cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of spatially bandlimited basis functions for three-dimensional MoM solutions

There has been considerable interest in improving the solution efficiency of the method of moments (MoM). In particular is the drive to conserve the use of basis functions, since it has the most direct impact on the computer resource requirement of such numerical solutions. To achieve this requires the efficient representation of the unknown surface fields with a minimum number of samples. In this paper, we show that surface fields have an important characteristic: a majority of their energy is often distributed within a limited band of spatial frequencies. Consequently, the use of a bandlimited basis set tends to lead to very efficient solutions with near optimum sampling rates. The formulation and numerical results are presented. >
MRI nerve root enhancement in Krabbe disease

Krabbe disease is characterized by abnormal breakdown and turnover of myelin, leading to extensive demyelination in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. A 7-month-old infant with early-onset Krabbe disease had deceptively normal head images, but spinal MRI demonstrated abnormal gadolinium enhancement of the lumbosacral sacral nerve roots and cauda equina such as that seen in Guillain-Barre syndrome. Abnormal enhancement in spinal MRI has not been previously described in patients with leukodystrophies.
Exploiting locality to ameliorate packet queue contention and serialization

Packet processing systems maintain high throughput despite relatively high memory latencies by exploiting the coarse-grained parallelism available between packets. In particular, multiple processors are used to overlap the processing of multiple packets. Packet queuing-the fundamental mechanism enabling packet scheduling, differentiated services, and traffic isolation-requires a read-modify-write operation on a linked list data structure to enqueue and dequeue packets; this operation represents a potential serializing bottleneck. If all packets awaiting service are destined for different queues, these read-modify-write cycles can proceed in parallel. However, if all or many of the incoming packets are destined for the same queue, or for a small number of queues, then system throughput will be serialized by these sequential external memory operations. For this reason, low latency SRAMs are used to implement the queue data structures. This reduces the absolute cost of serialization but does not eliminate it; SRAM latencies determine system throughput.In this paper we observe that the worst-case scenario for packet queuing coincides with the best-case scenario for caches: i.e., when locality exists and the majority of packets are destined for a small number of queues. The main contribution of this work is the queuing cache, which consists of a hardware cache and a closely coupled queuing engine that implements queue operations. The queuing cache improves performance dramatically by moving the bottleneck from external memory onto the packet processor, where clock rates are higher and latencies are lower. We compare the queuing cache to a number of alternatives, specifically, SRAM controllers with: no queuing support, a software-controlled cache plus a queuing engine (like that used on Intel's IXP network processor), and a hardware cache. Relative to these models, we show that a queuing cache improves worst-case throughput by factors of 3.1, 1.5, and 2.1 and the throughput of real-world traffic traces by factors of 2.6, 1.3, and 1.75, respectively. We also show that the queuing cache decreases external memory bandwidth usage, on-chip communication, and the number of queuing instructions executed under best-case, worst-case and real-world traffic workloads. Based on our VHDL models, we conclude that a queuing cache could be implemented at a low cost relative to the resulting performance and efficiency benefits.
Direct interactions of adaptor protein complexes 1 and 2 with the copper transporter ATP7A mediate its anterograde and retrograde trafficking

ATP7A is a P-type ATPase in which diverse mutations lead to X-linked recessive Menkes disease or occipital horn syndrome. Recently, two previously unknown ATP7A missense mutations, T994I and P1386S, were shown to cause an isolated distal motor neuropathy without clinical or biochemical features of other ATP7A disorders. These mutant alleles cause subtle defects in ATP7A intracellular trafficking, resulting in preferential plasma membrane localization compared with wild-type ATP7A. We reported previously that ATP7A(P1386S) causes unstable insertion of the eighth and final transmembrane segment, preventing proper position of the carboxyl-terminal tail in a proportion of mutant molecules. Here, we utilize this and other naturally occurring and engineered mutant ATP7A alleles to identify mechanisms of normal ATP7A trafficking. We show that adaptor protein (AP) complexes 1 and 2 physically interact with ATP7A and that binding is mediated in part by a carboxyl-terminal di-leucine motif. In contrast to other ATP7A missense mutations, ATP7A(P1386S) partially disturbs interactions with both APs, leading to abnormal axonal localization in transfected NSC-34 motor neurons and altered calcium-signaling following glutamate stimulation. Our results imply that AP-1 normally tethers ATP7A at the trans-Golgi network in the somatodendritic segments of motor neurons and that alterations affecting the ATP7A carboxyl-terminal tail induce release of the copper transporter to the axons or axonal membranes. The latter effects are intensified by diminished interaction with AP-2, impeding ATP7A retrograde trafficking. Taken together, these findings further illuminate the normal molecular mechanisms of ATP7A trafficking and suggest a pathophysiological basis for ATP7A-related distal motor neuropathy.
The Human Face of Big Data

I n 1965, the year the Voting Rights Act was signed into law, only 5% of the population held a postsecondary degree. Despite the steady rise in educational attainment (nearly one-third of Americans currently have a college degree) and voting enfranchisement over the past 50 years, American democracy continues forward with the seemingly paradoxical circumstance of relatively high levels of education and low levels of political knowledge. In an engaging new book, eminent political scientist Arthur Lupia sets out to provide answers to the question of “why people know so little about politics and what we can do about it.” Lupia begins by critiquing the conventional wisdom that we are, in fact, lacking when it comes to political knowledge. He argues that studies that draw such conclusions are often based on unrealistic expectations, poor quality of measurement, and faulty reasoning from the data. There is far too much detailed and policyspecific political information at any given moment for any person to be considered knowledgeable about all things political, Lupia maintains. “A democracy would be a farce if nobody knew anything at all about politics or policy,” he writes. “[H]owever, it requires a grand leap of logic (usually accompanied by a substantial dose of illogic) to go from POLITICAL SCIENCE
Epidemiology of Surgical Site Infection in a Community Hospital Network

Abstract OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiology of complex surgical site infection (SSI) following commonly performed surgical procedures in community hospitals and to characterize trends of SSI prevalence rates over time for MRSA and other common pathogens METHODS We prospectively collected SSI data at 29 community hospitals in the southeastern United States from 2008 through 2012. We determined the overall prevalence rates of SSI for commonly performed procedures during this 5-year study period. For each year of the study, we then calculated prevalence rates of SSI stratified by causative organism. We created log-binomial regression models to analyze trends of SSI prevalence over time for all pathogens combined and specifically for MRSA. RESULTS A total of 3,988 complex SSIs occurred following 532,694 procedures (prevalence rate, 0.7 infections per 100 procedures). SSIs occurred most frequently after small bowel surgery, peripheral vascular bypass surgery, and colon surgery. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen. The prevalence rate of SSI decreased from 0.76 infections per 100 procedures in 2008 to 0.69 infections per 100 procedures in 2012 (prevalence rate ratio [PRR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-1.00). A more substantial decrease in MRSA SSI (PRR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54-0.89) was largely responsible for this overall trend. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of MRSA SSI decreased from 2008 to 2012 in our network of community hospitals. This decrease in MRSA SSI prevalence led to an overall decrease in SSI prevalence over the study period. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;1-8.
Gold Cluster Formation with Phosphine Ligands: Etching as a Size-Selective Synthetic Pathway for Small Clusters?

Triphenylphosphine (PPh3) is commonly used during syntheses of stable, closed-shell monolayer protected clusters (MPCs). Models of transition metal (TM) cluster and nanoparticle syntheses commonly assign PPh3 a passive role as a chemical placeholder, electron balancing species, or surfactant. This study provides the first direct evidence that PPh3 is a proactive etching agent that promotes the formation of specific closed-shell cluster sizes. To observe this effect, we developed a colorimetric tool that simultaneously monitors size distribution and population of PPh3-protected clusters as a function of time. The distribution of the clusters is assigned to different bin sizes by chemical conversion with L3 (L3 = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane): (i) total conversion of PPh3-protected Au8 and Au9 clusters into [Au6L34]2+ and (ii) ligand exchange with [Aux(PPh3)y]z+ (10 ≤ x ≤ 13) clusters to form L3-protected Au10 and Au11 clusters. Evolution of the nascent cluster distribution in ethanol and methanol solv...
Chemical Load Fractionation and Trap Efficiency of a Construction Site Storm Water Management Basin

Storm water runoff from construction sites is a major source of non-point source pollution in urban areas, and storm water management basins are widely used on construction sites to control downstream pollution. These basins are designed to trap sediment, but very little information is available about the effectiveness of these basins in controlling potential chemical pollutants such as heavy metals and nutrients. These chemicals exist in both particulate and dissolved forms in storm water runoff and can change form during transport. Consequently, runoff leaving a storm water management basin with little sediment could still contain significant amounts of chemical pollution as colloids and dissolved fraction. Data collected during storm events for a management basin in northeastern Ohio show that sediment, metal, and phosphorus trap efficiencies (TEs) are highly variable. Generally, TEs for the components of pollutants associated with finer sediments were observed to be less than total pollutant TEs. Dissolved load TEs were also relatively high. The bulk of the outflow chemical load was found to be associated with finer particulate matter (
Empirical Tests of Role, Complementary Needs, and Homogamy Theories of Marital Choice*

Ninety-nine couples, either engaged or "going steady," received a revised form of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule taken under the "sets" Self, Ideal Self, Fiance(e), and Ideal Spouse. It was hypothesized that couples chose each other on the basis of role compatibility as seen by the respective members of the couples (inter-perceptions) and as viewed by one member alone (intra-perceptions); both hypotheses were supported. It was further hypothesized that role theory would account more cogently for marital choice than either a complementary needs or homogamy theory. This hypothesis was substantiated for intra-perception scores but not for interperception ones.
Kinetics of a novel cytosolic protein during the onset of renal epithelial cell growth

Exposure of monkey kidney epithelial cells (BSC-1 line) to medium with a reduced K concentration (3.2 mM) stimulated growth and transiently activated glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PD). The increase in enzyme activity was mediated by a cytosolic modifier protein that was purified using affinity and size-exclusion chromatography, and anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography. The apparent molecular mass of the protein was 62 kDa. A monospecific antibody to the protein was prepared from rabbit antiserum and used as an immunoprobe. Immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting revealed that the protein was a normal constituent of the cytosol and that it accumulated in cells exposed to low-K medium. A quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the amount of modifier protein increased progressively for up to 2 h in cells exposed to low-K medium, and then returned to the control value, a kinetic profile similar to that observed for G3PD activity. These results indicate that the modifier protein is a constituent of renal epithelial cells and accumulates transiently in the cytosol where it could regulate G3PD activity during the onset of growth induced by the low-K mitogenic signal.
Functional characteristics of receptor-bound urokinase on human monocytes: catalytic efficiency and susceptibility to inactivation by plasminogen activator inhibitors.

We compared urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) in fluid phase and u-PA bound with its receptor on human blood monocytes with respect to proteolytic activity and susceptibility to inactivation by the plasminogen activator inhibitors PAI-1 and PAI-2. Receptor-bound u-PA is catalytically twice as efficient as fluid-phase u-PA. Fluid-phase u- PA is susceptible to rapid inhibition by PAI-1 and PAI-2 at an estimated PAI:u-PA molar ratio of 2:1. In contrast, u-PA bound to endogenously occupied receptors is inhibited by PAI-2 only at PAI:u-PA molar ratios of 20:1, but is not inhibited by PAI-1, u-PA/PAI-1 and u- PA/PAI-2 complexes bind to the receptor with a tenfold lower affinity than u-PA itself. Thus, competition of u-PA/PAI complexes with fluid- phase u-PA for binding to the receptor is unlikely to affect the overall plasminogen activator activity of the monocyte. These findings demonstrate that the activity of receptor-bound u-PA can be modulated by PAI-2, but not by PAI-1, to adjust the cell9s proteolytic activity to different local situations.
Outcome variables in multivariable analysis

How does the nature of the outcome variable influence the choice of which type of multivariable analysis to do? The choice of multivariable analysis depends primarily on the type of outcome variable that you have (Table 3.1). Therefore, I have organized this chapter by outcome variable: interval (Section 3.2), dichotomous (Section 3.3), ordinal (Section 3.4), nominal (Section 3.5), time to occurrence (Sections 3.6–3.9), count (Section 3.10) and incidence rate (Section 3.11). To help orient you, I have included in Table 3.1 examples of each type of outcome variable, and the statistic generally used to perform a bivariate analysis with the same type of data. My hope is that this will ease your transition from performing bivariate analyses to multivariable analyses. Although different models are used for different outcome variables, it is sometimes possible to change the nature of the outcome variable (or to test more than one form of your outcome variable). Therefore, in Section 3.12, I discuss ways to transform variables so that they can be analyzed using different multivariable techniques. Each of the multivariable models has a different set of underlying assumptions. Therefore to help you choose the correct model and interpret the output correctly I have included the underlying assumptions for each of the models within each section. In Chapter 9, I review methods of testing the underlying assumption of the multivariable models.
Local Government Authority and Representation in REDD+: A Case Study from Nigeria

SUMMARY Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+) is a global climate change mitigation initiative. The United Nations REDD Programme (UN-REDD) is building capacity in developing countries interested in REDD+ including Nigeria. REDD+ will reduce access to forests and compromise the livelihoods of local people. UN-REDD commits to strengthen local democracy as a safeguard to prevent elite capture of benefits from REDD+ for local people. This study examined whether local representation in the UN-REDD international policy board and during the consultative process accompanying adoption of REDD+ in Nigeria strengthened local democracy. The study is based on field research in Nigeria in 2012 and 2013. It found that local government authority, the substantive political representatives of local people were not in the UN-REDD policy board, and were absent from th...
Making sense of the exoplanet zoo

The regions around stars on length and mass scales similar to that of our own solar system are relatively new to human exploration. In the two decades since “substellar objects,” things less massive than stars, were discovered orbiting stars other than the Sun, the single most certain statement about them has been “expect the unexpected.” On page 673 of this issue, Wagner et al. ( 1 ) reinforce that statement by reporting on the detection of a substellar object orbiting within a triplestar system.
Activation of Notch1 synergizes with multiple pathways in promoting castration-resistant prostate cancer

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is the primary cause of prostate cancer-specific mortality. Defining new mechanisms that can predict recurrence and drive lethal CRPC is critical. Here, we demonstrate that localized high-risk prostate cancer and metastatic CRPC, but not benign prostate tissues or low/intermediate-risk prostate cancer, express high levels of nuclear Notch homolog 1, translocation-associated (Notch1) receptor intracellular domain. Chronic activation of Notch1 synergizes with multiple oncogenic pathways altered in early disease to promote the development of prostate adenocarcinoma. These tumors display features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, a cellular state associated with increased tumor aggressiveness. Consistent with its activation in clinical CRPC, tumors driven by Notch1 intracellular domain in combination with multiple pathways altered in prostate cancer are metastatic and resistant to androgen deprivation. Our study provides functional evidence that the Notch1 signaling axis synergizes with alternative pathways in promoting metastatic CRPC and may represent a new therapeutic target for advanced prostate cancer.
Optical torque in integrated silicon waveguides induced by photon spin angular momentum transfer

We experimentally measured the twisting optical torque exerted on integrated rectangular silicon waveguides, induced by the photon spin angular momentum transfer, when the polarization state evolves as the photons propagate, due to the waveguide birefringence.
Delayed Platelet Engraftment and Outcome of Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma: Possible Microenvironment Effect?.

Background: Autologous stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment modality for patients with multiple myeloma. While most of the patients relapse after ASCT with a median time to progression of 2 years, there is a significant heterogeneity in the duration of response. It has been hypothesized that the effect of high dose alkylator therapy used for conditioning may have a dual effect on the myeloma cells as well as marrow microenvironment. It is also known that hematopoiesis, especially thrombopoiesis, depends to some extent on signals form the marrow microenvironment. We examined if there was any relationship between delayed platelet engraftment and outcome after ASCT. Methods: We examined the outcomes in a group of patients undergoing ASCT for myeloma at our institution to compare the response duration to platelet engraftment kinetics. We studied 687 patients undergoing ASCT with melphalan conditioning followed by peripheral blood stem cell transplant. Results: Among the 687 patients undergoing ASCT, 200 pts (29%) achieved a platelet count of 50,000 by day 21 (early group) and the rest achieved this level after 21 days or never engrafted (late group). The median time to progression (TTP) among the late group was 24.8 months (95% CI; 19.6, 30 months) vs. 16.8 months (95% CI; 15.1, 18.6 months) for the late group (p Conclusions: In this study, we have demonstrated for the first time a relationship between delayed platelet engraftment after ASCT and the duration of response following ASCT. This intriguing finding raises several hypotheses. It is possible that the delayed platelet engraftment is a marker of marrow microenvironment dysfunction secondary to high dose therapy, given the role of marrow microenvironment on thrombopoiesis. It is possible that this is a surrogate marker for the biological effectiveness of the melphalan dose, which can affect the other cells in the marrow microenvironment as well. It is likely a reflection of the marrow microenvironment dependence on the myeloma cells for its survival. These findings should be confirmed in other larger patient groups. Predictors of progression Variable Hazard Ratio P Platelet Engraftment > 21 days 0.80 (0.60, 0.96) 0.02 Late transplant (>12 months from diagnosis) 1.6 (1.3, 2.0) Plasma cell labeling index > 1% 1.9 (1.5, 2.4) Complete response 0.41 (0.33, 0.51) Abnormal Cytogenetics 1.8 (1.4, 2.3) B2M > 3.5 1.2 (0.96, 1.5) 0.12 Download : Download high-res image (73KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
Evaluation of digestion methods for analysis of trace metals in mammalian tissues and NIST 1577c.

Digestion techniques for ICP analysis have been poorly studied for biological samples. This report describes an optimized method for analysis of trace metals that can be used across a variety of sample types. Digestion methods were tested and optimized with the analysis of trace metals in cancerous as compared to normal tissue as the end goal. Anthropological, forensic, oncological and environmental research groups can employ this method reasonably cheaply and safely whilst still being able to compare between laboratories. We examined combined HNO3 and H2O2 digestion at 170 °C for human, porcine and bovine samples whether they are frozen, fresh or lyophilized powder. Little discrepancy is found between microwave digestion and PFA Teflon pressure vessels. The elements of interest (Cu, Zn, Fe and Ni) yielded consistently higher and more accurate values on standard reference material than samples heated to 75 °C or samples that utilized HNO3 alone. Use of H2SO4 does not improve homogeneity of the sample and lowers precision during ICP analysis. High temperature digestions (>165 °C) using a combination of HNO3 and H2O2 as outlined are proposed as a standard technique for all mammalian tissues, specifically, human tissues and yield greater than 300% higher values than samples digested at 75 °C regardless of the acid or acid combinations used. The proposed standardized technique is designed to accurately quantify potential discrepancies in metal loads between cancerous and healthy tissues and applies to numerous tissue studies requiring quick, effective and safe digestions.
Search for a Heavy Di-tau Resonance in the MSSM

Supersymmetry is the most elegant solution to many shortcomings of the SM, such as the existence of dark matter or the hierarchy problem. Its simplest version, the MSSM, can be probed at the LHC. Searching for heavy neutral resonances (\(\Phi =A/H/h\)) decaying to a pair of tau leptons is the most powerful way at the LHC to uncover an MSSM scalar sector at large \(\tan \beta \), given the increased scalar couplings to leptons and down-type quarks.
Caching Geospatial Objects in Web Browsers

Map-based services are becoming increasingly important in many applications. These services often need to show geospatial objects (e.g., cities and parks) in Web browsers, and being able to retrieve such objects efficiently is critical to achieving a low response time for user queries. In this demonstration we present a browser-based caching technique to store and load geospatial objects on a map in a Web page. The technique employs a hierarchical structure to store and index polygons, and does intelligent prefetching and cache replacement by utilizing the information about the user's recent browser activities. We demonstrate the usage of the technique in an application called TwitterMap for visualizing more than 1 billion tweets in real time. We show its effectiveness by using different replacement policies. The technique is implemented as a general-purpose Javascript library, making it suitable for other applications as well.
Busting the Myth of “Static vs Cidal”: A Systemic Literature Review

We sought to determine if clinical data validate the dogma that bactericidal antibiotics are more clinically effective than bacteriostatic agents. We performed a systematic literature review of published, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) that compared a bacteriostatic agent to a bactericidal agent in the treatment of clinical, bacterial infections. Of 56 identified trials published since 1985, 49 found no significant difference in efficacy between bacteriostatic and bactericidal agents. In 6 trials it was found that the bacteriostatic agent was superior to the bactericidal agent in efficacy. Only 1 trial found that the bactericidal agent was superior; in that case, the inferiority of the static agent was explainable by underdosing of the drug based on pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis. Thus, virtually all available data from high-quality, RCTs demonstrate no intrinsic superiority of bactericidal compared to bacteriostatic agents. Other drug characteristics such as optimal dosing, pharmacokinetics, and tissue penetration may be more important efficacy drivers.
Transcytosis of GCSF-transferrin across rat alveolar epithelial cell monolayers.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to use primary cultured rat alveolar epithelial cell monolayers to examine the potential of using transferrin receptor (TfR)-mediated transcytosis for noninvasive systemic protein drug delivery via the pulmonary route.
Dengue Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Arizona Health Care Providers, 2014-2015.

Abstract Background: Detection of local dengue transmission requires an aware and engaged medical community, as health care providers are the front line of public health surveillance. To assess the...
High-Octane Gasoline from Biomass: Experimental, Economic, and Environmental Assessment

Abstract Five economically-advantaged biomass feedstocks identified in the United States Department of Energy’s 2016 Billion Ton Study were gasified and the syngas was reformed at the bench scale to study the feedstock price-performance relationship. The distribution of reformed syngas compositions, heating values, and yields were similar across the different feedstocks and blends thereof, which ranged from inexpensive residual wastes to more expensive and higher quality biomass, revealing that feedstock performance was mostly insensitive to its price. Custom blended feedstocks produced syngas with characteristics resembling linear combinations of syngas from single-component feedstocks, supporting the ability to customize and predict blended properties based on single-feedstock data. The experimental gasification data informed a techno-economic analysis of specific feedstock costs for producing high-octane gasoline, and the results showed that miscanthus and forest residues were the most cost-effective. A field-to-wheels life-cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions showed that forest residues was the most environmentally benign feedstock of those studied.
The Golden Ratio and Regular Hexagons.

The irrational number (5−1)/2 is known as the golden ratio and it has a very special place in mathematics. The golden ratio is denoted by the Greek letter φ. The first clear definition of what has ...
Impact of Ultra-Conducting Winding on the Power Density and Performance of Non-Heavy Rare Earth Traction Motors

The emergence of carbon nanotube-copper composite conductors has opened a new degree of freedom in the electric machine design to improve the machine's performance: the conductivity of the winding. The goal of the present study is: 1) to determine how much improvement in power per unit volume and performance can be achieved with the increase in winding conductivity; and 2) to investigate any physical limitations on the effectiveness of this degree of freedom in improving the power per unit volume and performance of electric traction motors. Conventional electric motor topologies affected by ferromagnetic saturation as well as slotless topology that is not affected by saturation are analyzed. It was found that the ferromagnetic saturation of the lamination materials reduces the effectiveness of highly conductive winding in improving the power per unit volume. For machine topologies that are not affected by ferromagnetic saturation, the power density improvement reaches the theoretical expectation. In both cases, highly conductive winding improves the efficiency map by enlarging high efficiency operating area into light load as well as high speed operations.
Phase II trial of pemetrexed (P) and bevacizumab (B) in patients (pts) with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): An interim analysis

6049 Background: P is a multi-targeted antifolate with single-agent activity in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC (RR 26%, Pivot et al. Br J Cancer 2001;85:649–55) and a preferable toxicity profile com...
Dosimetric comparison of the INTRABEAM and Axxent for intraoperative breast radiotherapy.

Abstract Purpose Breast intraoperative radiotherapy with electronic brachytherapy (eBT) sources, such as the Zeiss INTRABEAM and the Xoft Axxent, are used to treat the lumpectomy cavity using a stationary or a stepped 50 kVp X-ray source, respectively. For three comparable applicator sizes with volume differences Methods and Materials A dosimetric comparison between the INTRABEAM and Axxent to the proximal 1.0 cm of tissue surrounding the applicator is performed using dose–volume parameters (DVPs): V90, V80, V50, Dmin, and Homogeneity Index (HI); HI was calculated as Dmax/Dmin. The dose–volume histograms of the INTRABEAM and Axxent were computed with measured percent depth dose data and with TG-43 parameters, respectively. The skin dose of 0.7–1.0 cm from the applicator surface was also computed. Results The mean DVPs were 5.5 ± 0.8% V90, 12.1 ± 1.5% V80, 47.5 ± 5.8% V50, 6.4 ± 0.6 Gy Dmin, and 3.2 ± 0.3 HI for the INTRABEAM applicators compared with 7.4 ± 0.3% V90, 14.7 ± 0.8% V80, 55.2 ± 4.7% V50, 4.0 ± 0.6 Gy Dmin, and 6.4 ± 1.1 HI for the Axxent applicators. INTRABEAM skin doses ranged from 7.7 to 9.0 Gy at 0.7 cm to 5.5–6.8 Gy at 1.0 cm, whereas Axxent skin doses ranged from 10.7 to 13.0 Gy at 0.7 cm to 7.8 to 9.3 Gy at 1.0 cm. Conclusions We demonstrated ±5% comparable dosimetric coverage for tissue ≤0.5 cm from the cavity and higher skin dose for Axxent plans. The DVPs increased with applicator size and with stepped treatment delivery.
Electronic transport properties of a lithium-decorated ZrTe 5 thin film

Through a combination of single crystal growth, experiments involving in situ deposition of surface adatoms, and complimentary modeling, we examine the electronic transport properties of lithium-decorated ZrTe5 thin films. We observe that the surface states in ZrTe5 are robust against Li adsorption. Both the surface electron density and the associated Berry phase are remarkably robust to adsorption of Li atoms. Fitting to the Hall conductivity data reveals that there exist two types of bulk carriers: those for which the carrier density is insensitive to Li adsorption, and those whose density decreases during initial Li depositions and then saturates with further Li adsorption. We propose this dependence is due to the gating effect of a Li-adsorption-generated dipole layer at the ZrTe5 surface.
Spectroscopic Sensing of Opioids in the THz Region

We present a study of the THz electromagnetic signatures of a few opioid drugs by computer modeling and experiments. Oxycodone and Vicodin display vibrational absorption resonances between ~1.4 and 1.6 THz. Molecular dynamics simulations predict that fentanyl should also display THz resonances with several of them occurring below 1.0 THz.
Purity is Not the Point: Chemical Toxicity, Childbearing, and Consumer Politics as Care

Environmental chemical toxicity evokes both individual action and relational interconnection. On the one hand, there is the diffusion of risk and harm through time and space, which complicates assigning fault, responsibility, or regulatory jurisdiction. On the other hand, toxicity begs the question of what individuals can do to feel a sense of agency and mitigate the damage done by daily necessities of living. I call this tension a double bind and suggest that it is mirrored by childbearing, arguing that childbearing offers a particularly compelling site for thinking through the possibilities and limits of consumer politics as a response to chemical toxicity. Childbearing and toxicity both disturb conventional ideas about individual actors in such a way that it makes the necessity of collective political action apparent even to those most invested in consumer politics. By building on new materialist philosophy and reproductive justice critiques of consumer choice, I consider both social and ontological problems with a politics based on individual agents. Ultimately, I argue that despite their flaws, consumer choices can be important acts of care alongside collective political action, and that childbearing can be a catalyst for ecological approaches to politics in which relations of responsibility and care are foregrounded.
Patterns of the risk for subsequent primary cancer among survivors of adult-onset cancers in the United States.

12060Background: The number of cancer survivors who develop new cancers is projected to grow in the US. Few studies, however, have provided a comprehensive overview of the contemporary pattern in t...
Electronic State of the His/Tyr-Ligated Heme of BthA by Mössbauer and DFT Analysis.

The BthA protein from the microorganism Burkholderia thailandensis contains two hemes with axial His/OH2 and His/Tyr coordinations separated by the closest interheme distance of 14 A. BthA has a similar structure and belongs to the same family of multiheme cytochrome c peroxidases as MauG, which performs long-range oxidation of the partner protein methylamine dehydrogenase. Magnetic Mossbauer spectroscopy of the diferric state of BthA corroborates previous structural work identifying a high-spin (His/OH2) peroxidatic heme and a low-spin (His/Tyr) electron transfer heme. Unlike MauG, addition of H2O2 fully converts the diferric form of BthA to a stable 2e- oxidized state, allowing a new assessment of this state. The peroxidatic heme is found to be oxidized to a canonical compound II, S = 1 oxoiron(IV) heme. In contrast, the electronic properties of the oxidized His/Tyr heme are puzzling. The isomer shift of the His/Tyr heme (0.17 mm/s) is close to that of the precursor S = 1/2 Fe3+ heme (0.21 mm/s) which suggests oxidation of the Tyr. However, the spin-dipolar hyperfine coupling constants are found here to be the same as those for the ferryl peroxidatic heme, indicating that the His/Tyr heme is also a compound II, S = 1 Fe4+ heme and ruling out oxidation of the Tyr. DFT calculations indicate that the unusually high isomer shift is not attributable to the rare axial His/Tyr heme coordination. The calculations are only compatible with spectroscopy for an unusually long Fe4+-OTyr distance, which is presumably under the influence of the protein environment of the His/Tyr heme moiety in the H2O2 oxidized state of the protein. The results offer new insights into how high valence intermediates can be tuned by the protein environment for performing long-range oxidation.
Inclusions in impact-formed zircon as a tracer of target rock lithology: Implications for Hadean continental crust composition and abundance

Abstract Impacts play an essential role in the formation and possible habitability on early Earth and are the dominant mechanism controlling surface geomorphology on many solar system bodies. Without a significant >4 Ga rock record, geochemical variations and micron-scale inclusions within detrital Hadean zircon (Earth's oldest material - primarily from the Jack Hills, Western Australia) have provided valuable insights into the near-surface conditions of this crucial period in Earth's evolution. We report primary inclusion mineralogy of impact-formed zircon and the host impact melt from the Sudbury and Morokweng impact structures with estimates of target rock lithology to probe the composition of Earth's earliest crust given the possibility that Hadean grains were created in ancient impacts. Applying the theory of uniformitarianism between preserved and ancient impactites and utilizing geochemical proxies, we highlight the compositional evolution of an impact melt from a given target rock and the associated primary inclusion assemblages. Whole-rock X-ray Fluorescence and thick-section analyses coupled with primary inclusion populations from known terrestrial impact-formed zircon yield proportional mineralogy of the impact melt sheet from which they crystallized. Additionally, target rock lithology consistently plots within an area on a Total Alkali Silica (TAS) diagram centered amongst the granophyre and noritic units of an impact melt. Deducing similar trends of the impact melt mineralogy combined with TAS and Quartz-Alkali-Plagioclase ternary diagram melt pathways, we infer that if Hadean zircons from Jack Hills were impact-formed, the target rock lithology (i.e. Earth's earliest crust) would be between the composition of quartz-rich granitoid and tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite.
The CDC and State Health Department Facebook Messages: An Examination of Frames and the Extended Parallel Processing Model

Public health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health departments are increasingly using social media in health education and promotion...
Reanalysis intercomparison of potential vorticity and potential-vorticity-based diagnostics

Abstract. Global reanalyses from data assimilation systems are among the most widely used datasets in weather and climate studies, and potential vorticity (PV) from reanalyses is invaluable for many studies of dynamical and transport processes. We assess how consistently modern reanalyses represent potential vorticity (PV) among each other, focusing not only on PV but also on process-oriented dynamical diagnostics including equivalent latitude calculated from PV and PV-based tropopause and stratospheric polar vortex characterization. In particular we assess the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Climate Forecast System Reanalysis/Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSR/CFSv2) reanalysis, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Interim (ERA-Interim) reanalysis, the Japanese Meteorological Agency's 55-year (JRA-55) reanalysis, and the NASA Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2). Overall, PV from all reanalyses agrees well with the reanalysis ensemble mean, providing some confidence that all of these recent reanalyses are suitable for most studies using PV-based diagnostics. Specific diagnostics where some larger differences are seen include PV-based tropopause locations in regions that have strong tropopause gradients (such as around the subtropical jets) or are sparse in high-resolution data (such as over Antarctica), and the stratospheric polar vortices during fall vortex formation and (especially) spring vortex breakup; studies of sensitive situations or regions such as these should examine PV from multiple reanalyses.
Reducing Discrimination in Learning Algorithms for Social Good in Sociotechnical Systems.

Sociotechnical systems within cities are now equipped with machine learning algorithms in hopes to increase efficiency and functionality by modeling and predicting trends. Machine learning algorithms have been applied in these domains to address challenges such as balancing the distribution of bikes throughout a city and identifying demand hotspots for ride sharing drivers. However, these algorithms applied to challenges in sociotechnical systems have exacerbated social inequalities due to previous bias in data sets or the lack of data from marginalized communities. In this paper, I will address how smart mobility initiatives in cities use machine learning algorithms to address challenges. I will also address how these algorithms unintentionally discriminate against features such as socioeconomic status to motivate the importance of algorithmic fairness. Using the bike sharing program in Pittsburgh, PA, I will present a position on how discrimination can be eliminated from the pipeline using Bayesian Optimization.
Use of Prescription Sialagogues for Management of Xerostomia in Chronic Graft-versus-Host-Disease.

Abstract Background : To analyze utilization patterns of prescription sialagogues for management of xerostomia in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHSCT). There have been several small reports describing the clinical use of sialagogue therapy in the management of patients with cGVHD. While these reports suggest that sialagogue therapy is safe and effective in this unique patient population, the numbers of patients reported, and overall evidence base, remain limited. Objective : The objective of this study was to characterize medication utilization and treatment outcomes in a cohort of patients with cGVHD and xerostomia who were prescribed sialagogue therapy. Study Design : A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who were diagnosed with cGVHD and prescribed sialagogue therapy for xerostomia from 2005 to 2019. Data collected included patient demographics, date of allo-HSCT, date of oral cGVHD diagnosis, concurrent immunosuppressive medications, sialagogue regimen, worst xerostomia score (on a 1-10 scale), and patient reported outcomes. Results : The study included 70 patients managed with pilocarpine (n = 57) and cevimeline (n = 13), with a median age of 62 years (range: 24-82). Overall median duration of therapy was 7 months (range: 1-154). The baseline median self-reported worst xerostomia score was 6/10. Median percent reported improvement was 10%, 40%, and 50% for FU1 ( 12 months) accordingly. Most patients who reported lower percentage improvement utilized the medication for less than 6 months, and those with moderate response were compliant for longer than 6 months. When all patients were considered there was a significant reduction (median of 1.5 points; range: 0-7) in the xerostomia score from pre (median: 6.5; range: 1-10) to post (median: 5; range: 0-10) (p Conclusion : Patients with cGVHD and xerostomia reported improvement in symptoms with sialagogue therapy and remained on medication for a median of 7 months with infrequent side effects. The sustained duration of therapy suggests perceived benefits, though prospective, blinded, and randomized studies are needed.
Lookism in the Chinese workplace: an integrated literature review

The purpose of this study is to provide a review of previous literature on lookism, contribute toward greater understanding of the issue of lookism in the Chinese workplace, and facilitate and encourage future research on the issue of workplace lookism. Lookism refers to discrimination based on physical appearance or attractiveness bias. An integrative literature review was conducted among the articles that addressed the issues specifically surrounding lookism in Chinese workplaces. We identified the main topics including the causes and types of lookism and draw attention to the source points and key actors considered and the effects of lookism. This article discussed the role of social and cultural aspects that contribute towards the perpetration of lookism and emphasised the need for change in social awareness, human resource policies and practices, and legislation that would help eliminate the phenomenon.
Severe Hypoglycemia and Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Diabetes.

Meta-analyses and reviews of observational cohorts have reported a relationship between severe hypoglycemia (SH) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events, but estimates of effect vary widely and many studies are limited by size and diversity, ability to adjust for confounders, and inconsistent definitions of exposures and outcomes (1–4). We studied the association of SH events and risk of ASCVD in a large, diverse cohort of patients. This study was approved by the Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) Institutional Review Board. This observational cohort study included adults (age ≥18 years) with diabetes who were members of KPNC, an integrated health care delivery system, with continuous membership during the 2 years prior to baseline. The outcomes of interest were ASCVD events, defined as a composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, fatal or nonfatal ischemic stroke, or death due to coronary heart disease. The exposure of interest …
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution: A Brief Proposal for Future Pandemics

This Article discusses the discombobulated rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines and proposes a different approach for a future pandemic - one that more heavily involves the strength and logistics of the United States military. With all of the mishaps with the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines, in future major pandemics a formal declaration of war against a virus to mobilize the military for the limited purpose of vaccine distribution will provide for a comprehensive national strategy to vaccinate as many people as possible in the quickest amount of time.
Increased 20-HETE signaling suppresses neurovascular coupling after ischemic stroke in regions beyond the infarct

Neurovascular coupling, the process by which neuronal activity elicits increases in the local blood supply, is impaired in stroke patients in brain regions outside the infarct. Such impairment may contribute to neurological deterioration over time, but its mechanism is unknown. Using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of stroke, we show that neuronal activity-evoked capillary dilation is reduced by ~75% in the intact cortical tissue outside the infarct border. This decrease in capillary responsiveness was not explained by a decrease in local neuronal activity or a loss of vascular contractility. Inhibiting synthesis of the vasoconstrictive molecule 20-HETE, either by inhibiting its synthetic enzyme CYP450 {omega}-hydroxylases or by increasing nitric oxide (NO), which is a natural inhibitor of {omega}-hydroxylases, rescued activity-evoked capillary dilation. The capillary dilation unmasked by inhibiting 20-HETE was dependent on PGE2 activation of EP4 receptors, a vasodilatory pathway previously identified in healthy animals. Cortical 20-HETE levels were increased following MCAO, in agreement with data from stroke patients. Inhibition of {omega}-hydroxylases normalized 20-HETE levels in vivo and increased cerebral blood flow in the peri-infarct cortex. These data identify 20-HETE-dependent vasoconstriction as a mechanism underlying neurovascular coupling impairment after stroke. Our results suggest that the brain's energy supply may be significantly reduced after stroke in regions previously believed to be asymptomatic and that {omega}-hydroxylase inhibition may restore healthy neurovascular coupling post-stroke.