cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of stiffness degradation on ductility requirements for multistorey buildings

The effect of stiffness degradation in reinforced concrete structural members on the inelastic response of multistorey buildings to earthquakes is investigated. In particular, the following question is examined. How do the ductility requirements for multistorey systems with degrading stiffness behaviour compare with those for structures with ordinary bilinear hysteretic property? Inelastic dynamic responses of two idealized multistorey buildings, one having a long and the other a relatively short fundamental period, to an ensemble of twenty simulated earthquakes representative of moderately intense ground motions in California at moderate epicentral distances on firm ground, are analysed for ordinary bilinear hysteretic behaviour and for bilinear hysteretic behaviour with stiffness degradation property. The conclusions deduced from the results of this investigation include the following (1) It is, in general, not possible to predict the maximum response of a degrading stiffness system from results for the corresponding ordinary bilinear system (2) The differences in ductility requirements due to stiffness degradation are generally smaller than those associated with probabilistic variability from one ground motion to another (3) Stiffness degradation has little influence on the ductility requirements for flexible buildings, but it leads to increased ductility requirements for stiff buildings.
Occipital Cervical Stabilization with Rod-Screw Systems

Modern screw-based occipitocervical constructs enable immediate stabilization of the craniocervical junction (Dickman et al., J Neurosurg 74:190–198, 1991; Finn and Apfelbaum, Neurosurgery 66(3 Suppl):184–192, 2010; Vender et al., Neurosurg Focus 16:E9, 2004). Various screw trajectories allow for concomitant decompression and the creation of biomechanically stable constructs in a broad array of conditions. Bony fusion is successful in >95% of cases without requiring the use of rigid external immobilization. The goals of segmental instrumented occipitocervical fusion are stabilization of the craniocervical junction, reduction of deformity, minimization of segments immobilized, and bony fusion of instrumented segments.
Co-suppression of virus production and erythroid differentiation in Friend erythroleukemic cell X non-erythroid mouse cell hybrids.

SummaryThe production of virus in somatic cell hybrids between Friend erythroleukemia cells and nonerythroid mouse L cells or hepatoma cells was examined. Virus synthesis was determined by assaying particle-associated reverse transcriptase activity in the culture fluid. Virus production was found to be suppressed in the 37 hybrid clones previously shown to have complete extinction of erythroid differentiation. Treatment of the cultures with DMSO, which enhances virus release in the parental erythroleukemic cells, did not result in recovery of the ability of the hybrids to produce virus.
Processing of Ferroelectric Memories

This paper describes the classification of existing integration schemes for ferroelectric memories, including both nonvolatile and volatile devices, and the status of device development for CMOS (both SRAM and DRAM architecture), GaAs JFET structures, bipolar, and true ferroelectric FETs (in which the ferroelectric is deposited in the gate region to modify the source-to-drain current when the polarization is reversed). Emphasis in the paper is on electroding, film deposition, drying and baking, and annealing steps.
A Simple Analytic Model for Estimating Mars Ascent Vehicle Mass and Performance

The Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) is a crucial component in any sample return campaign. In this paper we present a universal model for a two-stage MAV along with the analytic equations and simple parametric relationships necessary to quickly estimate MAV mass and performance. Ascent trajectories can be modeled as two-burn transfers from the surface with appropriate loss estimations for finite burns, steering, and drag. Minimizing lift-off mass is achieved by balancing optimized staging and an optimized path-to-orbit. This model allows designers to quickly find optimized solutions and to see the effects of design choices.
Über Unterschiede in der Zugfestigkeit von Früh=und Spätholztracheiden

Unterschiede in der Zugfestigkeit von Fruh- und Spatholztracheiden sind wesentlich durch Unterschiede im Steigungswinkel der Mikrofibrillen in derS 2-Schicht und ihrem Flachenanteil begrundet. Durch Berucksichtigung nur eines dieser Merkmale, was wohl durch starke Korrelation der Merkmale ermoglicht wird, konnen Fruh- und Spatholztracheiden als einziges Kollektiv betrachtet werden. Die aus den experimentellen Ergebnissen ermittelten Zugfestigkeitswerte quer und langs zur Mikrofibrillenachse nahern sich an die theoretisch berechneten Werte gut an.
The Case for Using Evidence-Based Guidelines in Setting Hospital and Public Health Policy

Objective: Hospital systems and regulating agencies enforce strict guidelines barring personal items from entering the Operating Room - touting surgical site infections and patient safety as the rationale. We sought to determine whether or not evidence supporting this recommendation exists by reviewing available literature. Background data: Rules and guidelines that are not evidence based may lead to increased hospital expenses and limitations on healthcare provider autonomy Methods: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CINAHL were searched in order to find articles that correlated personal items in the OR to documented surgical site infections. Articles that satisfied the following criteria were included: (1) studies looking at personal items in the OR such as handbags, purses, badges, pagers, backpacks, jewelry phones, and eyeglasses, etc., but not just operating room equipment; and (2) the primary outcome measure was infection at the surgical site. Results: Seventeen articles met inclusion criteria and were evaluated. Of the 17, the majority did not determine if personal items increased risk for surgical site infection. Only 1 article examined the correlation between a personal item near the operative site and surgical site infection, concluding that wedding rings worn in the OR had no impact on surgical site infections. Most studies examined colonization rates on personal items as potential infection risk; however, no personal items were causally linked to surgical site infection in any of these studies. Conclusion: There is no objective evidence to suggest that personal items in the OR increase risk for surgical site infections.
Discriminatory Analysis of Divergence in Mandibular Morphology of Odocoileus

Canonical analysis was used to investigate morphologic divergence in the mandible among six samples of adult, male deer of the genus Odocoileus . Two subspecies of O. hemionus and three subspecies of O. virginianus were represented in the study. Seven dental and seven osteological dimensions of the mandible were measured. Three separate analyses were run: the first included all variables, the second only the osteological variables, and the third only the dental variables. The major component of group divergence (general size variation excepted in the first and second analyses) tended to separate the two species. This separation was significant statistically in the first and third analyses. The samples of O. hemionus appeared to have relatively short diastemas and narrow third molars. Discriminant classification was done using each of the three different sets of variables mentioned above. A total of 134 specimens was classified. Correct assignment to species varied in the three sets from 89 to 99 per cent. Correct assignment to subspecies within the species varied from 69 to 98 per cent. These results suggest that under certain conditions metric information from mandibular remains, or from only the mandibular cheektooth row, of past populations might be used effectively to discriminate among closely related taxa.
Automated risk prediction for esophageal optical endomicroscopic images

Biomedical in vivo imaging has been playing an essential role in diagnoses and treatment in modern medicine. However, compared with the fast development of medical imaging systems, the medical imaging informatics, especially automated prediction, has not been fully explored. In our paper, we compared different feature extraction and classification methods for prediction pipeline to analyze in vivo endomicroscopic images, obtained from patients who are at risks for the development of gastric disease, esophageal adenocarcionoma. Extensive experiment results show that the selected feature representation and prediction algorithms achieved high accuracy in both binary and multi-class prediction tasks.
Circulatory shock in pregnant sheep: II. Effects of endotoxin on fetal and neonatal circulation☆

Abstract The effects of E. coli endotoxin upon fetal, immediate neonatal, and newborn (10 to 20 days) lamb circulation were studied. The fetus and immediate neonate tolerated doses 10 times greater than those proving lethal in adult pregnant sheep without exhibiting obvious signs of circulatory shock; arterial pressure, cardiac output, and vascular resistance were not significantly altered by these large doses. After 10 to 20 days of extrauterine life, the newborn lamb responded in a manner quite similar to the pregnant ewe; a biphasic acute response occurred after endotoxin injection followed by a slow decline in pressure and cardiac output until the termination of the experiment. We believe that the smaller response of the fetus and early neonate to endotoxin may be related not only to the presence of vascular shunts but also to a poorly developed adrenergic system.
Laparoscopic orchidopexy for bilateral intra-abdominal testes.

PALMER LS. Laparoscopic orchidopexy for bilateral intra-abdominal testes. Can J Urol 2013;20(5):6956. The major difference between our studies is the performance of a single setting bilateral LO 86% of our cases versus 25% by Safwat et al. There are several possible explanations. The patients in the current study were much older (median 31 months) than ours (8 months); vessels have less laxity and mobility with age. They also had a large number of testes > 2.5 cm from the internal ring. While this distance may help determine the need for F-S ligation, we found that careful lateral dissection can be started and the ability to complete the procedure determined early. If more extensive dissection or dissection near the vas, where we will depend on subsequent vessel growth, is needed, the case becomes staged. The lessons from these two studies is that bilateral LO has excellent results that are comparable to those of unilateral LO and that patient selection and surgeon comfort drives the decision to perform a single stage or two staged procedure. Among cryptorchid testes, 20% are non-palpable of which approximately 75% are found intra-abdominally. Since Jordan reported successful laparoscopic orchidopexy (LO)1,2 series abound supporting the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy in diagnosing and managing intra-abdominal testes.3 The utility of the Fowler-Stephens (F-S) procedure is accepted for open orchidopexy and we have reported 100% success in laparoscopic 1 and 2 stage F-S.4 Bilateral intra-abdominal testes represent (7%-25%)5,6 a small but important subset of cryptorchid testes. One important question is whether LO should be performed in a single or staged procedure? There are limited reports since Cortesi7 reported diagnostic laparoscopy of bilateral intra-abdominal testes1 and Ansari8 reported single-setting bilateral LO in an adult. We reported9 bilateral LO in 21 boys. The postoperative testicular position was mid-lower scrotum in 38 testes. Two testes atrophied – one after single-stage F-S, and one after non-F-S orchidopexy. Of the 42 LO, four were performed with F-S ligation; two in a one-stage and two in two-stage procedures. The latter two cases account for two of three cases not completed in a single setting. A third boy required open surgery to relocate a testis from the inferior pubis to the scrotum. The current study by Safwat et al10 and our study are the two largest series of bilateral LO. We had very similar outcomes as a scrotal position was achieved in 89.6% and 90.5%, respectively. The higher rate of inguinal failures may reflect the importance of sufficient mobilization to gain length and avoid tension. I find assessing the testis position and need for additional mobilization (if possible) more accurate with the abdomen temporarily desufflated. The two studies had similar atrophy rates based primarily on physical examination; this of course assumes that at least one testis did not atrophy. Doppler is useful to assess viability but not atrophy. References
Smart Watches for Physiological Monitoring: A Case Study on Blood Pressure Measurement

Given the close coupling between wearable devices and the human body, a natural application for these devices is to inform the user of their physiological status. An important point is the potential for wearables to empower the user to monitor his/her own health rather than rely solely on medical professionals or sophisticated medical equipment. This makes it more convenient for the user to monitor certain vital signs more often and this continuous monitoring can prove crucial in diagnosing certain conditions. Pervasive monitoring allows for collection of a large amount of data, which in turn can allow treatments in medicine that are anticipatory rather than reactionary. We emphasize the importance of the design of convenient, wearable physiological sensors by looking in-depth at one specific wearable device called BioWatch, which can be used to non-invasively and continuously measure blood pressure from the wrist.
SELECTION OF RECEPTOR VARIANTS FROM HUMAN AND AVIAN INFLUENZA ISOLATES WITH THE H3 HEMAGGLUTININ

Publisher Summary Structural changes in the hemagglutinin molecule are responsible for their regular occurrence of influenza pandemics. Increasing evidence suggests that new pandemics may originate by the transmission of influenza viruses from lower animals to man either by direct passage or by genetic recombination. As receptor specificity may be one factor relevant to adaptation of influenza viruses from one host to another, it became of interest to develop laboratory models that simulate potential host specified selective pressures that favor growth of one receptor type over another. This chapter discusses a study for the isolation of receptor variants from human and avian influenza isolates bearing the H3 hemagglutinin by two separate approaches: (1) the selection of receptor variants with glycoprotein inhibitors of infection and (2) the selection of receptor variants by adsorption to derivatized erythrocytes.
Findings from the Adjuvant Colon Cancer End Points (ACCENT) Collaborative Group: the Power of Pooled Individual Patient Data from Multiple Clinical Trials

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are relied upon for determining the standard of care and changes to the standard of care in oncology. Through data sharing, the pooled individual patient data (IPD) from these trials can provide high-quality sources and enriched power for analyses beyond the original goals of each trial. To address important scientific questions in early-stage colon cancer, the Adjuvant Colon Cancer End Points (ACCENT) Collaborative Group has continuously integrated IPD from large adjuvant colon cancer RCTs conducted worldwide. Through June 2016, IPD from over 40,000 patients from 27 major trials (1977 to 2009) have been assembled. Over the past 20 years, a variety of clinical questions have been investigated and addressed by ACCENT collaborations. Many of the findings have provided additional understanding of treatment mechanisms, suggested changes or reinforced quality patient care, and informed and improved the design for the current and next generation of RCTs. We review these significant contributions from the ACCENT collaboration.
Optimal bulking threshold of batch service queues

Batch service has a wide application in manufacturing, communication networks, and cloud computing. In batch service queues with limited resources, one critical issue is to properly schedule the service so as to ensure the quality of service. In this paper we consider an M/G[a,b]/1/N batch service queue with bulking threshold a, max service capacity b, and buffer capacity N, where N can be finite or infinite. Through renewal theory, busy period analysis and decomposition techniques, we demonstrate explicitly how the bulking threshold influences the system performance such as the mean waiting time and time-averaged number of loss customers in batch service queues. We then establish a necessary and sufficient condition on the optimal bulking threshold that minimizes the expected waiting time. Enabled by this condition, we propose a simple algorithm which guarantees to find the optimal threshold in polynomial time. The performance of the algorithm is also demonstrated by numerical examples.
Distinct Asthma Phenotypes Among Older Adults with Asthma

Background Older adults have high rates of asthma morbidity and mortality. Asthma is now recognized as a heterogeneous disease, yet the distinct phenotypes among older adults are unknown. Objective The objective of this study was to identify asthma phenotypes in a diverse population of elderly patients with asthma. Methods Using cluster analysis, 180 older adults with persistent asthma were analyzed. Subjects completed detailed questionnaires, skin prick testing, and spirometry with reversibility. Twenty-four core variables were analyzed. Results Four groups were identified. Subjects in cluster 1 (n = 69) typically had asthma diagnosed after the age of 40 and the shortest duration of asthma. Cluster 2 (n = 40) had the mildest asthma defined by spirometry, Asthma Control test (ACT), and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). They also had the lowest body mass index (BMI), lowest depression score, and least number of comorbidities. Cluster 3 (n = 46) had the longest duration of asthma (56 years) and the highest atopic skin test sensitization (74%). Cluster 4 (n = 25) had the most severe asthma, with extremely low FEV1% predicted (37.8%), lowest ACT, and lowest AQLQ scores. They were more likely to be black and had the highest comorbidities. Using BMI, posttreatment FEV1% predicted, and duration of asthma, 95.6% of subjects were able to be correctly classified. Conclusions In older adults with asthma, distinct phenotypes vary on key features that are more pronounced among the elderly, including comorbidities, fixed airway obstruction, and duration of asthma ≥40 years. Further work is required to determine the clinical and therapeutic implications for different asthma phenotypes in older adults.
Sparse-Prior-Based Projection Distance Optimization Method for Joint CT-MRI Reconstruction

Multimodal imaging techniques have received a great deal of attention, since their inceptions for achieving an enhanced imaging performance. In this paper, a novel joint reconstruction framework for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is implemented and evaluated. The CT and MRI data sets are synchronously acquired and registered from a hybrid CT-MRI platform. Because the image data sets are highly undersampled, the conventional methods (e.g., analytic reconstructions) are unable to generate decent results. To overcome this drawback, we employ the compressed sensing (CS) sparse priors from an application of discrete gradient transform. On the other hand, to utilize multimodal imaging information, the concept of projection distance is introduced to penalize the large divergence between images from different modalities. During the optimization process, CT and MRI images are alternately updated using the latest information from current iteration. The method exploits the structural similarities between the CT and MRI images to achieve better reconstruction quality. The entire framework is accelerated via the parallel processing techniques implemented on a nVidia M5000M Graph Processing Unit. This results in a significant decrease of the computational time (from hours to minutes). The performance of the proposed approach is demonstrated on a pair of undersampled projections CT and MRI body images. For comparison, the CT and MRI images are also reconstructed by an analytic method, and iterative methods with no exploration of structural similarity, known as independent reconstructions. Results show that the proposed joint reconstruction provides a better image quality than both analytic methods and independent reconstruction by revealing the main features of the true images. It is concluded that the structural similarities and correlations residing in images from different modalities are useful to mutually promote the quality of joint image reconstruction.
Prototype model of potholes and road-roughness detection and reporting system

Power harvested from an onboard energy scavenging system is a function of road roughness, vehicle speed, a vehicle's suspension system, and driver behavior. We assert that such system may not only be a source for harvesting electrical power, but also the basis of valuable data that can be used in several expedient ways. In this paper, we propose a system architecture, and present a prototype that makes use of this valuable data for potholes detection. According to the proposal, a prototype, built in house, deduces information from onboard piezoelectric material based energy scavenging system, indexes it with GPS coordinates and timestamp, and transmits the data to a server. The server processes the data to visually display the potholes on a map.
Gastric Functional Tests: Upper Gatrointestinal Barium Studies

Barium studies can be a useful test for evaluating gastric motility disorders in patients with recurrent nausea and vomiting in the absence of gastric outlet obstruction. Decreased gastric motility (i.e., gastroparesis) may be manifested at fluoroscopy by a diminished strength, velocity, or frequency of gastric peristalsis, often associated with delayed emptying of barium from a variably dilated stomach containing undigested food. Once the diagnosis is made, symptoms of gastroparesis can often be ameliorated by treatment of the underlying cause (e.g., diabetes) and prokinetic agents (e.g., metoclopramide) to increase gastric peristalsis without need for further testing. Radiographic detection of superimposed gastric bezoars may necessitate endoscopic intervention for mechanical dissolution of bezoars. Conversely, extraintestinal causes of nausea and vomiting such as increased intracranial pressure, vestibular disorders, and pharmacologic agents (e.g., narcotics and chemotherapy) may be manifested on barium studies by a hyperirritable stomach characterized by immediate emesis of ingested barium in the absence of findings of gastric outlet obstruction or gastroparesis. The presence of a hyperirritable stomach at fluoroscopy therefore should prompt a careful search for extraintestinal causes of nausea and vomiting.
Necessity of Sleep for Motor Gist Learning in Mice.

With respect to behavior, the term memory “consolidation” has canonically been used to describe increased fidelity during testing to a learned behavior shaped during training. While the sleeping brain appears to certainly aid in consolidation by this definition for a variety of memories, including motor memories, growing evidence suggests that sleep allows for much more flexible use of the information encountered during prior wakefulness. Sleep has been shown to augment the extraction of gist or patterns from wake experience in human subjects, but this has been difficult to recapitulate in animal models owing to the semantic requirements in many such tasks. Here we establish a model of motor gist learning in mice in which two bouts of exclusive forward running on the rotarod significantly augments the first experience of exclusive backward running. This augmentation does not occur if sleep is disrupted following the forward running template behavior or if a period of natural wakefulness follows one of the two bouts of exclusive forward running. This suggests that sleep is required for the extraction of the motor gist of forward running to apply to backward running.
Phosphorus requirements of growing-finishing pigs reared in a commercial environment

The objective of this study was to identify available phosphorus (aP) requirements of pigs reared in commercial facilities. In a preliminary study, 600 gilts (PIC) were allotted randomly to low (0.30%) or high (0.37%) dietary aP from 43 to 48 kg BW, and later to 0.19 or 0.27% aP from 111 to 121 kg BW. No differences were observed (P = 0.42 to 0.88) in ADG, but G:F from 43 to 48 kg tended to improve (P = 0.07) for pigs fed low aP. Results suggested that the aP requirement was at or below 0.30 and 0.19%. These concentrations were used to titrate aP requirements in Exp. 1 and 2. In Exp. 1, 1,260 gilts (initially 33.8 kg) were allotted randomly to one of five dietary treatments containing 0.18, 0.22, 0.25, 0.29, or 0.32% aP, corresponding to 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, or 0.9 g of aP/Mcal of ME. There were 28 pigs per pen and nine pens per treatment. From d 0 to 14, increasing aP increased ADG (linear, P = 0.03) and G:F (quadratic, P = 0.07), with the greatest response observed as aP increased from 0.18 to 0.22% (G:F breakpoint = 0.22%). However, from d 0 to 26, no differences (P = 0.12 to 0.81) were observed for any growth traits. Pooled bending moment of the femur, sixth rib, and third and fourth metatarsals increased (linear, P = 0.007) with increasing aP. In Exp. 2, 1,239 gilts (initially 88.5 kg BW) were randomly allotted to one of five dietary treatments containing 0.05, 0.10, 0.14, 0.19, or 0.23% aP, equivalent to 0.14, 0.28, 0.39, 0.53, or 0.64 g of aP/Mcal of ME. The diet with 0.05% aP contained no added inorganic P. From d 0 to 14, increasing aP increased (linear, P = 0.008 to 0.02) ADG and G:F; however, from d 0 to 28, increasing aP had no effect (P = 0.17 to 0.74) on growth performance. Increasing aP increased (linear, P 88 kg) will decrease ADG and G:F.
Repurposing SoC analog circuitry for additional COTS hardware security

This paper introduces a new methodology to generate additional hardware security in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) system-on-a-chip (SoC) integrated circuits (ICs) that have already been fabricated and packaged. On-chip analog hardware blocks such as analog to digital converters (ADCs), digital to analog converters (DACs) and comparators residing within an SoC are repurposed and connected to one another to generate unique physically unclonable function (PUF) responses. The PUF responses are digitized and processed on-chip to create keys for use in encryption and device authentication activities. Key generation and processing algorithms are presented that minimize the effects of voltage and temperature fluctuations to maximize the repeatability of a key within a device. Experimental results utilizing multiple on-chip analog blocks inside a common COTS microcontroller show reliable key generation with minimal overhead.
Albendazole-induced pseudomembranous colitis

We report a patient with AIDS and intestinal microsporidiosis. While undergoing treatment with albendazole, he developed worsening diarrhea with abdominal pain and fever. The diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis was made by flexible sigmoidoscopy and a positive stool specimen for Clostridium difficile toxin. The patient's symptoms resolved with oral vancomycin and his stool C. difficile toxin became negative. Albendazole is an antibiotic that is chemically related to metronidazole. Although a few case reports link metronidazole with the development of pseudomembranous colitis, albendazole has not been associated with the development of this condition. The spectrum of antimicrobial activity of albendazole and its efficacy in the treatment of intestinal microsporidiosis are reviewed. Pathogenic mechanisms for the development of pseudomembranous colitis and the epidemiology of this condition in patients with AIDS are discussed.
Desaparición del glaciar Mama Cotacachi: investigación etnoecológica y cambio climático en los Andes de Ecuador.

A first documented case study of a disappearing glacier in the snow capped volcano Cotacahi in Ecuador is presented with the studies belonging to the social sciences in relation to climate change and its impact on the population of the Equatorial Andes. With the use of multiple source methodology, including ethnographic analyzes, visual representations, repetitive photography, critical mapping by the local communities, longitudinal surveys, even archival research, as well as interviews to social actors and utilization of spatial data in a geographical information system (GIS). It is concluded that the documented disappearance of the glacier on the Cotacahi serves as an urgent call for action to the important dearth of social research related to global change from the ethnoecological perspective, with a cultural, local approach.
Sub-surface melting in a seasonal snow cover

The ability of solar radiation to penetrate into a snow cover combined with the low thermal conductivity of snow can lead to a sub-surface temperature maximum. This elevated sub-surface temperature allows a layer of wet snow to form below the surface even on days when the air temperature remains sub-freezing. A high-resolution frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar has been used to detect the onset of sub-surface melting in a seasonal snow cover. The experimental observation of sub-surface melting is shown to be in good agreement with the predictions of a one-dimensional mass- and energy-balance model. The effects of varying snow characteristics and solar extinction parameters on the sub-surface melt characteristics are investigated using model simulations.
Computer-Supported Health and Well-Being Services: A Systems Approach to Telehealth and Coaching Systems

With an aging population and shortage of primary care providers in the U.S., practitioners and researchers have begun to rethink traditional approaches to healthcare delivery for older adults. Telehealth -- the use of technologies to provide clinical services over distance -- offers new ways for clinicians to deliver care while allowing older adult patients to remain in their homes. However, much of the work on telehealth focuses on single technology modalities (e.g., tablet or computer) and is also primarily patient-centered focused at the expense of excluding important stakeholders (e.g., community centers) who can play a role in the delivery of health and wellness resources. While there are opportunities to extend sites of care to local community organizations using telehealth coaching services, current telehealth research is understudied in this regard. We expand upon existing work to propose a systems perspective of computer-supported health and well-being services in order to improve mental health and well-being of low resource older adults. We conclude with open questions for future work.
Maternal Opioid Use Disorder and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Among Rural US Residents, 2007-2014

PURPOSE Opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy is associated with poor maternal and infant outcomes, including neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and both maternal OUD and NAS are increasing disproportionately among rural residents. This study describes the trajectory and characteristics associated with diagnosis of maternal OUD or NAS among rural residents who gave birth at different types of hospitals based on rural/urban location and teaching status. METHODS Hospital discharge data from the all-payer National Inpatient Sample were used to describe maternal OUD and infant NAS among rural residents from 2007-2014. Hospitals were categorized as rural, urban teaching, and urban nonteaching. We estimated incidence trends by hospital categories, followed by multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify correlates of OUD and NAS among rural residents, stratified by hospital category. FINDINGS Incidence of maternal OUD increased in all hospital categories, with higher rates (8.9/1,000 deliveries) among rural residents who gave birth at urban teaching hospitals compared with those who gave birth at rural hospitals (4.3/1,000 deliveries) or urban nonteaching hospitals (3.6/1,000 deliveries; P < .001). A similar pattern was observed for infant NAS. In multivariable models, the association between maternal OUD and infant NAS diagnoses and hospital category differed by rurality (micropolitan vs. noncore.) CONCLUSIONS: There has been a sustained increase in both maternal OUD and NAS diagnoses among rural residents. Measured sociodemographic and clinical correlates of maternal OUD and NAS differ by hospital category, indicating variability across hospital locations in patient populations and clinical needs for rural residents with these conditions.
A Capable Surgeon and a Willing Electrologist: Challenges to the Expansion of Transgender Surgical Care in the United States

Since 2014, public and private insurance coverage for transgender Americans' surgical care has increased exponentially. Training clinicians and equipping institutions to meet the surge in demand has not been as rapid. Through ethnographic research at a surgical workshop focused on trans- genital reconstruction and in a U.S. hospital working to grow its transgender health program, this article shows that effects of the decades-long insurance exclusion of trans- surgery are not easily remedied through the recent event of its inclusion because patient access is not the only thing that has been restricted by coverage denial. Decades of excluding coverage for trans- genital reconstructive surgery have limited the development and circulation of technical skills required to perform these procedures, as well as the administrative processes needed to integrate them into existing clinical workflows. One surgeon estimates that turning expanded access into realized care is "a five or six-year problem."
Inverted encoding models estimate sensible channel responses for sensible models

Abstract In a commentary published in eNeuro, Gardner & Liu (2019) discuss the role of model specification in interpreting the output of complex models of neural data. As a case study, they suggest that one variant of such analyses, the inverted encoding model (IEM) analysis framework, should not be used to assay properties of “stimulus representations” because the ability to apply linear transformations at various stages of the analysis procedure renders results ‘arbitrary’. As we discuss, the specification of all models is arbitrary to the extent that an experimenter makes choices based on current knowledge of the model system. However, the results derived from any given model, such as the reconstructed channel response profiles obtained from an IEM analysis, are uniquely defined and are arbitrary only in the sense that changes in the model can predictably change results. Moreover, with knowledge of the model used for IEM analyses, the results remain informative as comparisons between reconstructed channel response profiles across task conditions using a fixed encoding model – the most common use of the IEM technique – can generally capture changes in population-level representation magnitude across linear transformations. Thus, changes in the magnitude of the response profiles across conditions are preserved, even across unprincipled linear transforms. IEM-based channel response profiles should therefore not be considered arbitrary when the model is clearly specified and guided by our best understanding of neural population representations in the brain regions being analyzed. Intuitions derived from this case study are important to consider when interpreting results from all model-based analyses, which are similarly contingent upon the specification of the models used.
A New Proof for the Quadratic Gaussian Two-Encoder Source-Coding Problem

This paper revisits the quadratic Gaussian two-encoder source-coding problem, for which a Gaussian quantize-and-bin scheme, also known as the Berger-Tung scheme, is known to achieve the entire rate region. We present a new proof of the impossibility half of the rate-region optimality result that is arguably more direct.
Escherichia coli concentrations in waters of a reservoir system impacted by cattle and migratory waterfowl

Recent pathogenic Escherichia coli contamination of fresh vegetables that originated from irrigation water has increased awareness and importance of identifying sources of E. coli entering agroecosystems. However, inadequate methods for accurately predicting E. coli occurrence and sources in waterways continue to limit the identification of appropriate and effective prevention and treatment practices. Therefore, the primary objectives of this study were to: (1) Determine the concentration of E. coli during storm events in a hydrologic controlled stream situated in a livestock research operation that is located in the Central Flyway for avian migration in the United States. Great Plains; and (2) Identify trends between E. coli concentrations, grazing rotations, and avian migration patterns. The study sampled five rainfall events (three summer and two fall) to measure E. coli concentrations throughout storm events. A combination of cattle density and waterfowl migration patterns were found to significantly impact E. coli concentrations in the stream. Cattle density had a significant impact during the summer season (p 85% of the growing season following rainfall events. Based on these findings, implementation of best management practices for reducing E. coli concentrations during the growing season and testing of irrigation water prior to application are recommended.
Longitudinal Differences in Response to Name Among Infants Developing ASD and Risk for ADHD

Diminished response to name, a potential early marker of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), may also indicate risk for other disorders characterized by attention problems, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using a familial risk design, we examined whether response to name ability at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months of age differed between three 36-month outcome groups: ASD, ADHD Concerns, or a Comparison group. Persistent differences between the ASD and Comparison groups were evident beginning at 12 months; differences between the ADHD Concerns and Comparison groups were evident between 12 and 18 months only. Results suggest that response to name may be a general marker for ASD and ADHD risk in infancy but a specific indicator of ASD by 24-months.
Thermal-Constrained. Energy-Aware Load Management on MPSoC Architectures

This paper introduces a novel strategy to restrain rising peak temperatures of MPSoC systems by incorporating task migration and task swapping while reducing the energy consumption and meeting the deadlines of high priority tasks. Hot spots formed by high-frequency execution of tasks are alleviated using a heuristic approach and the power consumption is reduced through energy-aware task migration. Furthermore, the proposed heuristics manage to maintain a high throughput. Extensive experiments were performed to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed technique compared to other techniques in the literature.
Efficacy of venetoclax in high risk relapsed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) ‐ outcomes and mutation profile from venetoclax resistant MCL patients

Venetoclax is effective in relapsed patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Mechanisms of resistance to venetoclax in MCL are poorly understood. We describe the clinical outcomes and genomic characteristics of 24 multiply relapsed patients (median of five prior lines of therapy) who received venetoclax-based therapies; 67% had progressed on BTK inhibitors (BTKi) and 54% had blastoid or pleomorphic histology. Median follow up after venetoclax treatment was 17 months. The overall response rate was 50% and complete response (CR) rate was 21%, 16 patients had progressed and 15 died. The median progression free, overall and post venetoclax survival were 8, 13.5 and 7.3 months respectively. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on samples collected from seven patients (including five pairs; before starting venetoclax and after progression on venetoclax). The SMARCA4 and BCL2 alterations were noted only after progression, while TP53, CDKN2A, KMT2D, CELSR3, CCND1, NOTCH2 and ATM were altered 2-4-fold more frequently after progression. In two patients with serial samples, we demonstrated clonal evolution of novel SMARCA4 and KMT2C/D mutations at progression. Mutation dynamics in venetoclax resistant MCL is demonstrated. Our data indicates that venetoclax resistance in MCL is predominantly associated with non-BCL2 gene mutations. Further studies are ongoing in MCL patients to evaluate the efficacy of venetoclax in combination with other agents and understand the biology of venetoclax resistance in MCL.
Christianity and Social Justice: The Problem of Majoritarianism and a Search for the Common Good

The interactions between Christian theology and wider society have been mutually beneficial but at the same time often contentious. One of the difficult issues has been the question of minorities or dissenting opinions over against the majority views in a political system with socio-cultural and economic diversities. Freedom, security, equality, and the rule of law are some of the key aspects of the responsibility of the society, which enable human community to flourish, but society must also deal with the ‘problem of minorities’. This is not just a matter of tolerance, compassion or charity from the majority or from those who have authority, wealth and power but the system has to provide for the poor, marginalised and voiceless as a matter of seeking social justice for all.
Wildfire Risk and Hazardous Fuel Reduction Treatments Along the US-Mexico Border: A Review of the Science (1986-2019):

The ecosystems along the border between the United States and Mexico are at increasing risk to wildfire due to interactions among climate, land-use, and fuel loads. A wide range of fuel treatments ...
Simulation to Improve the Capabilities of Teams

This chapter will delineate how simulation contributes to improved team capabilities. We begin by underscoring the importance of teamwork in various high performance or high reliability team settings from diverse domains as well as those specific to healthcare. These teams may consistently work together and build transactive memory that allows them to improve effectiveness when performing optimally. Other teams may be formed on an inconsistent basis, or ad hoc, such as code teams and emergency teams. These teams have further barriers such as lack of familiarity with the setting or with other members, and scarcity of resources. We describe the role of simulation in improving the effectiveness of both types of teams from utilizing routine checklists and procedures to emergency protocols and code leadership. In addition to offering technical skills, simulation is an instrument to impart cognitive skills such as closed loop communication and shared mental model, as well as support the discovery of system deficiencies and effect quality improvement.
“You Got Me Into This…”: Procreative Responsibility and Its Implications for Suicide and Euthanasia

This paper investigates connections between procreative ethics and the ethics of suicide and euthanasia. Regarding euthanasia/assisted suicide, we might think it too demanding to ask parents to help euthanize their terminally ill, suffering child, but had the parents not procreated, their child wouldn’t need euthanizing. If you need help killing yourself, shouldn’t your parents, who got you into life in the first place—without your consent—help you out of it? Yet knowing that your parents would help you kill yourself may increase your desire to die: a conundrum. Regarding suicide, the fact that we are forced into life should bolster the right to suicide, even for reasons that others might find wanting. The ways in which we are brought into life have moral implications for the ways in which we are entitled to get out of it.
Recent Progress with Laser Microbeams

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the recent progress with laser microbeams. The chapter deals with a description of the way in which the laser microbeam is being used to irradiate several organelles for the purpose of studying cell function and development. Chromosomes are the organelles that have been studied most extensively with the argon laser microbeam. The first argon laser microbeam study described the effect of focusing a low-power beam onto the long arm of a chromosome in a mitotic salamander tissue culture cell. The cells had been treated with a low concentration of the dye, acridine orange (AO), thus photosensitizing them to the laser light. This initial study demonstrated the feasibility of chromosome studies, and has resulted in numerous investigations designed to clarify the structure and function of the eukaryote chromosome. The functional assay of nucleolar formation tends to confirm the cytochemical evidence, DNA can be altered, and a nucleolus is not synthesized; histone can be altered selectively, and a nucleolus is formed-the DNA is still functional. Furthermore, these studies also demonstrate the directed loss of a specific genetic function.
Notch-1 activates estrogen receptor-α-dependent transcription via IKKα in breast cancer cells

Approximately 80% of breast cancers express the estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and are treated with anti-estrogens. Resistance to these agents is a major cause of mortality. We have shown that estrogen inhibits Notch, whereas anti-estrogens or estrogen withdrawal activate Notch signaling. Combined inhibition of Notch and estrogen signaling has synergistic effects in ERα-positive breast cancer models. However, the mechanisms whereby Notch-1 promotes the growth of ERα-positive breast cancer cells are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Notch-1 increases the transcription of ERα-responsive genes in the presence or absence of estrogen via a novel chromatin crosstalk mechanism. Our data support a model in which Notch-1 can activate the transcription of ERα-target genes via IKKα-dependent cooperative chromatin recruitment of Notch–CSL–MAML1 transcriptional complexes (NTC) and ERα, which promotes the recruitment of p300. CSL binding elements frequently occur in close proximity to estrogen-responsive elements (EREs) in the human and mouse genomes. Our observations suggest that a hitherto unknown Notch-1/ERα chromatin crosstalk mediates Notch signaling effects in ERα-positive breast cancer cells and contributes to regulate the transcriptional functions of ERα itself.
Whence Molecular Electronics

Molecular electronics devices hold great promise for electronics applications. But how have the devices fared so far? In their Perspective, Flood et al ., review recent advances in this field. They conclude that several types of molecular electronics devices, such as molecular rectifiers and molecular switch tunnel junctions, have withstood scientific scrutiny: In these devices, the observed effects are indeed molecular in origin. Future practical devices will most likely consist of hybrid devices that combine molecular with existing electronics.