cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIV prevention research: cumulative knowledge or accumulating studies? An introduction to the HIV/AIDS prevention research synthesis project supplement.

The disease now called AIDS was first reported in 1981, and we now have almost two decades of research on preventing infection with HIV, the causative agent of AIDS. During this time, many reviews of HIV prevention research have been published, including several books produced by National Academy of Science/National Institute of Medicine panels (1–3), the Proceedings of a National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference (4,5), as well as numerous edited textbooks (e.g., 6), and review articles (e.g., 7,8). The reviews of HIV intervention research may be broadly summarized in terms of the following findings:
The insect exoskeleton: A natural structural composite

Through untold centuries of evolutionary development, the insect exoskeleton has become a highly optimized structure suited to a variety of demanding duties. Microscopic examination of the bessbeetle cuticle indicates that it is a composite consisting of layered plies having fiber orientations that alternate in a dual helicoidal pattern. Further, the geometry and size of the reinforcing fibers varies with the position of the ply. Several interesting structures discovered in the insect exoskeleton may provide fodder for new ideas on composite joining, ply orientation and fiber size and geometry.
A Microburst Response and Recovery Scheme Using Advanced Flight Envelope Protection

*† ‡ An updated flight envelope protection scheme is presented for responding to and recovering from a microburst encounter. By limiting the maximum allowable inertial deceleration, the amount of thrust applied as an aircraft enters a microburst can be regulated and kept above a minimum amount. Having a certain amount of thrust applied while entering a microburst ensures that enough thrust is constantly produced throughout the encounter, such that an aircraft can gain sufficient airspeed as it is crossing the microburst, preventing stall and resulting in minimal loss of altitude. The scheme is updated with a new aerodynamic model with new nonlinear characteristics, an updated thrust model, and a predictive inverse controller. Simulations are conducted in MATLAB ® and X-Plane ® , and the controller is shown to exhibit an improved recovery profile over the non-augmented case.
The Competitive Implications of Relevant-Set/Response Analysis:

Consumers choose from a relevant set of brands. Advertising encourages consumers to consider a brand as relevant. Price and other variables influence consumer choice among relevant brands. The auth...
PLACE TIES AND MIGRATION EXPECTATIONS OF A CENTRAL CITY POPULATION

This research examines potential out-migration from central city Chicago to places outside the Chicago SMSA. Traditional explanations of potential out-migration have incorporated two types of factors: socioeconomic characteristics and ties to community of residence. We add to these the consideration of ties to other places that may contribute to the expectation of leaving a place. Using a sample of 347 Chicago residents, ties to places outside the Chicago area are first examined. Those based on previous residential experience, regular vacation behavior, and close relatives are found to be most common. These ties, in addition to ties to Chicago and socioeconomic characteristics, are then used as predictor variables in a multiple discriminant analysis that distinguishes between expected movers and expected stayers. Ties to Chicago appear to be most important, although an additional and unique influence is exerted by ties to places outside the Chicago area. Overall, 82% of both expected movers and expected s...
Study on Clinical Practice and Exploration Teaching of Critical Care Medicine

Critical care medicine is a new and developing extremely fast subject.Critical illness is complex and changeable,so it is very strong professional.The clinical training of critical care medicine has important significance.According to the problem encountered in the practice we should strengthen the construction of teaching contingent,improve students' theoretical level,focusing on cultivate students' thinking ability and clinical skil,pay attention to cultivate students' operation ability and doctor-patient communication ability,emphasis on organization discipline to improve comprehensively the overall quality of students.
COORDINATION OF STARTLE AND SWIMMING NEURAL SYSTEMS IN THE PTEROPOD MOLLUSK CLIONE LIMACINA : ROLE OF THE CEREBRAL CHOLINERGIC INTERNEURON

Norekian, Tigran P. Coordination of startle and swimming neural systems in the pteropod mollusk Clione limacina: role of the cerebral cholinergic interneuron. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 308–320, 1997. Th...
Abstract 3995: pVAC-Seq: A genome-guidedin silicoapproach to identify tumor neoantigens for personalized immunotherapy

Despite the recent surge in high-throughput sequencing of cancer genomes, the challenge of translating these data into clinically actionable information remains. One promising approach involves the identification of tumor-specific mutant antigens (‘TSMAs’ or neoantigens) via massively parallel sequencing and analysis of matched cancer and normal samples that can be used to create personalized vaccines. In the past, this effort has primarily focused on targeting selection of ‘shared’ tumor antigens, found across many patients. Here, we advocate a more ‘personalized’ approach. These unique antigenic markers or TSMAs arise from numerous genetic changes, acquired somatically that are present exclusively in tumor (mutant) and not in normal (wild- type) cells. Vaccines incorporate these short, antigen-derived peptides (called epitopes) that aim to enhance the immune system9s anti-tumor activity by selectively increasing the frequency of anti-tumor specific CD8+ T-cell antigens, and hence expand the ability of the immune system to recognize and destroy cancerous cells. Selecting the best/most immunogenic epitopes from a large number of mutations is an important challenge, in particular in cases of high mutational load such as melanoma and lung cancer. To address this need, we have developed an in silico based sequence analysis method for identification and subsequent refinement of patient-specific antigens for use in personalized vaccines. This flexible and streamlined computational workflow for identification of personalized variant antigens by cancer sequencing (pVAC-Seq) integrates tumor mutation and expression data (DNA- and RNA-Seq) to shortlist candidate neoantigen peptides for a personalized vaccine. Harnessing existing class I prediction algorithms, high-affinity neoantigens over varying peptide lengths are evaluated. To demonstrate the workings of pVAC-Seq, we applied it to four metastatic melanoma patients, the clinical results for three of whom were described previously. These patients were enrolled in a phase 1 vaccine clinical trial employing autologous, functionally mature, interleukin (IL)-12p70-producing dendritic cells (DC). Since melanoma patients harbor hundreds of mutations, it can be challenging to filter down and target the best set of potentially immunogenic neoantigens for vaccine design. By implementing the methods developed in pVAC-Seq, we were able to rapidly streamline the screening and identification of a smaller number of potentially immunogenic neoepitopes within the landscape of all neoepitopes. Citation Format: Jasreet Hundal, Beatriz M. Carreno, Allegra A. Petti, Gerald P. Linette, Obi L. Griffith, Malachi Griffith, Elaine R. Mardis. pVAC-Seq: A genome-guided in silico approach to identify tumor neoantigens for personalized immunotherapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3995.
Improving the medical school-residency transition.

SummaryBackground In response to calls to improve the continuum between undergraduate and graduate medical education, many medical schools are creating electives designed to prepare students for residency training. There is a need for data that link improvements from these residency preparation courses to residency itself. Data is needed that links improvements from these residency preparation courses to residency Objective To examine senior medical student performance on the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Preparation for Residency Knowledge Assessment before and after an obstetrics and gynaecology residency preparation elective, and to determine whether the knowledge improvements persisted to the start of the residency. Methods All 13 students enrolled in the course completed the APGO knowledge assessment on the first and last day of the elective. Three months later, the students were asked to re-take the assessment immediately prior to the start of their residency. Results There was improvement in mean scores from the pre-test score of 66.4 per cent to the post-test score of 77.4 per cent. At the time of the pre-test, three of the 13 students (23%) had passing scores (70% or greater), and at the time of the post-test, 11 of the 13 (85%) had passing scores. Nine of the 13 students (69%) completed the APGO knowledge assessment immediately prior to the start of their residency. Those nine students had a mean pre-residency score of 76.4 per cent. Eight of the nine students (89%) passed the pre-residency test. Conclusions Our data support the value of residency preparation electives for improving knowledge, and suggest that senior medical school electives can help to bridge the continuum between undergraduate and graduate medical education.
June 1976 Pollution of Long Island Ocean Beaches

In June 1976, Long Island's ocean beaches were inundated with floating wastes including sewage-related material, trash, and garbage. The material exited the Hudson-Raritan estuary as a result of high spring runoff and intensive May rains. Once introduced into New York Bight waters, it was transported to the beaches by persistent southerly winds. The major sources of the floatable wastes were urban runoff and sewage treatment plant bypassing feeding through the combined sewer system. Assessment was accomplished by comparing waste materials found on the beaches with the types and volumes of materials associated with suspected sources. Continual washups of floatable material can be expected, particularly during summer months, until better source and screening controls are implemented.
Abstract 252: 6ß-Hydroxytestosterone, A Cytochrome P450 1B1 Metabolite of Testosterone, Enhances Angiotensin II-Induced Pressor Effect in Male Mice

Androgens have been implicated in the development of hypertension and castration minimizes the pressor effect of angiotensin (Ang) II. Previously we showed that Ang II-induced hypertension and associated pathophysiological changes are diminished in male cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1B1 gene disrupted mice. Since CYP1B1 metabolizes testosterone to 6β-hydroxytestosterone (6β-OHT); this study was conducted to determine its contribution in modulation of Ang II-induced hypertension. Eight weeks old male Cyp1b1+/+ and Cyp1b1-/- mice were either castrated or injected with 6β-OHT (15 μg/g, i.p. every 3rd day) or vehicle (DMSO, 50 μl), infused with Ang II (700 ng/kg/min) or vehicle for 2 weeks, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by tail cuff. Castration attenuated Ang II-induced increase in SBP in both Cyp1b1+/+ (184 ± 6 vs. 129 ± 4 mmHg, P
Genetic markers and genotyping methodologies: an overview.

The 20th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry was held on November 14–18, 1999 in Philadelphia, PA. A special platform and poster session on the topic “Genetic Diversity of Populations as an Indicator of Population Vulnerability” was organized by Drs. P. Dimsoski and S. Silbiger of the US EPA. National Environmental Research Laboratory in Cincinnati, OH. The platform session featured ten presentations by invited speakers and was co-chaired by Dr. P. Dimsoski of the US EPA and Dr. S. J. D’Surney of the University of Mississippi. Three invited poster presentations on this special topic were also presented. At previous SETAC meetings, presentations related to the topic of environmental population genetics were included under bioindicator topic settings and the special platform and poster session at the 1999 meeting encouraged leading researchers in this emerging scientific discipline to conduct an integrated forum on the genetic diversity of populations as an indicator for environmental monitoring and assessment. Population genetic diversity has been proposed as a bioindicator of a population’s vulnerability to natural
Mission of Change in Southwest Alaska: Conversations with Father René Astruc and Paul Dixon on Their Work with Yup’ik People, 1950-1988. By Ann Fienup-Riordan

When Rene Astruc was growing up in a tiny apartment in Versailles, a Paris suburb where people with families lived, he used to run around the palace gardens in the years before World War II. It was...
Expanded Satellite Repeats Amplify a Discrete CENP-A Nucleosome Assembly Site on Chromosomes that Drive in Female Meiosis

Female meiosis provides an opportunity for selfish genetic elements to violate Mendel's law of segregation by increasing the chance of segregating to the egg [1]. Centromeres and other repetitive sequences can drive in meiosis by cheating the segregation process [2], but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, we show that centromeres with more satellite repeats house more nucleosomes that confer centromere identity, containing the histone H3 variant CENP-A, and bias their segregation to the egg relative to centromeres with fewer repeats. CENP-A nucleosomes predominantly occupy a single site within the repeating unit that becomes limiting for centromere assembly on smaller centromeres. We propose that amplified repetitive sequences act as selfish elements by promoting expansion of CENP-A chromatin and increased transmission through the female germline.
Perspectives from the Society for Pediatric Research: Decreased Effectiveness of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine

The intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), FluMist, has been widely appreciated by pediatricians, parents, and children alike for its ease of administration. However, concerns regarding lack of effectiveness in recent influenza seasons led to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation to administer inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVs), and not LAIV, during the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons. Given that data from previous years demonstrated equivalent and even improved efficacy of LAIV compared with IIV, these recent data were surprising, raising many questions about the potential mechanisms underlying this change. This review seeks to summarize the history of LAIV studies and ACIP recommendations with a focus on the recent decrease in vaccine effectiveness (VE) and discordant results among studies performed in different countries. Decreased VE for A/H1N1pdm09 viruses represents the most consistent finding across studies, as VE has been low every season these viruses predominated since 2010–11. Potential explanations underlying diminished effectiveness include the hypothesis that prior vaccination, reduced thermostability of A/H1N1pdm09, addition of a fourth virus, or reduced replication fitness of A/H1N1pdm09 strains may have contributed to this phenomenon. Ongoing studies and potential alterations to LAIV formulations provide hope for a return of effective LAIV in future influenza seasons.
Observations of Right-Moving Supercell Motion Forecast Errors

AbstractTwo shear-based supercell motion forecast methods are assessed to understand how each method performs under differing environmental conditions for observed right-moving supercells. Accordingly, a 573-case observational dataset is partitioned into small versus large values of environmental and storm-related variables such as bulk wind shear, convective available potential energy, mean wind, storm motion, and storm-relative helicity (SRH). In addition, hodographs are partitioned based on the tornado damage scale, as well as where the storm motion falls among the four quadrants. With respect to the 573-case dataset, the largest supercell motion forecast errors generally occur when the (i) observed midlevel (4–5 km AGL) storm-relative winds are either anomalously weak or strong, (ii) observed 0–3-km AGL SRH is large, (iii) supercell motion is fast, (iv) convective inhibition is strong, or (v) the surface–500-mb (1 mb = 1 hPa) RH is low. Moreover, significantly tornadic supercells are biased 1.2 m s−1 ...
Prospects for magnetic field communications and location using quantum sensors.

Signal attenuation limits the operating range in wireless communications and location. To solve the reduced range problem, we can use low-frequency signals in combination with magnetic sensing. We propose the use of an optically pumped magnetometer as a sensor and realize a proof-of-principle detection of binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulated signals. We demonstrate a ranging enhancement by exploiting both the magnetometer’s intrinsic sensitivity of below 1 pT/Hz1/2 and its 1 kHz operating bandwidth through the use of BPSK signals.
Length of Stay and Cost of Pediatric Readmissions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Readmissions burden the health care system. Despite increasing attention to readmission rates, little is known about the duration and cost of readmissions. The objective of this study was to assess, nationally, the length of stay (LOS) and costs for 30-day readmissions in children. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 30-day readmissions by using the 2013 Nationwide Readmissions Database. We used generalized linear mixed effects models adjusted for important clinical and demographic factors to assess LOS and cost for index admissions, readmissions, and the episode of care (index admission plus readmission). RESULTS: A total of 125 183 (4.5%) children had a 30-day readmission; 87.1% of readmissions were to the same hospital. Readmitted children had an adjusted episode LOS that was 2 times longer (5.8 vs 2.9 days) and total costs that were 2.3 times higher ($12 250 vs $5340) than those who were not readmitted. Associations of readmissions with episode LOS and costs varied significantly by condition (P CONCLUSIONS: Readmitted children spend twice as many days in the hospital compared with children who are not readmitted and have higher hospital costs, especially when readmitted to a different hospital. In addition to readmission rate, readmission metrics may benefit from measurement of total LOS and costs for both the index admission and its associated readmission.
Static, Kinetic, and Isotherm Adsorption Performances of Macroporous Adsorbent Resins for Recovery and Enrichment of Bioactive Procyanidins from Cranberry Pomace.

This study examined the ability of five Amberlite resins coupled with ultrasound-assisted water extraction for the recovery and enrichment of bioactive procyanidins and total phenolics from cranberry pomace. Static adsorption showed that XAD-7HP had the highest adsorption capacity for procyanidins (52.2 mg/g resin) and total phenolics (99.1 mg/g resin) whereas XAD-761 had the lowest. Adsorption of procyanidins fitted better to pseudo-second-order kinetics than pseudo-first-order kinetics. Isotherm adsorption on XAD-7HP suggested that Langmuir isotherm was a better model to describe the adsorption of procyanidins while Kemkin-Pyzhev equation was better for total phenolics based on higher coefficient of determinations (R2 ). Dynamic tests on XAD-7HP suggested that the flow rate of 7 and 8 mL/min were the optimum conditions for adsorption and desorption of procyanidins, respectively. Measurements using HPLC revealed that adsorption increased the contents of procyanidins and total phenolics by 4.57- and 4.73-folds, respectively, compared to the initial extracts. This research showed that Amberlite XAD-7HP resin adsorption coupled with ultrasound-assisted water extraction is an efficient method to separate and concentrate procyanidins from cranberry pomace.
Cybersecurity: 1) what math is necessary and 2) developing ubiquitous cybersecurity in current computing programs

The original purpose of this research project was to clarify what math topics and courses would be most helpful in preparing students for a program of study in cybersecurity and eventually for success in that professional environment. After that research question was generally solved in this study, more pertinent issues became apparent, namely, the need for seamless integration of cybersecurity practices into all computing courses and topics, and the urgency to promote the need for cyber professionals so as to motivate students to pursue degrees in all types of cybersecurity. This paper is a report of both what specific math topics are needed for success in various aspects of cybersecurity and possible ways to integrate cybersecurity content into many or most of the courses of an academic computing program. The daunting problem of recruiting more students into cybersecurity degree programs still remains, but maybe its mere awareness will focus more attention toward it.
Mesoamerican Metallurgy: the Perspective from the West

In Mesoamerica metallurgy developed relatively late, after state level societies had merged in several regions. Our data indicate that metallurgy was introduced from the south, along the Pacific coast, from Northern South America and also from Colombia and Lower Center America. The first evidence comes from western Mexico a region rich in ore mineral resources. That evidence dates to about 700C.E. Within a few hundred years, metalworkers in the region were using bronze, (copper-arsenic, and copper-tin) and copper-silver metal sheet. Mesoamerica constitutes an unambiguous case of technology transfer, and the most interesting aspect of this situation is what Mesoamerican peoples did with metal—a totally new material during the 900 year period before the Spanish invasion. They were interested in those properties—sound, color and reflectivity—unique to it. The object they made, display items, sheet metal beastplates, crowns and objects that sounded, bells, made these choices clear. Other technical option were available, especially given their use of and facility with bronze, (copper-tin and copper-arsenic) so that the Mesoamerican case provides a clear example of the ways in which social exigencies can shape and determine technological outcomes.
OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE OF THE HEAT-SHOCK GENE REGULATORY NETWORK

Abstract In this work, we study the optimality principles in the heat shock system, a cellular response that refers to the mechanism by which organisms react to a sudden increase in the ambient temperature. The consequence of such a temperature increase at the cellular level is the unfolding of cell proteins, which threatens the life of the cell. This increase in damaged proteins is usually counteracted by a simultaneous increase in the level of the so called heat shock proteins that are necessary for protein refolding. Their production, however, is metabolically costly and the benefits should be constantly balanced with the cost. Building on a heat shock model we have developed in previous work (El-Samad et al , 2005), we formulate and solve a multi-objective optimization problem where both the cost of producing and maintaining HSPs and the cost of unfolded proteins are considered as optimization criteria.
Types of von Neumann Algebras and Traces

The material presented in this chapter is directly related to the dimension theory of Murray and von Neumann. The projections of a von Neumann algebra form a complete lattice. A partial ordering and an equivalence relation on the projection lattice of a von Neumann algebra are introduced by means of the partial isometries in the algebra in Section 1. According to the structure of the projection lattice with this ordering, the algebras are classified into those of type I, type II l, type II∞, and type III. It will be shown that every von Neumann algebra is decomposed into the direct sum of the algebras of these types. We will see that the von Neumann algebras of type I behave most naturally from the classical point of view. The structure of such an algebra will be completely determined in terms of the spectrum of the center and a set of cardinal numbers. At this point, it should be mentioned that the main task of the theory of von Neumann algebras is to establish methods for analyzing von Neumann algebras of type II or type III. Indeed, von Neumann algebras of type I do not introduce anything mysterious into the frame of the classical point of view, while there is no other theory which can handle mathematical phenomena related to von Neumann algebras of nontype I. Section 2 is devoted to the study of traces on semi-finite von Neumann algebras. It will be seen that the relative dimension of projections in a factor of type II takes continuous values.
Cum hastis sic clypeatis: the turbulent history of the condom.

The recommendation of the surgeon general of the US Public Health Service that individuals use the condom to prevent the risks of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and transmission has been poorly received. Many oppose it on the basis of the perception that condoms would promote continued sexual activity when the solution to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is to discourage such activity. Others raise questions about the efficacy of condoms in preventing HIV infection. Further many advertisers are unwilling to promote a product about which they perceive disapproval on the part of large segments of the public. On the basis of the dire consequences of HIV infection and the absence of any effective treatment it is difficult to rationalize this resistance. A historical analysis of condom use as a means of preventing sexually transmitted infections offers some insights into this apparent paradox. The 1st published description of the condom as an aid to the prevention of venereal infection appeared in "De Morbo Gallico" published in 1564. The use of "a small linen cloth made to fit the glans" was advised as a protection against syphilis. Condoms were advertised during the 18th century usually by handbill. The medical communitys reluctance to promote condoms as prophylactics was due to the fact that 18th century condoms were far inferior to modern varieties. Yet beyond the issue of efficacy other factors shaped medical thinking about condom use to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Most significant was the prominent association between condoms and sexual encounters outside marriage. Most 18th century references to condoms describe their utilization in the context of prostitution. The association of condoms with sexual intemperance along with concerns about their efficacy helped to support the idea that abstinence was the only acceptable prophylaxis for sexually transmitted disease. It was the exigencies of World War II that brought about the 1st largescale systematic promotion of condoms to prevent venereal disease. Condom quality was much improved yet the promotion was not without criticism. On the basis of historical precedent one can expect negative reactions to accompany the recommendation that condoms be used to prevent transmission of HIV infection yet it is important to recognize the contribution condoms can make and to separate their ability to prevent disease from their often turbulent past.
THE TeV PICTURE

In this talk we shalI discuss a not-so-standardmodel of strong and electroweak interactions. We will discuss some direct consequences of this model and finally we will speculate on the outlook for the future.
Effects of benthic biology on normal-incidence reflection coefficient measurements

Normal-incidence reflection coefficient measurements have been shown to be sensitive to sediment type based on the structure and amplitude of the returned signal. In contrast to other sediment classification methods such as coring, these measurements can be done quickly and easily over a large area. This type of sediment classification scheme can also be integrated into surveys by single- and multi-beam echo sounders. However, benthic biology can substantially change the normal-incident acoustic return possibly confounding the sediment classification methods while simultaneously providing a method of assessing benthic eco-systems. In this study, a collection of normal-incidence measurements taken in a variety of underwater environments will be analyzed for the effects of benthic biology. The areas surveyed include the Chesapeake Bay, the Arctic, the Western Mediterranean, and Gulf Coast. Each of the datasets will be considered for the presence of benthic biology and its affect on geo-acoustic properties. [Work supported by ONR, Ocean Acoustics.]Normal-incidence reflection coefficient measurements have been shown to be sensitive to sediment type based on the structure and amplitude of the returned signal. In contrast to other sediment classification methods such as coring, these measurements can be done quickly and easily over a large area. This type of sediment classification scheme can also be integrated into surveys by single- and multi-beam echo sounders. However, benthic biology can substantially change the normal-incident acoustic return possibly confounding the sediment classification methods while simultaneously providing a method of assessing benthic eco-systems. In this study, a collection of normal-incidence measurements taken in a variety of underwater environments will be analyzed for the effects of benthic biology. The areas surveyed include the Chesapeake Bay, the Arctic, the Western Mediterranean, and Gulf Coast. Each of the datasets will be considered for the presence of benthic biology and its affect on geo-acoustic properties. ...
Varying Hypopnea Definitions Affect Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity Classification and Association With Cardiovascular Disease

Study Objectives:To compare clinical features and cardiovascular risks in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on ≥ 3% desaturation or arousal, and ≥ 4% desaturation hypopnea criteria....
Optical coherence elastography reveals the changes in cardiac tissue biomechanical properties after myocardial infarction in a mouse model

A leading cause of death and decrease in the quality of life in the USA is myocardial infarction (MI). Molecular and genetic analyses have revealed a plethora of information about critical processes involved with MI. However, there is a lack of accompanying information about cardiac tissue biomechanical properties, which may provide additional critical information to understand the tissue remodeling process after MI. In this work, we utilize two complementary noncontact optical coherence elastography (OCE) techniques to assess the changes in mouse cardiac tissue biomechanical properties 6 weeks after the MI was induced. A focused micro air-pulse induced localized displacements, which were detected by a phase-sensitive OCE (PhS-OCE) system. The localized tissue displacement was modeled by a spring-mass damper model to quantify the tissue stiffness. Additionally, the propagation of an air-pulse induced elastic wave was measured at various meridional angles as a complementary measurement of tissue stiffness and anisotropy. The damping results show that the MI caused a decrease in the stiffness of the cardiac tissue. Similarly, the analysis of elastic wave propagation showed that the cardiac tissue became softer and more isotropic after MI. These results show that OCE can detect the changes in cardiac tissue biomechanical properties after MI. OCE may also be useful for developing targeted therapies by identifying regions of cardiac tissue affected by MI.
Disparities in the delivery of pediatric oncology nursing care by country income classification: International survey results

BACKGROUND In 2014, a task force of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) Paediatric Oncology in Developing Countries Nursing Workgroup published six baseline standards to provide a framework for pediatric oncology nursing care in low- and lower-middle income countries (L/LMIC). We conducted an international survey in 2016-2017 to examine the association between country income level and nurses' resporting of conformity to the standards at their respective institutions. PROCEDURE Data from a cross-sectional web-based survey completed by nurses representing 54 countries were analyzed (N = 101). Responses were clustered by relevance to each standard and compared according to the 2017 World Bank-defined country income classification (CIC) of hospitals. RESULTS CIC and nurse-to-patient ratios in inpatient wards were strongly associated (P < 0.0001). Nurses in L/LMIC prepared chemotherapy more often (P < 0.0001) yet were less likely to have access to personal protective equipment such as nitrile gloves (P = 0.0007) and fluid-resistant gowns (P = 0.011) than nurses in high-resource settings. Nurses in L/LMIC were excluded more often from physician/caregiver meetings to discuss treatment options (P = 0.04) and at the time of diagnosis (P = 0.002). Key educational topics were missing from nursing orientation programs across all CICs. An association between CIC and the availability of written policies (P = 0.009) was found. CONCLUSIONS CIC and the ability to conform to pediatric oncology baseline nursing standards were significantly associated in numerous elements of the baseline standards, a likely contributor to suboptimal patient outcomes in L/LMIC. To achieve the goal of high-quality cancer care for children worldwide, nursing disparities must be addressed.
Blockchain: a practical guide to developing business, law, and technology solutions

Cryptocurrency, a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security, has been mired in controversy from its inception. Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency that was launched in 2009, att...
No AI Is an Island: The Case for Teaming Intelligence

The purpose of this article is to draw attention to an aspect of intelligence that has not yet received significant attention from the AI community, but that plays a crucial role in a technology’s effectiveness in the world, namely teaming intelligence. We propose that Al will reach its full potential only if, as part of its intelligence, it also has enough teaming intelligence to work well with people. Although seemingly counterintuitive, the more intelligent the technological system, the greater the need for collaborative skills. This paper will argue why teaming intelligence is important to AI, provide a general structure for AI researchers to use in developing intelligent systems that team well, assess the current state of the art and, in doing so, suggest a path forward for future AI systems. This is not a call to develop a new capability, but rather, an approach to what AI capabilities should be built, and how, so as to imbue intelligent systems with teaming competence.
Bone Health Optimization in Orthopaedic Surgery.

BACKGROUND Osteoporosis is associated with adverse orthopaedic surgical outcomes. Bone health optimization is a preoperative intervention intended to reduce the likelihood of postoperative complications. We aimed to characterize a patient cohort referred for bone health optimization to test the hypothesis that poor bone quality is common in orthopaedic surgery and that many such patients meet guidelines for osteoporosis treatment. METHODS This retrospective study evaluated 124 patients referred for bone health optimization who were ≥50 years of age and candidates for arthroplasty or thoracolumbar surgery. The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) risk factors and dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) results were collected. When available, opportunistic computed tomographic (CT) imaging and the trabecular bone score were evaluated. The World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic and National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) treatment guidelines were applied. RESULTS All patients were referred by their orthopaedic surgeon; their mean age was 69.2 years, 83% of patients were female, 97% were Caucasian, and 56% had sustained a previous fracture. The mean historical height loss (and standard deviation) was 5.3 ± 3.3 cm for women and 6.0 ± 3.6 cm for men. The mean lowest T-score of the hip, spine, or wrist was -2.43 ± 0.90 points in women and -2.04 ± 0.81 points in men (p < 0.08). Osteoporosis (T-score of ≤-2.5 points) was present in 45% of women and 20% of men; only 3% of women and 10% of men had normal bone mineral density. Opportunistic CT scans identified 60% of patients as likely having osteoporosis. The trabecular bone score identified 34% of patients with degraded bone microarchitecture and 30% of patients with partially degraded bone microarchitecture. The NOF threshold for osteoporosis treatment was met in 91% of patients. Treatment was prescribed in 75% of patients (45% anabolic therapy and 30% antiresorptive therapy). CONCLUSIONS Osteoporosis, degraded bone microarchitecture, prior fracture, and elevated fracture risk were common. Given the high prevalence of impaired bone health in this cohort, we believe that bone health screening, including FRAX assessment, should be considered in selected patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery as part of the preoperative optimization for all adults who are ≥50 years of age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Multi-modal system checks in an attempt to eliminate narcotic discrepancies

Abstract Background Substance Abuse is very high among anesthesiologists. Recent data have shown that 32% of anesthesiologists have used drugs to “get high,” while 16% have stated they were drug dependent. Anesthesiologists have a 2.5 times higher rate of drug abuse than the average physician. Multiple factors play a role in explaining the high incidence of substance abuse among anesthesiologists. Proximity to large quantities of highly addictive drugs, relative ease at diverting small quantities of drugs, and a high stress environment all play a role. Additionally, a workplace that sensitizes reward pathways and promotes substance abuse also contributes. Methods We tracked narcotic discrepancies for seven years, from 2013 through 2019. We received the total number of narcotic discrepancies from data through the hospital reporting system. In the span of the seven years, multiple process changes were put into place to reduce the number of narcotic discrepancies. In 2015, the Omnicell automatic drug delivery system was placed into each operating room (OR). This offered both customized access to narcotics throughout a surgical procedure and clear documentation of quantities of narcotics taken out for each patient. In 2016, pharmacy started e-mailing anesthesia providers if their narcotic documentation was not accurate. This added a second check to narcotic quantities and brought about the most dramatic decrease in discrepancies. The last process we added was a narcotic hand off tool in the electronic medical record. This tool documents narcotic quantities being handed off to another anesthesia provider during staffing changes. Results No single process change resulted in complete resolution of all narcotic discrepancies. When the pharmacy started to give feedback on the narcotic discrepancies, the total number of discrepancies decreased dramatically by 85%. The addition of the “hand-off tool” also reduced the number by an additional 35%. Conclusion We found when there are multiple system and personnel checks, the number of narcotic discrepancies decreased more than just one system or check in place.
The “Killer Wife” (Qatlanit) in Jewish Law: A Survey of Sources

This article traces the development of Jewish law regarding the qatlanit or “killer-wife,” a woman who was twice widowed. The Jewish law examines the dilemma whether she should be allowed to marry again because of the risk that she poses a mortal danger to men whom she marries. Fear of marrying a woman twice-widowed plays a role in the story of Tamar, but Genesis 38 makes it clear that it is God who is responsible for the deaths of Er and Onan, and not the innocent widow. The Talmud prohibits the marriage of a twice-widowed woman, and attributes the demise of her husbands not to any intention on her part, but rather her “source” (sexual organs) or her “mazal” (fate as determined by astrology). Later responsa generally reflect a more lenient attitude towards the remarriage of the qatlanit in response to the tumult and tragedy of medieval Jewish history, as well as the growing influence of rationalism in Jewish thought. Modern rabbis, because of their openness to scientific thought and concern for the loneliness of old age, show a marked leniency towards the remarriage of a twice-widowed woman.
Robust Political Economy

This paper introduces the idea of robust political economy. In the context of political economic systems, robustness refers to a political economic arrangement's ability to produce social welfare-enhancing outcomes in the face of deviations from ideal assumptions about individuals' motivations and information. Since standard assumptions about complete and perfect information, instantaneous market adjustment, perfect agent rationality, political actor benevolence, etc., rarely, if ever actually hold, a realistic picture and accurate assessment of the desirability of alternative political economic systems requires an analysis of alternative systems' robustness. The Mises-Hayek critique of socialism forms the foundation for investigations of robustness that relax ideal informational assumptions. The Buchanan-Tullock public choice approach complements this foundation in forming the basis for investigations of robustness that relax ideal motivational assumptions.
KeyLight: VR System for Stage Lighting

Training in lighting design for theater is increasingly grounded in new technologies. A growing momentum towards the incorporation of new digital tools including computer-based “magic sheets” and digital lighting consoles simplifies the work of lighting designers while also supporting diverse talent through accessibility offerings. As the industry also moves away from traditional classroom education, there is a need for alternative options that will allow future lighting designers to practice their trade.
Decellularized dermis extracellular matrix alloderm mechanically strengthens biological engineered tunica adventitia-based blood vessels

The ideal engineered vascular graft would utilize human-derived materials to minimize foreign body response and tissue rejection. Current biological engineered blood vessels (BEBVs) inherently lack the structure required for implantation. We hypothesized that an ECM material would provide the structure needed. Skin dermis ECM is commonly used in reconstructive surgeries, is commercially available and FDA-approved. We evaluated the commercially-available decellularized skin dermis ECM Alloderm for efficacy in providing structure to BEBVs. Alloderm was incorporated into our lab’s unique protocol for generating BEBVs, using fibroblasts to establish the adventitia. To assess structure, tissue mechanics were analyzed. Standard BEBVs without Alloderm exhibited a tensile strength of 67.9 ± 9.78 kPa, whereas Alloderm integrated BEBVs showed a significant increase in strength to 1500 ± 334 kPa. In comparison, native vessel strength is 1430 ± 604 kPa. Burst pressure reached 51.3 ± 2.19 mmHg. Total collagen and fiber maturity were significantly increased due to the presence of the Alloderm material. Vessels cultured for 4 weeks maintained mechanical and structural integrity. Low probability of thrombogenicity was confirmed with a negative platelet adhesion test. Vessels were able to be endothelialized. These results demonstrate the success of Alloderm to provide structure to BEBVs in an effective way.
Disease and Disparities: Structural Violence in the Time of Our Covidized Lives

The paper argues that when a country’s social structures— political, economic, and cultural—are arranged such that the arrangement results in a dichotomy between the class of the privileged and the class of the less privileged, any act of addressing a pandemic such as the COVID-19 will always end up in another pandemic: the pandemic of government neglect and ineptitude. There is only one way out in ensuring that this double pandemic can be addressed: a return to the foundations of a good life for all—a democracy that secures that the good of collective life is for all.
Tribology of Ideal and Non-Ideal Surfaces and Fluids

This paper reviews how recent experiments, using the Surface Forces Apparatus (SFA) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), have shed new light on the different roles of surface, bulk and lubricant film, properties in determining adhesion and friction. For example, depending on the surface lattice structure or roughness, but also on bulk material properties such as the stiffness and viscoelasticity of the surfaces, the adhesion force can be orders of magnitude lower or higher than the thermodynamic (equilibrium) value. These same factors in turn can have a large effect on the friction forces between the two sliding surfaces, in addition to any contribution coming from the lubricant film. The lubricant films themselves may be simple liquids, complex lube oils or ‘solid’ lubricants, or they can be chemically attached monolayers to the surfaces (‘boundary lubricants’). Their tribological properties are usually very different from the rheological properties of the bulk fluids or materials.
F-Aggregate Centers in Alkali Halide Crystals

Publisher Summary The development of the field of color centers in alkali halide crystals, spanning the last sixty to seventy years, has unfolded along what appears to be a continuously lengthening and broadening avenue. As the quantity of different centers has increased to a current total of some thirty in number there has been a simultaneous advancement in the detailed understanding of individual centers and their relationships to one another. A perusal of the reviews of color-center phenomena that have appeared over the years makes it quite obvious that the F center has been the focal point of color-center research. The reasons are partly historical and partly the design of nature. Not only does the F center give rise to the most prominent optical absorption band in a large number of the alkali halides, but the simplicity of the F center (a single electron trapped by a negative ion vacancy) offers a particularly attractive defect to study from an experimental as well as a theoretical point of view. The family of centers giving rise to optical absorption bands on the long-wavelength side of the F band has received far less attention than the F center. These centers, M, R, and N, are termed F-aggregate or F-associate centers because they bear a strong genetic relationship to the F center, and like the F center they are defects which have trapped electrons. This chapter also discusses special varieties of the F-aggregate centers such as the singly ionized M center, as well as the so-called “prime” centers, which are the result of adding an electron to the normal M , R , and N centers.