cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SiGe: Materials and Devices for Quantum Computing?

Quantum dots in silicon/silicon-germanium offer several potential advantages for quantum computing, including long spin coherence times and compatibility with silicon device fabrication. Recently, it has become possible to use Schottky gates to define quantum dots in Si/SiGe heterostructures at low temperatures. Here we describe progress in the fabrication and measurement of silicon quantum dots, demonstrating extremely low electron number, low noise, and charge stability over many weeks. In addition to quantum dots and nanostructures, we also show that silicon-germanium single crystals can be fabricated into ultra-thin, freestanding membranes. Thicknesses as thin as one hundred nanometers and lateral widths as large as a centimeter across have been achieved. Such nanomembranes are flexible and, importantly for quantum computing, can be elastically strained without the generation of defects. Nanomembranes can be transferred to essentially arbitrary substrates, including rigid substrates like oxidized silicon for the creation of quantum devices, as well as flexible substrates. Measurements on membranes both before and after the generation of elastic strain confirm that elastic strain sharing generates the required band alignments for the creation of quantum wells. We use this technology to create modulation-doped two-dimensional electron gases
Cholinergic pharmacology of mammalian hippocampal pyramidal cells.

Abstract Responses of CA1 pyramidal cells to cholinergic compounds were recorded with intracellular microelectrodes in guinea-pig hippocampal slices. Perfusion of slices with medium containing the muscarinic antagonists atropine or scopolamine (10 −7 −10 −6 M) blocked all actions of acetylcholine. Properties of control neurons and those from separate populations of neurons impaled in slices exposed to muscarinic blocking agents were compared. 1–2 h of perfusion with atropine-containing media significantly decreased membrane input resistance from 37.6 ± 8.7 (S.D.) MΩ ( n = 74) to 21.9 ± 7.7 (S.D.) MΩ ( n = 24) without producing significant changes in membrane potential. Muscarinic antagonists also reduced or eliminated the anomalous inward rectification normally seen in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Exposure of slices to 10 −5 −10 −6 M eserine for about l h produced changes in neuronal membrane input resistance and potential and slow after hyperpolarizations similar to those elicited by application of acetylcholine. Bethanechol mimicked the actions of acetylcholine but was effective at lower concentrations and had longer lasting effects on afterhyperpolarizations. Nicotine produced an excitatory response in only one of 7 neurons. These experiments demonstrate that the actions of acetylcholine on hippocampal CA1 neurons result from interaction with muscarinic receptors. Acetylcholine has modulatory effects on cell membrane properties which may be mediated through tonic release mechanisms.
Performance regimes of uncoded linear communications over AWGN channels

Streaming degradable content (such as video or audio) over a wireless channel presents new challenges to modern digital design, which was founded on the separation theorem of Shannon theory. Joint source-channel coding (JSCC) has recently received increasing interest to address the varying nature of the wireless channel conditions (under mobility or multicast). The conventional approach to JSCC which combines successive refinement with superposition coding is still digital and separable. However, for a white Gaussian source on a white Gaussian channel, it is outperformed by uncoded, linear scaling, which achieves Shannons distortion limit. Practical degradable content sources are not white, but better approximated by multivariate / non-white Gaussian models. We investigate the performance of a linear, uncoded communication scheme for such sources. We find that there exist regimes where the uncoded scheme is near-optimal for point-to-point communication and provides significant gains over the conventional digital design for broadcast.
The immune response to tuberculosis infection in the setting of Helicobacter pylori and helminth infections

We screened 176 healthy, adult (aged 18-55 years) US refugees from tuberculosis (TB)-endemic countries to evaluate whether cytokine responses to latent TB infection (LTBI) are modified in the setting of concurrent H. pylori and helminth infection. As measured by the Quantiferon-TB GOLD interferon-γ release assay, a total 38 (22%) subjects had LTBI, of which 28 (74%) also were H. pylori seropositive and/or helminth infected. Relative to ten subjects with LTBI only, 16 subjects with concurrent H. pylori infection had significantly elevated levels of IFN-γ, and nine subjects with both H. pylori and helminth infection had significantly elevated levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-13, and IL-5. H. pylori is associated with enhanced IFN-γ responses to TB, even in the setting of concurrent helminth infection. Efficacy of TB vaccines may vary with the co-existence of these three infections in the developing world.
Security-Constrained Generation and Transmission Outage Scheduling With Uncertainties

This study presents a stochastic model for the independent system operator's (ISO's) optimal coordinated long-term maintenance scheduling of generation units and transmission lines with short-term security-constrained unit commitment (SCUC). Random disturbances of power systems including forced outages of generation units and transmission lines, load forecast errors, and fuel price fluctuations are modeled as scenario trees using the Monte Carlo simulation. Lagrangian relaxation (LR) is applied to separate the coordinated optimization problem into long-term equipment maintenance (LTEM) and stochastic long-term SCUC (LTSCUC) subproblems. For the stochastic LTSCUC subproblem, scenario bundle constraints are relaxed via LR and the optimization problem is decomposed into deterministic LTSCUC problems. LR is applied to each deterministic LTSCUC to relax long-term fuel and emission limits and decompose the problem into short-term SCUC subproblems. The decomposition is further applied to short-term SCUC subproblems for separating hourly unit commitment and transmission network constraints. The unit commitment is formulated as a mixed-integer programming (MIP) problem and solved by the branch-and-cut method using CPLEX. The outcome of this study includes the hourly scheduling of outages of generation units and transmission lines, which corresponds to the optimal generation unit commitment and dispatch, and transmission flows. The hourly schedules minimize the total cost of operation and maintenance and satisfy long-term and short-term constraints of generation units and transmission network with the inclusion of power system uncertainty. A modified IEEE 118-bus system is used to exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed scheduling approach.
Why the term 'low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ' should be changed to 'borderline breast disease': diagnostic and clinical implications

During the last several years, increased public awareness, advances in breast imaging and enhanced screening programs have led to early breast cancer detection and attention to cancer prevention. The number of image-detected biopsies has increased, and pathologists are expected to provide more information with smaller tissue samples. These biopsies have resulted in detection of increasing numbers of high-risk proliferative breast disease and in situ cancers. The general hypothesis is that some forms of breast cancers may arise from established forms of ductal carcinoma in situ and atypical ductal hyperplasia, and possibly from more common forms of ductal hyperplasia. However, this is an oversimplification of a very complex process given the fact that the majority of breast cancers appear to arise de novo or from a yet unknown precursor lesion. Currently, atypical ductal hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ are considered as morphologic risk factors and precursor lesions for breast cancer. However, mor...
Live fire testing: assessing blunt impact and acceleration injury vulnerabilities

The joint services live fire testing program is a vulnerability and lethality assessment program in which realistic munitions are fired at combat-loaded U.S. systems. The program provides direct visual observation of potential damage caused by weapons effects on targets and crew under combat conditions and provides data assisting subjective engineering judgments on system vulnerabilities with the rapid advance in munitions technologies. Congress and the Department of Defense recognize the need to improve the scientific capability to estimate the effects of weapon systems on humans and the need to produce precise estimates of potential casualties in combat situations. This study evaluates the current U.S. capability to make credible crew casualty assessments of blunt impact and acceleration injury in live fire tests. It summarizes the results of a 2-day workshop hosted by the Department of Defense to identify potential live fire threats, mechanisms of injury and performance criteria, available data bases, requirements for instrumentation and analysis, use of crew casualty information in weapon system evaluations and risk assessments, and to prioritize future efforts. It also develops a strategy for improving the U.S. capability to assess injury risks. Language: en
Altruism and the Argument from Offsetting Transfers

Individuals frequently give gifts or make transfers to others for altruistic reasons. Parents devote time to raising their children, spouses make sacrifices on each other's behalf, and friends do favors for friends. We are also linked to many people indirectly because we care for someone who cares for them.
Programming Mechanical and Physicochemical Properties of 3D Hydrogel Cellular Microcultures via Direct Ink Writing

3D hydrogel scaffolds are widely used in cellular microcultures and tissue engineering. Using direct ink writing, microperiodic poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate) (pHEMA) scaffolds are created that are then printed, cured, and modified by absorbing 30 kDa protein poly-l-lysine (PLL) to render them biocompliant in model NIH/3T3 fibroblast and MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cell cultures. Spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) live cell imaging studies are carried out to quantify cellular motilities for each cell type, substrate, and surface treatment of interest. 3D scaffold mechanics is investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM), while their absorption kinetics are determined by confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM) for a series of hydrated hydrogel films prepared from prepolymers with different homopolymer-to-monomer (Mr ) ratios. The observations reveal that the inks with higher Mr values yield relatively more open-mesh gels due to a lower degree of entanglement. The biocompatibility of printed hydrogel scaffolds can be controlled by both PLL content and hydrogel mesh properties.
MODIFICATION OF THE BASAL ARCHITECTURE OF RENAL TUBULE CELLS IN AGED RATS.

SummaryModification, in the form of basal protrusions, occurred in renal tubule cells of aged rats in areas where the peri-tubular basement membrane had become thickened. These changes were present in all aged rats regardless of the type, quality or quantity of their diet. It is suggested that this alteration is an attempt by the cell to compensate for an increase in resistance to transport presented by thickening of the basement membrane.
The Cow-Calf Operation Retained Ownership Decision

Cow-calf producers have the opportunity to maintain ownership of their animals beyond the traditional sale point at weaning. Potential benefits of retained ownership postweaning include increasing animal value through weight gain, obtaining postweaning performance information, and capturing rewards associated with superior genetics and preventative health programs. Possessing calves through the finishing phase also increases risk for the cow-calf producer compared with marketing at weaning due to price uncertainty at the time of sale and postweaning performance variability. The decision to retain ownership should be based on an understanding of current beef industry structure, an estimation of potential risks (e.g., price, health, performance), and the risk preferences of the decision maker.
Investigation of Microboiler for Discarded Thermal Scavenging

This paper presents detailed fabrication and operational characterization of a MEMS based microboiler designed to scavenge waste thermal energy from sources like transportation or industry. Microboiler operation is based on capillary action that drives the working fluid from surrounding reservoirs to the surface that is heated by the waste thermal energy. As a result of phase change from liquid to vapor, pressure is created inside the enclosed central steamdome. This pressurized vapor can be made available to another MEMS device (PZT membranes, thermoelectric, etc.) to produce useful power output. In contrast to previous work, the new miniature microboiler design has undergone several modifications that improve operating efficiency. Capillary channels that were designed in linear fashion have been upgraded to a radial layout. This modification facilitated boiler enhancements in capillary flow, operating pressure, and rate of mass transfer. Capillary channels are formed from the silicon substrate with 50 μm widths and 100 μm depths. Power inputs of 2W, 3W and 4W are utilized to characterize performance. Maximum energy absorption via phase change of working fluid was 1.6 mW given a source temperature of 128 °C. The maximum steady state operating pressure achieved during testing was 3.65 kPa.© 2013 ASME
Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Intramyocardial Arteries and Arterioles in Man

Proliferative lesions, which include collagen, elastic fibers and abnormally oriented muscle fibers, were found to develop in intramyocardial arteries more rapidly with age in cigarette smokers than in nonsmokers. The study attempted to determine whether these lesions reduce perfusion pressures in the subendocardial zone of the left ventricle. The amount of muscle in arterioles appears to reflect perfusing pressures, so measurements were made of decreases in muscle in arterioles between the subepicardial and subendocardial zones of the left ventricle to detect decreases in arteriolar perfusing pressures between the two areas. The decreases in arteriolar muscle between the two zones were then compared with the extents of the intramyocardial arterial lesions. Those individuals who had the most extensive arterial proliferative lesions had the greatest decreases in arteriolar muscle from the subepicardial to the subendocardial zones. In persons less than 60 years old the mean decreases in arteriolar muscle between the two zones were 1% for nonsmokers and 17% for smokers. For those more than 60 years old the values were 21 and 41%.
NOVEL NON-INVASIVE SECURE SKIN CLOSURE FOLLOWING TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY LEADS TO FEWER WOUND COMPLICATIONS AND NO PATIENT HOME CARE VISITS COMPARED TO SURGICAL STAPLES

Introduction Superficial wound complications can occur in up to 10% of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients and have been associated with deep infection. The ideal material for TKA closure should fulfill the following requirements: 1) fast intraoperative application, 2) minimal wound complications and discomfort, and 3) can be removed by patients without a home care visit. We present our experience with a novel, non-invasive, removable skin closure system compared to conventional staple closure. Methods We prospectively evaluated 105 consecutive patients who underwent unilateral or bilateral primary TKA and received skin closure consisting of the Zip 16 Surgical Skin Closure System (Zipline) for skin. All procedures were performed a by single surgeon (SBH) using a mini-midvastus approach. All patients were mobilized on the day of surgery and received 2 weeks of Rivaroxaban thromboprophylaxis. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, in-hospital complications and wound healing and complications during the first 6-week post-operatively were recorded. Data was compared to a previous TKA cohort of 1,001 patients from the same surgeon who received staples for closure and warfarin for thromboprophylaxis. Results Zip and staple patient groups had similar age, gender and BMI. There was a higher percentage of diabetic patients in the Zip closure group (12% vs. 10%). All 105 patients with Zip closure removed dressings themselves and had healed wounds with no noted drainage or blistering at six-weeks. Two patients had protruding subcutaneous vicryl stitches that were removed. In the staple group there were six knees (0.6%) that had wound drainage with 2 (0.2%) requiring reoperation for debridement and reclosure. Discussion In our experience, the Zip 16 Surgical Skin Closure System is easy to apply, avoids the need for home care or office visit and had fewer wound complications compared to staples. Results have been positive despite the study cohort having a higher number of diabetic patients and using an anticoagulant which may be associated with higher risk of wound problems.
Survey of chlorine dioxide application in rural water plant in Beijing

Objective:To investigate rural water plants applying chlorine dioxide disinfection and know the situation of chlorine dioxide application in Beijing′s rural water plant.Methods:Water plant′s basic information was collected,water quality and chlorine dioxide generator′s related items were tested.Results:In Beijing′s rural area,chlorine dioxide generators had low running rate.There was only 9% water plants′ chlorine dioxide residue reach the standards.The chlorine dioxide conversion rate of the pure generator was better than the compound type.Conclusion:To enhance the education of drinking water disinfection and intensify the monitoring of drinking water quality,and make pure chlorine dioxide generator as a priority when decide to buy chlorine dioxide generator for safe drinking water.
Surgical Reduction and Fixation of Tibial Spine Fractures in Children: Multiple Fixation Strategies

A tibial spine fracture is an osseous avulsion of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) from its attachment on the intercondylar tibial eminence. Most commonly affecting the immature skeletal systems of children between 8 and 14 years old, tibial spine fractures are frequently regarded as the pediatric equivalent to adult midsubstance ACL injuries. While all nondisplaced and selected partially displaced fractures can be treated nonoperatively, surgical fixation is most frequently used for completely displaced tibial spine fractures. The goals of surgery include osseous union, restoration of knee stability, return to function, treatment of associated injuries, and restoration of the range of motion. Current evidence has demonstrated equivalent outcomes for open and arthroscopic reduction strategies, as well as for screw-based and suture-based fixation techniques. The surgeon should be prepared to offer a multitude of fixation techniques based on intraoperative findings that will provide stable anatomic reduction, including, for instance, the use of suture-based fixation in comminuted fragments. This video article demonstrates an arthroscopic procedure to repair a tibial spine fracture, including 3 methods of fixation, in the following major steps: (1) preoperative planning, (2) patient positioning and surgical exposure, (3) evacuation of the hemarthrosis, (4) diagnostic arthroscopy, (5) preparation of the fracture fragment, (6) reduction of the fracture fragment, (7) fixation option 1: screw fixation, (8) fixation option 2: suture anchor, (9) fixation option 3: suture, and (10) dynamic assessment of stability and closure. Excellent functional outcomes using this procedure have been documented and, with appropriate postoperative care that includes range-of-motion exercises beginning as early as 1 to 2 weeks postoperatively, patients are expected to recover function and to resume a normal activity level. Complications, including nonunion, malunion, and arthrofibrosis, can be reduced when patients with completely displaced tibial spine fractures are treated with surgical management.
Neural network shape: Organ shape representation with radial basis function neural networks

We propose to represent the shape of an organ using a neural network classifier. The shape is represented by a function learned by a neural network. Radial Basis Function (RBF) is used as the activation function for each perceptron. The learned implicit function is a combination of radial basis functions, which can represent complex shapes. The organ shape representation is learned using classification methods. Our testing results show that the neural network shape provides the best representation accuracy. The use of RBF provides a rotation, translation and scaling invariant feature to represent the shape. Experiments show that our method can accurately represent the organ shape.
Routine prostatitis? A case report of long-term foreign body in the prostatic urethra.

AbstractWe report a case of intermittent chronic prostatitis for 13 years. Evaluation revealed a foreign body of the prostatic urethra as the etiology of the symptoms.
Generation of Multipotent CD34 + CD45 + Hematopoietic Progenitors from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are valuable reagents for studying the earliest stages of hematopoietic genesis and for modeling the developmental basis of hematologic disorders, and they may also have the potential for generating an unlimited supply of autologous transplantable hematopoietic stem cells. We have previously described the development phases of hematopoiesis that arise from differentiated hESCs using a human embryoid body (hEB) culture system. This hEB system produces hematopoietic and endothelial progenitors through a hemangioblast intermediate. In this chapter, we describe a modified and optimized version of this hEB system that generates high frequencies of multipotent CD34+CD45+ hematopoietic progenitors via employing hEB hematopoietic differentiation followed by adherent hemogenic endothelium generation. Multipotent hematopoietic progenitors can be reproducibly generated in robust amounts with this differentiation system from a wide variety of hiPSC or hESC for biochemical, transcriptomic, epigenetic, and transplantation studies.
Autonomous walking in natural terrain: A retrospective on the performance of the ambler

The objective of our research is to enable robotic exploration of remote, natural areas. Toward this end, we have developed an integrated walking system for the Ambler—a six-legged walking robot designed for planetary exploration—and tested it in indoor and outdoor autonomous walking trials. In this paper, we summarize our approach to autonomous walking, compare it to other approaches from the literature, and present results of the walking trials. Then we assess the performance relative to our objectives for self-reliant control, power-efficient locomotion, and traversal of rugged terrain.
When the tax stamp covers the health warning label: conflicting 'best practices' for tobacco control policy.

The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (The Protocol) was born out of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to address the growing threat that untaxed and smuggled tobacco products have on public health. The Protocol seeks to reduce the manufacture, selling and transporting of tobacco without payment of applicable duties, taxes and/or bearing applicable tax stamps.1 Many countries require tax stamps (or banderoles) as a means of reducing tax non-compliance and controlling illicit production. Tobacco manufacturers or distributors pay the cost of tax stamps to the relevant authorities in their jurisdiction. Costs for tax stamps are generally shifted from the manufacturers to the consumer, with the potential health-promoting impact of increasing retail prices of cigarettes.2 Policies requiring health warning labels (HWLs) on tobacco products are another powerful and cost-effective way to reduce the harm of tobacco.3 HWLs raise …
Design of multi-phase dynamic chemical networks

Template-directed polymerization reactions enable the accurate storage and processing of nature's biopolymer information. This mutualistic relationship of nucleic acids and proteins, a network known as life's central dogma, is now marvellously complex, and the progressive steps necessary for creating the initial sequence and chain-length-specific polymer templates are lost to time. Here we design and construct dynamic polymerization networks that exploit metastable prion cross-β phases. Mixed-phase environments have been used for constructing synthetic polymers, but these dynamic phases emerge naturally from the growing peptide oligomers and create environments suitable both to nucleate assembly and select for ordered templates. The resulting templates direct the amplification of a phase containing only chain-length-specific peptide-like oligomers. Such multi-phase biopolymer dynamics reveal pathways for the emergence, self-selection and amplification of chain-length- and possibly sequence-specific biopolymers.
Exploring the ‘How’ in Policy Diffusion: National Intermediary Organizations’ Roles in Facilitating the Spread of Performance-Based Funding Policies in the States

Numerous studies have examined “whether” and “why” policies diffuse, or the reasons for the adoption in a given government of a policy that exists in another government. This study explored the “ho...
Sex-Dependent Effects of Stress on Immobility Behavior and VTA Dopamine Neuron Activity: Modulation by Ketamine

Background Stress constitutes a risk factor across several psychiatric disorders. Moreover, females are more susceptible to stress-related disorders, such as depression, than males. Although dopamine system underactivation is implicated in the pathophysiology of depression, little is known about the female dopamine system at baseline and post-stress. Methods The effects of chronic mild stress were examined on ventral tegmental area dopamine neuron activity and forced swim test immobility by comparing male and female rats. The impact of a single dose of the rapid antidepressant ketamine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) on forced swim test immobility and ventral tegmental area function was then tested. Results Baseline ventral tegmental area dopamine activity was comparable in both sexes. At baseline, females exhibited roughly double the forced swim test immobility duration than males, which corresponded to ~50% decrease in ventral tegmental area dopamine population activity compared with similarly treated (i.e., post-forced swim test) males. Following chronic mild stress, there was greater immobility duration in both sexes and reduced ventral tegmental area dopamine neuron activity by approximately 50% in males and nearly 75% in females. Ketamine restored behavior and post-forced swim test ventral tegmental area dopamine activity for up to 7 days in females as well as in both male and female chronic mild stress-exposed rats. Conclusions These data suggest increased female susceptibility to depression-like phenotypes (i.e., greater immobility, ventral tegmental area hypofunction) is associated with higher dopamine system sensitivity to both acute and repeated stress relative to males. Understanding the neural underpinnings of sex differences in stress vulnerability will provide insight into mechanisms of disease and optimizing therapeutic approaches in both sexes.
Modern Developments in Discontinuity Analysis – The Persistence–Connectivity Problem

Publisher Summary Stability of rock slopes and of the rock mass around tunnels strongly depends on the persistence of discontinuities. Instability is much more likely to occur if discontinuities are fully persistent, given the usually much higher resistance of intact rock compared to that of discontinuities. Similarly, conductivity of a rock mass will be greater if a greater proportion of the discontinuities are interconnected compared to one where they are mainly isolated. Finally, if discontinuities have lower shear and normal stiffnesses compared to intact rock, the rock mass deformability will also depend on persistence. This chapter highlights a few aspects of the persistence/connectivity problem and their possible solutions.
Essentials of Personnel Assessment and Selection

This second edition provides managers and students the nuts and bolts of assessment processes and selection techniques. With this knowledge, managers learn to make informed personnel decisions based on the results of tests and assessments. The book emphasizes that employee performance predictions require well-formed hypotheses about personal characteristics that may be related to valued behavior at work. It also stresses the need for developing a theory of the attribute one hypothesizes as a predictor—a thought process too often missing from work on selection procedures. Topics such as team-member selection, situational judgment tests, nontraditional tests, individual assessment, and testing for diversity are explored. The book covers both basic and advanced concepts in personnel selection in a straightforward, readable style intended to be used in both undergraduate and graduate courses in Personnel Selection and Assessment.
The effect of prostaglandin E2 on ethionine-induced pancreatitis in the rat.

Abstract Prostaglandins have been reported to exert a protective effect against short-term experimental pancreatic injury. We evaluated the protective effect of PGE 2 using a model designed to maintain pancreatitis over a period of 5–10 days. Acute pancreatitis was induced by daily intraperitoneal injections of DL-ethionine in rats maintained on a proteinfree diet. Test periods of 10 and 5 days (parts I and II, respectively) were employed. In parts I and II, PGE 2 0.1 μg/g body wt was given subcutaneously 30 min before ethionine. In part II, a second daily dose of PGE 2 0.1 μg/g body wt was given 7 h after ethionine. PGE 2 did not protect against the weight loss, decrease in food consumption, alteration in serum amylase, pancreatic necrosis, or mortality induced by ethionine. This study indicates that the protective effect of PGE 2 observed in short-term experimental pancreatitis is not reproducible in a model in which pancreatitis is maintained for 5 and 10 day periods.
Variation of Parameters Brings New Understanding of the Golf Swing

We shall now look at what happens in calculated swings that are somewhat different from the standard swing. As an example we shall study swings that result when the golfer uses shorter or longer backswings.
Adam Smith and Alma Mater: Technology and the Threat to Academic Freedom

In 1981, the West German pharmaceutical company, Hoechst, gave $70 million to Harvard’s Department of Molecular Biology in exchange for rights to market all discoveries made in the department and to exclude all funding and research that interfered with Hoechst’s proprietary position. As one observer put it: “Hoechst … purchased … control of an entire university department.… Everyone in that lab is an indentured servant to Hoechst.”1
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF MASS DIFFUSION AND HEAT CONDUCTION PHENOMENA IN METAL/CARBIDE COMPOSITE BY THERMOMIGRATION

If a multi-component composite is heated on one side and cooled on the other, heat conduction occurs, moreover, several components diffuse and are enriched on the hot or cold side of the specimen by the influence of the temperature gradient. This phenomenon is known as thermomigration, and affects the thermal stability of the composite in a high temperature application. In this paper, a numerical analysis was made on the composition and temperature distribution change in the composite by thermomigration. The composite consists of the metal and its carbide. Their compositional distributions are assumed uniform or continuously changed from metal to carbide.
Engineered developmental niche enables predictive phenotypic screening in human dystrophic cardiomyopathy

Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into cardiomyocytes typically produces cells with structural, functional, and biochemical properties that most closely resemble those present in the fetal heart. Here we establish an in vitro engineered developmental cardiac niche to produce matured hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) with enhanced sarcomere development, electrophysiology, contractile function, mitochondrial capacity, and a more mature transcriptome. When this developmental cardiac niche was applied to dystrophin mutant hPSC-CMs, a robust disease phenotype emerged, which was not observed in non-matured diseased hPSC-CMs. Matured dystrophin mutant hPSC-CMs exhibited a greater propensity for arrhythmia as measured via beat rate variability, most likely due to higher resting cytosolic calcium content. Using a custom nanopatterned microelectrode array platform to screen functional output in hPSC-CMs exposed to our engineered developmental cardiac niche, we identified calcium channel blocker, nitrendipine, mitigated hPSC-CM arrhythmogenic behavior and correctly identified sildenafil as a false positive. Taken together, we demonstrate our developmental cardiac niche platform enables robust hPSC-CM maturation allowing for more accurate disease modeling and predictive drug screening.
Shifting habitat mosaics and fish production across river basins

Watersheds are complex mosaics of habitats whose conditions vary across space and time as landscape features filter overriding climate forcing, yet the extent to which the reliability of ecosystem services depends on these dynamics remains unknown. We quantified how shifting habitat mosaics are expressed across a range of spatial scales within a large, free-flowing river, and how they stabilize the production of Pacific salmon that support valuable fisheries. The strontium isotope records of ear stones (otoliths) show that the relative productivity of locations across the river network, as both natal- and juvenile-rearing habitat, varies widely among years and that this variability is expressed across a broad range of spatial scales, ultimately stabilizing the interannual production of fish at the scale of the entire basin.
Roux-Goldthwait and Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for Patella Realignment in the Skeletally Immature Patient

Surgical management of patellofemoral instability is technically challenging in skeletally immature patients. Special considerations in this population include activity and sports limitations, recurrence rate, risk of long-term injury to patellofemoral cartilage, and potential for physeal disruption with operative intervention. Numerous procedures have been described to address causative pathoanatomy in the patellofemoral joint, as well as its static and dynamic stabilizers. We describe our technique of combined medial patellofemoral ligament and modified Roux-Goldthwait reconstruction to address both proximal and distal malalignment in a skeletally immature patient with open physes.
Life with Bacterial Mechanosensitive Channels, from Discovery to Physiology to Pharmacological Target.

SUMMARY General principles in biology have often been elucidated from the study of bacteria. This is true for the bacterial mechanosensitive channel of large conductance, MscL, the channel highlighted in this review. This channel functions as a last-ditch emergency release valve discharging cytoplasmic solutes upon decreases in osmotic environment. Opening the largest gated pore, MscL passes molecules up to 30 A in diameter; exaggerated conformational changes yield advantages for study, including in vivo assays. MscL contains structural/functional themes that recur in higher organisms and help elucidate how other, structurally more complex, channels function. These features of MscL include (i) the ability to directly sense, and respond to, biophysical changes in the membrane, (ii) an α helix (“slide helix”) or series of charges (“knot in a rope”) at the cytoplasmic membrane boundary to guide transmembrane movements, and (iii) important subunit interfaces that, when disrupted, appear to cause the channel to gate inappropriately. MscL may also have medical applications: the modality of the MscL channel can be changed, suggesting its use as a triggered nanovalve in nanodevices, including those for drug targeting. In addition, recent studies have shown that the antibiotic streptomycin opens MscL and uses it as one of the primary paths to the cytoplasm. Moreover, the recent identification and study of novel specific agonist compounds demonstrate that the channel is a valid drug target. Such compounds may serve as novel-acting antibiotics and adjuvants, a way of permeabilizing the bacterial cell membrane and, thus, increasing the potency of commonly used antibiotics.
Public perceptions for the use of nanomaterials for in-home drinking water purification devices

Abstract Incorporating nanomaterials into point-of-use (POU) in-home water purification devices that treat well water or centrally-treated tap water offers new opportunities to meet growing customer demand for aesthetically pleasing and higher quality drinking water. While the technical performance and potential for nanomaterial release from POU devices have been studied, little is known about public acceptance of devices that use nanotechnology. We administered an 18-question survey of 1623 participants in four metropolitan areas—Phoenix, AZ (N = 362); Houston, TX (N = 380); Atlanta, GA (N = 419); and Philadelphia, PA (N = 415)—and one rural Arizona region (N = 47) to assess perceptions around using nanomaterial-enabled POU devices. Approximately 90% of survey respondents had little to no prior knowledge of nanomaterials or their use in numerous consumer products ranging from POU water treatment devices to clothing or baby products. Survey respondents were more likely to purchase conventional drinking water purification devices than ones containing nanomaterials, but the majority of survey respondents (~64%) claimed they would likely or probably change their opinions around using nanomaterials to treat their drinking water if they were given more information about nanomaterials and their role in treating drinking water. The results indicate that respondents are willing to change their minds if they are provided information around nanomaterials and their use in in-home water purification. When we incorporated responses regarding previous knowledge of nanomaterials, we found that the less knowledge respondents had of nanomaterials, the more willing they would be to use them to treat their drinking water. 65% of respondents with prior knowledge of nanomaterials were unwilling to drink water treated with nanomaterials. Respondents considered the safety of the device as being most important to them, followed closely by treated water taste. 30% of respondents stated that they would purchase the drinking water purification product with nanomaterials if it worked as effectively as a competitor and was half the price. 26% of respondents stated that they would purchase the drinking water purification product with nanomaterials if it worked twice as effectively as a competitor and was half the price. The findings are discussed in regard to specific adoption of nanotechnology in drinking water and also broader adoption and acceptance of emerging technologies that hold promise to improve environmental outcomes.
Patient Outcomes With Prevented vs Negative Clostridioides difficile Tests Using a Computerized Clinical Decision Support Tool.

Background Overtesting and overdiagnosis of Clostridioides difficile infection are suspected to be common. Reducing inappropriate testing through interventions designed to promote evidence-based diagnostic testing (ie, diagnostic stewardship) may improve C. difficile test utilization. However, the safety of these interventions is not well understood despite the potential risk for missed or delayed diagnoses. Methods This retrospective case-control study examined the outcomes of patients admitted to the University of Virginia Medical Center following introduction of a computerized clinical decision support tool without hard-stops designed to reduce inappropriate tests. Outcomes were compared between patients with a prevented C. difficile nucleic acid amplification test and those with a negative result. Chart reviews were performed for patients with a subsequent positive within 7 days, as well as those patients who received C. difficile-active antibiotics after implementation of the computerized clinical decision support tool. Results Multivariate analysis of 637 cases (490 negative, 147 prevented) showed that a prevented test was not significantly associated with the primary composite outcome (inpatient mortality or intensive care unit transfer) compared with a negative test (adjusted odds ratio, 0.912; P = .747). Fifty-four of 147 (37%) prevented tests were followed by a completed test within 7 days; 11 of these results were positive, resulting in a potential delay in diagnosis. Individual case reviews found that either clinical changes warranted the delay in testing or no adverse events occurred attributable to C. difficile infection. C. difficile treatment without a positive test was not identified. Conclusions Diagnostic stewardship of C. difficile testing using computerized clinical decision support may be both safe and effective for reducing inappropriate inpatient testing.
Bi-directional communication journals as a method of caregiver support during speech and language intervention: A pilot study:

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of a bi-directional communication journal between caregivers and student clinicians during a five-week summer preschool programme im...
Introducing S-PACK (SUGAR’s Pre-Departure Activities Curricular Kit): A Comprehensive Preparation Curriculum for Global Health Experiences

Purpose: Pre-departure preparation is recommended for all trainees and providers engaging in global health (GH) experiences. A recent publication offered a list of “Top Ten Considerations for Short-Term Global Health Engagement.” (Figure 1) It can be difficult for busy educators to develop and implement pre-departure training that addresses all Top Ten Considerations. We sought to create an easily implementable, modifiable curriculum for educators to prepare trainees for GH experiences in resource-limited settings. Methods: Twenty-seven educators from the Midwest Consortium of Global Child Health Educators …
Incidence and significance of findings on spinal MRIs in a paediatric population with spinal column complaints.

Abstract Purpose We sought to identify correlations between working diagnosis, surgeon indication for obtaining spinal MRI and positive MRI findings in paediatric patients presenting with spinal di...
Associations between teacher expectations and racial disproportionality in discipline referrals.

Abstract We explored the racial discipline gap and sought to understand the extent to which elementary school teachers' (N = 33; Grades K-6) expectations for their students' (N = 496) future outcomes predicted racial discipline disproportionality. We used multilevel models, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression with standardized errors corrected, to examine associations between teacher expectations of academic and behavioral student outcomes and patterns of office discipline referrals (ODRs) for the year. Results showed disproportionate ODR outcomes for Black students in comparison to White students. Additionally, we found that students held to lower expectations by their teachers received more ODRs than peers rated highly by their teachers, regardless of race. We also found that for every unit teacher expectations increased, the ODR disparity between Black, Latinx, and White students decreased. Lastly, multilevel models exploring teacher expectations of student outcomes explained approximately 21% of the difference in ODRs between Black and White peers.
Fast generation of lung SBRT plans with a knowledge-based planning model on ring-mounted Halcyon Linac

PURPOSE To demonstrate fast treatment planning feasibility of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for centrally located lung tumors on Halcyon Linac via a previously validated knowledge-based planning (KBP) model to support offline adaptive radiotherapy. MATERIALS/METHODS Twenty previously treated non-coplanar volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) lung SBRT plans (c-Truebeam) on SBRT-dedicated C-arm Truebeam Linac were selected. Patients received 50 Gy in five fractions. c-Truebeam plans were re-optimized for Halcyon manually (m-Halcyon) and with KBP model (k-Halcyon). Both m-Halcyon and k-Halcyon plans were normalized for identical or better target coverage than clinical c-Truebeam plans and compared for target conformity, dose heterogeneity, dose fall-off, and dose tolerances to the organs-at-risk (OAR). Treatment delivery parameters and planning times were evaluated. RESULTS k-Halcyon plans were dosimetrically similar or better than m-Halcyon and c-Truebeam plans. k-Halcyon and m-Halcyon plan comparisons are presented with respect to c-Truebeam. Differences in conformity index were statistically insignificant in k-Halcyon and on average 0.02 higher (p = 0.04) in m-Halcyon plans. Gradient index was on average 0.43 (p = 0.006) lower and 0.27 (p = 0.02) higher for k-Halcyon and m-Halcyon, respectively. Maximal dose 2 cm away in any direction from target was statistically insignificant. k-Halcyon increased maximal target dose on average by 2.9 Gy (p < 0.001). Mean lung dose was on average reduced by 0.10 Gy (p = 0.004) in k-Halcyon and increased by 0.14 Gy (p < 0.001) in m-Halcyon plans. k-Halcyon plans lowered bronchial tree dose on average by 1.2 Gy. Beam-on-time (BOT) was increased by 2.85 and 1.67 min, on average for k-Halcyon and m-Halcyon, respectively. k-Halcyon plans were generated in under 30 min compared to estimated dedicated 180 ± 30 min for m-Halcyon or c-Truebeam plan. CONCLUSION k-Halcyon plans were generated in under 30 min with excellent plan quality. This adaptable KBP model supports high-volume clinics in the expansion or transfer of lung SBRT patients to Halcyon.
A Virtual Digital Forensics Laboratory

This paper discusses the concept of a virtual digital forensic laboratory, which incorporates networked examination and storage machines, secure communications, multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, and case management and digital asset management systems. Laboratory activities such as the examination, storage and presentation of digital evidence can be geographically distributed and accessed over a network by users with the appropriate credentials. The advantages of such a facility include reduced costs through shared resources and the availability of advanced expertise for specialized cases.