cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ocular complications of pediatric uveitis.

Purpose To determine the cumulative proportion and the visual significance of ocular complications of pediatric uveitis. Design Cohort study. Participants Patients with onset of endogenous or infectious uveitis before or at age 16 years. Methods Retrospective review of existing records at a university-based uveitis clinic. Main outcome measures Type and prevalence of complications related to uveitis, time to development of complications, and vision loss after initial diagnosis. Results There were 148 patients, 71 males and 77 females, with a mean age of 10.4±4.9 years (median, 10.3 years) for an estimated prevalence of pediatric uveitis of 13.8%. Noninfectious uveitis was present in 112 patients (75.7%); 105 (71%) patients had bilateral disease. Anterior uveitis accounted for 30.4%, intermediate uveitis for 27.7%, posterior uveitis for 23.7%, and panuveitis for 18.2% of patients. Patients were followed for a mean of 71.7 months (range, 0 months–44 years) after diagnosis. Approximately 34% of all patients had 1 or more complications at the time of first diagnosis of uveitis by an ophthalmologist, increasing to 61.6% by 3 months, 69.4% by 6 months, 75.2% by 1 year, and 86.3% by 3 years after diagnosis. There were a total of 617 complications of all types. Anterior and intermediate uveitis had a higher risk of band keratopathy ( P = 0.005). Posterior and intermediate uveitis had a lower risk of cataract ( P = 0.009) or posterior synechiae ( P P = 0.002). The cumulative percentages (standard error) of patients with first loss to 20/200 or worse after diagnosis in the affected eyes of unilateral cases or in either eye of the bilateral cases were: 31.3% (3.9) at 1 month; 40.5% (4.1) at 6 months; 56.0% (4.3) at 24 months; and 69.6% (4.5) at 60 months. Fifty-four patients (48.2%) received systemic antiinflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy. Sixty-eight patients (45.9%) had ocular surgery, and 38 of these had ocular surgery in both eyes. Conclusions Childhood uveitis is significant for numerous complications, many of which are vision threatening. Complications increase with duration of disease.
Longitude by Lunar Observations and the Pocket Calculator

Finding longitude by lunar distance observations with the formerly lengthy data reduction is simplified with a pocket calculator method described. Such calculators are coming into use for small boat navigation. In contrast to the recent lunar altitude methods using LOP constructions, which attracted navigators, it is free from the serious plotting and horizon inaccuracies. Because of the number of keystrokes, the calculator should use a recordable program. In the event of lost radio or chronometer time, the method can approach an RMS longitude accuracy of -+8 minutes.
TWT life cycle cost reduction program

The life cycle cost of microwave tubes is a major component of the total operational cost for large radar systems. Since system requirements are almost impossible to change, cost can really only be reduced by engineering improvements to high-value components (such as microwave tubes) which result in improved life expectancy. This paper presents one such example in which modern design and analysis methods were applied to an existing TWT design. The approach was to increase the effective area of the cathode, thereby decreasing the cathode loading and extending life. Modeling and simulation codes were used throughout the process to ensure that performance would not be compromised.
An Air–Sea Interaction Theory for Tropical Cyclones. Part II: Evolutionary Study Using a Nonhydrostatic Axisymmetric Numerical Model

Abstract In Part I of this study an analytical model for a steady-state tropical cyclone is constructed on the assumption that boundary-layer air parcels are conditionally neutral to displacements along the angular momentum surfaces of the hurricane vortex. The reversible thermodynamics implied by this assumption allows the mature storm to be thought of as a simple Carnot engine, acquiring heat at the high-temperature ocean surface and losing heat near the low-temperature tropopause. Although the oceanic heat source is universally recognized as the sine qua non for the mature hurricane, there is also wide acceptance of conditional instability of the second kind (CISK) (which makes no specific reference to surface heat fluxes) as the formative mechanism. This ambivalence is seen in that all numerical-simulation studies find it essential to have transfer from the ocean surface yet all start from a conditionally unstable atmosphere. The hypothesis put forward in Part I, based on the steady-state theory, is t...
Life Cycles of Seven Ixodid Tick Species (Acari: Ixodidae) Under Standardized Laboratory Conditions

Studies of transmission, maintenance, infectivity, virulence, and pathogenicity of tick-borne agents require the use of large numbers of live laboratory-raised ticks. Colonies of Ixodes scapularis Say, Ixodes pacificus Cooley & Kohls, Amblyomma americanum (L.), Dermacentor occidentalis Marx, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), Hemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latrielle) have been maintained in our laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for five to 18 continuous generations. New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are used as hosts for all tick species and developmental stages. Between feedings, ticks are stored in environmental incubators at 22-24 degrees C and 90% RH with a day/night photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. The duration of feeding, molting, preoviposition, and periods of postmolting development were recorded. Here, we describe the life cycles of these common North American tick species under standardized laboratory conditions. At 22-24 degrees C, the minimal time needed for each species to complete one life cycle was as follows: I. scapularis, 204-219 d; I. pacificus, 214-229 d; R. sanguineus, 162-177 d; H. leporispalustris, 209-224 d; D. variabilis, 176-191 d; D. occidentalis, 180-195 d; and A. americanum, 192-211 d.
National Beef Tenderness Survey-1998.

Fifty-six retail stores representing 15 retail chains and 14 foodservice facilities in eight U.S. cities were sampled to determine the tenderness of beef steaks at retail and foodservice levels based on Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) values and consumer evaluation panels. Retail consumer panels were conducted at five universities. Each retail and foodservice steak was evaluated using 10-point scales. Steaks were divided into the following quality groups for statistical analysis: Prime, Top Choice, Choice, Select, and Lean or No Roll. Quality group had no effect on WBS values of retail clod, chuck roll, top round, bottom round, eye of round, top loin, top sirloin, or ribeye steaks but did (P 3.9 kg were 39.6, 55.9, and 68.0, respectively. Foodservice ribeye, top loin, and top sirloin steaks had WBS values less than 3.4 kg for all quality groups, with Prime ribeye steaks having lower (P < .05) WBS values than ribeyes from the other quality groups. With the exception of the retail ribeye steak, quality group did not affect consumer sensory ratings of retail and foodservice steaks. Average postfabrication aging times were 32 d for foodservice subprimals and 19 d for retail cut subprimals. These data indicate that improvements in the tenderness of retail cuts from the round are needed. Finally, quality group had little or no effect on consumer sensory evaluations and WBS values of retail and foodservice steaks used in this study.
Diagnosis and Management of Periprosthetic Elbow Infection

➤ Periprosthetic elbow infections rarely involve systemic symptoms such as fever or malaise.➤ Unlike tests for periprosthetic hip and knee infections, the diagnostic utility of blood testing and joint aspiration for periprosthetic elbow infection has not been demonstrated to date.➤ Intraoperative histological analysis has good specificity (93.1%) but very low sensitivity (51.3%) for periprosthetic elbow infection.➤ Emerging diagnostic options such as implant sonication, molecular analysis, and advanced synovial fluid cytokine and protein analysis may reduce diagnostic uncertainty in the future.➤ Recommended surgical treatment options for an infection at the site of an elbow arthroplasty include implant retention and debridement, two-stage revision with or without techniques for restoration of bone stock and triceps continuity, and resection arthroplasty.
Time-dependent density-functional study of the ionization and fragmentation of C 2 H 2 and H 2 by strong circularly polarized laser pulses

The ionization and fragmentation dynamics of acetylene and the hydrogen molecule driven by strong short circularly polarized laser pulses are investigated within the framework of the time-dependent density-functional theory coupled with the Ehrenfest dynamics. The effects of alignment are considered and the dynamics is compared to that driven by linearly polarized pulses. It is found that the coupled ion-electron dynamics of both molecules driven by circularly polarized pulses follows the enhanced ionization mechanism, as was found in previous theoretical studies with linearly polarized pulses. A moderate localization asymmetry in the ionization dynamics of the hydrogen molecule was also found, in qualitative agreement with previous experimental investigations.
U.S. Pharmacopeial Chapter : Be Ready to Comply by July 2018

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention's "Chapter Hazardous Drugs-Handling in Healthcare Settings" is a new part of the National Formulary that describes standards-expectations for practice-for all aspects of handling and administering hazardous drugs (HDs). Some of the standards will require changes in policies, procedures, and practices for nurses. This article provides an overview of the new standards and the impact they will have on nurses who prepare and administer chemotherapy and other HDs. .
Medicine as a sacred vocation.

This brief survey examines the concept of medicine as a sacred vocation by examining its origins, manifestations, and development in history. In the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras, the practice of ...
Origin, Evolution, and Loss of Bacterial Small RNAs.

Despite the central role of bacterial noncoding small RNAs (sRNAs) in posttranscriptional regulation, little is understood about their evolution. Here we compile what has been studied to date and trace a life cycle of sRNAs—from their mechanisms of emergence, through processes of change and frequent neofunctionalization, to their loss from bacterial lineages. Because they possess relatively unrestrictive structural requirements, we find that sRNA origins are varied, and include de novo emergence as well as formation from preexisting genetic elements via duplication events and horizontal gene transfer. The need for only partial complementarity to their mRNA targets facilitates apparent rapid change, which also contributes to significant challenges in tracing sRNAs across broad evolutionary distances. We document that recently emerged sRNAs in particular evolve quickly, mirroring dynamics observed in microRNAs, their functional analogs in eukaryotes. Mutations in mRNA-binding regions, transcriptional regulator or sigma factor binding sites, and protein-binding regions are all likely sources of shifting regulatory roles of sRNAs. Finally, using examples from the few evolutionary studies available, we examine cases of sRNA loss and describe how these may be the result of adaptive in addition to neutral processes. We highlight the need for more-comprehensive analyses of sRNA evolutionary patterns as a means to improve novel sRNA detection, enhance genome annotation, and deepen our understanding of regulatory networks in bacteria.
Lithium tremor and caffeine intake: two cases of drinking less and shaking more

Lithium tremor worsened in two patients when caffeine (coffee) was eliminated from their diets. An associated reduction in renal lithium clearance resulting in increased serum lithium level is thought to be the mechanism.
Spinal Cord Lesions

There are a whole host of lesions that may involve the spinal cord and be the target of a biopsy. These lesions are summarized in Table 11.1 according to their location within the spinal cord parenchyma itself (intramedullary), between the spinal cord and dura (intradural, extramedullary), and arising outside the dura (extradural). Most of these lesions have been addressed elsewhere in this book in previous chapters.
Language Factors: Early Findings

Formal inquiry into language factors in stuttering can be said to have begun with a series of articles that appeared between 1935 and 1945 largely in the Journal of Speech Disorders. These publications, authored principally by S.F. Brown (Brown, 1937b, 1938a, 1938b, 1938c, 1943, 1945; Brown & Moren, 1942; Johnson & Brown, 1935, 1939), reported the results of research he had undertaken originally for his master’s thesis (Brown, 1935) and continued for his doctoral dissertation (Brown, 1937a). Although the findings of this early work were of immediate (and lasting) significance, they evidently did not generate much interest in the era during which they were published. The major aspects of the Brown investigations were quickly replicated by Hahn (1942a, 1942b) but, with the exception of a different form of language study (Eisenson & Horowitz, 1945), there was otherwise no evidence of interest in this topic.
The effect of HIV on functional outcome in stroke patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital

Introduction/Background Recent studies have concluded that HIV patients live with an increased risk of stroke. Our study investigated the association between HIV and the functional progress of patients admitted for rehabilitation after suffering a stroke. Material and method This retrospective chart review included data from patients admitted to rehabilitation hospitals after suffering a stroke from 2002–2017. The data included demographic information as well as functional independence scores and length of stay. Results During the 15-year timeframe, 688,006 patients were admitted to rehabilitation hospitals after suffering a stroke. FIM efficiency and LOS did not significantly differ between the HIV and non-HIV patients. The data indicated that FIM efficiency was slightly higher for HIV patients (1.78 vs. 1.75). On average, HIV patients had a 1-day difference in LOS (17 days vs. 16 days). Conclusion Despite being a risk factor, HIV status does not appear to significantly affect functional improvement or LOS for patients suffering after a stroke.
OR-050 The Development of a Protein Powder Product with an integrated solution for Active Population

Objective Sports nutrition is expanding from professional athletes to a broader spectrum of consumers focused on fitness and improving overall wellness. The recommendation of combining exercise and healthy diet has been highlighted by Health China 2030 and National Nutrition Planning, leading to increased embrace of active lifestyle among Chinese people. Along with the increasing involvement in sports comes with concerns on decreasing resting metabolic rate due to weight loss, impaired joint health and post-exercise immunological response. To confront the above-mentioned challenges, we aimed to develop a product with an integrated solution to support fitness goals while diminishing exercise-related concerns. Methods Literature review was conducted for core ingredient screen, followed by in vitro studies to substantiate and compare efficacy of ingredients from various resources. Muscle protein synthesis was measured in myotubes during the differentiation and fusion of C2C12 myocytes. Myotube fusion density was quantified by ImageJ, an image processing program, subsequent to myotube staining. Results Muscle mass gain enhances resting metabolic rate. It has been shown that whey protein supplementation at 20 g/d significantly increased lean muscle synthesis rate in post-exercise subjects. The efficacy of whey protein powder sourced from different resources were compared by conducting in vitro studies. A large body of evidence has shown that collagen peptide supplementation can mitigate joint pain and maintain joint health in athletic population. Yeast β-glucan was spotlighted as an immunity enhancer with antimicrobial protection and benefit in minimizing post-exercise immunosuppression. Conclusions A protein powder containing over 20 g/serving whey protein, combining with collagen peptide and yeast β-glucan may convey beneficial effects in muscle synthesis, as well as protective effects against joint pain and post-exercise immunosuppression among active population. The combination of the above-mentioned ingredients could provide a well-round solution to confront the challenges that met by most active population.
Investigation of anomalous copper hydride phase during magnetic field-assisted electrodeposition of copper

Abstract The electrodeposition of copper in the presence of a magnetic field has previously been shown to affect both electrochemical processes and the microstructure. In this work, we report a magnetically-induced anomalous second phase in thick films deposited with a current density of 500 mA/cm2 and 0.5 T magnetic field strength. Atom probe tomography suggests the phase is a combination of CuH and CuH2. Formation of the latter phases is likely induced by the applied magnetic field and indicates its role in promoting the hydrogen evolution reaction during deposition.
Cassini’s Grand Finale: Going Out in a Blaze of Glory (Conference Presentation)

The Cassini spacecraft ended its 20-year voyage of discovery with a fiery plunge into Saturn's atmosphere on Sept. 15, 2017. We will discuss the engineering and scientific rationale for the mission's final scenario and some of the complexities of an entirely new mission for an aging spacecraft. We will also present highlights from the many amazing findings from the spacecraft's 13 years of exploration in the Saturn system.
Long-term survival of adjuvant high-dose (HDC) vs weekly cisplatin (WC) for human papilloma-virus (HPV) and non-HPV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

6071Background: Phase III data suggests a benefit of HDC in the adjuvant setting, but the effect of HDC and WC on long term survival and for HPV+ HNSCC is unknown. Methods: Data from a published re...
Are we doing enough to manage financial conflicts of interest

An underappreciated provision of the 2010 Affordable Care Act requires that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services collect and disclose payments made to physicians and institutions from medical manufacturers and related entities. This Open Payments (OP) database contains general payments (non-research-related), research payments, and physician ownership interests. Total value of payments from industry to all medical specialties during 2013–2016 was about $30 billion.
A steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in an infant resulting from a consanguineous marriage with COQ2 and ARSB gene mutations: a case report.

Treatment of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) remains a challenge for paediatricians. SRNS accounts for 10~20% of childhood cases of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Individuals with SRNS overwhelmingly progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESRD). Genetic research is of great significance for diagnosis and treatment. More than 39 recessive or dominant genes have been found to cause human SRNS, including COQ2. COQ2 gene mutations not only cause primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency but also cause SRNS without extrarenal manifestations. The concept of COQ2 nephropathy has been proposed for a long time. Mutations in the COQ2 gene have rarely been reported. Worldwide, only 5 cases involving 4 families have been reported. We present the case of a 6-month-old girl with steroid-resistant glomerulopathy due to a COQ2 defect with no additional systemic symptoms. The patient was identified as a homozygote for the c.832 T > C (p. Cys278Arg) missense mutation and a single base homozygous mutation in ARSB gene in c.1213 + 1G > A. The father and mother were heterozygous mutation carriers in both COQ2 and ARSB, and her healthy sister was only a heterozygous mutation carrier in COQ2. In this case, hormone therapy was ineffective, and progressive deterioration of renal function occurred within 1 week after onset, leading to acute renal failure and eventual death. We reported a consanguinity married family which had COQ2 and ARSB dual mutant. Kidney diseases caused by COQ2 gene mutations can manifest as SRNS, with poor prognosis. The C. 832 T > c (p.csc 278arg) is a new mutation site. Genetic assessment for children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, especially in infancy, is very important. Families with a clear family history should receive genetic counselling and prenatal examinations, and children without a family phenotype should also receive genetic screening as early as possible.
Sensory Analysis of a Processed Food Intended for Vitamin A Supplementation.

Provitamin A and pre-formed vitamin A compounds are essential micronutrients for humans. However, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects the health status of nearly 50% of populations in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa and is especially pronounced in preschool children and pregnant women. The objective of this research was to determine an acceptable flavor/ingredient combination to produce a palatable food product that incorporates sweet potatoes, peanut paste, and chickpeas. We sought to determine the acceptability of the three product formulations and to determine the influence of demographic data on ratings for the sensory attributes of each sample. To address VAD issues, three formulations of a product incorporating sweet potato puree (to increase β-carotene content), pure peanut butter (to provide fat for β-carotene absorption), and chickpeas (to provide a complete protein source), were developed: (1) an unflavored control, and two formulations with added natural seasonings: (2) curry-flavored, and (3) pumpkin spice-flavored. Sensory analysis of the three products showed that the curry-flavored product received the highest acceptability in terms of overall liking, flavor, texture, and appearance (p 0.05), it is highly likely that the curry-flavored product can be implemented in other countries or areas with high acceptability.
Examining of the actor collaboration networks around hazard mitigation: a hurricane harvey study

The objective of this study is to examine the properties of actor collaboration networks and to analyze how they influence the coordination of hazard mitigation in resilience planning in Harris County, Texas. Effective resilience planning can only be achieved through the collective actions of various actors and the network structures unfold the collaboration among the actors. Understanding the structural properties of actor collaboration networks for hazard mitigation may hold the key to understanding and improving the resilience planning process. To this end, after Hurricane Harvey, we administered a stakeholder survey to actors in various urban sectors involved in hazard mitigation (e.g., flood control, transportation, and emergency response). The survey aimed to capture actor collaboration networks for hazard mitigation in Harris County, Texas prior to Harvey. The collaboration represents that the survey respondents worked with the actors in the survey roster for hazard mitigation. We asked the respondents the frequency of the collaboration in the survey (e.g., yearly, monthly, weekly and daily). We examined three network structural properties to study actor positions in the network: degree centrality, boundary spanners, and core-periphery structure, because degree centrality could indicate what actors had more collaborations; boundary spanners could reveal what actors were in strategic positions to connect otherwise separate actors; and core-periphery structure could identify what actors formed the core of actor collaboration network for hazard mitigation and whether the core was composed of actors from diverse sectors. The results showed: (1) governmental actors from different sectors had high degree centrality and betweenness centrality, which indicated that governmental actors had a more influential role in coordination and information dissemination in hazard mitigation planning and implementation; and (2) fewer flood control and non-governmental actors were at the core of the actor collaboration networks, which reduced the extent of hazard mitigation coordination. The results identify potential influential actors (such as City of Houston, Harris County, and Houston–Galveston Area Council) in coordination of hazard mitigation and yield recommendations for increased actor network cohesion for better coordination of hazard mitigation across diverse sectors in resilience planning.
Accentuating dark triad behavior through low organizational commitment: a study on peer reporting

The current study investigated the relationship of the Dark Triad with peer reporting, which occurs when an employee informs management that another coworker has engaged in counterproductive work b...
SPARTA-COTS: A Laser Probing Approach for Sequential Trojan Detection in COTS Integrated Circuits

Rapid advancements in integrated circuit (IC) technology have been led by the private sector. This leadership has resulted in a widespread dependence of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components in our electronic systems. However, being dependent upon potentially compromised hardware serves as a threat to our security. Hardware Trojans, which can extract sensitive information and disrupt system operations, can be inserted into COTS ICs by untrusted design and fabrication facilities. Checking for the existence of Trojans using conventional methods requires a complex test process and design-level modifications, which requires trusted design information, making them unsuitable for COTS components. On the other hand, for a high confidence detection of Trojans, an exhaustive inspection may be required using destructive reverse-engineering techniques. However, such methods are quite expensive, not applicable to all chips due to their destructive nature, and very time-consuming. In this work, we propose SPARTA-COTS, a non-destructive laser probing approach for Trojan detection in COTS ICs, which detects sequential hardware Trojans by leveraging existing scan chain architecture. SPARTA can differentiate between benign scan flip-flops and malicious sequential hardware Trojans by creating a 2-dimensional frequency activity map of the backside silicon at the clock and scan input frequencies using electrooptical frequency mapping (EOFM). Consequently, SPARTA is capable of confidently identifying Trojan flip-flops using image processing techniques. To validate our claims, we present automated detection results on a 28 nm device.
A tale of two cities: The fate of Delhi as UNESCO World Heritage

This article examines the trajectory and fate of Delhi’s Imperial Capital Cities nomination, submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015 for inscription on the World Heritage List. I employ the dossier and events surrounding its withdrawal to reveal the political imbrications of urban conservation, international institutions, neoliberal governance, and colonial histories. First, I underscore the prominence of India as a member of the World Heritage Committee and its efforts to secure an increasing number of UNESCO properties. Second, I situate the dossier within the ambit of neoliberal governance that recalibrates and promotes urban heritage preservation, while similarly encouraging development and economic growth. Building upon this point, I consider how sustained government efforts to reframe Delhi as a “global city,” coupled with the identification of Delhi’s imperial capitals with Mughal and British rule, resulted in the dossier’s withdrawal. Third, the episode reveals tensions in this specific political moment over contemporary perceptions of imperial occupation and “foreign” empires, which plagued the dossier from the outset and continue to reverberate today. Finally, there are lessons to be learned for urban heritage in India and Asian heritage in general, outside the narrow purview of European cities, so many of which are already listed as World Heritage.
Omeprazole-clopidogrel interaction and neurovascular complications after flow-diverter device placement.

Background Omeprazole is a common proton pump inhibitor that interferes with the hepatic activation of clopidogrel and potentially reduces its platelet-inhibitory effect. Omeprazole has been shown to increase P2Y12 levels and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients treated with drug-eluting stents. However, omeprazole use among patients treated with flow-diverting stents for intracranial aneurysms has not been evaluated. Methods All patients with placement of a flow-diverting device for treatment of an intracranial aneurysm at a tertiary institution from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria included documented clopidogrel administration, available P2Y12 levels, and thorough documentation of administration of other medications, including omeprazole. Results A total of 138 patients met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen patients (12%) were receiving omeprazole and clopidogrel at treatment. P2Y12 reactivity was significantly greater in the omeprazole cohort (mean P2Y12 level, 250 P2Y12 reaction units (PRU)) than in the control cohort (mean P2Y12 level, 112PRU) (P 180 PRU in the omeprazole cohort (14 of 16 [88%] vs 24 of 122 [20%]; P Conclusion Omeprazole was associated with a significant increase in the mean P2Y12 reactivity level among patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with flow-diverting devices who received clopidogrel. However, receipt of omeprazole was not associated with an increased risk of ischemic events or stent stenosis. For neuroendovascular patients who are treated with a flow diverter while receiving clopidogrel, alternative gastrointestinal medication regimens should be considered.
Ten Years of Progress in the Synthesis and Development of MXenes

Since their discovery in 2011, the number of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) has steadily increased. Currently more than 40 MXene compositions exist. The ultimate number is far greater and in time they may develop into the largest family of 2D materials known. MXenes' unique properties, such as their metal-like electrical conductivity reaching ≈20 000 S cm-1 , render them quite useful in a large number of applications, including energy storage, optoelectronic, biomedical, communications, and environmental. The number of MXene papers and patents published has been growing quickly. The first MXene generation is synthesized using selective etching of metal layers from the MAX phases, layered transition metal carbides and carbonitrides using hydrofluoric acid. Since then, multiple synthesis approaches have been developed, including selective etching in a mixture of fluoride salts and various acids, non-aqueous etchants, halogens, and molten salts, allowing for the synthesis of new MXenes with better control over their surface chemistries. Herein, a brief historical overview of the first 10 years of MXene research and a perspective on their synthesis and future development are provided. The fact that their production is readily scalable in aqueous environments, with high yields bodes well for their commercialization.
Abstraction, Reasoning and Deep Learning: A Study of the "Look and Say" Sequence.

The ability to abstract, count, and use System 2 reasoning are well-known manifestations of intelligence and understanding. In this paper, we argue, using the example of the ``Look and Say" puzzle, that although deep neural networks can exhibit high `competence' (as measured by accuracy) when trained on large data sets (2M examples in our case), they do not show any sign on the deeper understanding of the problem, or what D. Dennett calls `comprehension'. We report on two sets experiments on the ``Look and Say" puzzle data. We view the problem as building a translator from one set of tokens to another. We apply both standard LSTMs and Transformer/Attention -- based neural networks, using publicly available machine translation software. We observe that despite the amazing accuracy (on both, training and test data), the performance of the trained programs on the actual L\&S sequence is bad. We then discuss a few possible ramifications of this finding and connections to other work, experimental and theoretical. First, from the cognitive science perspective, we argue that we need better mathematical models of abstraction. Second, the classical and more recent results on the universality of neural networks should be re-examined for functions acting on discrete data sets. Mapping on discrete sets usually have no natural continuous extensions. This connects the results on a simple puzzle to more sophisticated results on modeling of mathematical functions, where algebraic functions are more difficult to model than e.g. differential equations. Third, we hypothesize that for problems such as ``Look and Say", computing the parity of bitstrings, or learning integer addition, it might be worthwhile to introduce concepts from topology, where continuity is defined without the reference to the concept of distance.
Interventions to boost enrollment in nursing doctor of philosophy (PhD) programs.

Abstract Background Nursing Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) enrollments are languishing, and little is known about PhD enrollment strategies that may lessen nursing's PhD shortage. Purpose This study examined strategies for bolstering PhD enrollments or enrollment intentions among college students and graduates. Methods An integrative review was undertaken using Whittemore and Knafl's methodology and Garrard's Matrix Method. Nine databases were searched, and a hand search was conducted. Findings Strategies were predominantly situated in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Features of successful strategies contained core components of faculty mentoring, hands-on research, funding and compensation, undergraduate participation, summer timeframe, informational sessions, and social support. Discussion Less rigorous study designs and mostly STEM samples inhibit the transferability of these strategies to nursing. Qualitative research is needed to better understand nursing students’ perspectives about the PhD. Additionally, current PhD enrollment strategies within nursing schools need to be systematically evaluated and the findings disseminated.
Recent developments of lignocellulosic natural fiber reinforced hybrid thermosetting composites for high-end structural applications: a review

Developments of lignocellulosic natural fibers reinforced hybrid thermosetting composites (LNFRHTCs) are essential in the current scenario as far as the environmental safety is concerned. The hybrid composites develop from this type of materials are aiming to introduce new dimensions for sustainability. LNFRHTCs exhibit a wide range of high-end properties suitable for structural applications. Moreover, the improvement of hybrid composites by incorporation of natural fibers is economical and possesses several advantages including recyclability, cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and their abundant availability. Presently, LNFRHTCs are one of the developing materials that have been found in current researches that are gaining attention for structural applications in various sectors such as automobiles, marines, defense military, aircraft, buildings, and constructions etc. In this review paper, we present several recently published studies associated with physical, mechanical, thermal, properties and processing techniques of natural fibers, their hybrids with thermosetting matrix materials. This paper will illustrate the importance of hybridization of natural/synthetic fiber and their hybrid composites as well ensuing to enhanced desired properties for high-end structural applications.
MAS-based Distributed Load Restoration in Resilient Networked DC Microgrid Systems

Extreme events such as faults, cyber-physical attacks, and natural disasters have a widespread impact on the electrical system infrastructure, leading to extensive power outages or blackouts. These events can cause temporary or permanent damages to the power systems and seriously compromise the system’s resiliency. A quick restoration strategy for the systems’ critical loads after extreme events is crucial to ensure resilient operation. This paper presents a fast load restoration (LR) approach for multi-agent-system-based networked DC microgrid systems with distributed energy resources. The overall restoration problem is designed with a weighted sum optimization technique that consists of operational costs, load pickup costs, and optimum power-flow-related costs. It was solved in a distributed manner by applying Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) algorithm through multi-agent communications. The effectiveness of the developed LR technique is verified by applying it to a networked MG system of 4 single-bus DC MGs.
EPA's control technology approach to assisting states and regions with air toxics problems: five case studies.

The paper discusses a new U.S. strategy to reduce public exposure to toxic air pollutants in the ambient air. The strategy calls for state and local authorities to take on more of the lead regulatory role. The shift in emphasis and responsibility prompted EPA's Offices of Research and Development (ORD) and Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) to develop and implement an innovative technical assistance program, called the Control Technology Center (CTC). It has since been expanded to include technical assistance in the areas of control of air toxics, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs); emission measurements; and other areas where expertise is available to ORD and OAQPS. Available through the CTC are three categories of technical assistance: telephone HOTLINE calls, direct engineering assistance, and technical guidance projects. The CTC HOTLINE is a special telephone number that state and local agencies can call for easy access to EPA personnel who can provide prompt assistance. Engineering assistance projects require more in-depth engineering analysis; these projects are short-term (less than 3 months) and specific in nature. Technical guidance projects result from problems identified by more than one agency; they are longer-term and of national interest. The paper discusses five CTC projectsmore » to illustrate the assistance provided.« less
Exploration of the Performance of a Data Mining Application via Hardware Based Monitoring

The performance of software on modern architectures has grown more and more difficult to predict and analyze, as modern microprocessors have grown more complex. The execution of a program now entails the complex interaction of code, compiler and processor architecture. The current generation of microprocessors is optimized to an existing set of commercial and scientific benchmarks but new applications such as data mining are becoming a significant part of the workload. In this paper we explore the use of performance monitoring hardware to analyze the execution of C4.5, a data mining application, on the IBM Power2 architecture. We see how the data gathered by the hardware can be used to identify potential changes that can be made to the program and the processor micro-architecture to improve performance. We then go on to evaluate changes to C4.5 and to the micro-architecture. Based on our experience, we identify issues that limit the use of performance monitoring hardware in user level tuning and in extending its use to high performance computing environments.
Chemotherapy: cisplatin combinations in cervical cancer-which is best?

We reviewed the results of the Gynecological Oncology Group 204 (GOG-204) randomized phase III trial, which investigated four cisplatin combination chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical carcinoma. As the overall survival was similar between all arms, treatment recommendations need to be tailored based on toxic effects.
Mechanical Design Aspects of the LIBRA-SP Light Ion Beam Driven ICF Power Reactor

LIBRA-SP is a 1000 MWe light ion beam driven inertial confinement fusion power reactor design study which utilizes a self-pinched mode for propagating ions to the target. It is driven by 7.2 MJ of ...
Germinal center function in the spleen during simian HIV infection in rhesus monkeys

Infection with HIV-1, SIV, or simian HIV is associated with abnormalities in the number, size, and structure of germinal centers (GCs). To determine whether these histopathologic abnormalities are associated with abnormalities in Ab development, we analyzed nucleotide sequences of Igs from splenic GCs of simian HIV-infected macaques. Virus-specific GCs were identified in frozen splenic tissue sections by inverse immunohistochemistry using rHIV-1 gp120 as a probe. B cells from envelope-specific GCs were isolated from these sections using laser capture microdissection. Their Igs were amplified from cDNA using nested PCR, then cloned and sequenced. Nucleotide sequences were recovered from nine multimember clonal lineages. Within each lineage, sequences had similar V-D-J or V-J junctions but differed by somatic mutations distributed throughout the variable domain. The clones were highly mutated, similar to that previously reported for HIV-1-specific human IgG Abs. The average clone had 37 mutations in the V region, for a frequency of 0.11 mutations/base. The mutational pattern was strikingly nonrandom, with somatic mutations occurring preferentially at RGYW/WRCY hotspots. Transition mutations were favored over transversions, with C→T and G→A replacements together accounting for almost one-third of all mutations. Analysis of replacement and silent mutations in the framework and CDRs suggests that the Igs were subjected to affinity selection. These data demonstrate that the process of Ab maturation is not seriously disrupted in GCs during the early stages of immunodeficiency virus infection, and that Env-specific Igs developing in GCs are subject to extensive somatic mutation and profound selection pressures.
FDG-PET in Pathologically Confirmed 4R-Tauopathy Variants (P5.251)

OBJECTIVE: We studied pathologically confirmed cases of 4R-tauopathies to determine if different FDG-PET patterns of hypometabolism exist than those previously described. BACKGROUND: The 4R-tauopathies can be clinically heterogeneous and difficult to diagnose. An FDG-PET pattern of hypometabolism has been previously reported in clinically suspected 4R-tauopathies. Considering that pathological confirmation has not been used as inclusion criteria in these studies however, the possibility exists that atypical cases were excluded. DESIGN/METHODS: We identified all autopsy confirmed 4R-tauopathies with an FDG-PET imaging performed between 2010-2013 as part of a progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) imaging study. Clinical features and FDG-PET imaging were compared to a group of normal controls. RESULTS: Nine patients, seven of which had autopsied confirmed PSP, were identified. We also identified two cases with globular glial tauopathy (GGT). The predominant imaging findings included bilateral caudate hypometabolism in eight cases, mild asymmetric thalamic hypometabolism in seven, and bilateral hypometabolism in supplementary motor area in six. No differences were observed between PSP and GGT. CONCLUSIONS: As previously described, 4R-tauopathies are associated with frontal, caudate, and thalamic hypometabolism on FDG-PET. This is the first report of FDG-PET in GGT and although our series was limited to two cases, there was no evidence of differentiating FDG-PET features to distinguish GGT from PSP. Disclosure: Dr. Zalewski has nothing to disclose. Dr. Botha has nothing to disclose. Dr. Whitwell has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lowe has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp. Dr. Lowe has received research support from GE Health Care, Siemens Molecular Imaging, and AVID Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Dickson has received personal compensation for activities with Neotope, Inc. as a consultant. Dr. Josephs has nothing to disclose.
A low power multi-standard sigma-delta ADC for WCDMA/GSM/Bluetooth applications

This paper presents the design and simulation results of a configurable sigma-delta ADC that serves WCDMA/GSM/Bluetooth applications. Accurate system and circuit design of the ADC enable it to meet the wide bandwidth and high dynamic range requirements of the WCDMA and GSM standards while consuming only 11 mW in WCDMA mode and 5.8 mW and 5 mW in GSM and Bluetooth mode, respectively. The modulator is implemented in TSMC0.18 CMOS technology and operates with a 1.8 V supply.
Performance of single and concatenated sets of mitochondrial genes at inferring metazoan relationships relative to full mitogenome data.

Mitochondrial (mt) genes are some of the most popular and widely-utilized genetic loci in phylogenetic studies of metazoan taxa. However, their linked nature has raised questions on whether using the entire mitogenome for phylogenetics is overkill (at best) or pseudoreplication (at worst). Moreover, no studies have addressed the comparative phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial genes across individual lineages within the entire Metazoa. To comment on the phylogenetic utility of individual mt genes as well as concatenated subsets of genes, we analyzed mitogenomic data from 1865 metazoan taxa in 372 separate lineages spanning genera to subphyla. Specifically, phylogenies inferred from these datasets were statistically compared to ones generated from all 13 mt protein-coding (PC) genes (i.e., the “supergene” set) to determine which single genes performed “best” at, and the minimum number of genes required to, recover the “supergene” topology. Surprisingly, the popular marker COX1 performed poorest, while ND5, ND4, and ND2 were most likely to reproduce the “supergene” topology. Averaged across all lineages, the longest ∼2 mt PC genes were sufficient to recreate the “supergene” topology, although this average increased to ∼5 genes for datasets with 40 or more taxa. Furthermore, concatenation of the three “best” performing mt PC genes outperformed that of the three longest mt PC genes (i.e, ND5, COX1, and ND4). Taken together, while not all mt PC genes are equally interchangeable in phylogenetic studies of the metazoans, some subset can serve as a proxy for the 13 mt PC genes. However, the exact number and identity of these genes is specific to the lineage in question and cannot be applied indiscriminately across the Metazoa.
Density fluctuations and the pair distribution function

In discrete systems the number density, defined as the number of particles per unit volume, is subject to fluctuations depending on the size and location of the sampling volume. Fluctuations in the local density or pair distribution function as determined from x-ray or neutron diffraction experiments, die out quickly in disordered materials but persist in crystals. Here we show that for a single atom at the origin, fluctuations persist out to very large distances and the pair distribution function does not decay, even in the case of a random system; only disappearing after ensemble averaging. Therefore, for a crystal the fluctuations in the pair distribution function persist to arbitrarily large distances. This is demonstrated here with experimental and modeling results for powdered crystalline nickel, where we find an undiminished fluctuation amplitude for the pair distribution function calculated up to distances of a micron. The characteristic separation between the peaks in the pair distribution function at large distances is determined by the thermal amplitude of vibration of a single atom and not by the interatomic spacing. Thermal broadening is included so the results obtained here are of direct experimental interest, and comparison is made to neutron diffraction data on nickel. Resultsmore » are shown to be similar for crystals and for a single atom in a glass.« less