cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of quantum well design on light polarization switching in AlGaN ultraviolet emitters

Polarization properties from AlGaN quantum well (QW) strongly determine the efficiency of deep ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs), hence knowing the critical Al-content at which the light polarization switches is essential for high-efficiency deep UV LED designs. This work theoretically investigates the influence of QW design on the light polarization switching in AlGaN-based UV LEDs. The physics analysis by using the self-consistent 6-band k·p model shows that the Al-content for valence subbands crossover presents an increasing trend as AlGaN QW thickness increases with consideration of polarization electric field, carrier screening effect and strain state. On the other hand, the critical Al-content where the transverse-electric-polarized spontaneous emission recombination rate (Rsp) is equal to the transverse-magnetic-polarized Rsp has the maximum value at the QW thickness of ∼1.5 nm. The difference between the two types of critical Al-contents can be explained by the quantum confined stark effect and the band mixing effect. The light polarization properties from reported AlGaN-based UV emitters show a similar trend to our theoretical results on critical Al-contents, indicating the importance on the understanding of QW design for high-efficiency deep-UV emitters.Polarization properties from AlGaN quantum well (QW) strongly determine the efficiency of deep ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs), hence knowing the critical Al-content at which the light polarization switches is essential for high-efficiency deep UV LED designs. This work theoretically investigates the influence of QW design on the light polarization switching in AlGaN-based UV LEDs. The physics analysis by using the self-consistent 6-band k·p model shows that the Al-content for valence subbands crossover presents an increasing trend as AlGaN QW thickness increases with consideration of polarization electric field, carrier screening effect and strain state. On the other hand, the critical Al-content where the transverse-electric-polarized spontaneous emission recombination rate (Rsp) is equal to the transverse-magnetic-polarized Rsp has the maximum value at the QW thickness of ∼1.5 nm. The difference between the two types of critical Al-contents can be explained by the quantum confined stark e...
Closure of Medicare Part D coverage gap by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and use of oral anti-myeloma agents.

6522Background: Medicare Part D pays for oral anti-myeloma immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs, lenalidomide and thalidomide), but has a coverage gap resulting in an out-of-pocket (OOP) expense of > $ 30...
Periodic reflections: a method of guided discussions for documenting implementation phenomena

Ethnography has been proposed as a valuable method for understanding how implementation occurs within dynamic healthcare contexts, yet this method can be time-intensive and challenging to operationalize in pragmatic implementation. The current study describes an ethnographically-informed method of guided discussions developed for use by a multi-project national implementation program. The EMPOWER QUERI is conducting three projects to implement innovative care models in VA women’s health for high-priority health concerns – prediabetes, cardiovascular risk, and mental health – utilizing the Replicating Effective Programs (REP) implementation strategy enhanced with stakeholder engagement and complexity science. Drawing on tenets of ethnographic research, we developed a lightly-structured method of guided “periodic reflections” to aid in documenting implementation phenomena over time. Reflections are completed as 30–60 min telephone discussions with implementation team members at monthly or bi-monthly intervals, led by a member of the implementation core. Discussion notes are coded to reflect key domains of interest and emergent themes, and can be analyzed singly or in triangulation with other qualitative and quantitative assessments to inform evaluation and implementation activities. Thirty structured reflections were completed across the three projects during a 15-month period spanning pre-implementation, implementation, and sustainment activities. Reflections provide detailed, near-real-time information on projects’ dynamic implementation context, including characteristics of implementation settings and changes in the local or national environment, adaptations to the intervention and implementation plan, and implementation team sensemaking and learning. Reflections also provide an opportunity for implementation teams to engage in recurring reflection and problem-solving. To implement new, complex interventions into dynamic organizations, we must better understand the implementation process as it unfolds in real time. Ethnography is well suited to this task, but few approaches exist to aid in integrating ethnographic insights into implementation research. Periodic reflections show potential as a straightforward and low-burden method for documenting events across the life cycle of an implementation effort. They offer an effective means for capturing information on context, unfolding process and sensemaking, unexpected events, and diverse viewpoints, illustrating their value for use as part of an ethnographically-minded implementation approach. The two implementation research studies described in this article have been registered as required: Facilitating Cardiovascular Risk Screening and Risk Reduction in Women Veterans (NCT02991534); and Implementation of Tailored Collaborative Care for Women Veterans (NCT02950961).
A virtual consult service to optimize clinical trial participation in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

6601 Background: With an increasing complexity and number of endocrine, molecularly-targeted and immunotherapeutic clinical trial and standard-of-care therapies available for patients with metastat...
Using Estrous Behavior to Time Initiation of Oxytocin Administration to Prolong Luteal Function in Mares

Abstract The objective of this study was to use estrous behavior alone to determine the appropriate time for beginning an oxytocin treatment protocol for estrus suppression. We hypothesized that administration of oxytocin beginning 8 days after the onset of estrus will prolong the luteal phase in mares. Twenty-three light breed mares (aged 4–20 years) were exposed to a stallion and observed for signs of sexual receptivity. Mares not displaying signs received 250 μg of cloprostenol intramuscularly (IM) and were teased again 3–4 days later. On the day that estrous behavior was observed (Day 0), mares were randomly divided into two groups: oxytocin (n = 11): oxytocin (60 IU, IM) was administered once daily from Day 8–17; control (n = 12): did not receive treatment. Blood was collected from all mares every 4 days throughout Day 17, and every 7 days thereafter until Day 45. Serum progesterone concentrations >1.0 ng/mL were indicative of a functioning corpus luteum. Interestrus interval was defined as the period between Day 0 and the day when progesterone next reached
Continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (5FU) as a novel treatment for heavily pretreated prostate cancer patients: An update.

319Background: Currently patients failing multiple conventional therapies enroll on clinical trials but in many cases, despite a good performance status, patients may not qualify for trial enrollme...
Kinematic Dysfunction of the Distal Radioulnar Joint after Distal Radial Fractures

The distal radioulnar joint is part of an extended joint system from the elbow to the wrist. The axial motion that this joint system produces is responsible for the torque that may be generated for manipulation of materials. Proximally, the radius spins in an elongated conical fashion about the capitellum, and distally, it describes a cam-like motion around the ulnar head. This provides an arc of approximately 160° of pronosupination. The axis of rotation describes an irregular course that passes near the center of the roughly circular radial head to an area around the foveal attachment of the triangular fibrocartilage to the ulnar head.8 Duchenne5 pointed out that the distal radius and ulna described arcs about each other during pronosupination, with the former being larger than the latter.
The importance of range edges for an irruptive species during extreme weather events

Threats to wildlife species from extreme events, such as droughts, are predicted to increase in frequency and magnitude with climate change. Extreme events can cause mortality and community-level changes, but for some mobile species, movement away from areas affected may be a viable option. We examined the effect of extreme weather on spatial patterns of abundance for an irruptive grassland bird species, the Dickcissel (Spiza americana). We calculated route-level annual abundances and abundance anomalies from 1980 to 2012 from North American Breeding Bird Survey data, and classified the Dickcissel’s range into core and edge regions using these abundances. We then compared abundances in the core and edge regions to the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index, a measure of drought, in linear regressions. We found that Dickcissel irruptions in the northern range edges were related to drought conditions in the range core, potentially a consequence of birds being ‘pushed’ to the range edge when weather was unsuitable. Specifically, Dickcissels moved into refuge sites containing a high proportion of cultivated crops, with higher vegetation greenness, than those areas they leave during drought years. In a changing climate where more frequent extreme weather may be more common, conservation strategies for weather-sensitive species may require consideration of habitat in the edges of species’ ranges, even though non-core areas may be unoccupied in ‘normal’ years. Our results highlight the conservation importance of range edges in providing refuge from extreme events, such as drought, and climate change.
Nanoscale properties and deformation of human enamel and dentin

This research uses quasi-static nanoindentation and nanoscratching to quantify human tooth deformation as a function of enamel rod and dentin tubule orientations at the nanoscale. Nanoindentation tests were performed on enamel and dentin to determine elastic modulus, hardness, and observe fracture. Additionally, nanoscratch tests were performed to determine pileup geometry and parameters such as recovery, scratch hardness, and scratch roughness. In enamel, it was found that nanofiber orientation gives rise to unique microcrack propagation and nanofiber behavior that affect these properties. For dentin, densification and organic content affect these properties.
Dual-mechanistic antibody-drug conjugate via site-specific selenocysteine/cysteine conjugation.

Background While all clinically translated antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) contain a single-drug payload, most systemic cancer chemotherapies involve use of a combination of drugs. These regimens improve treatment outcomes and slow development of drug resistance. We here report the generation of an ADC with a dual-drug payload that combines two distinct mechanisms of action. Methods Virtual DNA crosslinking agent PNU-159682 and tubulin polymerization inhibitor monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF) were conjugated to a HER2-targeting antibody via site-specific conjugation at engineered selenocysteine and cysteine residues (thio-selenomab). Results The dual-drug ADC showed selective and potent cytotoxicity against HER2-expressing cell lines and exhibited dual mechanisms of action consistent with the attached drugs. While PNU-159682 caused S-phase cell cycle arrest due to its DNA-damaging activity, MMAF simultaneously inhibited tubulin polymerization and caused G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest. Conclusion The thio-selenomab platform enables the assembly of dual-drug ADCs with two distinct mechanisms of action.
The Early Life of Marx's “Mode of Production”

This article reexamines Marx's early conception of history by returning to his 1845–6 manuscripts, long known as The German Ideology. On conventional interpretations of these manuscripts, Marx sought to explain the entire historical process through a theory of the systematic development of productive forces. This article reveals that concern to be an artifact of subsequent editorial practices and argues that a different concern animated the manuscripts for Marx himself—namely to grasp the nature of individual epochs, particularly the present one, which he doubted that a generalized theory of history could help him to do. In “Saint Max,” perhaps the most neglected of these early manuscripts, Marx developed the concept of a “mode of production” into a historical lens, one that could aid the work of social critique by bringing into focus how the present is made and might be made anew.
Chapter 77 – Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are a large group of disorders that share the primary clinical feature of lower extremity spastic weakness. Lower extremity weakness and spasticity (occurring in varying proportions and to variable degree) may be isolated (“uncomplicated” HSP); or associated with additional neurologic abnormalities (“complicated HSP”), such as cognitive impairment, peripheral neuropathy, amyotrophy, or ataxia. Symptoms beginning in infancy may be nonprogressive. Later-onset symptoms typically worsen insidiously over many years. Postmortem studies in uncomplicated HSP have shown axon degeneration particularly involving the distal ends of corticospinal tract and dorsal column fibers. There are more than 70 genetic types of HSP. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis of HSP for the majority of subjects. The differential diagnosis includes treatable disorders (e.g., B12 deficiency, cervical spondylosis, dopa-responsive dystonia, multiple sclerosis) as well as disorders whose prognosis is quite different than HSP (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis). Treatment for HSP is symptomatic.
Differentiating the effects of anxious and avoidant attachment on depression and resilience following trauma.

Objective: Few studies have explored the impact of insecure attachment on college student mental health. The present study examined how anxious and avoidant attachment to a mother, father, and best...
Consensus-based somatic variant-calling method correlates FBXW7 mutations with poor prognosis in canine B-cell lymphoma

Abstract INTRODUCTION Canine Lymphoma (CL) is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in the domestic dog, with estimates reaching 80,000 new cases per year in the United States. Understanding of genetic factors involved in development and progression of canine B-Cell Lymphoma (cBCL), the most common of the two major subtypes of CL, can help guide efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease in dogs. Such findings also have implications for human Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), as pet dogs have recently emerged as an important translational model due to the many shared histopathological, biological, and clinical characteristics between cBCL and NHL. OBJECTIVES We aimed to identify potential driver mutations in cBCL and detect associations between affected genes and differential clinical outcomes. METHODS Using exome sequencing of paired normal and tumor tissues from 71 dogs of various breeds with cBCL, we identified somatic variants with a consensus approach: keeping variants called by both MuTect2 and with high-confidence by VarScan 2. We predicted effects of these variants using SnpEff then measured associations between mutated genes and survival times from clinical data available for 62 cohort dogs using a multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards Model. RESULTS Mutations in FBXW7, a gene commonly mutated in both human and canine cancers including lymphoma, were associated with shorter overall survival (OS; p=0.01, HR 3.3 [1.4-7.6]). The two most frequently mutated codons of FBXW7 in our cohort correspond to the most frequently mutated codons in human cancers. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that exome sequencing results can be combined with clinical data to identify key mutations associated with prognosis in cBCL. These results may have implications for precision medicine in dogs and also allow subsets of dogs to serve as models for specific subtypes of human lymphoma. Translational Relevance Identifying tumor biomarkers associated with clinical outcomes has been a major driver in improved success in treating many types of human cancers, including Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Since canine B-cell Lymphoma (cBCL) shares many clinically identifiable characteristics with NHL, our detection of recurring mutations in certain genes in cBCL and their association with clinical outcomes stands to benefit both humans and dogs. If common canine lymphoma subtypes show mutational similarity to certain human subtypes, then therapies found to be effective for a subtype in one species may be more likely to improve treatment response in the analogous subtype in the other.
Sieve-based confidence intervals and bands for Lévy densities

The estimation of the Levy density, the infinite-dimensional parameter controlling the jump dynamics of a Levy process, is considered here under a discrete-sampling scheme. In this setting, the jumps are latent variables, the statistical properties of which can be assessed when the frequency and time horizon of observations increase to infinity at suitable rates. Nonparametric estimators for the Levy density based on Grenander’s method of sieves was proposed in Figueroa-Lopez [IMS Lecture Notes 57 (2009) 117–146]. In this paper, central limit theorems for these sieve estimators, both pointwise and uniform on an interval away from the origin, are obtained, leading to pointwise confidence intervals and bands for the Levy density. In the pointwise case, our estimators converge to the Levy density at a rate that is arbitrarily close to the rate of the minimax risk of estimation on smooth Levy densities. In the case of uniform bands and discrete regular sampling, our results are consistent with the case of density estimation, achieving a rate of order arbitrarily close to $\log^{−1/2}(n) ⋅ n^{−1/3}$, where $n$ is the number of observations. The convergence rates are valid, provided that $s$ is smooth enough and that the time horizon $T_n$ and the dimension of the sieve are appropriately chosen in terms of $n$.
Optimized Cone-Shaped Motheye Structures for Fused Silica Glass Windows

We computationally varied the dimensions of cone-shaped motheye structures to optimize the transmission efficiency over a broad wavelength range. We show that optimized cone-shaped motheye structures can theoretically achieve > 99.5% transmission from 0.5 µm–2 µm.
Awareness and Use of Contraceptive Methods and Perceptions of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among White and Non-White Women.

Background: Unintended pregnancies continue to account for half of all pregnancies in the United States, primarily due to incorrect or inconsistent use of contraception methods. Long-acting reversi...
Artificial Intelligence in mental health and the biases of language based models

Background The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the healthcare field has occurred with little communication between computer scientists and doctors. The impact of AI on health outcomes and inequalities calls for health professionals and data scientists to make a collaborative effort to ensure historic health disparities are not encoded into the future. We present a study that evaluates bias in existing Natural Language Processing (NLP) models used in psychiatry and discuss how these biases may widen health inequalities. Our approach systematically evaluates each stage of model development to explore how biases arise from a clinical, data science and linguistic perspective. Design/Methods A literature review of the uses of NLP in mental health was carried out across multiple disciplinary databases with defined Mesh terms and keywords. Our primary analysis evaluated biases within ‘GloVe’ and ‘Word2Vec’ word embeddings. Euclidean distances were measured to assess relationships between psychiatric terms and demographic labels, and vector similarity functions were used to solve analogy questions relating to mental health. Results Our primary analysis of mental health terminology in GloVe and Word2Vec embeddings demonstrated significant biases with respect to religion, race, gender, nationality, sexuality and age. Our literature review returned 52 papers, of which none addressed all the areas of possible bias that we identify in model development. In addition, only one article existed on more than one research database, demonstrating the isolation of research within disciplinary silos and inhibiting cross-disciplinary collaboration or communication. Conclusion Our findings are relevant to professionals who wish to minimize the health inequalities that may arise as a result of AI and data-driven algorithms. We offer primary research identifying biases within these technologies and provide recommendations for avoiding these harms in the future.
When Institutional Work Backfires: Organizational Control Of Professional Work In The Pharmaceutical Industry

Integrating institutional and role theories, this paper develops a Logics-Roles- Action (LRA) framework for understanding how for-profit organizations structure institutional work to managerially control the work of professionals they employ. Structurally, this institutional work involves three elements: (1) internalizing pluralistic logics (logics); (2) institutionalizing distinct roles embedded in these logics (roles); and (3) scripting goal-oriented role enactment plans (action). An empirical examination of the LRA framework in the pharmaceutical industry evidences four distinct organizational strategies that script role enactments of sales professionals in their interactions with physicians. Each strategy is intended to reaffirm prevailing institutional logics, but eventually backfires by disrupting the very institutional structures that it seeks to maintain and replicate. We show that this disruptive effect is mediated by changes in the social knowledge of institutional work. We close with theoretical and managerial implications for organizational structuring of institutional work and dynamics of institutional change.
ACM and the Professional Programmer: How do you, the reader, stay informed about research that influences your work?

In the very early days of computing, professional programming was nearly synonymous with academic research because computers tended to be devices that existed only or largely in academic settings. As computers became commercially available, they began to be found in private-sector, business environments. The 1950s and 1960s brought computing in the form of automation and data processing to the private sector and, along with this came a growing community of professionals whose focus on computing was pragmatic and production oriented. Computing was (and still is) evolving, and the academic community continued to explore new software and hardware concepts and constructs. New languages were invented (and are still being invented) to try new ideas in the formulation of programs. The introduction of time sharing created new territory to explore. In today’s world cloud computing is the new time sharing, more or less.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus accelerates brain aging and cognitive decline: complementary findings from UK Biobank and meta-analyses.

Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus is known to be associated with neurobiological and cognitive deficits; however, their extent, overlap with aging effects, and the effectiveness of existing treatments in the context of the brain are currently unknown. Methods We characterized neurocognitive effects independently associated with T2DM and age in a large cohort of human subjects from the UK Biobank with cross-sectional neuroimaging and cognitive data. We then proceeded to evaluate the extent of overlap between the effects related to T2DM and age by applying correlation measures to the independently characterized neurocognitive changes. Our findings were complemented by meta-analyses of published reports with cognitive or neuroimaging measures for T2DM and healthy controls (HC). We also evaluated in a cohort of T2DM diagnosed individuals using UK Biobank how disease chronicity and metformin treatment interact with respect to the identified neurocognitive effects. Findings The UK Biobank dataset included cognitive and neuroimaging data (N=26,125) including 1,270 T2DM and 24,855 HC. Duration of T2DM ranged from 0–45 years (mean 9.7±7.9 years); 559 were treated with metformin alone, while 473 were unmedicated. Our meta-analysis evaluated 34 cognitive studies (N=22,231) and 60 neuroimaging studies: 30 of T2DM (N=866) and 30 of aging (N=1088). As compared to age, sex, and education-matched HC, T2DM was associated with marked cognitive deficits, particularly in executive functioning and processing speed. Likewise, we found that the diagnosis of T2DM was significantly associated with gray matter atrophy, primarily within the ventral striatum, cerebellum, and putamen, with reorganization of brain activity (decreased in the caudate, frontal eye fields, and premotor cortex and increased in the subgenual area, thalamus, brainstem and posterior cingulate cortex). The structural and functional changes associated with T2DM show marked overlap with the effects correlating with age but appear earlier, with disease duration linked to more severe neurodegeneration. Metformin treatment status was not associated with improved neurocognitive outcomes. Interpretation The neurocognitive impact of T2DM suggests marked acceleration of normal brain aging, by approximately 24% ± 10%; T2DM chronicity was associated with increased atrophy. As such, neuroimaging-based biomarkers may provide a valuable adjunctive measure of T2DM progression and treatment efficacy based on neurological effects.
Preliminary Report on the Incidence of Laboratory-confirmed Clinical Salmonellosis in Northeast USA Dairy Herds

Salmonellosis in dairy cattle ranges from subclinical infections to serious illness. Many studies have assessed fecal shedding. The objective of our study was to determine the incidence of clinical salmonellosis in dairy animals in the northeastern United States.
insideOut: A Bio-Inspired Machine Learning Approach to Estimating Posture in Robots Driven by Compliant Tendons.

Estimates of limb posture are critical for controlling robotic systems. This is generally accomplished with angle sensors at individual joints that simplify control but can complicate mechanical design and robustness. Limb posture should be derivable from each joint's actuator shaft angle but this is problematic for compliant tendon-driven systems where (\emph{i}) motors are not placed at the joints and (\emph{ii}) nonlinear tendon stiffness decouples the relationship between motor and joint angles. Here we propose a novel machine learning algorithm to accurately estimate joint posture during dynamic tasks by limited training of an artificial neural network (ANN) receiving motor angles \emph{and} tendon tensions, analogous to biological muscle and tendon mechanoreceptors. Simulating an inverted pendulum---antagonistically-driven by motors and nonlinearly-elastic tendons---we compare how accurately ANNs estimate joint angles when trained with different sets of non-collocated sensory information generated via random motor-babbling. Cross-validating with new movements, we find that ANNs trained with motor angles \emph{and} tendon tension data predict joint angles more accurately than ANNs trained without tendon tension. Furthermore, these results are robust to changes in network/mechanical hyper-parameters. We conclude that regardless of the tendon properties, actuator behavior, or movement demands, tendon tension information invariably improves joint angle estimates from non-collocated sensory signals.
Impact of Pediatric Radiation Oncology With Movie Induced Sedation Effect (PROMISE) on Patient Movement and General Anesthesia Use in Pediatric Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Pediatric radiation therapy (RT) often requires daily anesthesia to ensure precise immobilization for safe and accurate treatment. Unfortunately, repeated anesthesia can be detrimental to patient health and quality of life, and provides significant logistical and financial burden. PROMISE (Pediatric Radiation Oncology with Movie Induced Sedation Effect) is an interactive incentive-based movie system that allows for real time monitoring of patient motion and automatic shutting off of the beam and video if the patient moves outside of defined parameters. We hypothesize that PROMISE will result in minimal patient movement during RT and an overall decrease in the need for general anesthesia in young children (ages 3-7). MATERIALS/METHODS PROMISE integrates a movie system involving wireless video streaming to a low attenuation screen directly in front of the patient with a video surveillance gating module (AlignRT) for real time monitoring and behavior training. Starting in the beginning of 2020, this system was available for all children < 12 years old undergoing RT at our institution. For patients treated with PROMISE, AlignRT monitoring data was collected and analyzed to determine patient motion. We compared frequency of anesthesia use after implementation of PROMISE to the 2 years' prior at our institution to estimate reduction in anesthesia use per age group. RESULTS PROMISE was successfully implemented in 21 children, the majority (76%) who were 7 years or younger and most likely would have otherwise required daily anesthesia. Patient movement during RT with PROMISE was minimal, with in-treatment variation of ∼1.2 mm (0.8 mm standard deviation) from the reference baseline. Prior to implementation of PROMISE (2018-19), 100% of kids below the age of 3 (6/6), 70% of kids ages 3-7 (14/20), and 14% of kids ages 8 to 11 (4/28) needed general anesthesia. After PROMISE implementation (2020), 100% of kids below the age of 3 (5/5), 40% of kids ages 3-7 (8/20), and 8% of kids ages 8-11 (1/13) needed general anesthesia. When analyzed per fraction, after PROMISE, 100% below the age of 3 (76/76), 29% ages 3-7 (90/315), and < 1% ages 8-11 (1/221) required general anesthesia. On per patient comparison, PROMISE resulted in a 30% absolute benefit in those 3-7 years old, with 70% previously requiring anesthesia to only 40% after the implementation of PROMISE. CONCLUSION PROMISE resulted in a 30% absolute reduction in general anesthesia use for children ages 3-7. Further, patient movement during RT with PROMISE was minimal, within acceptable standards. The real time motion monitoring with automatic safety shutoff and behavioral training make PROMISE a unique and attractive alternative to general anesthesia. Further prospective clinical data is necessary to prove the safety and efficacy of PROMISE in pediatric RT.
Persistence of Viruses in Desert Soils Amended with Anaerobically Digested Sewage Sludge

Pima County, Ariz., is currently investigating the potential benefits of land application of sewage sludge. To assess risks associated with the presence of pathogenic enteric viruses present in the sludge, laboratory studies were conducted to measure the inactivation rate (k = log10 reduction per day) of poliovirus type 1 and bacteriophages MS2 and PRD-1 in two sludge-amended desert agricultural soils (Brazito Sandy Loam and Pima Clay Loam). Under constant moisture (approximately -0.05 × 105 Pa for both soils) and temperatures of 15, 27, and 40°C, the main factors controlling the inactivation of these viruses were soil temperature and texture. As the temperature increased from 15 to 40°C, the inactivation rate increased significantly for poliovirus and MS2, whereas, for PRD-1, a significant increase in the inactivation rate was observed only at 40°C. Clay loam soils afforded more protection to all three viruses than sandy soils. At 15°C, the inactivation rate for MS2 ranged from 0.366 to 0.394 log10 reduction per day in clay loam and sandy loam soils, respectively. At 27°C, this rate increased to 0.629 log10 reduction per day in clay loam soil and to 0.652 in sandy loam soil. A similar trend was observed for poliovirus at 15°C (k = 0.064 log10 reduction per day, clay loam; k = 0.095 log10 reduction per day, sandy loam) and 27°C (k = 0.133 log10 reduction per day, clay loam; k = 0.154 log10 reduction per day, sandy loam). Neither MS2 nor poliovirus was recovered after 24 h at 40°C. No reduction of PRD-1 was observed after 28 days at 15°C and after 16 days at 27°C. At 40°C, the inactivation rates were 0.208 log10 reduction per day in amended clay loam soil and 0.282 log10 reduction per day in sandy loam soil. Evaporation to less than 5% soil moisture completely inactivated all three viruses within 7 days at 15°C, within 3 days at 27°C, and within 2 days at 40°C regardless of soil type. This suggests that a combination of high soil temperature and rapid loss of soil moisture will significantly reduce risks caused by viruses in sludge.
How the Weak Win Wars: Russia in the Caucasus: the Murid War, 1830–1859

The Caucasus may be likened to a mighty fortress, strong by nature, artificially protected by military works, and defended by a numerous garrison. Only thoughtless man would attempt to escalade such a stronghold. A wise commander would see the necessity of having recourse to military art, and would lay his parallels, advance by sap and mine, and so master the place. Veliaminov (Baddeley 1908) When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt your edge; if you besiege a citadel, your strength will be exhausted. If you keep your armies out in the field for a long time, your supplies will be insufficient … Therefore I have heard of military operations that were clumsy but swift, but I have never seen one that was skillful and lasted a long time. It is never beneficial to a nation to have a military operation continue for a long time. Sun Tzu (1988) Russia's attempt to annex the Caucasus began in earnest nearly two hundred years ago. Since many contemporary studies of interstate politics begin with caveats about the sensitivity of their findings to particular periods of history, it seems worthwhile to say why I think the careful study of so distant a conflict is still useful. Appropriateness Clearly there are many things about the place and time which appear unique to both.
Magnetic properties of a metal-organic chain system [Co(bpdc)(H2O)2]∙H2O (bpdc=biphenyldicarboxylate)

The magnetic properties of a recently discovered metal-organic magnetic chain compound, [Co(bpdc)(H2O)2]∙H2O, were investigated using measurements of magnetic susceptibility M(T)∕H, isothermal magnetization M(H), and heat capacity C(T). The room temperature crystal structure of [Co(bpdc)(H2O)2]∙H2O is monoclinic, space group C2∕c, with lattice parameters a=6.950A, b=31.585A, c=6.226A, and β=95.84°. The M(T)∕H data above 40K were fit to Curie–Weiss law with an effective moment of 5.37μB and a Curie–Weiss temperature of +26K. A spontaneous antiferromagnetic ordering with a transition temperature of 5.5K was observed in the low field M(T)∕H data. In addition, a metamagnetic transition at 500G was found in M(H), measured at 2K. The sizable anomaly observed in C(T) confirms the magnetic phase transition and the transition temperature. The total magnetic entropy removal at 5.5K is 800mJ∕molK. The nature of the magnetic properties is discussed in terms of the ferromagnetic intrachain exchange interaction between...
Growth Shocks and Portfolio Flows

This paper studies the cyclicality of portfolio flows under the presence of productivity growth rate shocks. Productivity growth rate shocks successfully replicate countercyclical net equity outflows and procyclical bond inflows for advanced countries, which couldn't be captured in a model with only level shocks. Similarly, for an emerging market economy, the model with growth rate shocks generates countercyclical net equity inflows and procyclical bond inflows in accordance with data. Following a growth rate shock, home agents experience a decrease both in equity inflows and outflows on impact. Inflows decrease due to sales of home equity to realize capital gains and outflows decrease due to initial dissaving to finance increases in consumption and investment. Equity inflows increase later, as home dividends rise. Equity outflows pick up also as wealthier home agents increase purchases of foreign assets to hedge against home productivity shocks.
Carboplatin/Ifosfamide Window Therapy for Osteosarcoma: Results of the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital OS-91 Trial

PURPOSE: To determine the activity of carboplatin/ifosfamide in patients with previously untreated osteosarcoma and to estimate patient outcomes after a multiagent chemotherapy protocol that eliminated cisplatin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with newly diagnosed, previously untreated osteosarcoma received three cycles of carboplatin (560 mg/m2 × 1) and ifosfamide (2.65 g/m2/d × 3). Assessment of response was evaluated after two (week 6) and three (week 9) chemotherapy cycles. At week 9, histologic response was assessed. Adjuvant therapy comprised two additional carboplatin/ifosfamide cycles, doxorubicin, and high-dose methotrexate. Patients were stratified at enrollment: stratum A, resectable primary tumor without metastases; stratum B, unresectable primary tumor; and stratum C, metastatic disease at diagnosis. Week 6 response was compared with that of a historic group that received only ifosfamide during the initial window evaluation. RESULTS: The clinical and radiographic response rate to t...
Thumbnail rectilinear Steiner trees

The rectilinear Steiner tree problem is to find a minimum-length set of horizontal and vertical line segments that interconnect a given set of points in the plane. Here we study the thumbnail rectilinear Steiner tree problem, where the input points are drawn from a small integer grid. Specifically, we devise a full-set decomposition algorithm for computing optimal thumbnail rectilinear Steiner trees. We then present experimental results comparing this algorithm with two existing algorithms for computing optimal rectilinear Steiner trees. The thumbnail rectilinear Steiner tree problem has applications in VLSI placement algorithms based on geometric partitioning and in global routing of field-programmable gate arrays.
A Review of “A Dictionary of Philosophy of Religion”

A new student to the philosophy of religion will gain a broad understanding of this field by reading and consulting the recently published reference book A Dictionary of Philosophy of Religion edit...
Necrotizing Sialometaplasia: A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis

Abstract Context.—Necrotizing sialometaplasia is a benign, self-limited lesion of both major and minor salivary glands, although more commonly the latter. It can represent a diagnostic dilemma and may be mistaken for a malignant neoplasm, such as mucoepidermoid carcinoma, as well as invasive squamous cell carcinoma. A major causal relationship has been ascribed to ischemia. Bulimia, an eating disorder with increasing prevalence in our society, may also be an underlying underreported cause. Objective.—To discuss the potential pathogenesis, diagnostic pitfalls, and the application of immunohistochemistry as an aid in the diagnosis of necrotizing sialometaplasia. Data Sources.—This report uses a previously published case history for illustrative purposes and a review of the current literature. Conclusions.—The diagnosis of necrotizing sialometaplasia may be difficult and is reliant upon a well-oriented biopsy section and a complete clinical history. Diagnosis may be further supplemented via immunohistochemis...
Dietary phytoestrogens and their effect on bone: evidence from in vitro and in vivo, human observational, and dietary intervention studies

Impressive data from the many studies on cultured bone cells and rat models of postmenopausal osteoporosis support a significant bone-sparing effect of the soy isoflavones genistein and daidzein. Translating this research to the clinic has been more challenging, and thus far only a few clinical studies have attempted to tease out the influence of phytoestrogens on bone from the many other components of the diet. Human studies have shown promising although variable results. Studies have been mostly of short duration and with relatively small sample sizes, making it difficult to observe significant and accurate changes in bone. Levels of intake of the soy protein and isoflavones are varied, and the optimal isoflavone intake for bone-sparing effects remains to be determined. Clinical studies thus far performed can be broadly divided into those that have assessed biochemical evidence of reduced bone turnover from measurement of surrogate markers of osteoblast and osteoclast activity, and those that have examined changes in bone mineral density. There are no studies examining effects on fracture rate. This review focuses specifically on the potential influence of phytoestrogens on bone by examining the evidence from 17 in vitro studies of cultured bone cells, 24 in vivo studies of animal models for postmenopausal osteoporosis, 15 human observational/epidemiologic studies, and 17 dietary intervention studies. On balance, the collective data suggest that diets rich in phytoestrogens have bone-sparing effects in the long term, although the magnitude of the effect and the exact mechanism(s) of action are presently elusive or speculative.
Genes required for GABA function in Caenorhabditis elegans

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission is widespread in vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems. Here we use a genetic approach to identify molecules specific to GABA function. On the basis of the known in vivo roles of GABAergic neurons in controlling behaviour of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, we identified mutants defective in GABA-mediated behaviours. Five genes are necessary either for GABAergic neuronal differentiation or for pre- or postsynaptic GABAergic function. The gene unc-30 is required for the differentiation of a specific type of GABAergic neuron, the type-D inhibitory motor neuron. The gene unc-25 is necessary for GABA expression and probably encodes the GABA biosynthetic enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase. The genes unc-46 and unc-47 seem to be required for normal GABA release. Finally, the gene unc-49 is apparently necessary postsynaptically for the inhibitory effect of GABA on the body muscles and might encode a protein needed for the function of a GABAA-like receptor. Some of these genes are likely to encode previously unidentified proteins required for GABA function.
Successful endovascular repair of exsanguinating penetrating carotid artery injury in two pediatric patients

Immediate operative exploration has been considered mandatory for all penetrating injuries to Zone II of the neck and in any patient who is unstable, regardless of the location of the injury. We report two cases of penetrating carotid artery injuries in children successfully managed with endovascularly placed covered stents. These cases demonstrate that endovascular carotid artery repair can be considered in children, including in patients with Zone II injuries and in initially unstable patients.
Short-lived radium isotopes in the Hawaiian margin: Evidence for large fluid fluxes through the Puna Ridge

Abstract We measured significant activities of short-lived radium isotopes, 223 Ra (half-life = 11 days) and 224 Ra (half-life = 3.7 days), around the margins of the Hawaiian Islands to water depths of 3500 m. These measurements suggest fluid inputs from the basalt to the surrounding ocean. In general 223 Ra activities were considerably greater than 224 Ra in spite of the expected higher production rate of 224 Ra activity in basalt. The 223 Ra was not supported by dissolved 227 Ac. The highest enrichments of 223 Ra were measured over the Puna Ridge (2100 m depth) east of Hawaii. Here 223 Ra activities reached 19 dpm/m 3 , similar to activities measured near sites of active submarine groundwater discharge in the South Atlantic Bight. To explain the high activities of 223 Ra unaccompanied by 224 Ra, we postulate that thermally-driven circulation of seawater through the Puna Ridge deposits 231 Pa on basalt surfaces. With time the 231 Pa produces 227 Ac and 223 Ra; and 223 Ra desorbs into the circulating fluids. These fluids then transport 223 Ra into the overlying ocean. Based on the inventory of 223 Ra above the Puna Ridge, we estimate the flow of fluids through the ridge to be on the order of 20–60 cm 3 cm − 2 day − 1 . In less than 1000 years the incoming seawater could provide enough 231 Pa to basalt surfaces to balance the inventory of 223 Ra above the ridge if only 8% of the 223 Ra was transported to the overlying water. These observations on the flanks of a volcanically-active ocean island have significant implications for quantifying fluid fluxes from the flanks of the mid-ocean ridge system. By mapping 223 Ra inventories in the ocean above ridge flanks and measuring the activity of 223 Ra in the emerging fluids, the fluid flux can be obtained.
An efficient design of residue to binary converter for four moduli set (2n-1,2n+1,22n-2,22n+1-3) based on new CRT II

In this paper, an efficient residue to binary converter design for four moduli set (2^n-1,2^n+1,2^2^n-2,2^2^n^+^1-3) is presented. The converter design is based on New Chinese Remainder Theorem 2 (New CRT II). This moduli set has more dynamic range than previous converter designs for four moduli set. The converter is adder-based and memory-less, enabling this design to achieve more speed and less hardware complexity.
Evaluation of Paraprofessional Home Visiting Services for Children with Special Needs and Their Families

This study evaluated the impact of supportive paraprofessional home visiting on mothers and their young children who had or were at risk for developmental disabilities and who were at risk for rece...
Modulatory effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on biomarkers expression; assessment by digital image analysis and relationship to residual cancer burden in patients with invasive breast cancer

The use of digital imaging techniques for biomarker assessment has gained recognition as a valid tool for clinical use. In this study, we used image analysis for evaluation of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2), Ki-67 index, and p53 in 172 patients with invasive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and compared it with an untreated group (100 cases). We also examined the relationship between biomarker expression and the extent of residual disease using the Web-based MD Anderson residual cancer burden (RCB) calculator. Residual disease was classified as RCB 0/I, II, and III corresponding to complete/near-complete response, moderate, and extensive residual disease, respectively. Overall change in ER, PR, and HER2 status in the treated group was seen in 9.02% (P = .0148), 18.4% (P = .011), and 12.0% (P = .0042), respectively. Change in HER2 status, positive to negative and negative to positive, occurred in 27.2% and 7.0%, respectively. The group with RCB 0/I was frequently younger (P = .0057) and showed higher ER(-) status (P = .0316), lower ER scores (P = .0103), higher Ki-67 index (P = .0008), and p53 (P = .0055) compared with those with RCB II and III. Pathologic tumor stage (P = .0072), lumpectomy versus mastectomy (P = .0048), and p53 expression (P = .0190) were independent predictors of recurrence-free survival. The RCB categories (P = .0003) and tumor grade (P = .0049) were independent predictors of overall survival. This is the first study to conduct a comprehensive analysis of biomarkers in neoadjuvant chemotherapy-treated patients versus an untreated group using the digital image analysis method. We have demonstrated for the first time the relationship between RCB, tumor biomarkers expression, and clinical outcome.