cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of resistance integron structure in E. coli isolates from healthy people

OBJECTIVE To investigate the level and characterization of Escherichia coli(E.coli)isolated from healthy people in Pudong new area of Shanghai and detect the distribution and structure of resistance integron.METHODS Antibiotics susceptibility of 17 antibiotics was tested by the disk diffusion method.The presence of class 1,class 2 and class 3 integrase were examined by PCR,and then the variable region between the conserved segment of class 1 integron was amplified.The integron content was characterized by restricted enzyme fragment length polymorphisms(RFLP) and sequenced.RESULTS The multiple resistance rate of E.coli isolated from healthy people in Pudong new area of Shanghai was 63.5%.But the resistance was mainly to older antibiotics.The newer antibiotics were still susceptible.Int 1 was detected in 38.5% of the isolates;int 2 was detected in 4% isolates,both int 1 and int 2 were detected in other 2(1%)isolates and no int 3 was detected.CONCLUSION Resistance in E.coli isolated from healthy people is common,and the resistance integrons also widely distribute in common people.But there are still differences between the clinical isolates.
Design and implementation of mobile E-government system of small town

In order to satisfy the requirements of the government staffs of small towns for handling official business on the spot in region area,a small town E-government system based on wireless communications technology,global positioning system(GPS) technology and embedded development technology is developed.The system can run at the mobile equipments,such as personal data assistant(PDA),intelligent mobile telephone and so on.The system have many functions,such as the official businesses disposal on the spot,the on-line and off-line query on rural economy information,community information and so on,the examine and approve of the govern-ment affairs on the scene,the acquisition and upload of the unexpected event scene photograph.These functions provide banausic services for the basic unit government personnel.
The Effect of Age, Gender and Consumer Susceptibility in Purchase Recommendations: An Analysis of Three Different Recommendation Settings

In today’s world people have a variety of communication options. Nowadays, people do not communicate solely face-to-face, but look for information in many “packages”, specifically in the online environment, where in terms of recommendations for purchases, mostly rely on online forums and online social networks. Studies have shown that recommendations on a face-to-face level significantly influence purchase decisions. A recommender’s credibility and integrity are salient factors and more amendable to assessment when word-of-mouth information is transmitted on a face-to-face level, but it is uncertain what are the implications for new forms of communication that are transmitted online. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, the authors seek to develop a better understanding of how different communication mediums influence a persons’ perception of the importance of information received. Second, the authors seek to better understand the impact of various factors on the perceptions of information received through various communication mediums. For this research, the authors assess how age, gender, and consumer susceptibility affect involvement with the associated information, in the three setting mentioned above: face-to-face, online social networks, and online forums, in purchase recommendation scenarios. The results of the pilot study suggest that online environments represent an important source of recommendation, but face-to-face interaction remains more important. Moreover, the results suggested that the older the person the more involved one is with the information received, regardless of the setting. Females are shown to be more involved in the information received then men are, and lastly the higher the level of susceptibility to interpersonal influence the higher the involvement with the information received. The results of the pilot study confirmed the author’s prediction, and therefore a larger study will follow.
Sex differences in chronic stress effects on cognition in rodents

Chronic stress causes deleterious changes in physiological function in systems ranging from neural cells in culture to laboratory rodents, sub-human primates and humans. It is notable, however, that the vast majority of research in this area has been conducted in males. In this review, we provide information about chronic stress effects on cognition in female rodents and contrast it with responses in male rodents. In general, females show cognitive resilience to chronic stressors which impair male cognitive function using spatial tasks including the radial arm maze, radial arm water maze, Morris water maze, Y-maze and object placement. Moreover, stress often enhances female performance in some of these cognitive tasks. Memory in females is not affected by stress in non-spatial memory tasks like recognition memory and temporal order recognition memory while males show impaired memory following stress. We discuss possible bases for these sex-dependent differences including the use of different strategies by the sexes to solve cognitive tasks. Whether the sex differences result from changes in non-mnemonic factors is also considered. Sex-dependent differences in alcohol and drug influences on stress responses are also described. Finally, the role of neurally derived estradiol in driving sex differences and providing resilience to stress in females is shown. The importance of determining the nature and extent of sex differences in stress responses is that such differences may provide vital information for understanding why some stress related diseases have different incidence rates between the sexes and for developing novel therapeutic treatments.
Comparison of margin discrepancy of complete gold crowns fabricated using printed, milled, and conventional hand-waxed patterns

Abstract Statement of problem The recent application of printing for the fabrication of dental restorations has not been compared and evaluated for margin discrepancy (margin fit) with restorations fabricated using milling and conventional hand-waxing techniques. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare margin discrepancy of complete gold crowns (CGCs) fabricated from printed, milled, and conventional hand-waxed patterns. Material and methods Thirty crown patterns were produced by each of 3 different methods: printed by ProJet DP 3000, milled by LAVA CNC 500, and hand waxed, then invested and cast into CGCs. Each crown was evaluated at 10 positions around the margin on the corresponding epoxy die under ×50 light microscopy to determine the mean and maximum margin discrepancy. Measurements were made using a micrometer positioning stage. The results were compared by ANOVA (α=.05). Results Milled and hand-waxed patterns were not statistically different from each other ( P >.05), while printed patterns produced significantly higher mean and maximum margin discrepancy than milled and hand-waxed patterns ( P Conclusions Relative to margin discrepancy, the LAVA CNC 500 milled and hand-waxed patterns were not significantly different from each other. The ProJet DP 3000 printed patterns were significantly different from LAVA CNC 500 milled and hand-waxed patterns, with an overall poorer result. Fabricating CGCs from printed patterns produced a significantly higher number of crowns with unacceptable margin discrepancy (>120 μm).
Using Kahoot! in the Classroom to Create Engagement and Active Learning: A Game-Based Technology Solution for eLearning Novices:

Instructional games are gaining acceptance in the classroom as the eLearning merits of student engagement and immediate feedback are recognized. Within higher education, the use of these tools is o...
Financial Depth and Exchange Rate Volatility: A Multicountry Analysis

It is empirically well established that financial depth increases the power of the financial system and helps both government and the private sector to have access to adequate funds without a noticeable change in asset prices and exchange rates. Exchange rate uncertainty is considered one of the many factors that affect financial market performance. In this study, we try to determine the short-run and long-run effects of exchange rate volatility on financial depth in 26 selected countries, classified as developed, developing, and emerging economies over the period 1980-2011. Our findings indicate that exchange rate volatility has short-run and long-run effects in the majority of countries in this study. We found for 16 countries out of 26, financial depth responds significantly to exchange rate volatility (nine positive, seven negative). Furthermore, using the bounds testing approach shows that exchange rate volatility has significant impact on financial deepening in 20 out of 26 countries in the short ru...
Prior Detection of Explosives to Defeat Tragic Attacks Using Knowledge Based Sensor Networks

In recent years, the concern due to targeted acts of terrorism has grown rapidly. The consequences from a terrorist attack lead to critical economic infrastructure, public safety, and environment. Traditional intelligence gathering methods followed by government agencies and physical security systems at vulnerable facilities are not efficient for long-term implications. In this work, we propose a novel self-control solution using knowledge based decision making system (KBDMS) to detect explosives prior to attacks. The proposed system detects explosive materials using sensors, collects invader images (if any) by surveillance cameras, and forwards the information to a base station system (BSS) and/or a monitoring station to alert the emergency services. Adaptive media access control (A-MAC) protocol is used for the communication between the sensors. RSA (Rivest, Shamir and Adleman) algorithm that has digital signatory and integrity of log messages is used to enhance security. The collected information is analyzed at the monitoring station using face recognition techniques, situation reaction techniques, crime and intelligence analysis techniques, and threat severity estimation. The proposed system is evaluated using an Arduino simulator. Experimental results have shown the promise of this approach to defeat tragic attacks by detecting the explosives in prior.
Extreme nonlinear optics using strong mid-infrared laser pulses

We investigate t he ex treme nonlinear optical phenomena using mid-infrared pulses: 1) the laser filamentation in ambient air, pumped by a 2 μm kHz source, for atmospheric chemical detections and 2) the high-harmonic generation i n s olids, dr iven by sub-cycle 2.5–9.0 μm pulses, towards petahertz electronics.
Linear Algebraic Systems

Linear algebra is the core of modern applied mathematics. Its humble origins are to be found in the need to solve “elementary” systems of linear algebraic equations. But its ultimate scope is vast, impinging on all of mathematics, both pure and applied, as well as numerical analysis, statistics, data science, physics, engineering, mathematical biology, financial mathematics, and every other discipline in which mathematical methods are required. A thorough grounding in the methods and theory of linear algebra is an essential prerequisite for understanding and harnessing the power of mathematics throughout its multifaceted applications
A cluster-randomized trial of a mobile produce market program in 12 communities in North Carolina: Program development, methods, and baseline characteristics

Abstract Background Mobile markets are an increasingly popular method for providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables (F/V) in underserved communities; however, evaluation of these programs is limited, as are descriptions of their development, study designs, and needs of the populations they serve. Objective Our aim was to describe the development and theoretical basis for Veggie Van (VV), a mobile produce market intervention, the study design for the VV evaluation, and baseline characteristics of the study population. Design The protocol and sample for a cluster-randomized controlled trial with 12 sites are described. Participants/setting Community partner organizations in the Triangle region of North Carolina that primarily served lower-income families or were located in areas that had limited access to fresh produce were recruited. Eligible individuals at each site (older than 18 years of age, self-identified as the main shoppers for their household, and expressed interest in using a mobile market) were targeted for enrollment. A total of 201 participants at 12 sites participated in the VV program and evaluation, which was implemented from November 2013 to March 2016. Main outcome measures Change in F/V intake (cups/day), derived from self-reported responses to the National Cancer Institute F/V screener, was the main outcome measure. Statistical analyses performed We performed a descriptive analysis of baseline sample characteristics. Results Mean reported F/V intake was 3.4 cups/day. Participants reported generally having some access to fresh F/V, and 57.7% agreed they could afford enough F/V to feed their family. The most frequently cited barriers were cost (55.7%) and time to prepare F/V (20.4%). Self-efficacy was lowest for buying more F/V than usual and trying new vegetables. Conclusions By addressing cost and convenience and building skills for purchasing and preparing F/V, the VV has the potential to improve F/V consumption in underserved communities.
Reduction of dislocation density in GaN films on sapphire using AIN interlayers

GaN (00.1) thin films, of thickness 1.25 to 2.25 μm grown on sapphire substrate (11.0) by metallo organic chemical vapor phase deposition (MOCVD) with different number of AlN interlayers, were characterized by triple crystal diffractometry and synchrotron white beam x-ray topography (SWBXT). The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of x-ray rocking curves from symmetric and asymmetric reflections was used to estimate the dislocation density in GaN films. It has been found that the edge dislocation density decreased from 1.63 × 1010 cm−2 to 1.23 × 1010 cm−2 and the screw dislocation density decreased from 2.0 × 108 cm−2 to 1.1 × 108 cm−2 when one AlN interlayer was inserted between the high temperature GaN layer. The dislocation density decreased further with the increase in number of interlayers. On the other hand the compressive stress in the GaN film increased from −0.29 GPa to −0.86 GPa. The compressive stress further increased as the number of interlayers increased but no cracking in the GaN film was observed. This could be due to better adhesion between the film and substrate due to interlayers. SWBXT in transmission from a GaN(00.1)/Al2O3(11.0) sample confirms the orientation of GaN and indicates that it is a single crystal with high dislocation density. SWBXT from the Al2O3 substrate shows cellular structure of dislocations.
Short-term repeat cognitive testing and its relationship to hippocampal volumes in older adults.

Abstract Background Practice effects are improvements in cognitive test scores due to repeated exposure to testing materials. If practice effects provide information about Alzheimer’s disease pathology, then they could be useful for clinical trials enrichment. The current study sought to add to the limited literature on short-term practice effects on cognitive tests and their relationship to neuroimaging biomarkers. Methods Twenty-five, non-demented older adults (8 cognitively intact, 17 with mild cognitive impairment) received magnetic resonance imaging and two testing sessions across one week to determine practice effects on seven neuropsychological test scores. A series of correlations examined if hippocampal volume was associated with baseline, one-week, or practice effects scores on these tests. Next, a series of stepwise multiple regression models examined which of the three test scores best predicted hippocampal volumes Results In the correlation analysis, baseline scores on 5 of the 7 tests were significantly associated with hippocampal volumes, one week scores were significantly related for 7 of the 7 tests, and practice effects scores were significantly correlated for 4 of the 7 tests. In the stepwise regression models, 5 of the 7 tests indicated that one-week scores best predicted hippocampal volumes. For the other models, baseline score and practice effects score each best predicted hippocampal volume. Conclusions These results add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that diminished practice effects on short-term repeat testing is related to neuroimaging biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease and may serve as a screening tool for clinical practice and to enrich samples for research trials.
How to Sell a Coup: Elections as Coup Legitimation

Unlike other political leaders, leaders coming to power through military coups face a dual legitimation challenge: they must justify not only why they should rule but also how they came to power. L...
Fire Refugia: What Are They, and Why Do They Matter for Global Change?

Fire refugia are landscape elements that remain unburned or minimally affected by fire, thereby supporting postfire ecosystem function, biodiversity, and resilience to disturbances. Although fire refugia have been studied across continents, scales, and affected taxa, they have not been characterized systematically over space and time, which is crucial for understanding their role in facilitating resilience in the context of global change. We identify four dichotomies that delineate an overarching conceptual framework of fire refugia: unburned versus lower severity, species-specific versus landscape-process characteristics, predictable versus stochastic, and ephemeral versus persistent. We outline the principal concepts underlying the ecological function of fire refugia and describe both the role of fire refugia and uncertainties regarding their persistence under global change. An improved understanding of fire refugia is crucial to conservation given the role that humans play in shaping disturbance regimes across landscapes.
High-throughput single-cell linking of antigen specificities with T cell receptor sequences using de novo generated DNA-linked MHC tetramers

Identification of correlated antigens recognized by T cell and its T cell receptor (TCR) sequences at single cell level is extremely useful to the understanding and treating immune-related diseases. Although CyTOF has pushed the number of antigenic peptides that can be interrogated at once to around 100, the destructive nature of CyTOF prohibits linking pMHCs recognized by a T cell with its TCR receptor sequences. Here we describe a new technology, TetATCR-Seq for Tet ramer A ssociated TCR seq uencing, that is capable of de novo generating a large amount of peptides and mapping antigen recognition with single cell TCR sequences by DNA barcoded tetramers. It evolves three major steps: 1) de novo peptide generation, 2) DNA barcoded tetramer generation, and 3) single cell sequencing of tetramer DNA barcode and TCR sequences. Using a published set of cancer neo-antigen sequences, we showed that these peptides and their wildtype counterparts can be quickly generated. Resulted tetramers can be used to clearly identify a population of neo-antigen only or wild type antigen only or double positive T cells. Subsequent single cell TCR sequencing showed that TCR paired a and b chain sequences can be obtained in more than 80% of single T cells. Simultaneous tetramer DNA barcode sequencing showed that many T cells are found to cross-reactive to both neo-antigen and its wild type counterpart, suggesting the necessity of strict screening for neo-antigen only TCR in adoptive cell transfer therapy. In summary, TetaTCR-seq enables one to quickly survey antigen repertoire again TCR repertoire at single cell level for a large number of peptides. It is a useful technology to screen for T cell cross-reactivity and select neo-antigen specific TCR for cancer immunotherapy.
Evolving Measurement for an Evolving Economy: Thoughts on 21st Century US Economic Statistics

The system of federal economic statistics developed in the 20th century has served the country well, but the current methods for collecting and disseminating these data products are unsustainable. These statistics are heavily reliant on sample surveys. Recently, however, response rates for both household and business surveys have declined, increasing costs and threatening quality. Existing statistical measures, many developed decades ago, may also miss important aspects of our rapidly evolving economy; moreover, they may not be sufficiently accurate, timely, or granular to meet the increasingly complex needs of data users. Meanwhile, the rapid proliferation of online data and more powerful computation make privacy and confidentiality protections more challenging. There is broad agreement on the need to transform government statistical agencies from the 20th century survey-centric model to a 21st century model that blends structured survey data with administrative and unstructured alternative digital data sources. In this essay, I describe some work underway that hints at what 21st century official economic measurement will look like and offer some preliminary comments on what is needed to get there.
Automated detection of nonmelanoma skin cancer using digital images: a systematic review

Computer-aided diagnosis of skin lesions is a growing area of research, but its application to nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is relatively under-studied. The purpose of this review is to synthesize the research that has been conducted on automated detection of NMSC using digital images and to assess the quality of evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of these technologies. Eight databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, and the ACM Digital Library) were searched to identify diagnostic studies of NMSC using image-based machine learning models. Two reviewers independently screened eligible articles. The level of evidence of each study was evaluated using a five tier rating system, and the applicability and risk of bias of each study was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool. Thirty-nine studies were reviewed. Twenty-four models were designed to detect basal cell carcinoma, two were designed to detect squamous cell carcinoma, and thirteen were designed to detect both. All studies were conducted in silico. The overall diagnostic accuracy of the classifiers, defined as concordance with histopathologic diagnosis, was high, with reported accuracies ranging from 72 to 100% and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranging from 0.832 to 1. Most studies had substantial methodological limitations, but several were robustly designed and presented a high level of evidence. Most studies of image-based NMSC classifiers report performance greater than or equal to the reported diagnostic accuracy of the average dermatologist, but relatively few studies have presented a high level of evidence. Clinical studies are needed to assess whether these technologies can feasibly be implemented as a real-time aid for clinical diagnosis of NMSC.
Invariant subspaces of generalized Hardy algebras associated with compact abelian group actions on W*-algebras

We consider an action of a compact group whose dual is archimedean linearly ordered or a direct product (or sum) of such groups on a von Neumann algebra, M. We define the generalized Hardy subspace of the Hilbert space of a standard representation the algebra, and the Hardy subalgebra of analytic elements of M with respect to the action. We find conditions in order that the Hardy algebra is a hereditarily reflexive algebra of operators. In particular if every non zero spectral subspace, contains a unitary operator, the condition is satisfied and therefore the Hardy algebra is hereditarily reflexive. This is the case if the action is the dual action on a crossed product, or an ergodic action, or, if, in some situations, the fixed point algebra is a factor.
Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a pervasive, persistent, and perplexing disorder. It occurs in 3–5 percent of children, more often boys than girls, and in all cultures. For many, ADHD is chronic, continuing into adolescence and adulthood. Multiple domains of functioning are affected, and coexisting disorders are common. Rather than a deficit in basic skills, ADHD is a disorder of modulation. In both task and social settings, there are difficulties sustaining effortful problem-solving and integrating information over time and context. There is strong evidence of biological causation, with psychosocial factors influencing characteristics, course, and treatment response. Stimulant pharmacotherapy continues to be the most effective single treatment, and ongoing research is assessing the benefits of multimodal interventions that blend behavioral, psychosocial, and pharmacological therapies. Despite the fact that ADHD is one of the most extensively studied psychological dysfunctions, it remains one of the most controversial. Questions and concerns have surfaced about the accelerating diagnosis and prescription rates, the boundaries and subtypes of the disorder, and the goals and outcomes of treatment. The increasing sophistication of research methods developed to study ADHD promises not only to enhance knowledge about this disorder but also to advance the field of developmental psychopathology more generally.
Can the Vice President Preside at His Own Impeachment Trial?: A Critique of Bare Textualism

Turn the clock back for a moment to August 1973. In the midst of the burgeoning Watergate scandal, the nation discovered that Vice President Spiro T. Agnew was being investigated for allegedly accepting bribes from contractors, and for committing tax fraud while Governor of Maryland and Vice President. The investigation, by attorneys in the United States Attorneys Office in Maryland, ultimately gathered sufficient evidence to present to a grand jury. To avoid the spectre of likely indictment and prosecution, Agnew elected to resign his office and plead nolo contendere.[1] But suppose Agnew had decided not to go quietly.[2] Instead of resigning and pleading, imagine he decided to go to Congress, to challenge the House to impeach him and, if it did, the Senate to convict him. Although this possibility may seem far-fetched now, Agnew did at one point appear headed in that direction.[3] Suppose the House had charged Agnew with committing impeachable crimes that, if proven, justified his removal. As the House considered impeaching President Nixon, the Senate would have faced a trial to determine whether Agnew, the person first in line to succeed Nixon, must be removed.
optimization-Based Human-in-the-Loop Manipulation Using Joint Space Polytopes

This paper presents a new method of maximizing the free space for a robot operating in a constrained environment under operator supervision. The objective is to make the resulting trajectories more robust to operator commands and/or changes in the environment. To represent the volume of free space, the constrained manipulability polytopes are used. These polytopes embed the distance to obstacles, the distance to joint limits and the distance to singular configurations. The volume of the resulting Cartesian polyhedron is used in an optimization-based motion planner to create the trajectories. Additionally, we show how fast collision-free inverse kinematic solutions can be obtained by exploiting the pre-computed inequality constraints. The proposed algorithm is validated in simulation and experimentally.
Epicardium in Heart Development

The epicardium, the outermost tissue layer that envelops all vertebrate hearts, plays a crucial role in cardiac development and regeneration and has been implicated in potential strategies for cardiac repair. The heterogenous cell population that composes the epicardium originates primarily from a transient embryonic cell cluster known as the proepicardial organ (PE). Characterized by its high cellular plasticity, the epicardium contributes to both heart development and regeneration in two critical ways: as a source of progenitor cells and as a critical signaling hub. Despite this knowledge, there are many unanswered questions in the field of epicardial biology, the resolution of which will advance the understanding of cardiac development and repair. We review current knowledge in cross-species epicardial involvement, specifically in relation to lineage specification and differentiation during cardiac development.
Reforming electricity rates to enable economically competitive electric trucking

Author(s): Phadke, A; McCall, M; Rajagopal, D | Abstract: The imperative to decarbonize long-haul, heavy-duty trucking for mitigating both global climate change as well as air pollution is clear. Given recent developments in battery and ultra-fast charging technology, some of the prominent barriers to electrification of trucking are dissolving rapidly. Here we shed light on a significant yet less-understood barrier, which is the general approach to retail electricity pricing. We show that this is a near term pathway to $0.06/kWh charging costs that will make electric trucking substantially cheaper than diesel. This pathway includes (i) reforming demand charges to reflect true, time-varying system costs; (ii) avoiding charging during a few specific periods (l45 h in a year) when prices are high; and (iii) achieving charging infrastructure utilization of 33% or greater. However, without reforming demand charges and low utilization of charging infrastructure, charging costs more than quadruple (to $0.28/kWh). We also illustrate that a substantial share of current trucking miles within select large regions of the United States can be reliably electrified without constraining electricity generation capacity as it exists today. Using historical hourly electricity price and load data for last 10 years and future projections in Texas and California, we show that electricity demand is at least 10% lower than yearly peak demand for at least 15 h on any given day. In sum, with electricity rates that closely reflect actual power system costs of serving off-peak trucking load, we show that electric trucks can provide overwhelming cost savings over diesel trucks. For reference, at diesel prices of $3.16/gal and charging costs of $0.06/kWh (inclusive of amortized charging station infrastructure costs), an electric truck's fuel cost savings are $251 000 (NPV), providing net savings of $61 000 (18% of lifetime diesel fuel cost) over the truck's lifetime at battery price of $170/kWh, or up to $148 000 (44% of lifetime diesel fuel cost) at a battery price of $100/kWh (figure 1).
Drain-Erase Scheme in Ferroelectric Field Effect Transistor—Part II: 3-D-NAND Architecture for In-Memory Computing

Ferroelectric-doped HfO2-based ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs) are being actively explored as emerging nonvolatile memory (NVM) devices with the potential for in-memory computing. In this two-part article, we explore the feasibility of the FeFET-based 3-D NAND architecture for both in situ training and inference. To address the challenge of erase-by-block in a NAND-like structure, we propose and experimentally demonstrate the drain-erase scheme to enable the individual cell’s program/erase/inhibition, which is necessary for individual weight updates in in situ training. We described the device characterization of different drain-erase conditions and results in Part I. The array-level design for this drain-erase scheme for both AND-type and NAND-type array is addressed in this Part II. A 3-D vertical channel FeFET array architecture is proposed to accelerate the vector-matrix multiplication (VMM). 3-D timing sequence of the weight update rule is designed and verified through the 3-D-array-level SPICE simulation. Finally, the VMM operation is simulated in a 3-D NAND-like FeFET array.
Innovations with a massively paralleled, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) toward piston-mode-based phase light modulator (PLM)

Piston‐mode Fourier based optical imaging created using an adaptation of the base DLP® Products torsional, spatial light modulator technology is presented. Technology, advancements and performance metrics such as, actuation speed, efficiency, and pixel coupling are shown for this 10.8 μm pitched pixel array. Device potential includes upwards of 5.7kframes/sec actuation.
Is Anti-Thymocyte Globulin for Sensitized Patients Undergoing Heart Transplantation Effective?

Purpose Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) has been used as an induction agent in heart transplant (HTx). Early studies suggest that ATG can decrease de novo donor specific antibody (DSA) production after HTx. It has not been established as to the efficacy of ATG in various levels of sensitized pts undergoing HTx. Methods Between 2010-18, we assessed 370 sensitized pts who were divided into panel reactive antibody (PRA) groups including a control group without sensitization but who received ATG: Group A: 0% (control); Group B: 1-25%; Group C: 26-50%; and Group D: >50%. Pts received ATG immediately post-transplant x5 days. Blood was drawn for antibody detection at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after HTx. Groups were assessed for freedom from 1-year survival, rejection (any treated rejection (ATR), acute cellular rejection (ACR), and antibody mediated rejection (AMR)), freedom from non-fatal major adverse cardiac events (NF-MACE: myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention/angioplasty, new congestive heart failure, pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement, and stroke), and freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Results Pts in Groups C and D had decreased freedom from DSA compared to the Control. Furthermore, there was lower freedom from AMR in pts in Group D compared to Control. There were no differences in outcome between each Group and the Control in 1-year survival, freedom from CAV, freedom from NF-MACE, freedom from any treated rejection, and freedom from ACR (see Table). Conclusion ATG induction may be beneficial in sensitized patients with PRA under 50% but did not appear to decrease the development of AMR and DSA in those pts with PRA >50% compared to control. Larger studies and longer follow-up will need to be performed to assess ATG's impact on antibodies and the development of chronic rejection (CAV).
Contrast Fractional Flow Reserve (cFFR) and Computed Tomography Fractional Flow Reserve (CT-FFR) Guidance for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

In this review, we summarize both contrast fractional flow reserve (cFFR) and computed tomography fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) as novel modalities to evaluate the hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenoses and to guide percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Implementation of cFFR can reduce the time, cost, effort, and patient discomfort associated with traditional adenosine FFR. Clinical outcomes following cFFR-guided revascularization are currently under investigation. Emerging data on the use of CT-FFR in patients with acute coronary syndromes may increase the use of this technology in acute settings, while virtual stenting applications to model the hemodynamic results of stent placement may help optimize PCI planning. Using contrast media already available for traditional angiography, cFFR yields results that are highly reproducible and correlate more closely with traditional adenosine FFR than the distal/aortic pressure ratio (Pd/Pa) or the instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR). Based upon computational fluid dynamics, CT-FFR provides a non-invasive estimate of the traditional adenosine FFR and predicts ischemia more accurately than nuclear imaging. Therefore, CT-FFR has begun to take on a gatekeeper role to minimize unnecessary invasive angiography.
Why Care? A Self-determination Theory Perspective of Informal Caregiving

About 17% of people in the United States provide unpaid care for a chronically ill or disabled family member or friend. Older adults desire to age in place, and caregivers say that keeping the care recipient in their own home is a primary reason that they provide care. Informal caregivers also tend to be the preferred source of care for most older adults. Thus, caregiving supports important values held by both care recipients and caregivers. Nevertheless, caregiving is challenging and negatively impacts the physical and mental health, as well as financial well-being of caregivers. Balancing personal risks and costs of caregiving with caregivers’ desires or needs to provide care is necessary to promote healthy aging processes for both caregivers and recipients. Indeed, based on a self-determination theory perspective of caregiving, caregivers who are more autonomously motivated to care—that is they more freely choose to assume the role of caregiver—should have better well-being compared to those whose caregiving is externally controlled. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the development and initial validation of a measure of caregiver motivations to test a self-determination theory perspective of caregiving and then examine whether caregivers’ more autonomous, less controlled, and less amotivated motivations were associated with better well-being as suggested by self-determination theory.
A correspondence between the Flory–Rehner theory for microgels and the Daoud–Cotton model for polymer-grafted nanoparticles

Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a commonly investigated thermoresponsive polymer that exhibits a number of interesting physical behaviors. Here, we use small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements to determine the conformation of PNIPAM in two regions of the chain when it is grafted at moderate grafting densities to the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles (rNP ≈ 10 nm). At these grafting densities, polymer chains may adopt two primary conformations, depending on the specific value of the second virial coefficient, the molecular weight of the chains, and other properties. The nanoparticles are studied in D2O and ethanol-d6 to ascertain the effect of solvent quality on the chain conformation in both the inner and outer regions of the brush. The SANS measurements are interpreted using a modified Daoud–Cotton model that connects the Flory–Rehner theory of microgel thermodynamics to the structure of polymer-grafted nanoparticles.
Modeling cluster formation driven variations in critical electric field of He and Xe near critical point based on electron scattering cross sections

The dielectric breakdown strength of supercritical He and supercritical Xe shows a steep decline near the critical point due to density fluctuation caused by cluster formation. Conventional gas discharge theories are limited in explaining the drastic dielectric strength variation of He and Xe near the critical point. In this study, a dielectric strength modeling approach that is based on the derived cross section data of clusters is utilized to estimate the dielectric strength decline of He and Xe near the critical point. The electron scattering cross section data of He and Xe clusters are derived from those of gaseous He and Xe. Based on the derived electron scattering cross section data, critical electric fields of various He and Xe clusters are modeled as a function of pressure by solving the Boltzmann equation. The proposed modeling approach shows close agreement with the experimentally measured breakdown electrical fields reported in the literature.
Six Decrees of Separation: Settlement Agreements and Consent Orders in Federal Civil Litigation

The decision of whether to embody settlement terms in a court order or a contract is an important one with significant implications. This article analyzes the six principal distinctions between the two approaches. It seeks to provide useful information to courts and practitioners regarding settlement contracts and consent judgments and their utility and limitations.The article also identifies and discusses disturbing trends in the areas of ancillary jurisdiction and attorneys’ fees’ shifting where courts have reached flawed rulings as a result of conflating settlement contracts and consent orders and ignoring their differences. The article analyzes the impact of these procedural devices on ancillary enforcement jurisdiction and determinations regarding prevailing party status for purposes of attorneys’ fees awards.
Optimization of Supply Chain Networks with Inclusion of Labor: Applications to COVID-19 Pandemic Disruptions

Abstract In this paper, we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by constructing supply chain network optimization models, which explicitly include labor as an important variable in the network economic activity links, along with associated capacities. Labor is a critical resource in supply chains from production to transportation, storage, and distribution. In a pandemic, the availability of labor for different supply chain network activities may be disrupted due to illness, fear of contagion, morbidity, necessity of social/physical distancing, etc. The modeling framework considers first elastic demands for a product and then fixed demands, coupled with distinct types of labor capacities in order to capture the availability of this valuable resource in a pandemic, as well as possible flexibility. The supply chain network framework, which includes electronic commerce, is relevant to many different supply chain applications including protective personal and medical equipment, as well as to particular food items. Theoretical results as well as computed numerical examples are presented.
Novel application of respiratory muscle index obtained from chest computed tomography to predict postoperative respiratory failure after major non-cardiothoracic surgery

Abstract Background Postoperative respiratory failure (PRF) is a serious complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We propose a new method to predict PRF by utilizing computed tomography (CT) of the chest to assess degree of respiratory muscle wasting prior to surgery. Methods Patients who received a chest CT and required invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) after major non-cardiothoracic surgery were included. Exclusion criteria included cardiothoracic surgery. Respiratory muscle index (RMI) was calculated at the T6 vertebra measured on Slice-O-Matic® software. Results Thirty three patients met inclusion with a mean (±SD) age, BMI, and APACHE II score of 62.2 years (±12.1), 28.1 kg/m2 (±7.8), and 14.1 (±4.7). Most patients were female (n = 22 [67%]). Eleven patients (33%) developed PRF with a mean of 6.0 (±10.7) initial ventilation days. There was no difference in baseline demographics between groups. RMI values for the PRF group were significantly lower when compared to the non-PRF group: 22.7 cm2/m2 (±5.3) vs. 28.5 cm2/m2 (±5.9) (p = 0.008). Conclusion Presence of respiratory muscle wasting prior to surgery was found to be associated with postoperative respiratory failure.
Salt-Inducible Kinase 3 Promotes Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Arterial Restenosis by Regulating AKT and PKA-CREB Signaling

Objective Arterial restenosis is the pathological narrowing of arteries after endovascular procedures, and it is an adverse event that causes patients to experience recurrent occlusive symptoms. Following angioplasty, vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) change their phenotype, migrate, and proliferate, resulting in neointima formation, a hallmark of arterial restenosis. SIKs (salt-inducible kinases) are a subfamily of the AMP-activated protein kinase family that play a critical role in metabolic diseases including hepatic lipogenesis and glucose metabolism. Their role in vascular pathological remodeling, however, has not been explored. In this study, we aimed to understand the role and regulation of SIK3 in vascular SMC migration, proliferation, and neointima formation. Approach and Results We observed that SIK3 expression was low in contractile aortic SMCs but high in proliferating SMCs. It was also highly induced by growth medium in vitro and in neointimal lesions in vivo. Inactivation of SIKs significantly attenuated vascular SMC proliferation and up-regulated p21CIP1 and p27KIP1. SIK inhibition also suppressed SMC migration and modulated actin polymerization. Importantly, we found that inhibition of SIKs reduced neointima formation and vascular inflammation in a femoral artery wire injury model. In mechanistic studies, we demonstrated that inactivation of SIKs mainly suppressed SMC proliferation by down-regulating AKT (protein kinase B) and PKA (protein kinase A)-CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) signaling. CRTC3 (CREB-regulated transcriptional coactivator 3) signaling likely contributed to SIK inactivation-mediated antiproliferative effects. Conclusions These findings suggest that SIK3 may play a critical role in regulating SMC proliferation, migration, and arterial restenosis. This study provides insights into SIK inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating restenosis in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Public health perspectives on the family care gap

Abstract Caregivers provide a critical source of care for people living with disabilities and chronic conditions. They improve health outcomes among care recipients while risking negative health consequences themselves. Nevertheless, the need for more caregivers is substantial. Therefore, caregiving is a public health concern. Public health seeks to improve the health of populations in an equitable way. This chapter illustrates a public health approach to supporting caregivers of people with dementia using the Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia, the 2018–2023 Road Map. It is framed using essential public health services and identifies 25 strategies for public health action to support caregivers. The Road Map could serve as a template for supporting caregivers more broadly. Addressing the anticipated family care gap requires that public health systems collaborate to collect data and equitably implement evidence-based policies and programs that support people providing care in their communities.
Radiation-Induced Grain Growth of Nanocrystalline AlxCoCrFeNi High-Entropy Alloys

Grain growth of nanocrystalline AlxCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloys with varying Al contents (x = 0, 1, 2) is studied. The alloys are fabricated by high-energy ball milling and subjected to a 1 MeV Kr2...