cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Precision measurement and frequency metrology with ultracold atoms

Precision measurement and frequency metrology have pushed many scientific and technological frontiers in the field of atomic, molecular and optical physics. In this article, we provide a brief review on the recent development of optical atomic clocks, with an emphasis placed on the important inter-dependence between measurement precision and systematic effects. After presenting a general discussion on the motivation and techniques behind the development of optical lattice clocks, where the use of many atoms greatly enhances the measurement precision, we present the JILA strontium optical lattice clock as the leading system of frequency metrology with the lowest total uncertainty, and we describe other related research activities. We discuss key ingredients that have enabled the optical lattice clocks with ultracold atoms to reach the 18th digit in both precision and accuracy. Furthermore, we discuss extending the power of precision clock spectroscopy to study quantum many-body physics and to provide control for atomic quantum materials. In addition, we explore future research directions that have the potential to achieve even greater precision.
Cyclodextrin-functionalized chromatographic materials tailored for reversible adsorption.

Novel dendronized silica substrates were synthesized. First- and second- generation polyaryl ether dendrons were appended to silica surfaces. Using Cu(I) mediated cycloaddition “click” chemistry, β-cyclodextrin was tethered to the dendronized surfaces and to a nondendronized surface for comparison purposes. This synthesis strategy affords a modular, versatile method for surface functionalization in which the density of functional groups can be readily varied by changing the generation of dendron used. The surfaces, which are capable of adsorbing target analytes, have been characterized and studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS). Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to study the surfaces’ ability to retain coumarin 152 (C152). These studies indicated that the β-cyclodextrin functionalized surfaces not only adsorbed C152 but also retained it through multiple aqueous washes. Furthermore, these observations were quantified and show that substrates ...
Ordered Oxygen Arrangements in Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x

We describe the ordered oxygen arrangements in Y1Ba2Cu3O7−x samples prepared in precisely controlled oxygen environments using a solid-state ionic tehnique. The so-called “Ortho II”phase, characterized by a superlattice wave vector, exists at oxygen contents from 6.28 to 6.65, with electrical properties that range from insulating to superconducting at up to 60 K. Additional ordered structures occur at oxygen contents from 6.65 to 6.90. All of the ordered structures are consistent with the removal of entire chains of oxygen along the b axis, which minimizes the number of three-fold coordinated copper and creates Cu+1 ions even in oxygen-rich samples. We found no evidence for phase separation between 6.0 and 7.0 or between 6.5 and 7.0. Phase separation,if it occurs at all, occurs on the 60 K and 90 K plateaus.
Toward an Exploration of Comparative Foreign Policy Distance Between the United States and Latin America

A concept of foreign policy distance is introduced and operationalized through an index based on indicators of imports, diplomatic contacts, UN voting, verbal conflict, and conflict behavior. The index is validated by testing its sensitivity to eight well-known cases of foreign policy distance involving the United States and Latin America. Utilizing the index, the authors identify 45 significant changes in distance in United States/Latin American relations for the period 1953–1970, and classify them by U.S. presidential administration. After speculating about events which are chronologically associated with these changes, the authors argue that the next step is to operationalize competing paradigms in international politics, and using distance change as the dependent variable, to systematically compare and evaluate then-relative potency in accounting for such changes.
Facile identification of phosphorylation sites in peptides by radical directed dissociation.

Identification of phosphorylation sites is of interest due to their importance in protein regulation; however, the identification of the exact sites of this modification is not always easily obtained due to the dynamic nature of phosphorylation and the challenges faced during mass spectrometric analysis. Herein we elaborate on our previous communication (Diedrich, J. K.; Julian, R. R. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2008, 130, 12212–12213) describing a novel technique for assignment of phosphorylation in a site-specific and facile manner. Phosphorylation sites are selectively modified through β elimination followed by Michael addition chemistry to install a photolabile group. Photodissociation with 266 nm light yields homolytic cleavage at the modification site, generating a β radical which is poised to fragment the peptide backbone. Dissociation primarily yields d-type ions at the previously phosphorylated residue, allowing facile identification. Radical directed fragmentation also occurs in smaller abundances at neigh...
The Allegorical Landscape: Lang Jingshan's Photography in Context

This paper examines Lang Jingshan’s landscape photography in its historical and political contexts. Tracing Lang’s oeuvre from Shanghai to Chongqing to Taiwan, it also studies how the pictures were commissioned, made, and perceived. I argue that Lang’s photographic art, often considered to be unoriginal and conservative or utopian escapism removed from reality, has in fact engaged with the political and historical turmoil of the times.
Confidence indicators based pose estimation for high-quality 3D reconstruction using depth image

Real-time 3D reconstruction using depth information has become a critical part of many emerging applications, like augmented reality, autonomous robot navigation and teleoperation to hazardous locations. This paper presents two novel methods to improve on the 3D reconstruction quality of static scenes using depth images. First, a new anisotropic depth filtering along with confidence indicator for every filtered depth value is proposed. Second, a modified pose estimation method, which incorporates the uncertainty or error characteristics of the depth measured as part of the Iterative Closet Point (ICP) algorithm is proposed. Both these methods are combined together along with a pre-existing confidence indicator based 3D reconstruction method, to get a robust and real-time 3D reconstruction framework. Simulations results show that this combined algorithm gives 59.60% quantitative improvement in pose estimation and achieves a significant quality improvement in 3D reconstruction compared to the baseline algorithm.
Scattering of VLF Radio Waves in the Curved Earth-Ionosphere Waveguide

Extensive model studies have been carried out in the past to investigate the effects of ionospheric perturbations on VLF radio propagation in the earth-ionosphere waveguide. In these model studies the surface of the earth is considered flat and the ionosphere is characterized by a finite surface impedance of variable effective height. However, the restrictions for the flat-earth model are not satisfied for modes of near-grazing incidence. As shown before by Wait, a planar structure that supports the desired modes may be constructed simply by modifying the medium of propagation in the straight rectangular dual-model waveguide. As a result of including the earth's curvature in the model, the analysis yields an explanation for the relatively large undulations in the electric field observed at the surface of the earth. The larger undulations in the “curved” model are a result of both the modification of the characteristic functions and a larger scattering coefficient.
Twelve principles for open innovation 2.0.

Evolve governance structures, practices and metrics to accelerate innovation in an era of digital connectivity, writes Martin Curley.
Epidemiology of rabies in Chongzuo City from 2005 to 2012

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of rabies in Chongzuo City from 2005 to 2012,provide evidence for the prevention and control of rabies.Methods The data of rabies epidemics from 2005 to 2012 in Chongzuo City were collected and analyzed.Results A total of 116 cases of rabies were reported from 2005 to 2012,and average annual incidence rate was 0.68 per 100 thousand per year,the fatality rate was 100%.7 counties(city,area)all had rabies case reported,the most cases of Ningming County is 43 cases,followed by Long Zhou county is 18 cases,Jiangzhou Area and Fusui County is 16 cases,4 Counties cases accounted for 80.17% of total cases.The incidence of male than female,male to female ratio is 1.37:1,the incidence of the main farmers(78.45%),followed by students(6.90%)and scattered children(5.17%).High incidence of rabies in the summer and autumn season,raises the dog number in rural areas,dogs immunisation rates were low,the wound was not treated in time and is not standardized,no rabies vaccine and anti-rabies virus serum or human rabies immunoglobulin injection is a major cause of rabies.Conclusions Strengthen epidemic prevention and control of rabies in the work,control the number of dogs and improve immunity rates of the dog,increase the rabies prevention knowledge propaganda and Improve rabies post-exposure treatment rates of people is the key to effectively reduce morbidity.
Varicoceles: Practice Guidelines

The efficacy of the treatment of varicoceles in the infertile male patient still engenders controversy. In 2001, the American Urological Association published its Best Practice guidelines on varicocele and male infertility, and this set of recommendations was recently updated by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Following are some of the highlights from that ASRM report, which should be a guide for the practicing urologist.
Recalibrating the Law of Humans with the Laws of Nature: Climate Change, Human Rights, and Intergenerational Justice

In 'Recalibrating the Law of Humans with the Laws of Nature', Professors Bach and Weston argue that intergenerational rights should be explicitly taken into account when making climate policy. After exploring the well developed ethical and philosophical literature on intergenerational justice, the authors turn to three intergenerational equity principles developed by Professor Edith Brown Weiss in her 1989 book, In Fairness to Future Generations: conservation of diversity, quality, and equity. The authors trace how these principles have been at the heart of environmental laws in the U.S., in several common and civil law countries, and in international treaties. But they also underscore how they’ve failed to operate to prevent climate change. The authors conclude by offering sixteen recommendations for incorporating intergenerational principles into climate change lawmaking, to ensure that future generations’ interests are accounted for when creating sustainable laws in a carbon-constrained world.
Effective Transitional Therapy for Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer: An Integrative Literature Review

Background:The adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer community has demonstrated a need for psychosocial help transitioning from acute cancer care to survivorship while navigating appropriate developmental challenges.Objectives:The purpose of this integrative literature review is to examine the tra
Interactions between confined fields and carriers at interfaces between two-dimensional materials and nanoscale metal architectures

Compact structure-function simulations are needed to examine interactions between confined fields and carriers at interfaces of two-dimensional materials and metal contacts. This work used electron-source discrete dipole simulations of fields confined at metals interfaced with van der Waals materials to compare with measures using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) for energy electron loss spectroscopy (EELS). Bright, dark, and hybrid modes at the interface were mapped at sub-nanometer resolution at resonant energies. Comparing simulation and measurement provided direct, femtosecond measures of confined field dephasing into carriers on topologically insulated surfaces for the first time.
In Situ Study of Silicon Electrode Lithiation with X-ray Reflectivity

Surface sensitive X-ray reflectivity (XRR) measurements were performed to investigate the electrochemical lithiation of a native oxide terminated single crystalline silicon (100) electrode in real time during the first galvanostatic discharge cycle. This allows us to gain nanoscale, mechanistic insight into the lithiation of Si and the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). We describe an electrochemistry cell specifically designed for in situ XRR studies and have determined the evolution of the electron density profile of the lithiated Si layer (LixSi) and the SEI layer with subnanometer resolution. We propose a three-stage lithiation mechanism with a reaction limited, layer-by-layer lithiation of the Si at the LixSi/Si interface.
Identity in the Army: Romans and Barbarians

Parnell examines identity in military service and argues that the ethnicity of officers was generally of less importance than their behavior and service record. The Byzantine army of the sixth century made considerable use of non-Roman military men. Over the course of the century, about one quarter of soldiers were non-Roman in identity. The chapter also examines the way the term ‘barbarian’ was used. The term seems to have primarily been applied to non-Romans in Byzantine military service when the individuals in question were behaving poorly and to have been withheld from those non-Romans who had a good service record. This suggests that officers were not uniformly prejudiced against non-Romans serving alongside them and held them to generally similar standards as Byzantines.
PET radiotracer development for imaging high-affinity state of dopamine D2 and D3 receptors: Binding studies of fluorine-18 labeled aminotetralins in rodents.

Imaging the high-affinity, functional state (HA) of dopamine D2 and D3 receptors has been pursued in PET imaging studies of various brain functions. We report further evaluation of 18F-5-OH-FPPAT, and the newer 18F-5-OH-FHXPAT and 18F-7-OH-FHXPAT. Syntheses of 18F-5-OH-FHXPAT and 18F-7-OH-FHXPAT were improved by modifications of our previously reported procedures. Brain slices and brain homogenates from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used with the 3 radiotracers (74-111 kBq/cc). Competition with dopamine (1nM to 100nM) and Gpp(NH)p (10-50µM) were carried out to demonstrate binding to dopamine D2 and D3 HA-states and binding kinetics of 18F-5-OH-FPPAT measured. Ex vivo brain slice autoradiography was carried out on rats administered with 18F-5-OH-FHXPAT to ascertain HA-state binding. PET/CT imaging in rats and wild type (WT) and D2 knock-out (KO) mice were carried out using 18F-7-OH-FHXPAT (2-37 MBq). Striatum was clearly visualized by the three radiotracers in brain slices and dopamine displaced more than 80% of binding, with dissociation rate in homogenates of 2.2x10−2 min−1 for 18F-5-OH-FPPAT. Treatment with Gpp(NH)p significantly reduced 50-80% striatal binding with faster dissociation rates (5.0x10−2 min−1), suggesting HA-state binding of 18F-5-OH-FPPAT and 18F-5-OH-FHXPAT. Striatal binding of 18F-5-OH-FHXPAT in ex vivo brain slices were sensitive to Gpp(NH)p, suggesting HA-state binding in vivo. PET binding ratios of 18F-7-OH-FHXPAT in rat brain were: ventral striatum/cerebellum=2.09 and dorsal striatum/cerebellum=1.65; similar binding ratios were found in the D2 WT mice. These results suggest that in vivo PET measures of agonists in the brain at least in part reflect binding to the membrane-bound HA-state of the dopamine receptor. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Monoclonal Antibody to Lactadherin Inhibits Sickle Red Blood Cell Adhesion to Vascular Endothelial Cells in a Plasma Milieu.

Adherence of red blood cells to the endothelium initiates vaso-occlusion in sickle cell anemia. The increased adhesiveness of sickle erythrocytes is accompanied by several changes in the lipids of the erythrocyte membrane, including increased expression of phosphatidylserine (PS). One important PS-binding protein is lactadherin (also known as milk fat globule-EGF factor 8), a 45-kDa glycoprotein containing an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence. It is secreted by macrophages and is present in normal plasma. Lactadherin promotes phagocytosis of PS-expressing apoptotic lymphocytes and sickle red blood cells by anchoring them to integrins on macrophages. Here, we investigated the role of endogenous lactadherin in adhesion of sickle erythrocytes to the endothelium. We developed a murine monoclonal antibody to human lactadherin, called L688, and investigated its effect on the adhesion of sickle red blood cells to histamine-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells under hydrodynamic flow. In three experiments using washed erythrocytes resuspended in autologous plasma from three different patients with sickle cell anemia, L688 (20 μg/ml) inhibited adhesion by 24–30% (p
Identification of independent negative prognostic factors in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

e19133 Background: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a worldwide problem and appropriate resource allocation is a particular problem where access to care is limited. We sought to identify simple prognostic indicators to predict outcome with systemic therapy usable in healthcare systems to facilitate optimal use of limited resources for the treatment of advanced NSCLC Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients (pts) with stage IV NSCLC receiving systemic treatment at UAB from 2002 to 2012. Sixty pretreatment factors, including presenting symptoms, laboratory values, disease sites and associated comorbidities were evaluated for their effect on survival. Comparisons were made by log-rank and chi square testing, using SAS and SPSS software Results: 409 pts who received systemic treatment were identified. Pleural effusion or deposits were present in 22.5%, metastases to brain in 22.7%, to liver in 14.4%, to adrenal in 13%, to abdominal lymph nodes in 5.4%, to subcutaneous tissue o...
Barriers to initiating tuberculosis treatment in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review focused on children and youth

ABSTRACTBackground: Tuberculosis (TB) is the deadliest infectious disease globally, with 10.4 million people infected and more than 1.8 million deaths in 2015. TB is a preventable, treatable, and curable disease, yet there are numerous barriers to initiating treatment. These barriers to treatment are exacerbated in low-resource settings and may be compounded by factors related to childhood.Objective: Timely initiation of tuberculosis (TB) treatment is critical to reducing disease transmission and improving patient outcomes. The aim of this paper is to describe patient- and system-level barriers to TB treatment initiation specifically for children and youth in sub-Saharan Africa through systematic review of the literature.Design: This review was conducted in October 2015 in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Six databases were searched to identify studies where primary or secondary objectives were related to barriers to TB treatment initi...
Auto-PERCIST: Semi-automated response assessment of FDG-PET based on PERCIST 1.0 and other criteria.

1913 Learning Objectives 1) To demonstrate the process and methods involved in the application of the PERCIST 1.0 criteria when assessing an imaging study. 2) To demonstrate that these methods can be automated in software, providing a reader-independent, objective and personalized quantitative assessment of disease and treatment response. 3) To demonstrate multiple assessment methods and techniques within the same application framework. 4) To demonstrate how a framework for an automated system can be extended to incorporate new and experimental methods, techniques and algorithms for PET image analysis. The PERCIST 1.0 criteria describe a methodology for a personalized, quantitative assessment of an FDG-PET study, including response assessment when comparing follow-up to baseline studies. Our Auto-PERCIST™ program implements these methods in a semi-automated software application. It was developed to provide a quantitative and objective set of tools to allow the user to perform a PERCIST 1.0 analysis. It also supports multiple, user-selectable criteria for disease measurement and response assessment, permitting the user to compare methodologies from a single system. Program features include the automated extraction of key image criteria for both intra- and inter-study QC (i.e. radiotracer dosing, uptake duration, etc.); automatic identification and measurement of normal reference hepatic tissue for calculation of disease threshold values; the identification and characterization of disease objects through the use of user-selectable detectors (e.g. PEAK, MAX) and measurement statistics (e.g. PEAK, MAX, MEAN, TLG, Volume, Heterogeneity); and the automatic transmission of these results to an industry standard database where a variety of reporting templates have been developed which automatically compile, cross-reference and compare results providing immediate and objective reports of treatment response. Research Support NCI P30CA006973 and NIH/NCI 1U01CA140204-01A2
Assessment of Response Modification Factor of Open Steel Platform Structures Subjected to Seismic Loads

Open frame steel platforms (hereinafter “OFS platforms”) are largely utilized in manufacturing and industrial facilities. OFS platforms are built around the refinery attached to the infrastructure to provide access for maintenance work. Nonlinear static pushover analysis and nonlinear dynamic time history analysis are conducted to study the inelastic behaviour of these frames. The analysis accounts for their unique detailing especially to elements that contribute to energy dissipation during major seismic events. Maximum inter-story drift and peak global roof drift were adopted as critical response parameters. The results show that the reserve strength of structure is less than that prescribed by the ASCE7-08 for ordinary concentric braced frame systems.
The Social Media DNA of Mayo Clinic-and Health Care.

Abstract Hippocrates' admonition and the medical community's aversion to risk have caused many physicians and institutions to resist participation in modern social media sites such as Facebook (Facebook, Inc, Menlo Park, California, USA), Twitter (Twitter Inc, San Francisco, California, USA), and YouTube (San Mateo, California, USA). However, because Mayo Clinic's founders were champions of analog social networking, it was among the earliest hospitals worldwide to create official accounts on these digital platforms. A proper understanding of the traditional mechanisms of knowledge diffusion in medicine and of the nature of social media sites should help professionals see and embrace the opportunities for positive engagement in social media.
NIST Hosts NEUWAVE-9

From June 12 to 14, 2017, NIST hosted the ninth Workshop on NEUtron WAVElength Dependent Imaging (NEUWAVE-9). NEUWAVE-9 attracted 57 participants from eight countries and contributions from five co...
1058 Reducing emergency department utilisation in infants: a quality improvement study

Background Utilising the Emergency Department (ED) rather than the primary care medical home (PCMH) for non-emergent care results in decreased continuity and increased medical expense. Young, low-income children have the highest low-acuity ED visit rates. Few PCMH-based interventions have been shown to decrease unnecessary ED use. Objectives Reduce rates of low-acuity ED utilisation in children under 12 months. Methods This was a quality improvement study set in an academic primary care clinic serving 15,000 predominantly low-income families. Interventions focused on expanding urgent care (UC) and nursing-line access, improving parents’ awareness of these ED-alternatives, and enhancing caregiver knowledge of infant care (Figure 1). Our primary outcome was the 12 month rolling rate of low-acuity ED visits; high-acuity ED visits acted as a balancing measure. Results Between January 2014 and April 2015, our infants visited the ED for low acuity visits a mean of 61 visits/1000 pts/month. Special cause variation emerged in May 2015 with the start of the newborn group visits, and subsequently with call centre improvements. After expansions in our nurse line access our final mean was 41 visits/1000 pts/month (Figure 2). High acuity ED visits demonstrated an initial rise (Figure 3) but have since decreased to the initial mean; overall ED rates declined (Figure 4); and UC utilisation remained stable. Conclusions Clinic based enhancements to ED alternatives combined with educating parents on normal baby care were associated with decreases in low-acuity ED utilisation and all-acuity ED utilisation for children under 1 year.
Intercontinental dispersal and whole-genome duplication contribute to loss of self-incompatibility in a polyploid complex.

Premise of the study Angiosperm species often shift from self-incompatibility to self-compatibility following population bottlenecks. Across the range of a species, population bottlenecks may result from multiple factors, each of which may affect the geographic distribution and magnitude of mating-system shifts. We describe how intercontinental dispersal and genome duplication facilitate loss of self-incompatibility. Methods Self and outcross pollinations were performed on plants from 24 populations of the Campanula rotundifolia polyploid complex. Populations spanned the geographic distribution and three dominant cytotypes of the species (diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid). Key results Loss of self-incompatibility was associated with both intercontinental dispersal and genome duplication. European plants were largely self-incompatible, whereas North American plants were intermediately to fully self-compatible. Within both European and North American populations, loss of self-incompatibility increased as ploidy increased. Ploidy change and intercontinental dispersal both contributed to loss of self-incompatibility in North America, but range expansion did not affect self-incompatibility within Europe or North America. Conclusions When species are subject to population bottlenecks arising through multiple factors, each factor can contribute to self-incompatibility loss. In a widespread polyploid complex, the loss of self-incompatibility can be predicted by the cumulative effects of whole-genome duplication and intercontinental dispersal.
Numerical Characterization of Monolayer Ink-Jet Printed Polystyrene Lattice

We investigate the color of polystyrene metasurfaces printed via a novel dual-droplet inkjet technique resulting in a closely-packed hexagonal formation through self-assembly. Simulations, Mie Theory, and Bragg Diffraction calculations are utilized for spectra validation.
Models for Drone Delivery of Medications and Other Healthcare Items

This article describes how a healthcare delivery drone has the potential for developing countries to leapfrog the development of traditional transportation infrastructure. Inaccessible roads no longer will prevent urgent delivery of blood, medications or other healthcare items. This article reviews the current status of innovative drone delivery with a particular emphasis on healthcare. The leading companies in this field and their different strategies are studied. Further, this article reviews the latest decision models that facilitate management decision making for operating a drone fleet. The contribution in this article of two new models associated with the design of a drone healthcare delivery networks will facilitate a more timely, efficient, and economical drone healthcare delivery service to potentially save lives.
Electrophysiology Without Borders.

“I traveled over 10 hours to see The Brigade,” the woman said in Spanish. “From Colon.”Indeed, Colon was far away, situated on the northeast coast of Honduras. It would have been 10 h of traveling.“That’s a long drive,” I replied.“Drive?” Her dark eyes met my own. “No, I
HOSVD-Based Multigraph Cuts for Joint Segmentation of Multi-Channel Images

—Techniques for multi-channel image segmentation are important in a wide range of medical imaging contexts, including multimodal imaging, multiparametric imaging, and multi-time-point imaging. We describe here a joint segmentation approach based on multigraph cuts. Our method relies on the computation of a composite graph Laplacian based on pairwise voxel similarities in multi-channel images. We apply higher order singular value decomposition (HOSVD) to this Laplacian tensor. The resultant singular vectors are then used in conjunction with the $\boldsymbol {k}$textbf-means algorithm to find the clusters ingrained in the data leading to effective segmentation. We successfully demonstrate the application of this method for lesion segmentation for multiple disease types and imaging contexts, namely multimodal (PET/MR) images of sarcomas, dynamic PET images of hepatocellular carcinomas, and MR images of glioblastomas.
Deep Hybrid Wavelet Network for Ice Boundary Detection in Radra Imagery

This paper proposes a deep convolutional neural network approach to detect Ice surface and bottom layers from radar imagery. Radar images are capable to penetrate the Ice surface and provide us with valuable information from the underlying layers of ice surface. In recent years, deep hierarchical learning techniques for object detection and segmentation greatly improved the performance of traditional techniques based on hand-crafted feature engineering. We designed a deep convolutional network to produce the images of surface and bottom ice boundary. Our network take advantage of undecimated wavelet transform to provide the higest level of information from radar images, as well as multilayer and multi-scale optimized architecture. In this work, radar images from 2009–2016 NASA Operation IceBridge Mission are used to train and test the network. Our network outperformed the state-of-the art accuracy.
Metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: recent advances in prognosis and management.

Purpose of review Metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors with variable prognosis. This review highlights recent studies on outcomes and management of patients with metastatic PPGL. Recent findings Latest advances were made in identifying predictors of favorable outcomes of patients with metastatic PPGL. Recent studies evaluated the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, high-specific-activity radiopharmaceuticals, and peptide receptors radionuclide therapy in treatment of metastatic disease. Moreover, ongoing studies are assessing the effects of hypoxia-inducible factor 2αα and heat shock protein 90 inhibitors as potential therapies. Summary Several active studies are evaluating the efficacy of systemic chemo, immuno, radiopharmaceutical, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapies to relieve local and adrenergic symptoms and provide survival benefit for patients with symptomatic and/or progressive advanced metastatic PPGL. Owing to rarity and wide-outcome variability, multidisciplinary team effort and personalized approach are central in caring for patients with metastatic PPGL.
Experimental Investigation of a Scaled Water-Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System

The Very High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (VHTR) is one of the next-generation nuclear reactors designed to achieve high temperatures to support industrial applications and power generation. Bec...
Clinical evaluation of a full-image deep segmentation algorithm for the male pelvis on cone-beam CT and CT

Abstract Aim The segmentation of organs from a CT scan is a time-consuming task, which is one hindrance for adaptive radiation therapy. Through deep learning, it is possible to automatically delineate organs. Metrics like dice score do not necessarily represent the impact for clinical practice. Therefore, a clinical evaluation of the deep neural network is needed to verify the segmentation quality. Methods In this work, a novel deep neural network is trained on 300 CT and 300 artificially generated pseudo CBCTs to segment bladder, prostate, rectum and seminal vesicles from CT and cone beam CT scans. The model is evaluated on 45 CBCT and 5 CT scans through a clinical review performed by three different clinics located in Europe, North America and Australia. Results The deep learning model is scored either equally good (prostate and seminal vesicles) or better (bladder and rectum) than the structures from routine clinical practice. No or minor corrections are required for 97.5% of the segmentations of the bladder, 91.5% of the prostate, 94% of the rectum and seminal vesicles. Overall, for 82.5% of the patients none of the organs need major corrections or a redraw. Conclusion This study shows that modern deep neural networks are capable of producing clinically applicable organ segmentation for the male pelvis. The model is able to produce acceptable structures as frequently as current clinical routine. Therefore, deep neural networks can simplify the clinical workflow by offering initial segmentations. The study further shows that to retain the clinicians’ personal preferences a structure review and correction is necessary for structures both created by other clinicians and deep neural networks.
Multi-Stage Probabilistic Bipartite Graph Algorithm - Effect of Herbal Medicines on the Gut Ecosystem

The wide variety of bacterial population in the human gastrointestinal tract (the gut) are the key players in maintaining host physiological functions and colon health. Also, these gut microbiota-mediated productions of metabolites, while mostly beneficial to the host, have also been shown to contribute to the imbalance of the protective versus harmful intestinal bacterial species (dysbiosis). Such imbalance could result in intestinal and extra-intestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity, etc. Furthermore, herbal medicines are capable of modulating the bacterial metabolic pathways by affecting the bacterial gene functions that serving as drug targets. This holds a great promise in balancing the gut ecosystem and prevent microbial-associated diseases. However, the diversity of small molecules in the herbs and the complexity of their mechanism of action poses a great challenge for data integration and herbal drug-target association identification. To overcome this challenge and get invaluable insights into microbiome-associated disease biology, a systems-level characterization of the effects of the small molecules from herbs on the bacterial genes and metabolic pathways were made in the current study. We proposed a computational network-based approach; the multi-stage probabilistic bipartite graph algorithm (MPBA), which integrates the complex heterogeneous metabolism/pathway data from herbs and gut bacteria. This approach provided a graphically intuitive solution to study the impact of herbs on gut microorganisms and employed a probabilistic latent semantic analysis (PLSA) framework to allow estimation of candidate entities. A case study using the 8 most important pathways during IBD and 405 enzymes belonging to these pathways was conducted. Our results show that 273 pathway enzymes were harbored by the bacteria, and 262 of them were targeted by small molecules present in 24 culinary herbs. The proposed MPBA enabled simplification of complex biological models needed for an in-depth study of the herb-microbes complex system.
Patterns of Bariatric Surgeries Among U.S. Women Diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Background: To examine patterns and outcomes of bariatric surgeries, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LA...
Nonanthropogenic Ozone in California Urban Areas

Ozone concentrations of a few parts per hundred million (pphm) sometimes occur in urban areas, unaccompanied by significant concentrations of other pollutants. The Santa Ana winds provide an important example of such ozone episodes, for they invariably contain 3 to 6 pphm of ozone with no diurnal variation. The origin of these winds in a large-scale weather system, along with the absence of other pollutants and the lack of a diurnal cycle, indicates that this ozone is of natural origin. Occasionally the sea breeze develops a sharp front as it moves inland from the Pacific Ocean. In such episodes, the air which the marine sea breeze replaces is free of pollution except for several parts per hundred million of ozone. This is also regarded as not man-made because of the absence of other pollutants. Elevated ground-level concentrations of ozone have also been occasionally reported from other areas in association with storms. Downward transport from the ozonosphere seems the most probable source for these ozone episodes.
The analysis on 66 children with dead on arrival in emergency department

Objective To investigate the causes and influencing factors of dead on arrival (DOA) in children.Methods The clinic data from 66 children with DOA admitted in the emergency department of Hunan Children's Hospital from Jan 2010 to Apr 2012 were analyzed retrospectively.Results All of the 66 cases had cardiac respiratory arrest when admission.Fourteen cases had arrest for 10 minutes,12 cases for 30 minutes to an hour,40 cases had no details.Forty-four (68.2％) cases were carried by parents,22(31.8％)cases were transferred by medical professionals.The main causes of DOA were severe pneumonia with respiratory failure and (or) heart failure,intracranial infection,neonatal diseases.All cases were taken to resuscitation room by triage immediately.Tracheal intubations were completed in 48 cases and intravenous access with injection of epinephrine and other resuscitative drugs were established in all cases,but all cases were dead due to breathing and heartbeat stopped for a long time.Conclusion DOA is one of the important reasons for pediatric high-risk.The key of reduction of DOA incidence and improvement of survival rate is to improve pediatric emergency medical service system,strengthen the health education for the parents,to carry out training and establish homogenization service in emergency ICU. Key words: Dead on arrival; Cardiopulmonary arrest; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Integrative omics data analysis uncovers biomarker genes and potential candidate drugs for G3 medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in infants and children. Four molecular subtypes of MB are recognized: WNT, SHH, Group 3 (G3), and Group 4 (G4). Compared with WNT and SHH subtypes, G3 MBs exhibit significantly worse outcomes and higher metastatic rates, and there is no effective treatment yet. Moreover, G3 and G4 MBs are much more common in boys than girls, i.e., sex bias, which also plays important roles in cancer prognosis and drug response. However, the molecular mechanism of G3 remains unclear, and there are no well-identified biomarker genes associated with these phenotypes, i.e., worse survival rate, higher metastasis rate, and sex bias. In this exploratory study, we aim to identify potential biomarkers associated with the three phenotypes using integrative analysis of gene expression, methylation and copy number variation datasets. In the results, we identified a set of biomarker genes and linked them into a network signature. The network signature showed better performance in the separation of G3 MB patients into subtypes with a significant difference in terms of the three phenotypes. To identify potentially effective drugs for G3 MBs, a set of drugs with diverse targets were prioritized, which can potentially inhibit the network signature. These drugs or combinations thereof might be effective for G3 treatment.
Cognitively Impaired Older Persons' and Caregivers' Perspectives on Dementia-Specific Advance Care Planning

Background/objectives Advance care planning (ACP) traditionally involves asking individuals about their treatment preferences during a brief period of incapacity near the end of life. Because dementia leads to prolonged incapacity, with many decisions arising before a terminal event, it has been suggested that dementia-specific ACP is necessary. We sought to elicit the perspectives of older adults with early cognitive impairment and their caregivers on traditional and dementia-specific ACP. Design Qualitative study with separate focus groups for patients and caregivers. Setting Memory disorder clinics. Participants Twenty eight persons aged 65+ with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia and 19 caregivers. Measurements Understanding of dementia trajectory and types of planning done; how medical decisions would be made in the future; thoughts about these decisions. Results No participants had engaged in any written form of dementia-specific planning. Barriers to dementia-specific ACP emerged, including lack of knowledge about the expected trajectory of dementia and potential medical decisions, the need to stay focused in the present because of fear of loss of self, disinterest in planning because the patient will not be aware of decisions, and the expectation that involved family members would take care of issues. Some patients had trouble engaging in the discussion. Patients had highly variable views on what the quality of their future life would be and on the leeway their surrogates should have in decision making. Conclusions Even among patients with early cognitive impairment seen in specialty clinics and their caregivers, most were unaware of the decisions they could face, and there were many barriers to planning for these decisions. These issues would likely be magnified in more representative populations, and highlight challenges to the use of dementia-specific advance directive documents.
A plan to combat tuberculosis in Córdoba during the 1930's

From the beginning of the XX century, tuberculosis posed a serious sanitary problem for the province of Cordoba: its climate was praised by doctors, consequently an important amount of sick people traveled to its mountains and its capital city. During the 1930s, and although mortality rates had decreased, a group of physicians, graduated from Cordoba University, presented a plan to combat tuberculosis. Although this plan was never implemented, it shows the main ideas about the causes of the illness and how to fight against it. The perception of tuberculosis as a social illness, the need to isolate the sick, the distrust towards the State as being unable to carry out the fight against this disease, the need for an insertion beyond academic and hospital areas, and the emphasis to reinforce the fight in Cordoba were part of a speciality which was just beginning.
Mechanistic Insights Revealed by YbtPQ in the Occluded State

Abstract Recently, several ATP-binding cassette (ABC) importers have been found to adopt the typical fold of type IV ABC exporters. Presumably, these importers would function under the transport scheme of “alternating access” like those exporters: cycling through conformations of inward-open, occluded, and outward-open. Understanding how the exporter-like importers move substrates in the opposite direction requires structural studies in all the major conformations. To shed light on that, here we report the structure of yersiniabactin importer YbtPQ from uropathogenic Escherichia coli in the occluded conformation trapped by ADP-vanadate (ADP.Vi) at 3.1A resolution determined by cryo electron microscopy. The structure shows unusual local rearrangements in multiple helices and loops in its transmembrane domains (TMDs). In addition, the dimerization of nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) promoted by the vanadate trapping is highlighted by the “screwdriver” action happening at one of the two hinge points. These structural observations are rare and thus provide valuable information to understand the structural plasticity of the exporter-like ABC importers.
Examining Impacts of COVID-19-Related Stay-At-Home Orders through a Two-Way Random Effects Model:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on public health and safety, economics, and the transportation system. To reduce the spread of this disease, federal and local governments around ...
Inflammation as a Therapeutic Target after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Advances and Challenges

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) results from the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm, and the first consequent events are increased intracranial pressure (ICP), reduced cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF). The resultant hypoxic state alters autoregulation, ionic homeostasis, and excitotoxicity as well as initiates secondary injuries such as cytotoxic edema, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, inflammation, and apoptotic cell death. Inflammation persists through hemorrhage degradation in the subarachnoid space. Several different aspects of the inflammatory response have been demonstrated in stroke pathogenesis, including cellular response (e.g., leukocyte adherence and microglia activation), expression of adhesion molecules (e.g., selectins, integrins, and immunoglobulin superfamily), production of inflammatory mediators (e.g., cytokines, nitric oxide/nitric oxide synthase (NO/NOS), and free radicals), and accumulation of platelet aggregates. Since all of these inflammatory aspects lead to brain edema and cell death, inflammation could be a particularly important target for designing therapeutic strategies against secondary injuries after SAH. Given these inflammatory contributions could be seen in large vessels, a plethora of research has been intended to reduce cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after SAH. The main research field, however, is moving toward studying early brain injury (EBI) because some human research demonstrated the morphological alleviation of CVS alone might not improve the functional recovery in patients after SAH. This chapter provides the current knowledge of the inflammatory response, translational research, and human clinical trials in SAH as well as discusses emerging opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies for clinical management of SAH.
On the Reality of Existence and Identity

"The confusion of a logical with a real predicate," according to the Critique of Pure Reason, "is almost beyond correction" (A598/B626). Kant did not assert that existence is no predicate, but that it is only a "logical" one, and not a "real" one. Much the same thing has been said about identity, although Kant himself thought it is real and not logical. We have long lacked a rigorous criterion to distinguish real from logical predicates, and hence have not been able to say why the difference matters. This paper has two objects. First it provides a demarcation between real and logical predicates that confirms Kant's dictum that existence is only "logical." Secondly it states the theory of a "logical" (but not "real") relation of identity. Perhaps this is not the only identity relation. I show only that once it has been precisely defined in the right setting, there are definite answers to a number of disputed questions about identity. Maybe there are other concepts of identity for which different answers are to be given, but I shall not discuss that disagreeable prospect here. A third application concerns the ontological argument. Why should the fact that existence is a "logical" predicate preclude its use in ontology? There is an exact answer to this question that has hitherto been overlooked. Leibniz was right to urge that an ontological definition of Cod requires a consistency proof, but on our theory we are able to show that no such consistency proof is possible. Indeed the ontological argument is close kin to the semantic paradoxes.