cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Origin of magnetic anisotropy in doped Ce2Co17 alloys

Magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) in doped ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{2}{\mathrm{Co}}_{17}$ and other competing structures was investigated using density functional theory. We confirmed that the MCA contribution from dumbbell Co sites is very negative. Replacing Co dumbbell atoms with a pair of Fe or Mn atoms greatly enhance the uniaxial anisotropy, which agrees quantitatively with experiment, and this enhancement arises from electronic-structure features near the Fermi level, mostly associated with dumbbell sites. With Co dumbbell atoms replaced by other elements, the variation of anisotropy is generally a collective effect and contributions from other sublattices may change significantly. Moreover, we found that Zr doping promotes the formation of 1-5 structure that exhibits a large uniaxial anisotropy, such that Zr is the most effective element to enhance MCA in this system.
A method of synchrophasor technology for detecting and analyzing cyber-attacks

Studying cybersecurity events and analyzing their impacts encourage planners and operators to develop innovative approaches for preventing attacks in order to avoid outages and other disruptions. This work considers two parts in security studies; detecting an integrity attack and examining its effects on power system generators. The detection was conducted through employing synchrophasor technology to provide authenticatioa of ACG commands based on observed system operating characteristics. The examination of an attack is completed via a detailed simulation of a modified IEEE 68-bus benchmark model to show the associated power system dynamic response. The results of the simulation are discussed for assessing the impacts of cyber threats.
Factors affecting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications of carotid artery stenting in Northern Michigan: A retrospective study.

Abstract Background This study seeks to identify factors associated with periprocedural complications of carotid artery stenting (CAS) to best understand CAS complication rates and optimize patient outcomes. Periprocedural complications include major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) that include myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or death. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 181 patients from Northern Michigan who underwent CAS. Rates of stroke, MI, and death occurring within 30 days post-procedure were examined. Associations of open vs. closed cell stent type, demographics, comorbidities, and symptomatic carotid stenosis were compared to determine significance. All patients had three NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) exams: at baseline, 24 h post-procedure, and at the one-month visit. Cardiac enzymes were measured twice in all patients, within 24 h post-procedure. All patients were treated with dual anti-platelet therapy for at least 6 months post-procedure. Results Three patients (1.66%) experienced a major complication within one-month post-procedure. These complications included one MI (0.55%), one stroke (0.55%), and one death (0.55%). The following variable factors were not associated with the occurrence of MACCE complications within 30 days post-procedure: stent design (open vs. closed cell) (p = 1.000), age ≥80 (p = 0.559), smoking history (p = 0.569), hypertension (p = 1.000), diabetes (p = 1.000), and symptomatic carotid stenosis (p = 0.254). Conclusions Age of 80 years old or above, symptomatic carotid stenosis, open-cell stent design, and history of diabetes, smoking, or hypertension were not found to have an association with MACCE within 1 month after CAS. Future studies using a greater sample size will be beneficial to better assess periprocedural complication risks of CAS, while also considering the effect of operator experience and technological advancements on decreasing periprocedural complication rates.
Developing Scientific Citizenship Identity Using Mobile Learning and Authentic Practice

This quasi-experimental study examined how the approach of mobile learning and authentic practice (MobiLAP) may foster scientific citizenship among ninth grade students. It was hypothesized that students that form identities as citizen scientists may have more favorable attitudes to contribute to citizen science, have greater interest in science and technology and may be more interested in pursuing education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The treatment group participated in an authentic citizen science project where they studied climate change, spent time in nature and used mobile devices to observe and report phenological data. The control group had a “business as usual” classroom experience studying climate change. The Scientific Citizenship, STEM Interest and Mobile Learning Survey (SCI-ML) instrument was developed to understand students’ citizen science identity formation and was administered to both groups pre and post intervention. The instrument was found to be highly reliable for both the entire scale and each of the four subscales. Findings revealed that the MobiLAP approach had a significant impact on participant attitudes toward citizen science identity and careers in STEM areas, but no significant improvement in attitudes toward mobile learning or learning science and technology.
The Benefit of a Visually Guided Beamformer in a Dynamic Speech Task

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a visually guided hearing aid (VGHA) under conditions designed to capture some aspects of "real-world" communication settings. The VGHA uses eye gaze to steer the acoustic look direction of a highly directional beamforming microphone array. Although the VGHA has been shown to enhance speech intelligibility for fixed-location, frontal targets, it is currently not known whether these benefits persist in the face of frequent changes in location of the target talker that are typical of conversational turn-taking. Participants were 14 young adults, 7 with normal hearing and 7 with bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment. Target stimuli were sequences of 12 question-answer pairs that were embedded in a mixture of competing conversations. The participant's task was to respond via a key press after each answer indicating whether it was correct or not. Spatialization of the stimuli and microphone array processing were done offline using recorded impulse responses, before presentation over headphones. The look direction of the array was steered according to the eye movements of the participant as they followed a visual cue presented on a widescreen monitor. Performance was compared for a "dynamic" condition in which the target stimulus moved between three locations, and a "fixed" condition with a single target location. The benefits of the VGHA over natural binaural listening observed in the fixed condition were reduced in the dynamic condition, largely because visual fixation was less accurate.
Appropriateness and total knee arthroplasty: an examination of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons appropriateness rating system

Summary Objective The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently published appropriateness criteria for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who are being considered for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We evaluated the extent to which predictor variables used by the AAOS contribute to final classification, rated as "appropriate," "may be appropriate" or "rarely appropriate." Methods The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness method was used by AAOS to develop 864 clinical vignettes, each incorporating eight evidence-based variables associated with TKA outcome or need. Variables included function-limiting pain severity, knee OA severity, knee motion and age among others. The contribution of each variable to the overall classification was determined using multinomial regression. A classification tree method was applied to determine the combinations of variables that contributed to final classification for each vignette. Results Multinomial regression indicated that patient age, knee motion, OA severity and location were the four most powerful predictors of final classification. Function limiting pain, knee instability and lower limb alignment contributed little to the final classification. The classification tree had an accuracy of 86.7% and the most important contributors to classification were age, knee OA severity and pattern. Conclusion Function limiting pain, the most frequent reason endorsed by patients seeking TKA does not meaningfully contribute to the newly developed AAOS appropriateness criteria. The system is highly dependent on traditional variables that surgeons consider when evaluating patients for TKA: patient age, knee OA severity, knee OA pattern and knee motion.
Identity Work by First-Generation College Students to Counteract Class-Based Microaggressions:

Using an interactional approach to studying organizations, we explore how social class differences alone and coupled with racial minority status generate identity threats for first-generation college students who are already underprivileged with respect to educational attainment. For these students the markers of social class are omnipresent and, like racial minorities, they experience microaggressions that require them to engage in identity work to counter these threats. We detail manifestations of social class differences on and off campus and identify the kinds of microaggressions these students encounter including those generated by the intersection of race and class that can destabilize students’ identities and lead to what we refer to as “identity collapse.” Our results also reveal four types of identity work including mining core identity strength, passing (via dodging and code switching), and developing peer support networks that allow some first-generation students to be resilient in responding t...
Abrupt Color Changes in Isotope Stage 5 in North Atlantic Deep Sea Cores: Implications for Rapid Change of Climate-Driven Events

Digitized records of optical density in many North Atlantic cores exhibit rapid changes from lighter to darker extremes, typically within less than 200 years, at the 5d/5e, 5b/5c and 4/5 boundaries. In cores from DSDP site 609 the changes from lighter to darker color coincide with increases in relative abundance of N. pachyderma (l. c.), with increases in abundances of lithic grains and with decreases in carbonate content. The rapid changes to dark color, therefore, are climate-driven and correspond to a lowering of sea surface temperatures and to increases in amounts of ice rafted debris relative to biogenic carbonate. At the 5d/5c boundary, δ18O in N. pachvderma (l.c.) increases abruptly with the change to darker sediment as expected for cooler sea surface temperatures. At the 4/5 boundary, however, δ18O decreases with the change to darker sediment and cooler sea surface temperatures, suggesting that a layer of fresh surface water was present in the North Atlantic at that time.
Four new takes on Wilson, World War I, and the making of the post-war order

The books under review here, by Robert F. Hannigan, John A. Thompson, Trygve Throntveit, and Adam Tooze, offer an interpretation of Wilsonian internationalism and what happened to it in the 1920s. ...
Working together on transfusion audits to improve clinical practice

Background For many years, great efforts have been put in place to ensure quality and safety of blood and blood products during collection and processing. In recent years, the focus has shifted to enhancement of clinical transfusion processes. Conducting audits is one effective mechanism of evaluating the ongoing blood administration process against set standards. Methods Random transfusion audits were conducted jointly by both Blood Bank technical staff and the transfusion nurse in Paediatric and Obstetric wards using a checklist. This checklist consisted of essential procedures and checks during blood transfusion. Transfusion slips were also audited against defined standards. Results Many good transfusion practices were observed. In the majority of cases, there was positive identification of patients before transfusion by doctor and nurse. However, there were many areas requiring improvement, including inconsistency in setting up transfusions across different clinical areas in the hospital. Knowledge deficit was identified in eight key areas when results of a transfusion knowledge questionnaire were reviewed. Audit of the transfusion slips revealed a major concern with putting up blood for transfusion within 30 minutes. All findings were reviewed, and interventions were undertaken. A formal transfusion training programme was implemented, and the institution's clinical transfusion protocol was revised for better clarity. Conclusion Initiatives implemented after reviewing all findings from the transfusion audits lead to improved practice, thereby enhancing patients’ safety. Continuous audit will be required to monitor and sustain improvements.
Describing Music Materials: A Manual for Resource Description of Printed and Recorded Music and Music Videos. Richard P. Smiraglia with Jihee Beak: Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2016, 222 pp., $55.00 (softcover). ISBN: 9781442276284.

Describing Music Materials: A Manual for Resource Description of Printed and Recorded Music and Music Videos, Fourth Edition, is the latest update of Richard Smiraglia's classic music cataloging ma...
How the pathologist can aid in the assessment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide new concepts regarding the early pathologic changes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that are associated with damage to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). RECENT FINDINGS A body of evidence exists that cardiac mucosa is a metaplastic esophageal epithelium rather than a normal gastric epithelium. Recent studies in asymptomatic volunteers suggest a potential mechanism for cardiac metaplasia in the squamous epithelium of the esophagus. SUMMARY The concept that cardiac mucosa is esophageal, not gastric, suggests that the widely accepted endoscopic definition of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) is incorrect. I propose that the true GEJ is the proximal extent of gastric oxyntic epithelium. If there is cardiac mucosa lining proximal rugal folds, that cardiac mucosa-lined region is the dilated distal esophagus, not the proximal stomach. The dilated distal esophagus is the pathologic expression of damage to the abdominal segment of the LES. This concept suggests a new test for measuring damage to the abdominal LES and a new understanding of the disease of GERD based on the measured amount of LES damage. This opens the door to new research and change in objectives in the management of reflux disease from control of symptoms to prevention of complications such as Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma.
Monitoring and evaluation of mental health and psychosocial support programs in humanitarian settings: a scoping review of terminology and focus.

Monitoring and evaluation of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programs is critical to facilitating learning and providing accountability to stakeholders. As part of an inter-agency effort to develop recommendations on MHPSS monitoring and evaluation, this scoping review aimed to identify the terminology and focus of monitoring and evaluation frameworks in this field. We collected program documents (logical frameworks (logframes) and theories of change) from members of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on MHPSS, and systematically searched the peer-reviewed literature across five databases. We included program documents and academic articles that reported on monitoring and evaluation of MHPSS in low- and middle-income countries describing original data. Inclusion and data extraction were conducted in parallel by independent reviewers. Thematic analysis was used to identify common language in the description of practices and the focus of each monitoring and evaluation framework. Logframe outcomes were mapped to MHPSS activity categories. We identified 38 program documents and 89 peer-reviewed articles, describing monitoring and evaluation of a wide range of MHPSS activities. In both program documents and peer-reviewed literature there was a lack of specificity and overlap in language used for goals and outcomes. Well-validated, reliable instruments were reported in the academic literature, but rarely used in monitoring and evaluation practices. We identified six themes in the terminology used to describe goals and outcomes. Logframe outcomes were more commonly mapped to generic program implementation activities (e.g. “capacity building”) and those related to family and community support, while outcomes from academic articles were most frequently mapped to specialized psychological treatments. Inconsistencies between the language used in research and practice and discrepancies in measurement have broader implications for monitoring and evaluation in MHPSS programs in humanitarian settings within low- and middle-income countries. This scoping review of the terminology commonly used to describe monitoring and evaluation practices and their focus within MHPSS programming highlights areas of importance for the development of a more standardized approach to monitoring and evaluation.
Relationship Role Transitions and Problem Alcohol Use in Emerging Adulthood

Normative reductions in problematic drinking behavior throughout emerging adulthood are often described as “maturing out.” Theories of maturing out most often implicate developmental role changes a...
Psychopathy by U.S. State

Rentfrow et al. (2013) constructs a cross-section of the “Big Five” personality traits and demonstrates their relationship with outcomes variables for the continental United States and the District of Columbia. Hyatt et al. (Forthcoming) creates a means of describing psychopathy in terms of the Big Five personality traits. When these two findings are combined, a state-level estimate of psychopathy is produced. Among the typical predictions made regarding psychopathy, the variable with the closest univariate relationship with this new statistical aggregate is the percentage of the population in the state living in an urban area. There is not a clear univariate relationship with homicide rates.
Chapter 16 – Externally Asynchronous/Internally Clocked (Pausable) Systems and Programmable Asynchronous Sequencers

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the externally asynchronous-/internally-clocked (EAIC) systems. It represents a compromise between the synchronous and asynchronous design methodologies. While functioning asynchronously with respect to the external world, the EAIC system is controlled by a single internally generated clock signal that is produced when valid outputs exist from each memory element. The internal clocking of an EAIC system causes it to be free of critical races, essential hazards, and errors due to static hazards. In addition, the memory modules of an EAIC system are protected from errors due to metastability and, hence, are an integral part of a pausable system—one that is capable of an infinite MTBF. The speed of the internal clock is limited only by the actual logic delays within the system, rather than by the typical worst-case delay of synchronous systems, and can operate in excess of 400 MHz for state-of-the-art submicron CMOS designs. The EAIC memory elements are constructed of either static or dynamic domino logic, and each is protected by a unique metastable detection stage that prohibits any metastable condition from reaching the output. The internal clock generating circuitry is shown to be delayed insensitively when operated within specified bounds.
Radiometric Dating of the Eocene-Oligocene Boundary at Gubbio, Italy

Abstract Unaltered volcanic biotite has been extracted from five bentonite levels in the upper Eocene-Oligocene pelagic carbonate sequence of the Contessa quarry, near Gubbio. The K-Ar and Rb-Sr age determination of the biotite separates are used here to calibrate, with closely spaced points, the late Paleogene biostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic time scales. Two samples from the upper Eocene have yielded unexpectedly young ages making the duration of the Priabonian age 0.8 ± 0.4 m.y., instead of 3.5 m.y. as predicted by other time scales. The interpolated age of the Eocene-Oligocene boundary is 35.7 m.y. with a 2-standard-deviation uncertainty of 0.4 m.y.
Lectures on Logic

During the two years following the 1917/18 lectures which form Chapter 1 of this Volume, Hilbert appears to have devoted little time to foundations, at least in public. A letter from Bernays to Russell on 8 April 1920 remarks, ‘As you may know, Professor Hilbert I am honoured to be his assistant has been working intensively for a number of years on the problems of mathematical logic’. But Bernays gives no details about Hilbert’s activities.
SoC Instrumentations: Pre-Silicon Preparation for Post-Silicon Readiness

Effective post-silicon validation of modern SoC designs requires careful upfront planning. This activity, referred to as post-silicon readiness, is one of the most elaborate and time-consuming components of post-silicon validation. This chapter discusses various facets of readiness activities performed in current industrial practice. We delve specifically into one key readiness activity: instrumentation of the design with additional hardware for effective post-silicon observability.
Gender Differences in Any-Source Caffeine and Energy Drink Use and Associated Adverse Health Behaviors.

Background: The majority of college students report caffeine use with many using caffeine daily. Energy drink (ED) use, in particular, is common among college students, and numerous studies link th...
They’re a sorry bunch: Perceptions of outgroup entitativity shape the receipt of intergroup apology

This paper explores whether perceived entitativity of a group (i.e., how much it is seen as a unit) influences how its apologies are perceived. Because entitative groups are assigned agency and col...
Draft Genome Sequence of a Marine Photoferrotrophic Bacterium, Rhodovulum robiginosum DSM 12329T.

ABSTRACT Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Rhodovulum robiginosum DSM 12329T, an anoxygenic phototroph isolated from a marine sediment in the North Sea (Jadebusen, Germany). This is the first genome for a marine photoferrotrophic bacterium, and it provides a genetic basis to understand the mechanistic underpinnings of photoferrotrophy in future studies.
Mechanical behaviors of auxetic polyurethane foam at quasi-static, intermediate and high strain rates

Abstract We experimentally determined the uniaxial compressive stress-strain responses of an auxetic polyurethane (PU) foam at quasi-static (0.01/s), intermediate (1/s, 10/s and 745/s) and high (1430/s, 1870/s and 2290/s) strain rates. A hydraulically driven materials testing system (MTS) was used to perform the experiments at the strain rate of 0.1/s, 1/s and 10/s, while higher intermediate (745/s) and high strain-rate compressive loadings were introduced using long and regular Kolsky bars, respectively. The Poisson effect of the auxetic PU foam was also investigated during the experiments using a precision LED optical micrometer system (OMS) (0.01/s–10/s) or an ultra-high speed camera (745/s–2290/s). Our results show that the compressive stress-strain curves of the auxetic PU foam are non-linear and strain-rate sensitive. In all the experiments, the Poisson's ratio, with an initial negative value at small strains, progressively increased toward 0 as the specimen was further compressed. The strain-rate effect on the material's Poisson's ratio is also evident in our study, as the specimens subjected to high strain-rate loadings exhibited smaller negative Poisson's ratios (NPR) in absolute sense at small strains in comparing with those at quasi-static and intermediate strain rates.
Measuring e-cigarette addiction among adolescents.

Background and objectives With high rates of use and uncertain consequences, valid electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use frequency and addiction measures for adolescents are needed. This cross-sectional study examined correlations for multiple measures of adolescent e-cigarette use with nicotine exposure quantified with salivary cotinine levels. Methods Adolescents (N=173, age 13–18) who reported past-month e-cigarette use were recruited from the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants self-reported: (1) days of e-cigarette use in a typical month, (2) number of e-cigarette sessions in a typical day (sessions per day; SPD) and the (3) E-Cigarette Addiction Severity Index (EASI). Participants also completed the 10-item Penn State Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index (ECDI), which we examined in full and as a 2-item Heaviness of Vaping Index (HVI; the sum of the ECDI items on use frequency and time to first vaping on wakening). Sessions per month (SPM) were calculated using days per month and SPD. Cotinine levels, SPD and SPM were log-transformed. Results Among frequency measures, SPM correlated most strongly with cotinine (r=0.59), followed closely by days per month (r=0.58) and SPD (r=0.57), p Conclusions Adolescents’ reports of frequency of e-cigarette use and degree of addiction correlated significantly with cotinine as a biomarker of nicotine exposure. We recommend the EASI and days per month as brief general measures. SPM and the ECDI are more extensive measures that may yield a more nuanced understanding of use.
110th Anniversary: Molecular Thermodynamics: An Endless Frontier

Empowered by developments in statistical mechanics and information science, molecular thermodynamics continues to play a pivotal role in engineering design of chemical products and industrial processes by providing better understanding and more reliable prediction of the physicochemical properties and phase behavior of chemical systems.
A possible relationship between telomere length and markers of neurodegeneration in rat brain after welding fume inhalation exposure

Inhalation of welding fume (WF) can result in the deposition of toxic metals, such as manganese (Mn), in the brain and may cause neurological changes in exposed workers. Alterations in telomere length are indicative of cellular aging and, possibly, neurodegeneration. Here, we investigated the effect of WF inhalation on telomere length and markers of neurodegeneration in whole brain tissue in rats. Male Fischer-344 (F-344) rats were exposed by inhalation to stainless steel WF (20 mg/m3 x 3 h/d x 4 d/wk x 5 wk) or filtered air (control). Telomere length, DNA-methylation, gene expression of Trf1, Trf2, ATM, and APP, protein expression of p-Tau, α-synuclein, and presenilin 1 and 2 were assessed in whole brain tissue at 12 wk after WF exposure ended. Results suggest that WF inhalation increased telomere length without affecting telomerase in whole brain. Moreover, we observed that components of the shelterin complex, Trf1 and Trf2, play an important role in telomere end protection, and their regulation may be responsible for the increase in telomere length. In addition, expression of different neurodegeneration markers, such as p-Tau, presenilin 1-2 and α-synuclein proteins, were increased in brain tissue from the WF-exposed rats as compared to control. These findings suggest a possible correlation between epigenetic modifications, telomere length alteration, and neurodegeneration because of the presence of factors in serum after WF exposure that may cause extra-pulmonary effects as well as the translocation of potentially neurotoxic metals associated with WF to the central nervous system (CNS). Further studies are needed to investigate the brain region specificity and temporal response of these effects.
Visual Solutions Journalism: A Theoretical Framework

Solutions journalism, which is defined as rigorous and fact-driven news stories that include responses to social problems, has gained momentum in U.S. newsrooms. To date, research on this journalis...
Modulating donor–acceptor transition energies in phosphorus–boron co-doped silicon nanocrystals via X- and L-type ligands

In this work, we explore the effect of ligand binding groups on the visible and NIR photoluminescent properties within phosphorus–boron co-doped silicon nanocrystals (PB:Si NCs) by exploiting both the X-type (covalent) and L-type (Lewis donor molecule) bonding interactions. We find that the cooperative nature of both X- and L-type bonding from alkoxide/alcohol, alkylamide/alkylamine, and alkylthiolate/alkylthiol on PB:Si NCs results in photoluminescence (PL) energy blue shifts from the as-synthesized, hydride-terminated NCs (PB:Si–H) in excess of 0.4 eV, depending on the surface termination. These PL blue shifts appear greatest in the most strongly confined samples with diameters <4 nm where the surface-to-volume ratio is high and, therefore, the ligand effects are most pronounced. A correlation between the donor group strength (either X-type or L-type) and the degree of D–A state modulation is found, and the proportion of the PL blue shift from the X- and L-type interactions is quantified. Raman spectroscopy is used to provide additional evidence of the strength of the L-type donor groups. Additionally, we probe how the nature of the ligand chemistry affects the radiative lifetime and PL efficiency and find that the ligands do not significantly change the D–A emission dynamics, and all samples retain the long 50–130 μs lifetimes characteristic of these transitions. Finally, we describe three mechanisms that operate to affect the D–A recombination energies: (1) X-type ligands that modulate the PB:Si–X NC wavefunction; (2) L-type ligands that perturb the donor and acceptor states via a molecular orbital theory picture; and (3) X- and L-type ligands that cause a dielectric increase around the PB:Si NC core, which provides Coulomb screening and modulates the donor and acceptor states even further.
Assessing a sexual history during intake: a preliminary study with licensed professional counselors

Prior research has shown an increase in individuals living with and suffering from sexual dysfunctions and other sexual-related disorders. A sample of 939 Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) com...
Early cardiovascular structural and functional abnormalities as a guide to future morbid events

AimsOur aim was to evaluate the predictive value of a battery of 10 non-invasive tests of cardiovascular structural and functional health on the future risk of cardiovascular morbid events.Methods ...
Revisiting culturally responsive teaching practices for early childhood preservice teachers

The US Census states that Americans under the age of five are a majority- minority with 50.2% of this population from minority backgrounds. As our country continues to grow as a rich, diverse multi...
Controlling Epidemic Spread: Reducing Economic Losses with Targeted Closures

Data on population movements can be helpful in designing targeted policy responses to curb epidemic spread. We study a spatial epidemic model, which explicitly accounts for population movements, and propose an optimization framework for obtaining targeted policies that restrict economic activity in different neighborhoods of a city at different levels. We focus on COVID-19 and calibrate our model using the mobile phone data that capture individuals’ movements within New York City (NYC). We show that appropriate targeting achieves a reduction in infections in all neighborhoods while resuming 23.1%–42.4% of the baseline non-teleworkable employment in NYC. By contrast, uniform (city-wide) restriction policies that achieve the same policy goal permit 3.92 to 6.25 times less non-teleworkable employment. Our targeting framework gives policy makers an approach for curbing the spread of epidemics while limiting unemployment.
Optical Coherence Tomography Can Be Used to Assess Glaucomatous Optic Nerve Damage in Most Eyes With High Myopia.

Precis It is generally assumed that optical coherence tomography (OCT) cannot be used to diagnose glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) in high myopes. However, this study presents evidence that there is sufficient information in OCT scans to allow for accurate diagnosis of GON in most eyes with high myopia. Purpose The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that glaucomatous damage can be accurately diagnosed in most high myopes via an assessment of the OCT results. Patients and methods One hundred eyes from 60 glaucoma patients or suspects, referred for OCT scans and evaluation, had corrected spherical refractive errors worse than -6 D and/or axial lengths ≥26.5 mm. An OCT specialist judged whether the eye had GON, based upon OCT circle scans of the disc and cube scans centered on the macula. A glaucoma specialist made the same judgement using all available information (eg, family history, repeat visits, intraocular pressure, 10-2 and 24-2 visual fields, OCT). A reference standard was created based upon the glaucoma specialist's classifications. In addition, the glaucoma specialist judged whether the eyes had peripapillary atrophy (PPA), epiretinal membrane (ERM), tilted disc (TD), and/or a paravascular inner retinal defect (PIRD). Results The OCT specialist correctly identified 97 of the 100 eyes using the OCT information. In 63% of the cases, the inner circle scan alone was sufficient. For the rest, additional scans were requested. In addition, 81% of the total eyes had: PPA (79%), ERM (18%), PIRD (26%), and/or TD (48%). Conclusions For most eyes with high myopia, there is sufficient information in OCT scans to allow for accurate diagnosis of GON. However, the optimal use of the OCT will depend upon training to read OCT scans, which includes taking into consideration myopia related OCT artifacts and segmentation errors, as well as PPA, ERM, PIRD, and TD.
A retrospective comparison of guidelines to assess hospital-diagnosed urinary tract infection in nursing home residents.

Background Inappropriate antibiotic treatments for urinary tract infection (UTI) in nursing home (NH) residents are common and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Published guidelines aim to improve accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of UTIs. This study assessed whether records from hospitalized NH residents diagnosed with UTI, while comparing the Cooper Tool and Stone criteria, supported appropriate treatment. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted using electronic medical record (EMR) data from residents of 3 NHs who were diagnosed with UTI when hospitalized over a 3-year period. The Cooper Tool and Stone criteria were used to assess treatment appropriateness. Results Of 79 hospitalized residents treated for UTI, 11 (13.9%) were appropriately treated according to the Cooper Tool and 9 (11.4%) according to Stone. The 2 criteria agreed in 9 of the cases including 100% of those with catheters. Urinalysis was documented in 72% of residents and 24% had documentation of culture and sensitivity. Conclusions Appropriate UTI treatment rates using both tools were low but much higher in those with catheters. Future research is necessary to validate the use of these tools in the hospital setting which have the potential to improve treatment accuracy and reduce unnecessary antibiotics use.
Cost effectiveness of intermediate-risk squamous cell carcinoma treated with Mohs micrographic surgery compared with wide local excision

Background The efficacy of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in treating cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma has been demonstrated. The cost effectiveness of MMS has rarely been studied to support the perceived higher cost. Objective Perform a cost-effectiveness analysis to determine whether MMS is cost effective over wide local excision (WLE) for Brigham and Women's Hospital tumor stage T2a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma over a 5-year period. Methods A Markov model with a 5-year time horizon was created using variables from published data. Costs in United States dollars and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) were calculated. Results MMS was $333.83 less expensive ($4365.57 [95% CI, $3664.68-$6901.66] vs $4699.41 [95% CI, $3782.94-$10,019.31]) than WLE. MMS gained 2.22 weeks of perfect health (3.776 QALY [95% CI, 3.774-3.777] for MMS and 3.733 QALY [95% CI, 3.728-3.777]) over 5 years. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was -$7,822.19. MMS had a 99.9% probability of being more cost effective than WLE. Annualized savings of choosing MMS over WLE would be $200 million and over 25,000 QALY. MMS could cost 3.1 times its current rate and remain cost effective. Limitations Relied on data from external retrospective sources. Conclusion MMS is less costly and more effective than WLE and should be strongly considered for stage T2a cSCC, given improvements in costs and QALY.
MM-313: Carfilzomib, Cyclophosphamide, and Dexamethasone (KCd) for the Treatment of Triple-Class Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM): A Single-Institution Experience

Context Treatment options for multiple myeloma (MM) have increased in recent years, and the introduction of novel therapeutic agents, such as proteasome inhibitors (PI), anti-CD-38 monoclonal-antibodies (MoAB), and immunomodulatory drugs (IMiD), have significantly prolonged survival in patients with MM. Despite advances in treatment, outcomes remain poor for those who are triple-class refractory (refractory to one class of the following: IMiD, PI, and anti-CD38 MoAB). Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of KCd in patients with triple-class relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Design We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with triple-class RRMM treated with KCd from June 2017 to October 2020. Patients or Other Participants Twenty-three patients with triple-class RRMM treated with KCd between June 2017 and October 2020 at the University of Kansas Medical Center were reviewed. Interventions These patients received KCd for RRMM. The regimen consisted of 28-day cycles of carfilzomib 20/36 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16; cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2 IV weekly; and dexamethasone (20–40) mg orally weekly. Descriptive analyses were performed on available data for patient characteristics, disease course, and outcomes. Responses were evaluated using the IMWG criteria. Main Outcome Measures Primary endpoint was PFS and OS. Secondary endpoint was ORR. Results The median age was 54 years for those with RRMM who received KCd; 26% had IgG isotype; 39% had ISS stage III; and 43% had high-risk cytogenetics. The median number of previous lines was 6 (3–10). Out of 23 patients: 83% received ASCT prior to this treatment, and 100% were triple-class RRMM. Median number of cycles received was 4 cycles. The overall response rate (ORR) was 52%. Median progression-free survival was 4 months (95% CI=3.27 to 7.97), median overall survival was 11.9 months (95% CI: 6.97 to not reached). The most common grade ≥ 3 adverse events were thrombocytopenia 74%, anemia 61%, and neutropenia 30%. Conclusions Our single-institution experience shows that patients with triple-class RRMM can achieve an acceptable response rate using KCd, which proves it can be utilized as salvage therapy in triple-class RRMM. However, we believe that this treatment could be utilized as a bridging therapy prior to CAR-T cell treatment.
Where Are the Students in Efforts for Inclusive Excellence? Two Approaches to Positioning Students as Critical Partners for Inclusive Pedagogical Practices

Most educational development for inclusive excellence does not draw directly on the experiences and perspectives of students. This article presents two different approaches to positioning undergraduate students as critical partners in developing inclusive pedagogical practices. Co-authored by the directors of and student partners who participated in each approach, the article defines inclusive excellence and inclusive teaching and provides selected examples of partnership work that strives for equity and inclusion. It then describes our different approaches, discusses potential benefits of launching student-faculty partnership work through these approaches, and offers recommendations for developing pedagogical partnership efforts for inclusive excellence at other institutions.
CMAX3: A Robust Statistical Test for Genetic Association Accounting for Covariates

The additive genetic model as implemented in logistic regression has been widely used in genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for binary outcomes. Unfortunately, for many complex diseases, the underlying genetic models are generally unknown and a mis-specification of the genetic model can result in a substantial loss of power. To address this issue, the MAX3 test (the maximum of three separate test statistics) has been proposed as a robust test that performs plausibly regardless of the underlying genetic model. However, the original implementation of MAX3 utilizes the trend test so it cannot adjust for any covariates such as age and gender. This drawback has significantly limited the application of the MAX3 in GWASs, as covariates account for a considerable amount of variability in these disorders. In this paper, we extended the MAX3 and proposed the CMAX3 (covariate-adjusted MAX3) based on logistic regression. The proposed test yielded a similar robust efficiency as the original MAX3 while easily adjusting for any covariate based on the likelihood framework. The asymptotic formula to calculate the p-value of the proposed test was also developed in this paper. The simulation results showed that the proposed test performed desirably under both the null and alternative hypotheses. For the purpose of illustration, we applied the proposed test to re-analyze a case-control GWAS dataset from the Collaborative Studies on Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). The R code to implement the proposed test is also introduced in this paper and is available for free download.
A Steady-State Version of the Age-Layered Population Structure EA

The Age-Layered Population Structure (ALPS) paradigm is a novel metaheuristic for overcoming premature convergence by running multiple instances of a search algorithm simultaneously. When the ALPS paradigm was first introduced it was combined with a generational Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) and the ALPS-EA was shown to work significantly better than a basic EA. Here we describe a version of ALPS with a steady-state EA, which is well suited for use in situations in which the synchronization constraints of a generational model are not desired. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our version of ALPS we compare it against a basic steady-state EA (BEA) in two test problems and find that it outperforms the BEA in both cases.
Charles G. Orosz, Ph.D.

In early August, the transplantation community lost one of its most important mentors and most original thinkers at the very young age of 56. Charles G. Orosz was the patriarch to a loving family and to the medical community; he is survived by his wife, Nancy, and children, Matt, Kate and Molly, as well as by a great number of investigators that he mentored during the early (and sometimes, later) stages of their careers in transplantation biology. He was known by many as a kindred spirit.
96 Benchmark of Amber ff12SB force field by comparison of estimated hairpin loop folding stabilities to experiments

The accuracy of the force field determines the ability of molecular dynamic simulations to characterize a system. We investigated the ability of the Amber force field ff12SB (Cheatham, Cieplak, & K...
APPENDICITIS IN CHILDHOOD A Study of 1,358 Cases

The results of the experience with all cases of acute appendicitis occurring on the Surgical Service at Boston Children9s Hospital between July 1, 1944, and January 1, 1957, are presented. There were 1,358 cases. Early diagnosis is of the utmost importance, although in small children this may be very difficult. Prompt appendectomy is the treatment for all children with appendicitis. The importance of adequate preoperative preparation and postoperative care of the sicker children is stressed. If appendiceal rupture has occurred, the appendix is removed and the abdominal cavity is drained. Of 1,358 cases, 611 (45%) had ruptured appendicitis. There was one death, a mortality of 0.07%. There have been no deaths in the last 12 years, during which 1,309 patients have been treated. The most common complications were residual infections and obstruction of the small bowel. Most of the immediate postoperative obstructions could be managed with a long intestinal tube. The fact that nearly half of the patients had rupture of the appendix before the time of hospitalization is strong proof that much has yet to be accomplished in improving the early recognition of this disease, thus permitting surgery to be performed before rupture and peritoneal soiling has occurred. The most important effort that can be made in this direction is (when the local physician cannot make frequent house calls to a sick child) to recommend 24 or 48 hours of observation in a hospital for any child in whom appendicitis is suspected. At little expense, this allows frequent checking by appropriate members of the resident or visiting staff of the hospital. If findings suggestive of appendiceal inflammation disappear, the child generally can be sent home the following day. For those in whom the abdominal findings become more impressive under observation, operation can be undertaken while there is still an opportunity to do so before appendiceal rupture has taken place.
Experimental study of megawatt gyrotrons

Results will be presented from recent megawatt gyrotron experiments operating between 100 and 300 GHz. Powers up to 1.3 MW have been obtained in a high-Q tapered cavity at 148 GHz, and with a two-section cavity at 140 GHz. In both cases efficiencies of 40% were achieved. We have also measured the beam velocity spread using a retarding potential diagnostic. The measured perpendicular velocity spread was typically between /spl plusmn/10% and /spl plusmn/15% for velocity ratios between 1.5 and 2.0. The spread was larger at higher beam currents. Good agreement was also obtained between two separate measurements of the velocity ratio. A new experiment at 110 GHz has been assembled and is now operational. This device produces power in the TE/sub 22,6,1/ mode, and has an internal mode converter to convert the RF power into a Gaussian output beam. Initial experiments have produce powers up 0.4 MW at 110.2 GHz.
Inhibition of premature labor: A multicenter comparison of ritodrine and ethanol☆

Abstract A randomized controlled study was carried out at three medical centers to compare the efficacy and side effects of ethanol and ritodrine in the treatment of threatened premature labor. One hundred and thirty-five patients judged to be between the twentieth and thirty-sixth week of gestation and presenting with clinical symptoms of premature labor were included. Sixty-seven patients were treated with intravenous infusion of 10 per cent ethanol. Sixty-eight patients were treated with intravenous infusion of ritodrine for 12 hours followed by oral ritodrine. If labor recurred prematurely, up to two additional courses of ethanol or ritodrine were given. Delivery was postponed for more than 72 hours in 49 of 67 patients (73 per cent) with ethanol and in 61 of 68 patients (90 per cent) with ritodrine; this difference was significant. Patients in the ethanol group gained a mean of 27.6 days while patients in the ritodrine group gained a mean of 44.0 days. Fifty-four per cent of the ethanol group and 72 per cent of the ritodrine group carried their infants to 36 weeks of gestation. Five infants in the ethanol group and one infant in the ritodrine group died from respiratory distress syndrome. The most frequent side effects of ethanol were nausea and vomiting. The most frequent side effects of ritodrine were tachycardia and blood pressure changes which were easily controlled by lowering the infusion rate. Ethanol and ritodrine were both found to be effective inhibitors of premature labor with ritodrine giving the most favorable results.