed DNA probe suggest that DNA permeation is severely limited for higher EFs. In addition, undesirable capacitive currents disguise the faradaic currents from the MB reporter at larger EFs that require higher square wave voltammetry (SWV) frequencies. Finally, a real-time hybridization study reveals that expanding the effective surface area beyond EFs of ∼5 decreases sensor performance.
Neural Network Molecular Dynamics at Scale

Neural network molecular dynamics (NNMD) simulations could revolutionize atomistic modeling of materials with quantum-mechanical accuracy at a fraction of computational cost. However, popular NNMD frameworks are generally implemented for a single computing node, and conventional energy-based NN models still suffer from large time-to-solution (T2S), prohibiting the application of NNMD to challenging materials simulations encompassing large spatiotemporal scales. Consequently, no leadership-scale NNMD simulation has thus far been reported. Here, we present a scalable parallel NNMD software (RXMD-NN) based on our scalable reactive molecular dynamics simulation engine named RXMD. RXMD-NN has achieved high scalability up to 786,432 IBM BlueGene/Q cores involving 1.7 billion atoms. Furthermore, we have achieved 4.6-fold reduction of T2S by using a novel network that directly predicts atomic forces from feature vectors. Reduced T2S has for the first time allowed the study of large-scale off-stoichiometry effect in a widely used phase change material, Ge 2 Se 2 Te 5 , thereby resolving its “firstsharp diffraction peak mystery”.
Bank globalization and efficiency: Host- and home-country effects.

Abstract Analyzing 126 countries for 1995–2013, we investigate the link between bank globalization and efficiency from the perspective of both host and home countries. We find strong and consistent evidence that foreign bank entry is associated with lower efficiency in host countries (host-country effect), while foreign expansion in the banking sector improves the efficiency of banks at home (home-country effect). We further observe that the effect of bank globalization is dependent on the regulatory and institutional regimes of the respective host (home) countries. Specifically, stringent activity restrictions, tight supervision, fewer limitations on foreign banks, lower market entry barriers, and less government interference all help mitigate the efficiency loss from foreign bank entry. Less supervision power, multiple supervisors, more restrictions on foreign banks, and a competitive banking market are all conducive to the higher efficiency gain of incumbent domestic banks from the respective country’s outward investments in the banking sector. Moreover, we find that the adverse impact on efficiency from foreign bank presence is less pronounced for less risky, more profitable, and larger banks, while banks that are more efficient, more profitable, taking on more risk, and/or smaller gain more efficiency from their country’s foreign expansion.
Therapeutics as Control: Model-Based Control Discovery for Sepsis

The fundamental challenge posed by the “translational dilemma” is the ability to translate the results of basic science research into effective therapeutics. This chapter takes the perspective that the goal of medicine is treatment of disease, and that such treatment can be cast as a control problem. More specifically, the general concept of “personalized” and “precision” medicine should be approached as a control discovery task, for which there are existing tools and methods that rely on the development and use of mathematical and computational models. As opposed to the common usages of “precision” and “personalized” medicine, we specifically identify four axioms that define “precision medicine” and serve as criteria to be met in the control discovery process: (1) personalization; (2) precision; (3) treatment; and (4) inclusiveness, as related to determining appropriate interventions to treat complex diseases. Mechanistic mathematical and computational models, with their roots in optimization and control theory, play a critical role in discovering modalities of control. Though success relies heavily on sufficiently detailed mechanistic models for which development, calibration, and evaluation are formidable tasks, we assert that this approach provides the only foreseeable way forward for successfully achieving personalized, precision medicine.
Association Between Changes in Social Distancing Policies in Ohio and Traffic Volume and Injuries, January Through July 2020.

This study compares traffic volume and motor vehicle crash injuries before, during, and after state-of-emergency and stay-at-home orders in the state of Ohio from January to July 2020 vs the same period in 2019.
Immobilized cultivation of the red macroalga Ochtodes secundiramea via fluid injection of clonal shoot tissues onto porous mesh panels

Abstract This study investigated the feasibility of cultivating clonal red macroalgae on a porous mesh support. Clonal plantlets of macrophytic red alga Ochtodes secundiramea served as the model culture system. The morphology of O. secundiramea is defined by highly-branched shoot tissues. Plantlets were mechanically blended (8000 rpm, 7 s) and allowed to recover for 7 days prior to immobilization. A 2.0 g FW L−1 slurry of 3 mm branched shoot tissues was injected onto a fiberglass mesh with 1.6 mm openings in 0.5 s bursts at pressure of 8 bar and nominal fluid velocity of 1.7 m s−1. Each burst deposited a 25 mg shoot tissue cluster onto the mesh. Clusters were placed on a rectangular pitch at decreasing intervals of 20, 12, 8, and 6 mm (contiguous layer) in order to increase the inoculation density. A parallel array of upright, plantlet-inoculated mesh panels was positioned at the base of an aerated, externally illuminated tank, and enriched artificial seawater medium flowed across both sides of each panel. Biomass growth was linear with time, and increased by a factor of 10 over the 28 day cultivation period. Increasing panel inoculation density from 49 to 114 g FW m−2 panel mesh area doubled panel biomass productivity from 14.5 to 28.6 g FW m−2 day−1. Immobilized plantlets proliferated outward across the mesh surface to form a highly branched, densified shoot tissue mass about 1.5 cm thick, and final panel biomass coverage exceeding 3.0 kg FW per m2 of active panel area was achieved. Overall, the outcomes of this study demonstrate that pressurized fluid injection of clonal plantlets onto a mesh surface, and the subsequent proliferation of the shoot tissues on the mesh to form a contiguous panel, offers potential for the future automation and intensification of red macroalgal biomass production.
Let's talk dementia

Introduction: By 2021 over one million people will be living with dementia (1) costing the government an estimated £30bn a year (2). However, cognitive decline is often misdiagnosed or missed completely in hospital admissions, resulting in delays in detection and treatment for patients. Quick and simple screening tools such as the Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) could help provide early detection and faster treatment times for such patients. Data from Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn showed that only 56.8% of patients over the age of 75 were being assessed for cognitive function on admission, while the national targets are set at 90%. Methods: A multi-cycle, trust wide, quality improvement project was used to improve screening outcomes for dementia in QEHKL. A baseline measure of screening was taken by QEHKL coding department. Five PDSA (Plan Do Study Act) cycles were undertaken, implementing interventions to aid screening at each stage. Examples include improved medical clerking booklets, trust wide education and allocated ward 'Dementia Champions'. Performance was assessed by auditors, through patient notes and discharge letters. Results: Over a 4-month period, 432 patient notes were inspected on six medical wards. Results after interventions showed a significant rise in Dementia Screening from 58.7% to 89.8%. AMTS completion was 70.7% in September 2020 on medical wards which improved to 85.7% in November 2020. Results were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic however, COVID wards were excluded. Conclusion: TheQI project has highlighted that education and accessible tools can improve cognitive screening numbers. An important note is, due to increased pressures during the COVID pandemic it is plausible that screening rates were adversely affected. Despite this, our figures still show positive improvement. The next cycle of our project includes surgical wards and we expect by the time of presentation to have this data to show.
Poetry Machines: Eliciting Designs for Interactive Writing Tools from Poets

Improvements in natural language processing and generation have made possible new and powerful creativity support tools for creative writers. However, it remains unclear how professional writers themselves might want to integrate technology into their existing writing practices. In this work we ran an elicitation study, asking 14 professional poets to consider how they would make use of computation in the context of a custom, interactive writing interface or “Poetry Machine.” We found that the poets desired a wide range of functions, from presenting auditory responses to deleting random words. We also found that many poets did not simply report what their ideal interface would do but rather contextualized their designs by describing why they are artistically meaningful, sometimes with respect to specific literary influences and traditions. We present an initial analysis of the elicitation study and observe some differences between the Poetry Machine designs and existing creativity support tools. This study lays the groundwork for a second phase where we will build a selection of the machines and study how the poets use them over time.
Bioinformatics Pre-Processing of Microbiome Data with An Application to Metagenomic Forensics

One of the key challenges in metagenomic forensics is to establish a microbial fingerprint that can help in the prediction of the geographical origin of the metagenomic samples. Understanding a combination of different aspects such as microbiome sample sources, sequencing technologies, bioinformatics processing, statistical and machine learning methods, play a vital role in a comprehensive analysis of metagenomic data. We demonstrate the analysis of metagenomic samples from 23 different cities around the world to construct classification models that can be utilized to predict the geographical location for unknown samples obtained from these regions. We also describe the bioinformatics pre-processing of the raw sequencing data and estimate the abundance profiles of microbes in the samples using multiple tools. For the prediction of the geographical origin of samples, we trained and evaluated a variety of supervised learning classifiers including an adaptive optimal ensemble classifier that performs well on different data generating procedures.
Cloaca, Posterior Cloaca and Absent Penis Spectrum

Cloaca This is one of the most extensive chapters of the book because of its relevance. Since 1982, when the first cloaca was repaired via posterior sagittal approach, over 500 cases have been operated by the senior author, and many lessons have been learned. Based on this experience, it is that now cloacas are described as a spectrum of defects with multiple anatomic variations. For each anatomic variation, a different surgical maneuver is indicated. This experience is presented in a systematic way, describing what is called the decision-making algorithm in the management of cloacas, beginning with a simple type of defects with excellent functional prognosis and going into more complex defects, describing different surgical alternatives. Special emphasis is placed on the surgical treatment of cloacas with good functional prognosis with a common channel shorter than 3 cm, describing in detail a very valuable surgical maneuver called “total urogenital mobilization.” This is illustrated with photographic intraoperative material, artwork, and special animations. Also, this type of material is presented to describe more complex maneuvers like “vaginal switch” and vaginal replacement. Space is dedicated to the neonatal management of patients with cloacas because of its relevance for the preservation of renal function. Subsequently, the authors present a detailed description of the best way to protect the kidneys after the repair, considering the fact that most of these patients have very important urologic issues. Further discussion is focused on the obstetric and gynecologic implications of cloacas based on the long-term follow-up of patients born with these defects.
Polarized Substructural Session Types

The deep connection between session-typed concurrency and linear logic is embodied in the language SILL that integrates functional and message-passing concurrent programming. The exacting nature of linear typing provides strong guarantees, such as global progress, absence of deadlock, and race freedom, but it also requires explicit resource management by the programmer. This burden is alleviated in an affine type system where resources need not be used, relying on a simple form of garbage collection.
The New OCR Antisemitism Policy

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued important policy guidance on bullying and harassment in October 2010. Although easily overlooked within this policy document, OCR's new guidance includes an important statement regarding OCR's position on anti-Semitism within federally funded educational programs and activities. In a nutshell, OCR has reinstated its long-disregarded 2004 policy, which had established that OCR would prosecute cases of harassment that are based on ethnic or ancestral discrimination, even though OCR lacks jurisdiction to address cases of purely religious discrimination. This conference paper, delivered at the inaugural symposium of the Journal for the Study of Antisemitism, argues that the Obama administration's October 2010 OCR anti-Semitism policy is a bold and important advance but that its success or failure in practice will depend on three questions: First, can OCR properly define anti-Semitism in practice, distinguishing it where appropriate from non-discriminatory criticism of the State of Israel? Second, can OCR properly respect the boundaries between harassment law and the Speech Clause of the First Amendment? Third, will Congress close the remaining loophole which permits discrimination against ethno-religious minorities if it is based exclusively on religion but not if it is based in part on ethnicity?