cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficiency enhancement of gallium arsenide photovoltaics using solution-processed zinc oxide nanoparticle light scattering layers

We demonstrate a high-throughput, solution-based process for subwavelength surface texturing of a III-V compound solar cell. A zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle ink is spray-coated directly on top of a gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cell. The nanostructured ZnO films have demonstrated antireflection and light scattering properties over the visible/near-infrared (NIR) spectrum. The results show a broadband spectral enhancement of the solar cell external quantum efficiency (EQE), a 16% enhancement of short circuit current, and a 10% increase in photovoltaic efficiency.
Intolerance of uncertainty and startle potentiation in relation to different threat reinforcement rates

Abstract Fear conditioning research on threat predictability has primarily examined the impact of temporal (i.e., timing) predictability on the startle reflex. However, there are other key features of threat that can vary in predictability. For example, the reinforcement rate (i.e., frequency) of threat is a crucial factor underlying fear learning. The present study examined the impact of threat reinforcement rate on the startle reflex and self-reported anxiety during a fear conditioning paradigm. Forty-five participants completed a fear learning task in which the conditioned stimulus was reinforced with an electric shock to the forearm on 50% of trials in one block and 75% of trials in a second block, in counter-balanced order. The present study also examined whether intolerance of uncertainty (IU), the tendency to perceive or experience uncertainty as stressful or unpleasant, was associated with the startle reflex during conditions of low (50%) vs. high (75%) reinforcement. Results indicated that, across all participants, startle was greater during the 75% relative to the 50% reinforcement condition. IU was positively correlated with startle potentiation (i.e., increased startle response to the CS + relative to the CS −) during the 50%, but not the 75%, reinforcement condition. Thus, despite receiving fewer electric shocks during the 50% reinforcement condition, individuals with high IU uniquely demonstrated greater defense system activation when impending threat was more uncertain. The association between IU and startle was independent of state anxiety. The present study adds to a growing literature on threat predictability and aversive responding, and suggests IU is associated with abnormal responding in the context of uncertain threat.
Ethical and Legal Issues in Anesthesia

Understand the principle and process of obtaining informed consent Learn the definition of medical malpractice and how to avoid frivolous claims Know the procedure for addressing DNR/DNI status in the operating room
Vascular closure device failure: we are getting better but not there yet.

Manual compression for femoral artery access site hemostasis had been the standard of care until the early 1990s. At that time, 2 significant changes in clinical practice challenged the effectiveness of manual compression as the optimal hemostasis method: the use of large-bore catheters to perform
Label-free pathological evaluation of grade 3 cancer using Stokes shift spectroscopy

In this study, Stokes shift spectroscopy (S3) is used for measuring the aggressiveness of malignant tumors. S3 is an optical tool which utilizes the difference between the emission wavelength (λem) and the absorption wavelength (λabs) (the Stokes shift) to give a fixed wavelength shift (Δλs).Our analysis of tumor samples using S3 shows grade 3 (high grade) cancers consistently have increased relative tryptophan content compared to grade 1 or 2 tumors. This technique may be a useful tool in the evaluation of a patient’s cancer.
Serum and tissue glycoproteins in mice bearing transplantable tumors.

Summary and conclusionsSerum glycoproteins are increased in mice bearing transplantable tumors. Water soluble glycoproteins are increased in the connective tissue bordering and abutting on the tumor. These findings support the thesis that increased circulating glycoproteins arise from the ground substance of the connective tissue at the site of invasive growth by a process of depolymerization, whereby smaller, water soluble and diffusible glycoprotein moieties are produced.
Residents as teachers of the pelvic floor and perineal anatomy.

CONTEXT : As much as 50% of teaching is conducted by residents with limited clinical experience, pedagogical acumen or knowledge of the subject they teach. OBJECTIVE : The purpose was to develop a residents-as-teachers program that integrated a basic science curriculum of the pelvic floor and perineal anatomy with clinical correlations while instructing residents in certain clinical and pedagogical skills. DESIGN : A resident-as-teacher curriculum that focused on both the pedagogy and content related to pelvic floor and perineal anatomy was designed and collaboratively implemented by an anatomist, obstetrics/gynecology clinicians and a professional educator. It was implemented 4 times, with each session offered as a 3-hour training. A mixed-methods research design was used to study the impact of the resident-as-teacher program on the residents. SETTING : A medical school anatomy laboratory. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS : A total of 51 residents in the Brigham and Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital Integrated Residency Training Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology (PG-1, -2, -3 and -4) and 4 Harvard Medical School students. INTERVENTIONS : Four 3-hour resident-as-teacher curricular sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES : To understand the impact of an innovative resident-as-teacher curriculum on Obstetrics and Gynecology residents. RESULTS : The intervention significantly affected the residents' knowledge of pelvic floor and perineal anatomy and significantly increased the residents' comfort level with teaching pelvic floor and perineal anatomy. All the residents agreed that learning how to teach using clinical correlations and integrating the laboratory experience were excellent and that it was beneficial to be taught by the combination of clinical, anatomical and educational faculty. CONCLUSIONS : Teaching residents how to teach using a hands-on anatomical laboratory experience relevant to their daily work was overwhelmingly positive. The recommendation was to continue the program and implement the session at least biannually.
The United Nations: An Unconstrained Bureaucracy

The United Nations is financed mostly by taxpayers from a few donor countries but the large and growing bureaucracy is too far removed from those taxpayers to be directly accountable to them. It is run by unelected, unaccountable, undisciplined, and incompetent bureaucrats. The organization’s size, budget, and scope are unconstrained. The budget funding process provides perverse incentives for these bureaucrats to increase the size and scope of their organization simply by creating multitudes of agencies and programs, and by inventing problems and environmental crises set on a global scale.
Recent Publications on Medication and Pharmacy

Hospital Pharmacy presents a new feature to keep pharmacists abreast of new publications in the medical/pharmacy literature. Articles of interest will be abstracted monthly regarding a broad scope of topics. Suggestions or comments may be addressed to Joyce Generali, Director of Drug Information at Kansas University Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66160 or jgeneral@kumc.edu.
Evolving concepts of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapy of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Abstract Tuberculosis in the United States is evolving in nearly all respects--epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis. Today a relatively larger segment of the population has predisposing factors to infection with tuberculosis. There is a greater percentage of people who are elderly, who have immigrated from countries endemic for tuberculosis, or who are immunosuppressed due to medications necessary for other conditions, because of malignancies, or because of infection with HIV. Skin test classifications have been revised to give different meanings to different-sized areas of induration at the injection site for defined populations. More sensitive, more specific, and faster diagnostic laboratory tests for tuberculosis are being developed. Short-course chemotherapy of from six to nine months is now accepted as standard treatment, regardless of exactly which of the proven regimens of antibiotics or accepted lengths of therapy is used. Patient compliance is improved with the shorter courses both for treatment and for prophylaxis. Better compliance with therapy results in better treatment outcomes of infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Postmastectomy radiation and partial breast irradiation.

Overview:Between 1997 and 1999, three modern postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMXRT) trials were published. These trials showed a significant benefit with respect to local control and survival in ...
Modeling the Impact of Behavior Change on the Spread of Ebola

We create a compartmental mathematical model to analyze the role of behavior change in slowing the spread of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the 2014–2015 Western Africa epidemic. Our model incorporates behavior change, modeled as decreased contact rates between susceptible and infectious individuals, the prevention of traditional funerals, and/or increased access to medical facilities. We derived the basic reproductive number for the model, and approximated the parameter values for the spread of the EVD in Monrovia. We used sensitivity analysis to quantify the relative importance of the timing, and magnitude, of the population reducing their contact rates, avoiding the traditional burial practices, and having access to medical treatment facilities. We found that reducing the number of contacts made by infectious individuals in the general population is the most effective intervention method for mitigating an EVD epidemic. While healthcare interventions delayed the onset of the epidemic, healthcare alone is insufficient to stop the epidemic in the model.
Recoil Hadron Measurements in Muon Deeply Inelastic Scattering

Most of the results to be discussed in this paper were obtained by a group of physicists from the University of Chicago, Harvard University, the University of Illinois, and the University of Oxford who performed a series of muon scattering experiments at Fermilab in the period 1973–1976. The principal reference for this paper and for the work on recoil hadrons done by this group is a paper in Physical Review listed here as Reference 1. For that paper only, all the authors names are listed to illustrate the number of scientists whose efforts were required over a six year period to produce the results to be discussed. I was privileged to work with this group the entire time and want to acknowledge here my debt to their hard work and cooperation; it made this talk possible.
Characterization of a UV discharge source for pulsed power applications

A pulsed UV arc lamp discharge is driven by short pulses (100 ns FWHM) with peak current levels up to 550 A, with a repetition frequency up to 1 kHz. The arc lamp incorporates an ellipsoidal reflector which efficiently focusses > 60% of the total light output onto an approximately 100 mm2 area, appropriate to trigger a large area photoconductive semiconductor switch, PCSS. Experiments using xenonchloride (XeCl∗, 308 nm) and xenon-fluoride (XeF∗, 351 nm) were conducted. Using nanosecond electrical excitation pulses, excimer emission in both gases was observed at differing absolute output power levels. With XeCl∗ (HCl 0.06%, Xe 1.5%, Ne 98.44%) and XeF∗ (NF3 0.12%, Xe 0.36%, Ne 99.52%), XeF∗ exhibited both higher power and efficiency (∼0.01%) compared to XeCl∗, which, however, carried comparatively low levels of HCl in the available gas mixture.
Molecular Determinants of Specificity in the Dpr-DIP Interaction Network

Understanding the physical and chemical principles governing specificity in protein—protein binding is important both for revealing mechanisms of molecular recognition and for designing novel biomolecular systems. The protein families Dprs and DIPs, comprised of 21 and 9 immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) proteins, respectively, mediate neural cell adhesions and are critical for synapse formation specificity during development in arthropods. Previous research has recently characterized the Dpr-DIP interaction network and found that each Dpr selectively interacts with specific DIPs; the synaptic connectivity pattern in the fly brain is encoded by this molecular interaction network. The goal of this project is to determine the molecular basis of the specificity of these interactions. To achieve this goal, we are computing the binding free energies of each possible Dpr-DIP interaction using both the Molecular Mechanics-Poisson Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) approach and potential of mean force (PMF) based framework, constructed from all atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We are also employing a new near-atomic level MD program, Upside, to rapidly sample possible poses. Due to the lack of high-resolution crystal structures for most of these interactions, homology modeling was used in order to generate the initial structures. The calculated binding free energies will be used to predict possible Dpr-DIP interactions. Ultimately, we hope to use our current approach to predict potential protein—protein interactions between other IgSF proteins, which make up the second largest protein family in the human proteome, and are crucial for the development and function of the nervous and immune systems.
Optimal Code Partitioning Over Time and Hierarchical Cloudlets

This letter proposes a task scheduling scheme designed for code partitioning over time and the hierarchical cloudlets in a mobile edge network. To this end, we define the so called energy-time cost parameters to optimally schedule tasks over time and hierarchical cloudlet locations. Accordingly, we investigate two different optimization scenarios. In particular, the first scenario aims at finding the optimal task scheduling for given radio parameters. In the second scenario, we carry out the optimization of both the task scheduling and the mobile device’s transmission power. More importantly, we show that by adopting the proposed code partitioning scheme in this letter, the transmission power optimization problem becomes a disjoint problem from the task scheduling problem.
Weight Loss Trajectories and Adverse Childhood Experience among Obese Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Abstract Study Objective To examine the effect of childhood trauma and family history of psychiatric illness on weight loss trajectories of obese, female adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design Prospective study. Setting PCOS and adolescent medicine outpatient clinics. Participants Participants were, on average, 15.8 years of age, 80% Caucasian (39/49 participants), and had a body mass index of 36.8 ± 8.8. Interventions Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds is an evidence-based one-on-one intervention consisting of 4 weekly sessions, 4 biweekly sessions, and 3 monthly booster sessions. Each session was 45-60 minutes long with 15-30 minutes of physical activity with a lifestyle coach. Main Outcome Measures Paired sample t tests were used to assess group differences in pre- and post-treatment weight between participants reporting childhood trauma and body mass index-matched controls not endorsing trauma. One-way analysis of variance was performed to assess the influence of childhood trauma on weight loss between the 2 groups. Results Adolescents without a family history of psychiatric illness lost more weight (mean, −1.28 kg; SD, 6.89) than those who had a family history of psychiatric illness (mean, −0.64 kg; SD, 4.7) from baseline to booster session completion (6 months). However, results of independent t tests did not reveal statistically significant group differences in weight loss from baseline to booster session completion (t21 = 0.51; P = .6). Conclusion Obese adolescents with PCOS who have experienced childhood trauma can lose weight and acquire its health benefits when enrolled in an intervention addressing weight, mood, and sleep. Family history of psychiatric illness emerged as a potential predictor of lesser weight loss.
Pseudotumor Cerebri Following Nexplanon® Implantation

There has been much discussion about the relationship between hormonal contraceptives and the development of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC). Some have claimed that progestin-containing contraceptives, such as levonorgestrel intrauterine devices, are linked to PTC. However, the relationship and mechanism of PTC following the use of progestin-containing contraceptives remain controversial. We present a case of PTC following implantation of Nexplanon® (etonogestrel) (Merck Sharp & Dohme BV, Haarlem, The Netherlands), a progestin contraceptive. Clinicians should be vigilant for visual disturbances, headache, nausea, and other signs of increased intracranial pressure in patients receiving progestin-containing contraceptives.
Chip/Package Shielding and Good Circuit Design Practice

It is now occurring that radiated emissions from a single packaged IC are exceeding FCC Class B specifications in the United States as well as other emission standards through-out the world. Violation of radiated emission specifications will usually occur well before the emissions start to functionally perturb the design itself. For radiated Class B designs that have clock frequencies exceeding 100Mhz the specification on the emissions envelope at 5 meters distance from the device extends to 1Ghz in frequency. Class A specifications are taken at 10 meters distance from the radiating device. The usual definition of far field radiated noise is that the distance from source \( > \frac{\lambda }{{2\Pi }} \) Antenna length, L~> λ (wavelength) for an EFFICIENT antenna.A “rule of thumb” to minimize radiated emissions is to keep the chip package linear dimensions \( L < \frac{\lambda }{{20}} \) and to keep the chip/package \( Area < \frac{{{\lambda ^2}}}{{800}} \) ▪ An example: $$ \lambda = 30cm@f = 1Ghz,\frac{{.\lambda }}{{2\Pi }} \approx 4.8cm,\frac{\lambda }{{20}} \approx 1.5cm\frac{{{\lambda ^2}}}{{800}} \approx 1.125c{m^2}. $$
Childhood Sexuality: Discerning Healthy From Abnormal Sexual Behaviors

Empirically determined characteristics that mental health counselors can use as a reference when assessing the normalcy of sexual behaviors in preadolescent children are summarized. Once sexual behaviors have been determined to be problematic, mental health counselors need to be aware of and address factors that will affect children's sexual attitudes and behaviors.
Post-translational Modifications of the p53 Transcription Factor

The p53 tumor suppressor acts as a potent transcription factor in response to bombardment by a variety of cellular stresses. Its importance in maintaining genomic stability and exerting anit-proliferative effects is underscored by the fact that it is found mutated in approximately 50% of all human tumors. p53 is tightly regulated at the post-translational level though multiple modifications including ubiquitination, phosphorylation, acetylation, and neddylation. Mdm2 is a key regulator of p53 by acting as a specific E3 ligase on the protein and targeting it to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Together, these two proteins provide a critical node in the cellular circuitry for countless signaling pathways to converge.
Mixed Oxidation States and Averaged Electronic Environments in Iron Compounds

A survey of the iron-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy of a variety of mixed valence compounds is presented. The systems discussed are grouped into two broad categories: highly covalent iron-sulfur systems and coordination compounds exhibiting a range of covalency. Correlations of intermediate values of the chemical isomer shift as well as average ironligand bond distance with electron exchange and oxidation state averaging are considered.
The Potential for Modeling the Effects of Different Forcing Factors on Climate During the Past 2000 Years

To model the climate over the past 2000 years will require an accurate specification of the climate forcing changes, and accurate models for the response. Most of the potential forcings have uncertainties on the order of 0.5–1 Wm−2. Models appear capable of some accuracy in regional responses to specific forcings, but a factor of three uncertainty in total climate sensitivity exists. Given the expected small magnitude of the potential forcings, and the modeling and forcing uncertainties, simulating the climate over this time period is likely to be a significant challenge.
Evaluation of Response to Enzalutamide Consecutively After Abiraterone Acetate/Prednisone Failure in Patients With Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer

Abstract Introduction Treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has evolved significantly during the past decade, and the preferred combination and/or sequence of these treatments remains controversial. In this retrospective study, we explored clinical and pathologic factors that could predict response to consecutive treatment with enzalutamide (ENZA) after disease progression (PD) on abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AA/P). Patients and Methods Data were collected from 40 consecutive patients with mCRPC who were treated with ENZA without other interim therapy after progression on AA/P. Results The median time from prostate cancer initial diagnosis to AA/P treatment was 6.2 (range, 0.9-16.3) years. The median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression-free survival (PSA-PFS) from treatment initiation was 8.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1-10.1 months) and 2.3 months (95% CI, 1.8-3.4 months) on AA/P and ENZA, respectively. The median time to PD from treatment initiation was 9.7 months (95% CI, 7.1-12.4 months) and 3 months (95% CI, 2.3-4.1 months) on AA/P and ENZA, respectively. The correlations were weak between the best percent change in PSA on ENZA and time from diagnosis to AA/P initiation, best absolute or percentage change in PSA on AA/P, time to PSA progression or PD on AA/P. Patients with longer than the median duration of treatment with AA/P (11.73 months) had longer PSA-PFS on ENZA (median 2.8 vs. 1.9 months; P = .035). Conclusions In this retrospective analysis, we did not find any clinical or pathologic factors associated with response to ENZA administered consecutively after AA/P. Patients with longer than median AA/P treatment duration had longer PSA-PFS on ENZA. Further evaluations and validation are greatly needed.
NAD pools in the brain cortex effect of reversible anoxic-anoxia and irreversible anoxic-ischemia.

It is well recognized that the brain cortices of arterially normoxic animals are heterogenously supplied with oxygen, cortical oxygen tension can vary between zero and 90 mm Hg11.It is not known, however, whether the cells located in low pO2 microregions (pO2<5 mm Hg) are bioenergetically hypoxic, e.g. their respiration is restricted by the low availability of oxygen.In this context, the data obtained in isolated mitochondria1 and in the intact brain (Koga and Austin9; Rosenthal et al.17) are not consistent. While the respiration and redox state of isolated mitochondria are maintained at normal level even at 0.5 torr oxygen tension1, the mitochondrial NAD, FAD and cytochrome aa3 in the in vivo brain cortex are already reduced by slight or moderate arterial hypoxia3, 9, 17. Because cytochrome aa3 in the brain cortex became reduced when FiO2 (O2% in the respired gas mixture) was diminished from 95% to 20%, Rosenthal et al.17 suggested that the brain cortices of arterially normoxic animals are slightly hypoxic. However, there could be some other explanations, like increased supply of reducing equivalents, acidosis, etc., for the early reduction of mitochondrial respiratory carriers occuring at the alterations of FiO2 between 95% and 10%.
Student Attendance At Campus Sporting Events: How Can We Get Them There?

College student attendance at campus sporting events has been declining for a number of years with administrators looking for ways to reverse that trend. There are multiple reasons for the declining attendance and a multitude of possible solutions have been proposed. This case examines the situation for the football program at one mid-sized university, providing data from a representative cross section of the student population. Readers are tasked with making recommendations based on the data and to describe methods of evaluating the success of any changes.
Facilitation of supplementary motor area excitability improves dual-task walking in young adults.

Abstract Activations of the DLPFC and SMA have been shown to correlate with dual-task walking. However, very few investigations have directly perturbed the activations of these areas to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. The objectives of this study were: 1) to investigate the role of DLPFC and SMA in dual-task walking using rTMS and 2) to determine whether the secondary task difficulty mediates the roles of these cortical areas. Nineteen young healthy adults were divided into two groups: Count-by-3 s (N = 9) and Count-by-7 s (N = 10) groups. During dualtask walking, the Count-by-3 s group walked and counted backward by 3 s while the other group counted backward by 7. Each participant received facilitatory rTMS (5 Hz) administered to the left DLPFC, SMA and M1 across 3 sessions (approximately a week apart). Single- and dual-task walking were assessed both before and after rTMS. Gait speed under the 2 walking conditions was analyzed with repeated measure ANOVA. rTMS to the SMA significantly increased dual-task walking speed (p = .02) but not singletask walking speed. In contrast, rTMS to the DLPFC or M1 did not result in any significant changes in gait speed. Secondary task difficulty did not moderate the effects of rTMS on dual-task gait because both groups had similar changes in gait performance after rTMS. SMA is an important neural substrate mediating dual-task walking and might be a therapeutic target for gait intervention.
Strength-duration relationship as a tool to prioritize cardiac tissue properties that govern electrical excitability.

Gaps exist in the availability of in vitro functional assessment tools that can emulate the integration of regenerative cells and tissues to the host myocardium. We use strength-duration relationsh...
Alternative Frictional Model for Discontinuous Shear Thickening of Dense Suspensions: Hydrodynamics

A consensus has emerged that a constraint to rotational or sliding motion of particles in dense suspensions under flow is the genesis of the discontinuous shear thickening (DST) phenomenon. We show that tangential fluid lubrication interactions due to finite-sized asperities on particle surfaces effectively provide these constraints, changing the dynamics of particle motion. By explicitly resolving for the surface roughness of particles, we show that, while smooth particles exhibit continuous shear thickening, purely hydrodynamic interactions in rough particles result in DST. In contrast to the frictional contact model, the hydrodynamic model predicts negative first and second normal stress differences for dense suspensions in the shear thickened state.
Neural substrates of habit

Active reward pursuit is supported by the balance between the cognitive and habitual control of behavior. The cognitive, goal-directed strategy relies on the prospective evaluation of anticipated consequences, which allows behavior to readily adapt when circumstances change. Repetition of successful actions promotes less cognitively taxing habits, in which behavior is automatically executed without prospective consideration. Disruption in either of these behavioral regulatory systems contributes to the symptoms that underlie many psychiatric disorders. Here, I review recently identified neural substrates, at multiple neural levels, that contribute to habits and outline gaps in knowledge that must be addressed to fully understand the neural mechanisms of behavioral control.
Equity-Focused K-12 Science Teacher Professional Development: A Review of the Literature 2001-2017

Providers of K-12 in-service teacher science professional development programs (PDPs) in the United States are moving to address recent and unprecedented policymaker calls to close achievement gaps...
Do Gender Quotas Hurt Less Privileged Groups? Evidence from India

How do political gender quotas affect representation? We suggest that when gender attitudes are correlated with ethnicity, promoting female politicians may reduce the descriptive representation of traditionally disadvantaged ethnic groups. To assess this idea, we examine the consequences of the implementation of random electoral quotas for women on the representation of caste groups in Delhi. Constituencies reserved for women are less likely than unreserved constituencies to elect members of groups where the status of women is low. In practice, this means they are less likely to elect members of several traditionally underprivileged groups (especially OBC castes) and more likely to elect candidates from the Hindu upper castes. The results highlight the difficulties of balancing descriptive representation on multiple, crosscutting dimensions, and the possible unintended consequences of the type of single‐dimension quotas currently proposed for inclusion in the Indian constitution.
The impact of department structure on policy-making: How portfolio combinations affect interdepartmental coordination:

Departments are the primary structure of the bureaucratic apparatus of governments. They can be structured as silo organizations responsible for one policy sector or as non-silo organizations combi...
Fundamental Limitations in Sequential Prediction and Recursive Algorithms: L p Bounds via an Entropic Analysis

In this paper, we obtain fundamental ${\mathcal{L}_p}$ bounds in sequential prediction and recursive algorithms via an entropic analysis. Both classes of problems are examined by investigating the underlying entropic relationships of the data and/or noises involved, and the derived lower bounds may all be quantified in a conditional entropy characterization. We also study the conditions to achieve the generic bounds from an innovations’ viewpoint.
Strengths and weaknesses of three Machine Learning methods forpCO 2 interpolation

Abstract. Using the Large Enemble Testbed, a collection of 100 members from four independent Earth system models, we test three general-purpose Machine Learning (ML) approaches to understand their strengths and weaknesses in statistically reconstructing full-coverage surface ocean pCO2 from sparse in situ data. To apply the Testbed, we sample the full-field model pCO2 as real-world pCO2 collected from 1982–2016 for each ensemble member. We then use ML approaches to reconstruct the full-field and compare with the original model full-field pCO2 to assess reconstruction skill. We use feed forward neural network (NN), XGBoost (XGB), and random forest (RF) approaches to perform the reconstructions. Our baseline is the NN, since this approach has previously been shown to be a successful method for pCO2 reconstruction. The XGB and RF allow us to test tree-based approaches. We perform comparisons to a test set, which consists of 20% of the real-world sampled data that are withheld from training. Statistical comparisons with this test set are equivalent to that which could be derived using real-world data. Unique to the Testbed is that it allows for comparison to all the "unseen" points to which the ML algorithms extrapolate. When compared to the test set, XGB and RF both perform better than NN based on a suite of regression metrics. However, when compared to the unseen data, degradation of performance is large with XGB and even larger with RF. Degradation is comparatively small with NN, indicating a greater ability to generalize. Despite its larger degradation, in the final comparison to unseen data, XGB slightly outperforms NN and greatly outperforms RF, with lowest mean bias and more consistent performance across Testbed members. All three approaches perform best in the open ocean and for seasonal variability, but performance drops off at longer time scales and in regions of low sampling, such as the Southern Ocean and coastal zones. For decadal variability, all methods overestimate the amplitude of variability and have moderate skill in reconstruction of phase. For this timescale, the greater ability of the NN to generalize allows it to slightly outperform XGB. Taking into account all comparisons, we find XGB to be best able to reconstruct surface ocean pCO2 from the limited available data.
Production of renewable alcohols from maple wood using supercritical methanol hydrodeoxygenation in a semi-continuous flowthrough reactor

Biomass conversion to alcohols using supercritical methanol depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation (SCM-DHO) with CuMgAl mixed metal oxide is a promising process for biofuel production. We demonstrate how maple wood can be converted at high weight loadings and product concentrations in a batch and a semi-continuous reactor to a mixture of C2–C10 linear and cyclic alcohols. Maple wood was solubilized semi-continuously in supercritical methanol and then converted to a mixture of C2–C9 alcohols and aromatics over a packed bed of CuMgAlOx catalyst. Up to 95 wt% of maple wood can be solubilized in the methanol by using four temperature holds at 190, 230, 300, and 330 °C. Lignin was solubilized at 190 and 230 °C to a mixture of monomers, dimers, and trimers while hemicellulose and cellulose solubilized at 300 and 330 °C to a mixture of oligomeric sugars and liquefaction products. The hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin were converted to C2–C10 alcohol fuel precursors over a packed bed of CuMgAlOx catalyst with 70–80% carbon yield of the entire maple wood. The methanol reforming activity of the catalyst decreased by 25% over four beds of biomass, which corresponds to 5 turnovers for the catalyst, but was regenerable after calcination and reduction. In batch reactions, maple wood was converted at 10 wt% in methanol with 93% carbon yield to liquid products. The product concentration can be increased to 20 wt% by partially replacing the methanol with liquid products. The yield of alcohols in the semi-continuous reactor was approximately 30% lower than in batch reactions likely due to degradation of lignin and cellulose during solubilization. These results show that solubilization of whole biomass can be separated from catalytic conversion of the intermediates while still achieving a high yield of products. However, close contact of the catalyst and the biomass during solubilization is critical to achieve the highest yields and concentration of products.
Identification of Patients with Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium-Associated Maculopathy through Screening of the Electronic Medical Record at an Academic Center.

Author(s): Higgins, Kendall; Welch, R Joel; Bacorn, Colin; Yiu, Glenn; Rothschild, Jennifer; Park, Susanna S; Moshiri, Ala | Abstract: AimsThis chart review of a quaternary academic medical center electronic medical record (EMR) aimed to identify patients at risk of development of maculopathy with exposure to pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS).MethodsA review of electronic medical records of a quaternary medical center of patients with either documented exposure to PPS or diagnosis of interstitial cystitis (IC) from 2007 to 2019 was performed for retinal imaging and visual acuity; the study was conducted in August of 2019.Results216 charts were included for analysis, of which 96 had documented eye exams and 24 had retinal imaging done. We identified three patients with maculopathy in the context of long-term exposure to PPS via chart review, and one additional patient was identified by referral. The median PPS exposure duration was 11 years (range 7 to 19 years). Median logMAR BCVA OD 0.6 range was 0.0-1.9 (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/80 range (20/20-20/1600)) and OS 0.7 range was 0.1-1.9 (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/100 range (20/25-20/1600)). Ultrawidefield color fundus imaging and fundus autofluorescence revealed findings of pigmentary changes and patchy macular atrophy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated outer retinal thinning and increased choroidal transmission coincident with areas of atrophy seen on fundus imaging.ConclusionsLess than half of patients at risk for development of maculopathy due to exposure to PPS had received eye examinations, suggesting that those at risk are not receiving adequate screening. We found two patients with PPS maculopathy who had relatively preserved central vision, one patient with bitemporal vision loss, and one patient who developed vision loss in both eyes.
Functional connectivity of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex predicts cocaine relapse

Abstract Background Relapse is one of the most perplexing problems of addiction. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is crucially involved in numerous cognitive and affective processes that are implicated in phenotypes of addiction, and is one of the most frequently reported brain regions with aberrant functionality in substance use disorders. However, the DLPFC is an anatomically large and functionally heterogeneous region, and the specific DLPFC-based circuits that contribute to drug relapse remain unknown. Methods We systematically investigated the relationship of cocaine relapse with 98 DLPFC functional circuits defined by evenly sampling the entire bilateral DLPFC in a cohort of cocaine dependent patients (n=43, 5F) following a psychosocial treatment intervention. A Cox regression model was utilized to predict relapse likelihood based on DLPFC functional connectivity strength. Results Functional connectivity from 3 of the 98 DLPFC loci, one on the left and two on the right hemisphere, significantly predicted cocaine relapse with an accuracy of 83.9%, 84.7% and 85.4%, respectively. Combining all three significantly improved prediction validity to 87.5%. Protective and risk circuits related to these DLPFC loci were identified that are known to support “bottom up” drive to use drug and “top down” control over behavior together with social emotional, learning and memory processing. Conclusion Three DLPFC-centric circuits were identified that predict relapse to cocaine use with high accuracy. These functionally distinct DLPFC-based circuits provide insights into the multiple roles played by the DLPFC in cognitive and affective functioning that affects treatment outcome. The identified DLPFC loci may serve as potential neuromodulation targets for addiction treatment and as clinically relevant biomarkers of its efficacy.
Extracellular vesicles versus synthetic nanoparticles for drug delivery

Cell-released biological nanoparticles, that is, extracellular vesicles (EVs), are emerging drug carriers with high complexity. EV-based drug delivery exploits intrinsic mechanisms for molecular transport in the body. Integrating EV biology and manufacturing with clinical insights from synthetic nanoparticles is likely to substantially advance the field of drug delivery.
506. Variation in Occupational Activities and Infection Prevention Practices in Healthcare Personnel Based on Exposure to COVID-19 Units

Background: Healthcare personnel (HCP) may be at increased risk for COVID-19, but differences in risk by work activities are poorly defined Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends cohorting hospitalized patients with COVID-19 to reduce in-hospital transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but it is unknown if occupational and non-occupational behaviors differ based on exposure to COVID-19 units Methods: We analyzed a subset of HCP from an ongoing CDC-funded SARSCoV- 2 serosurveillance study HCP were recruited from four Atlanta hospitals of different sizes and patient populations All HCP completed a baseline REDCap survey We used logistic regression to compare occupational activities and infection prevention practices among HCP stratified by exposure to COVID-19 units: low (0% of shifts), medium (1-49% of shifts) or high (≥50% of shifts) Results: Of 211 HCP enrolled (36% emergency department [ED] providers, 35% inpatient RNs, 17% inpatient MDs/APPs, 7% radiology technicians and 6% respiratory therapists [RTs]), the majority (79%) were female and the median age was 35 years Nearly half of the inpatient MD/APPs (46%) and RNs (47%) and over two-thirds of the RTs (67%) worked primarily in the ICU Aerosol generating procedures were common among RNs, MD/APPs, and RTs (26-58% performed ≥1), but rare among ED providers (0-13% performed ≥1) Compared to HCP with low exposure to COVID-19 units, those with medium or high exposure spent a similar proportion of shifts directly at the bedside and were about as likely to practice universal masking Being able to consistently social distance from co-workers was rare (33%);HCP with high exposure to COVID-19 units were less likely to report social distancing in the workplace compared to those with low exposure;however, this was not significantly different (OR 0 6;95% CI: 0 3, 1 1) Concerns about personal protective equipment in COVID-19 units were similar across levels of exposure (Table 1) Conclusion: The proportion of time spent in dedicated COVID-19 units did not appear to influence time HCP spend directly at the bedside or infection prevention practices (social distancing and universal masking) in the workplace Risk for SARSCoV- 2 infection in HCP may depend more on factors acting at the individual level rather than those related to location of work (Table Presented)
A Severe Course of Relapsing-Remitting Acute-Onset Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy in a Young Man.

Acute-onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (A-CIDP) is an immune mediated neuropathy characterized by progressive weakness and sensory impairment lasting over 2 months. Guillain-Barre-Strohl syndrome (GBS) is an immune mediated polyneuropathy with a similar presentation often over less than 4 weeks. While some have argued for the existence of recurrent GBS, most classify the syndrome as a form of relapsing-remitting CIDP. However, there are cases of GBS with treatment-related fluctuations that must be distinguished from A-CIDP as patients with A-CIDP require long-term immunotherapy. In this case report, we discuss a patient with multiple relapses over 3 years, who is more likely to have A-CIDP. His ganglioside profile, which has rarely been reported in A-CIDP, included high concentrations of anti-GM1, anti-GD1a, and anti-GD1b antibodies, which may account for his severe disease course.
A Tool for Visualizing Classic Concurrency Problems

Concurrency and synchronization are new concepts for most undergraduate students. Writing multi-threaded programs presents new challenges in the form of brand new problems like race conditions, starvation, and deadlock. Classic synchronization problems are often used to teach these concepts with concrete sets of actors and goals. In this demo, we present a web application that allows students to execute multiple solutions with varying parameters to four common synchronization problems: Dining Philosophers, Bounded Buffer (Producer-Consumer), Readers Writers, and Unisex Bathroom as presented in the Little Book of Semaphores by Allen B. Downey (greenteapress.com/wp/semaphores/). The demo will show how students can manipulate options for: the number of threads; time to do work; time between work periods; as well as how the state of the system can be observed through visual animations. These animations can be used to observe deadlock, and overall statistics highlight starvation. The interactive nature of the tool allows students to explore the tradeoffs between different solutions, and how the parameters of a problem impact performance, resource utilization, and likelihood of deadlock.
From compliance to resistance: administrator perspectives on implementing structured English immersion and dual language bilingual education programs

This qualitative case study explored the perspectives of school administrators on implementing structured English immersion (SEI) and dual-language bilingual education (DLBE) programs serving emerg...
The Role of Screening Mammography in Addressing Disparities in Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes

This report summarizes the history of screening mammography and its potential value in addressing breast cancer disparities by improving early detection of disease in minority women, particularly African Americans. The landmark screening mammography trials provide no substantive data regarding the efficacy of mammography in African American women. Contemporary studies are inconsistent with regard to patterns of mammography utilization in African American compared to White American women, but it appears that screening is underutilized in all adult American women. Recent data suggest that mammography may be particularly valuable in addressing breast cancer disparities through the early detection of triple-negative breast cancer, which is more prevalent among African American women. This review indicates that screening mammography is a valuable tool in efforts to achieve breast health equity.
Linking Sexual Mindfulness to Mixed-Sex Couples' Relational Flourishing, Sexual Harmony, and Orgasm.

Marriage is an important adult relationship, and recent research indicates that sexual mindfulness, awareness and non-judgment, may be an important tool in helping maintain relational and sexual well-being. Using a nationally representative U.S. sample of newly married, mixed-sex couples (women’s age M = 29.70 years; men’s age M = 31.76 years; N = 1473 couples), we evaluated whether the two factors of sexual mindfulness, awareness and non-judgment, were linked with relational flourishing, sexual harmony, and orgasm consistency. We utilized an actor–partner interdependence model within a structural equation modeling framework to evaluate how husbands’ and wives’ awareness and non-judgment were associated with relational flourishing, sexual harmony, and orgasm consistency. Results indicated that both wives’ and husbands’ awareness was positively associated with relational flourishing, sexual harmony, and orgasm consistency. Partner effects were found for all outcomes. However, no partner effects were found between non-judgment and orgasm consistency. Therapists, educators, and couples may consider the use of sexual mindfulness skills when addressing marriage and sexual relationships.
Exploring Deserts Response to Climate Change from the Orbiting Arid Subsurface and Ice Sheet Sounder (OASIS)

The Orbiting Arid Subsurface and Ice Sheet Sounder (OASIS) mission concept is proposed to explore the signatures of climate change beneath the surface of two of the least well-understood arid regions of the Earth: the polar ice sheets and the hyper-arid deserts. With these first-of-a-kind measurements of land ice and shallow aquifers, OASIS has two well-defined science objectives. The first is to determine the thickness, inner structure, and basal boundary conditions of Earth's ice sheets to understand their dynamics and to improve models of current and future ice sheet response to climate change and, hence, to better constrain ice sheet contribution to sea level rise. The second objective is to perform detailed mapping of the spatial distribution of shallow (<100 m deep) aquifers in the most arid regions on Earth to understand groundwater hydrology, enhance groundwater flow models, and provide new insights into available water resources and paleoclimatic conditions. These two mission objectives, which align closely with two NASA Earth Science program objectives on climate and water cycle, are achieved using measurements made by a single, low-cost and proven-heritage instrument: a 45 MHz center frequency radar sounder with 10 MHz bandwidth. The OASIS radar is similar to instruments on two successful Mars missions, Mars Express and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, presently probing the Martian subsurface.