cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mitigating selective forwarding attacks with a channel-aware approach in WMNS

In this paper, we consider a special case of denial of service (DoS) attack in wireless mesh networks (WMNs) known as selective forwarding attack (a.k.a gray hole attacks). With such an attack, a misbehaving mesh router just forwards a subset of the packets it receives but drops the others. While most of the existing studies on selective forwarding attacks focus on attack detection under the assumption of an error-free wireless channel, we consider a more practical and challenging scenario that packet dropping may be due to an attack, or normal loss events such as medium access collision or bad channel quality. Specifically, we develop a channel aware detection (CAD) algorithm that can effectively identify the selective forwarding misbehavior from the normal channel losses. The CAD algorithm is based on two strategies, channel estimation and traffic monitoring. If the monitored loss rate at certain hops exceeds the estimated normal loss rate, those nodes involved will be identified as attackers. Moreover, we carry out analytical studies to determine the optimal detection thresholds that minimize the summation of false alarm and missed detection probabilities. We also compare our CAD approach with some existing solutions, through extensive computer simulations, to demonstrate the efficiency of discriminating selective forwarding attacks from normal channel losses.
Genetic diversity of jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) determined with RAPD and AFLP markers

Abstract Two DNA molecular marker techniques were used to evaluate genetic diversity in 58 accessions of jointed goatgrass and 6 accessions of the related wild species barb goatgrass. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assays were performed on 8 U.S. and 50 Eurasian jointed goatgrass accessions using 30 random decamer primers. The frequency of scorable polymorphic bands within jointed goatgrass was 6 out of 90 (6.7%). Cluster analysis of RAPD data showed small genetic distances (values of 0.005 or less) among jointed goatgrass accessions. To validate the effectiveness of RAPD techniques to detect genetic diversity in tetraploid Aegilops species, six accessions of barb goatgrass were assayed using a subset of 20 decamer primers (from the original 30). RAPD data for barb goatgrass were pooled with jointed goatgrass data from the same primers. A total of 63 scorable bands were generated, of which 27 (43%) were polymorphic between two or more accessions. RAPD analysis readily distinguished between the tw...
Effect of Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy on the Cardiovascular Health of Black and White Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract Background The present study examined racial differences in the cardiovascular health effects of aromatase inhibitors. Patients and Methods Data were analyzed from 77 white and 35 black patients with early-stage breast cancer initiating aromatase inhibitor therapy and subsequently followed for 1 year. At baseline and a 1-year follow-up clinic visit, a comprehensive cardiovascular health assessment was conducted, which included measurement of carotid intima-medial thickness and a blood draw to measure high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and cholesterol concentrations. A detailed questionnaire was also completed. The information collected was used to calculate each patient's 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events at both measurement points. Paired t tests were used to examine the changes in the continuous outcome variables within groups during the study period. Independent t tests were conducted to examine the changes over time between the 2 groups. Results No statistically significant changes in carotid intima-medial thickness, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score, or the other cardiovascular-related outcomes (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, cholesterol levels, blood pressure) during the first year of aromatase inhibitor therapy were observed among either the black or white breast cancer patients or between the 2 groups. Mean grip strength in the dominant hand decreased significantly and similarly during the 1-year period for the white and black breast cancer patients. Conclusion The findings from the present study suggest no large adverse cardiovascular health effects from aromatase inhibitors during the first year of therapy among either black or white breast cancer patients. However, the results of the present study cannot rule out the potential for long-term adverse changes over the duration of aromatase inhibitor therapy or beyond.
Laying the Foundation

Introduction The characteristics associated with medical home recognition among federally qualified health centers were explored. The results will help guide the transformation of health centers and other providers to the medical home model of practice. Methods This study included the universe of 1,198 federally qualified health centers in calendar year 2012; the data were collected in 2013 and analyzed in 2014–2015. Using the 2012 Uniform Data System, descriptive statistics were calculated and differences in means of health center characteristics by third-party medical home recognition status were tested. Multivariable logistic regression models examined correlates of recognition. Results In 2012, 17.3% of health centers had third-party medical home recognition. Health centers in the Northeast had more than three times the odds of being recognized as medical homes, compared with health centers located in the South (OR=3.3, p p p Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of monitoring which types of health centers are falling behind, encouraging the adoption of health information technology, and enabling the recruitment of onsite behavioral health staffing.
Influence of Manganese on the Upper Critical Field of Two Series of β-Quenched- and Precipitation-Heat-Treated NbTi Alloys

The superconducting transition temperature, Tc, and the 4.2-K upper critical field, Hc2, of a series of NbTi alloys both without and with the addition of about 0.5 at. % Mn has been measured resistively and inductively. The samples were in the form of: (1) β-quenched starting ingots and (2) precipitation heat treated (PHT) Cu-matrix mono-filamentary strands. It was noted that: (1) Although the addition of about 0.5 wt. % Mn produced no significant change in the Hc2 and Tc of the homogeneous β-quenched single-phase NbTi series it significantly modified those of the PHT set. The latter result is interpreted in terms of the α-phase-suppressing (i.e. β-stabilizing) propensity of Mn which turns out to be six times stronger than that of Nb. (2) The inductively measured superconducting-transition widths, ΔTc, of the PHT specimens were considerably larger than those of the β-quenched (single-phase) samples as a result of PHT-induced compositional inhomogeneity. (3) An anomalous composition dependence of Tc and ΔTc exhibited by the higher concentration PHT ternary alloys was interpreted in terms of proximity effect associated with a Mn-induced refinement of α-phase particle size.
From biased signalling to polypharmacology: unlocking unique intracellular signalling using pepducins

For over a decade, pepducins have been utilized to develop unique pharmacological profiles that have been particularly challenging for traditional drug discovery methods. It is becoming increasingly clear that these cell-penetrating lipopeptides can access receptor conformations that are currently not accessible through orthosteric targeting. This review addresses the emerging concepts in the development of pepducins including the elicitation of biased signalling, pepducin polypharmacology and recent insight into their mechanism of action.
Analysis on pathogenic surveillance results of infectious diarrhea in 2011 in Dalian

Objective To understand the epidemic characteristics and types of infectious diarrhea pathogens from 2011 to 2012 in Dalian,so as to provide references for the prevention and control as well as clinical treatment of infectious diarrhea.Methods The pathogen strains were isolated by routine stool culture and made serological typing.The biochemical identification of the isolates were carried out by automated microbiology analyzer MicroScan WalkAway-40.Results 22 intestinal pathogenic bacteria were detected out from 109 samples,and the positive rate was 20.18%,in which parahaemolyticus accounted for the largest proportion,followed by shigella.Conclusions Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the primary pathogen caused infectious diarrhea in Dalian presently,followed by Shigella.Based on the surveillance results,prevention and control work of diarrheal disease in Dalian should be carried out in future.
Examining the Work Ethic of Correctional Officers Using a Short Form of the Multidimensional Work Ethic Profile

The work ethic construct has seen increased research attention in recent years and has been applied to a host of different settings. In this study, the work ethic of correctional officers (COs) was...
In Vitro Generation of Human NK Cells Expressing Chimeric Antigen Receptor Through Differentiation of Gene-Modified Hematopoietic Stem Cells

NK cells represent a very promising source for adoptive cellular approaches for cancer immunotherapy, and extensive research has been conducted, including clinical trials. Gene modification of NK cells can direct their specificity and enhance their function, but the efficiency of gene transfer techniques is very limited. Here we describe two protocols designed to generate mature human NK cells from gene-modified hematopoietic stem cells. These protocols use chimeric antigen receptor as the transgene, but could potentially be modified for the expression any particular transgene in human NK cells.
Foundations of fluency-based assessments in behavioral and psychometric paradigms

The chapter presents previous and near term applications and innovations for the assessment of rate-based measures such as fluency. The historical and future developments are discussed within the context of an ideographic behavioral and nomothetic psychometric paradigms of assessment. These paradigms are described and contrasted with descriptions of classical test theory (CTT), generalizability theory (GT), and item response theory (IRT). The interpretation and use argument (IUA) is used to frame the contemporary view on unified validity. These theoretical models are combined with an applied perspective to contextualize and encourage future developments in the measurement of fluency.
USNC/TAM Diversity

A variety of diversity issues come into play for a US National Committee. Over the years, the USNC/TAM has paid considerable attention to several of these including mechanics specialty, age, and organizational representation. Other types of diversity such as gender, racial, and ethnic have received attention only in more recent years. The committee has been unusually successful in addressing the diversity question. Following are statements and data that reflect the Committee diversity through 2012.
SU‐F‐T‐71: A Practical Method for Evaluation of Electron Virtual Source Position

Purpose: Since electrons are easily scattered, the virtual source position for electrons is expected to locate below the x-ray target of Medical Linacs. However, the effective SSD method yields the electron virtual position above the x-ray target for some applicators for some energy in Siemens Linacs. In this study, we propose to use IC Profiler (Sun Nuclear) for evaluating the electron virtual source position for the standard electron applicators for various electron energies. Methods: The profile measurements for various nominal source-to-detector distances (SDDs) of 100–115 cm were carried out for electron beam energies of 6–18 MeV. Two methods were used: one was to use a 0.125 cc ion chamber (PTW, Type 31010) with buildup mounted in a PTW water tank without water filled; and the other was to use IC Profiler with a buildup to achieve charge particle equilibrium. The full width at half-maximum (FWHM) method was used to determine the field sizes for the measured profiles. Backprojecting (by a straight line) the distance between the 50% points on the beam profiles for the various SDDs, yielded the virtual source position for each applicator. Results: The profiles were obtained and the field sizes were determined by FWHM. The virtual source positions were determined through backprojection of profiles for applicators (5, 10, 15, 20, 25). For instance, they were 96.415 cm (IC Profiler) vs 95.844 cm (scanning ion chamber) for 9 MeV electrons with 10×10 cm applicator and 97.160 cm vs 97.161 cm for 12 MeV electrons with 10×10 cm applicator. The differences in the virtual source positions between IC profiler and scanning ion chamber were within 1.5%. Conclusion: IC Profiler provides a practical method for determining the electron virtual source position and its results are consistent with those obtained by profiles of scanning ion chamber with buildup.
On the quantification of phase-field crystals model for computational simulations of solidification in metals

Abstract Phase-field crystals (PFC) is an atomistic model on diffusive time scale with the capability to simulate solidification/melting and the subsequent nano-structural evolution while naturally accounting for elasticity and plasticity. Although PFC was originally introduced as a phenomenological model in materials science (Elder et al., 2002), it was later shown that it can be derived from density functional theory (DFT) by certain approximations (Elder et al., 2007) providing a significant predictive capability for PFC. However, these approximations in PFC, similar to any other higher-scale computational model derived from DFT, have introduced intrinsic challenges for quantifying of PFC for specific materials; i.e. determining PFC model parameters for specific materials. The objective of this article is to present a variety of possible approaches that can be used for quantifying PFC for solidification/melting modeling. Thus, we present a reformulation of PFC model containing two extra parameters and four possible quantification approaches. Then, representative material properties corresponding for each individual approach are calculated and compared with their available experimental/computational counterparts in literature. The representative material properties include elastic constants, liquid and solid densities, liquid structure factor, latent heat, and solid-liquid interface free energy and its anisotropy. We discuss the quantitative capabilities of each quantification approach regarding their prediction of the mentioned representative material properties for Fe as an example material. The discussion provided in this study can be used as a guideline to select the proper quantification approach for researchers who need to use PFC for quantitative modeling.
Female sterilization is more common among women with physical and/or sensory disabilities than women without disabilities in the United States.

Abstract Background Female sterilization accounts for 50% of all contraceptive use in the U.S. The extent to which U.S. women with physical and/or sensory disabilities have undergone female sterilization is unknown. Objective Our primary objective was to determine the prevalence of sterilization for women with physical/sensory disabilities, and compare this to the prevalence for women without disabilities. We also compared use of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods between women with and without disabilities. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the National Survey of Family Growth 2011–2013, a population-based survey of U.S. women aged 15–44. Bivariate comparisons between women with and without disabilities by female sterilization and LARC use were conducted using chi-square tests. Using logistic regression, we estimated the odds of female sterilization based upon disability status. Results Women with physical/sensory disabilities accounted for 9.3% of the total sample (N = 4966). Among women with disabilities only, 28.2% had undergone female sterilization, representing 1.2 million women nationally. LARC use was lower among women with disabilities than those without disabilities (5.4%, 9.3%, respectively, p Conclusions The odds of female sterilization is higher among women with physical/sensory disabilities than those without disabilities. Future research is necessary to understand factors contributing to this finding, including possible underutilization of LARC methods.
In Berle's Footsteps

This foreword introduces the symposium, In Berle’s Footsteps, held in Seattle, Washington over the weekend of November 6-8, 2009. The symposium celebrated the launch of the Adolf A. Berle, Jr. Center on Corporations, Law and Society.
Translational challenges of immunotoxicity assessments

Abstract Predicting the potential of biopharmaceuticals to induce adverse immunologic events has become increasingly complex due to the diversity of treatment modalities and their structural complexity. Furthermore, unintentional or unexpected effects on immune homeostasis may manifest secondary to intended pharmacology. The potential of therapeutics to induce long-lasting adverse effects on the immune system has spurred the drug development community to continuously evaluate scientific practices used to assess liabilities. This article will explore the translational potential of the state-of-the-art immunotoxicology assessments performed in non-clinical species to inform clinical benefit/risk assessments and develop meaningful clinical risk monitoring or mitigation plans. Examples of high impact challenges faced in the translation of immunotoxicity signals from animals to humans and subsequent actions taken based on a deep understanding of the immunobiology of the biopharmaceutics will be highlighted in three case studies.
Broadband, tunable, and monolithic quantum cascade lasers

This article describes the state of research and recent developments related to broadband quantum cascade lasers. Monolithic tuning and system development is also discussed.
The Development of Laser Safety Criteria—Biological Considerations

Concurrent with the development of laser technology, understanding of potential hazards associated with the use of lasers has been expanding. A far more elaborate and specific program of hazard control is now possible with the experience gained in the past few years. Initially, only commonsense safety guidelines could be developed based upon a qualitative understanding of the problem. Tentative safe exposure levels and more specific safety guidelines have resulted from quantitative information derived from two sources: (1) thresholds of injury from laser bioeffects studies, and (2) measurements of primary and reflected laser beam parameters encountered in field and laboratory hazard evaluations of hundreds of laser operations. An understanding of the quantitative aspects of the laser hazard problem is essential, for many safety guidelines applicable to one type of laser have been wrongly applied to a laser with completely different characteristics of wavelength and power output, causing completely different biological effects. This is understandable, considering that output powers of lasers in use today range from microwatts of some continuous-wave (CW) lasers to many gigawatts of pulsed lasers. Verhoeff and Bell (1916), writing at a time when the use of high-intensity man-made sources of radiant energy was increasing, stated very well the need for understanding the quantitative relationships of incident energy and the effects. “These relations have generally been left quite out of reckoning in discussing the subject, with the result of leading to vague and quite unwarranted conclusions as irrelevant as if one should condemn steam heating as dangerous because one can burn his finger upon a radiator.” The objective of this chapter is to provide the reader with an understanding of the quantitative as well as the qualitative aspects of laser hazards.
Design and Synthesis of N1-Modified Imidazoquinoline Agonists for Selective Activation of Toll-like Receptors 7 and 8

A series of N1-modified imidazoquinolines were synthesized and screened for Toll-like receptors (TLR) 7 and 8 activities to identify recognition elements that confer high affinity binding and selectivity. These receptors are key targets in the development of immunomodulatory agents that signal the NF-κB mediated transcription of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines. Results are presented showing both TLR7/8 activations are highly correlated to N1-substitution, with TLR8 selectivity achieved through inclusion of an ethyl-, propyl-, or butylamino group at this position. While the structure–activity relationship analysis indicates TLR7 activity is less sensitive to N1-modification, extension of the aminoalkyl chain length to pentyl and p-methylbenzyl elicited high affinity TLR7 binding. Cytokine profiles are also reported that show the pure TLR8 agonist [4-amino-2-butyl-1-(2-aminoethyl)-7-methoxycarbonyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline] induces higher levels of IL-1β, IL-12, and IFNγ when compared with TLR7 ...
Politics and Professionalism.

To many, this election seemed to be as much a referendum on civility as it was about the political future of our country. Civility lost. How would we as professionals respond?
Geography and Sentencing: Does Country of Citizenship Influence Sentence Longevity?

Contentious debates on immigrants in the United States has led to growing interest in their treatment in the criminal justice system. Much of what is known, however, springs from research that treats immigrants as a homogeneous group. The lumping of all immigrants into one category potentially mask variances in sentencing based on national origins. The current study disaggregates federal sentencing data to explore whether length of sentence differs by the defendantsâ€™ geographical region of citizenship. After controlling for a number of legal and extra-legal factors, sentences imposed upon Mexican citizens were found to be longer than sentences meted out to defendants who are citizens of other countries. Evidence suggesting that national origin has a stronger influence on sentence length than race/ethnicity and legal status was also detected. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Targeting KRAS Directly

RAS proteins play a major, causal role in many human cancers. No therapies have been developed for these cancers because the RAS protein has been considered undruggable given that it has no accessible pocket to which a drug could bind with high affinity, and the mutant proteins that cause cancer are virtually identical to their essential, wild-type counterparts. New technologies in drug development, such as nuclear magnetic resonance–based fragment screening and covalent tethering, and new insights into RAS structure and function have changed this perception and facilitated the development of several drug candidates.
The New Nexus of FDI–MNEs–GVCs and the Transformation of Global Prosperity

This concluding chapter explains how the forces unleashed by the new nexus of the multinational enterprises (MNEs), foreign direct investment (FDI), and global value chains (GVCs) have been shifting the gravity of the world economy towards developing countries, and how, as an inevitable consequence of such forces, the fortunes of the North and the South are being reversed in the twenty-first century.
Report of the Skin Research Working Groups from the GRAPPA 2017 Annual Meeting.

At the 2020 annual meeting of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA), the International Dermatology Outcome Measures (IDEOM) Initiative Psoriasis (PsO) Working Group presented an update on its work to agree on meaningful, valid, and feasible outcome measures for PsO randomized controlled trials and longitudinal observational studies. The Treatment Satisfaction Working Group presented the development of a treatment satisfaction instrument to be utilized in PsO clinical trials. The Musculoskeletal Symptoms Working Group presented an overview of their work conducted to date to define how to best measure musculoskeletal symptoms in PsO clinical studies, and discussed next steps during an open-panel discussion, which included PsO and psoriatic arthritis experts.
Irreducible Transport Phenomena in Chemical Kinetics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses irreducible transport phenomena in chemical kinetics. Transfer of heat and mass is essential to the treatment of rates of reaction in many situations that can be grouped in two categories. In the first category, transport phenomena and, in particular, the flow characteristics that control them are intimately connected with a scale factor. Frequently, the coupling between physical and chemical factors can be said to be irreducible; it is essential to the phenomenon itself. Thus, methane burning in the flame of a Bunsen burner reacts at a rate that is determined by physical and chemical processes that could be uncoupled only by destroying the flame. The chapter discusses a number of effects caused by the irreducible coupling between molecular diffusion of heat or mass and the chemical reaction. It discusses the gel and cage effects, the wall effect, and the penetration effect.
Stakeholder perceptions of contextual factors related to PBIS implementation in high need schools

Positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS) is a thoroughly researched three-tiered framework for preventing and treating challenging behavior in schools. While more than 20 years of researc...
Occupational Distress and Health among a Sample of Christian Clergy

To examine the association between occupational distress, physical and mental health, and health behaviors among clergy, a convenience sample of full-time Christian clergy (N = 221) completed a questionnaire that included the Clergy Occupational Distress Index (CODI) as well as demographic, occupational, health, and behavioral variables. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Higher scores on the CODI were associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, more hours spent sitting per day, and more hours worked per week. Although years in ministry was not associated with scores on the CODI, a covariate in the model (age) did exhibit an inverse relationship with scores on the CODI. The present study provides support for the potential of occupational distress to negatively influence the health of full-time Christian clergy, especially those who are younger. Further research is needed to examine the temporal relationships among occupational distress, health, and health behaviors among full-time clergy.
The Medical and Psychosocial Associations of Alopecia: Recognizing Hair Loss as More Than a Cosmetic Concern

Alopecia encompasses a broad range of hair loss disorders, generally categorized into scarring and non-scarring forms. Depending on the specific pathogenesis of hair loss and geographic location, a number of psychiatric and medical comorbidities, including but not limited to thyroid disease, lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, atopic dermatitis, sinusitis, coronary artery disease, anxiety, depression, and suicidality, have been identified in association with alopecia. In addition to the numerous associated comorbid conditions, patients with alopecia report decreased quality-of-life measures across symptomatic, functional, and global domains. While alopecia can affect patients of all ages, genders, and ethnicities, hair loss may more significantly impact women as hair represents an essential element of femininity, fertility, and female attractiveness in society. Individuals of lower socioeconomic status may also face health disparities in the context of alopecia as a majority of hair loss treatments are considered cosmetic in nature and accordingly are not covered by third-party insurance providers. Although traditionally thought of as a merely aesthetic concern, alopecia encompasses a significant burden of disease with well-defined comorbid associations and genuine psychosocial implications, and thus should be assessed and managed within a proper medical paradigm.
Isolated Renal Metastasis from Primary Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Synchronous Small Cell Lung Cancer

Synchronous multiple primary lung cancer is a unique type of lung carcinomas that are diagnosed with more than two different pathological types in the same or different lung lobes. Isolated metastasis to the kidney is considered rare. Herein, we present a case of a 58-year-old male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 40 pack-year of cigarette smoking, who was diagnosed with synchronous small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with isolated metastasis to the kidney. Isolated kidney metastasis from lung cancer is an infrequent finding; it should be considered when the patient is diagnosed with lung cancer. In the absence of disseminated disease and contraindications, nephrectomy is an option for treatment with chemotherapy or as a palliative measure if the patient is symptomatic.
Chapter 49 – Zinc

: Zinc is an active component of several important enzymes (including collagenase), and it is widely distributed in animal tissues. Zinc affects the metabolism of the pancreas, skin, and male reproductive organs. Zinc toxicity affects several different organ systems. Zinc is normally absorbed from the intestine at an approximate 20-30% efficiency, and competes with Cu++, Fe++, and Ca++ for absorption. Zinc deficiency results in growth retardation, delayed wound healing, photophobia, scaly dermatitis, and sometimes loss of taste and smell. Vitamin A metabolism is partially Zn++-dependent.
Fetal hemoglobin does not inhibit Plasmodium falciparum growth.

Key Points P falciparum growth is not inhibited in either cord or heterozygote hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin erythrocytes. P falciparum growth in fetal hemoglobin erythrocytes is oxygen independent.
Assessing Developmental Environmental Risk Factor Exposure in Clinical High Risk for Psychosis Individuals: Preliminary Results Using the Individual and Structural Exposure to Stress in Psychosis-Risk States Scale

Introduction: Exposure to cumulative environmental risk factors across development has been linked to a host of adverse health/functional outcomes. This perspective incorporating information regarding exposure at differing developmental periods is lacking in research surrounding individuals at Clinical High Risk (CHR) for developing a psychotic disorder. Methods: CHR individuals (n = 35) and healthy volunteers (n = 28) completed structured clinical interviews as well as our group’s newly developed Individual and Structural Exposure to Stress in Psychosis-risk-states (ISESP) interview. Lifetime cumulative scores were calculated, and severity of stress was reported for multiple developmental periods/ages. Group differences were tested, and associations with current symptom domains were examined. Results: Significant group differences were not observed for lifetime cumulative events, though CHR trended toward endorsing more events and greater stress severity. For stress severity across development, there were trending group differences for the 11–13 age range, and significant group differences for the 14–18 age range; notably, comparisons for earlier time points did not approach statistical significance. Associations between negative symptoms and cumulative severity of exposure were observed. Discussion: Results suggest exploring exposure to cumulative environmental risk factors/stressors and stress severity across developmental periods is generally informative and possibly specifically so for predictive models and diathesis-stress psychosis risk conceptualizations.
A Time-to-Death Analysis of Older Adults after Emergency Department Intubation.

Background: Older adults frequently report a preference to “trial” intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV) if faced with life-threatening respiratory failure. Understanding the anticipated outco...
Neural-network classification of cardiac disease from 31 P cardiovascular magnetic resonance spectroscopy measures of creatine kinase energy metabolism

The heart’s energy demand per gram of tissue is the body’s highest and creatine kinase (CK) metabolism, its primary energy reserve, is compromised in common heart diseases. Here, neural-network analysis is used to test whether noninvasive phosphorus (31P) cardiovascular magnetic resonance spectroscopy (CMRS) measurements of cardiac adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy, phosphocreatine (PCr), the first-order CK reaction rate kf, and the rate of ATP synthesis through CK (CK flux), can predict specific human heart disease and clinical severity. The data comprised the extant 178 complete sets of PCr and ATP concentrations, kf, and CK flux data from human CMRS studies performed on clinical 1.5 and 3 Tesla scanners. Healthy subjects and patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, dilated (DCM) or hypertrophic disease, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I-IV heart failure (HF), or with anterior myocardial infarction are included. Three-layer neural-networks were created to classify disease and to differentiate DCM, hypertrophy and clinical NYHA class in HF patients using leave-one-out training. Network performance was assessed using ‘confusion matrices’ and ‘area-under-the-curve’ (AUC) analyses of ‘receiver operating curves’. Possible methodological bias and network imbalance were tested by segregating 1.5 and 3 Tesla data, and by data augmentation by random interpolation of nearest neighbors, respectively. The network differentiated healthy, HF and non-HF cardiac disease with an overall accuracy of 84% and AUC > 90% for each category using the four CK metabolic parameters, alone. HF patients with DCM, hypertrophy, and different NYHA severity were differentiated with ~ 80% overall accuracy independent of CMRS methodology. While sample-size was limited in some sub-classes, a neural network classifier applied to noninvasive cardiac 31P CMRS data, could serve as a metabolic biomarker for common disease types and HF severity with clinically-relevant accuracy. Moreover, the network’s ability to individually classify disease and HF severity using CK metabolism alone, implies an intimate relationship between CK metabolism and disease, with subtle underlying phenotypic differences that enable their differentiation. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00181259.
The Vaginal Microbiome and Cervical Cancer Screening in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

PURPOSEGlobally, cervical cancer affects more than a half-million women each year, with disproportionate incidence and mortality for women in low- and middle-income countries. Early detection throu...
Empirical Characterization of a High-performance Exterior-rotor Type Brushless DC Motor and Drive

Recently, brushless motors with especially high torque densities have been developed for applications in autonomous aerial vehicles (i.e. drones), which usually employ exterior rotortype geometries (ER-BLDC motors). These motors are promising for other applications, such as humanoids and wearable robots; however, the emerging companies that produce motors for drone applications do not typically provide adequate technical specifications that would permit their general use across robotics–for example, the specifications are often tested in unrealistic forced convection environments, or are drone-specific, such as thrust efficiency. Furthermore, the high magnetic pole count in many ER-BLDC motors restricts the brushless drives able to efficiently commutate these motors at speeds needed for lightly-geared operation. This paper provides an empirical characterization of a popular ER-BLDC motor and a new brushless drive, which includes efficiencies of the motor across different power regimes, identification of the motor transfer function coefficients, thermal response properties, and closed loop control performance in the time and frequency domains. The intent of this work is to serve as a benchmark and reference for other researchers seeking to utilize these exciting and emerging motor geometries.
Thawed solvent/detergent-treated plasma demonstrates comparable clinical efficacy to thawed plasma.

Background Thawed Plasma (TP), plasma thawed and refrigerated for up to 5 days, is a commonly transfused plasma product. This pilot study was conducted to determine whether Thawed Solvent/Detergent-treated Plasma stored refrigerated for up to 5-days post-thaw (T-S/D) was as efficacious as TP. Study design and methods This single institution retrospective cohort analysis evaluated the efficacy of T-S/D in reversing coagulopathies in comparison to TP. Utilizing the institution's electronic medical records, transfusion data were collected in adult patients who received either TP or T-S/D. The primary outcome was the incidence of subsequent transfusions within 24 hours after first dose of either type of plasma. Secondary outcomes included the number of blood products transfused within 24 hours of first-dose plasma, correction of pre-transfusion coagulation laboratory values, volume transfused, and clinical outcomes. Results TP was received by 301 patients and 137 received T-S/D during the first 32 months post-implementation of T-S/D. There was no difference in incidence of subsequent transfusions or number of blood products given. The median pre-INR of both the TP and T-S/D cohorts was 1.9, with a similar decrease in INR of 0.2 and 0.3 (p = 0.36), respectively, post plasma transfusion. There was no difference in correction of PT/aPTT, mortality, transfusion reactions, readmission rates, length of stay, or inpatient deep venous thrombosis. The median volume of T-S/D plasma transfused for the first dose was 126 mL less than TP (p = .0001). Conclusion T-S/D was as efficacious as TP for the treatment of coagulopathies and the reversal of coagulation laboratory values.
Multiconfigurational Calculations and Nonadiabatic Molecular Dynamics Explain Tricyclooctadiene Photochemical Chemoselectivity.

Sunlight is a renewable energy source that can be stored in chemical bonds using photochemical reactions. The synthesis of exotic and strained molecules is especially attractive with photochemical ...
Wearables for the Next Pandemic

This paper reviews the current state of the art in wearable sensors, including current challenges, that can alleviate the loads on hospitals and medical centers. During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, healthcare systems were overwhelmed by people with mild to severe symptoms needing care. A careful study of pandemics and their symptoms in the past 100 years reveals common traits that should be monitored for managing the health and economic costs. Cheap, low power, and portable multi-modal-sensors that detect the common symptoms can be stockpiled and ready for the next pandemic. These sensors include temperature sensors for fever monitoring, pulse oximetry sensors for blood oxygen levels, impedance sensors for thoracic impedance, and other state sensors that can be integrated into a single system and connected to a smartphone or data center. Both research and commercial medically approved devices are reviewed with an emphasis on the electronics required to realize the sensing. The performance characteristics, such as accuracy, power, resolution, and size of each sensor modality are critically examined. A discussion of the characteristics, research challenges, and features of an ideal integrated wearable system is also presented.
Effect of particle morphology on dust cloud dynamics

Abstract Dust explosions threaten the solids process industry. Parameters influencing dust explosions include particle size, chemical composition, and polydispersity; however, particle morphology is often overlooked. Studies show particle morphology impacts dust cloud minimum ignition energy (MIE) via heat transfer because higher specific surface results in lower conductive heat resistance. However, heat transfer is not the only factor impacting MIE; the effect of particle morphology on cloud dynamics is another important factor. This work focuses on the influence of particle morphology on cloud aerodynamics during MIE testing. A digital in-line holography method has been developed to measure aerodynamics of particles in an MIE apparatus. Results show higher cloud concentration and turbulence for irregularly shaped particles, and the implication on MIE is discussed. The present results aid understanding of particle morphology on cloud dynamics, which is crucial in determining the effect on explosion parameters such as MIE and the resulting risk assessment.
Responding Together in the Face of the Lord

In this chapter, the attention shifts toward the inside of Nanping Christian buildings as well as their main activities. I focuse on one case study—the Nanping Gospel church—while comparing it with churches of other Nanping Christian networks. I describe and discuss the layout of the building, the various groups which use it, and its main event: Sunday morning services. Unveiling key contrasts between Nanping Christian and non-Christian religious activities, I argue that Christian places of worship and services are heavily centered. They collectively and materially engage congregants with a focal and distinct entity, the Christian God. To further discuss the type of interaction that Christian worships foster, I introduce the notion of the face from Emmanuel Levinas in order to label the peculiar agency that the presence of this Christian center diffuses within the network of relationships displayed throughout Nanping Christian worship events, and beyond.
Increased Risk of Valvular Heart Disease in Systemic Sclerosis: An Underrecognized Cardiac Complication.

Objective Cardiac involvement is a poor prognostic marker in systemic sclerosis (SSc). While diastolic dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, and arrhythmias are traditionally considered features of primary cardiac involvement in SSc, the incidence of valvular heart disease (VHD) is not well reported. Our objective was to examine the prevalence of VHD at the time of SSc diagnosis and incidence of VHD during follow-up compared to non-SSc subjects. Methods Medical records of patients with suspicion of SSc were reviewed to identify incident cases. SSc subjects were matched 1:2 by age and sex to non-SSc subjects. Results The study included 78 incident SSc cases and 156 non-SSc comparators (56 yrs [± 15.7], 91% female). A nearly 4-fold increase in the prevalence of moderate/severe VHD prior to SSc diagnosis compared to non-SSc subjects (6% vs 0%; P = 0.004) was identified. During follow-up, 18 SSc and 12 non-SSc patients developed moderate/severe VHD. The cumulative incidence of VHD at 10 years after SSc incidence/index was 17.9% (95% CI 10.7–29.9) in patients with SSc compared with 2.3% (95% CI 0.7–7.0) in non-SSc subjects (HR 4.23, 95% CI 2.03–8.83). Coronary artery disease was the only significant risk factor for VHD. Conclusion Patients with SSc have a 4-fold increase in the prevalence of moderate/severe VHD at diagnosis compared to non-SSc patients. They also have a 4-fold increased risk of developing moderate/severe VHD after diagnosis of SSc. Aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation have a much higher prevalence in patients with SSc, besides secondary tricuspid regurgitation. Underlying mechanisms for this association require further elucidation.
Role of hydrophobicity in underwater adhesion

Abstract Improvement in adhesion in wet environments serves as a potential avenue for enhancing numerous technologies. Understanding the adhesion between varying surface chemistry interfaces in the presence of water can aid in designing materials. Sum frequency generation spectroscopy (SFG) provides a unique opportunity to measure the presence of water at the interface, which can inform the ideas of interfacial behavior. Additionally, inspiration from nature provides design principles that one can apply in the development of new technologies. In this review, we examine how both fundamental studies of interfaces and the examination of biological systems can highlight the role of hydrophobicity in wet adhesion. Further, we provide an example of a glue derived from some of these principles for medical application.
Concordance Between Standard and Abbreviated Administrations of the Test of Memory Malingering: Implications for Streamlining Performance Validity Assessment

This cross-sectional study examined abbreviated Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) indices, including Trial 1 (T1) and errors on the first ten items of T1 (TOMMe10), and their respective concordance to assess whether the administration of Trial 2 (T2) provides incremental value. Pass/fail concordance between TOMMe10, T1, and T2 was examined among a diverse mixed clinical sample of 414 neuropsychiatric patients. Of those who failed TOMMe10 or T1, 74% and 77%, respectively, went on to fail T2. For those failing TOMMe10 and T1, 82% failed T2. For those failing T1, 0% passed T2 if T1 was below 30, 13% passed T2 if T1 was 30–34, and 33% passed T2 if T1 was 35–39. Further, 60% of those who failed T1 with scores below 40 also failed two or more independent performance validity tests (PVTs). Using currently accepted practice standards of two or more independent PVT failures as indicative of invalid performance, 93% of those with T1 scores below 30, 80% of those with T1 scores of 30–34, 70% of those with T1 scores of 35–39, and 41% of those with T1 scores of 40–41 failed at least one other independent PVT and, thereby, would be classified clinically as demonstrating invalid neuropsychological test performance. Collectively, results indicated TOMM T2 administration is unnecessary with T1 scores below 35 or above 41. Patients with T1 scores of 35–41 had relatively lower rates of invalid performance on T2, although the implications of potential T1/T2 discrepancies for overall validity status remain unclear.
Beyond Privatization: Rethinking Private Sector Involvement in the Provision of Civil Infrastructure

Between January and April 2000, the streets of Cochabamba, Bolivia, erupted in a series of protests over the privatization of the municipal water supply. In response to pressure from the World Bank to increase efficiency and conservation, Bolivia had entered into an agreement with International Waters Ltd. Aguas de Tunari, an international consortium, to provide water service in Cochabamba. Within weeks, water rates were increased by an average of 35 percent to about US$20 per month. In a country where many of the customers earned less than US$100 monthly, such an increase was seen as an intolerable burden for what was considered a public good.
Feasibility and experience of using exception from informed consent in a pilot study of immediate estrogen infusion for hypotensive trauma patients

Many proposed resuscitative therapies for cardiac arrest and trauma will require the earliest possible intervention and would occur under volatile circumstances, making true informed consent for clinical trials unfeasible. The purpose here was to report our experience using exception to informed consent during the inaugural pilot study of infusing estrogen for acute injury, the so-called RESCUE Shock study.
Explicit Manifold Representations for Value-Function Approximation in Reinforcement Learning.

We are interested in using reinforcement learning for large, real-world control problems. In particular, we are interested in problems with continuous, multi-dimensional state spaces, in which traditional reinforcement learning approached perform poorly. Value-function approximation addresses some of the problems of traditional algorithms (for example, continuous state spaces), and has been shown to be successful in a number of specific applications. However, it has been proven not to work in the general case, and has been known to fail even on simple problems. We propose a novel approach to value-function approximation, based on the theory of manifolds. We identify the key failing of current techniques, and show how our approach avoids this problem by explicitly modeling the topology of the state space. We begin with a brief description of the problems of current value-function approximation techniques. We then motivate our proposed approach, outlining the mathematics underpinning it, and provide the results of our initial experiments.