cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systematic feasibility analysis of a quantitative elasticity estimation for breast anatomy using supine/prone patient postures.

Purpose: Breast elastography is a critical tool for improving the targeted radiotherapy treatment of breast tumors. Current breast radiotherapyimaging protocols only involve prone and supine CT scans. There is a lack of knowledge on the quantitative accuracy with which breast elasticity can be systematically measured using only prone and supine CT datasets. The purpose of this paper is to describe a quantitative elasticity estimation technique for breast anatomy using only these supine/prone patient postures. Using biomechanical, high-resolution breast geometry obtained from CT scans, a systematic assessment was performed in order to determine the feasibility of this methodology for clinically relevant elasticity distributions. Methods: A model-guided inverse analysis approach is presented in this paper. A graphics processing unit (GPU)-based linear elastic biomechanical model was employed as a forward model for the inverse analysis with the breast geometry in a prone position. The elasticity estimation was performed using a gradient-based iterative optimization scheme and a fast-simulated annealing (FSA) algorithm. Numerical studies were conducted to systematically analyze the feasibility of elasticity estimation. For simulating gravity-induced breast deformation, the breast geometry was anchored at its base, resembling the chest-wall/breast tissue interface. Ground-truth elasticity distributions were assigned to the model, representing tumor presence within breast tissue. Model geometry resolution was varied to estimate its influence on convergence of the system. A priori information was approximated and utilized to record the effect on time and accuracy of convergence. The role of the FSA process was also recorded. A novel error metric that combined elasticity and displacement error was used to quantify the systematic feasibility study. For the authors’ purposes, convergence was set to be obtained when each voxel of tissue was within 1 mm of ground-truth deformation. Results: The authors’ analyses showed that a ∼97% model convergence was systematically observed with no-a priori information. Varying the model geometry resolution showed no significant accuracy improvements. The GPU-based forward model enabled the inverse analysis to be completed within 10–70 min. Using a priori information about the underlying anatomy, the computation time decreased by as much as 50%, while accuracy improved from 96.81% to 98.26%. The use of FSA was observed to allow the iterative estimation methodology to converge more precisely. Conclusions: By utilizing a forward iterative approach to solve the inverse elasticity problem, this work indicates the feasibility and potential of the fast reconstruction of breast tissue elasticity using supine/prone patient postures.
Abstract A163: A role for epigenetic reprogramming in retinoblastoma tumorigenesis.

Retinoblastoma is an aggressive childhood cancer of the developing retina that is initiated by the biallelic loss of the RB1 gene. In addition to its role in tumor initiation, loss of the RB1 gene has been shown to induce genome instability, thus promoting tumor progression. In an attempt to identify the mutations that cooperate with RB1 loss, we performed whole-genome sequencing of retinoblastomas. However, the overall mutational rate was very low, with RB1 being the only known cancer gene mutated. We then evaluated RB19s role in genome stability and considered non-genetic mechanisms of cancer pathway deregulation. Since RB1 has been implicated in regulating major epigenetic processes, including miRNA regulation, DNA methylation, and histone modification, we hypothesized that RB1 inactivation may contribute to the rate of retinoblastoma tumorigenesis through non-genetic mechanisms that deregulate tumor suppressor and oncogenic pathways. We performed sister chromatid cohesion, kinetochore structure, and spectral karyotype analyzes, and evaluated double strand break repair using comet assay, γ-H2AX and TP53BP1 foci immunostaining, and found that the human retinoblastoma genome is stable. Nonetheless, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-on-chip) and DNA methylation analyzes pointed that multiple cancer pathways are epigenetically deregulated in human retinoblastoma. For example, the proto-oncogene spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is epigenetically upregulated in retinoblastoma and is required for tumor cell survival. Targeting SYK with a small-molecule inhibitor induced retinoblastoma tumor cell death in vitro and in vivo. Thus, RB1 inactivation may allow preneoplastic cells to acquire multiple hallmarks of cancer through epigenetic mechanisms, resulting directly or indirectly from RB1 loss. These data provide novel targets for chemotherapeutic interventions of retinoblastoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A163.
A Historical Review of Efforts in the Area of Management Semantics

An evaluation of efforts designed to aid in the alleviation of the terminological conflicts existing within the field of management is presented in this paper. Included are reviews of both currentl...
Amphiphilic colloidal surfactants based on electrohydrodynamic co-jetting

A novel synthetic route for the preparation of amphiphilic Janus particles based on electrohydrodynamic cojetting has been developed. In this approach, selective encapsulation of hydrophobic fluorodecyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (F-POSS) in one compartment and a poly(vinyl alcohol) in the second compartment results in colloidal particles with surfactant-like properties including the self-organization at oil–water and air–water interfaces. Successful localization of the respective polymers in different compartments of the same particle is confirmed by a combination of fluorescence microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, and ζ-potential measurements. We believe that this straightforward synthetic approach may lead to a diverse class of surface-active colloids that will have significant relevance ranging from basic scientific studies to immediate applications in areas, such as pharmaceutical sciences or cosmetics.
The Distal Humerus Axial View: Assessment of Displacement in Medial Epicondyle Fractures.

BACKGROUND The assessment and treatment of childhood medial epicondyle humerus fractures continues to be associated with significant debate. Several studies demonstrate that standard radiographic views are unable to accurately portray the true displacement. Without reliable ways to assess the amount of displacement, how can we debate treatment and outcomes? This study introduces a novel imaging technique for the evaluation of medial epicondyle fractures. METHODS An osteotomy of a cadaveric humerus was performed to simulate a medial epicondyle fracture. Plain radiographs were obtained with the fracture fragment displaced anteriorly in 2-mm increments between 0 and 18 mm. Anteroposterior (AP), internal oblique (IR), lateral (LAT), and distal humerus axial (AXIAL) views were performed. Axial images were obtained by positioning the central ray above the shoulder at 15 to 20 degrees from the long axis of the humerus, centered on the distal humerus. Displacement (mm) was measured by 7 orthopaedic surgeons on digital radiographs. RESULTS At 10 mm displacement, AP views underestimated displacement by 5.5±0.6 mm and IR views underestimated by 3.8±2.1 mm. On LAT views, readers were not able to visualize fragments with <10 mm displacement. Displacement ≥10 mm from LAT views was overestimated by 1 reader by up to 4.6 mm and underestimated by others by up to 18.0 mm. AXIAL images more closely estimated the true amount of displacement, with a mean 1.5±1.1 mm error in measurement for <10 mm displacement and a mean 0.8±0.7 mm error for displacements of ≥10 mm. AXIAL measurements correlated strongly with the actual displacement (r=0.998, P<0.05); AP measurements did not (r=0.655, P=0.55). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.257 for AP and IR measurements; ICC was 0.974 for AXIAL measurements. CONCLUSIONS Standard imaging, consisting of AP, IR, and LAT radiographs, consistently underestimates the actual displacement of medial epicondyle humerus fractures. The newly described AXIAL projection more accurately and reliably demonstrated the true displacement while reducing the need for advanced imaging such as computed tomography. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This simple view can be easily obtained at a clinic visit, enhancing the surgeon's ability to determine the true displacement.
Bond energies of molecular fragments to metal surfaces track their bond energies to H atoms.

The bond energy of molecular fragments to metal surfaces is of great fundamental importance, especially for understanding catalytic reactivity. Thus, the energies of adsorbed intermediates are routinely calculated to understand and even predict the activity of catalytic materials. By correlating our recent calorimetry measurements of the adiabatic bond dissociation enthalpies of three oxygen-bound molecular fragments [-OH, -OCH3, and -O(O)CH] to the Pt(111) surface, it is found that these RO–Pt(111) bond enthalpies vary linearly with the RO–H bond enthalpies in the corresponding gas-phase molecules (water, methanol, and formic acid), with a slope of 1.00. This parallels the known trend for organometallic complexes, thus highlighting the local character of chemical bonding, even on extended metal surfaces. This allows prediction of bond enthalpies for many other molecular fragments to metal surfaces, and the energetics of important catalytic reactions.
Heart Transplantation Outcomes in Radiation-Induced Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background Some cancer therapies can cause advanced heart failure requiring heart transplantation. Although dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common phenotype, those who receive radiation may develop restrictive cardiomyopathy. The characteristics and transplantation outcomes patients with radiation-induced restrictive cardiomyopathy are not established. Methods and Results We used United Network for Organ Sharing registry to identify adults who were listed for heart transplantation between 2000 and 2015 for radiation-induced restrictive cardiomyopathy (RT-RCM) and compared their characteristics and transplant outcomes to restrictive cardiomyopathies of other etiologies (RCM) and all other patients listed for heart transplantation (others). Of 45,041 adults, 87 (0.2%) of transplantations were due to RT-RCM, 1049 (2.3%) were due to RCM, and there were 44,805 others. Compared with patients with RCM and other etiologies, those with RT-RCM were younger, less likely male, more likely to be white, listed as status 2, and were also more likely to have had previous cardiac surgeries. Posttransplant, patients with RT-RCM had longer lengths of stay and higher early mortality; 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survival were as follows for RT-RCM (76%, 66%, 58%), RCM (88%, 79%, 73%; P = .025 compared with RT-RCM), and other etiologies (88%, 82%, 76%; P = .012 compared with RT-RCM). Conclusions Patients with end-stage RT-RCM are predominantly younger females with previous cardiac surgeries. Posttransplantation survival in these patients appears to be lower than in those with other forms of restrictive cardiomyopathies and heart failure etiologies, mainly because of higher early postoperative mortality. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Inorganic phosphate and coronary perfusion pressure mediate contractile dysfunction during mild ischemia

During mild graded ischemia in perfused rat hearts, we (V.M. Figueredo, R. Brandes, M. W. Weiner, B. M. Massie, and S. A. Camacho. J. Clin. Invest 90: 1794-1802, 1992) previously found a relationship between decreased left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and increased Pi, in which intracellular pH, cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), ATP, and free-energy change of ATP hydrolysis were not altered enough to affect contractility. However, the contribution of decreased coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) to decreased LVDP could not be determined. Thus, in the present study, graded hypoxia in perfused rat hearts (95-37.5% O2) was used to increase Pi to similar levels produced during mild ischemia without altering CPP and minimizing changes of other potential mediators of contractile dysfunction. 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and indo 1 fluorescence were used to assess energy metabolites and [Ca2+]i, respectively. The relationship between LVDP and Pi during graded hypoxia was fit to a monoexponential (LVDP = 105 x e-0.04Pi). These data were compared with the relationship of LVDP and Pi during mild ischemia (LVDP = 106 x e-0.08Pi) (V. M. Figueredo, R. Brandes, M. W. Weiner, B. M. Massie, and S. A. Camacho. J. Clin. Invest 90: 1794-1802, 1992). The exponential constant, which describes the effect of Pi on LVDP, was 50% lower during graded hypoxia relative to mild ischemia. This suggests that another mediator, which accounted for approximately 50% of the decrease of LVDP during mild ischemia, was not present during hypoxia. Because CPP decreased during ischemia but not hypoxia, these data suggest that CPP and Pi contribute similarly in mediating contractile dysfunction during mild ischemia.
Anxiety and Depression Symptom Dimensions Demonstrate Unique Relationships with the Startle Reflex in Anticipation of Unpredictable Threat in 8 to 14 Year-Old Girls.

There is growing evidence that heightened sensitivity to unpredictability is a core mechanism of anxiety disorders. In adults, multiple anxiety disorders have been associated with a heightened startle reflex in anticipation of unpredictable threat. Child and adolescent anxiety has been linked to an increased startle reflex across baseline, safety, and threat conditions. However, it is unclear whether anxiety in youth is related to the startle reflex as a function of threat predictability. In a sample of 90 8 to 14 year-old girls, the present study examined the association between anxiety symptom dimensions and startle potentiation during a no, predictable, and unpredictable threat task. Depression symptom dimensions were also examined given their high comorbidity with anxiety and mixed relationship with the startle reflex and sensitivity to unpredictability. To assess current symptoms, participants completed the self-report Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders and Children’s Depression Inventory. Results indicated that social phobia symptoms were associated with heightened startle potentiation in anticipation of unpredictable threat and attenuated startle potentiation in anticipation of predictable threat. Negative mood and negative self-esteem symptoms were associated with attenuated and heightened startle potentiation in anticipation of unpredictable threat, respectively. All results remained significant after controlling for the other symptom dimensions. The present study provides initial evidence that anxiety and depression symptom dimensions demonstrate unique associations with the startle reflex in anticipation of unpredictable threat in children and adolescents.
Organometallic chemistry: A new metathesis

Carbonyls and alkenes, two of the most common functional groups in organic chemistry, generally do not react with one another. Now, a simple Lewis acid has been shown to catalyse metathesis between alkenes and ketones in a new carbonyl olefination reaction.
A compact dual-band patch antenna enabled by complementary split ring resonator loaded metasurfaces

Metasurfaces, also known as metafilms, have recently been developed by researchers for various applications that exploit their exotic electromagnetic characteristics which cannot be found in nature. These applications include compact filter designs, electromagnetic cloaking and illusion coatings, miniaturized waveguides, and many new types of antennas with enhanced functionalities. Specifically, metasurfaces have been proven to be particularly beneficial in patch antenna designs. Among these designs, metasurfaces have been introduced as artificial ground planes and/or radiating components, which are comprised by unit cells arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional periodic array configuration. By virtue of these metasurfaces, highly-directive radiating beam(s), compact antenna form factors, high radiation efficiency, and multiple frequency-bands/operational-modes along with other desired features of patch antennas can be realized. In this contribution, we demonstrate that a complementary split ring resonator loaded metasurface can be employed to design a compact dual-band antenna. The compact size of our proposed dual-band antenna is attributed to the well-known capability of complementary split ring resonators for miniaturizing numerous microwave devices, including patch antennas. Moreover, due to the self-resonance of the complementary split ring resonators, the resonant frequency associated with the dominant mode of the original patch antenna is split into two modes, thereby giving rise to a dual-band functionality. The novel metasurface-enabled patch antenna proposed here not only possesses compact size, but also realizes multiple operational bands, making it a promising candidate for today's highly-integrated communication systems.
Discussing Global Issues Through Contemporary Art

ABSTRACTContemporary global issues can be examined through the lens of modern photographic art. In an effort to prepare global-ready graduates, this article explores the pressing problems of environmental degradation, urbanization, and homelessness through the work of three contemporary artists. Illustrative works, suggested approaches, and curriculum resources are provided.
Evaluation of Genetic Diversity and Host Resistance to Stem Rust in USDA NSGC Durum Wheat Accessions

The USDA-ARS National Small Grains Collection (NSGC) maintains germplasm representing global diversity of small grains and their wild relatives. To evaluate the utility of the NSGC durum wheat ( L. ssp. ) accessions, we assessed genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns in a durum core subset containing 429 lines with spring growth habit originating from 64 countries worldwide. Genetic diversity estimated using wheat single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers showed considerable diversity captured in this collection. Average LD decayed over a genetic distance to within 3 cM at = 0.2, with a fast LD decay for markers linked at >5 cM. We evaluated accessions for resistance to wheat stem rust, caused by a fungal pathogen, Pers. Pers. f. sp. Eriks. and E. Henn (), using races from both eastern Africa and North America, at seedling and adult plant stages. Five accessions were identified as resistant to all stem rust pathogen races evaluated. Genome-wide association analysis detected 17 significant associations at the seedling stage with nine likely corresponding to , , and and the remaining potentially being novel genes located on six chromosomes. A higher frequency of resistant accessions was found at the adult plant stage than at the seedling stage. However, few significant associations were detected possibly a result of strong G × E interactions not properly accounted for in the mixed model. Nonetheless, the resistant accessions identified in this study should provide wheat breeders with valuable resources for improving stem rust resistance.
Above 400-K robust perpendicular ferromagnetic phase in a topological insulator

The quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) that emerges under broken time-reversal symmetry in topological insulators (TIs) exhibits many fascinating physical properties for potential applications in nanoelectronics and spintronics. However, in transition metal-doped TIs, the only experimentally demonstrated QAHE system to date, the QAHE is lost at practically relevant temperatures. This constraint is imposed by the relatively low Curie temperature (Tc) and inherent spin disorder associated with the random magnetic dopants. We demonstrate drastically enhanced Tc by exchange coupling TIs to Tm3Fe5O12, a high-Tc magnetic insulator with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Signatures showing that the TI surface states acquire robust ferromagnetism are revealed by distinct squared anomalous Hall hysteresis loops at 400 K. Point-contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy confirms that the TI surface is spin-polarized. The greatly enhanced Tc, absence of spin disorder, and perpendicular anisotropy are all essential to the occurrence of the QAHE at high temperatures.
Abstract 59: Targeted Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Overexpression in Myelomonocytic Cells Prevents Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease

The cognitive decline in Alzheimer9s disease (AD) is associated with elevated brain levels of amyloid β-protein (Aβ), particularly Aβ 1-42 . Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) can enzymatically degrade Aβ 1-42 and its overexpression in myelomonocytic cells enhances their immune function. To examine the effect of targeted ACE overexpression on AD, we crossed ACE 10/10 mice, which over express ACE in myelomonocytic cells, with the double-transgenic APP SWE /PS1 ΔE9 mouse model of AD (AD + ). At 7 months, soluble Aβ 1-42 was reduced by 44% (136 vs 245 pg/mg) and Aβ 1-40 was reduced by 32% (21 vs 31 pg/mg). Plaque burden was reduced by as much as 79% (13 vs 62 10 3 mm 2 ) and insoluble Aβ 1-42 by 64% (189 vs 521 pg/mg). There was also a substantial reduction in astrogliosis (49-57% at 7 months, 50% at 13 months). AD + ACE 10/10 mice demonstrated less overall brain infiltrating cells, consistent with less AD pathology, though ACE-overexpressing monocytes and macrophages were increasingly abundant surrounding and engulfing Aβ plaque. At 11 and 12 months, AD + ACE 10/WT and AD + ACE 10/10 mice were virtually equivalent to non-AD mice in cognitive ability as assessed by maze-based behavioral tests. This study shows that an enhanced immune response, coupled with increased myelomonocytic cell expression of ACE, resulted in essentially complete prevention of the cognitive decline observed in a murine model of AD.
Portal Features of Major Digital Libraries.

Digital libraries offer access to significant collections of selected and organized digital resources, of the type traditionally found in libraries or archives. They can offer photographs, books, journal articles, and so forth. (Schwartz, 2000). Their major advantage, compared to the Internet as a whole, is access to quality collections from well-known institutions, such as major libraries or archives, also cultural and historical associations (Love & Feather, 1998). They can be said to occupy the “high end” of the Internet. Digital library studies have already become firmly established. There are textbooks (Arms, 2000; Chowdhury & Chowdhury, 2003; Lesk, 2005) and regular conferences, such as the ACM/IEEE Joint Conference on Digital Libraries (http://www.jcdl.org/). A major U.S. electronic journal, D-Lib Magazine, celebrated its tenth anniversary (http://www.dlib. org/). Its United Kingdom counterpart, Ariadne (http://www. ariadne.ac.uk/), is only slightly younger; there are Delphi studies (Kochtanek & Hein, 1999) and encyclopedia articles (McCarthy, 2004). Traditionally, libraries and cultural institutions have used their buildings as advertisements for their contents. Buildings such as those of the Library of Congress and the Bibliotheque nationale de France, Francois-Mitterrand complex, have entered the cultural consciousness of the world. The stone lions that flank the entrance to the New York Public Library have become widely recognized symbols. The “Carnegie Libraries,” constructed throughout the United States by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, are famous for their solid and imposing structures. Free access was a basic condition of these institutions; many public libraries expanded their title to “Free Public Library.” On entering a physical library, users were soon confronted by the classic information retrieval device, the catalog (now normally automated). This is always supported by an information or reference desk, where general inquiries can be made. When documents and other cultural materials are digitized and made available via the Internet, they transcend the limitations of physical buildings, but retain many of the features of traditional libraries. The gateway features of digital libraries occupy the role of the building, welcoming users and giving them their first impressions of the content. Access, whether to specific items or to broad subjects, is as essential in the digital environment, as it was in a traditional library. Interface organization and presentation, therefore, become vital elements in digital library architecture and presentation.
An Ab Initio Study of C~2H~2.H~2, C~2H~2.N~2, and C~2H~2.Ar Complexes

Ab initio calculations at the post Hartree–Fock level were performed on complexes of acetylene with hydrogen, nitrogen, and argon. Total energies, optimum geometries, and binding energies were calculated, using the 6-311G** and the 6-31+G(2df,2pd) basis sets. Calculations showed the complexes to be more stable than the separate entities, with the exception of the acetylene–hydrogen complex.
Boxes and Glue

Boxes and glue are two of the main tools used by TEX. A box is an indivisible rectangular structure that can hold text and other items. Glue is simply spacing. It can be horizontal or vertical spacing, and it can be made as rigid or as flexible as desired.
The Management of Acute Ischemic Strokes and the Prevalence of Large Vessel Occlusion in Left Ventricular Assist Device.

Background Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are frequent complications among those with left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Scarce data exist regarding the prevalence of acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) and treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in this setting. Methods We reviewed prospectively collected data of LVAD patient registry from a single, tertiary center from October 2004 to November 2016. Among those with AIS complications, patients were divided into early stroke (during implantation hospitalization) and late stroke (post-discharge) groups, and neuroimaging was reviewed and data on acute stroke therapy were collected. Results Of 477 persons with LVAD, 49 (10.3%) AIS occurred. The majority (29/49, 59%) of AIS occurred in-hospital. Thirty-two (65%) persons had international normalized ratios less than 1.7 at the time of AIS, but none qualified to receive acute intravenous thrombolysis. Of 25 (51%) persons who underwent CT angiography (CTA), 33% (16/49) had acute LVOs. Thirty-one percent (5/16) of persons with acute LVOs underwent intra-arterial endovascular therapy. All of 5 cases presented with middle cerebral artery syndrome with a median pre-procedural National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 13 (interquartile range 10-18). Successful recanalization was achieved in all 5 cases. Conclusions In-hospital strokes and acute LVOs are common in LVAD-associated AIS. Prompt evaluation with CTA and endovascular therapy should be pursued for these critically ill patients.
Clinically approved CFTR modulators rescue Nrf2 dysfunction in cystic fibrosis airway epithelia

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a multi-organ progressive genetic disease caused by loss of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel. Previously, we identified a significant dysfunction in CF cells and model mice of the transcription factor nuclear-factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), a major regulator of redox balance and inflammatory signaling. Here we report that approved F508del CFTR correctors VX809/VX661 recover diminished Nrf2 function and colocalization with CFTR in CF human primary bronchial epithelia by proximity ligation assay, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence, concordant with CFTR correction. F508del CFTR correctors induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, Nrf2-dependent luciferase activity, and transcriptional activation of target genes. Rescue of Nrf2 function by VX809/VX661 was dependent on significant correction of F508del and was blocked by inhibition of corrected channel function, or high-level shRNA knockdown of CFTR or F508del-CFTR. Mechanistically, F508del-CFTR modulation restored Nrf2 phosphorylation and its interaction with the coactivator CBP. Our findings demonstrate that sufficient modulation of F508del CFTR function corrects Nrf2 dysfunction in CF.
International Partnerships for the Development of STEM and Medical Education of Middle Eastern Women

The development of a knowledge economy requires a nation to foster a robust foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The countries of the Arab world, including the oil-rich nations of the Gulf, have made great strides in this regard, though much remains to be done. This article examines the cultural barriers these nations face, such as a lack of educational access and post-graduation employment opportunities for women, as well as systematic obstacles, such as poor quality of STEM education. The article also examines international partnerships with foreign institutions as viable solutions for the Arab world, with the case of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar presented as a case study of a sustainable, mutually beneficial endeavor.
Lava lake sloshing modes during the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption probe magma reservoir storativity

Abstract Basaltic volcanoes like Kīlauea, Hawai'i, pose hazards through lava flows and other eruptive activity. Quantifying hazard requires constraining the volume of magma stored in shallow reservoirs, as well as the capacity of those reservoirs to accumulate and discharge magma in response to pressure changes (i.e., storativity). Shallow reservoirs are often connected through magmatic conduits to lava lakes, which are frequently perturbed by rockfalls, convection, and outgassing. Here we present a novel method to quantify reservoir storativity at Kilauea that exploits the seismically observable oscillatory response of the lake-conduit-reservoir system to perturbations during the May 2018 eruption. Seismic events recorded by the summit broadband seismometer network during the eruption feature multiple oscillatory modes in the very long period (VLP) band. The longest period mode (∼30-40 s, here termed the conduit-reservoir mode) persisted during drainage of the lava lake, indicating its primary association with the underlying conduit-reservoir system. Additional modes, with periods of 10-20 s, vanished during lake drainage and are attributed to lava lake sloshing. The surface displacements of the two longest period sloshing modes are explained as the superimposed response to a near-surface horizontal force along the axes of the crater (from the pressure imbalance during sloshing on the crater walls) and a volume change in a reservoir located at the conduit-reservoir mode source centroid. Both sloshing modes are in the “deep-water” surface gravity wave limit where disturbances are largest near the lake surface, though pressure changes on the top of the conduit at the lake bottom provide the observed excitation of the underlying conduit-reservoir system. Combining magma sloshing dynamics in the crater and a conduit-reservoir oscillation model, we bound the storativity of the reservoir to be greater than 0.4 m3/Pa. This implies a storage volume of a few km3 for an approximately equidimensional (e.g., spherical) reservoir. A smaller volume is possible but requires the presence of other shapes of magma bodies, such as sills or dikes, and/or significant finite source effect. Our work demonstrates the signature of lava lake sloshing modes in the seismic data and the potential of these modes in constraining the structure of the shallow magmatic system.
CASE OF TORPEDO MACULOPATHY WITH TWO DISTINCT ZONES OF THE RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE To report a case of torpedo maculopathy with two distinct zones of the retinal pigment epithelium visualized on optical coherence tomography. METHODS Observational case report. RESULTS A 6-year-old female presented for a routine examination. Visual acuity was 20/20 bilaterally. Dilated fundus examination was normal in the right eye. Dilated fundus examination of the left eye showed a wedge-shaped area of hypopigmentation in the temporal macula. Optical coherence tomography macula of the left eye showed outer retinal cavitation with segmentation of the foveal retinal pigment epithelium into a superficial fluffy zone and a deeper hyperreflective zone. CONCLUSION This case helps contribute to the growing body of the torpedo maculopathy literature that may reveal different stages of the same disease evolving over time.
Regional differences in Acute Kidney Injury incidence and mortality in developing countries: recent trends.

A lesao renal aguda (LRA) e um problema global de saude publica, com consequencias a curto e longo prazo que afetam a qualidade de vida dos pacientes–. A ampla disponibilidade de prontuarios eletronicos nos paises desenvolvidos facilitou nossa compreensao da epidemiologia da incidencia da LRA, taxas de recuperacao e progressao. No entanto, no mundo em desenvolvimento, a falta de dados eletronicos em saude limitou avaliacoes abrangentes do peso da LRA na atencao a saude. E bem compreendido que o onus [...]
Deeply Cycled Sodium Metal Anodes at Low Temperature and in Lean Electrolyte Conditions.

Enabling high-performing alkali metal anodes at low temperature and in lean electrolyte conditions is critical for the advancement of next-generation batteries with high energy density and improved safety. We present an ether-ionic liquid composite electrolyte to tackle the problem of dendrite growth of metallic sodium anode at low temperatures ranging from 0 to -40 °C. This composite electrolyte enables a stable sodium metal anode to be deeply cycled at 2 mA cm-2 with an ultrahigh reversible capacity of 50 mAh cm-2 for 500 hours at -20 °C in lean electrolyte (1.0 μL mAh-1 ) conditions. Using the composite electrolyte, full cells with Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 as cathode and sodium metal as anode present a high capacity retention of 90.7 % after 1,000 cycles at 2C at -20 °C. The sodium-carbon dioxide batteries also exhibit a reversible capacity of 1,000 mAh g-1 over 50 cycles across a range of temperatures from -20 to 25 °C.
Hombres españoles desplazados: masculinidades y nación en los exilios y migraciones españoles durante el franquismo

espanolEste articulo explora las situaciones de desventaja y los padecimientos de los hombres espanoles en los exilios y emigraciones durante el franquismo y su repercusion en su masculinidad. Los hombres espanoles se regian por una masculinidad civica, basada en valores como el trabajo, la paternidad y la division clara y tradicional entre los papeles de los hombres y de las mujeres. Su salida de Espana y la vida en el pais de acogida supusieron un desafio a su modelo de masculinidad, causando en ellos sensaciones de crisis, impotencia e inestabilidad. A pesar de posibles consecuencias positivas que pudieron reafirmar su masculinidad, como una mejora de su situacion economica y una mayor libertad, los hombres desplazados tendieron a sentirse derrotados al abandonar Espana, padecieron dificultades para adaptarse al nuevo pais y sufrieron discriminacion y xenofobia. Frente a estas experiencias emasculantes, recurrieron a diversas estrategias para remasculinizar su identidad, tales como su dignidad moral y su compromiso politico. EnglishThis article explores the disadvantageous situations and sufferings of Spanish men in exiles and migrations during Francoism and the subsequent impacts on their masculinity. Spanish men followed a civic masculinity, based on values such as work, fatherhood and a clear and traditional division of gender roles. Leaving Spain and living in the host country challenged their model of masculinity, causing in them feelings of crisis, impotence and instability. Despite possible positive consequences that could reaffirm their masculinity, such as an improvement of their economic situation and a greater freedom, displaced Spanish men used to feel defeated when leaving Spain, suffered difficulties in adapting to the new country and faced discrimination and xenophobia. To counteract these emasculating experiences, they resorted to multiple strategies to remasculinize their identities, such as their moral dignity and political commitment.
Did J.P. Morgan's Men Add Liquidity? Corporate Investment, Cash Flow, and Financial Structure at the Turn of the Century

This paper presents evidence suggesting that the relationship that existed between the partnership of J.P. Morgan and its client firms partially resolved the latter's external financing problems by diminishing the principal-agent and asymmetric information problems. I estimate and compare investment regression equations for a sample of Morgan-affiliated companies and a control group of non- affiliated companies. The econometric results seem to indicate that companies not affiliated to the House of Morgan were liquidity constrained.
Treatment plan quality control using multivariate control charts

PURPOSE Statistical process control tools such as control charts were recommended by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 218 for radiotherapy quality assurance. However, the tools needed to analyze multivariate, correlated data that are often encountered in treatment plan quality measures, are lacking. In this study, we develop quality control tools that can model multivariate plan quality measures with correlations and account for patient-specific risk factors, without adding a significant burden to clinical workflow. METHODS AND MATERIALS A multivariate, quality control chart is developed that includes a risk-adjustment model, Hotelling's T2 statistic, and principal component analysis (PCA). Principal component analysis accounts for correlations among a set of organ-at-risk (OAR) dose-volume histogram (DVH) points that serves as proxies for plan quality. Risk-adjustment models estimate the principal components from PCA using a set of patient- and treatment-specific risk factors. The resulting residuals from the risk-adjustment models are used to compute the Hotelling's T2 statistic; the corresponding multivariate control chart is then plotted based on the beta distribution followed by the statistic. Further, the box-cox transformation is used to account for non-normality in DVH points. We investigate the application of the proposed methodology via three multivariate control charts - a conventional chart that ignores risk-adjustment and PCA, a risk-adjusted chart ignoring PCA, and a PCA-based, risk-adjusted chart. These control charts are evaluated on 69 head-and-neck cases. RESULTS The conventional multivariate control chart fails to account for important patient-specific risk factors, including volumes and cross-sectional areas of the tumor and OARs and distances in-between. This failure leads to a larger number of false alarms. While the multivariate risk-adjusted control chart is able to reduce false alarms, it fails to account for correlations in DVH points. The multivariate PCA-based, risk-adjusted control chart can detect unusual plans after accounting for the correlations. By replanning, improvements are shown on an unusual plan identified by both risk-adjusted methods. CONCLUSIONS The multivariate risk-adjusted control chart developed here enables quality control of plans prior to delivery. This methodology is generic and can be readily applied for other radiotherapy quality assurance protocols, such as gamma analysis pass rates.
Media coverage of Chinese investment in the United States: Politics and missed opportunities:

This article explores how five leading U.S. publications covered Chinese direct investment in the United States from 2000 through 2019. The authors find a lack of in-depth coverage of Chinese compa...
Psychological factors and social processes influencing wildfire smoke protective behavior: Insights from a case study in Northern California

Abstract The health impacts of wildfire smoke are an important and growing global issue, as extreme wildfire events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity throughout this century due to climate change. Research into individual protective health decision-making can elucidate how wildfire smoke exposure contributes to adverse health outcomes and aid in public health interventions to mitigate risks. In this study we investigate the role of psychological factors (threat and efficacy perceptions) and social processes (social norms and social support) in shaping protective behavior in response to wildfire smoke. Through semi-structured interviews of forty-five individuals in Northern California, we explore perceptions of threat and efficacy, social processes, and protective behaviors in response to wildfire smoke events between 2018 and 2020. We found that for many participants sensory experiences and engagement with wildfire smoke information were instrumental in forming perceptions of threat and efficacy. Three themes related to social processes emerged: interpreting information together, protecting vulnerable others, and questioning protective actions. Through these themes we show how social norms and social support interact in complex, non-linear ways to influence threat and efficacy perceptions, and directly affect protective health behavior. Finally, we propose a conceptual framework of wildfire smoke protective behavior. This study contributes to a growing body of knowledge within the disaster risk and protective health literatures related to wildfire smoke response. Our findings demonstrate how the study of psychological factors and social processes during natural hazards, like wildfire smoke events, is essential to understanding individual protective health decision-making pathways and ultimately, to developing a more comprehensive view of how individual actions affect exposure.
Interaction of Tillage and Soil Texture Biologically Active Soil Organic Matter in Illinois

Several long-term studies suggest that no-till (NT) practices do not increase soil organic matter (SOM) sequestration in all situations. We evaluated the interaction of tillage and soil texture effects on SOM in Illinois Mollisols and Alfisols by characterizing particulate organic matter (POM), potentially mineralizable N (PMN), and soil microbial biomass (SMB). Thirty-six fields were sampled during spring and summer of 1995 and 1996. Each field had been under either conventional tillage (CT) (disc, moldboard plow, and/or chisel plow) or NT management for at least 5 yr. No-till fields contained 15% (3.0 g C kg -1 soil) more soil organic C (SOC) than CT fields in the 0- to 5-cm depth; however, tillage did not affect SOC contents in the 5- to t5- or 15- to 30-cm depths, or in the overall sampling depth (0-30 cm). Fields under NT contained 33% more POM (1.4 g C kg -1 soil) and 54% more PMN in the 0- to 5-cm depth, but there was no tillage effect on POM (0-15 cm) or PMN (0-30 cm) contents overall. Average POM contents were 29% lower (0.73 g C kg -1 soil) in the 5- to 15-cm depth of the NT than of the CT soils. At sand contents below 50 g kg -1 soil, NT fields contained greater SOC, total N, and POM contents in the 0- to 5-cm depth and lower POM contents in the 5- to 15-cm depth than CT fields. In soils with sand contents higher than 50 g kg -1 soil, tillage practices did not affect the vertical distribution of SOC, total N, or POM.
Introduction to Penelope

A formal program verification is a (mathematical) proof that a program executed according to its intended model meets some specification. This proves that the algorithm defined by the program is correct in the precise technical sense of being consistent with a particular specification. A program correct in this sense is free from a large and important class of errors, even though its behavior may still produce unintended results--either because the implementation of the programming language itself does not match the model of execution, or because the specification does not correctly express the user's intentions. Penelope is a prototype system for interactively developing and verifying programs that are written in a rich subset of sequential Ada. Penelope can be used to develop a program and its correctness proof incrementally, and in concert with one another. Incrementality is used in a number of ways to help make verification more tractable and more productive. For example, if an already-verified program is modified, one can attempt to prove the modified version by replaying and modifying the original verification. Penelope's specification language, Larch/Ada, belongs to the family of Larch interface languages. Larch/Ada scales up properly, in the sense that it is demonstrably sound to decompose a system hierarchically and reason locally about the implementation of each piece. Penelope has been applied in various demonstration projects--for specification (guidance control, distributed operating systems), verification (of off-the-shelf code), and formal development (by non-expert as well as expert users). Some features of Penelope have been embodied in Ada Wise, a lint-like non-interactive tool that warns of the potential for certain dynamic semantic errors in Ada programs.
Determining neuropsychological cut scores for older, healthy adults

Three age groups (20-31, 37-49, and 55-67 years) of healthy men and women were compared on tests from the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological test battery. Age-cohort differences in performance were observed for every measure (except Finger Tapping) and for overall indices of cognitive functioning, the Average Impairment Rating (AIR) and the Halstead-Reitan Impairment Index (HR II). When traditional cut scores (developed with age-heterogeneous samples) were used, alarmingly high percentages of subjects in the oldest group were defined as brain damaged. These findings were not attributable to higher levels of psychometrically-assessed anxiety and depression in the older groups or for the impaired subjects. Slightly more conservative criteria (fewer diagnoses of brain impairment) were then employed. The first, AIR greater than or equal to 2.00, resulted in a low and more reasonable base rate of brain impairment for the oldest group. The second, AIR greater than 2.00, resulted in age-parity in incidence of brain impairment. The heuristic value of more conservative AIR scores was discussed as were possible uses in applied clinical research settings. The limitations of this approach were noted with regard to its exclusive focus on the problem of false positive diagnoses. It was emphasized that, from a neuropsychological diagnostic perspective, cut scores based on healthy aging samples must ultimately be tested in the context of traditional neuropsychological studies in which external validation with neurosurgical and neurological criteria is employed.
Definition of minimal domains of interaction within the recombination-activating genes 1 and 2 recombinase complex.

During V(D)J recombination, recognition and cleavage of the recombination signal sequences (RSSs) requires the coordinated action of the recombination-activating genes 1 and 2 (RAG1/RAG2) recombinase complex. In this report, we use deletion mapping and site-directed mutagenesis to determine the minimal domains critical for interaction between RAG1 and RAG2. We define the active core of RAG2 required for RSS cleavage as aa 1–371 and demonstrate that the C-terminal 57 aa of this core provide a dominant surface for RAG1 interaction. This region corresponds to the last of six predicted kelch repeat motifs that have been proposed by sequence analysis to fold RAG2 into a six-bladed β-propeller structure. Residue W317 within this sixth repeat is shown to be critical for mediating contact with RAG1 and concurrently for stabilizing binding and directing cleavage of the RSS. We also show that zinc finger B (aa 727–750) of RAG1 provides a dominant interaction domain for recruiting RAG2. In all, the data support a model of RAG2 as a multimodular protein that utilizes one of its six faces for establishing productive contacts with RAG1.