cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Testing the distribution of nonstationary MRI data

An accepted model for MR image noise is a Gaussian distribution in the real and imaginary components of the complex valued image. We investigated a procedure for validating this model through repeated hypothesis testing. The procedure is relatively straight forward for the situation in which an image contains only noise. However there is an additional challenge when a signal component is added because the signal intensities tend to drift over time. We therefore extend the noise model by considering a time-varying mean, and then implement a procedure for modeling, estimating, and removing the drift component in order to test the underlying noise distribution. The results demonstrate consistency with the proposed noise model.
Dose Escalation of Total Marrow Irradiation With Concurrent Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced Acute Leukemia Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Purpose We have demonstrated that toxicities are acceptable with total marrow irradiation (TMI) at 16 Gy without chemotherapy or TMI at 12 Gy and the reduced intensity regimen of fludarabine/melphalan in patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This article reports results of a study of TMI combined with higher intensity chemotherapy regimens in 2 phase I trials in patients with advanced acute myelogenous leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (AML/ALL) who would do poorly on standard intent-to-cure HCT regimens. Methods and Materials Trial 1 consisted of TMI on Days −10 to −6, etoposide (VP16) on Day −5 (60 mg/kg), and cyclophosphamide (CY) on Day −3 (100 mg/kg). TMI dose was 12 (n=3 patients), 13.5 (n=3 patients), and 15 (n=6 patients) Gy at 1.5 Gy twice daily. Trial 2 consisted of busulfan (BU) on Days −12 to −8 (800 μM min), TMI on Days −8 to −4, and VP16 on Day −3 (30 mg/kg). TMI dose was 12 (n=18) and 13.5 (n=2) Gy at 1.5 Gy twice daily. Results Trial 1 had 12 patients with a median age of 33 years. Six patients had induction failures (IF), and 6 had first relapses (1RL), 9 with leukemia blast involvement of bone marrow ranging from 10%-98%, 5 with circulating blasts (24%-85%), and 2 with chloromas. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Eleven patients achieved complete remission at Day 30. With a median follow-up of 14.75 months, 5 patients remained in complete remission from 13.5-37.7 months. Trial 2 had 20 patients with a median age of 41 years. Thirteen patients had IF, and 5 had 1RL, 2 in second relapse, 19 with marrow blasts (3%-100%) and 13 with peripheral blasts (6%-63%). Grade 4 dose-limiting toxicities were seen at 13.5 Gy (stomatitis and hepatotoxicity). Stomatitis was the most frequent toxicity in both trials. Conclusions TMI dose escalation to 15 Gy is possible when combined with CY/VP16 and is associated with acceptable toxicities and encouraging outcomes. TMI dose escalation is not possible with BU/VP16 due to dose-limiting toxicities. Future efforts will focus on whether further dose escalation with CY/VP16 is safe, with the goal of improving disease control in this high-risk population.
Near-field radiative heat transfer between a sphere and a substrate

Near-field force and energy exchange between two objects due to quantum electrodynamic fluctuations give rise to interesting phenomena such as Casimir and van der Waals forces and thermal radiative transfer exceeding Planck's theory of blackbody radiation. Although significant progress has been made in the past on the precise measurement of Casimir force related to zero-point energy, experimental demonstration of near-field enhancement of radiative heat transfer is difficult. In this work, we present a sensitive technique of measuring near-field radiative transfer between a microsphere and a substrate using a bimaterial atomic force microscope cantilever, resulting in ``heat transfer-distance'' curves. Measurements of radiative transfer between a sphere and a flat substrate show the presence of strong near-field effects resulting in enhancement of heat transfer over the predictions of the Planck blackbody radiation theory.
Large-scale bulk flows from the Cosmicflows-2 catalogue

The Cosmicflows-2 catalogue is a compendium of peculiar velocity measurements. While it has many objects in common with the COMPOSITE catalogue, a previously analysed collection of peculiar velocity data found to give an unexpectedly large bulk flow on large scales, the data in Cosmicflows-2 have been reanalysed to ensure consistency between distances measured using different methods. In particular, a focus on accurate distances led the authors of the Cosmicflows-2 to not correct for homogeneous or inhomogeneous Malmquist bias, both or which are corrected for in the COMPOSITE compilation. We find remarkable agreement between the COMPOSITE and the Cosmicflows-2 if the small EFAR sample of clusters located in two dense superclusters is removed from both surveys, giving results that are inconsistent with the $\Lambda$ cold dark matter standard model with Planck central parameters at the 98\% level. On smaller scales we find overall agreement between data sets and consistency with the standard model.
The Use of Sound Level Meter Apps in the Clinical Setting.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare sound level meter (SLM) readings obtained using a Larson-Davis (Depew, NY) Model 831 Type 1 SLM, a RadioShack (Fort Worth, TX) SLM, and iPhone 5 (Ap...
The unknowns of cognitive enhancement

“Man is not going to wait passively for millions of years before evolution offers him a better brain.” These words are attributed to the 20th century Romanian psychopharmacologist Corneliu Giurgea, an early advocate of cognitive enhancement—that is, the use of medications or other brain treatments for improving normal healthy cognition. Contemporary attempts at cognitive enhancement involve an array of drugs and devices for modifying brain function, such as pills taken by students to help them study, or electrical stimulators focused on prefrontal cortex by electronic game players (“e-gamers”) to sharpen their skills. What is known about current methods of cognitive enhancement? What specifically do they enhance, for whom, and with what risks? We know surprisingly little.
Two median finder algorithms

Availability of material suitable to serve as a basis for a variety of research projects in various areas of computer science education, [8], enriches student learning and advances experimental and theoretical understandings of the field. With this in mind, two non-divide and conquer algorithms based on partitioning are presented. One of these algorithms is among the most efficient median finding algorithms and requires fewer than 3.5n comparisons on the average.
Comparison of B1912 and Clofazimine (B663) in Mycobacterium leprae Infections

SummaryThe effect of clofazimine was compared with another, more newly developed rimino-compound, B1912, in M. leprae infections in mice. The two drugs were found to have very similar activity.
Modeling the Effects of Source and Path Heterogeneity on Ground Motions of Great Earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone Using 3D Simulations

Abstract We ran finite‐difference earthquake simulations for great subduction zone earthquakes in Cascadia to model the effects of source and path heterogeneity for the purpose of improving strong‐motion predictions. We developed a rupture model for large subduction zone earthquakes based on a k −2 slip spectrum and scale‐dependent rise times by representing the slip distribution as the sum of normal modes of a vibrating membrane. Finite source and path effects were important in determining the distribution of strong motions through the locations of the hypocenter, subevents, and crustal structures like sedimentary basins. Some regions in Cascadia appear to be at greater risk than others during an event due to the geometry of the Cascadia fault zone relative to the coast and populated regions. The southern Oregon coast appears to have increased risk because it is closer to the locked zone of the Cascadia fault than other coastal areas and is also in the path of directivity amplification from any rupture propagating north to south in that part of the subduction zone, and the basins in the Puget Sound area are efficiently amplified by both north and south propagating ruptures off the coast of western Washington. We find that the median spectral accelerations at 5 s period from the simulations are similar to that of the Zhao et al. (2006) ground‐motion prediction equation, although our simulations predict higher amplitudes near the region of greatest slip and in the sedimentary basins, such as the Seattle basin.
Nietzsche’s concept of ressentiment as the psychological structure for Sartre’s theory of anti-Semitism:

Jean-Paul Sartre was among the first to address the ‘strange silence’ on the Jewish question in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. In doing so, he influenced an entire generation of t...
Oxidation of Tyrosine by Ultraviolet Light in its Relation to Human Pigmentation

SummaryThe oxidation of tyrosine to melanin by exposure to ultraviolet light in presence of ferrous salts serves as a model of pigment formation by sunshine in human skin. Continued irradiation of tyrosine-ferrous salt mixtures leads to a dynamic equilibrium in which formation and decomposition of melanin are kept in balance.
Intellectual Property Rights-Protection and Regulation

Intellectual property rights (IPRs) occupy the center-stage when path-breaking technologies are adopted in product manufacture for the benefit of the society. Timely protection of IP plays a crucial role in enjoying the exclusivity over the products by the brand name companies, of course, paving a way towards the entry of the generic players during the life cycle of the product(s). Several domestic and international policies, rules and regulations guide/affect at every stage of the life cycle of the product. Intellectual property rights (IPRs) are the integral part of the executive bodies of the companies in general and in specific to the bio-process technology. A product’s success in the markets can be attributed to its beneficial distinctive features over the existing products/knowledge. Non-existent prior art pertaining to the product/knowledge gives the defined distinctiveness and enable the manufacturer to enjoy the exclusivities for a definite period of time. Innovations relating to the bio-processing sector normally see the churning out of ideas, reduction to practice and ultimately taking them to the market place.
On Approximation by Polynomials in L~ψ Spaces

THe simultaneous approximation problems of functions and its derivatives by polynomials in L ψ spaces are studied.And the Jackson theorem of derivative type are proved.
Subjective sleep disturbances and glycemic control in adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes: The Pittsburgh's Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications study.

Abstract Aims To date, studies on sleep disturbances in type 1 diabetes (T1D) have been limited to youth and/or small samples. We therefore assessed the prevalence of subjective sleep disturbances and their associations with glycemia and estimated insulin sensitivity in individuals with long-standing T1D. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study including 222 participants of the Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications study of childhood-onset T1D attending the 25-year examination (mean age=52years, diabetes duration=43years). The Berlin Questionnaire (risk of obstructive sleep apnea, OSA), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (daytime sleepiness), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sleep quality, bad dreams presence, and sleep duration) were completed. Associations between sleep disturbances and poor glycemic control (HbA 1c ⩾7.5%/58mmol/mol), log-transformed HbA 1c , and estimated insulin sensitivity (estimated glucose disposal rate, eGDR, squared) were assessed in multivariable regression. Results The prevalences of high OSA risk, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor sleep quality, and bad dreams were 23%, 13%, 41%, and 26%, respectively, with more women (51%) reporting poor sleep quality than men (30%, p =0.004). Participants under poor glycemic control were twice as likely to report bad dreams ( p =0.03), but not independently ( p =0.07) of depressive symptomatology. Sleep duration was directly associated with HbA 1c among individuals with poor glycemic control, but inversely in their counterparts (interaction p =0.002), and inversely associated with eGDR ( p =0.002). Conclusions These findings suggest important interrelationships between sleep, gender, depressive symptomatology, and glycemic control, which may have important clinical implications. Further research is warranted to examine the mechanism of the interaction between sleep duration and glycemic control.
Life events and moves under duress: disruption in the life course and mobility outcomes

There is a well-established body of research about the effect of life course changes on the probability of migration and mobility, and there is well-documented evidence of the link between specific life course events and tenure. Still, we have only a partial picture of what happens in the housing market when specific disruptive events impact families. This article reviews our broad understanding of life course triggering events and then examines just what happens when families move following a destabilising event (involuntary moves, loss of job, divorce and separation). Families can be variously affected by these disruptive events but the effects are greater for families at the margin, those who are renters, living in less advantaged neighbourhoods and with lower incomes. While these findings are not surprising, the size and likelihood of disruptive events is both larger than often reported, and increased during the housing crisis of 2006 to 2009.
Southern and Eastern Africa Later Stone Age

RELATIVE TIME PERIOD: Follows the Southern and Eastern Africa Middle Stone Age, precedes the Wilton tradition in the Cape region, the East African Neolithic tradition in East Africa, and the South African Iron Age in the rest of the area.
Clinician and Patient Acceptability of Self-Collected Human Papillomavirus Testing for Cervical Cancer Screening.

Abstract Background: To evaluate clinician and patient attitudes toward home self-collected human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for cervical cancer screening. Methods: Women aged 21–65 years were recruited for a randomized trial comparing home self-collected HPV testing to standard clinician-collected Pap screening. Participants were surveyed about their attitudes toward self-collected HPV testing. Clinicians performing cervical cancer screening in University of Washington medical clinics were also surveyed to determine their acceptability of self-collected HPV testing. Results: Over half (59.1%) of the 1,769 women surveyed preferred self-collected HPV testing to clinician-collected tests. Reasons most often cited were convenience or time saving (82.7%), and avoiding embarrassment or discomfort associated with pelvic exam (38.1%). Women who did not prefer self-collected HPV testing reported greater faith in clinician-collected samples (56.7%) or a desire for a clinic visit to address other issues (42.4%). ...
Radical-Driven Silicon Surface Passivation by Benzoquinone– and Hydroquinone–Methanol and Photoinitiators

This work confirms that radical intermediates are the reactive species in quinhydrone/methanol (QHY/ME) passivation on silicon surfaces. The two constituent parts, p-benzoquinone (BQ) and hydroquinone (HQ), have been studied separately. BQ abstracts the hydrogen atom from methanol to become semiquinone radicals (QH*). Both QH* and the resulting methanol radical are responsible for the large, instantaneous increase in minority carrier lifetime in BQ/ME, obtaining the lowest surface recombination velocity of 1.6 cm/s. HQ releases a hydrogen atom to become QH*. The quinone derivatives containing a lower electronegativity group (Cl— or O═) on the benzene ring form radicals more easily, and give better passivation results. This radical-driven passivation mechanism is also valid on other radical sources. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) supports the radical mechanism in the observation of dominating BQ bonding after 1 h of BQ/ME treatment, and increasing methanol bonding with increasing immersion time, re...
A multiparadigm approach to job search scholarship

This article examines the job search literature through a multiparadigmatic framework and makes a case for scholars to embrace alternative ways of looking at job search that goes beyond the dominan...
Two-dimensional topological photonics

Originating from the studies of two-dimensional condensed-matter states, the concept of topological order has recently been expanded to other fields of physics and engineering, particularly optics and photonics. Topological photonic structures have already overturned some of the traditional views on wave propagation and manipulation. The application of topological concepts to guided wave propagation has enabled novel photonic devices, such as reflection-free sharply bent waveguides, robust delay lines, spin-polarized switches and non-reciprocal devices. Discrete degrees of freedom, widely used in condensed-matter physics, such as spin and valley, are now entering the realm of photonics. In this Review, we summarize the latest advances in this highly dynamic field, with special emphasis on the experimental work on two-dimensional photonic topological structures. Topological photonic structures offer unique features such as reflection-free and non-reciprocal devices. This Review highlights the experimental progress in the relatively new field of photonic topology.
From Infections to Anthropogenic Inflicted Pathologies: Involvement of Immune Balance.

ABSTRACTA temporal trend can be seen in recent human history where the dominant causes of death have shifted from infectious to chronic diseases in industrialized societies. Human influences in the current “Anthropocene” epoch are exponentially impacting the environment and consequentially health. Changing ecological niches are suggested to have created health transitions expressed as modifications of immune balance from infections inflicting pathologies in the Holocene epoch (12,000 years ago) to human behaviors inflicting pathologies beginning in the Anthropocene epoch (300 years ago). A review of human immune health and adaptations responding to environmental (biological, chemical, physical, and psychological) stresses, which are influenced by social conditions, emphasize the involvement of fluctuations in immune cell subsets affecting influential gene–environment interactions. The literature from a variety of fields (anthropological, immunological, and environmental) is incorporated to present an expa...
Use of Prisms: Are They Really Helpful?

Prism adaptation is a relatively simple process of using Fresnel prisms to offset the angle of strabismus. Studies have shown prism adaptation to have a significant beneficial overall effect in pat...
Open-shell organic semiconductors: an emerging class of materials with novel properties

Organic materials with unpaired electrons along with the discovery of their unique properties have fascinated scientists for over a century. The development of open-shell molecules has recently been rekindled as the result of improved synthetic strategies and spectroscopic techniques. In this focus review, we provide an overview of open-shell polymers and small-molecules organic semiconductors. We review strategies toward molecular magnets or spin-polarized magnetic organic semiconductors that encompasses incorporation of stable radical groups directly into the backbone of organic semiconductors or preparing highly conjugated ladder-type molecules based on open–shell Kekule–type structures to enable efficient spin delocalization along the conjugation length. These novel materials have the potential to make significant societal impacts in the areas of information, energy and human health technologies. Open-shell organic semiconductors are poised to enable new functions and applications ranging from electronics and optoelectronics to magneto-electronics. Here, we review strategies toward molecular magnets or spin–polarized magnetic organic semiconductors that encompasses incorporation of stable radical groups directly into the backbone of organic semiconductors or preparation of highly conjugated ladder-type molecules based on open–shell Kekule–type structures to enable efficient spin delocalization/spin-transfer along the conjugation length. We briefly survey the history of this field, summarize recent developments, and set an outlook for the future.
Common Use of Stimulants and Alpha-2 Agonists to Treat Preschool Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A DBPNet Study.

ABSTRACT:Objective:To describe the use of stimulants and alpha-2 agonists (A2As) for the treatment of preschool-aged children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at 2 Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network sites.Methods:Demographic information, diagnoses, and medicatio
Imipenem and Aztreonam

SUMMARY To date, clinical use of aztreonam has been remarkably restrained and widespread enthusiasm for addition to hospital formularies similarly moderate. Its most accepted indication appears to be in gram-negative bacillary infections in the penicillin-allergic individual where one might ordinarily use an extended spectrum penicillin or a third generation cephalosporin. In all individuals its clinical efficacy appears similar to that of the aminoglycosides, not clinically superior but offering a higher therapeutic index by virtue of its lack of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Its second application, therefore, is as an aminoglycoside-sparing agent even for multiresistant gram-negative bacillary infections, and although by no means inexpensive it offers an efficacious and safe alternative to aminoglycosides in the elderly and other patients with renal insufficiency. Aztreonam can be used effectively in combination with non-beta-lactam agents for mixed infections, even though it is not synergistic in vitro with vancomycin and clindamycin.
Intra-Cohort Variation in Reincarceration

While the primary focus of this research is the longitudinal analysis of reincarceration patterns across successive cohorts of parolees, it is also important to assess the characteristics and survival patterns of parolees within a release cohort. We are interested in two basic questions. First, what are the primary relationships among the characteristics of parolees. Second, are there patterns of reincarceration that depart from previous research that might be linked to changes in the criminal justice system during the years this study examines?
Research on the Coercion of Persons with Severe Mental Illness

Issues of concern regarding coercion of psychiatric patients, which were once relevant only to psychiatric hospitalization, are now applicable to the community arena as well. The need to understand coercive treatment strategies used in community settings for handling those with severe mental disorders is pressing, as the consequences of the competing values between preserving individual autonomy and protecting vulnerable individuals are far more visible in a growing population of mentally ill people living in the community. For example, homeless mentally ill persons on the streets of virtually every large urban area raise the issue of whether these individuals have an inherent right to remain in this situation or whether they should be forced into hospitals, homeless shelters, or other structured housing arrangements. These types of dilemmas that are being confronted today make the use of coercive strategies to force compliance with outpatient treatment quite attractive to some (Mulvey, Geller, & Roth, 1987). Coerced treatment includes mandated attendance at day programs, counseling, and acceptance of neuroleptic medication enforced by a threat of institutional controls. The situations that necessitate coercing patients into receiving needed treatment are not going to go away; therefore, coercive strategies will persist and “can no longer be ignored” (Steinwachs et al., 1992, p. 649).
Model Theory and Artificial Intelligence

This chapter continues the discussion of referential semantics by explaining the construction of semantically-interpreted languages which are not dependent on a hierarchy of externally-defined metalanguages. The reason for this independence from a metalanguage hierarchy is that the definitions of the metalanguage have been operationalized. This result permits the use of semantically-interpreted languages in computers and robots.
Challenges to Prehospital Care in Honduras

Through a longitudinal field experience and interviews with rural and urban clinic workers in Honduras, the following data were collated regarding the challenges to prehospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in this country. In Honduras, both private and public organizations provide prehospital emergency care for citizens and face both financial and resource constraints. These constraints manifest in operational concerns such as challenges of integration of EMS systems with each other, differences in medical direction oversight, and barriers to public access. Despite the availability of public health care services, authorities and locals alike do not recommend using the public systems due to lack of needed resources and time of emergency response.Private volunteer EMS organizations are scattered throughout the country and each operates as their own separate system. There is no single dispatch center available, nor is there a guarantee that calling for EMS will result in the patient's desired response. In this report, the challenges are discussed with possible solutions presented. BastHE, JenkinsJL. Challenges to prehospital care in Honduras. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(6):637-639.
Testing probabilistic programming systems

Probabilistic programming systems (PP systems) allow developers to model stochastic phenomena and perform efficient inference on the models. The number and adoption of probabilistic programming systems is growing significantly. However, there is no prior study of bugs in these systems and no methodology for systematically testing PP systems. Yet, testing PP systems is highly non-trivial, especially when they perform approximate inference. In this paper, we characterize 118 previously reported bugs in three open-source PP systems—Edward, Pyro and Stan—and pro- pose ProbFuzz, an extensible system for testing PP systems. Prob- Fuzz allows a developer to specify templates of probabilistic models, from which it generates concrete probabilistic programs and data for testing. ProbFuzz uses language-specific translators to generate these concrete programs, which use the APIs of each PP system. ProbFuzz finds potential bugs by checking the output from running the generated programs against several oracles, including an accu- racy checker. Using ProbFuzz, we found 67 previously unknown bugs in recent versions of these PP systems. Developers already accepted 51 bug fixes that we submitted to the three PP systems, and their underlying systems, PyTorch and TensorFlow.
An Effective Diabetic Ketoacidosis Prevention Intervention in Children With Type 1 Diabetes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, office-based educational intervention to increase parent or patient recognition of the early warning signs and symptoms of ...
Antiangiogenic VEGF165b Regulates Macrophage Polarization via S100A8/S100A9 in Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background: Atherosclerotic occlusions decrease blood flow to the lower limbs, causing ischemia and tissue loss in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). No effective medical therapies are ...
St. Vitus Dance

St. Vitus dance is mainly of historical interest, and describes outbreaks of manic dancing during the thirteenth to early seventeenth centuries in Europe. Sufferers of St. Vitus dance danced in groups until physically exhausted. The symptoms could sometimes be relieved by abdominal binding, but generally required the intercession of saints. The disorder goes by various other names, including St. John's dance, dancing mania, and St. Guy's dance. St. Vitus dance is representative of mass hysteria or mass psychogenic illness, in which there is the sudden development, in many people, of strange signs and symptoms attributed to a nonorganic cause related to a shared belief system. In the case of St. Vitus dance, demonic or spiritual forces were believed to be important. Mass hysteria or mass psychogenic illnesses are seen rarely today, usually in response to perceived environmental, infectious, or criminal causes.
Trichoderma viride strains against vegetable grey mold in greenhouse.

[Objective] The paper aimed to study the control effects of live spore preparations of Trichoderma viride strains against vegetable grey mold in greenhouse. [Method] Trichoderma viride strains NW-411 live spore preparations were prepared by solid-state fermentation,106-107 spore/g diluent was made to conduct field control experiment,traits change of cucumber and tomato plants inoculated grey mold were investigated,control effect was calculated. [Result] Cucumber and tomato plants without dilution treatment of T. viride spores could be infected with different changes in trait. T. viride spore preparations had a significant preventive effect on greenhouse cucumber and tomato gray mold,the optimal concentration of spores was in the range of 2.3×106-2.3×107 spore/g. The incidence of cucumber and tomato plants were reduced to 4.2% and 3.1%,the incidence rate decreased 29.8% and 39.1% compared with plants without treatment,biological control effect was over 87%,and the plant growth can be enhanced obviously. [Conclusion] Live spores preparation of T. viride not only had a significant effect on grey mold,but also significantly enhanced the plants growth in greenhouse,which is a safety and environmental protection biological agent,and worthy to be widely spread in large-scale green vegetable production.
VO2-based switchable radiator for spacecraft thermal control.

Direct calorimetric measurements of a solid state passive switchable radiator for spacecraft thermal control have been performed in a simulated space environment. Dynamic emissivity control is provided by the thermochromic phase change in a multilayer VO2 thin film based resonant absorber. The measured radiated power difference between 300 K and 373 K was 480 W/m2 corresponding to a 7× difference in radiative cooling power. We present theoretical and experimental radiator values for both normal and hemispherical as well the optical properties of VO2 as determined via infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry.
Manganese dioxide nanoparticles protect cartilage from inflammation-induced oxidative stress.

Abstract Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and has become an important therapeutic target. Investigations of various antioxidant supplements, reactive oxidative species (ROS) pathway mediators, and free radical scavengers for treating osteoarthritis have demonstrated common disadvantages including poor bioavailability and stability, as well as rapid joint clearance or release profiles from delivery vehicles. Moreover, these therapies do not target cartilage, which irreversibly degenerates in the presence of oxidative stress. The goal of this study was to engineer a nanoparticle system capable of sustained retention in the joint space, localization to cartilage, and mitigation of oxidative stress. Towards this goal, ROS scavenging manganese dioxide nanoparticles with physicochemical properties (less than 20 nm and cationic) that facilitate their uptake into cartilage were developed and characterized. These particles penetrated through the depth of cartilage explants and were found both in the extracellular matrix as well as intracellularly within the resident chondrocytes. Furthermore, the particles demonstrated chondroprotection of cytokine-challenged cartilage explants by reducing the loss of glycosaminoglycans and release of nitric oxide. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the particles mitigated impacts of oxidative stress related genes in cytokine-challenged chondrocytes. When injected intra-articularly into rats, the particles persisted in the joint space over one week, with 75% of the initial signal remaining in the joint. Biodistribution and histological analysis revealed accumulation of particles at the chondral surfaces and colocalization of the particles with the lacunae of chondrocytes. The results suggest that the manganese dioxide nanoparticles could be a promising approach for the chondroprotection of osteoarthritic cartilage.
The Effect of Smoking Types in Some Semen Characteristics of Men in the City of Diwaniyah, Iraq

In this study, a sample of 50 persons has been used to determine the effect of smoking type and its period in addition to age in some semen characteristics. Statistical analysis shows the significant effect of smoking type in both of sperm number, activity, dead sperm, normal and abnormal morphology of sperms. In the case of smoking pipe water, the sperms number decreases significantly and decreases the activity of the sperm significantly when smoking cigarettes, as well as water pipe smoking. The normal morphology of the sperms as significantly affected in all cases of smoking as compared with non-smokers. Statistical analysis shows the significant effect period of smoking in both of the activity of sperm, dead sperm, normal and abnormal morphology of the sperm. The activity of the sperm decreases significantly for the period of smoking 6-10 years, and the normal morphology of the sperm significantly decreases in the case of smoking for 1-5 years. Statistical analysis also shows the significant effect of age in both semen and seminal. The seminal volume and viscosity decrease significantly in the age group 26-30 years, and the viscosity decreases significantly in the age group 25 years or less. The regression is significantly and highly for the activity of sperm and dead sperm on the period of smoking, the negative regression of the number of sperm, the normal morphology of the sperm and the volume of semen with the period of smoking. The regression is negative and not significant in both dead sperm and abnormal morphology with age. The number of sperm is significantly correlated with both the activity of the sperm and the normal morphology of the sperm, the volume of the semen and the pus cells.
Depersonalization of Personal Data in Information Systems

The analysis of the methods of anonymization of personal data processed by automated information systems was carried out, their shortcomings were revealed. To eliminate the shortcomings, a method of anonymization of personal data has been developed, based on the method of introducing identifiers using hashing of critical data and the key of the institution. This method has the following advantages: the data becomes impersonal, what allows reducing the cost of personal data information systems protection; the impossibility of determining a specific subject in personal data information systems based on known unique attributes of the subject; the operator, when the subject refers to his personal data, gets access only to one record of the personal data information system. The use of this method is considered using the famous characters of Alice and Bob. The conducted experiments have confirmed the proposed software operability and allow recommending it for use in practice for solving the problems of diagnosis and automatic classification on the features. The prospects for further research may include the creation of parallel methods for calculation of set of proposed indicators, the optimization of their software implementations, as well as a experimental study of proposed indicators on more complex practical problems of different nature and dimensionality.
Effect of very dense artifacts on Hologic and general electric bone densitometry results

Very dense artifacts confound bone density measurement. Hologic and GE densitometers exclude artifact density and GE also excludes associated area. Consequently, BMD is decreased with Hologic software. Despite different manufacturers’ approaches, when dense artifacts overlay the spine, the affected vertebral body should be excluded from the reported BMD. Very dense objects, such as lead bullets are described as “black hole” artifacts on Hologic densitometers. Whether similar results occur on GE scanners is not reported. We hypothesized that dense artifacts confound both brands of densitometers. Three lead bullets of varying size were placed overlying or adjacent to L3 on anthropomorphic and encapsulated aluminum spine phantoms. Three scans were acquired with and without projectiles on a Hologic Discovery W, GE iDXA, and Prodigy densitometer. Lead bullets are measured as having high bone mineral content (BMC); they appear black in dual-energy mode on Hologic scanners and are colored blue on GE scanners. On Hologic scanners, BMC of a dense artifact over bone is excluded, but the bone area is not altered. Consequently, bone mineral density (BMD) of the affected vertebra, and of L1–4, is decreased. For example, a .45 caliber bullet over L3 decreased BMD (p < 0.05) by 48.3% and L1–4 by 9.1%. GE scanners excluded associated BMC and area covered by the artifact, thereby minimizing impact on BMD. Dense artifacts over soft tissue on a phantom do not substantially affect BMD on either manufacturer’s densitometer when scanned. Densitometer manufacturers handle very dense artifacts differently. GE software removes artifact BMC and area with resultant minimal impact on BMD, Hologic removes only BMC, not area, thereby decreasing BMD. Regardless of this difference, when dense artifacts overlay the spine, it is best to exclude the affected vertebral body. Finally, the BMD stability observed with artifacts over soft tissue may not be replicated in humans.
Design Systems: A Community Case Study

Design Systems are an increasingly popular means for technology companies to improve development efficiency and design consistency across their products. In this case study, we present findings from a community-wide survey (n=1,513) and interviews at the Clarity 2019, a design systems conference. Our findings describe the community's evolving perception of what makes up a design system. We describe the members of the community who build and maintain these design systems. Our findings highlight i) the changing definition of design systems, ii) the practice of developing in-house design systems (in place of adopting an existing on one), and iii) the role of Design Systems in promoting collaboration between the Design and Engineering functions of a company.
Masks for Prevention of Respiratory Virus Infections, Including SARS-CoV-2, in Health Care and Community Settings : A Living Rapid Review.

Background Recommendations on masks for preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vary. Purpose To examine the effectiveness of N95, surgical, and cloth masks in community and health care settings for preventing respiratory virus infections, and effects of reuse or extended use of N95 masks. Data sources Multiple electronic databases, including the World Health Organization COVID-19 database and medRxiv preprint server (2003 through 14 April 2020; surveillance through 2 June 2020), and reference lists. Study selection Randomized trials of masks and risk for respiratory virus infection, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and observational studies of mask use and coronavirus infection risk were included. New evidence will be incorporated by using living review methods. Data extraction One reviewer abstracted data and assessed methodological limitations; a second reviewer provided verification. Data synthesis 39 studies (18 randomized controlled trials and 21 observational studies; 33 867 participants) were included. No study evaluated reuse or extended use of N95 masks. Evidence on SARS-CoV-2 was limited to 2 observational studies with serious limitations. Community mask use was possibly associated with decreased risk for SARS-CoV-1 infection in observational studies. In high- or moderate-risk health care settings, observational studies found that risk for infection with SARS-CoV-1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus probably decreased with mask use versus nonuse and possibly decreased with N95 versus surgical mask use. Randomized trials in community settings found possibly no difference between N95 versus surgical masks and probably no difference between surgical versus no mask in risk for influenza or influenza-like illness, but compliance was low. In health care settings, N95 and surgical masks were probably associated with similar risks for influenza-like illness and laboratory-confirmed viral infection; clinical respiratory illness had inconsistency. Bothersome symptoms were common. Limitations There were few SARS-CoV-2 studies, observational studies have methodological limitations, and the review was done by using streamlined methods. Conclusion Evidence on mask effectiveness for respiratory infection prevention is stronger in health care than community settings. N95 respirators might reduce SARS-CoV-1 risk versus surgical masks in health care settings, but applicability to SARS-CoV-2 is uncertain. Primary funding source Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Feasibility and Safety of Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy in Conjunction With Addiction Treatment for People Who Inject Drugs

Background Research is limited on combining outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) with addiction treatment for people who inject drugs (PWID) with serious infections. Methods This is a retrospective study of PWID (n = 68) requiring intravenous antibiotics evaluated for suitability for our OPAT program with concurrent addiction treatment. Results Most common infections were bacteremia and/or endocarditis (73.5%), bone and/or joint infections (32.4%), and epidural abscess (22.1%). Of the 20 patients (29.4%) who qualified, 100.0% completed the course of antibiotics, 30.0% experienced a 30-day readmission, and 15.0% relapsed. No overdoses, deaths, or peripherally inserted central catheter-line complications were reported. Conclusions Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy with addiction treatment may be feasible and safe for PWID with serious infections.
A Method for Transforming a Broad Topic to a Focused Topic for Developing Research Questions

In this research-to-practice full paper, the results of an approach for transforming topic ideas into questions for developing research questions are presented. The first step in developing research questions is identifying an interesting topic. Once a topic is identified, the next challenge is to narrow the focus by formulating and asking questions that, when answered, will provide more depth to the topic. For the novice researcher, articulating what needs to be learned about a topic and what the reader should understand about the topic can be challenging. The purpose of this study is to assess students’ perception of a method that is designed to challenge students to ask critical questions of their research topics to better understand what they know about the topic; what remains to be known and what their target audience should understand about the topic as a result of the research. An activity worksheet was designed to facilitate critical thinking about the process of questioning and posing questions as part of the developing research questions process. Students were asked to complete the worksheet then provide feedback on the usability of the activity worksheet. This work aims to answer the following research question, “How do students perceive the usability of the activity worksheet method for developing and evaluating questions about topic ideas?” The activity worksheet was completed by a 43 students across two sections of an undergraduate data visualization course in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology at Purdue University. After completing the worksheet students were asked to provide feedback on the usability of the worksheet, using a 5-point Likert scale: “1 - Strongly disagree,” “2 – Disagree,” “3 – Neutral,” “4 – Agree,” and “5 – Strongly Agree.” Students’ overall perception of the worksheet approach was favorable/positive. The implications of this work will help students build skills in questioning and posing questions. This research is significant because it helps students answer critical questions about their topic, and further clarify the significance of a topic beyond their own interests. The contribution of this work is in helping students pose questions and ask questions that will strengthen their critical thinking skills in the practice of engineering and computer science.
The Relationship Between Health Literacy and Nonrecommended Cancer Screening.

Introduction Health literacy affects how patients behave within the healthcare system. Overutilization of screening procedures inconsistent with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines contributes to the high cost of health care. The authors hypothesize that higher health literacy supports guideline-concordant screening. This study assesses the effect of health literacy on nonrecommended prostate, breast, and cervical cancer screening in patients older than the recommended screening age limit. Methods The 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System included health literacy modules. Respondents self-reported their ability to obtain and understand health information, resulting in 4 health literacy rankings. The authors calculated the population-weighted proportion of respondents in each health literacy category who underwent screening past the Task Force‒recommended age limit. The ORs of nonrecommended screening for each malignancy were calculated, with low health literacy as the ref category. Results Individuals with higher health literacy underwent more nonrecommended screening. Nonrecommended prostate cancer screening was performed in 27.4% (95% CI=23.7%, 31.4%) and 47.7% (95% CI=44.1%, 51.3%) of respondents with low and high health literacy, respectively (p Conclusions Higher health literacy correlates with increased rates of screening beyond the recommended age, contrary to the study hypothesis. Breast cancer demonstrated the highest rates of nonrecommended screening.
The Value of Registered Investment Advisors during the COVID-19 Financial Market Crash - Evidence from 13F and Twitter

The ongoing public health crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on business activities, government at large, financial markets, and individual households. This study is the first to our knowledge that seeks to examine the 2020 financial market crisis using manually downloaded data, which combined 13F filing with ADV forms with tweets from Registered Investment Advisors. We find that even during extremely negative return days, financial advisors communicate frequently and positively with their clients. Clients working with financial advisors tend to sell less and buy more during a market downturn as compared with self-discretionary clients.