cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extraction of plutonium using DIPEX immobilized in polystyrene thin films

Abstract We previously reported the development of thin films functionalized with P,P′-di(2-ethylhexyl) methanediphosphonic acid (DIPEX) applied to the extraction and analysis (by alpha spectrometry) of actinide samples. Here we report the full characterization of the films' ability to extract Pu(III), Pu(IV), Pu(V), Pu(VI), and colloidal Pu(IV) under various chemical conditions. For all oxidation states, plutonium partitioning onto DIPEX-polystyrene thin films was less effective than that onto liquid DIPEX. The weight distribution ratios calculated for the thin film extraction efficiency for the different oxidation states were Pu(IV) > Pu(III) > Pu(VI) ≅ Pu(V) ≅ colloidal Pu(IV) and were > 10 3 times lower than the distribution ratios observed for liquid DIPEX. Application of the DIPEX-polystyrene thin films for the qualitative processing of contaminated soil samples was very effective; however, the films were less effective for the processing of large water samples with trace levels of plutonium.
Introduction to Materials

All engineers are involved with materials on a daily basis in manufacturing and processing and in the design and construction of components or structures. They must select and use materials and analyse the failure of materials.
Scheitert die Psychoanalyse an der Sexualität

Der Autor stellt einen Zusammenhang her zwischen drei haufig geauserten Kritikpunkten an der Psychoanalyse und ihrem Umgang mit ihnen und der Klinik der sogenannten fruhen Storungen oder Borderline-Falle. Er erlautert dann seine psychoanalytische Theorie der masturbatorischen Position, bei der der Aussperrung der Sexualitat aus dem analytischen Vorgang und der Vermeidung der freien Assoziation eine zentrale Bedeutung zukommt. Vor dem Hintergrund der Theory-of-Mind-Theorie unterscheidet er eine konkretistische und eine reprasentationale Form psychischen Geschehens. Menschen, die als Erwachsene an einer fruhen Storung erkranken, erleiden in der Adoleszenz einen Zusammenbruch der psychischen Entwicklung, der in erster Linie ein Scheitern der reprasentationalen Mentalisierung der Sexualitat zur Psychosexualitat bedeutet, wie sie der Autor versteht. Statt ihrer kommt es zu einer Aussperrung und masturbatorischen Abfuhr der sexuellen Spannung, die mit konkretistischen antisexuellen inneren Dyaden einhergeht. Aufgrund des von der Psychoanalyse einst entdeckten Pansexualismus bedeutet diese Struktur eine allgemeine Behinderung der reprasentationalen Funktionsweise, die sich in der Symptomatik der fruhen Storung ausdruckt. Fur die Zukunft der klinischen Psychoanalyse kommt der Losung des beschriebenen Problems grose Wichtigkeit zu. Dazu werden abschliesend einige Hinweise gegeben.
Effects of dietary folate, vitamin B12 and methionine/choline deficiency on immune function.

Numerous epidemiological studies have confirmed that a relationship exists between nutritional status and resistance to infection. More recently attention has been focused on the more difficult question of the role of individual nutrients in the proper development and maintenance of the immune system. These parameters are more difficult to assess in human populations because the severe nutritional diseases usually seen (kwashiorkor and marasmus) represent an advanced state where the contribution of a single nutrient cannot be assessed.
Diffuse Layer Effect on Electron-Transfer Kinetics Measured by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM)

Recent theoretical and experimental studies revealed strong effects of the electrical double layer (EDL) on mass transfer at nanometer-sized electrodes and in electrochemical nanogaps. Although the EDL effect is much stronger in weakly supported media, it can significantly influence the kinetics of electron-transfer processes involving multicharged ionic redox species, even at high concentrations of supporting electrolyte. We measured the kinetics of Fe(CN)64– oxidation in 1 M KCl solution at the Pt nanoelectrode used as a tip in the scanning electrochemical microscope. The apparent standard rate constant values extracted from tip voltammograms without double-layer correction increased markedly with the decreasing separation distance between the tip and substrate electrodes. The same steady-state voltammograms were fitted to the theory including the EDL effect and yielded the rate constant essentially independent of the separation distance.
An analysis of errors, discrepancies, and variation in opioid prescriptions for adult outpatients at a teaching hospital.

Objective: To determine opioid-prescribing patterns and rate of three types of errors, discrepancies, and variation from ideal practice. Design: Retrospective review of opioid prescriptions processed at an outpatient pharmacy. Setting: Tertiary institutional medical center. Patients: We examined 510 consecutive opioid medication prescriptions for adult patients processed at an institutional outpatient pharmacy in June 2016 for patient, provider, and prescription characteristics. Main Outcome Measure(s): We analyzed prescriptions for deviation from best practice guidelines, lack of two patient identifiers, and noncompliance with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) rules. Results: Mean patient age (standard deviation) was 47.5 years (17.4). The most commonly prescribed opioid was oxycodone (71 percent), usually not combined with acetaminophen. Practitioners prescribed tablet formulation to 92 percent of the sample, averaging 57 (47) pills. We identified at least one error on 42 percent of prescriptions. Among all prescriptions, 9 percent deviated from best practice guidelines, 21 percent failed to include two patient identifiers and 41 percent were noncompliant with DEA rules. Errors occurred in 89 percent of handwritten prescriptions, 0 percent of electronic health record (EHR) computer-generated prescriptions, and 12 percent of non-EHR computer-generated prescriptions. Interrater reliability by κ was 0.993. Conclusions: Inconsistencies in opioid prescribing remain common. Handwritten prescriptions continue to demonstrate higher associations of errors, discrepancies, and variation from ideal practice and government regulations. All computer-generated prescriptions adhered to best practice guidelines and contained two patient identifiers, and all EHR prescriptions were fully compliant with DEA rules.
A Chronicle of Higher Education

Harry Birkin's battles with time and timing were evident from early childhood. In postcards, letters and memoranda we trace his development as a child, adolescent, undergraduate student, and his career in academia. We read of Harry's progress through his creative rationalizations for the delays and mishaps that characterized his personal and administrative behavior. He moved up the ladder to positions of increased responsibility, sufficiently admired by his colleagues, his profession and institution, to have had, upon his retirement, a campus building named for him. Harry, so to speak, marched to a different beat.
Life cycle assessment of treatment and handling options for a highly saline brine extracted from a potential CO2 storage site.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) injection in deep saline aquifers is a promising option for CO2 geological sequestration. However, brine extraction may be necessary to control the anticipated increase in reservoir pressure resulting from CO2 injection. The extracted brines usually have elevated concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) and other contaminants and require proper handling or treatment. Different options for the handling or treatment of a high-TDS brine extracted from a potential CO2 sequestration site (Mt. Simon Sandstone, Illinois, USA) are evaluated here through a life cycle assessment (LCA) study. The objective of this LCA study is to evaluate the environmental impact (EI) of various treatment or disposal options, namely, deep well disposal (Case 1); near-zero liquid discharge (ZLD) treatment followed by disposal of salt and brine by-products (Case 2); and near-ZLD treatment assuming beneficial use of the treatment by-products (Case 3). Results indicate that energy use is the dominant factor determining the overall EI. Because of the high energy consumption, desalination of the pretreated brine (Cases 2 and 3) results in the highest EI. Consequently, the overall EI of desalination cases falls mainly into two EI categories: global warming potential and resources-fossil fuels. Deep well disposal has the least EI when the EI of brine injection into deep formations is not included. The overall freshwater consumption associated with different life cycle stages of the selected disposal or treatment options is 0.6-1.8 m3 of freshwater for every 1.0 m3 of brine input. The freshwater consumption balance is 0.6 m3 for every 1.0 m3 of brine input for Case 3 when desalination by-products are utilized for beneficial uses.
AQUAMI: An open source Python package and GUI for the automatic quantitative analysis of morphologically complex multiphase materials

Abstract Micrographs of materials contain microstructural information that is quantifiable in principle, but difficult to extract in practice. We present Automatic QUantitative Analysis of Microscopy Images (AQUAMI): a Python package which can automatically analyze micrographs and extract quantitative information to characterize microstructure features. This software package utilizes digital image analysis methods to perform many thousands of measurements on an image and reports information such as the mean feature dimensions, size distribution, and phase area fraction. Results are repeatable and can be directly compared between research groups. The results are robust against large changes in magnification, focus, illumination, and noise. We describe the working principle of the software and demonstrate it on micrographs of nanoporous and nanocomposite metals.
Mindful Communication: Being Present.

Objectives To review how mindfulness can be elicited in and strategically managed through communication, with a goal toward enhancing the patient/family relationship in the experience of cancer care. Data Sources Published, peer-reviewed literature, research reports, and Web-based resources. Conclusion Mindful communication, an active process whereby the health care provider and patient /family unit are attentive to the timing, nature, and context of the dialogue exchange, helps direct care that is patient-centered, reflective, and relational. Implications for Nursing Practice Oncology nurses using a patient-centered approach to communication will be more equipped to use mindfulness-based strategies that can potentially shift the way cancer care is delivered.
Occurrence of Endocrine and Thyroid Cancers Among Alaska Native People, 1969-2013.

Background: Nationwide, the incidence of thyroid cancer is lower among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people than among U.S. whites (USW). However, little is known about the incidence of thyroid or other endocrine cancers specifically among Alaska Native (AN) people. Methods: Data were examined from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Alaska Native Tumor Registry on endocrine cancers diagnosed among AN people from 1969–2013, with a specific focus on thyroid cancers. Frequencies of endocrine cancers by site and also of thyroid cancers by histology, size, and stage at diagnosis were evaluated. Distributions were compared to USW (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 9 Registries) using the chi-square test. Five-year average annual age-adjusted incidence rates of thyroid cancers were calculated, stratified by histology, age, and five-year period of diagnosis, and compared to those observed among USW. Five-year cause-specific survival was evaluated using ca...
Restricted MHC class I A locus diversity in olive and hybrid olive/yellow baboons from the Southwest National Primate Research Center

Baboons are valuable models for complex human diseases due to their genetic and physiologic similarities to humans. Deep sequencing methods to characterize full-length major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (MHC-I) alleles in different nonhuman primate populations were used to identify novel MHC-I alleles in baboons. We combined data from Illumina MiSeq sequencing and Roche/454 sequencing to characterize novel full-length MHC-I transcripts in a cohort of olive and hybrid olive/yellow baboons from the Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC). We characterized 57 novel full-length alleles from 24 baboons and found limited genetic diversity at the MHC-I A locus, with significant sharing of two MHC-I A lineages between 22 out of the 24 animals characterized. These shared alleles provide the basis for development of tools such as MHC:peptide tetramers for studying cellular immune responses in this important animal model.
Thermal Decomposition Studies of EPS Foam, Polyurethane Foam, and Epoxy Resin (SLA) as Patterns for Investment Casting; Analysis of Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) from Thermal Degradation of Polyurethane Foam

Thermal and chemical characteristics of three different polymer pattern materials for investment casting were investigated: expandable polystyrene foam (EPS), polyurethane (PU) foam at three densities, and epoxy resin (SLA). Thermal degradation behaviors and glass transition temperatures (Tg) of polymers were examined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The TGA results indicated that both EPS foam and SLA were degraded more readily than the PU foam, which was decomposed completely at 700 °C under air atmosphere while there was about 20% residue remaining at 800 °C under N2 atmosphere. The PU foam showed two Tgs at 56 and 140 °C. The EPS foam and SLA demonstrated single Tg at 106 and 55 °C, respectively. The generation of toxic gas, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from thermal degradation of the PU foam was examined by a laboratory-built heating system. The HCN level depended on decomposition conditions, higher oxidant level, and longer residence time in the hot zone of furnace could reduce the HCN level.
Combining discourse strategies to generate descriptions to users along a naive/expert spectrum

A question answering system that provides access to a large amount of data will be most useful if it can tailor its answer to each user. In particular, a user's level of knowledge about the domain of discourse is an important factor in this tailoring. In previous work we determined that a user's level of domain knowledge affects the kind of information provided in an answer to a user's question as opposed to just the amount of information, as was previously proposed. We also explained how two distinct discourse strategies could be used to generate texts aimed at naive and expert users. Users are not necessarily truly expert or fully naive however, but can be anywhere along a knowledge spectrum whose extremes are naive and expert In this work, we show how our generation system, TAILOR, can use information about a user's level of expertise to combine several discourse strategies in a single text, choosing the most appropriate at each point in the generation process, in order to generate texts for users anywhere along the knowledge spectrum. TAILOR'S ability to combine discourse strategies based on a user model allows for the generation of a wider variety of texts and the most appropriate one for the user.
CAR T Cells in Solid Tumors: Blueprints for Building Effective Therapies.

Genetic redirection of T lymphocytes with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has soared from treating cancers preclinically to FDA approval for hematologic malignancies and commercial-grade production scale in under 30 years. To date, solid tumors are less susceptible to CAR therapies and instead have been treated more successfully with immune checkpoint blockade or tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. Here, we discuss the current challenges in treating solid tumors with CAR T cells and the obstacles within the host and tumor microenvironment hindering their efficacy. We present a novel three-pronged approach for enhancing the efficacy of CAR T cells whereby a single infusion product can synergize the power of an optimal CAR construct, a highly potent T cell subset, and rejuvenate the endogenous immune response to conquer therapeutically-resistant solid tumors.
Barrier use during oro-genital sex and oral Human Papillomavirus prevalence: Analysis of NHANES 2009-2014

OBJECTIVES The incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas is increasing. Oral HPV infection is acquired through oro-genital contact. We examined the association between barrier use during oro-genital sex and oral HPV 16/18 prevalence in HPV unvaccinated individuals. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of individuals aged 18-59 years with a history of oro-genital sex was conducted using National Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey (NHANES) from 2009 to 2014. Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted for gender, total number of oro-genital sex partners, smoking status, and alcohol consumption. Using NHANES sample weights, analysis was weighted for national representation. RESULTS Sample of 4,357 individuals represented 68,680,333 individuals nationally. 6.6% reported always or usually using a barrier during oro-genital sex, and 1.3% were positive for oral HPV 16/18 infection. In the adjusted analysis, barrier users were less likely to be oral HPV 16/18 positive, as compared to those who did not report using a barrier (RR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.04-0.97; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Using barrier during oro-genital sex might help to reduce oral HPV 16/18 prevalence. Hence, the use of a barrier should be promoted not only during vaginal but also during oro-genital sex. This finding is particularly important among HPV unvaccinated individuals.
Quality and Safety in Health Care, Part LI: Engagement and Burnout

Engagement has 3 different components, the most important of which are felt by some to be vigor and dedication. The third component is absorption. Engagement is considered by some to be the opposite of burnout, although others consider these terms to be not quite opposite, but nearly so. Engaged physicians have greater job satisfaction and less burnout and are less likely to leave their job than physicians who are not engaged. Those physicians who are engaged in their work tend to render patient care that is not only more efficient but also has a higher degree of quality and safety.
Analyzing the legal roots and moral core of digital consent

We will argue that clarifying the “moral core” of consent offers a common metric by which we can evaluate how well different legal frameworks are able to protect the central moral rights and intere...
Economic significance of Q for mirror reactors: combinations of Q and M which look promising

This term Q is the ratio of the fusion powder produced to the power input. It is a driven device. Q is truly the success parameter for mirrors--widely discussed but not succinctly specified as to required value. The problem is that Q can be treated as a subjective parameter--there are many milestone Qs; for scientific demonstration, for breakeven power, etc. Yet for a successful reactor, there is only one Q and that is the Q which produces mirror fusion power at the busbar that is less than the cost of delivered power in mills/kwhr by other means. We call this Q/sub PRACTICAL/ and believe there is a convincing argument that says this Q/sub PRACTICAL/ can be about 5.0 even assuming modest efficiencies for system components. A direct convertor is necessary. If the direct convertor were deleted, a Q/sub PRACTICAL/ of approximately 7.5 would be required. If we wish to soften the value of Q further, then the technical logic for the fusion fission hybrid is very powerful. With the hybrid a Q/sub PRACTICAL/ of 1.5 to 2.0 appears to be a very reasonable value. The key in being able to specify values of Q/sub PRACTICAL/ lies in economically comparing themore » capital cost of fusion power to the sum of the capital cost and the present value of all the fuel costs for the competitive fuel intensive plants.« less
Die Wirkung von Erfahrungsnähe und Frame

Ziel der Untersuchung ist es, die Wirkung von Erfahrungsnahe in Gesundheitsbotschaften auf stellvertretende narrative Erfahrungen, Selbstwirksamkeit und gesundheitsforderliche Intentionen in Abhangigkeit des Gewinn- und Verlust-Framings zu untersuchen. Von besonderem Interesse ist das Erleben diskreter Emotionen als Teil der stellvertretenden Erfahrungen, da angenommen wird, dass diese in Abhangigkeit des Frames der Botschaft variieren und somit infolge einen unterschiedlichen Einfluss auf Selbstwirksamkeitserwartungen haben.
Modeling and simulation of nanomaterials in fluids: nanoparticle self-assembly

Abstract Nanoparticle self-assembly is intrinsically dependent on how the underlying forces drive population-level effects such as aggregation and fragmentation. Accordingly, in this chapter, we review modeling and simulation of population balance equation models of nanoparticles in fluids from a mathematical and computational perspective. Specific analytical results and discretization techniques are discussed. We also provide an introduction to statistical model selection, which has recently proven useful to researchers in identifying appropriate nanofluid viscosity models.
Optimal dynamic marketing-mix policies for frequently purchased products and services versus consumer durable goods: A generalized analytic approach

Abstract This paper deals with the qualitative characterization of optimal pricing and advertising policies together with the optimal ratio of the advertising elasticity of demand to its price elasticity over time. The problem is studied for frequently purchased products and services (FPS) as well as consumer durable goods (CDG) in both monopolistic and duopolistic markets. Demand dynamics, cost learning and discounting of future profits are taken into consideration. In addition, both the open-loop and feedback methodologies are pursued to characterize and compare the derived optimal policies. The paper uses an analytical approach to characterize the optimal dynamic policies in a general setting as is mathematically tractable, followed by the analysis of more specific models to gain additional managerial insights while maintaining a certain degree of generality. Optimal FPS marketing-mix policies are shown to be different from their CDG counterparts for both monopolistic and duopolistic markets. While the ratio of advertising elasticity to price elasticity appears to have been governed by similar set of rules for FPS and CDG, the direction of change of such ratio over time looks different from each other. Managerial implications and directions for future research are also discussed.
A Cortisol-Based Energy Decoder for Investigation of Fatigue in Hypercortisolism

Hormones play a fundamental role in homeostasis. We develop a state-space model relating the body’s internal energy to cortisol hormone secretions. Cortisol is secreted in pulses and follows a 24 h circadian rhythm. Secretory event timings carry important information regarding internal feedback signaling taking place, as do the upper and lower serum cortisol levels. We relate an internal energy state variable to cortisol pulse timings and to the upper and lower serum cortisol envelopes. We derive Bayesian filter equations for state estimation and use the Expectation-Maximization algorithm for model parameter recovery. Results on multi-day simulated data show circadian energy variations in healthy subjects and non-circadian fluctuations throughout 24 h periods in patient models suffering from hypercortisolism. The results shed new light on why patients diagnosed with excess cortisol disorders frequently experience symptoms of daytime fatigue and sleep disturbances at night. The state-space model is also an important first step towards the design of closed-loop controllers for treating hormone-related disorders in a manner that closely emulates the body’s own pulsatile feedback mechanisms.
Residential Setting and the Cumulative Financial Burden of Dementia in the 7 Years Before Death

Objectives Care for older adults with dementia during the final years of life is costly, and families shoulder much of this burden. We aimed to assess the financial burden of care for those with and without dementia, and to explore differences across residential settings. Design Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and linked claims, we examined total healthcare spending and proportion by payer-Medicare, Medicaid, out-of-pocket, and calculated costs of informal caregiving-over the last 7 years of life, comparing those with and without dementia and stratifying by residential setting. Setting The HRS is a nationally representative longitudinal study of older adults in the United States. Participants We sampled HRS decedents from 2004 to 2015. To ensure complete data, we limited the sample to those 72 years or older at death who had continuous fee-for-service Medicare Parts A and B coverage during the 7-year period (n = 2909). Measurements We compared decedents with dementia at last HRS assessment with those without dementia across annual and cumulative 7-year spending measures, and personal characteristics. We present annual and cumulative spending by payer, and the changing proportion of spending by payer over time, comparing those with and without dementia and stratifying results by residential setting. Results We found that, consistent with prior studies, people with dementia experience significantly higher costs, with a disproportionate share falling on patients and families. This pattern is most striking among community residents with dementia, whose families shoulder 64% of total expenditures (including $176,180 informal caregiving costs and $55,550 out-of-pocket costs), compared with 43% for people with dementia residing in nursing homes ($60,320 informal caregiving costs and $105,590 out-of-pocket costs). Conclusion These findings demonstrate disparities in financial burden shouldered by families of those with dementia, particularly among those residing in the community. They highlight the importance of considering the residential setting in research, programs, and policies. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1319-1324, 2020.
Increased Calculated Panel Reactive Antigen Is Associated With Increased Waitlist Time and Mortality in Lung Transplantation.

Background Sensitized candidates with unacceptable antigens are a group that demands special attention in organ transplantation. Calculated panel reactive antigen (cPRA) is not used to modify allocation priorities in lung transplantation. The impact of cPRA on waiting list time and mortality is unknown. Methods We performed a retrospective review of candidates for lung transplantation listed from May 2005 to 2018. Data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing STAR (Standard Analysis and Research) dataset was paired with additional unacceptable human leukocyte antigen (UA-HLA) data, which were used to calculate the listing cPRA. Candidates were stratified based on the lack of UA-HLAs or cPRA level for candidates with unacceptable antigens reported. Unadjusted competing risks and adjusted subdistribution hazard models were fit. Results A total of 29,085 candidates met inclusion criteria for analysis. Of these, 23,562 (81%) with no UA-HLAs, 3472 (11.9%) with a cPRA less than 50, and 2051 with a cPRA greater than or equal to 50 (7.1%). On adjusted analysis, a cPRA greater than or equal to 50 was independently associated with increased waitlist mortality at 1 year (hazard ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.55-1.88; P Conclusions Further evaluation of organ allocation with consideration of a candidate's cPRA may be warranted in order to optimize equity in access to transplants.
Proteomic and metabolomic profiling reveals the involvement of apoptosis in meat quality characteristics of ovine M. longissimus from different callipyge genotypes.

Abstract Proteome and metabolome changes in muscles from callipyge mutation (+/C) and non-callipyge phenotype (+/+, C/+, and C/C) lambs were profiled to provide insight into the biochemical changes affecting meat quality attributes. M. longissimus thoracis from lambs with all four possible callipyge genotype (n = 4, C/+, C/C, +/C, and +/+) were collected after 3d aging and analyzed using mass-spectrometry based platforms. Among identified proteomes, cytochrome c (pro-apoptotic protein) was detected with significantly lower abundances in +/C. Anti-apoptotic HSP70, BAG3, and PARK7 were over-abundant in +/C, which could result in delayed apoptosis and possibly attributed to tougher meat in callipyge lambs. Eight glycolysis enzymes were overabundant in +/C lambs, whereas 3 enzymes involved in TCA cycle were overabundant in non-callipyge ones (C/C and/or C/+). Twenty-five metabolites were affected by genotypes (P
Gould and Liberace, or the Fate of Nineteenth-Century Performance Culture

Two of the most famous pianists of the 1950s, Glenn Gould and Liberace occupied opposing esthetic and cultural positions. Liberace’s style of performance and self-presentation was by and large cons...
Making sense out of the world: Expanding our mental model of health and disease

We make sense of the world through our mental representations or models. They allow us to identify and categorize objects and ideas and shape our views of the world determining what we consider relevant and valid. Mental models enable reasoning, including clinical reasoning in regard to diagnosis and therapy. Scientific advances in understanding of biologic processes in health and disease have begun to reveal their complexity. Systems biology has embraced this complexity and is recognized as complementary to the reductionist approach to science. The mental models educators impart in their students create the boundaries for what is deemed relevant scientifically and clinically. The successes emanating from the prevailing Western mental model of health and disease focusing on the individual and the reductionist approach to scientific inquiry is unquestioned. However, as our understanding of biologic processes has grown, the necessity of a new mental model that encompasses factors external to the individual is evident. The author proposes that a mental model, akin to an ecosystem, with the individual residing at the confluence of their genetic, behavioral, environmental, and microbiota factors be consciously developed in students. Embracing the complexity and interactions of biologic processes within and external to the individual is necessary to continue to advance science and medicine.
Toward freedom: The case against race reductionism, by Touré Reed: London, Verso Books, 2020

As Black, White, Latinx, and Asian people pour into the streets to protest the police killing of unarmed Black men and women, many wonder whether this will be the time that the United States effect...
A Reduced-Order Computational Model of a Semi-Active Variable-Stiffness Foot Prosthesis.

Passive energy storage and return (ESR) feet are current performance standard in lower limb prostheses. A recently developed semi-active variable-stiffness foot (VSF) prosthesis balances the simplicity of a passive ESR device with the adaptability of a powered design. The purpose of this study was to model and simulate the ESR properties of the VSF prosthesis. The ESR properties of the VSF were modeled as a lumped parameter overhung beam. The overhung length is variable, allowing the model to exhibit variable ESR stiffness. Foot-ground contact was modeled using sphere-to-plane contact models. Contact parameters were optimized to represent the geometry and dynamics of the VSF and its foam base. Static compression tests and gait were simulated. Simulation outcomes were compared to corresponding experimental data. Stiffness of the model matched that of the physical VSF (R2: 0.98, root-mean-squared error (RMSE): 1.37 N/mm). Model-predicted resultant ground reaction force (GRFR) matched well under optimized parameter conditions (R2: 0.98, RMSE: 5.3% body weight,) and unoptimized parameter conditions (R2: 0.90, mean RMSE: 13% body weight). Anterior-posterior center of pressure matched well with R2 > 0.94 and RMSE < 9.5% foot length in all conditions. The ESR properties of the VSF were accurately simulated under benchtop testing and dynamic gait conditions. These methods may be useful for predicting GRFR arising from gait with novel prostheses. Such data are useful to optimize prosthesis design parameters on a user-specific basis.
Multi-Mode Lasers for Self-Forced Opto-Electronic Oscillators in Compact Frequency Synthesizers

Advanced telecommunication, imaging, and remote sensing systems require reliable ultra-high stability local oscillators. Particularly, coherent detection of digital data signals relies on a low aperture jitter of local oscillators in addition to high signal to noise ratio to achieve a very low bit-error-rate (BER). Frequency stabilized local oscillators are required with phase noise of smaller than −120 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset carrier and low aperture jitters of below 50 fs for RF sources of 10 GHz. Self-forced opto-electronic oscillation techniques of self- injection locking (SIL) combined with self-phase locking (SPLL) employ low loss long optical delays for frequency stabilizations through comparison of instantaneous signals and delayed versions. A compact design of multi-mode laser (MML) is presented here by employing self-forced oscillation combined with self-mode locking of an MML. Proof of concept of this novel approach is reported using a custom designed InGaAsP/InP chip using Smart Photonics foundry service, where multi-quantum well semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA), carrier injection based phase modulator (PM), front and back (a common) distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR), and external electro-absorption modulators (EAM) are designed and physically modeled based on the foundry process design kit (PDK). A compact realization of self-mode locked MML with 5 modes to a fixed inter-modal oscillation frequency is presented, where the beat notes of the inter-modal oscillation are generated over X-band to form a frequency stabilized synthesizer. The PM bias control of two MLL lasers with common DBR is used to tune this opto-electronic oscillator from 11 GHz to 13 GHz with a frequency resolution of 110 kHz. Self-forced oscillation techniques of SILPLL combined with self-mode-locking (SML) has provided frequency synthesis with measured phase noise at 10 kHz offset (and aperture jitter) improved from −36 dBc/Hz (58ps) for the free-running MML to −92 dBc/Hz (68 fs) using SILPLL and SML of only 5 correlated modes. Analytical modeling has predicted that increasing the number of self-mode-locking modes from 5 to 13 will result in 18 dB improvement in phase noise. Performance comparison of this opto-electronic frequency synthesis method is made against various commercially available X-band frequency synthesizers that use full electrical solutions.
Progress and opportunities for women in clinical trials: A look at recent data and initiatives from the U.S. FDA

Recruiting and retaining diverse populations in clinical research is critically important. Over the years, we have seen improvements in the representation of women in clinical trials submitted in FDA marketing applications, and we are encouraged by the potential for new strategies to further their representation.
Movement-Dependent Electrical Stimulation for Volitional Strengthening of Cortical Connections in Behaving Monkeys

Correlated activity of neurons can lead to long-term strengthening or weakening of the connections between them. In addition, the behavioral context, imparted by execution of physical movements or the presence of a reward, can modulate the plasticity induced by Hebbian mechanisms. In the present study, we have combined behavior and induced neuronal correlations to strengthen connections in the motor cortex of adult behaving monkeys. Correlated activity was induced using an electrical-conditioning protocol in which stimuli gated by voluntary movements were used to produce co-activation of neurons at motor-cortical sites involved in those movements. Delivery of movement-dependent stimulation resulted in small increases in the strength of associated cortical connections immediately after conditioning. Remarkably, when paired with further repetition of the movements that gated the conditioning stimuli, there were substantially larger gains in the strength of cortical connections, that occurred in a use-dependent manner, without delivery of additional conditioning stimulation. In the absence of such movements, little change was observed in the strength of motor-cortical connections. Performance of the motor behavior in the absence of conditioning also did not produce any changes in connectivity. Our results show that combining movement-gated stimulation with further natural use of the "conditioned" pathways after stimulation ends can produce use-dependent strengthening of connections in adult primates, highlighting an important role for behavior in cortical plasticity. Our data also provide strong support for combining movement-gated stimulation with use-dependent physical rehabilitation for strengthening connections weakened by a stroke or spinal-cord injury.
Strain analysis of hepatitis B virus on the basis of restriction endonuclease analysis of polymerase chain reaction products

Abstract To assess the value of classifying hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains at the genomic level with products from the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), an HBV PCR DNA typing procedure was developed. The design of this method was based on the selective sensitivity of the PCR product to digestion with different restriction endonucleases and on the size of the fragment resulting from a specific nuclease digestion. On the basis of published nucleotide sequences of different HBV subtypes, a set of primers was selected within the preS-S region. One of the primers was 1679F containing 25 nucleotides (5'-GGGTGGAGCCCTCAGGCTCAGGGCA-3'), and the other was 2254R containing 24 nucleotides (5'-GAAGATGAGGCATAGCAGCAGGAT-3'). All of the reactive sera produced the same sized 575-bp identification band. The product was subjected to digestion by a selected panel of restriction endonucleases. By using prototype HBV of known subtype as a model, these restriction nuclease maps of the PCR product were subtype specific. Most adr subtype clinical samples produced predicted PCR DNA restriction nuclease fragmentation in accordance with the nucleotide sequence of the prototype virus. Occasionally, samples of either the adw or the ayw subtype gave discrepant results in which they appeared to be a different subtype or were resistant to the restriction nuclease digestion. This genetic alteration was consistent in the paired specimens from sexual transmission cases. These results show that the described procedures are applicable to HBV strain assessment.
The determination of the real exchange rate: The productivity approach

Abstract This paper explains deviations of exchange rates from purchasing power parity with the differences between countries of the relative growth rates of labor productivity between traded and nontraded sectors. Two cases are considered: Germany and Japan versus their respective major trading partners. The results show that the time series methodology yields a more favorable confirmation of the productivity differential model than the cross section regressions in the literature.
(R,R)‐2,2′‐Bispyrrolidine and (S,S)‐2,2′‐Bispyrrolidine: Useful Ligands for Asymmetric Synthesis

2, 2-Bispyrrolidine (R,R)-2,2′-Bispyrrolidine·(L)-tartrate (S,S)-2,2′-Bispyrrolidine·(D) tartrate (R,R)-2,2′-Bispyrrolidine (S,S)-2,2′-Bispyrrolidine Keywords: bispyrrolidine; asymmetric synthesis; ligands; chiral diamines; osmium tetraoxide; catalysts; additives; hydrogenation; allylic trichlorosilanes; waste disposal
Marital stability and congenital heart disease

The incidence of divorce or legal separation was studied in 438 families of children born with heart disease who entered the New England Regional Infant Cardiac Program between 1968 and 1973. The parents were interviewed when the children were 5 1/2 years old. The rate of divorce in 438 families of children with critical congenital heart disease was not significantly different from the rate in two comparison groups: (1) 25 families of children whose cardiac defect was spontaneously cured, and (2) 26 families of children catheterized in infancy for suspected cardiac defect but who were found to be free of heart disease. Rates of divorce or legal separation for the three groups were: critical congenital heart disease, 12.1%, spontaneously cured, 4.2% free of heart disease, 11.5% these rates were not significantly different. The average national divorce rate was 20.3% for the same period.
User-specific QoS aware scheduling and implementation in wireless systems

In this paper, we explore user-specific QoS requirements and associated schedulers that are very critical in optimizing the spectral allocation for wireless systems. Two user-specific QoS aware schedulers are proposed that considers the user-specific QoS requirements in the allocation of resources. Depending upon whether improving the MOS (Mean Opinion Score) or both the system capacity and the MOS is the goal, a MOS improvement scheduler or MOS-plus-capacity improvement scheduler is proposed for VoIP applications. Detailed system implementation analysis based upon LTE system specification is performed, and it is shown that very modest modifications to current protocols are needed to support user-specific QoS aware scheduling. System simulations are performed for a set of VoIP users assigned specific QoS target levels in the OPNET Modeler for LTE systems. Simulation results show that appreciable MOS or/and system capacity improvement can be achieved if such user-specific QoS requirements are considered in the proposed user-specific QoS aware schedulers. Also, it is shown that the scheduling period of up to 1000 ms doesn't significantly impair the system performance.
SU‐E‐J‐60: Evaluation of Temporal Lag in Radiotherapy Gating for Tumor Motion Trajectories

Purpose: Evaluating timing differences between LINAC beam ON/OFF and the estimation of tumor positioning using gating systems is essential for establishing confidence when treating with gating during radiotherapy, and is an annual requirement of TG-142. Temporal discrepancies between the trajectories of external marker surrogates and beam delivery may vary depending upon the type of external marker motion, which is quantified in this work for several trajectories. Methods: A precise robotic 3D motion stage performed several trajectories typically used for gating phantoms, including sinusoidal and Lujan-type motion; a commercial respiratory motion simulator was also employed. The true motions were monitored using variable resistors. The beam ON/OFF was controlled separately by two RPM (Varian) systems, an integrated version delivered by a Varian Truebeam LINAC and version 1.6 delivered by a Varian Trilogy, and measured using a diode. The resistor and diode signals were read by a multichannel digital oscilloscope, and timing differences between beam ON/OFF as measured by the diode and the phantom motion were determined using a peak detection algorithm. Results: Timing differences between beam ON/OFF and 3D stage motion peaks (diode—true motion timing) were computed to be 79.4 & 57.7ms for sinusoidal motion and 109.1 & 63.6ms for Lujan-type motion on the Truebeam LINAC, for beam ON and OFF, respectively. Timing differences for the Trilogy LINAC were 34.4 & 55.2ms for the sinusoidal motion and 29.0 & 26.3ms for the Lujan-type motion, for beam ON and OFF, respectively. With the commercial motion simulator, the timing differences were found to be −9ms and −78ms for beam ON/OFF, respectively, with the Truebeam, and −97.6ms and −60.9ms for beam ON/OFF, respectively, with the Trilogy. Conclusion: Setup-dependent temporal lags were found using this methodology. These discrepancies have the potential to influence quality assurance on gating systems and ultimately the treatment dose during radiotherapy. NIH National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering grant T32 EB002103-21
Age-Dependent Neuronal and Synaptic Degeneration in Mice Transgenic for the C Terminus of the Amyloid Precursor Protein

The molecular basis for the degeneration of neurons and the deposition of amyloid in plaques and in the cerebrovasculature in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is incompletely understood. We have proposed that one molecule common to these abnormal processes is a fragment of the Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein (APP) comprising the C-terminal 100 amino acids of this molecule (APP-C100). We tested this hypothesis by creating transgenic mice expressing APP-C100 in the brain. We report here that aging (18–28 month) APP-C100 transgenic mice exhibit profound degeneration of neurons and synapses in Ammon’s horn and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation. Of the 106 transgenic mice between 8 and 28 months of age that were examined, all of those older than 18 months displayed severe hippocampal degeneration. The numerous degenerating axonal profiles contained increased numbers of neurofilaments, whorls of membrane, and accumulations of debris resembling secondary lysosomes near the cell body. The dendrites of degenerating granule and pyramidal cells contained disorganized, wavy microtubules. Cerebral blood vessels had thickened refractile basal laminae, and microglia laden with debris lay adjacent to larger venous vessels. Mice transgenic for Flag-APP-C100 (in which the hydrophilic Flag tag was fused to the N terminus of APP-C100) showed a similar degree of neurodegeneration in the hippocampal formation as early as 12 months of age. The 45 control mice displayed only occasional necrotic cells and no extensive cell degeneration in the same brain regions. These findings show that APP-C100 is capable of causing some of the neuropathological features of AD.
Sensitivity Improvement of TOFPET by the Utilization of the Inter-Slice Coincidences

Conventional multi-slice positron tomographs have suffered from an inefficient use of the inter-slice coincidence information due to a lack of an appropriate reconstruction algorithm. In order to overcome this deficiency, most multi-slice tomographs use the nearest neighbor coincidence lines and approximate the position of the slice by summing the two sets of lines. This still leaves a fair number of coincidence lines which are discarded. TOFPET, with its ability to localize the positions of the annihilation, overcomes this limitation with a new technique of utilizing all the inter-slice coincidence lines. Each coincidence event is localized in three dimensions and then placed in one of the imaae slices for tomographic reconstruction. With a proper design of the positron camera, this can result in a sensitivity increase of 60% over cameras of similar design but utilizing only the nearest neighbor inter-slice coincidences. We show how this new technique is implemented in the TOFPET camera being constructed at our institution.
Core level shifts of rare-gas atoms implanted in the noble metals

By means of soft-x-ray photoemission Citrin and Hamann have observed core level shifts of Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe atoms implanted in the noble metals and have constructed a theoretical model with which to interpret the results. We describe calculations employing a quite different approach to the same physical effects which are as successful numerically. The two salient elements are the energy associated with the screening of the core hole by the host-metal electrons and the potential shift arising from the surface dipole of the metal, neither of which is present in the free-atom case. Also considered is the chemical shift due to implantation in the host; estimates of this depend upon details of the model describing the implant site, but for the case at hand we find this contribution to be small.