cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
[11C]Methionine PET metabolic imaging of low grade CNS tumors in children and young adults.

433 Objectives PET imaging of brain tumors with amino acid-based radiotracers provides the advantage of a low background activity in the cortex and white matter not affected by the disease. In the current study, we examined the ability of PET with [11C]methionine (METPET) to visualize low grade CNS tumors in children and young adults. Methods The study included 41 patients with age range from 4 to 27 years (17 male, 24 female). 18 patients had METPET performed at the primary diagnosis. 23 patients underwent study at the time of known or suspected recurrence. After a 4 hour or longer fast, patients were injected intravenously with 20 mCi (740MBq) [11C]methionine/1.7 sq m body surface area (prepared under IND specified conditions). Approximately 5 minutes later, CT of the head was obtained for attenuation correction, followed by emission imaging for 15 min in 3D mode. Images were reconstructed using vendor supplied software. Two experienced nuclear medicine physicians reviewed images using quantitative (SUVmax) and qualitative approaches with comparison to MRI. Results At diagnosis, 12 of 18 patients had uptake within the tumor at least 2 times greater than the white matter background. In the initial scans of the patients with known or suspected recurrent disease, tumor uptake was greater than the background in 19 out of 23 patients. Table 1 depicts the tumor to background ratios for patients at initial diagnosis and for those with recurrent disease. Tumor uptake tended to be slightly higher in previously treated patients. In four patients, methionine uptake did not differ significantly from the background. In 2 patients a contemporary [18F]FDG PET was also performed. In both cases, METPET provided significant improvement in tumor visualization and tumor/background ratio (Picture 1). Conclusions : In most patients with low grade CNS tumors, PET with [11C]methionine provides a high quality functional imaging tool for metabolic characterization. Uptake was elevated in both newly diagnosed patients and in those with recurrent disease. The low background activity in both cerebral gray and white matter facilitates tumor detection. Serial studies will determine the utility of the technique in assessing prognosis, response to therapy, monitoring for tumor recurrence, and distinguishing recurrent tumor from radiation necrosis. $$graphic_613DC5E1-56AD-4064-8973-23939E4A339B$$
Practical design and simulation of silicon-based quantum-dot qubits

Spins based in silicon provide one of the most promising architectures for quantum computing. A scalable design for silicon-germanium quantum-dot qubits is presented. The design incorporates vertical and lateral tunneling. Simulations of a four-qubit array suggest that the design will enable single electron occupation of each dot of a many-dot array. Performing two-qubit operations has negligible effect on other qubits in the array. Simulation results are used to translate error correction requirements into specifications for gate-voltage control electronics. This translation is a necessary link between error correction theory and device physics.
Effect of physician-level performance feedback on pattern of structured cancer stage entry.

141Background: In contrast to unstructured free text, structured entry of cancer type and stage facilitates easy utilization of this clinically important data to accurately identify patient population, measure and report performance on outcomes and quality of care as well as for various clinical decision support systems. There is significant variation in physician utilization of Electronic Medical Record based staging modules which capture the data in structured form. The aim of study is to increase structured cancer staging by providing performance feedback to individual physicians. Methods: An EPIC based physician performance feedback report was developed consisting of staging tool utilization performance captured by percentage of staged patients out of all the patients seen by the provider as well as the MRN link (to act upon) of the un-staged patients with stageable cancer diagnosis using criteria: 1) un-staged cancer on the problem list 2) active treatment plan and 3) seen by provider in last one yea...
Label Correction and Event Detection for Electricity Disaggregation

Electricity disaggregation focuses on identifying individual appliances from one or more aggregate signals. By reporting detailed appliance usage to consumers, disaggregation has the potential to significantly reduce electrical waste in residential and commercial sectors. However, application of existing methods is limited by two critical shortcomings. First, supervised learning methods implicitly assume error-free labels in training data, an unrealistic expectation for imperfectly-labeled consumer data. Second, supervised and unsupervised learning methods require parameters to be tuned to individual appliances and/or datasets, limiting widespread application. To address these limitations, this paper introduces the implementation of Bayesian changepoint detection (BCD) with necessary adaptations to electricity disaggregation. We introduce an algorithm to effectively apply BCD to automatically correct labels. We then apply BCD to event detection to identify transitions between appliances' on and off states. Performance is evaluated using 3 publicly available datasets containing over 250 appliances across 11 houses. Results show both BCD applications are competitive and in some cases outperform existing state-of-the-art methods without the need for parameter tuning, advancing disaggregation towards widespread, real-world deployment.
Model Distance Criterion for Order Determination of ARMA Models

Abstract This paper addresses the issue of order determination for ARMA models, A novel concept called die model distance is presented to determine the distance between two possible models when the prediction error is the primary concern of these models. Through a comparison between the model distance from a lower order model to a higher order model (which is regarded to be a measure of the improvement of the modelling accuracy due to an increase in die number of parameters) and an estimate of the modelling accuracy associated with the higher order model, a model distance criterion is proposed. It is shown that the models selected by this criterion is either optimal or nearly optimal for purpose of prediction. Simulations are performed to verify the effectiveness of the model distance criterion.
Sexual Orientation Differences in Adolescent Health Care Access and Health-Promoting Physician Advice

Abstract Purpose Physician screening and advice on health-related behaviors are an integral part of adolescent health care. Sexual minority adolescents encounter more barriers to health services; yet, no prior research has examined whether they also experience disparity in physician screening and advice. We examined possible sexual orientation disparities in health care access, physician screening, and advice on six health-related behaviors. Methods Data were from a national sample of U.S. adolescents who participated in wave 2 of the NEXT Generation Health Study (n = 2023). Poisson regressions were conducted separately for males and females to estimate sexual orientation differences in health care access and health-related screening and advice. Results Compared with heterosexual males, sexual minority males were more likely to report unmet medical needs in the past year (adjusted relative risk [ARR] = 2.23) but did not differ with respect to receiving physician advice concerning health-related behaviors. Compared with heterosexual females, sexual minority females were more likely to report no routine physical checkup in the past year (ARR = 1.67) but were more likely to receive physician advice to reduce or stop drinking, smoking, drug use, increase physical activity, and improve diet (ARRs = 1.56–1.99), even after controlling for corresponding health-related behaviors. Sexual minority females were also more likely to receive advice about risk associated with sexual behavior (ARR = 1.35) and advice to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (ARR = 1.49). Conclusions Both sexual minority males and females experienced disparities in some aspects of health care access. Improved health-promoting advice would better serve sexual minority males.
Rapid Prototyping Tape Stencils for the Application of Solder Paste

Abstract This works describes a promising method for rapid prototyping tape stencils for the application of solder paste. This process is appropriate for research settings requiring developmental flexibility and the ability to deal with small device dies. This work compares the volume of solder paste deposited versus aperture volume for several common tape materials and several common printed circuit board (PCB) stencil materials. The solder deposits are then reflowed to identify which aperture and solder paste parameters can generate successful solder bumps. Electrically conductive solder bonds for small bond pads (100 μm and larger) are demonstrated between silicon device dies and glass dies using this process.
Arm crank ergometry improves cardiovascular disease risk factors and community mobility independent of body composition in high motor complete spinal cord injury

Objective: Evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise using arm crank ergometry (ACE) in high motor complete (ISNCSCI A/B) spinal cord injury (SCI) as primarily related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and functional mobility and secondarily to body composition and metabolic profiles.Design: Longitudinal interventional study at an academic medical center.Methods: Ten previously untrained participants (M8/F2, Age 36.7 y ± 10.1, BMI 24.5 ± 6.0) with high motor complete SCI (C7-T5) underwent ACE exercise training 30 minutes/day × 3 days/week for 10 weeks at 70% VO2Peak.Outcome Measures: Primary outcome measures were pre- and post-intervention changes in markers of cardiovascular fitness (graded exercise testing (GXT): VO2, VO2Peak, respiratory quotient [RQ], GXT time, peak power, and energy expenditure [EE]) and community mobility (time to traverse a 100ft-5° ramp, and 12-minute WC propulsion test). Secondary outcome measures were changes in body composition and metabolic profiles (fasting and area ...
FUSE certification enhances performance on a virtual computer based simulator for dispersive electrode placement.

The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has developed the fundamental use of surgical energy (FUSE) didactic curriculum in order to further understanding of the safe use of surgical energy. The virtual electrosurgical skill trainer (VEST) is being developed as a complementary simulation-based curriculum, with several modules already existing. Subsequently, a new VEST module has been developed about dispersive electrode placement. The purpose of this study is to assess knowledge about dispersive electrode placement in surgeons and surgical trainees in addition to describing a new VEST module. Forty-six subjects (n = 46) were recruited for participation at the 2016 SAGES conference Learning Center. Subjects were asked to complete demographic surveys, a five-question pre-test, and a five-question post-test after completing the VEST dispersive electrode module. Subjects were then asked to rate different aspects of the module using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. Mean pre-simulator and post-simulator assessment scores were 1.5 and 3.4, respectively, with Wilcoxon signed rank analysis showing a significant difference in the means (p 0.05). In those with and without FUSE exposure, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was seen in pre-simulator assessment scores, and no significant difference in Likert scale assessment scores was seen. This study demonstrated a new VEST educational module. Consistently high Likert assessment scores showed that users felt that the VEST module helped their understanding of dispersive electrode placement. Additionally, the study reflected a potential knowledge deficit in the safe use of dispersive electrodes in the surgical community, also demonstrating that even some exposure to the FUSE curriculum developed by SAGES provides increased awareness about dispersive electrode use.
What Do the Retrievals Really Tell Us

Outcome following metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasty is dependent on many patient, surgical, and implant factors. This chapter describes the influence of metal reactivity on primary and revision outcomes following MoM hip arthroplasty. In doing so, we provide the evidence on metal reactivity on genetic and cellular/histology level and define the outcome of primary and revision arthroplasties as reported by national registries, designer series, and independent centers. Furthermore, this chapter highlights possible ways of improving outcome and describes the clinical pathways of patient management following MoM arthroplasty as specified by national and international governing bodies.
Incisional Therapies: Trabeculotomy Surgery in Adults

Glaucoma patients who require incisional glaucoma surgery and who neither are optimal candidates for filtering surgery nor need an intraocular pressure (IOP) as low as 10 mmHg may be candidates for trabeculotomy. Trabeculotomy ab externo is an anterior chamber angle procedure designed to increase conventional trabecular outflow. IOP is lowered without creating a filtering bleb. Patients with only mild to moderate disc damage and with uncontrolled IOPs greater than 21 mmHg may do well with postoperative IOPs in the mid- to late teens and perhaps just one antiglaucoma medication - the typical scenario post-trabeculotomy surgery (Fig. 66.1a, b).
CLIENT - CONSULTANT INTERACTION

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a communication model that gives concrete rules to follow for those who were not born with these skills. This communication model is used primarily to conduct the interpersonal transactions that form the basis of a successful client/consultant relationship. This model enables consultants to facilitate the communication process and eventually to help solve the problem that has brought the client to the consultant. The communication model presented in the chapter is borrowed from a branch of social science and used primarily for short-term counseling in a crisis center. The simple model involves three steps: (1) getting some grasp on the client's feelings, (2) helping the client be aware of these feelings, and (3) trying to understand what role the client wants you to play and give feedback on whether that role is realistic or not. All of these three steps are critical and attempts to skip any will seriously inferfere with the consulting process. The last stage of this three-stage communication process is undertaken only after successfully working through stages one and two. This last stage is called problem solving and perhaps most closely represents the work a consultant is hired to do.
Abstract 1318: Mapping tumoral and immune heterogeneity in PD-1 responsive glioblastoma multiforme

Background and aims: Clonal evolution and the immune microenvironment in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) harbor critical clues to its well-known but poorly understood treatment resistance, and to assessing the potential benefit of checkpoint inhibition. We created a tumor-immune interaction map by computing the mutational and neo-epitope tumoral burden, along with the magnitude and clonality of infiltrating lymphocytes, from initial and recurrent tumor of a single patient who benefited from PD-1 blockade. The question of how this particular GBM evolution trajectory compares to a typical GBM is addressed by projection of mutational and other signatures onto a causal gene-gene interaction network we derived from the TCGA GBM cohort. Methods: We compiled samples from a 57- year-old patient who presented with a seizure and had a resection of a large temporal GBM followed by radiotherapy with concurrent temozolomide, with subsequent re-resection for recurrent disease. Starting two weeks after the final resection the patient received 26 cycles of a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor simultaneous with 20 cycles of bevacizumab, a VEGF-A inhibitor, for a total survival of 25 months after diagnosis. Samples from the primary and three spatial sectors of the recurrence were submitted for RNA sequencing. Data analyses included intra-tumoral gene expression including MHC-I and MHC-II allele-specific expression, expressed relative mutation and (class I and class II) neo-epitope prediction, T and B cell receptor sequencing, and survival and molecular analysis on the GBM TCGA dataset. Results and Conclusions: We quantified the evolving relative mutational and neo-epitope burden of a GBM, emphasizing the differences between class I and class II neo-epitope spectra and resulting adaptive immune recruitment between the original and recurrent tumor regions. We find no evidence of hypermutation in the recurrence, a relative absence of immune infiltration in all recurrences despite the expression of a number of neo-epitope generating mutations (including a novel clonal mutation of EGFR), and compelling evidence of epigenetically driven aberrations in one recurrence sector. Hypothesizing significant molecular heterogeneity as a result of immune editing and treatment, we derived a tumor-recurrence molecular evolution trajectory and projected it onto a Bayesian inference network we derived from the TCGA GBM cohort. We quantified intra-tumoral heterogeneity, derived a patient survival signature, and also identified immunogenic mutated gene regulatory subnetworks that could be potentially targeted by any induced robust immune response. Citation Format: Bojan Losic, Raymund Yong, Nicholas Akers, Ilaria Laface, Nadejda Tsankova, Robert Sebra, Sacha Gnjatic, Adilia Hormigo. Mapping tumoral and immune heterogeneity in PD-1 responsive glioblastoma multiforme [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1318.
Measuring childhood vaccination acceptance of mother in Zhejiang province, East China.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the vaccine hesitancy among mothers and examine risk factors associated with mother’s intention to vaccination in Zhejiang province.Methods: A prov...
Modeling Urban Hydrology and Green Infrastructure Using the AGWA Urban Tool and the KINEROS2 Model.

Urban hydrology and green infrastructure (GI) can be modeled using the Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) Urban tool and the Kinematic Runoff and Erosion (KINEROS2) model. The KINEROS2 model provides an urban modeling element with nine overland flow components that can be used to represent various land cover types commonly found in the built environment while treating runoff-runon and infiltration processes in a physically based manner. The AGWA Urban tool utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework to prepare parameters required for KINEROS2, executes the model, and imports results for visualization in the GIS. The AGWA Urban tool was validated on a residential subdivision in Arizona, USA, using 47 rainfall events (June 2005 to September 2006) to compare observed runoff volumes and peak flow rates with simulated results. Comparison of simulated and observed runoff volumes resulted in a slope of 1.00 for the regression equation with an R2 value of 0.80. Comparison of observed and simulated peak flows had a slope of 1.12 with an R2 value of 0.83. A roof runoff analysis was simulated for 787 events, from January 2006 through December 2015, to analyze the water availability from roof runoff capture. Simulation results indicated a 15% capture of the average monthly rainfall volume on the watershed. Additionally, rainwater captured from roofs has the potential to provide for up to 70% of the domestic annual per capita water use in this region. Five different scenarios (S1 - base, S2 - with retention basins, S3 - with permeable driveways, S4 - with rainwater harvesting cisterns, and S5 - all GI practices from S2, S3, and S4) were simulated over the same period to compare the effectiveness of GI implementation at the parcel level on runoff and peak flows at the watershed outlet. Simulation results indicate a higher runoff volume reduction for S2 (53.41 m3 average capacity, average 30% reduction) as compared to S3 (average 14% reduction), or S4 (3.78 m3 capacity, average 6% reduction). Analysis of peak flows reveal larger peak flow reduction for S2. S3 showed more reduction of smaller peak flows as compared to S4.
Market Share Strategies for Cloud Computing Providers

The cloud computing industry is characterized by a small number of dominant providers and a host of small-to-medium providers. As the demand grows, additional providers are expected to enter the ma...
The effects of decentralization on special interest groups

It is well established in the literature that the number of interest group organizations varies across countries and states, with economic freedom and other institutional factors playing important roles in economic growth and prosperity. At the same time, the literature offers little empirical evidence of the influence of institutions on interest group behavior. This study presents new evidence on the extent to which institutional structure, in particular state and local governmental fiscal decentralization, promotes or hinders interest group formation. Expenditure decentralization, more so than revenue decentralization, appears to constrain the number of industry-type groups while having little effect on social-type groups in US states. The results provide further evidence of the importance of institutional quality and structure across states and suggest important directions for future research.
Sifting through sand: Community news coverage of fractured sand mining

This content analysis examines how journalists construct local news stories when the new issue of a fractured sand mine is proposed to a community. Results reveal that initially journalists opt for...
"My Surgical Success": Effect of a Digital Behavioral Pain Medicine Intervention on Time to Opioid Cessation After Breast Cancer Surgery-A Pilot Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective This study aims to assess the feasibility of digital perioperative behavioral pain medicine intervention in breast cancer surgery and evaluate its impact on pain catastrophizing, pain, and opioid cessation after surgery. Design and setting A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA, USA) comparing a digital behavioral pain medicine intervention ("My Surgical Success" [MSS]) with digital general health education (HE). Participants A convenience sample of 127 participants were randomized to treatment group. The analytic sample was 68 patients (N = 36 MSS, N = 32 HE). Main outcomes The primary outcome was feasibility and acceptability of a digital behavioral pain medicine intervention (80% threshold for acceptability items). Secondary outcomes were pain catastrophizing, past seven-day average pain intensity, and time to opioid cessation after surgery for patients who initiated opioid use. Results The attrition rate for MSS intervention (44%) was notably higher than for HE controls (18%), but it was lower than typical attrition rates for e-health interventions (60-80%). Despite greater attrition for MSS, feasibility was demonstrated for the 56% of MSS engagers, and the 80% threshold for acceptability was met. We observed a floor effect for baseline pain catastrophizing, and no significant group differences were found for postsurgical pain catastrophizing or pain intensity. MSS was associated with 86% increased odds of opioid cessation within the 12-week study period relative to HE controls (hazard ratio = 1.86, 95% confidence interval = 1.12-3.10, P = 0.016). Conclusions Fifty-six percent of patients assigned to MSS engaged with the online platform and reported high satisfaction. MSS was associated with significantly accelerated opioid cessation after surgery (five-day difference) with no difference in pain report relative to controls. Perioperative digital behavioral pain medicine may be a low-cost, accessible adjunct that could promote opioid cessation after breast cancer surgery.
3D Large-volume Histological Imaging of Ex vivo Tissue Samples Using Inverted Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (iSPIM)

The use of iSPIM and optical-clearing enables 3D high-content histological imaging of large tissues with subcellular resolution and almost 2 mm imaging depth, providing 3D structural information for generating tissue models or for validating low-resolution imaging modalities.
Barriers to Utilization of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Among Prescribing Physicians and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses at Veterans Health Administration Facilities in Oregon.

Objective To identify barriers to using state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) among prescribing physicians and advanced practice registered nurses across a variety of Veterans Health Administration (VA) settings in Oregon. Design In-person and telephone-based qualitative interviews and user experience assessments conducted with 25 VA prescribers in 2018 probed barriers to use of state PDMPs. Setting VA health care facilities in Oregon. Subjects Physicians (N = 11) and advanced practice registered nurses (N = 14) who prescribed scheduled medications, provided care to patients receiving opioids, and used PDMPs in their clinical practice. Prescribers were stationed at VA medical centers (N = 10) and community-based outpatient clinics (N = 15); medical specialties included primary care (N = 10), mental health (N = 9), and emergency medicine (N = 6). Methods User experience was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis methodology. Results The majority of physicians (64%) and advanced practice registered nurses (79%) rated PDMPs as "useful." However, participants identified both organizational and software design issues as barriers to their efficient use of PDMPs. Organizational barriers included time constraints, clinical team members without access, and lack of clarity regarding the priority of querying PDMPs relative to other pressing clinical tasks. Design barriers included difficulties entering or remembering passwords, unreadable data formats, time-consuming program navigation, and inability to access patient information across state lines. Conclusions Physicians and advanced practice registered nurses across diverse VA settings reported that PDMPs are an important tool and contribute to patient safety. However, issues regarding organizational processes and software design impede optimal use of these resources.
Exploration of Dietetics Graduate Students’ Experience in a Flipped Course Using Learning Reflections

ABSTRACT Objective Evaluate graduate students’ experience in a flipped metabolism course using periodic learning reflections. Methods Two cohorts of graduate students (n = 17, total) were recruited from an advanced metabolism course using a flipped learning approach during the fall 2016 and 2017 semesters. After course completion, 2 investigators used content analysis to develop themes from 8 structured learning reflections. Results Four themes were developed from the reflections: responsibility for learning, metacognition, team-based learning, and transfer of skills. Resistance to flipped learning peaked at week 4 of the semester. By the end of the semester, students seemed to embrace the flipped approach and self-directed learning. Conclusions and Implications Despite reporting being better self-directed learners by the end of the semester, students may struggle with the flipped learning format early in the semester. Thus, instructors may need to adopt supportive techniques with students initially.
Stigma, pollen tube transmitting tract, and epidermal micromorphology of the style of Sarracenia purpurea (Sarraceniaceae)

Entomophilous flowers of the genus Sarracenia have a unique umbrella-shaped style, which consists of a broadened and flattened umbrella canopy and a thin cylindrical umbrella stalk. Anatomical and ...
Stimulus-frequency-dependent dominance of sound localization cues across the cochleotopic map of the inferior colliculus.

The horizontal direction of a sound source (i.e., azimuth) is perceptually determined in a frequency-dependent manner: low- and high-frequency sounds are localized via differences in the arrival time and intensity of the sound at the two ears, respectively, called interaural time and level differences (ITDs and ILDs). In the central auditory system, these binaural cues to direction are thought to be separately encoded by neurons tuned to low and high characteristic frequencies (CFs). However, at high sound levels a neuron often responds to frequencies far from its CF, raising the possibility that individual neurons may encode the azimuths of both low- and high-frequency sounds using both binaural cues. We tested this possibility by measuring auditory-driven single-unit responses in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICC) of unanesthetized female Dutch Belted rabbits with a multitetrode drive. At 70 dB SPL, ICC neurons across the cochleotopic map transmitted information in their firing rates about the direction of both low- and high-frequency noise stimuli. We independently manipulated ITD and ILD cues in virtual acoustic space and found that sensitivity to ITD and ILD, respectively, shaped the directional sensitivity of ICC neurons to low ( 3 kHz)-pass stimuli, regardless of the neuron's CF. We also found evidence that high-CF neurons transmit information about both the fine-structure and envelope ITD of low-frequency sound. Our results indicate that at conversational sound levels the majority of the cochleotopic map is engaged in transmitting directional information, even for sources with narrowband spectra.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A "division of labor" has previously been assumed in which the directions of low- and high-frequency sound sources are thought to be encoded by neurons preferentially sensitive to low and high frequencies, respectively. Contrary to this, we found that auditory midbrain neurons encode the directions of both low- and high-frequency sounds regardless of their preferred frequencies. Neural responses were shaped by different sound localization cues depending on the stimulus spectrum-even within the same neuron.
Graduate Student Literature Review: Current perspectives on whole-plant sorghum silage production and utilization by lactating dairy cows

The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate current research into and understanding of whole-plant sorghum silage production and the effect of feeding whole-plant sorghum silage on lactation performance of dairy cows. Sorghum's drought tolerance, water efficiency, and low cost of production make it an intriguing crop in areas where whole-plant corn silage production may be limited. Currently, urban land encroachment and reduced water availability have increased social and economic pressures on farms to improve crop production efficiency. As these challenges become more prevalent, greater reliance on sorghum can be expected because of its ability to produce high dry matter yields while maintaining nutritive value, even under less-than-ideal growing conditions. Moreover, whole-plant sorghum silage provides both physically effective fiber and energy through fiber and grain fractions. Advancements in sorghum genetics and mechanical processing have the potential to alleviate common challenges associated with whole-plant sorghum silage supplementation, such as increased neutral detergent fiber and decreased neutral detergent fiber digestibility, starch concentration, and starch digestibility. These nutritive challenges must be overcome for whole-plant sorghum silage to be a viable alternative to whole-plant corn silage.
Regional Household Economic Stress and Retail Sales Fluctuations

Economic stress indices are used to monitor business cycle conditions in several regions. Although the deployment of these tools is spreading, there have been relatively few efforts to empirically assess the performance of these gauges, especially at the regional level. This study takes advantage of one such index that is published monthly and has more than 15 years of historical data. Results obtained confirm an inverse relationship between household economic duress and retail sales activity, but it is not found to be statistically reliable over the long-run. Deviations from equilibrium are found to last for 142 months. More relevantly, a 1-point increase in the index is associated with a $3.48 million decline in total commercial activity. Additional testing using data for other regions and/or economic variables appears warranted. Empirical analysis that examines additional potential short-run linkages for El Paso may also prove useful.
Adverse implications for university teaching concealed in economically driven policies

Modern universities represent large economic operations fueled by funds that are increasingly derived from student tuition as government subsidies shrink. Student recruitment and retention are now mainly driven by the need for the dollars that students pay into the system. Policy that is responsive to these pressing economic realities, promulgated at all institutional levels, promotes professional behavior that encourages student retention while allowing this to occur through subtle sacrifice of the traditional essence of the university. A multiphase analysis relates the institution's economically driven policies on retention to their classroom implications and to other effects on the behavior of the teaching faculty.
The modular expression patterns of three pigmentation genes prefigure unique abdominal morphologies seen among three Drosophila species

To understand how novel animal body colorations emerged, one needs to ask how the development of color patterns differs among closely related species. Here we examine three species of fruit flies - Drosophila guttifera (D. guttifera), D. palustris, and D. subpalustris - displaying a varying number of abdominal spot rows. Through in situ hybridization experiments, we examine the mRNA expression patterns for the pigmentation genes Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc), tan (t), and yellow (y) during pupal development. Our results show that Ddc, t, and y are co-expressed in modular, identical patterns, each foreshadowing the adult abdominal spots in D. guttifera, D. palustris, and D. subpalustris. We suggest that differences in the expression patterns of these three genes partially underlie the morphological diversity of the quinaria species group.
Assessment of Rod Material Types in Spine Surgery Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Background Lumbar spine fusion surgery is traditionally performed with rigid fixation. Because the rigidity is often supraphysiologic, semirigid rods were developed. To the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive evaluation of rod material type on surgical outcomes has yet to be conducted. Methods A systematic review based on PRISMA guidelines was conducted across 3 electronic databases. After examination for inclusion and exclusion criteria, data were extracted from the studies. Results Seventeen studies, including 1399 patients, were included in this review. The mean rigid rod fusion rate is 92.2% and 95.5% for semirigid rods (P = 0.129). The mean improvement in back pain was 60.6% in rigid rods and 71.6% in semirigid rods. The improvement in leg pain was 81.9% and 77.2%, respectively. There were no differences in visual analog scale back pain score (P = 0.098), visual analog scale leg pain score (P = 0.136), or in functional improvement between rigid and semirigid rods (P = 0.143). There was no difference (P = 0.209) in the reoperation rate between rigid rods (13.1%) and semirigid rods (6.5%). There was a comparable incidence of adjacent segment disease (3%), screw fracture (1.7%), and wound infection (1.9%) between rod material types. Conclusions There is a moderate level of evidence supporting that surgical intervention results in high fusion rates regardless of rod material type. Surgical intervention improves back pain, leg pain, and function, with neither material type showing clear superiority. There are comparable rates of reoperation, development of adjacent segment disease, development of mechanical complications, and incidence of infection in both rigid and semirigid rods. Further studies regarding rod material type are warranted.
Spiracarneyella, a new carneyellid edrioasteroid from the Upper Ordovician (Katian) of Kentucky and Ohio and comments on carneyellid heterochrony

A new genus and species of carneyellid edrioasteroid, Spiracarneyella florencei n. gen. n. sp., is described from the Upper Ordovician (Kaitian) Point Pleasant Formation of northern Kentucky and southern Ohio. Spiracarneyella n. gen. is characterized by having all five ambulacra curving clockwise around the theca, having small node-bearing interambulacral plates in the distal interambulacra, and having the periproct placement slightly offset to the right side of the CD interambulacrum. The oral area of carneyellids evolved by paedomorphosis of the oral plates covering the mouth. The straight ambulacra of Cryptogoleus and the spiraling ambulacra of Spiracarneyella n. gen. evolved by paedomorphosis and peramorphosis, respectively. UUID: http://zoobank.org/79733c8f-0bc8-4e7e-8f77-8508f576755c
Temperature effects on pile–soil interface behaviour in the case of piles in sand

The effects of increased temperature on the stress–strain response of geothermal piles and supporting soil were studied in this work. Geothermal piles with different pile end supports were investig...
Deep Learning Application in Alzheimer Disease Diagnoses and Prediction

The field of Alzheimer's Disease classification and prediction recently gains more and more attention. Traditionally, the method treating such a problem was using the combination of traditional machine learning algorithm and deep learning algorithm. But there are constant efforts made by researchers to search for the potential of only using the deep learning method. This article compares the pros and cons of using deep learning method in the field of Alzheimer's Disease. Even though traditional machine learning method may perform slightly better right now, with the accumulation of data, it is totally possible to only use the deep learning method to make the Alzheimer's Disease classification and prediction.
Suicide attempt and intentional self-harm during the earlier phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Objective Determine the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department (ED) encounters for suicide attempt and intentional self-harm at a regional tertiary academic medical centre in Washtenaw County, Michigan, which is one of the wealthier and more diverse counties in the state. Methods Interrupted time series analysis of daily ED encounters from October 2015 through October 2020 for suicide attempt and intentional self-harm (subject n=3002; 62% female; 78% Caucasian) using an autoregressive integrated moving average modelling approach. Results There were 39.9% (95% CI 22.9% to 53.1%) fewer ED encounters for suicide attempt and intentional self-harm during the first 7 months of the COVID-19 pandemic (ie, on or after 10 March 2020, when the first cases of COVID-19 were identified in Michigan). Conclusions Fewer individuals sought emergency care for suicide-related behaviour during the earlier phase of the COVID-19 pandemic than expected when compared to prior years. This suggests initial outbreaks of COVID-19 and state of emergency executive orders did not increase suicide-related behaviour in the short term. More work is needed to determine long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide-related behaviour and whether there are high-risk groups.
Associations Between Purpose in Life and Mortality by SES.

Introduction Having a higher purpose in life has been linked to favorable health outcomes. However, little research has examined whether the purpose–health association persists across different levels of SES. This study assesses whether the association between higher purpose in life and lower mortality is similar across the levels of SES. Methods A national sample of 13,159 U.S. adults aged >50 years from the Health and Retirement Study was analyzed. The baseline year was 2006‒2008. Purpose in life was assessed at baseline using Purpose in Life Subscale of the Ryff Psychological Well-being Scales. The risk of death during an 8-year follow-up was assessed. SES was measured using education, income, and wealth. Using multivariable Poisson regression, effect modification by SES was tested on both the additive and multiplicative scales. Analyses were done in 2020. Results In analyses stratified by SES, people with the highest level of purpose consistently tended to have lower mortality risk across the levels of SES than those with the lowest level of purpose. However, people with middle-range purpose levels had lower mortality risk only if they also had mid-to-high education, income, and wealth. When formally testing the effect modification by SES, there was modest evidence that the associations between higher purpose and lower mortality were stronger among individuals with high education, income, and wealth. Conclusions The highest level of purpose appeared protective against all-cause mortality regardless of the levels of SES. By contrast, when levels of purpose were more modest, people with lower SES may benefit less health-wise from having a purpose.
sxdm—A python framework for analysis of Scanning X-Ray Diffraction Microscopy data

Abstract Significant interest has been placed on Scanning X-ray Diffraction Microscopy (SXDM) techniques for its ability to spatially resolve material/chemical strain at nanometer length scales. As instrumentation that employs this technique pushes the bleeding edge of research, the ability to process the influx of data produced is becoming difficult on traditional hardware. Traditionally, the analysis protocols were left for the individual to develop, leading to inefficiencies and long computational times for analysis. The python module sxdm was developed to reduce efficiencies by standardizing a data structure, displaying experimental analysis metrics in a graphical user interface, and providing resource-efficient analysis protocols.
Elevated Serum Iron, Low Unbound Transferrin and Candidiasis in Acute Leukemia

Patients with acute leukemia have been shown to have elevated serum iron levels and markedly diminished or absent unbound iron binding capacity (21 of 34 patients with myeloblastic and 2 of 6 patients with lymphoblastic leukemia). Four patients (2 myeloblastic and 2 lymphoblastic) developed systemic candidiasis with elevated Candida agglutination titers and positive precipitin tests against a somatic antigen of Candida albicans . It is postulated that high serum iron and/or low unbound transferrin predispose patients with acute leukemia to candidal infection by enhancing growth of this fungus. In vitro studies support this hypothesis.
Population Dynamics of the Utah Chub, Gila atraria, in Two Ocean Lake

The chub, Gila atraria (Girard), population of Two Ocean Lake presents a favorable opportunity for a study of the origin and survival of deformed members of a natural population. About 18 of the chubs are afflicted with curvature of the spine. The pattern of the deformity in individuals varies from a moderate, scarcely detectable type to extremes in pronounced lateral and vertical flextures. Project Number 88.
Impact of Vehicle Weight on Truck Behavior and Emissions, using On-Board Measurement

On-board emissions measurement for heavy-duty vehicles has taken on greater significance because new standards now address in-use emissions levels in the USA. Emissions compliance must be shown in a "Motto-exceed" (NTE) zone that excludes engine operation at low power. An over-the-road 1996 Peterbilt tractor was instrumented with the West Virginia University Mobile Emissions Measurement System (MEMS). The researchers determined how often the truck entered the NTE, and the emissions from the vehicle, as it was driven over different routes and at different test weights (20,740 Ib, 34,640 Ib, 61,520 Ib, and 79,700 lb) The MEMS interfaced with the truck ECU, while also measuring exhaust flowrate, and concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the exhaust. The four test routes that were employed included varying terrain types in order to simulate a wide range of on-road driving conditions. One route (called the Bruceton route) included a sustained hill climb. Another route (known as the Saltwell route) traversed more rolling hills throughout the duration of the test. For 34,640 lb and 79,700 lb, the vehicle was tested on a route that was a reasonably flat road (PA 43 route), and a route through city traffic (Stop-n-go). As an example of results from the study, on the Bruceton route at 20,740 lb, the truck spent only 8.24% of the time within the NTE, but at 80,000lb on the same route it spent 35.67% of test duration in the NTE. Distance-specific NOx and fuel consumption were typically 50 to 80% higher in the NTE zone than over the whole route.
Small molecule inhibitors of RORγt: targeting Th17 cells and other applications.

Nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) form a family of transcription factors that are composed of modular protein structures with DNA- and ligand-binding domains (DBDs and LBDs). The DBDs confer gene target site specificity, whereas LBDs serve as control switches for NHR function. For many NHRs, both endogenous and synthetic small molecule ligands bind to small pockets within the LBDs, resulting in conformational changes that regulate transcriptional activity. This property of NHRs has been exploited by the pharmaceutical industry for therapeutic targeting of a wide variety of diseases, ranging from inflammatory diseases and cancer to endocrine and metabolic diseases. Th17 cells are CD4(+) T helper effector cells that express several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-17A, and the actions of these cells have been linked to multiple human autoimmune diseases. Our laboratory previously identified the NHR RORγt, an immune cell-specific isoform of RORγ (retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma), as a key transcription factor for the development of Th17 cells both in human and mouse. Although endogenous ligands for RORγt have not yet been reported, it is thought that RORγt activity and Th17-cell development can be modulated with highly specific small molecules that bind to the RORγt LBD and displace its endogenous ligands. Recent studies from multiple groups have reported the activities of such inhibitors. In this mini review, we describe how RORγt inhibitors were identified and how they may contribute to our understanding about RORγt and its biology.