cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-F-T-428: An Optimization-Based Commissioning Tool for Finite Size Pencil Beam Dose Calculations

Purpose: Finite size pencil beam (FSPB) algorithms are commonly used to pre-calculate the beamlet dose distribution for IMRT treatment planning. FSPB commissioning, which usually requires fine tuning of the FSPB kernel parameters, is crucial to the dose calculation accuracy and hence the plan quality. Yet due to the large number of beamlets, FSPB commissioning could be very tedious. This abstract reports an optimization-based FSPB commissioning tool we have developed in MatLab to facilitate the commissioning. Methods: A FSPB dose kernel generally contains two types of parameters: the profile parameters determining the dose kernel shape, and a 2D scaling factors accounting for the longitudinal and off-axis corrections. The former were fitted using the penumbra of a reference broad beam's dose profile with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. Since the dose distribution of a broad beam is simply a linear superposition of the dose kernel of each beamlet calculated with the fitted profile parameters and scaled using the scaling factors, these factors could be determined by solving an optimization problem which minimizes the discrepancies between the calculated dose of broad beams and the reference dose. Results: We have commissioned a FSPB algorithm for three linac photon beams (6MV, 15MV and 6MVFFF). Dose of four field sizes (6*6cm2, 10*10cm2, 15*15cm2 and 20*20cm2) were calculated and compared with the reference dose exported from Eclipse TPS system. For depth dose curves, the differences are less than 1% of maximum dose after maximum dose depth for most cases. For lateral dose profiles, the differences are less than 2% of central dose at inner-beam regions. The differences of the output factors are within 1% for all the three beams. Conclusion: We have developed an optimization-based commissioning tool for FSPB algorithms to facilitate the commissioning, providing sufficient accuracy of beamlet dose calculation for IMRT optimization.
Isidor Isaac Rabi:walking the path of God

A few months before Isidor Isaac Rabi died in early 1988, his doctors watched as he was gently moved into the bore of a magnetic-resonance-imaging machine. Once inside the machine, Rabi saw a distorted image of his face in the cylindrical surface surrounding him. "It was eerie," Rabi said. "I saw myself in that machine. I never thought my work would come to this." An eerie moment? Certainly – since Rabi's physical research led directly to magnetic resonance imaging, a technique that is widely used in hospitals today.
Circuits, Antennae and Radiation

Heinrich Rudolph Hertz (1857–1894) was born in the sovereign city-state of Hamburg in what is now Germany. In 1885 he was appointed professor at (what is now) the University of Karlsruhe.
Utility of Clinical Breast Examinations in Detecting Local-Regional Breast Events After Breast-Conservation in Women with a Personal History of High-Risk Breast Cancer.

Although breast cancer follow-up guidelines emphasize the importance of clinical examinations, prior studies suggest a small fraction of local–regional events occurring after breast conservation are detected by examination alone. Our objective was to examine how local–regional events are detected in a contemporary, national cohort of high-risk breast cancer survivors. A stage-stratified sample of stage II/III breast cancer patients diagnosed in 2006–2007 (n = 11,099) were identified from 1217 facilities within the National Cancer Data Base. Additional data on local–regional and distant breast events, method of event detection, imaging received, and mortality were collected. We further limited the cohort to patients with breast conservation (n = 4854). Summary statistics describe local–regional event rates and detection method. Local–regional events were detected in 5.5 % (n = 265) of patients. Eighty-three percent were ipsilateral or contralateral in-breast events, and 17 % occurred within ipsilateral lymph nodes. Forty-eight percent of local–regional events were detected on asymptomatic breast imaging, 29 % by patients, and 10 % on clinical examination. Overall, 0.5 % of the 4854 patients had a local–regional event detected on examination. Examinations detected a higher proportion of lymph node events (8/45) compared with in-breast events (18/220). No factors were associated with method of event detection. Clinical examinations, as an adjunct to screening mammography, have a modest effect on local–regional event detection. This contradicts current belief that examinations are a critical adjunct to mammographic screening. These findings can help to streamline follow-up care, potentially improving follow-up efficiency and quality.
Preliminary feasibility and efficacy of text messaging and application-based adherence interventions in adolescents with epilepsy.

Abstract Objective Few interventions have been developed to improve treatment adherence in adolescents with epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of text messaging and application-based interventions to improve adolescent antiepileptic drug adherence. It was hypothesized that these interventions would improve adherence and would be feasible and acceptable to adolescents and their caregivers. Methods Twenty-five adolescents (mean age = 15.7; 52% males) and caregivers were randomized to one of five interventions for one month: 1) adolescent text only, 2) adolescent and caregiver text plus communication, 3) adolescent application only, 4) adolescent and caregiver application plus communication, and 5) epilepsy application for adolescents only. Questionnaires were completed at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was electronically monitored adherence. Results Results indicated high levels of baseline adherence that contributed to minimal adherence improvements. Adolescents and caregivers reported that text messaging and application-based interventions were feasible and acceptable. Significance These data highlight that technology-focused adherence interventions are feasible but should likely be targeted to those with demonstrated nonadherence in future clinical trials.
The european pressurized water reactor

The present state of development of the European Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR) is outlined. During the so-called harmonization phase, the French and German utilities drew up their common requirements and evaluated the reactor concept developed until then with respect to these requirements. A main result of the harmonization phase was the issue, in September 1993, of the «EPR Conceptual Safety Feature Review File» to be jointly assessed by the safety authorities in France and Germany. The safety objectives to be met by the EPR are specified in the second part of the paper, and some details of the primary and secondary side safety systems are given
When Do Firms Risk Shift? Evidence from Venture Capital

This paper studies the agency costs of debt and the role of risk shifting as firms face financial distress. The Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program is a novel setting to evaluate the importance of these costs. It provides participating venture capital funds with debt financing from the U.S. government at a negligible premium to the 10-year Treasury Note. Economic mechanisms that might prevent risk shifting, such as covenants and reputation concerns, are primarily not present in this program. Using a difference-in-differences setting, I find that managers of distressed funds invest in firms with lower sales, employment and patenting activity, and are more likely to use equity investments. Distressed funds reallocate capital to riskier firms in their portfolio, rather than searching for new investments. Equityholders respond positively to riskier investments for distressed funds and debtholder losses increase, consistent with the prediction that risk shifting transfers wealth from bondholders to equityholders.
Seafloor Geodesy Applied to the Study of Oceanic Spreading Centers

The need to understand oceanic spreading center dynamics motivates the development of seafloor geodetic techniques, since oceanic spreading centers are sites of large-scale tectonic strain and crustal accretion. Terrestrial geodetic approaches that do not rely on electromagnetic propagation have been directly adapted to seafloor use. An absolute gravity meter appropriate for measuring seafloor vertical deformation has been tested on the Juan de Fuca ridge. Long baseline tilt and short baseline laser strain measuring systems are under development. Another approach to monitoring seafloor vertical deformation uses pressure gauges.
Residues in the RecQ C-terminal Domain of the Human Werner Syndrome Helicase are Involved in Unwinding G-quadruplex DNA.

The structural and biophysical properties typically associated with G-quadruplex (G4) structures render them a significant block for DNA replication, which must be overcome for cell division to occur. The Werner syndrome protein (WRN) is a RecQ family helicase that has been implicated in the efficient processing of G4 DNA structures. The aim of this study was to identify the residues of WRN involved in the binding and ATPase-driven unwinding of G4 DNA. Using a c-Myc G4 DNA model sequence and recombinant WRN, we have determined that the RecQ-C-terminal (RQC) domain of WRN imparts a 2-fold preference for binding to G4 DNA relative to non-G4 DNA substrates. NMR studies identified residues involved specifically in interactions with G4 DNA. Three of the amino acids in the WRN RQC domain that exhibited the largest G4-specific changes in NMR signal were then mutated alone or in combination. Mutating individual residues implicated in G4 binding had a modest effect on WRN binding to DNA, decreasing the preference for G4 substrates by ∼25%. Mutating two G4-interacting residues (T1024G and T1086G) abrogated preferential binding of WRN to G4 DNA. Very modest decreases in G4 DNA-stimulated ATPase activity were observed for the mutant enzymes. Most strikingly, G4 unwinding by WRN was inhibited ∼50% for all three point mutants and >90% for the WRN double mutant (T1024G/T1086G) relative to normal B-form dsDNA substrates. Our work has helped to identify residues in the WRN RQC domain that are involved specifically in the interaction with G4 DNA.
She’s Not One of Us: Group Membership Moderates the Effect of Fertility Cues on Attractiveness Ratings

The ability to differentiate in-group from out-group members on the basis of symbolic cues may be unique to Homo sapiens. The current research examined whether meaningful cues of in-group status mo...
Step-Wise Truncation of the C-Terminal 14 Residues of Troponin T Reduces the B State of Regulated Actin and Enhances the M State

Actin stimulates the ATPase activity of myosin-S1. The regulatory proteins tropomyosin and troponin prevent this stimulation at conditions of low Ca2+ and low high-affinity myosin binding. At saturating Ca2+ and with strong actin-binding species of myosin (S1-ADP or NEM-S1) the enhancement of ATPase activity exceeds that seen in the absence of regulatory proteins. Inhibition and potentiation of actin activated ATPase activity are dependent on the position of tropomyosin on actin filaments. One position of tropomyosin (M state) leads to high activity whereas the other two positions (B and the intermediate C state) are inactive.We recently showed that the C-terminal 14 residues of troponin T are critical for formation of the inactive B state at low Ca2+. Furthermore, that same region of troponin T limits the formation of the M state at saturating Ca2+. Our present goal is to map the C-terminal region of troponin T to determine if specific residues in the sequence are responsible for each of these activities. The B state was monitored by changes in acrylodan tropomyosin fluorescence and by the rate of rigor S1 binding to regulated actin. The M state was monitored by an ATPase assay. Stepwise deletions within the C-terminal 14 amino acids of Troponin T progressively reduced the population of the inactive B state at low Ca2+. In contrast, the population of the M state was progressively increased at high Ca2+. The net positive charge of the last 14 residues appeared to be a key determinant of activity. Conclusion: The C-terminal region of troponin T plays essential roles in inactivation and in limiting activation. Both of these activities require basic amino acid residues within the COOH terminus.
Chapter 3 The Role of PET/CT in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is an important cause of cancer morbidity worldwide and has been stratified into human papillomavirus-related and human papillomavirus-unrelated subgroups that affect prognosis and now staging. Conventional anatomical imaging methods are suboptimal for the detection of regional and distant metastases that are important prognosticators associated with poor outcomes. Functional imaging with (F18)-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a useful tool in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, providing complementary physiological and anatomical information. In this article, optimal PET/CT technique will be reviewed and the pretreatment and posttreatment applications of PET/CT will be described. A simplified approach to imaging interpretation, including review of pearls and pitfalls will be discussed. An initial framework for follow-up evaluation will be provided.
Invasions in Marine Communities: Contrasting Species Richness and Community Composition Across Habitats and Salinity

While many studies of non-native species have examined either soft-bottom or hard-bottom marine communities, including artificial structures at docks and marinas, formal comparisons across these habitat types are rare. The number of non-indigenous species (NIS) may differ among habitats, due to differences in species delivery (trade history) and susceptibility to invasions. In this study, we quantitatively compared NIS to native species richness and distribution and examined community similarity across hard-bottom and soft-sediment habitats in San Francisco Bay, California (USA). Benthic invertebrates were sampled using settlement panels (hard-bottom habitats) and sediment grabs (soft-bottom habitats) in 13 paired sites, including eight in higher salinity areas and five in lower salinity areas during 2 years. Mean NIS richness was greatest in hard-bottom habitat at high salinity, being significantly higher than each (a) native species at high salinity and (b) NIS richness at low salinity. In contrast, mean NIS richness in soft-bottom communities was not significantly different from native species richness in either high- or low-salinity waters, nor was there a difference in NIS richness between salinities. For hard-bottom communities, NIS represented an average of 79% of total species richness per sample at high salinity and 78% at low salinity, whereas the comparable values for soft bottom were 46 and 60%, respectively. On average, NIS occurred at a significantly higher frequency (percent of samples) than native species for hard-bottom habitats at both salinities, but this was not the case for soft-bottom habitats. Finally, NIS contributed significantly to the existing community structure (dissimilarity) across habitat types and salinities. Our results show that NIS richness and occurrence frequency is highest in hard-bottom and high-salinity habitat for this Bay but also that NIS contribute strongly to species richness and community structure across each habitat evaluated.
Self-tuning of conflicting oscillatory modes: A case study

An analysis of a single parameter self-tuning scheme for a high order system is presented and applied to a typical power system stabilizer, as a representative of systems in which stabilization of some modes decreases the damping of other modes. Integral manifolds and averaging are used to find conditions for convergence to a compromise setting of the conflicting modes.
Fracton-Elasticity Duality

Motivated by recent studies of fractons, we demonstrate that elasticity theory of a two-dimensional quantum crystal is dual to a fracton tensor gauge theory, providing a concrete manifestation of the fracton phenomenon in an ordinary solid. The topological defects of elasticity theory map onto charges of the tensor gauge theory, with disclinations and dislocations corresponding to fractons and dipoles, respectively. The transverse and longitudinal phonons of crystals map onto the two gapless gauge modes of the gauge theory. The restricted dynamics of fractons matches with constraints on the mobility of lattice defects. The duality leads to numerous predictions for phases and phase transitions of the fracton system, such as the existence of gauge theory counterparts to the (commensurate) crystal, supersolid, hexatic, and isotropic fluid phases of elasticity theory. Extensions of this duality to generalized elasticity theories provide a route to the discovery of new fracton models. As a further consequence, the duality implies that fracton phases are relevant to the study of interacting topological crystalline insulators.
The Great Property Fallacy: Theory, Reality, and Growth in Developing Countries

In this groundbreaking book, Frank K .Upham uses empirical analysis and economic theory to demonstrate how myths surrounding property law have blinded us to our own past and led us to demand that developing countries implement policies that are mistaken and impossible. Starting in the 16th century with the English enclosures and ending with the World Bank's recent attempt to reform Cambodian land law - while moving through 19th century America, postwar Japan, and contemporary China - Upham dismantles the virtually unchallenged assertion that growth cannot occur without stable legal property rights, and shows how rapid growth can come only through the destruction of pre-existing property structures and their replacement by more productive ones. He argues persuasively for the replacement of Western myths and theoretical simplifications with nuanced approaches to growth and development that are sensitive to complexity and difference and responsive to the political and social factors essential to successful broad-based development.
Does Juvenile Detention Impact Health

Youth involved in the juvenile justice system represent a medically underserved population. Recidivist youth have poorer health outcomes compared to youth detained for the first time. This study de...
High power evaluation of textured piezoelectric ceramics for SONAR projectors

Textured Ceramics of the relaxor ferroelectric PMNT have shown exceptional piezoelectric properties suitable for high power SONAR projectors. The piezoelectric coefficient (d33>800pm/V), the electromechanical coupling coefficient (k33>0.80), and the mechanical quality factor (Qm>90) in various forms of PMNT showcase the potential for these textured ceramics to be implemented in a high power, broad bandwidth acoustic projector. This work attempted to devise a set of experiments to quickly characterize the electromechanical performance of these materials in relevant devices in order to provide feedback to both the material developers and the user community. In this effort, textured PMNT and Manganese doped PMNT (Mn:PMNT) were compared to the performance of conventional lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics. Linearity and harmonic distortion measurements were made in a high pressure test facility to measure source levels of these SONAR projectors. In addition, isothermal measurements were made at 50 degrees...
An Information-Theoretical Approach to Space Weather

Abstract Systems are a complex, dynamic whole composed of interrelated, interacting components. One of the most significant challenges of describing system dynamics is identifying how extensively different components of the system interact and the origin of different patterns of dynamical behavior. A key question is how information flows among the different components and how information is exchanged with the surrounding environment. The tools of information theory make it possible to quantify the information flow and use it to discover causal dependency within the system. In this chapter, we discuss a number of entropy-based measures of dependency, including mutual information, cumulants, conditional mutual information, transfer entropy, redundancy, and information flow. We provide examples from known dynamical systems and space weather illustrating how these discriminating statistics can be applied. We show how these tools can be used to address such questions as: how do the dynamics of the magnetospheric response to the solar wind change during the solar cycle, can we identify physical processes responsible for substorm onset, how does information flow through the system, and how is it related to various physical processes?
Die Kontroverse über das Ende der Wissenschaft

Obwohl die Wissenschaft wachsenden Erfolg in ihrem Streben, ein umfassendes Verstandnis aller Naturphanomene herbeizufuhren, verzeichnete, sind abseits der Laboratorien Gegenstromungen entstanden, die darauf abzielen, der Wissenschaft, wie wir sie heute kennen, die Legitimation abzusprechen. Dieser Angriff gegen die Rolle der Wissenschaft in der Kultur hat in der Neuzeit in verschiedenen Epochen unterschiedliche Formen angenommen; er ist jedoch seit langer Zeit fest verwurzelt.
Developing model systems for molecular biogeography: Vicariance and interchange in marine invertebrates

Inference of shared history, based on congruence between the topological structure of cladograms for lineages, and the geographic distributions of lineages is becoming increasingly important to ecological and behavioral evolutionary studies. Yet clades which are topologically and geographically congruent may have originated at very different times, a phenomenon known as “pseudocongruence”. In this chapter, we explore the strengths and weaknesses of molecular data in identifying cases of pseudocongruence for the simplest possible case: when sister taxa are found in neighboring areas now separated by a disjunction or barrier of some kind. We focus on studies of littoral marine invertebrates in three well-studied marine model systems: coastal species from the southeastern United States, species pairs divided by the final closure of the Panama Seaway ca. 3 million years ago, and taxa which took part in the trans-Arctic interchange between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans following the opening of the Bering Strait ca. 3.5 million years ago. For each of these model systems, we present molecular divergence, population genetic, and in some cases, paleontological evidence that sister taxa in neighboring areas likely diverged at different times. We also show that comparison of multiple data sets from the same taxa can reveal cases of rate variation. While comparisons of degree of molecular divergence may be confounded by rate variation, comparisons of phylogeographic structure also have the potential to distinguish between cases of strong geographical subdivision and recent gene flow.
Radioactive Decay and Interaction of Radiation with Matter

Matter is composed of atoms. An atom consists of a nucleus containing protons (Z) and neutrons (N), collectively called nucleons, and electrons rotating around the nucleus. The sum of neutrons and protons (total number of nucleons) is the mass number denoted by A. The properties of neutrons, protons, and electrons are listed in Table 1.1. The number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of protons (atomic number Z) in the nucleus. The electrons rotate along different energy shells designated as K-shell, L-shell, M-shell, etc. (Fig. 1.1). Each shell further consists of subshells or orbitals, e.g., the K-shell has s orbital; the L-shell has s and p orbitals; the M-shell has s, p, and d orbitals, and the N-shell has s, p, d, and f orbitals. Each orbital can accommodate only a limited number of electrons. For example, the s orbital contains up to 2 electrons; the p orbital, 6 electrons; the d orbital, 10 electrons; and the f orbital, 14 electrons. The capacity number of electrons in each orbital adds up to give the maximum number of electrons that each energy shell can hold. Thus, the K-shell contains 2 electrons; the L-shell 8 electrons, the M-shell 18 electrons, and so forth.
Preoperative Smoking Cessation for Lung Resection Patients

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. The prevalence of smoking in the United States remains above 20 % despite intensive cessation programs and awareness of the risks of smoking by the general population. Smoking cessation programs that include counseling and pharmacotherapy have been proven to be effective in achieving long standing abstinence. In lung cancer patients, smoking cessation is associated with significant improvements in quality of life, all cause mortality, life expectancy and postoperative complications. Preoperative smoking cessation prior to a variety of surgical interventions including pulmonary resection reduces the risk of total, respiratory and wound complications. A team approach and adherence to the guidelines for smoking cessation including ongoing assessment, education, pharmacotherapy and referral for additional counseling should become an integrated part of preparing patients for all forms of lung cancer treatment including surgery.
Answer to December 2017 Photo Quiz.

Answer: Mansonella perstans. A Wright-Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear demonstrated an unsheathed microfilaria with nuclei extending to the tip of a blunt tail, characteristic of Mansonella perstans, measuring approximately 100 μm. M. perstans is transmitted by the Culicoides fly, endemic to
Teaching Postural Reactions to Students with Severe Cerebral Palsy: An Evaluation of Theory and Technique.

Neuromotor intervention approaches, based on central nervous system development among nonhandicapped infants and young children, are presently the most popular motor training approaches with cerebral palsied children. Empirical data in support of neuromotor or other approaches to motor training, however, are lacking. In response to the absence of a data base, the theoretical basis and effectiveness of a neuromotor intervention was investigated across seven cerebral palsied, severely handicapped children, ages 2 1/2 to 12 years. Results suggested a training effect in the data of three children. Theoretical relationships among abnormal tonic reflexes and normal motor patterns were not supported by the data. Because results were not consistent across all children, it was suggested that future research focus on subject characteristics that may relate to the effectiveness of intervention. Additionally, recommendations were made regarding measurement systems for evaluating change, and strategies for investigati...
Spectro-Temporal Asymmetry in Optical Parametric Processes

We have, for the first time, generated bi-photon quantum states of light with temporal waveforms showing stunning asymmetry and exotic coherence properties using cavity-enhanced four wave mixing in an optical mircoresonator with selectively split modes.
Natural history of Acinetobacter baumannii infection in mice

In 2017, the WHO identified Acinetobacter baumannii as the top priority for the development of new antibiotics. Despite the need for new antibiotics, there remains a lack of well validated preclinical tools for A. baumannii. Here, we characterize and validate a mouse model for A. baumannii translational research. Antibiotic sensitivity for meropenem, amikacin, and polymyxin b was determined by the broth microdilution MIC assay. LD100 inoculums, in both blood and lung infection models, were determined in male and female C3HeB/FeJ mice that were challenged with various A. baumannii clinical isolates. Blood (blood infection model) or blood and lung tissue (lung infection model) were collected from infected mice at 2 and 18 hours and the bacterial burden was determined by quantitative culture. Blood chemistry was analyzed using the iStat system. Cytokines (IL-1s, TNF, IL-6, and IL-10) were measured in the blood and lung homogenate by ELISA assay. Lung sections (H&E stains) were scored by a pathologist. In the blood infection model, the cytokines and physiological data indicate that mice become moribund due to sepsis (low blood pH, falling bicarbonate, and a rising base deficit), whereas mice become moribund due to respiratory failure (low blood pH, rising bicarbonate, and a falling base deficit) in the oral aspiration pneumonia model. We also characterized the timing of changes in various clinical and biomarker endpoints, which can serve as a basis for future interventional studies. Susceptibility was generally similar across gender and infection route. However, we did observe that female mice were approximately 2-fold more sensitive to LAC-4 ColR in the blood infection model. We also observed that female mice were more than 10-fold more resistant to VA-AB41 in the oral aspiration pneumonia model. These results establish parameters to follow in order to assess efficacy of novel preventative and therapeutic approaches for these infections.
Coordinated Distributed Decision Making on Social Influence Networks

Game theory has long served as a framework with which to model interactive decision making for scenarios where agents are motivated to maximize their individual welfare. However, when agents are influenced by the opinions and attitudes of others, the opportunity exists to make coordinated decisions in the pursuit of systematic group behavior. The application of conditional game theory, Bayesian network theory, and Markov convergence theory provides a framework within which to formalize a theory of coordinated decision making under social influence.
Exploring Feasibility and Fit: Peer-Mediated Interventions for High School Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Abstract Although peer-mediated interventions can provide effective pathways for enhancing the social outcomes of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), their application within secondary s...
Posttransplant cyclophosphamide in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for the treatment of nonmalignant hematological diseases

We present a single-center retrospective series of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with the use of posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) in the setting of nonmalignant hematological conditions. Nine patients were treated between 2013 and 2019. Nonmyeloablative conditioning consisted of antithymocyte globulin, fludarabine, low-dose cyclophosphamide, and total body irradiation (200cGy) followed by allogeneic bone marrow infusion. Post-BMT GVHD prophylaxis was with PTCy, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. At a median follow-up of 24 months (range 4, 63), all patients are alive, with donor-derived hematopoiesis and free of significant acute or chronic GVHD. Donors were haploidentical (n = 6), fully matched unrelated (n = 2), and fully matched sibling (n = 1). Neutrophil and platelet engraftment occurred at a median of 21 days and 33 days, respectively, after transplantation. Three patients (3/9, 33%) experienced stage 1–2 acute skin GVHD. The only cases of chronic GVHD are in three patients (3/9, 33%) with ocular disease (two mild, one moderate). No patient has required systemic immunosuppression beyond 12 months after BMT. PTCy-based nonmyeloablative allogeneic BMT is safe and effective for nonmalignant hematologic conditions and should be prospectively compared with historical regimens.
Conformation and Aggregation of Human Serum Albumin in the Presence of Green Tea Polyphenol (EGCg) and/or Palmitic Acid.

Polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) may have roles in preventing some chronic diseases when they are ingested as components of plant-based foods and beverages. Human serum albumin (HSA) is a multi-domain protein that binds various ligands and aids in their transport, distribution, and metabolism in the circulatory system. In the present study, the HSA-EGCg interaction in the absence or presence of fatty acid has been investigated. Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) was used to determine inter- and intra-domain distances in the protein with and without EGCg and palmitic acid (PA). By labeling Cys-34 with 7-(diethyl amino)-4-methylcoumarin 3-maleimide (CPM), the distance between Trp-214 at domain IIA and CPM-Cys-34 at domain IA could be established. A small amount of PA decreased the distance, while a large amount increased the distance up to 5.4 A. EGCg increased the inter-domain distance in HSA and HSA-PA up to 2.8 and 7.6 A, respectively. We concluded that PA affects protein conformation more significantly compared to EGCg. Circular dichroism (CD) established that EGCg affects protein secondary structure more significantly than PA. PA had little effect on the α-helix content of HSA, while EGCg decreased the α-helix content in a dose-dependent fashion. Moreover, EGCg decreased α-helix content in HSA and HSA-PA to the same level. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) data revealed that both PA and EGCg increased HSA aggregation. EGCg increased HSA aggregation more significantly and promoted formation of aggregates that were more heterogenous. Any of these effects could impact the ability of serum albumin to transport and stabilize ligands including EGCg and other polyphenols.
Rom-com without romonormativity, gays without homonormativity: examining the People Like Us web series

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the Singaporean web series People Like Us (Leon Cheo, 2016) as a text with characteristics of a romantic comedy that also challenges many generic conventions. In terms ...
“Histories out of the scriptures”: Biblical Drama in the Repertory of the Admiral’s Men, 1594–1603

Philip Henslowe’s diary is seldom cited in scholarship on the Bible and early English drama, and yet for the acting company that Henslowe documented, the Lord Admiral’s Men, the diary records nine plays based on biblical subjects between 1591 and 1603, six of them for one year, 1602. All of these plays are lost, but we can learn about their structure, themes, and performance aspects from two extant plays written for the commercial theatre of this period, David and Bethsabe and A Looking Glass for London and England, as well as from recent research on lost plays. In this chapter I explore how these plays fit into the commercial repertory of a major London acting troupe, and why the company of Edward Alleyn (Lord Admiral’s) staged so many biblical plays in that one year of 1602. As a context for studying this drama, I reconsider some misdirected critical commonplaces about biblical drama in late Elizabethan England: that it was virtually extinct due to Protestant antitheatricality, that what did survive avoided the representation of divinity—and specifically Christ—on stage, and that the commercial Elizabethan theatre was a fully secular institution that expunged serious treatment of religious issues.
The Benefits and Costs of Social Distancing in Rich and Poor Countries

Social distancing is the primary policy prescription for combating the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been widely adopted in Europe and North America. We estimate the value of disease avoidance using an epidemiological model that projects the spread of COVID-19 across rich and poor countries. Social distancing measures that "flatten the curve" of the disease to bring demand within the capacity of healthcare systems are predicted to save many lives in high-income countries, such that practically any economic cost is worth bearing. These social distancing policies are estimated to be less effective in poor countries with younger populations less susceptible to COVID-19, and more limited healthcare systems, which were overwhelmed before the pandemic. Moreover, social distancing lowers disease risk by limiting people's economic opportunities. Poorer people are less willing to make those economic sacrifices. They place relatively greater value on their livelihood concerns compared to contracting COVID-19. Not only are the epidemiological and economic benefits of social distancing much smaller in poorer countries, such policies may exact a heavy toll on the poorest and most vulnerable. Workers in the informal sector lack the resources and social protections to isolate themselves and sacrifice economic opportunities until the virus passes. By limiting their ability to earn a living, social distancing can lead to an increase in hunger, deprivation, and related mortality and morbidity. Rather than a blanket adoption of social distancing measures, we advocate for the exploration of alternative harm-reduction strategies, including universal mask adoption and increased hygiene measures.
Smart Contract-based Computing ResourcesTrading in Edge Computing

In recent years, there is an emerging trend that some computing services are moving from cloud to the edge of the networks. Compared to cloud computing, edge computing can provide services with faster response, lower expense, and more security. The massive idle computing resources closing to the edge also enhance the deployment of edge services. Instead of using cloud services from some primary providers, edge computing provides people with a great chance to actively join the market of computing resources. However, edge computing also has some critical impediments that we have to overcome. In this paper, we design an edge computing service platform that can receive and distribute the computing resources from the end-users in a decentralized way. Without centralized trade control, we propose a novel hierarchical smart contract-based decentralized technique to establish the trading trust among users and provide flexible smart contract interfaces to satisfy users. Our system also considers and resolves a variety of security and privacy challenges when utilizing the encryption and distributed access control mechanism. We implement our system and conduct extensive experiments to show the feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed system.
Dexamethasone ameliorates recovery process of neuromuscular junctions after tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion injuries in mouse hindlimb

Abstract As a primary tool in first-line treatment of severe extremity hemorrhage, tourniquet and subsequent reperfusion also induce ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injuries including severe dysfunction of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Here, we observed the effect of dexamethasone (Dex) on NMJs suffering from IR-cause damage in mouse hindlimb. Unilateral hindlimb of mice was subjected to 3 h of tourniquet application by placing a rubber band, and then releasing the rubber band for reperfusion during different periods of time (1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks). Dex treatment (1 mg/kg/day, i.p.) began on the day of tourniquet-IR induction and lasted for 7 days. During tourniquet-induced IR, NMJs in gastrocnemius muscles showed significant morphological and functional changes. These changes include that motor nerve terminals gradually regenerated, even reaching that seen in sham mice; nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) clusters were gradually fragmented with prolongation of reperfusion; and the amplitude of endplate potentials (EPPs) gradually increased, but it did not restore to the sham level at 6 weeks of tourniquet-induced IR. IL-1β and TNFα were over-produced in gastrocnemius muscles at 1 week, gradually decreased to the sham level at 4 weeks, and returned back to a high level at 6 weeks of tourniquet-induced IR. Treatment with Dex mitigated fragmentation of nAChR clusters, increased the amplitude of EPPs, and decreased levels of TNFα and IL-1β during the first two weeks of tourniquet-induced IR. The present study suggests that anti-inflammation is a potentially important strategy for promoting the morphological and functional recovery processes of NMJs after tourniquet-induced IR injuries.
Effects of perceived economic contributions on individual preferences for environmentally friendly residential landscapes

Abstract Areas devoted to maintained residential landscapes are a common trend in new community planning, increasing the potential for unintended environmental consequences. State, local governments, and water management organizations are interested in policies that promote low-input residential landscapes and relevant landscaping practices by individual households to mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts. Converting traditional, turfgrass dominated residential lawns into low-input landscapes (i.e., design with lawn / plant bed combination) is one approach for water conservation. Additional considerations of perceived economic benefits of residential landscapes, such as the home value-added benefits (VAB), may affect the adoption decision. However, the relationship between individuals’ perceived VAB of low-input landscapes and preferences needs further investigation. The present study used a discrete choice experiment (CE) framework to investigate the effects of individuals’ perceived VAB on willingness to pay for environmentally friendly landscapes. The results revealed that simple economic benefits information alone does not affect homeowners’ landscape preferences. The perceived VAB significantly affect individuals’ adoption intentions, so that improving households’ perception of VAB can help encourage pro-environmental behavior. Contributions to the residential landscape preferences literature and practical implications for industry stakeholders are discussed.
Impact of land uses, drought, flood, wildfire, and cascading events on water quality and microbial communities: A review and analysis

Abstract The increase in dynamic interactions between climate and human activities threatens water security in terms of water quantity and quality. Most water security studies have focused on water quantity compared to water quality, while both are equally important and vital for maintaining a healthy ecosystem and human well-being. The first part of the paper provides a review of the potential impacts of climate-related extreme events (i.e., drought, flood, and wildfires) on different water quality indicators and the potential impact of cascading extreme events (e.g., drought-flood regimes) on dynamics of water quality behavior. In the second part of the paper, we demonstrate the cascading impact of severe drought and an extreme historical flood event (October 1–4, 2015) in South Carolina (USA) on water quality variables. The effect of drought on water quality in contrasting land-use settings is investigated. Finally, water quality data was collected over a period of time in three types of land-use settings to study the dynamics of multiple flood and drought events on microbial communities. Flooding conditions result in high levels of bacteria associated with fecal contamination, especially in the stream setting, where large differences between drought and flooding occur in the microbial communities. The results highlight the significant impact of cascading events on water quality and microbial communities. The effect of drought on water quality indicators in different land-use settings can be different, highlighting the dominant role of watershed characteristics. Overall, it is essential to develop quantitative frameworks in the context of sustainability science to quantify the interaction between climate, watershed, and anthropogenic variables that control stream water quality. This study highlights the importance of understanding the relationships between extreme events and water quality indicators as an important step to improve ecosystem health and sustainability. Finally, some remarks are made on the knowledge gaps which need to be addressed in future studies.
Factors Associated with Weight Loss Maintenance and Weight Regain Among African American and White Adults Initially Successful at Weight Loss

Providing ongoing treatment through extended care programs can improve weight loss maintenance (WLM), but the effectiveness of these programs for African Americans (AA) are mixed and may be due to unique cultural factors. To identify, prioritize, and organize factors associated with WLM as experienced by AA and White adults initially successful with weight loss. Adults identified their greatest amount of lifetime weight loss, and those achieving ≥5% weight loss were classified as maintainers (continued >5% weight reduction for ≥1 year) or regainers (≤5% weight reduction) based on current weight. The nominal group technique was conducted to identify and rank WLM facilitators and barriers. Online card sorting tasks and hierarchical clustering were performed to illustrate conceptual relationships between facilitators (maintainers only) and barriers (regainers only). Participants (maintainers, n = 46; regainers, n = 58; 81.7% women, 48.1% AA) identified known factors associated with successful weight management (daily weighing, self-monitoring, regular physical activity, mindful eating). However, the perceived importance of these factors differed between groups (maintainer vs. regainers; AA vs. Whites). Unique factors affecting WLM were also identified (refresher groups recommended by White maintainers and regainers; self-accountability identified by AA maintainers). Salient facilitators and barriers were best represented in 2–3 clusters; each group had ≥1 unique cluster(s) revealing group-specific higher-order domains associated with successful WLM. As lifestyle interventions for WLM (particularly for AA) are developed, attention to the preferences, and lived experiences of these groups is recommended. Strategies targeting physical activity maintenance and autonomy-supportive approaches may improve WLM among AA.
The Nation, the Festival, and Institutionalized Memory: Transoptic Landscapes of the Welsh National Eisteddfod

Each year the National Eisteddfod alternates between north and south Wales in a festival that consistently redefines itself and what it means to be and perform Welshness. As a publicly funded and o...
Innovative Communities: A Global Nursing Perspective:

The author in this article explores four innovations in communities that offer a place of welcome and growth while inviting all to see people, including those with intellectual or developmental cha...
Spatial Variation in Contraceptive Practice Across the Districts of India, 1998-2016.

India is currently one of the most demographically diverse regions of the world. Fertility and mortality rates are known to show considerable variation at the level of regions, states and districts. Little is known however, about the spatial variations of the contraceptive usage—a critical variable that is relevant to fertility as well as health policy. This paper uses data from four national population-based household surveys conducted between 1998 and 2016 to explore district-level variations in the contraceptive prevalence rate. We find no clear evidence of convergence. The gap between the best and worst performing districts is more than 70 percent across the four rounds and does not diminish over time. We also find considerable evidence of spatial clustering across districts. Districts with high prevalence concentrate in Southern states and more recently, in the Northeast of the country. Our analysis suggests that female literacy and health care infrastructure are important correlates of spatial clusters. This suggests that investments in women’s human capital and health-care infrastructure play a role in expanding women’s opportunities to time their births.