cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New advances in the field of planetary nebulae from ultraviolet observations

The ultraviolet (UV) domain, in particular shortwards of Lyα, provides unique information to unravel the physical parameters of Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae (CSPNe) and the paths for this elusive final stage of stellar evolution, thanks to a wealth of diagnostic transitions from ionic species not observable at other wavelengths. Intermediate mass stars are the major providers of important elements like C and N. Understanding how they shed most of their initial mass is critical for understanding the chemical enrichment of the ISM. Mass-loss diagnostic lines abound at UV wavelengths, and when the CSPN reaches the hottest T eff before turning on the WD-cooling sequence, and the wind fades, the last wind lines to disappear are found in the far-UV, as well as diagnostic lines for elements such as Ne. This domain also offers a host of H2 transitions, tracing the circum-stellar material expelled in previous phases. UV images and spectra of PNe add critical constraints to their ionization structure and to some abundances. Finally, the recent GALEX sky surveys in two UV bands afforded the first unbiased census of hot white dwarfs (WD) and post-AGB objects in the Milky Way, significantly expanding known catalogs and providing statistical constraints to the initial-final mass relation.
Pressure-dependent phase transformation of solid helium confined within a nanoporous material

Transmission x-ray diffraction experiments have been carried out on solid helium grown in porous Vycor glass. Measurements were made at temperatures near 0.7 K and at pressures up to 162 bars. The crystalline phases of solid helium in Vycor are found to differ significantly from the bulk. At pressures from 70 bars through 98 bars the helium is polycrystalline and displays a single size broadened scattering peak. Above 98 bars the peak splits into three close peaks. No higher order peaks are seen at any pressure, indicating significant reduction in intensity due to disorder. A broad peak is present at all pressures, which may indicate the presence of amorphous solid. We tentatively identify the low-pressure phase as bcc and the high-pressure phase as coexistence between bcc and hcp. Size broadening indicates an average grain size of approximately 5 nm, comparable to the Vycor pore size.
Enlarged euchromatic chromosomes (“megachromosomes”) in hybrids between Nicotiana tabacum and N. plumbaginifolia

The gigantic chromosomes (“megachromosomes”) described previously as occurring spontaneously in hybrid combinations between N. tabacum and species of the Tomentosae section of Nicotiana were due to an enlargement of heterochromatic segments introduced from the latter into a N. tabacum background. Only chromosomes with large heterochromatic segments became megachromosomes and the enlarged parts themselves showed at interphase and prophase the intense staining characteristic of heterochromatin. Euchromatic arms of the same chromosomes did not undergo enlargement. In contrast, megachromosomes described here for N. tabacum x N. plumbaginifolia hybrids originate from chromosomes which have no heterochromatic blocks. These megachromosomes are not recognizable at interphase and when distinguished at prophase are found to be stained lightly like the rest of the euchromatin. The mode of origin of megachromosomes is still unknown. Spontaneous chromosome breakage is frequent in all hybrids in which megachromosomes are found and is probably associated in some way with their formation, but an origin of megachromosomes by breakage and end-to-end fusion of broken strands is unlikely. This leaves as a possibility an origin by repeated replication from the same template. Other examples of very large chromosomes with characteristics of megachromosomes found in the literature are briefly discussed. They all arose in atypical situations of interspecific hydribization, exposure to mutagens or in tumors and cell cultures.
Varied biologic functions of C-reactive protein: lessons learned from transgenic mice

Our investigations of human C-reactive protein (CRP) and CRP transgenic mice have produced novel data that firmly establish this protein as an important host defense molecule. For example, we have learned that depending on the disease model, the beneficial effect of CRP can be direct, depend on the protein's ability to engage complement and Fcy receptors, or rely on its ability to bridge innate and adaptive immunity. In addition, the degree of protection correlates with acute phase expression, but more important, also with the amount of CRP expressed constitutively. Furthermore, differences in baseline levels of CRP among healthy individuals and among patients can be attributed to a CRP gene polymorphism. In this article, we discuss these and other observations we have made during the last 5 yr and summarize our ongoing studies and future plans related to CRP biology.
Hypercalcemia and diffuse osteolytic lesions in a 45-year-old patient with myeloid sarcoma with megakaryocytic differentiation

Acute megakaryocytic leukemia is a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia that carries a poor prognosis. As most cases of osteolytic lesions are due to plasma cell and myeloid malignancies, maintaining a broad differential directly influences clinical course. We document a 45-year-old patient with progressive constitutional symptoms, osteolytic bone lesions in the setting of hypercalcemia, who developed acutely worsening pancytopenia. The diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma with megakaryocytic differentiation was made after obtaining tissue from osteolytic bone that stained strong for CD34. Immunohistochemical testing underscores the importance of how serologic and urine testing remains limited and can delay early diagnosis in this disease. Keywords: myelofibrosis; AML; acute panmyelosis; acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (Published: 25 April 2016) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2016, 6 : 30327 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v6.30327
Rotavirus in South Africa : from discovery to vaccine introduction : Festschrift

Rotavirus was first detected by electron microscopy in young children with diarrhoea in South Africa in 1976, and 25 years later rotavirus vaccine was introduced into the routine childhood immunisation schedule in the country. Prof Barry Schoub played a role in both these events and in many milestones along that journey, from discovery to introduction. Several seminal findings were identified by Schoub et al in the early years after rotavirus identification in South Africa, including the antigenic relatedness of rotavirus strains, and several important epidemiological and clinical findings. This laid the foundation for the role that South Africa has played in pioneering rotavirus research work in, and for, Africa. Early efforts at establishing a regional network for rotavirus epidemiology and surveillance studies have expanded into a continent-wide network using standardised protocols with reporting to the World Health Organization. In addition, clinical studies conducted in South Africa paved the way for the national introduction of the vaccine, while also addressing specific questions of relevance to the global community, including safety in HIV-infected children and efficacy in an African population.
Plasma lipid peroxidation and atherosclerosis in restricted ovulator chickens.

Restricted ovulator (RO, also called non-layer or NL) chickens carry a genetic mutation which results in the cessation of egg laying’ when under a prolonged photoperiod. As a consequence these chickens develop an extreme hyperlipidemia with blood lipid levels over 3,000 mg/triglyceride dl and 700 mg/dl cholesterol. Within 12 months these chickens develop atherosclerotic lesions in both the coronary artery1 and aorta2. It was originally assumed the hyperlipidemia was responsible for the higher rate of atherosclerosis in these chickens. However, we also found a significant increase in plasma lipid peroxidation in R0 chickens. This increase in peroxidation correlates closely with the triglyceride levels.
TH-B-204-01: Real-Time Tracking with Implanted Markers

Implanted markers as target surrogates have been widely used for treatment verification, as they provide safe and reliable monitoring of the inter- and intra-fractional target motion. The rapid advancement of technology requires a critical review and recommendation for the usage of implanted surrogates in current field. The symposium, also reporting an update of AAPM TG 199 - Implanted Target Surrogates for Radiation Treatment Verification, will be focusing on all clinical aspects of using the implanted target surrogates for treatment verification and related issues. A wide variety of markers available in the market will be first reviewed, including radiopaque markers, MRI compatible makers, non-migrating coils, surgical clips and electromagnetic transponders etc. The pros and cons of each kind will be discussed. The clinical applications of implanted surrogates will be presented based on different anatomical sites. For the lung, we will discuss gated treatments and 2D or 3D real-time fiducial tracking techniques. For the prostate, we will be focusing on 2D-3D, 3D-3D matching and electromagnetic transponder based localization techniques. For the liver, we will review techniques when patients are under gating, shallow or free breathing condition. We will review techniques when treating challenging breast cancer as deformation may occur. Finally, we will summarize potential issues related to the usage of implanted target surrogates with TG 199 recommendations. A review of fiducial migration and fiducial derived target rotation in different disease sites will be provided. The issue of target deformation, especially near the diaphragm, and related suggestions will be also presented and discussed. Learning Objectives: 1.Knowledge of a wide variety of markers 2.Knowledge of their application for different disease sites 3.Understand of issues related to these applications Z. Wang: Research funding support from Brainlab AG Q. Xu: Consultant for Accuray; Q. Xu, I am a consultant for Accuray planning service
A New Method for Inducing Homeotropic and Tilted Alignments of Nematic Liquid Crystals on Silica Surfaces

Homeotropic alignment of a nematic liquid crystal on a silica surface can be induced by means of a prior treatment of the surface with a long-chain aliphatic alcohol or a mixture of such an alcohol and an amine. The treatment is presumed to replace some or all of the hydroxy groups normally attached to silicon atoms at the surface with alkoxy groups derived from the alcohol, thereby reducing the critical surface tension of the surface. As the chain length of the alcohol is decreased, the director of the nematic tilts away from the perpendicular orientation. The direction of tilt can be controlled by shallow angle ion beam etching the silica surface prior to the alcohol treatment, in which case the nematic molecules are uniformly tilted toward the ion beam source. The tilt angle is a function of both the length of the alcohol chain and the composition of the liquid crystal. Tilted homeotropic alignment is essential for obtaining optimum performance of field effect devices that use nematics with a negative dielectric anisotropy.
A comparison of nighttime lights data for urban energy research: Insights from scaling analysis in the US system of cities:

Urban areas contribute to about 75% of global fossil fuel CO2 emissions and are a primary driver of climate change. If greenhouse gas emissions for the top 20 emitting urban areas were aggregated i...
Fugacity and Activity of Molecular Species in Supercritical Fluids

Naturally occuring gases (fluids) in metamorphic and igneous systems are known to be mixtures of several volatile species, usually including H2O, CO2, CO, H2, CH4, H2S or SO2 in major or minor amounts. The thermodynamic interpretation of experimental results, the thermodynamic calculation of reactions, and the accurate determination of fluid compositions recorded by natural assemblages require knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of the geologically important fluid-phase species. Because very few accurate experimental determinations of these properties exist, it seems necessary to rely on an equation of state which can be used to calculate thermodynamic properties of fluid mixtures in geologically important pressure-temperature regions.
Successful treatment of recurrent CNS disease post-bone marrow transplant in children with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Background Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Current standard of care for CNS disease utilizes high-dose systemic dexamethasone plus intrathecal methotrexate and hydrocortisone prior to transplantation. However, the morbidity and mortality remains high and there are no clear guidelines posttransplantation for screening and treatment of CNS disease. Procedure We report a single-center retrospective case series of five patients with familial HLH (FHLH) who had CNS involvement post-bone marrow transplantation (BMT). All patients were monitored with monthly lumbar punctures (LPs) prior to developing neurologic symptoms. Treatment utilized systemic dexamethasone for CNS disease control. Results Five patients were monitored with monthly or bimonthly surveillance LPs and treated with systemic dexamethasone to control CNS relapse post-BMT. All patients are alive, a median of 34 months posttransplant (range 14–66 months). Four patients have mild neurological deficits, including mild speech delay (3) and one patient who exhibited brainstem herniation on day 0, due to CNS HLH, has made a substantial recovery of function with residual deficits of focal weakness on the right side. One patient has no deficits. Conclusion Our data support vigilant screening posttransplant for occult CNS disease prior to the development of symptoms and the use of systemic dexamethasone to reverse disease progression. Future prospective trials are needed to evaluate this treatment strategy.
Electrotonic Structure and Synaptic Variability in Cortical Neurons

Compartmental models of reconstructed cortical neurons were used to assess the relative contributions of electrotonic filtering, synaptic parameters and recording characteristics on the distribution of synaptic responses measured at the soma from synapses located throughout the dendritic tree. In voltage clamp, cable filtering alone can generate significant variability and skewed amplitude and rise time distributions similar to those seen experimentally. Measures which are already significantly low-pass filtered, such as current clamp peak amplitude and area, are much less affected by cable filtering, and in order to match the experimentally observed distributions we must postulate another source of variability. Varying the peak synaptic conductance independent of location is sufficient to match the experimental distributions of all of these parameters, without interfering with the fit of the voltage-clamp distributions. This suggests that the synaptic variability measured experimentally is due to an interplay between cable filtering and intrinsic differences between synapses.
Population Structure, Status, and Conservation of Two Graptemys Species from the Pearl River, Mississippi

Abstract Graptemys is one of the least studied turtle genera in North America. Graptemys oculifera (Ringed Sawback) and Graptemys pearlensis (Pearl Map Turtle) are endemic to the Pearl River system of Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana. We studied both species near Columbia, Mississippi, on the Pearl River via a trapping and basking surveys over two years. Additionally, five sites including Columbia were trapped for 27 years to determine long-term trends in capture success and relative abundance (RA). At the Columbia site, body size distribution was bimodal for G. oculifera and atypically unimodal for G. pearlensis; G. pearlensis body lengths were smaller than museum specimens. Population estimates for G. oculifera at the Columbia site indicate a stable population over 25 years. Long-term RA trends indicated that G. pearlensis was less common than G. oculifera in all periods and at all sites from 1988 to 2013. Trends in long-term capture success for G. oculifera and G. pearlensis were negative at all ...
Pediatric Boot Camp Series: Infant With Altered Mental Status and Seizure—A Case of Child Abuse

Introduction Child abuse, also known as nonaccidental trauma (NAT), is an important cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality. The presentation of NAT is often confounded by unclear histories and ...
The immediate effects of manual stretching and cervicothoracic junction manipulation on cervical range of motion and upper trapezius pressure pain thresholds

INTRODUCTION Myofascial pain is a common impairment treated with various manual interventions including spinal thrust manipulation and stretching; however, the comparative efficacy of each intervention is uncertain. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to evaluate thrust manipulation targeting the cervicothoracic junction compared to a manual stretch of the upper trapezius muscle on cervical range of motion and upper trapezius pressure pain thresholds (PPTs). METHODS Healthy participants with no significant history of neck pain were randomized into a thrust manipulation group, a stretching group, or a control group. Within group differences were evaluated via a dependent t-test, and group by time interactions were evaluated by a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS One hundred and two participants were recruited to participate. Baseline demographics revealed no significant differences between groups. Significant group by time interactions were found for changes in PPTs for both the right and left upper trapezius. Also, significant differences were found for changes in cervical extension, as well as right and left cervical side bending favoring the treatment groups. DISCUSSION This study demonstrates the potential independent effectiveness of spinal thrust manipulation or stretching for reducing PPTs at the upper trapezius. Future research should further evaluate the limitation of PPTs as a measure of muscle sensitivity as well as factors that may contribute to variability in the measurements among individuals seeking care.
Drug War Reform: Criminal Justice, Recovery, and Holistic Community Alternatives

This article investigates the issues and possible societal solutions to the Drug War, Opiate Epidemic, Mass Incarceration and other collateral consequences of current policies in three distinct parts. First, it discusses the DeFelonization of drug possession and the ramifications this would have nationally. Next, it addresses the influx of drug users into the community that are currently receiving little to no rehabilitation behind bars. This country will need to find a revenue source to fund a massive rehabilitation effort. It will come from marijuana legalization. And lastly, I investigate an up and coming approach to recovery called Recovery Community Organizations (RCO's). These entities incorporate an innovative, holistic bottom up approach, as opposed to the current top-down, massive, paternalistic governmental and criminal justice approach.
Mercury biomagnification through food webs along a salinity gradient down-estuary from a biological hotspot

Abstract To examine down-estuary effects and how differences in food webs along a salinity gradient might influence mercury (Hg) biomagnification, we conducted a study from 2010 to 2015 in an estuary with a known biological hotspot at its headwaters. Over 907 samples of biota, representing 92 different taxa of fish and invertebrates, seston and sediments were collected from the upper, middle and lower reach for Hg determination and for stable nitrogen and carbon isotope analyses. Trophic magnification slopes (TMS; log Hg versus δ15N), as a measure of biomagnification efficiency, ranged from 0.23 to 0.241 but did not differ statistically among reaches. Hg concentrations were consistently highest, ranging as high as 4.9 mg/kg in top predatory fish, in the upper-reach of the estuary where basal Hg entering the food web was also highest, as evidenced by methylmercury concentrations in suspension feeders. Top predatory fish at the mouth of the estuary contained relatively low [THg], likely due to lower basal Hg. This was nonetheless surprising given the potential for down-estuary biotransport.
Slow diffusion and effective stability of dust particles orbiting asteroids

This paper presents quantitative estimates of orbital lifetimes for small dust particles in the vicinity of a spherical asteroid orbiting the Sun on a circular orbit. In particular, the modeling accounts for gravitational interactions with the asteroid and the Sun and radiation pressure from the Sun. The analysis focuses on slow drift of particles in a state-space neighborhood of weakly unstable periodic orbits corresponding to the most tightly bound orbits about the asteroid. Through a Hamiltonian normal-form computation, Nekhoroshev-type estimates are derived that yield regions in state space of effective stability, that is, regions in which the grains would remain over significant periods of time in the absence of other depletion and replenishment mechanisms.
Unified Image Compression Using Reversible and Fast Biorthogonal Wavelet Transform

Publisher Summary Wavelet transforms are known to have excellent energy compaction characteristics and are therefore ideal for signal and image compression. Although this approach has been vigorously developed during the recent years, general orthogonal wavelet transform filters and most of sub-band coding filters have many taps and require many floating point multiplications. Fast image compressors are presented using biorthogonal wavelet transforms, which gives high computational speed and excellent compression performance. Special spline biorthogonal wavelets are used where the filter coefficients are dyadic rational numbers, and convolutions with these filters can be performed by using only integer arithmetic shifting and addition operations. Following the transform, the Hilbert scanning is used for encoding to gain additional compression.
Detection and Quantification of Calcified Coronary Plaque With Multidetector-Row CT

Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has rapidly developed into a powerful tool for noninvasive measurement of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries over the past decade. Identification and quantification of coronary artery calcifications (CAC) with X-ray devices is well established in the literature with chest radiographs, fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT without electrocardiogram [ECG] gating) and cardiac CT (electron beam CT [EBCT], helical CT, and MDCT with cardiac gating) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Calcified plaque is an established component of coronary atherosclerosis, and radiographic techniques are highly sensitive to calcified atherosclerotic plaque (1,7). The presence of calcified plaque documents the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in the coronary artery. Calcified plaque is an active and regulated process occurring in the vessel wall, with pathways similar to those of bone metabolism (8,9). As of 2003, two consensus documents (1,10) concerning cardiac CT and the recommendations of the Prevention V Conference (11) are available to guide clinical application. The results of several large epidemiological studies, as well as pharmaceutical trials, will become available during the next five years and will provide new information to guide the medical community and society at large as to the appropriate utilization of CAC screening in the population.
A Cognitively Based Treatment Model for DSM-IV Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is the most recent renaming by the American Psychiatric Association (1994) of a psychiatric syndrome that has been recorded from the time of Paracelsus (sixteenth century) (Bliss, 1986; Kluft, 1991). Its recognition has waxed and waned more as a function of the socioreligious Zeitgeist and the psychological theory(ies) dominating the era than from actual variations or fluctuations of the disorder itself. The curious archivist and medical historian (Ellenberger, 1970) could readily track the various literature pools and obscure sources to shed some light on the epidemiology of dissociative disorders. More recently, clinicians with an interest in history and psychoarcheology have collected, reexamined, reviewed, and sometimes reinterpreted past misdiagnosed conditions to be dissociative ones (Goodwin, 1993). Skeptics of the existence of dissociative disorders remain: some on politicophilosophical grounds (Orne, 1984a; Orne, Dinges, & Orne, 1984), others because they have never seen them in their practice (Chodoff, 1987), and many because they are repulsed by the possibility that child abuse, which is part of the etiology of DID in 97% of the cases (Putnam, Guroff, Silberman, Barban, & Post, 1986), could be so prevalent. However, an increasing number of men and women are currently being appropriately diagnosed with DID.
[4 + 2]-Cycloaddition and 1,4-Addition of ortho-Quinone Methides by a Chiral Crotyl Silane

Anhydrous FeCl3 in the presence of 2,6-lutidine promotes the substrate-controlled enantioselective [4 + 2]-cycloaddition and crotylation reaction between an enantioenriched (S,E)-crotyl silane and in situ generated ortho-quinone methides (oQMs). The reaction produces both the chiral chroman and crotylation products in a ratio reflective of the electronic nature of the parent oQM with overall combined yields up to 96%. A ring-opening and elimination sequence was subsequently developed to provide direct access to the crotylation products, containing two contiguous tertiary carbon stereocenters, in good yields and enantioselectivities.
Functional Imaging of the Implicit Association of the Self With Life and Death

Objective A critical need exists to identify objective markers of suicide ideation. One potential suicide risk marker is the Suicide Implicit Association Task (S-IAT), a behavioral task that uses differential reaction times to compare the implicit association between the self and death to the implicit association between the self and life. Individuals with a stronger association between the self and death on the S-IAT are more likely to attempt suicide in the future. To better understand the neural underpinnings of the implicit association between self and either life or death, a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) version of the S-IAT was adapted and piloted in healthy volunteers. Method An fMRI version of the S-IAT was administered to 28 healthy volunteers (ages 18-65, 14F/14M). Results Behavioral results were comparable to those seen in non-scanner versions of the task. The task was associated with patterns of neural activation in areas relevant to emotional processing, specifically the insula and right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex. Conclusions Performance on the S-IAT fMRI task may reflect scores obtained outside of the scanner. In future evaluations, this task could help assess whether individuals at increased risk of suicide display a different pattern of neural activation in response to self/death and self/life stimuli.
Going beyond the individual: how state-level characteristics relate to HPV vaccine rates in the United States

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is an underutilized cancer control practice in the United States. Although individual contextual factors are known to impact HPV vaccine coverage rates, the impact of macro-level elements are still unclear. The aim of this analysis was to use HPV vaccination rates to explore the underuse of an evidence-based cancer control intervention and explore broader-level correlates influencing completion rates. A comprehensive database was developed using individual-level date from the National Immunization Survey (NIS)-Teen (2016) and state-level data collected from publically available sources to analyze HPV vaccine completion. Multi-level logistic models were fit to identify significant correlates. Level-1 (individual) and level-2 (state) correlates were fitted to a random intercept model. Deviance and AIC assessed model fit and sampling weights were applied. The analysis included 20,495 adolescents from 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Teen age, gender, race/ethnicity, and maternal education were significant individual predictors of HPV completion rates. Significant state-level predictors included sex education policy, religiosity, and HPV vaccine mandate. States with the lowest HPV coverage rates were found to be conservative and highly religious. Little variation in vaccine exemptions and enacted sex and abstinence education polices were observed between states with high and low HPV vaccine coverage suggesting various contextual and situational factors impact HPV vaccine completion rates. Given that gender, religiosity, political ideology, and education policies are predictors of HPV vaccine completion, the interaction and underlying mechanism of these factors can be used to address the underutilization of the HPV vaccine.
Extensive meningeal enhancement in acute central nervous system Lyme: Case series and review of literature.

Abstract Introduction. Clinical presentation of the central nervous system Lyme disease is nonspecific and therefore brain imaging and disease-specific serological testing is generally pursued to assist with diagnosis. Brain imaging findings are, however, rare and often unspecific. Case description. In the current report, we are presenting a rare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) finding of extensive meningeal enhancement in two patients with acute Lyme disease. Discussion. We discussed clinical implications and reviewed the relevant literature.
Classes and Clusters

The concept of classification, along with its forms and purposes, is discussed. A review of classification in the sciences is provided emphasizing the current extension-driven phase of its development. Clustering is considered as data-based classification. Three kinds of table data, column-conditional, comparable and aggregable, are defined. A set of illustrative data sets are introduced, along with corresponding clustering problems.
Structural Tailoring of a Novel Fluorescent IRE-1 RNase Inhibitor to Precisely Control Its Activity.

Activation of the IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway has been linked to many human diseases. We report a novel fluorescent tricyclic chromenone inhibitor, D-F07, in which we incorporated a 9-methoxy group onto th...
Adoption of the 275-patient buprenorphine treatment waiver for treating opioid use disorder: A state-level longitudinal analysis

Background: Increasing access to buprenorphine treatment is a critical tool for addressing the opioid epidemic in the United States. In 2016, a federal policy change allowed physicians who meet spe...
On the foundations and philosophy of info-metrics

Among the set of open questions in philosophy of information posed by Floridi [5,6] is the question of "What Is the Dynamics of Information?" For recent discussion see Crnkovic and Hofkirchner [2]) and a complimentary summary of open questions in the interconnection of philosophy of information and computation (Adriaans [1]). The broad definition of "dynamics of information" includes the concept of "information processing." This article concentrates on that concept, redefines it as "info-metrics," and discusses some open questions within info-metrics.
Photocatalytic H2-Evolution by Homogeneous Molybdenum Sulfide Clusters Supported by Dithiocarbamate Ligands.

Irradiation at 460 nm of [Mo3(μ3-S)(μ2-S2)3(S2CNR2)3]I ([2a]I, R = Me; [2b]I, R = Et; [2c]I, R = iBu; [2d]I, R = CH2C6H5) in a mixed aqueous-polar organic medium with [Ru(bipy)3]2+ as photosensitizer and Et3N as electron donor leads to H2 evolution. Maximum activity (300 turnovers, 3 h) is found with R = iBu in 1:9 H2O:MeCN; diminished activity is attributed to deterioration of [Ru(bipy)3]2+. Monitoring of the photolysis mixture by mass spectrometry suggests transformation of [Mo3(μ3-S)(μ2-S2)3(S2CNR2)3]+ to [Mo3(μ3-S)(μ2-S)3(S2CNR2)3]+ via extrusion of sulfur on a time scale of minutes without accumulation of the intermediate [Mo3S6(S2CNR2)3]+ or [Mo3S5(S2CNR2)3]+ species. Deliberate preparation of [Mo3S4(S2CNEt2)3]+ ([3]+) and treatment with Et2NCS21- yields [Mo3S4(S2CNEt2)4] (4), where the fourth dithiocarbamate ligand bridges one edge of the Mo3 triangle. Photolysis of 4 leads to H2 evolution but at ∼25% the level observed for [Mo3S7(S2CNEt2)3]+. Early time monitoring of the photolyses shows that [Mo3S4(S2CNEt2)4] evolves H2 immediately and at constant rate, while [Mo3S7(S2CNEt2)3]+ shows a distinctive incubation prior to a more rapid H2 evolution rate. This observation implies the operation of catalysts of different identity in the two cases. Photolysis solutions of [Mo3S7(S2CNiBu2)3]+ left undisturbed over 24 h deposit the asymmetric Mo6 cluster [(iBu2NCS2)3(μ2-S2)2(μ3-S)Mo3](μ3-S)(μ3-η2,η1-S',η1-S″-S2)[Mo3(μ2-S)3(μ3-S)(S2CNiBu2)2(μ2-S2CNiBu2)] in crystalline form, suggesting that species with this hexametallic composition and core topology are the probable H2-evolving catalysts in photolyses beginning with [Mo3S7(S2CNR2)3]+. When used as solvent, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) suppresses H2-evolution but to a greater degree for [Mo3S4(S2CNEt2)4] than for [Mo3S7(S2CNEt2)3]+. Recrystallization of [Mo3S4(S2CNEt2)4] from DMF affords [Mo3S4(S2CNEt2)4(η1,κO-DMF)] (5), implying that inhibition by DMF arises from competition for a Mo coordination site that is requisite for H2 evolution. Computational assessment of [Mo3S4(S2CNMe2)3]+ following addition of 2H+ and 2e- suggests a Mo(H)-μ2(SH) intermediate as the lowest energy species for H2 elimination. An analogous pathway may be available to the Mo6 cluster via dissociation of one end of the μ2-S2CNR2 ligand, a known hemilabile ligand type, in the [Mo3S4]4+ fragment.
Slow Continued Fractions and Permutative Representations of

Representations of the Cuntz algebra are constructed from interval dynamical systems associated with slow continued fraction algorithms introduced by Giovanni Panti. Their irreducible decomposition formulas are characterized by using the modular group action on real numbers, as a generalization of results by Kawamura, Hayashi, and Lascu. Furthermore, a certain symmetry of such an interval dynamical system is interpreted as a covariant representation of the -dynamical system of the “flip-flop” automorphism of .
Enhanced fish production during a period of extreme global warmth.

Marine ecosystem models predict a decline in fish production with anthropogenic ocean warming, but how fish production equilibrates to warming on longer timescales is unclear. We report a positive nonlinear correlation between ocean temperature and pelagic fish production during the extreme global warmth of the Early Paleogene Period (62-46 million years ago [Ma]). Using data-constrained modeling, we find that temperature-driven increases in trophic transfer efficiency (the fraction of production passed up trophic levels) and primary production can account for the observed increase in fish production, while changes in predator-prey interactions cannot. These data provide new insight into upper-trophic-level processes constrained from the geological record, suggesting that long-term warming may support more productive food webs in subtropical pelagic ecosystems. Fish production is predicted to decrease with anthropogenic global warming. Here the authors analyse fish fossil assemblages from 62–46 My old deep-sea sediments and instead find a positive correlation between fish production and ocean temperature over geological timescales, which a data-constrained model explains in terms of trophic transfer efficiency and primary production.
Analytical model for the perceived retinal image formation of 3D display systems

The optical design process of conventional stereoscope-type head mounted displays for virtual and augmented reality applications typically neglects the inherent aberrations of the eye optics or refractive errors of a viewer, which misses the opportunity of producing personal devices for optimal visual experiences. Although a few research efforts have been made to simulate the retinal image formation process for some of the emerging 3D display systems such as light field displays that require modeling the eye optics to complete the image formation process, the existing works generally are specific for one type of display methods, unable to provide a generalized framework for different display methods for the benefit of comparison, and often require the use of at least two different software platforms for implementation which is challenging in handling massive data and implementing compensation of wavefront aberrations induced by display engine or eye refractive errors. To overcome those limits, we present a generalized analytical model for accurately simulating the visual responses such as retinal PSF, MTF, and image formation of different types of 2D and 3D display systems. This analytical model can accurately simulate the retinal responses when viewing a given display system, accounting for the residual eye aberrations of schematic eye models that match with the statistical clinical measurements, eye accommodative change as required, the effects of different eye refractive errors specific to viewers, and the effects of various wavefront aberrations inherited from a display engine. We further describe the numerical implementation of this analytical model for simulating the perceived retinal image with different types of HMD systems in a single computational platform. Finally, with a test setup, we numerically demonstrated the application of this analytical model in the simulation of the perceived retinal image, accommodative response and in the investigation of the eye refractive error impacts on the perceived retinal image based on the multifocal plane display, integral imaging based light field display, computational multilayer light field display, as well as the stereoscope and natural viewing for comparison.
What Do Engineers Do All Day? Using LinkedIn Profiles to Study Engineering Work

This full paper examines the potential for using LinkedIn profile analysis to understand engineers' everyday work activity. Calls for change in engineering education are often framed around perceptions of the changing nature of engineering work in present times. Existing research on engineering work, which draws on interviews, ethnography, case studies, or surveys, consistently highlights the social and contextual dimensions of practice, but also suggests that engineering work may have more to do with maintaining existing systems than with creative development of new systems. To add to this growing body of research, in this exploratory study we turn to a novel data source: publicly available descriptions of engineering work available on social networks and job posting sites. Such data sources, if found to be useful, could significantly expand the reach of research on engineering work and provide access to much larger data sets than those obtained through current – predominantly qualitative – methods. This study is a preliminary look at using LinkedIn for these purposes. Specifically, we ask the question, "How does data about engineering work from LinkedIn compare to findings from in-depth interviews?" To answer this question, we use interviews with 15 new engineers at six and 12 months of work, and compare them to participants' LinkedIn profiles. The interviews, collected as part of a separate study, focused on newcomers' workplace responsibilities and challenges. Analysis focused on inductive coding to categorize engineers' work experiences and environments. The findings were then compared to participants' LinkedIn profiles to identify gaps and overlaps.
A Systematic Review of Internet Communication Technology Use by Youth in Foster Care

This systematic narrative review of the literature reports on the experiences of foster youth regarding the use of Internet Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as social media, focusing only on studies that include youth voice. We searched seven databases for articles published internationally from 2010 to 2020 in which foster youth were interviewed regarding their beliefs about ICTs. Youth report benefits of ICTs including to their relationships and identity formation opportunities, and discuss risks of ICTs and how they manage them. ICTs may benefit positive youth development. Stakeholders may consider ways to assess and support healthy ICT use.
The Successful Use of Left-sided Stellate Ganglion Block in Patients That Fail to Respond to Right-sided Stellate Ganglion Block for the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Retrospective Analysis of 205 Patients.

Introduction Ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) is an injection of local anesthetic (8mL of 0.5% ropivacaine) in the neck to temporarily block the cervical sympathetic trunk which controls the body's fight-or-flight response. This outpatient procedure takes less than thirty minutes and is immediately effective. Our goal was to determine if a left-sided stellate ganglion block is effective for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. While right-sided SGB has been extensively studied, left-sided SGB has not been formally evaluated for this indication. Materials and methods Our hypothesis was that patients who fail to improve following a right-sided SGB will report significant improvement following a left-sided SGB. A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who received SGB for PTSD symptoms between August 2019 and March 2020. All procedures were performed at an established musculoskeletal practice by the same anesthesia/pain fellowship-trained physician. Subjects included those who underwent a left-sided SGB (LSGB) only after non-response to a right-sided SGB (RSGB). Non-response was defined as less than 10 points of improvement on a PTSD Checklist (PCL-5). Results Out of 205 patients, 20 did not respond to an RSGB and were included in our analysis. Ten of these patients subsequently received an LSGB, and 90% responded favorably (PCL-5 mean improvement = 28.3 points). Conclusions Based on our sample of 205 patients receiving SGB for PTSD, we concluded that at least 4.4% did not respond to a right-sided SGB but did have a significant response to a left-sided SGB.
Whole exome sequencing and functional characterization increase diagnostic yield in siblings with a 46, XY difference of sexual development (DSD).

Abstract Pathogenic biallelic variants in HSD17B3 result in 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 (17β-HSD3) deficiency, variable disruption of testosterone production, and phenotypic diversity among 46, XY individuals with differences of sexual development (DSDs). We performed quad whole exome sequencing (WES) on two male siblings with microphallus, perineal hypospadias, and bifid scrotum and their unaffected parents. Both male siblings were compound heterozygous for a rare pathogenic HSD17B3 variant (c.239 G > A, p.R80Q) previously identified among individuals with 17β-HSD3 deficiency and a HSD17B3 variant (c.641A > G, p.E214 G) of uncertain significance. Following WES, the siblings underwent hCG stimulation testing with measurement of testosterone, androstenedione, and dihydrotestosterone which was non-diagnostic. To confirm pathogenicity of the HSD17B3 variants, we performed transient transfection of HEK-293 cells and measured conversion of radiolabeled androstenedione to testosterone. Both HSD17B3 variants decreased conversion of radiolabeled androstenedione to testosterone. As pathogenic HSD17B3 variants are rare causes of 46, XY DSD and hCG stimulation testing may not be diagnostic for 17β-HSD3 deficiency, WES in 46, XY individuals with DSDs can increase diagnostic yield and identify genomic variants for functional characterization of disruption of testosterone production.
Ethanol modulation of hippocampal neuroinflammation, myelination, and neurodevelopment in a postnatal mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Abstract Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are alarmingly common and result in significant personal and societal loss. Neuropathology of the hippocampus is common in FASD leading to aberrant cognitive function. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of ethanol on the expression of a targeted set of molecules involved in neuroinflammation, myelination, neurotransmission, and neuron function in the developing hippocampus in a postnatal model of FASD. Mice were treated with ethanol from P4-P9, hippocampi were isolated 24 h after the final treatment at P10, and mRNA levels were quantitated by qRT-PCR. We evaluated the effects of ethanol on both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules in the hippocampus and identified novel mechanisms by which ethanol induces neuroinflammation. We further demonstrated that ethanol decreased expression of molecules associated with mature oligodendrocytes and greatly diminished expression of a lacZ reporter driven by the first half of the myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) gene (PLP1). In addition, ethanol caused a decrease in genes expressed in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Together, these studies suggest ethanol may modulate pathogenesis in the developing hippocampus through effects on cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage, resulting in altered oligodendrogenesis and myelination. We also observed differential expression of molecules important in synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and neurotransmission. Collectively, the molecules evaluated in these studies may play a role in ethanol-induced pathology in the developing hippocampus and contribute to cognitive impairment associated with FASD. A better understanding of these molecules and their effects on the developing hippocampus may lead to novel treatment strategies for FASD.
Expression pattern of T-cell-associated chemokine receptors and their chemokines correlates with specific subtypes of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Chemokine receptors mediate the migration of lymphocytes through the binding of soluble ligands, and their expression is differentially regulated in lymphocyte subsets. The pattern of chemokine receptor expression in T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma has not been previously studied. Using a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies, we studied the immunohistochemical expression of the Th1-associated chemokine receptor CXCR3 in 141 patients with T-cell lymphoma, and we studied the receptors CCR4 and CCR5 and some of their ligands in a subset of these tumors. Expression of CXCR3 was typical of the smaller T cells in angioimmunoblastic lymphoma (15 of 18 patients), angiocentric lymphoma (3 of 3 patients), histiocyte-rich tumors (4 of 5 patients), and unspecified T-cell lymphomas (17 of 39 patients). CXCR3 expression was seen in only 1 of 15 patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. In contrast, all ALK-positive tumors showed diffuse reactivity for the Th2-associated receptor CCR4 (5 of 5 patients). CCR4 expression was also a consistent feature of the large-cell transformation of mycosis fungoides. CCR5 expression showed no consistent association with any T-cell tumor type. The chemokines Mig (CXCR3 ligand), TARC (CCR4 ligand), and MCP-2 (CCR5 ligand) were detected in intratumoral blood vessels and histiocytes. Mig was also coexpressed by a subset of CXCR3-positive tumor cells in 6 of 20 lymphomas. MCP-2 was highly expressed in stromal cells in 3 patients with nodal involvement by cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. As with normal T-cell subsets, we demonstrated that there is frequent differential expression of chemokine receptors in T-cell tumors, which may explain, in part, the distinctive patterns of spread in different tumor subtypes. (Blood. 2000;96:685-690)