cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Neumann-Neumann preconditioned iterative substructuring approach for computing solutions to Poisson's equation with prescribed jumps on an embedded boundary

In multifluid problems with surface tension the fluid pressure and its derivative are discontinuous at fluid interfaces. We present a Cartesian grid embedded boundary method for numerically resolving these discontinuities in which we use Neumann-Neumann preconditioned iterative substructuring to solve the governing equations. We validate this method by computing several well-known Poisson problems with discontinuous coefficients, and we compare its performance to an approach based on simple iteration. By analogy with the conjugate gradient method, we hypothesize that the scaling of the Neumann-Neumann preconditioned iterative substructuring is O(h^-^Dlnh^-^1) where h is the cell size and D=2,3 is the dimensionality of the problem. In contrast, we show that the simple iterative procedure scales like O(h^-^(^D^+^1^)) and is slower by a factor of 4000 for a small (i.e., 64x64 cell) model calculation with physical parameters corresponding to a 1.5mm air bubble in water. We present an analytical model to explain the scaling of this iterative procedure.
A Necessary and Sufficient Timing Assumption for Speed-Independent Circuits

This paper presents a proof that the adversary path timing assumption is both necessary and sufficient for correct SI circuit operation. This assumption requires that the delay of a wire on one branch of a fork be less than the delay through a gate sequence beginning at another branch in the same fork. Both the definition of the timing assumption and the proof build on a general, formal notion of computation given with respect to production rule sets. This underlying framework can be used for a variety of proof efforts or as a basis for defining other useful notions involving asynchronous computation.
The survival status of Ridley sea-turtles in American waters

Abstract The Atlantic Ridley Sea-turtle (Lepidochelys kempi) , which only nests in the southern part of the coast of Tamaulipas, Mexico, should now be safe from extinction if existing protection schemes can be continued. The south-west Atlantic enclave of the Pacific species (L. olivacea) should also be safe if protection at the important Surinam nesting-beach is continued. The East Pacific populations of L. olivacea , though receiving partial protection in Mexico, are at present suffering a probably dangerous level of exploitation.
Relational Matching - Problems, Techniques, and Applications

A relational description is a set of relations that can be used to represent an object model or to describe the features, properties, and interrelationships extracted from an image. Given two such relational descriptions, the relational distance between them tells us how similar are two models (for grouping purposes) or how well a part of an image matches a particular model (for identification purposes). Furthermore, once two descriptions have been judged similar enough by their relational distance, the mapping derived from the matching process can be used to determine symbolic differences between them that may aid in the process of image analysis. In this paper we will define all of the above concepts and then discuss some matching procedures — both in general and for some specific matching problems we are encountering in an industrial inspection task. We will also discuss the complex models being used for this task and the problem of organizing object models in general.
Human perception of verticality: Psychophysical experiments on the centrifuge and their neuronal implications

The role of the otoliths in the perception of verticality is analyzed in two different gravitational environments, 1 g and 1 .5 g, and in different roll body positions between upright and upside down. The subjective visual vertical (SW) is determined when a subject judges the orrentation of an indicator as apparently vertical. An increase of g level hardly affects the SW in the subject's frontal plane (y-z plane). However, for the first time, a three-dimensionally adjustable indicator was used for the SW and this revealed a new phenomenon: An increase of g level induces a backward slant of the SW into subject's median plane (x-z plane). The data are discussed with regard to Mittelstaedt's SW theory; particular emphasis is given to the otolith-head coordrnate transformatron and the normalization of afferent otolith components. The results of this study provrde evidence that the former is implemented at an earlier level and thus orecedes the latter.
Agile Security for Information Warfare: A Call for Research

The context of information security is changing dramatically. Networking technologies have driven the global expansion of electronic commerce. Electronic commerce is increasingly engaging sophisticated advances like digital agents and web services. As a result of such advances, the information systems architectures that must be secured are becoming dynamic: shifting landscapes of changing vulnerabilities. At the same time, the threats in these landscapes are also becoming more sophisticated and dynamic. Information warfare is raising the stakes in information security by leveling intensive and highly novel threats against civilian systems. Information security researchers need to develop organizational approaches and methodologies that respond to this new context. The conflation of information warfare and short cycle development theories promises new information security practices. These approaches and methodologies would effectively lead to agile information security development. Agile information security development anticipates threats and rapidly deploys necessary safeguards in the context of shifting systems landscapes amid pervasive systems threats.
Pharmacokinetic Mismatch Does Not Lead to Emergence of Isoniazid- or Rifampin-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis but to Better Antimicrobial Effect: a New Paradigm for Antituberculosis Drug Scheduling

ABSTRACT Multidrug resistant-tuberculosis is a pressing problem. One of the major mechanisms proposed to lead to the emergence of drug resistance is pharmacokinetic mismatch. Stated as a falsifiable hypothesis, the greater the pharmacokinetic mismatch between rifampin and isoniazid, the higher the isoniazid- and rifampin-resistant subpopulation sizes become with time. To test this, we performed hollow-fiber-system studies for both bactericidal and sterilizing effects in experiments of up to 42 days. We mimicked pharmacokinetics of 600-mg/day rifampin and 300-mg/day isoniazid administered to patients. Rifampin was administered first, followed by isoniazid 0, 6, 12, and 24 h later. The treatment was for drug-susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis in some experiments and hollow fiber systems with inoculum preseeded with isoniazid- and rifampin-resistant isogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in others. Analysis of variance revealed that the 12-h and 24-h-mismatched regimens always killed better than the matched regimens during both bactericidal and sterilizing effects ( P
EDHF and NO: different pathways for production--similar actions.

In this issue of Circulation Research , Vequaud and Thorin1 present observations that attest to differential G protein signaling in dilation to nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization factor (EDHF). The investigators also report that EDHF of the mesenteric artery is not a metabolite of phospholipase C, which strongly suggests that this vasodilator is not a lipid metabolite of cytochrome P450. Vequaud and Thorin also reported that EDHF-mediated dilation is calcium independent, which contrasts to the calcium dependency of agonist-induced NO-mediated dilation. And finally the authors report that heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) participates in the production of NO but not EDHF. This study not only provides important contributions to our understanding of NO- and EDHF-mediated vasodilation but also presents a methodological tour de force in the study of microvascular signaling using the intracellular application of antibodies as specific inhibitors of the signaling pathways. With regard to the methodological advance, the authors’ method for the study of signaling pathways in intact microvessels is novel and is based on a technique described to study transduction pathways in cultured cells.2 Specifically, antibodies to specific G proteins or Hsp90 were incorporated into the endothelium of isolated pressurized microvessels using osmotic shock—hyperosmotic conditions followed by hypoosmotic shock. After this treatment, the …
Autobiographical memory for spatial location is unaffected by delay

Abstract To examine recall of personal spatial location during a previously experienced event, Lafayette College students located themselves in a version of their incoming class photograph that was all black with each individual figure identified in white. They then subsequently identified themselves in the original version of the photograph. The distance between the initial choice in the obscured version and the individual's correct location was recorded. Participants were remarkably and equally accurate in identifying their location irrespective of whether the event occurred 2, 6, 18, 30, 38, or 42 months earlier. Although non-spatial aspects of the cue and rehearsal did not influence accuracy, objective location in the photograph partially accounted for error rates. However, none of these factors was sufficient to explain the absence of delay effects. Unlike spatial memory, recall of temporal information showed a linear decrease in accuracy with delay, but with exceptionally accurate performance by senior-class students.
Use of SMA Constitutive Model in Finite Element Analysis of Wire-Based Actuators

Suitable SMA material constitutive models are required to include the SMA behavior in the Finite Element (FE) analysis of structures with SMA based active elements. The complex behavior of SMA with path dependency, phase transformations and hysteresis preclude straight-forward incorporation into an FEM code and special schemes need to be devised to address such issues, especially under combined thermo-mechanical loading. This paper describes one such approach. A phenomenological material model to describe behavior of SMA under an arbitrary loading path in stress (strain) – temperature regime developed earlier by the research group at ISL is examined and then used to develop a special material routine to be used in a general purpose FEM analysis code. The user material routine (UMAT) facility in ABAQUS is used for this exercise. Further, calculations are carried out for a simple actuator configuration to demonstrate its working in the FE environment.
Is there a relationship between cholesterol reduction, low levels of cholesterol and mortality?

Cholesterol lowering in both primary and secondary prevention has been clearly demonstrated to lower coronary morbidity and, in secondary prevention, to lower coronary mortality as well. Putative dangers of cholesterol lowering remain unproven. Population studies linking low cholesterol to noncoronary mortalities do not demonstrate cause-and-effect relations. In fact, based on current studies, the opposite is more likely to be the case. Neither gender nor age should automatically exclude persons from cholesterol screening. Drug intervention, however, should be used conservatively, particularly in young adults and the elderly. Drugs should be used only after diet and lifestyle interventions have failed. The evidence linking high blood cholesterol to coronary atherosclerosis and cholesterol lowering to its prevention is broad-based and definitive. Concerns about cholesterol lowering and spontaneously low cholesterols should be pursued but should not interfere with the implementation of current public policies to reduce the still heavy burden of atherosclerosis in Western society. Language: es
Spatial organization of cellulose microfibrils and matrix polysaccharides in primary plant cell walls as imaged by multichannel atomic force microscopy

We used atomic force microscopy (AFM), complemented with electron microscopy, to characterize the nanoscale and mesoscale structure of the outer (periclinal) cell wall of onion scale epidermis - a model system for relating wall structure to cell wall mechanics. The epidermal wall contains ~100 lamellae, each ~40 nm thick, containing 3.5-nm wide cellulose microfibrils oriented in a common direction within a lamella but varying by ~30 to 90° between adjacent lamellae. The wall thus has a crossed polylamellate, not helicoidal, wall structure. Montages of high-resolution AFM images of the newly deposited wall surface showed that single microfibrils merge into and out of short regions of microfibril bundles, thereby forming a reticulated network. Microfibril direction within a lamella did not change gradually or abruptly across the whole face of the cell, indicating continuity of the lamella across the outer wall. A layer of pectin at the wall surface obscured the underlying cellulose microfibrils when imaged by FESEM, but not by AFM. The AFM thus preferentially detects cellulose microfibrils by probing through the soft matrix in these hydrated walls. AFM-based nanomechanical maps revealed significant heterogeneity in cell wall stiffness and adhesiveness at the nm scale. By color coding and merging these maps, the spatial distribution of soft and rigid matrix polymers could be visualized in the context of the stiffer microfibrils. Without chemical extraction and dehydration, our results provide multiscale structural details of the primary cell wall in its near-native state, with implications for microfibrils motions in different lamellae during uniaxial and biaxial extensions.
In-Situ Temperature Monitoring in Rtp by Acoustical Techniques

A new technique utilizing the high sensitivity of acoustic wave velocity to temperature is used to measure the wafer temperature in RTP. Acoustic energy is coupled to a Lamb wave mode in the wafer using the quartz support pins already present in most rapid thermal processors. The tips of the pins are sharpened to have point contact with the wafer and acoustic transducers are bonded to the other end to excite and detect acoustic waves. By measuring the pin-to-pin time of flight of Lamb waves, it is possible to monitor the wafer temperature in-situ in the 20 - 1000°C range with ±5°C accuracy. Increasing SNR to 50dB by spring loading the pins and using better electronics, it is possible to improve this figure to ±1°C. Also a modified system with multiple spring loaded pins is constructed and wafer temperature mapping is performed using tomographic reconstruction techniques. The resulting images are in good agreement with thermocouple readings and can be used for temperature control and rapid thermal processor design.
Effects of transfusions of lipemic plasma.

SummaryEighteen subjects received a total of 50 transfusions of lipemic plasma which was well tolerated. The most significant laboratory tests were associated with fragility of erythrocytes exposed to fatty plasma both in vitro and after injection into the circulatory blood. The mechanism for alterations in fragility of erythrocytes remains undetermined but seems to account for the varying thermogenic reaction complicating the use of both natural and artificial intravenous fat emulsions.
Synthesis, In Vitro Evaluation, and In Vivo Metabolism of Fluor/Quencher Compounds Containing IRDye 800CW and Black Hole Quencher-3 (BHQ-3)

Protease-cleavable peptides containing a suitable fluor/quencher (Fl/Q) pair are optically dark until cleaved by their target protease, generating fluorescence. This approach has been used with many Fl/Q pairs, but little has been reported with IRDye 800CW, a popular near-infrared (NIR) fluor. We explored the use of the azo-bond-containing Black Hole Quencher 3 (BHQ-3) as a quencher for IRDye 800CW and found that IRDye 800CW/BHQ-3 is a suitable Fl/Q pair, despite the lack of proper spectral overlap for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) applications. Cleavage of IRDye 800CW-PLGLK(BHQ-3)AR-NH(2) (8) and its D-arginine (Darg) analogue (9) by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in vitro yielded the expected cleavage fragments. In vivo, extensive metabolism was found. Significant decomposition of a "non-cleavable" control IRDye 800CW-(1,13-diamino-4,7,10-trioxatridecane)-BHQ-3 (10) was evident in plasma of normal mice by 3 min post injection. The major metabolite showed a m/z and UV/vis spectrum consistent with azo bond cleavage in the BHQ-3 moiety. Preparation of an authentic standard of this metabolite (11) confirmed the assignment. Although the IRDye 800CW/BHQ-3 constructs showed efficient contact quenching prior to enzymatic cleavage, BHQ-3 should be used with caution in vivo, due to instability of its azo bond.
Benchmarking in health-system pharmacy: current research and practical applications.

The application of benchmarking techniques to hospital pharmacy practice is discussed. Benchmarking is a process designed to discover best practices through a comparison of various competing methods aimed at achieving a particular goal. Benchmarking antimicrobial drug utilization and rates of bacterial resistance through comparison with a multitude of similar hospitals can be used by an institution both to identify potential problem areas in its pharmacy practice and to aid in establishing appropriate and attainable goals. The effectiveness of various activities targeted at reducing appropriate drug use can also be benchmarked. In 1993, the Benchmarking Program was established at Millard Fillmore Hospital. This program consists of a network of hospital pharmacists who supply data on antimicrobial use, antimicrobial management activities, and rates of antimicrobial resistance. The program was designed both to serve hospital pharmacies in optimizing antimicrobial management and to create a national database for evaluating relationships among antimicrobial use, management, and resistance. Hospitals participating in the Benchmarking Program receive an annual report that allows them to compare themselves with peer groups and with best-performing "benchmark hospitals." All data from U.S. hospitals contained in the Benchmarking Program database are pooled and analyzed to identify meaningful trends. However, information gained from the institutionwide data must be supplemented by studies at the patient level. Benchmarking antimicrobial drug use in an institutional setting can identify successes as well as potential problem areas in pharmacy practice and aid in establishing appropriate and attainable goals.
Rapid Determination of Benzo(a)pyrene in Seafood by Second-derivative Constant-energy Synchronous Fluorescence Spectrometry

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in seafood samples were ascribed to water pollution,while benzo(a)pyrene was recognized as an indicator of PAHs.A simple and rapid analytical method was developed by combining microwave-assisted pretreatment with second-derivative constant-energy synchronous fluorescence scanning technique for the determination of the benzo(a)pyrene content in seafood samples.The samples were firstly processed with microwave pretreatment,and the extractions were vaporized and redissolved into dichloromethane for further detection.According to the specific spectral properties of seafood samples,peak-to-derivative baseline measurement was used to read the fluorescence data,and standard addition method was applied to the quantitative analysis of seafood samples.The whole spectroscopic scan cost only 1 min.The recoveries ranged from 80.5% to 118.2% for seafood samples and the detection limit was 0.10 μg/kg with linear range from 0.34 to 250 μg/kg.The results obtained with this method were in consistence with those of HPLC-FL method.The satisfactory results acquired by using this method to analyze a certified reference material with a relative error of 7.1% from the certified benzo(a)pyrene concentration.
Evolution and Persistence of Students' Astronomy Career Interests: A Gender Study.

This article uses U.S. survey data (N=15,847) to characterize the evolution of student interest in an astronomy career in the period between middle school and the beginning of college. We find that middle school students have a relatively high interest in astronomy, which sharply declines with every phase of their education. However, many of the students who leave astronomy - particularly male students - feed heavily into other STEM disciplines. Through statistical modeling, we find that students who spend extracurricular time observing stars, tinkering with mechanical or electrical devices, or reading/watching science or science fiction are significantly more likely than students who do not engage in these activities to hold an interest in pursuing an astronomy career at the end of high school. We also find that females who observe stars during extracurricular time show a greater improvement in their odds of pursuing astronomy than males do. Furthermore, we find that these out-of-school-time activities are better predictors of astronomy interest than commonly studied academic predictors. We discuss the implications of these findings on future extracurricular programming for students.
Chloral hydrate for sedation of children with asthma during dental treatment.

AIM We hypothesised that chloral hydrate is safe and effective for sedation during dental treatments for children with mild asthma. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of chloral hydrate by measuring changes in heart rate (HR), transcutaneous oxygen saturation, (SpO2), asthma score, behaviour, types and frequency of adverse reactions associated with chloral hydrate were assessed throughout treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Children (<10 years old) with mild asthma undergoing dental treatments received a single 65 mg/kg oral dose of chloral hydrate liquid 1 hour prior to treatment in an open label trial. Heart rate (HR), SpO2, asthma score, behaviour, types and frequency of adverse reactions associated with chloral hydrate were assessed throughout treatment. Asthma score was obtained before and after treatment. Thirty minutes after treatment, SpO2, HR, and level of consciousness was assessed. RESULTS Twenty four children were enrolled and 92% (22/24) recovered from sedation without respiratory depression. Two experienced mild respiratory depression related to chloral hydrate. Asthma was not a contributing factor as they did not experience wheezing, cough, tachypnoea, or retractions. Inhaled nitrous oxide supplemented chloral hydrate sedation in 63% (15/24) children to achieve effective cooperation. Three children had a SpO2 <95% (2 during treatment, 1 during recovery). CONCLUSION Chloral hydrate 65 mg/kg administered a as single oral dose appears to be safe with respect to disease exacerbation for children with mild asthma undergoing dental treatment. Due to ineffective sedation and mild respiratory depression associated with chloral hydrate, newer, easily titrated medications, such as midazolam, may offer advantages.
Enhanced beta-gamma coincidence counting gas cell

The automated radioxenon sampler/analyzer (ARSA) uses a highly compact, high efficiency beta-gamma coincidence detector to detect /sup 133/Xe, /sup 131m/Xe, /sup 133m/Xe and /sup 135/Xe for treaty monitoring and environmental sampling. This system has shown itself to he reliable and robust in several field exercises. However, from a maintenance and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) standpoint it suffers from a very detailed photo-multiplier-tube gain matching regime. In an effort to upgrade and simplify the current beta-gamma coincident detector, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has developed a simplified but equally effective well-type detector. Initial comparison between three different well detectors has been performed. Along with the well gamma-ray detectors, a new plastic scintillation gas cell was constructed. The spectral resolution and efficiency obtained from this new design has been demonstrated to be as good as or better than the original ARSA design with greatly improved calibration and maintenance characteristics.
Diversity from the Inside Out: Eight Years of the UNCG Libraries Diversity Committee

The Diversity Committee of UNCG Libraries, founded in 2007, develops and supports activity relating to diversity and inclusion. Recognizing that the most successful change begins from within, the Committee’s strategy for promoting diversity began with internal library staff development, and expanded over time to international representation of library faculty. Examples of diversity-related programs undertaken by the committee range from staff development focused on providing support to unique populations on campus, to the creation of the Diversity Resident Librarian position. In this article, members of the UNCG Libraries Diversity Committee will discuss the programs that this committee developed and sponsored, beginning with training from within the Libraries for staff, expanding to regional, national, and international representation.
Understanding the Paradigm Shift in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the fourth most deadly cancer in the United States and carries a grim prognosis. Surgical resection remains the only way to cure pancreatic cancer. It is a difficult surgery, requiring specialty hospitals for the best chance for immediate and long-term survival. Recently, multiagent chemotherapy has been shown to improve the survival of patients with metastatic disease, and this has started a paradigm shift in the management of patients with localized pancreatic cancer. Tsai et al describe in wonderful detail this paradigm shift and provide a framework for how to approach a patient with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Contribution of submandibular gland and swallowing structure sparing to post-radiation therapy PEG dependence in oropharynx cancer patients treated with split-neck IMRT technique

Background Radiation therapy-related dysphagia is worsened by xerostomia. The submandibular glands (SMG) produce saliva rich in lubricating mucins, and sparing the SMG has been shown to reduce xerostomia. The goal of this study was to determine whether SMG sparing IMRT is associated with reduced post-treatment PEG dependence in locally advanced oropharynx cancer patients.
Ketamine and Beyond: Investigations into the Potential of Glutamatergic Agents to Treat Depression

Clinical and preclinical studies suggest that dysfunction of the glutamatergic system is implicated in mood disorders such as major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. In clinical studies of individuals with major depressive disorder and bipolar depression, rapid reductions in depressive symptoms have been observed in response to subanesthetic-dose ketamine, an agent whose mechanism of action involves the modulation of glutamatergic signaling. The findings from these studies have prompted the repurposing and/or development of other glutamatergic modulators for antidepressant efficacy, both as monotherapy or as an adjunct to conventional monoaminergic antidepressants. This review highlights the evidence supporting the antidepressant effects of subanesthetic-dose ketamine as well as other glutamatergic modulators, such as D-cycloserine, riluzole, CP-101,606, CERC-301 (previously known as MK-0657), basimglurant, JNJ-40411813, dextromethorphan, nitrous oxide, GLYX-13, and esketamine.
Explaining Variation in Broker Strategies: A Lab-in-the-Field Experiment in Senegal:

The implications of clientelism for democratic accountability are mixed: Brokers not only help coordinate votes for collective gain but also exploit their position to advance personal interest. I argue that brokers use distinct strategies—persuasion, reciprocation, and punishment—to motivate voters as a function of their local institutional context. Competitively selected brokers whose preferences are aligned with those of followers can rely more on persuasion than instrumental inducements. Economically autonomous brokers are more likely to rely on sanctions than reciprocity. Evidence to support both the proposed typology of broker strategies and their determinants is collected in Senegal, a clientelistic democracy where group-level heterogeneity generates natural variation in broker types. A coordination game played with real brokers illustrates that participants are less likely to sacrifice personal gain when brokers are competitively selected, more likely when they most fear retribution. Qualitative da...
Adiabatically deformed ensemble: Engineering nonthermal states of matter

We propose a route towards engineering nonthermal states of matter, which show largely unexplored physics. The main idea relies on the adiabatic passage of a thermal ensemble under slow variations of the system Hamiltonian. If the temperature of the initial thermal ensemble is either zero or infinite, the ensemble after the passage is a simple thermal one with the same vanishing or infinite temperature. However, for any finite nonzero temperature, intriguing nonthermal ensembles can be achieved. We exemplify this in (a) a single oscillator, (b) a dimerized interacting one-dimensional chain of spinless fermions, (c) a BCS-type superconductor, and (d) the topological Kitaev chain. We solve these models with a combination of methods: either exactly, numerically using the density matrix renormalization group, or within an approximate functional renormalization group scheme. The designed states show strongly nonthermal behavior in each of the considered models. For example, for the chain of spinless fermions we exemplify how long-ranged nonthermal power-law correlations can be stabilized, and for the Kitaev chain we elucidate how the nonthermal ensemble can largely alter the transition temperature separating topological and trivial phases.
Surgical deserts in California: an analysis of access to surgical care.

Abstract Background Areas of minimal access to surgical care, often called “surgical deserts”, are of particular concern when considering the need for urgent surgical and anesthesia care. We hypothesized that California would have an appropriate workforce density but that physicians would be concentrated in urban areas, and surgical deserts would exist in rural counties. Methods We used a benchmark of six general surgeons, six orthopedists, and eight anesthesiologists per 100,000 people per county to define a “desert”. The number and location of these providers were obtained from the Medical Board of California for 2015. ArcGIS, version 10.3, was used to geocode the data and were analyzed in Redivis. Results There were a total of 3268 general surgeons, 3188 orthopedists, and 5995 anesthesiologists in California in 2015, yielding a state surgeon-to-population ratio of 7.2, 6.7, and 10.2 per 100,000 people, respectively; however, there was wide geographic variability. Of the 58 counties in California, 18 (31%) have a general surgery desert, 27 (47%) have an orthopedic desert, and 22 (38%) have an anesthesiology desert. These counties account for 15%, 25%, and 13% of the state population, respectively. Five, seven, and nine counties, respectively, have none in the corresponding specialty. Conclusions Overall, California has an adequate ratio of surgical and anesthesia providers to population. However, because of their uneven distribution, significant surgical care deserts exist. Limited access to surgical and anesthesia providers may negatively impact patient outcome in these counties.
Next-generation small molecule therapies for heart failure: 2015 and beyond.

Abstract Poor prognosis coupled with significant economic burden makes heart failure (HF) one of the largest issues currently facing the world population. Although a significant number of new therapies have emerged over the past 20 years to treat the underlying physiological risk factors, only two new medications specifically for HF have been approved since 2007. This perspective provides an overview of recently approved treatment options for HF and as well as an update on additional small molecule therapies currently in clinical development.
Embolization of Struts from an Inferior Vena Cava Filter

Embolized Struts from Inferior Vena Cava Filter A 28-year-old woman who had had deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus 10 years earlier presented with flank pain and was found to have multiple struts from an inferior vena cava filter that had embolized to the abdomen and right ventricle.
High-Resolution CT Findings of Obstructive and Restrictive Phenotypes of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction: More Than Just Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review the high-resolution CT characteristics of individual obstructive and restrictive chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) phenotypes to aid in m...
Relationship of arterial compliance to baroreflex function in hypertensive patients

The objectives of this study were to determine whether carotid arterial compliance is reduced in patients with hypertension and to assess whether reduced arterial compliance is related to abnormal ...
Three-Dimensional Topography of the Central Visual Field: Sparing of Foveal Sensitivity in Macular Disease

Threshold static perimetry was performed using test object patterns that covered contiguous areas of the central visual field. Computer imaging methods were used to display a three-dimensional surface that was interpolated between the sensitivity values at each of the test object locations. The examinations covered the area out to and including 10° of eccentricity from the point of fixation, corresponding to the same area of the visual field covered by the Amsler grid. The normal visual field surface appears as a high plateau with a smoothly rising level of sensitivity forming a peak at the point of fixation. It was found that in a variety of macular diseases, including those caused by vascular, as well as primary degenerative disorders, central scotomas were characterized by relative sparing of visual sensitivity at the point of fixation. The pattern thus produced was one of a ring-shaped depression within the central 10° of the visual field. This phenomenon was present in 20% of cases with central scotomas resulting from macular disease, but was not found in any eye of 64 patients suffering from central scotomas as a result of optic nerve disease. This pattern of visual field loss may be common, though not frequently recognized. It is proposed that the phenomenon of preservation of foveal sensitivity may be a marker for macular disease, as distinct from central visual field defects arising from optic nerve disease.
Improvement of EGFR testing under multidisciplinary care: A retrospective chart analysis.

e18874Background: Testing for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation have been standard of care for patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma since 2013. We reviewed if case discu...
Genome-Wide Association Study of Circadian Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Circadian rhythms influence physiological processes from sleep–wake cycles to body temperature and are controlled by highly conserved cycling molecules. Although the mechanistic basis of the circadian clock has been known for decades, the extent to which circadian rhythms vary in nature and the underlying genetic basis for that variation is not well understood. We measured circadian period (Ʈ) and rhythmicity index in the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) and observed extensive genetic variation in both. Seven DGRP lines had sexually dimorphic arrhythmicity and one line had an exceptionally long Ʈ. Genome-wide analyses identified 584 polymorphisms in 268 genes. We observed differences among transcripts for nine genes predicted to interact among themselves and canonical clock genes in the long period line and a control. Mutations/RNAi knockdown targeting these genes also affected circadian behavior. Our observations reveal that complex genetic interactions influence high levels of variation in circadian phenotypes.
Effect of Multiple Micronutrient Fortification on Physico-Chemical and Sensory Properties of Chhash (Traditional Indian Yogurt-Based Drink)

Introduction: Micronutrient malnutrition is a persistent problem in India mainly due to low dietary diversity and poor nutrient density of staple foods. The addition of a commercial micronutrient mix in terms of physico-chemical and sensory characteristics was evaluated. Methods: The yogurt prepared with reduce-fat milk (2%), 20 g/L CHN-11 fermentation culture and 12 h incubation (42 °C) was diluted at a rate of 35% to yield a 32 mg/100 mL concentration. The premix provided vitamin A, vitamin D, folic acid, iodine, iron, and zinc oxide to cover ~20–35% recommended RDA (recommended dietary allowance) per serving (250 mL). A three-factorial design, 2 treatments (control and fortified), 3 temperatures (4, 25, and 40 °C) and 4 time points (1, 2, 3 and 6 days), was used to analyze the physico-chemical properties in terms of titratable acidity, pH, color, and viscosity. A discriminatory sensory test (triangle) was performed with college students (n = 58) and mothers with young children (n = 25), who were living in Mehsana, India to evaluate the difference between fortified and non-fortified cooled (4 °C) product. Results: Fortification did not affect most of the physico-chemical properties of chhash. As expected, titratable acidity increased whereas pH decreased with increasing storage time and temperature. Fortified samples showed higher b* values, whereas L* and a* were not affected. Viscosity changed due to temperature and time, but not fortification. Participants could not discriminate between samples in terms of color, aroma, and taste. Conclusion: Fortification of chhash is technically feasible.
Changes to perceptual assimilation following training

Adult speakers of American-English have difficulty perceiving front-back rounding contrasts in vowels, such as French /œ/-/o/. These difficulties stem in part from how learners map sounds in a second language onto native-language sound categories. We used a perceptual-assimilation task to test how perceptual training changes listeners’ mapping of nonnative speech sounds. One listener group was trained with a bimodal distribution of stimuli drawn from an /œ/-/o/ acoustic continuum, a second was trained with a unimodal distribution, and a third (control) group completed no training. The training incorporated active learning with feedback and lexical support. In the assimilation task, listeners heard French vowels and were asked to select which of eight English /hVd/ words best matched the French stimulus. Results revealed general perceptual training effects and differences in both trained groups. For /o/, both trained groups differed significantly from untrained controls. However, for /œ/, listeners in the unimodal group did not differ from the untrained controls, but the bimodal group differed from the untrained controls. Thus, exposure to a unimodal distribution can alter perception, but a bimodal distribution may have stronger effects on perception. Bimodal distribution may be better for facilitating assimilation of nonnative sounds to native-like categories.
Awake bedside nasal endoscopy for primary management of neonatal dacryocystoceles with intranasal cysts.

Abstract Objective To present outcomes of neonatal dacryocystoceles treated through endoscopic intranasal cyst marsupialization (EICM) without general anesthesia and nasolacrimal duct (NLD) probing or irrigation. Methods Records of eleven consecutive infants diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral congenital cysts associated with the nasolacrimal system between January 2016 and February 2019 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Results Age at diagnosis ranged from 0 to 56 days, and 45.5% were male. 54.5% had dacryocystitis before surgical intervention. Patients were initially treated with a combination of massage and topical antibiotics; some received parenteral antibiotics if infected. Nearly all patients (90.9%) had one or more intranasal cysts. Of these patients, two underwent lacrimal probing and EICM in the operating room. One underwent EICM only in the operating room. Another patient initially failed bedside NLD probing and subsequently underwent bedside nasal endoscopy and awake EICM. The final six patients underwent EICM without general anesthesia or NLD probing. No complications were noted. Follow-up ranged from 7 to 906 days. Complete resolution was observed in all ten patients who underwent EICM, regardless of anesthesia. Conclusions Neonatal dacryocystoceles and/or intranasal cysts are successfully treated at the bedside through nasal endoscopy with simple awake endoscopic intranasal cyst marsupialization. Avoidance of general anesthesia and NLD probing or irrigation would greatly simplify and decrease the cost of dacryocystocele management.
The impact of a Solar Market Garden programme on dietary diversity, women's nutritional status and micronutrient levels in Kalalé district of northern Benin.

Author(s): Alaofe, Halimatou; Burney, Jennifer; Naylor, Rosamond; Taren, Douglas | Abstract: ObjectiveTo examine the impacts of a Solar Market Garden 1-year solar-powered drip irrigation (SMG) programme in Kalale district of northern Benin on mothers' nutritional status and micronutrient levels.DesignUsing a quasi-experimental design, sixteen villages were assigned to four groups: (i) SMG women's groups (WG); (ii) comparison WG; (iii) SMG non-WG (NWG); and (iv) comparison NWG. Difference-in-differences (DID) estimates were used to assess impacts on mothers' food consumption, diversity, BMI, prevalence of underweight (BMI l 18·5 kg/m2) and anaemia, and deficiencies of iron (ID) and vitamin A (VAD).SettingKalale district, northern Benin.ParticipantsNon-pregnant mothers aged 15-49 years (n 1737).ResultsThe SMG programme significantly increased mothers' intake of vegetables (DID = 25·31 percentage points (pp); P l 0·01), dietary diversity (DID = 0·74; P l 0·01) and marginally increased their intake of flesh foods (DID = 10·14 pp; P l 0·1). Mean BMI was significantly increased among SMG WG compared with the other three groups (DID = 0·44 kg/m2; P l 0·05). The SMG programme also significantly decreased the prevalence of anaemia (DID = 12·86 pp; P l 0·01) but no impacts were found for the prevalence of underweight, ID and VAD.ConclusionsImproving mothers' dietary intake and anaemia prevalence supports the need to integrate gender-based agriculture to improve nutritional status. However, it may take more than a year, and additional nutrition and health programmes, to impact the prevalence of maternal underweight, ID and VAD.
High mobility Si0.15Ge0.85 growth by using the molten target sputtering (MTS) within heteroepitaxy framework.

High-speed SiGe film is promising use in photonics and electronics technologies continue to replace Si-based devices. High mobility Si0.15 Ge0.85 film on sapphire was grown at 890 °C substrate temperature by using a conventional magnetron sputtering system within the heteroepitaxy framework. 890 °C substrate temperate is impractical for commercial device manufacturing due to long thermal soak, loading time, and costly process. To leverage the practical SiGe device applications, the Molten Target Sputtering (MTS) techniques is developed. The MTS is an economic and robust process from high flux density and liquid-state of molecules benefits. At 500 °C, the lowest substrate temperature, high mobility Si0.15Ge0.85 film with continues morphology and 99.7% majority-orientation were grown by using the MTS. The hall electron mobilities of the Si0.15Ge0.85 grown at 500 °C are 456 cm2V−1s−1 and 123.9 cm2V−1s−1 at 5.59 × 1018 cm3 and 3.5 × 1020 cm3 carrier concentration at 22.38 °C, respectively. The values are 550% higher hall electron mobilities than that of Si at equivalent carrier concentration and temperatures. We envision that the MTS is beneficial for the heteroepitaxy framework film growth that requires high substrate temperature to overcome the large lattice parameter mismatch between film and substrate.
Estimating the Impact of Sexually Transmitted HIV Prevention Interventions: A Comparison of the Proportion of Unprotected Acts to a Regression-Based Approach

The proportion of times that participants used condoms during the recall period is the measure most often used to assess the impact of an intervention designed to prevent the transmission of HIV through sexual contact. Here, it is argued that researchers, service providers, and policy makers should consider using a regression-based approach to control for differences in sexual activity and assess the impact of their programs. Unlike the proportion, a regression-based summary measure is defined when individuals report that they did not have sex during the recall period, and varies among individuals who report different levels of sexual activity. More importantly, a regression-based approach lends itself to studying relationships between the determinants of condom use and the determinants of sexual activity.
Validation of the Three-Item Skindex-Mini Among Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients With Diverse Racial Backgrounds

BackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that severely impairs patients’ quality of life (QoL). Instruments such as the 10-item Dermatology Life Quality Index ...
Quantifying Dynamic On-State Resistance of GaN HEMTs for Power Converter Design via a Survey of Low and High Voltage Devices

Designing and optimizing high switching frequency, ultra-efficient converters requires detailed knowledge of the behavior and parasitic parameters for both active and passive components. Recently, wide bandgap transistors have enabled simultaneous increases in both switching frequency and efficiency due to higher maximum operating junction temperature limits, lower dc on-state resistances, and reduced parasitic inductances and capacitances. Yet, the early acceptance of gallium-nitride (GaN) switches was plagued by detrimental dynamic on-state resistance effects. This complex phenomenon for GaN devices is characterized by deviations in on-state resistance from dc operating characteristics based on design choices such as the magnitude and duration of both voltage and current stress, switching mode, and junction temperature. While device manufacturers have made improvements compared to early generation devices, experimental evidence from a survey of commercial GaN transistors highlight measurable change in on-state resistance still exists due to variations in voltage stress during hard-switching operation. After sharing insights for obtaining low noise measurements, an analysis method along with two metrics are proposed to characterize dynamic on-state resistance measurements for power electronics designers. Quantifying the performance of GaN devices with standardized metrics facilitates a fair comparison between different GaN device technologies during converter development, enables manufacturing qualification for GaN switches, and provides a benchmark to catalyze improvement for the next generation of GaN device development.
Aperture-Array & Lens+FPA Multi-Beam Digital Receivers at 28 GHz on Xilinx ZCU 1275 RF SoC

Emerging mm-wave wireless systems will make extensive use of fully-digital beamforming receivers for achieving highly-directional RF beamformers that are needed for mitigating high path loss in the channel. Two main approaches for achieving multi-beams include aperture-arrays and lenses with focal plane array (FPA) feeds. The paper discusses the realization of 4-element aperture and FPA+lens receivers supporting four RF beams around 28 GHz with 850 MHz of bandwidth per beam. The DSP algorithms operate in real-time on a Xilinx RF SoC device installed on a Xilinx ZCU 1275 evaluation board. Simulated and measured array factors for both aperture-array and lens+FPA digital beamforming receivers are provided.