cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes and Complications of Minimally Invasive Surgery of the Lumbar Spine in the Elderly

Introduction: Minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery is gaining popularity in the elderly. With aging population and a strong desire for all patients to remain physically active, this trend will likely continue. Previous studies have reported clinical outcomes in the elderly undergoing MIS surgery; however, most of these studies encompass multiple surgeons at different sites and thus present heterogeneous experiences. In this work, we investigate the clinical outcomes and complications of all lumbar MIS procedures performed in patients over 65 years of age by a single surgeon. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of spine surgeries was performed. Twenty-six patients who underwent 27 procedures were included. Results: Mean age at surgery was 72 years (range 64-86). The mean BMI was 30.2 kg/m2, patients had an average of 5 comorbidities, took 9 medications, and 15% were smokers. The mean symptoms duration was 40.6 months with the numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) prior to surgery of 7.68 and 50% respectively. Six different types of procedures were performed, the most common was the interlaminar decompression and fusion (ILIF) followed by MIS laminectomy, microdiscectomy and MIS lateral fusion (XLIF). 74% of the surgeries were done at a single level. Average blood loss was 43 mL, and the mean length of stay was 1.7 days. There were three complications (11.1%): one urinary tract infection, one pulmonary embolism, and one new, postoperative weakness. At six months follow-up, there was a mean improvement of 27% in ODI, and a 5.6 improvement in NRS (both p<0.05); 90% of patients stated they would have the surgery again. Conclusion: Minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery is both safe and highly effective in the elderly population. Patient selection is of utmost importance. This data will add to the existing literature on the overall safety and effectiveness of these procedures in the elderly population.
Collineations Preserving Betweenness (COBE)

A belineation is a bijection of a plane that preserves betweenness. This chapter shows that every belineation on a Pasch plane is a collineation, and explores the interactions between belineations and segments, rays, lines, sides of a line, angles, and triangles.
A 2D parallel high-order sliding and deforming spectral difference method

Abstract In this paper, we present a novel parallel high-order sliding and deforming spectral difference (SD 2 ) method for solving the two-dimensional compressible Navier–Stokes equations on unstructured quadrilateral grids. In the SD 2 method, an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) approach is combined with a novel sliding interface approach to separately handle rotational and translational motions on a dynamic grid. The SD 2 method is shown to be capable of completely removing grid skewness caused by rotating boundaries to improve solution qualities. The SD 2 method is verified as high-order accurate and is scalable for parallel computing on a distributed-memory computer. The SD 2 method is also proven to be more robust and more accurate than deforming-only ALE approach for problems involving large-amplitude rotating motions.
A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Hunter-Gatherer Social Learning

Social learning among hunter-gatherers has been widely discussed in the literature and authors often draw on ethnographic cases to support theoretical models. In this study we report on the cross-cultural occurrence of various modes and processes of social learning in distinct cultural domains from the ethnographic record. To our knowledge this is the first systematic, cross-cultural study of hunter-gatherer social learning. We rely on the sample of hunter-gatherers in the electronic Human Relations Area Files (eHRAF) to generate our source of ethnographic texts. We have coded and analyzed 982 ethnographic texts from 23 diverse societies. Oblique and vertical transmission appear at similar rates. Various forms of teaching are the most common processes of social learning and account for more than half of all coded texts. Vertical and oblique social learning are predominantly characterized by teaching, whereas horizontal social learning is primarily through collaborative learning. Approximations of age reveal a general developmental pattern in which social learning of miscellaneous skills characterizes infancy, subsistence skills dominate early and middle childhood, and the social learning of religious beliefs are most frequent during adolescence. Across development we identify a reduction in the importance of vertical transmission in favor of oblique transmission, for subsistence skills in particular. These results highlight the importance of teaching in the ethnographic record of hunter-gatherer social learning and provide a systematic, cross-cultural, framework for theoretical models to rely on.
The Khmer lands of Vietnam: environment, cosmology and sovereignty

Philip Taylor’s The Khmer Lands of Vietnam: Environment, Cosmology and Sovereignty provides an unparalleled account of how the Khmer populations – known as Khmer Krom, literally, “Lower Khmer” – li...
Some Aspects of Data Transmission

We have seen in earlier chapters that the sampling theorem enables us to represent band-limited signals by a sequence of samples and that a sample can be transmitted with any desired degree of fidelity as a discrete number by means of a pulse or a group of pulses having discrete amplitudes. We have seen that the transmission of sequences of numbers, or data, has an increasing application in telephony and television as well as in the transmission of alphanumeric data between computers, between terminals, or between terminals and computers. It is also universally used for telemetry from space.
What can daily life assessment tell us about the bipolar spectrum

Evidence suggests that bipolar psychopathology is better characterized as a spectrum than by categorical diagnoses. The examination of symptoms and impairment associated with bipolar spectrum psychopathology is important and can be enhanced by methods that examine affect, thoughts, and behavior in daily life. The present study extended findings that provide validation of a continuum of bipolar psychopathology in daily life. Young adults (n=294) completed the Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS) and experience sampling using smartphones. Participants were signaled eight times daily for one week to complete surveys in their normal daily environment. Bipolar spectrum psychopathology was characterized by increased positive and negative affect, confidence, racing thoughts, energy, and impulsivity in daily life. The HPS moderated the association of stress with trouble concentrating, irritability with dysphoria and impulsivity, and confidence with feeling like one's emotions were out of control. This study demonstrated that bipolar spectrum psychopathology is associated with disruptions in affect, thoughts, and behaviors and provided further evidence for a continuum of bipolar psychopathology. ESM is a promising method for examining dynamic constructs such as bipolar spectrum psychopathology and has the potential to be a strong research and clinical tool.
Cross section and polarization singularities in the twisted-photon absorption by atoms (Conference Presentation)

We calculate transition amplitudes and cross sections for excitation of hydrogen like atoms by the twisted photon states, or photon states with large angular momentum projection on the direction of propagation. It is shown that when the transition rates are normalized to the local photon flux,the resulting cross sections for are singular near the optical vortex center [1], in close relation to the 'quantum core' concept introduced by Berry and Dennis. We also show that the photon state develops polarization singularity in the beam center due to circular dichroism of the photon absorption by atoms via higher multipoles. [1]. A. Afanasev, C.E. Carlson, and A. Mukherjee, High-multipole excitations of hydrogen-like atoms by twisted photons near a phase singularity, Journal of Optics 18, 074013 (2016)
Effect of direct PRBS modulation on laser driven fiber optic gyroscope

We demonstrate that direct frequency modulation with a pseudo random bit sequence (PRBS) improves the angle random walk (ARW) and bias instability (BIS) for a laser-driven fiber optical gyroscope over a continuous wave (CW) laser driven gyroscope. The PRBS modulation is shown to improve the ARW to 0.076 deg/hr1/2 and BIS to 2.298 deg/hr compared to an ARW of 0.172 deg/hr1/2 and BIS of 5.862 deg/hr for the CW case.
Feeding Systems and the Gut Microbiome: Gut-Brain Interactions With Relevance to Psychiatric Conditions.

Background Physical and mental health is dependent on the environment, and feeding is a prime example of this environmental exchange. While the hypothalamus controls both feeding behavior and the stress response, the integration of the neural control centers and the peripheral gut allows for disruption in the gastrointestinal systems and dysfunctional communication to the brain. Objective The purpose of this review is to familiarize clinicians with the physiology controlling feeding behavior and its implications for psychiatric conditions, such as anorexia nervosa and depression. Growing understanding of how integrated bacterial life is in the body has shown that gut bacteria regulate basic physiologic processes and are implicated in various disease states and contribute to regulation of mood. Responses to stress have effects on feeding behavior and mood and the regulation of the stress response by the gut microbiota could contribute to the dysfunction seen in patients with psychiatric illnesses. Conclusions Gut microbiota may contribute to dysfunction in psychiatric illnesses. New opportunities to modulate existing gut microbiota using probiotics could be novel targets for clinical interventions.
The chronically fatigued patient.

This article illustrates that the diagnostic evaluation as well as the management of the patient presenting with chronic fatigue can be done in an orderly manner. If a medical illness is the cause of the patient's fatigue, this is usually evident on initial presentation. A thorough history and complete physical examination, in conjunction with some screening laboratory tests, can rule out most medical causes of fatigue, and any remaining cases declare themselves over the next several visits. If a medical cause is not evident, a further "fishing expedition" is fruitless. Psychiatric illness, such as depression or generalized anxiety disorder, accounts for another significant proportion of cases of chronic fatigue. As with medical illness, psychiatric illness should be suspected based on history and is not a diagnosis of exclusion. Some patients presenting with chronic fatigue have a history and symptom pattern consistent with the diagnosis of CFS. The cause of this syndrome is controversial and is still unknown. The clinician, however, can offer the patient care in an environment that is respectful of their physical and psychological discomfort and can provide significant symptomatic improvement to the patient. Lastly, some patients with fatigue do not fit any diagnostic category, including CFS. As with many other common complaints, such as headaches or abdominal pain, although a diagnosis may not be given to the patient, the clinician can do a lot to reassure the patient and assist the patient in living with his or her symptoms. As Solberg eloquently wrote: "[E]valuation of the fatigued patient requires all of a physician's best attributes--a broad view of disease, psychosocial sensitivity, and a good ongoing relationship with the patient."
Legacies of Childhood Victimization: Indirect Effects on Adult Mental Health Through Re-Victimization

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of childhood victimization on adult mental health, focusing on adult re-victimization as a mediator. Participants (n = 279) were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk reported on childhood victimization, adulthood victimization, and current mental health. Sixty percent of the sample reported at least one incident of re-victimization in adulthood. Three regressions were conducted in SPSS using the PROCESS macro for mediation, and the indirect effect was tested through bootstrapping (10,000) confidence intervals. Total childhood victimization was a significant predictor of current anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. For all models, adulthood re-victimization was a significant mediator of the relationship between childhood victimization and current mental health. The effects of childhood victimization on mental health are at least in part explained by the high risk of chronic re-victimization into adulthood.
Land markets and the distribution of land in northwestern Tanzania

Abstract Land market transactions can have potentially divergent effects on the distribution of land. While they may lead to a concentration of land in the hands of a wealthy minority, the market can also serve as an alternative avenue of land access for those with a limited inheritance. This paper explores the distributional implications of land sales and rental markets in northwestern Tanzania. Using household-level data collected in 2014, we find that households use the land market (particularly the sales market) to adjust their farm size to compensate for a small inheritance, while households with a larger initial endowment are more likely to dispose of land, including through the market. Our results suggest that the local land market, characterized by widespread participation, ultimately increases the equitability of land distribution.
The role of water in extraction and separation of rare earth elements in supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract Rare earth elements can be complexed with tributyl phosphate, thus forming a metal-ligand complex which is soluble in supercritical CO2. In this study, neodymium and holmium nitrate were extracted into supercritical CO2 with varying amounts of tributyl phosphate (from 8 to 80 mM) and water (from 0 to 200 mM). Temperature was held at 60 °C and pressure ranged from 17 to 28 MPa. UV–vis spectroscopy was used to measure supercritical metal concentrations, and near-IR spectroscopy was used to measure water concentrations. It was found that holmium is preferentially extracted over neodymium, with the greatest separation occurring when the molar ratio of tributyl phosphate to lanthanides was approximately 1–2, and when no water was added. Affinity constants were fit to the data. The results suggest that a soluble Ho(NO3)3·2TBP·H2O complex accounts for the preferential extraction of holmium, especially at lower water and tributyl phosphate concentrations.
Being Done: Why People Leave the Church, But Not Their Faith:

Institutionally organized religious life in the United State is undergoing a dramatic transformation. While individual beliefs and practices remain relatively stable, institutional affiliation and ...
From crisis to creative critique: the early twenty-first century Mediterranean crossing on stage and screen in works by Teatro delle Albe and Andrea Segre

The article analyses the 2010 play Rumore di Acque [Noise in the Waters] by the Teatro delle Albe and Andrea Segre’s 2014 docufilm Come il peso dell’acqua [Like the Weight of Water] as creative responses to the Mediterranean migrant crisis. In challenging the frozen representation and rhetoric of public reporting and discourse, characterized by recurring images of boats accompanied by the number of arriving or dead migrants, both works propose a critical reading of the migration phenomenon through a focus on individual stories. As the play and the docufilm themselves cross a sea of genres and expressive tools, they also place the migrant at the centre of an interrogation of national paradigms and Western societies. They ultimately call into question the exclusionary politics and policies of the contemporary world and identify in the empathy towards the human quest for freedom and recognition a lively engine of the early twenty-first-century global community, so profoundly marked by movement and di...
Complex Patterns Across the Migration Process and Associated HIV Testing and Risk Behaviors among Latino Immigrants.

Migrants are at elevated risk for adverse HIV-related outcomes. Yet, there is limited understanding about the complexity of the migration process and the different migration experiences that may influence HIV testing and risk behaviors. This study examined whether patterns in immigrants’ migration experience were associated with HIV risk and preventive behaviors. Surveys were conducted with Latino immigrant adults (n = 306) in New York City during the spring of 2017. Informed by formative interviews, variables were developed to assess the migration process and document information about Latino immigrants’ experiences during six particular stages of migration (pre-departure, travel, destination, interception, return, and settlement). We conducted a Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to detect patterns in the migration experience among participants and examined the associations between the latent classes and HIV testing and risk behaviors. LCA clustered participants into three migration experience classes: positive experience (50.3%), neutral experience (36.3%), and negative experience (13.4%). The migration classes were significantly associated with sociodemographic variables, including sex, age, and income. Different experiences during the migration process did not influence immigrants’ past or current HIV testing or risk behaviors. However, the migration classes were associated with immigrants’ future intentions to test for HIV with the positive migration experience class reporting greater intentions to test for HIV in the next 12 months than the negative experience class (aOR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.21–7.17; p < .05). Results suggest the applicability of a migration experience framework for understanding future HIV risk and preventive behaviors among immigrants.
Basis Pursuit Denoise With Nonsmooth Constraints

Level-set optimization formulations with data-driven constraints minimize a regularization functional subject to matching observations to a given error level. These formulations are widely used, particularly for matrix completion and sparsity promotion in data interpolation and denoising. The misfit level is typically measured in the $\ell _2$ norm, or other smooth metrics. In this paper, we present a new flexible algorithmic framework that targets nonsmooth level-set constraints, including $\ell _1$ , $\ell _\infty$ , and even $\ell _0$ norms. These constraints give greater flexibility for modeling deviations in observation and denoising, and have significant impact on the solution. Measuring error in the $\ell _1$ and $\ell _0$ norms makes the result more robust to large outliers, while matching many observations exactly. We demonstrate the approach for basis pursuit denoise (BPDN) problems as well as for extensions of BPDN to matrix factorization, with applications to interpolation and denoising of 4D seismic data. The new methods are particularly promising for seismic applications, where the amplitude in the data varies significantly, and measurement noise in low-amplitude regions can wreak havoc for standard Gaussian error models.
Development and Elucidation of a Pd-Based Cyclization-Oxygenation Sequence for Natural Product Synthesis

Pd-catalyzed sequences involving oxidative addition, cyclization, and termination through intermolecular nucleophile capture have tremendous utility. Indeed, they can generate a plethora of different polycyclic structures possessing a diverse range of functionality. However, one area of deficiency for Pd0 /PdII variants is the ability to conclude them with oxygen-based species. Inspired by the recent discovery of one such reaction in the course of a total synthesis program, we delineate herein that it has significant strength, both in terms of substrate scope as well as the terminating oxygen nucleophile. As a result, the reaction proved critical in achieving total syntheses of two oxygenated natural products, one of which was prone to over-oxidation. Finally, a mechanistic proposal that accounts for its success is provided.
Nanofluidic Transport Theory with Enhancement Factors Approaching One

High performance water transport in nanopores has drawn a great deal of attention in a variety of applications, such as water desalination, power generation, and biosensing. High water transport en...
Trivariate models generation from unstructured surface manifolds for isogeometric analysis : Application to reduced order modeling with geometric parameters

This work presents a generic framework to construct trivariate isogeometric meshes of complicated geometry and arbitrary topology required for reduced order model applications. Indeed, structured meshes such as isogeometric or pure hexahedral ones are difficult to obtain in an automatic manner. Statistical shape analysis and reduced order modeling require structured and ordered data to be efficient. For that purpose, we use the triangulated solid 3D model's boundary provided from B-Rep CAD (Boundary-Representation in Computer Aided Design) models. Firstable, the workflow includes an integration of a geometry-feature-aware pants-to-cuboids decomposition algorithm. The input triangulated mesh is decomposed into a set of cuboids in two steps: pants decomposition and cuboid decomposition. Cuboid decomposition splits a surface into a set of quadrilateral patches which can define a volumetric layout of the associated boundary surface. Cross fields, i.e., 4-symmetry direction fields are used to guide a surface aligned global parameterization. Optimizing this parameterization, patches of the quadrilateral layout inherited from the cuboid decomposition are re-positioned on the surface in a way to achieve low overall distortion. The optimization process is thought to design cross fields with topological and geometrical constraints. Using the optimized cuboid decomposition, a volumetric layout is extracted. Based on the global parameterization and the structured volumetric layout previously computed, a trivariate isogeometric parameterization is deducted. Learning generalized forms of theorems in the topology field, invariant topological properties are analyzed throughout the proposed process. To finish, for different geometrical instances with the same topology but different geometries, our method allows to have the same representation: trivariate isogeometric isotopological meshes holding the same connectivity. The efficiency and the robustness of the proposed approach are illustrated through several examples of reduced order models using IGA (IsoGeometric Analysis).
Stability Assessment of the Embankment Dam Systems Under Different Seismic Loads in Southern California and Evaluation of the Current Design Criteria

The integrity of system of embankment dams and levees is a crucial component in ensuring the safety of protected communities in any country. The failure of such systems due to natural or man-made hazards can have monumental repercussions, sometimes with dramatic and unanticipated consequences on human life, property and the economy of the states and the country. For highly seismic areas such as Southern California, it is critical to investigate and study the seismic response of embankment dams and levees for the afore mentioned reasons. While experimental studies of embankment dams under seismic loads is expensive, very time consuming, and limited, numerical studies usually suffer from lack of legitimate real data for verification of the developed models. However, organizations such as the California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (CSMIP) instrument lifeline structures such as earth dams and levees with accelerometers and actively collect strong-motion data. The data obtained from CSMIP accelerometers is then processed by the Center for Engineering Strong Motion Data (CESMD) and made public for earthquake engineering applications. In this study, numerical models of existing earth embankment dams verified with site specific CESMD data are created in order to analyze their stability for a future earthquake, for post-earthquake response purposes. The seismic fragility of the modelled dams was assessed, providing insight for decision makers regarding priority areas important for matters such as maintenance, dam retrofit, or first-aid response locations for a hypothetical major earthquake. Society can be better prepared for a potential catastrophic seismic event.
Inferring the Dynamic, Quantifying Physical Complexity

Through its formalization of inductive inference, computational learning theory provides a foundation for the inverse problem of chaotic data analysis: inferring the deterministic equations of motion underlying observed random behavior in physical systems. Integrating the geometric and statistical techniques of dynamical systems with learning theory provides a framework for consistently, although not absolutely, distinguishing between deterministic chaos and extrinsic fluctuations at a given level of computational resources. Two approaches to the inverse problem, estimating symbolic equations of motion and reconstructing minimal automata from chaotic data series, are reviewed from this point of view. With an inferred model dynamic the dynamical entropies and dimensions can be estimated. More interestingly, its structural properties give a measure of the intrinsic computational complexity of the underlying process.
PERIOPERATIVE OPIOID EXPOSURE PATTERNS IN PEDIATRIC ACL PATIENTS: A TEN YEAR ADMINISTRATIVE DATABASE STUDY

Background:Pediatric patients sustaining anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or related injuries are at high risk for opioid exposure in the acute, perioperative and postoperative phases of injury. Ea...
Two-dimensional materials and its heterostructures for energy storage

Abstract The periodic increment in the global energy demand is keeping researchers busy recognizing the potential energy materials for safe, efficient, and inexpensive energy storage. With the imminent exhaustion of fossil fuel and its subsequent environmental consequences, there has been enormous demand for eco-friendly, renewable, cheap, and portable secondary battery that could provide energy storage for variable applications. In past few decades, Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have ruled the market as the leading battery technology and have been the primary source of power in portable electronic devices and electric vehicles owing to their high output voltages, high power density, long cycle life, high rate capability, low maintenance, and wide working temperature ranges. However, with explosion in LIB market and increasing demand for faster charging/discharging electrodes, conventional three-dimensional (3D) electrodes fell short in terms of capacity and charge/discharge kinetics. Burdened by slow charge–discharge process, phase transformations due to reactions, large volume expansions, and mechanical failures, 3D electrodes are being replaced by single-layer-thick two-dimensional (2D) materials that might elude chances of mechanical failure and volume expansions. Favorable characteristics such as flexibility, good conductivity, lightweight, high surface reactivity, along with ability to be altered to form intricate nano-structures, have altogether made 2D materials a promising platform to advance the course for interface tailoring for evolution of battery systems.
Examining day hospital treatment outcomes for sexual minority patients with eating disorders.

Author(s): Donahue, Joseph M; DeBenedetto, Anthony M; Wierenga, Christina E; Kaye, Walter H; Brown, Tiffany A | Abstract: ObjectiveEpidemiological data support that sexual minorities (SM) report higher levels of eating pathology. Theories suggest these disparities exist due to stressors specific to belonging to a minority group; however, few studies have specifically explored differences between SM and heterosexual individuals in clinical eating disorder samples. Thus, the present study compared SM and heterosexual patients with eating disorders on demographic characteristics and eating disorder and psychological outcomes during day hospital treatment.MethodPatients (N = 389) completed surveys of eating pathology, mood, anxiety, and skills use at treatment admission, 1-month post-admission, discharge, and 6-month follow-up. Overall, 19.8% of patients (n = 79) identified as SM, while 8.0% (n = 32) reported not identifying with any sexual orientation. SM were more likely to present across genders (17.7% of females, 24.2% of males, 33.3% of transgender patients, and 87.5% of nonbinary patients).ResultsSM patients were significantly more likely to endorse major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and self-harm at admission than their heterosexual counterparts. Multilevel models demonstrated that across time, SM patients demonstrated greater eating pathology, emotion dysregulation, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Significant interactions between sexual orientation and time were found for eating pathology and emotion dysregulation, such that although SM patients started treatment with higher scores, they improved at a faster rate compared to heterosexual patients.DiscussionConsistent with minority stress theory, SM patients report greater overall eating disorder and comorbid symptoms. Importantly, results do not support that there appear to be significant disparities in treatment outcome for SM patients in this sample of day hospital patients.
An IMM-based Decentralized Cooperative Localization with LoS and NLoS UWB Inter-agent Ranging.

This paper investigates an infra-structure free global localization of a group of communicating mobile agents (e.g., first responders or exploring robots) via an ultra-wideband (UWB) inter-agent ranging aided dead-reckoning. We propose a loosely coupled cooperative localization algorithm that acts as an augmentation atop the local dead-reckoning system of each mobile agent. This augmentation becomes active only when an agent wants to process a relative measurement it has taken. The main contribution of this paper is addressing the challenges in the proper processing of the UWB range measurements in the framework of a loosely coupled cooperative localization. Even though UWB offers a decimeter level accuracy in line-of-sight (LoS) ranging, its accuracy degrades significantly in non-line-of-sight (NLoS) due to the significant unknown positive bias in the measurements. Thus, the measurement models for the UWB LoS and NLoS ranging conditions are different, and proper processing of NLoS measurements requires a bias compensation measure. We also show that, in practice, the measurement modal discriminators determine the type of UWB range measurements should be probabilistic. To take into account the probabilistic nature of the NLoS identifiers when processing UWB inter-agent ranging feedback, we employ an interacting multiple model (IMM) estimator in our localization filter. We also propose a bias compensation method for NLoS UWB measurements. The effectiveness of our cooperative localization is demonstrated via an experiment for a group of pedestrians who use UWB relative range measurements among themselves to improve their shoe-mounted INS geolocation.
Comparing and Combining Cosmic Microwave Background Data Sets

One of the best ways of spotting previously undetected systematic errors in cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments is to compare two independent observations of the same region. We derive a set of tools for comparing and combining CMB data sets, applicable also in the common case where the two have different resolution or beam shape and therefore do not measure the same signal. We present a consistency test that is better than a χ2 test at detecting systematic errors. We show how two maps of different angular resolution can be combined without smoothing the higher resolution down to the lower one, and we generalize this to arbitrary beam configurations. We also show how lossless foreground removal can be performed even for foreground models involving scale dependence, latitude dependence, and spectral index variations in combination.
Plasmodium falciparum finds the winning combination

After 3 years of laboratory drug pressure in the presence of a picomolar inhibitor, the parasite Plasmodium falciparum developed a combination strategy of gene amplification and mutation to regain viability. The mutation observed led to a dysfunctional enzyme, but new research reveals the clever mechanism behind its success. Not that we needed a reminder of nature's creativity in the time of a pandemic.
A study of Kollicoat® MAE100P film's structure and properties.

Abstract Generally, an organic-solvent-based film is denser and tougher than a corresponding aqueous-dispersion-based film. However, Kollicoat® MAE100P films prepared from aqueous dispersions had greater tensile strengths compared to the films cast from organic solutions. It was proposed that MAE100P polymer particles in aqueous media had a core–shell structure with a hydrophilic shell and a hydrophobic core. The hydrophilic shell was rich in ionized methacrylic acid (MAA) groups and the hydrophobic core primarily contained unionized MAA and ethyl acrylate (EA). As a result, ionized MAA formed a continuous phase which worked as a rigid frame and greatly improved the mechanical properties of aqueous-dispersion-based films. In order to prove this theory and investigate the effect of ionization level on this polymer system, the properties of pH, turbidity, zeta potential, and particle size of MAE100P dispersions were measured as a function of ionization level. The tensile strengths and thermal and mechanical properties of MAE100P films prepared from organic solution or aqueous dispersions of different ionization levels were investigated as well. FTIR was used to characterize the polymer films. Drug release in 0.1 N HCl from coated pellets was studied using the basket method. The experimental results showed that the original MAE100P polymer particles (if not specified, the ionization level is 6%) had a highly-charged surface. The properties of polymer aqueous dispersions were significantly changed by the ionization levels. Aqueous-dispersion-based MAE100P films or coats were stronger and comparable to or somewhat more effective in inhibiting drug diffusion than were organic-solvent-based coats. The tensile strength initially increased and then decreased with an increase of ionization level, while the water-uptake rate by the films continuously increased. Two endothermic peaks were observed in the DSC thermograms for cured MAE100P films. The high-Tg endothermic peak increased with an increase in ionization level, while the low-Tg peak didn’t exhibit significant change except for the 18% ionization film. In the dynamic mechanical analysis, two relaxations in the storage modulus were observed in the aqueous-dispersion-based films. These data may suggest a two-phase structure in the form of a core–shell structure. The tensile-strength ratio for aqueous-dispersion–based films over organic-solvent-based films for MAE100P was close to that reported for films formed from polymer substances/particles with core–shell structures. In summary, the core–shell structure might result in a two-phase structure in the bulk MAE100P film prepared from aqueous dispersion. This special structure led to significantly-improved mechanical properties for aqueous-dispersion-based MAE100 films. The ionization levels had complicated effects on the polymer system by increasing the amount of ionic aggregates while also solubilizing the polymer and changing the mechanism of film formation.
Incidental learning of proper names and "earwitness" recall.

This study tested recall of proper names versus other details of a crime in incidental learning conditions designed to parallel recall when an “earwitness” reports what he or she overheard from som...
Abstract 2827: Inactivating calcium-sensing receptor polymorphisms at rs1801725 are associated with increased risk of secondary malignancies

The dysregulation of systemic calcium homeostasis during malignancy is common in most patients with high-grade tumors. The associated comorbidity is known as cancer-induced hypercalcemia (CIH) which affects up to 30% of cases, in the absence of metastasis. In the course of breast cancer progression, the secretion of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) by tumor cells and the associated destruction of bone tissues, leads to a progressive increase in systemic calcium or CIH. The increase in circulating Ca2+ is sensed by the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), which plays a significant role in maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis. More than 200 mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CaSR gene have been described, including the A986S CaSR at rs1801725 and Q1011E CaSR at rs1801726 SNPs with reduced sensitivity to Ca2+. Interestingly, high circulating Ca2+ is associated with aggressive breast tumors in premenopausal women and larger tumors in postmenopausal women; however, the contribution of the CaSR in breast cancer progression remains poorly understood. Unlike SNPs at rs1801726, up to 20% of breast cancer patients with SNPs at rs1801725 may be predisposed to higher circulating Ca2+ in the course of their disease. Since breast cancer frequently metastasizes to Ca2+ rich skeletal tissues, we hypothesize that the development of CIH and subsequent desensitization of the CaSR by sustained high Ca2+ is critical for both the adaptation of TNBC cells to CIH in Ca2+ rich microenvironments and TNBC progression. Our preliminary data reveal that the expression level and mutational status of the CaSR is cell type-specific, and that sustained high Ca2+ desensitizes the receptor, but promotes tumor cell growth and motility. In addition, our preliminary data show that the A986S SNP is associated with hypercalcemia, secondary malignancy of bone and respiratory organs, and deficiency of humoral immunity. This study provides novel insights into not only the adaptation of TNBC cells to high circulating Ca2+, but also suggests that mutations of the CaSR at rs1801725 are predictive of the likelihood for metastasis to lungs and bone. Citation Format: Heather K. Beasley, Ky9Era V. Actkins, Annika B. Faucon, Lea K. Davis, Amos M. Sakwe. Inactivating calcium-sensing receptor polymorphisms at rs1801725 are associated with increased risk of secondary malignancies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2827.
In vitro biomechanical comparison of a 4.5 mm narrow locking compression plate construct versus a 4.5 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate construct for arthrodesis of the equine proximal interphalangeal joint.

Objectives: To compare the in vitro biomechanical properties of a 4.5mm narrow locking compression plate (PIP-LCP) with 2 abaxially located transarticular screws and a 4.5mm limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) with 2 abaxially located transarticular screws using equine pasterns. Study Design: Experimental. Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of 2 methods for stabilizing adult equine forelimb PIP joints. Animal: Adult equine forelimbs (n=8 pairs). Methods: Each pair of PIP joints were randomly instrumented with either a PIP-LCP or LC-DCP plate axially and 2 parasagitally positioned 5.5mm transarticular screws. The proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx (P1) and the distal aspect of the middle phalanx (P2) were embedded to allow for mounting on a mechanical testing machine. Each construct was tested in both cyclic and subsequently single cycle to failure in 4-point bending. The displacement required to maintain a target load of 1kN over 3600 cycles at 1Hz was recorded. Maximum bending moment at failure and construct stiffness was calculated from the single cycle to failure testing. Results: In cyclic testing, significantly more displacement occurred in the LC-DCP (0.46±0.10mm) than for the PIP-LCP (0.17±0.11mm) constructs (P=.016). During single cycle testing there was no significant difference in the bending moment between the LC-DCP (148.7±19.4Nm) and the PIP-LCP (164.6±17.6Nm) constructs (P=.553) and the stiffness of the LC-DCP (183.9±26.9Nmm) was significantly lower than for the PIP-LCP (279.8±15.9N/mm) constructs (P=.011). All constructs failed by fracture of the bone associated with the transarticular screws and subsequently bending of the plates at the middle hole. Conclusions: Use of the PIP-LCP resulted in a stiffer construct of the same strength as the LC-DCP in vitro using this 4-point bending model.
Predicting delirium: a review of risk-stratification models.

Abstract Background Delirium is a common condition in hospitalized patients and is associated with multiple adverse outcomes. There is increasing evidence to support interventions that prevent delirium, so the identification of patients at high risk is of significant clinical value. Numerous risk factors have been identified, including both premorbid patient characteristics and acute precipitants. Despite this, predicting the occurrence of delirium remains a clinical challenge. Objective This article reviews studies of validated risk-stratification models for delirium. We discuss possible barriers to use of these models and future directions for research. Methods A comprehensive review of the literature was completed using PubMed and Embase. The resulting citations were filtered in a structured process. Inclusion criteria were original research, adult medical inpatient population and presence of a validation group in the study design. Results Ten cohort studies met inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was moderate to good. All studies proposed models using clinical data to predict the risk of patients' developing delirium. Conclusion The most common risk factors identified were preexisting cognitive impairment, medical comorbidity, elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen, and impairment in activities of daily living. While multiple validated predictive models exist, there is substantial heterogeneity between models, and only one replication study has been performed. In addition, difficulties in implementation may be a barrier to broader use of these models. There is limited support for an accurate and reliable tool to predict inpatient delirium. Further research is needed in this clinically important area.
DOCUMENTING EARLY LITHIC TECHNOLOGIES IN SOUTH AMERICA

* These comments were originally presented at the “Early Lithic Technologies: Beyond Regional Projectile Point Typologies” Symposium at the 77th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Memphis, Tennessee, April 2012. Guest editors Kurt Rademaker and Cesar Mendez coordinated the peer-review process following the journal’s editing policies.
Cdc42 plays a requisite role in dopamine transporter endocytic trafficking (896.6)

Dopaminergic neurotransmission is essential for voluntary movement, reward and cognition, and dopamine (DA) signaling is implicated in Parkinson’s disease, addiction and schizophrenia. The presynaptic Na+/Cl--dependent DA transporter (DAT) recaptures released DA, thereby temporally and spatially sculpting DAergic neurotransmission. DAT is potently inhibited by addictive (cocaine, amphetamine [AMPH]) and therapeutic (methylphenidate) psychostimulants. DAT loss-of-function mutations lead to infantile Parkinsonism and several DAT coding variants are associated with ADHD. Thus, intrinsic cellular mechanisms modulating DAT availability are likewise predicted to significantly impact DAergic neurotransmission. PKC activation and AMPH exposure acutely decrease DAT surface expression via robust endocytic trafficking. However, the mechanisms governing DAT membrane trafficking are not clearly defined. We recently demonstrated that 1) Rin GTPase activity is required for PKC-stimulated DAT internalization and 2) DAT e...
The Practical Art of Suicide Assessment: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals and Substance Abuse Counselors

Written by a respected figure in the field of clinical interviewing, this practical manual offers busy front-line clinicians a rapid, thorough, and sensitive interviewing strategy to determine lethal risk: the Chronological Assessment of Suicide Events (C.A.S.E.). The C.A.S.E. model, a unique and innovative approach to suicide assessment, was developed by Dr. Shea and has been heralded as "the single best suicide assessment strategy" by Thomas Ellis (a noted suicidologist). It is quick and efficient, qualities that make it particularly appropriate for time-pressed clinicians in the managed care environment. This book is written in a practical manner, and contains dozens of sample questions and assessment interview transcripts.
Narrow bandwidth and tunable hard x-rays from an all-laser-driven Thomson light source

We report the results of experiments in which a single laser system is used to both accelerate electrons (0.5 GeV) and generate hard x-rays, by means of inverse Compton scattering. The x-rays are shown to have narrow bandwidth (50%) over a wide range of photon energies (50 keV -- 9 MeV). Results on the application of this novel source to x-ray radiography with high-resolution (< 5 micron) are also discussed.
Tissue engineering scaffold for sequential release of vancomycin and rhBMP2 to treat bone infections

The ability of silica calcium phosphate nanocomposite (SCPC75) for the controlled sequential delivery of vancomycin (Vanc) and rhBMP2 was evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses of the SCPC75 showed an increase in the bond energy of the PO4 (-3) due to the interactions with negatively charged moieties of Vanc. Furthermore, a decrease in the bond energy of the Si-O-Si functional groups was observed after rhBMP2 adsorption. In conjunction with the differences in bond site and bond energy at the ceramic/drug interface, significant differences in drug release kinetics and bioceramic dissolution rate were found. UV-vis spectrometry showed a burst release of Vanc in the first 8 h followed by a sustained release stage for up to 28 days. ELISA showed first-order release kinetics of rhBMP2 without burst release. The rhBMP2 release from SCPC75 was associated with a significantly lower rate of Ca and a higher rate of Si dissolutions when compared with Vanc release over identical time periods. Differences in the release kinetic profiles of Vanc and rhBMP2 from the SCPC75-Vanc/SCPC75-rhBMP2 scaffolds at 70/30, 50/50, or 20/80 ratios allowed for sequential drug release profiles that could be exploited to customize doses and release duration of each drug. The released rhBMP2 significantly upregulated MC3T3-E1 expression of collagen type I, osteopontin, and osteocalcin mRNA by 12.6-, 3.3-, and 2.4-fold, respectively. The released Vanc demonstrated bactericidal effects on Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. These results suggest the potential of SCPC75-Vanc-rhBMP2 scaffolds in the treatment of damaged and/or infected bone.
On the Existence and Construction of Robust Communication Protocals for Unreliable Channels

A simple necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of robust communication protocols for arbitrary alphabets and a large class of transmission errors is presented. This class of errors, called transformation errors, consists of those errors where symbols (messages) may be lost or corrupted to other symbols. The proof is used as the basis of a procedure for automatically constructing robust protocols for transformation errors. The protocols generated are small in size, despite not being custom-designed. The results presented generalize and expand upon those of Aho et al. [AUY79]. Two protocols are constructed to illustrate our technique, and are contrasted with those of Aho et al.
Vicious circles in civil commitment

Mental health legislation recently enacted in various states has improved on older laws by recognizing new procedural rights for patients. In many instances, however, it has also prevented treatment for patients who are severely ill. The authors discuss the new laws and the way they have effected the cooperative efforts of social workers, lawyers, and psychiatrists, the three groups involved in civil commitment.