cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diabetes, Diabetes Treatment, and Risk of Thyroid Cancer.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationships among diabetes, diabetes treatment and thyroid cancer risk using a large prospective cohort, the Women's Health Initiative. Methods: A total of 147 934 women who were free of known cancer at baseline were followed prospectively. Diabetes status and diabetes treatment at baseline and during follow-up were ascertained. Incident cases of thyroid cancers were confirmed by physician review of central medical records and pathology reports. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for thyroid cancer risk associated with diabetes status, diabetes treatment, and duration of diabetes. Results: With a median follow-up time of 15.9 years, 391 incident thyroid cancers were identified. We found no significant associations between thyroid cancer and diabetes (hazard ratio = 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–1.52), diabetes treatment, or duration of diabetes. Conclusion: Our...
Steps on the (110) Surface of INP

Three types of steps are observed on the cleaved InP(110) surface, using atomic-resolution ultra-high vacuum (UHV) scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The step edges are oriented along the (110), (111), and (112) directions. Atomic models of monatomic-height (111) and (112) steps indicate that the edges of each of these unrelaxed steps should have pairs of dangling bonds. We propose that the bonds dimerize, causing the edges to relax and form periodic structures along the edge.
A contextualist approach to functional localization in the brain

Functional localization has historically been one of the primary goals of neuroscience. There is still debate, however, about whether it is possible, and if so what kind of theories succeed at localization. I argue for a contextualist approach to localization. Most theorists assume that widespread contextual variability in function is fundamentally incompatible with functional decomposition in the brain, because contextualist accounts will fail to be generalizable and projectable. I argue that this assumption is misplaced. A properly articulated contextualism can ground successful theories of localization even without positing completely generalizable accounts. Via a case study from perceptual neuroscience, I suggest that there is strong evidence for contextual variation in the function of perceptual brain areas. I then outline a version of contextualism that is empirically adequate with respect to this data, and claim that it can still distinguish brain areas from each other according to their functional properties. Finally, I claim that the view does not fail the norms for good theory in the way that anticontextualists suppose. It is true that, on a contextualist view, we will not have theories that are completely generalizable and predictive. We can, however, have successful partial generalizations that structure ongoing investigation and lead to novel functional insight, and this success is sufficient to ground the project of functional localization.
Employment of Physicians at Harvard Community Health Plan

This chapter examines the way in which a staff model HMO determines its physician staffing; the distribution of generalists vs. specialists; substitution of non-physician clinicians for physicians; and overall staffing ratios.
Comparing Coordinated Versus Sequential Salpingo-Oophorectomy for BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers With Breast Cancer

Abstract Background Women with breast cancer who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations must also consider risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) and how to coordinate this procedure with their breast surgery. We report the factors associated with coordinated versus sequential surgery and compare the outcomes of each. Patients and Methods Patients in our cancer risk database who had breast cancer and a known deleterious BRCA1/2 mutation before undergoing breast surgery were included. Women who chose concurrent RRSO at the time of breast surgery were compared to those who did not. Results Sixty-two patients knew their mutation carrier status before undergoing breast cancer surgery. Forty-three patients (69%) opted for coordinated surgeries, and 19 (31%) underwent sequential surgeries at a median follow-up of 4.4 years. Women who underwent coordinated surgery were significantly older than those who chose sequential surgery (median age of 45 vs. 39 years; P = .025). There were no differences in comorbidities between groups. Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were more likely to undergo coordinated surgery (65% vs. 37%; P = .038). Sequential surgery patients had longer hospital stays (4.79 vs. 3.44 days, P = .01) and longer operating times (8.25 vs. 6.38 hours, P = .006) than patients who elected combined surgery. Postoperative complications were minor and were no more likely in either group (odds ratio, 4.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-40.6). Conclusion Coordinating RRSO with breast surgery is associated with receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, longer operating times, and hospital stays without an observed increase in complications. In the absence of risk, surgical options can be personalized.
Functions of Vectors

The linear functional is central to the study of linear programming. The quadratic form is frequently useful in statistics, engineering, and physics. This chapter discusses each of these types of functions. Let V be a vector space over the field F . A linear transformation of V into F is called a linear functional on V . The set of all linear functionals on V is denoted by V * . A linear functional on V is a scalar-valued function ƒ defined on V that has the property ƒ( au + bv ) = aƒ( u ) + bƒ( v ) for all u, v Є V . V * is a vector space over F . There are several interesting relations between V and V * . The matrix of the real quadratic form q relative to x 1 , x 2 , …, x n is unique.
When Byron Cummings Discovered Arizona's “Ice Age”

ABSTRACTByron Cummings's 1926 discovery of the Double Adobe site in southeastern Arizona has, in some quarters, long been thought to have been overlooked by American archaeologists. In fact, this discovery was only one of three excavations for which he made claims of Pleistocene age. Recent work has seriously challenged these findings, and Double Adobe may well represent an early Holocene occupation. Although his conclusion that Double Adobe represented a true Pleistocene human occupation site is no longer considered valid, the historical value of a full account of his reputed Pleistocene discoveries remains undiminished. Cummings was a pioneer of the view that humans lived in the New World during the Pleistocene. Until this writing, the events that shaped his thinking on this issue have never been fully reported.
Alpha-Synuclein, a Novel Viral Restriction Factor Hiding in Plain Sight

Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is a highly conserved protein encoded by the SNCA gene and is expressed uniquely in neurons of both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS). α-Syn is known to cause sporadic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the role for neuronal expression of α-syn in the first place remains unknown. We review and discuss recently published work that suggests a novel role for α-syn expression in neurons as a restriction factor that inhibits virus transmission from the PNS to the CNS. The potential new role for α-syn expression as a virus inhibitor may provide new approaches to understand the pathogenesis of PD and provide novel approaches to prevent and treat this common neurodegenerative disease.
I’ve a Feeling We’re Not in Kansas (City) Anymore

Examines the problem of homelessness through a panel discussion for the Kansas City (KC) Chamber of Commerce. Introduces the four perspectives of the panelists, the director of a nonprofit organization housing organization, head of the Coalition on Homelessness, a newspaper reporter, and chair of the city’s Task Force on Homelessness on such issues as “Care Not Cash,” “Housing First,” and shelters versus permanent housing. Even in liberal San Francisco (SF), there are different assessments of the problems and solutions. A conservative perspective by a visitor from KC enlivens the discussion. The history of homelessness and various responses over the last 30 years is introduced, including a debate over whether SF has gone from one of the worst in the nation dealing with homelessness to one of the best.
HIV-1 Envelope Mimicry of Host Enzyme Kynureninase Does Not Disrupt Tryptophan Metabolism.

The HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) has evolved to subvert the host immune system, hindering viral control by the host. The tryptophan metabolic enzyme kynureninase (KYNU) is mimicked by a portion of the HIV Env gp41 membrane proximal region (MPER) and is cross-reactive with the HIV broadly neutralizing Ab (bnAb) 2F5. Molecular mimicry of host proteins by pathogens can lead to autoimmune disease. In this article, we demonstrate that neither the 2F5 bnAb nor HIV MPER-KYNU cross-reactive Abs elicited by immunization with an MPER peptide-liposome vaccine in 2F5 bnAb V H DJ H and V L J L knock-in mice and rhesus macaques modified KYNU activity or disrupted tissue tryptophan metabolism. Thus, molecular mimicry by HIV-1 Env that promotes the evasion of host anti–HIV-1 Ab responses can be directed toward nonfunctional host protein epitopes that do not impair host protein function. Therefore, the 2F5 HIV Env gp41 region is a key and safe target for HIV-1 vaccine development.
75-P: DONOR SPECIFIC HLA-DQa ANTIBODY IN RENAL POST-TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Aim To determine the frequency of donor specific HLA antibody (DSA) to DQ alpha in renal post-transplant recipients. Donor DQA1 typing is not a routine procedure under UNOS. Frequency of post-transplant DQ alpha DSA and possible importance in post-transplant monitoring is not well-studied. Methods Retrospective review of post-transplant HLA antibody test results. Reviewed are all HLA antibody test results between January 2010 and April 2012 for the patients who received a deceased or living donor kidney at our center. HLA typing of donors and recipients was tested by serology or SSO/SSP. HLA antibody was tested by solid phase methods (LABScreen PRA and LABScreen Single Antigen beads, One Lambda). Current antibody monitoring schedule for low risk patients (no pre-formed or de novo DSA and stable creatinine) is 9 times in the first year, every 6 months until the 3rd year, then annually. Additional tests are performed if higher risk or suspected rejections. If DQ alpha antibody is detected, donor DQA1 was typed retrospectively using frozen cells. Results Post-transplant HLA antibody was tested on 158 recipients: 27 pediatrics and 131 adults (average 46.3 years old). Results represent data points from two months to 26 years post-transplant (average 5.0 years). In all patients, pre-transplant crossmatch was either compatible by CDC method, or compatible/weakly incompatible by flow cytometry method. Of the 158 patients, DSA (either de novo or preformed) was detected in 29 patients (18.4%). Detected were class I DSA only in 3 patients, class II DSA only in 20 patients, and both class I/II in 6 patients. Specificities of class II DSAs were DQB1 in 22 patients (85%), DQA1 in 10 patients (39%), DRB1/3/4/5 in 7 patients (27%), and DPB1 in 1 patient (4%). Conclusions HLA-DQ alpha DSA was detected in a substantial percent of DSA positive renal transplant patients, thus DQA1 donor typing is important in renal post-transplant monitoring.
Order-N implementation of exact exchange in extended insulating systems

Exact (Hartree-Fock) exchange is needed to overcome some of the limitations of local and semilocal approximations of density-functional theory. So far, however, computational cost has limited the use of exact exchange in plane-wave calculations for extended systems. We show that this difficulty can be overcome by performing a unitary transformation from Bloch to maximally localized Wannier functions in combination with an efficient technique to compute real-space Coulomb integrals. The resulting scheme scales linearly with system size. We validate the scheme with representative applications.
Fault Diagnosis Based Approach to Protecting DC Microgrid Using Machine Learning Technique

The electronic equipment used in DC microgrids is in essential need of more secure protection against short circuit faults. Due to the high current at the time of fault occurrence, the whole system might be de-energized which would have a severely negative impact on the entire system. An effective method to detect, isolate, and protect the DC microgrid system against the effects of short circuit faults is extremely important. This research proposes a highly effective new method to protect the DC microgrid system using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) that will detect and isolate the fault before it affects other parts of the system. It would, therefore, be more dependable for DC microgrid protection. This protection network is distributed all along the DC microgrid system protecting the entire microgrid network and is connected to the other protective devices in the system.
BST thin film bulk acoustic resonator optimization for un-cooled IR sensors application

In this paper, the thermal coefficient of frequency (TCF) and the thermal isolation of the BST FBARs for un-cooled resonant IR sensor design are studied. A BST FBAR is fabricated and its temperature-dependent resonance frequency is measured within a wide range of temperature. The TCF of the measured BST FBAR is optimized and values as high as −921 ppm/K is achieved below the BST's phase transition temperature, which is significantly higher than previously reported TCF values for resonant IR sensors. Furthermore, a low thermal conductance between the resonator and the substrate, which is essential for low-noise IR sensors, is achieved by fabricating a BST FBAR with a suspended structure.
Pressure-induced transformations of multiferroic relaxor PbFe 0.5 Nb 0.5 O 3

The effects of hydrostatic pressure at ambient temperature on the structural and dielectric properties of PbFe0.5Nb0.5O3 (PFN) were investigated using second harmonic generation (SHG) and powder x-ray diffraction measurements to 31 GPa. The results demonstrate that PFN undergoes a pressure-induced structural transition from the R3m ferroelectric to the R 3 ¯ m paraelectric phase. SHG measurements showed a continuous decrease in the signal with pressure and complete disappearance at 7.1 GPa. Effective nonlinear optical coefficients were determined from the SHG data, and their pressure behavior was used to infer the nature of the transition. The loss of the SHG signal is accompanied by drastic changes in line widths of Bragg reflections, but no discontinuous change in volume was observed. The pressure-volume data were fit to various equations of state, and a bulk modulus K0 = 136 (±2) GPa, bulk modulus pressure derivative K0′ = 4.0 (±0.2), and initial volume V0 = 64.5 (±0.1) A3 were obtained.
Stem Cell Cytoskeletal Responses to Pulsatile Flow in Heart Valve Tissue Engineering Studies.

Heart valve replacement options remain exceedingly limited for pediatric patients because they cannot accommodate somatic growth. To overcome this shortcoming, heart valve tissue engineering using human bone marrow stem cells (HBMSCs) has been considered a potential solution to the treatment of critical congenital valvular defects. The mechanical environments during in vitro culture are key regulators of progenitor cell fate. Here, we report on alterations in HBMSCs, specifically in their actin cytoskeleton and their nucleus under fluid-induced shear stresses of relevance to heart valves. HBMSCs were seeded in microfluidic channels and were exposed to the following conditions: pulsatile shear stress (PSS), steady shear stress (SS), and no flow controls (n = 4/group). Changes to the actin filament structure were monitored and subsequent gene expression was evaluated. A significant increase (p 0.05). Of particular relevance to valvulogenesis, klf2a, a critical gene in valve development, was significantly expressed only by the PSS group (p < 0.05). We conclude that HBMSCs respond to PSS by alterations to their actin filament structure that are distinct from SS and no flow conditions. These changes coupled with the subsequent gene expression findings suggest that at the cellular level, the immediate effect of PSS is to initiate a unique set of quantifiable cytoskeletal events (increased actin filament number, density and angle, but decrease in filament length) in stem cells, which could be useful in the fine-tuning of in vitro protocols in heart valve tissue engineering.
Thermally Induced, Nonlinear Vibrations of Rotating Disks

The natural frequency and responses for the nonlinear free vibration ofheated rotating disks are presented analytically when nonuniformtemperature distributions pertaining to the laminar and turbulentairflow induced by disk rotation are considered. The nonuniformtemperature distributions on the disk are highly dependent on itsrotation speed. The natural frequencies for symmetric and asymmetricresponses of a 3.5 inch diameter computer memory disk are calculated.When the disk is heated, its stiffness becomes larger for the two lowestnodal diameter numbers and smaller for the other nodal diameter numbers.It implies that the vibration of heated, rotating disks for the highernodal diameter numbers may be induced more easily than the cooled one.The results for the nonlinear vibration can reduce to those for thelinear vibration when the nonlinear effects vanish. To furtherinvestigate of the interaction of thermal and nonlinearity of rotatingdisks, the temperature distribution for such a rotating disk needs to bedeveloped.
Introduction to Integral Equation Approximations with Application to Near-Critical and Supercritical Fluids

In this chapter, the integral equation approximations of fluid state statistical mechanics will be introduced. The known critical behavior of the major integral equation approximations will be described. Because of the difficulty of obtaining numerical solutions of integral equations near the critical point, we will consider simple models for supercritical fluids for which some integral equation approximations are analytically solvable. Recent work with Chialvo on the definition of the short-ranged contribution to solute-solvent structural and thermodynamic properties is illustrated by using the analytically solved models and by numerical solution of the Percus-Yevick approximation for Lennard-Jones mixtures.
Embracing the Liberal Arts in an Interdisciplinary Data Analytics Program

In 2016, we launched an interdisciplinary, undergraduate Data Analytics major that extends the definition of "interdisciplinary" beyond computer science, mathematics, and statistics to the natural and social sciences, humanities, and fine arts. Our program was conceived, and continues to be administered, as an independent academic unit by a Committee of faculty representing ten disciplines. Students majoring in Data Analytics complete four or more mathematics and computer science courses, four project-oriented Data Analytics courses, three to four courses in one of seven applied domains, and a required summer internship. Data Analytics courses are taught by both dedicated Data Analytics faculty and other faculty from the Committee. Partnerships with campus offices, alumni, businesses, and nonprofits have enhanced both coursework and internship opportunities. The major's popularity has exceeded our expectations, and has succeeded in attracting students with a variety of academic interests, many of whom would not have otherwise pursued a computational or quantitative major.
Bandgap Voltage V GO Extraction with Two-Temperature Trimming for Designing Sub-ppm/°C Voltage References

This paper presents a general approach to extract V GO from the base emitter voltage of a bipolar transistor. V GO is the silicon bandgap voltage at zero Kelvin and it is a physical constant voltage independent of temperature. The proposed method can be implemented on any of the widely used Banba, Kuijk, Brokaw or resistorless structures to build voltage references with sub-ppm/°C temperature coefficient. One embodiment based on Kuijk structure is used to illustrate how the proposed V GO extraction can be realized. Error sources which can affect the voltage reference's performance are analyzed with a new base expansion and their effects on the temperature coefficient are minimized after the proposed two-temperature trimming. Transistor level simulations are run in GlobalFoundries 130nm process and simulation results show that the design can achieve 0.5 ppm/°C temperature coefficient from −40 °C to 125 °C.
Mentorship in Doctoral Education for Pregnant and Newly Parenting Doctoral Students

Mentorship is an important component of doctoral program success, providing socialization to the profession and academia, professional development, and psychosocial support. For women in particular...
A new genus and species of enigmatic gorgonian coral from the Ryukyu Archipelago, northwestern Pacific, with a discussion of calcaxonian systematics (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Octocorallia) .

A new genus and species of flagelliform gorgonian coral is described from mesophotic depth in the western Pacific Ocean. The new taxon exhibits calcaxonian morphological characters and shares affinities to both the clade that includes the Chrysogorgiidae, Primnoidae, and Isididae, as well as the clade that includes the Ellisellidae and the Pennatulacea. Based on morphology alone, placement in a new family is likely justifiable, since it exhibits some characters similar to several diverse calcaxonian taxa, and has unique features as well, but such an outcome awaits supporting molecular evidence. The new genus and species is remarkable among most octocorals in that it has an axis that is quadrangular in transverse section as in the calcaxonian Flagelligorgia gracilis and the pennatulacean Funiculina quadrangularis, and an apparently uniform, solid, highly calcified axial structure that lacks concentric layers or prismatic radiating wedges. In addition, it has distinctive sclerites of the surface coenenchyme that are predominantly elongate warty spindles with median waists, some of which superficially resemble sclerites found in some species of ellisellid gorgonians, but also exhibit ultrastructural features that differentiate them.
Phenology of nocturnal avian migration has shifted at the continental scale

Climate change induced phenological shifts in primary productivity result in trophic mismatches for many organisms1–4, with broad implications for ecosystem structure and function. For birds that have a synchronized timing of migration with resource availability, the likelihood that trophic mismatches may generate a phenological response in migration timing increases with climate change5. Despite the importance of a holistic understanding of such systems at large spatial and temporal scales, particularly given a rapidly changing climate, analyses are few, primarily because of limitations in the access to appropriate data. Here we use 24 years of remotely sensed data collected by weather surveillance radar to quantify the response of a nocturnal avian migration system within the contiguous United States to changes in temperature. The average peak migration timing advanced in spring and autumn, and these changes were generally more rapid at higher latitudes. During spring and autumn, warmer seasons were predictive of earlier peak migration dates. Decadal changes in surface temperatures predicted spring changes in migratory timing, with greater warming related to earlier arrivals. This study represents one of the first system-wide examinations during two seasons and comprises measures from hundreds of species that describe migratory timing across a continent. Our findings provide evidence of spatially dynamic phenological shifts that result from climate change. Climate change affects the timing of bird migration, which can lead to mismatch with resource availability. Migration occurred earlier in spring and autumn in the United States during the past 24 years; warming led to later arrival in the western Unites States and earlier arrival in the rest of the country.
Leibniz on the Logic of Conceptual Containment and Coincidence

In a series of early essays written around 1679, Leibniz sets out to explore the logic of conceptual containment. In his more mature logical writings from the mid-1680s, however, his focus shifts away from the logic of containment to that of coincidence, or mutual containment. This shift in emphasis is indicative of the fact that Leibniz’s logic has its roots in two distinct theoretical frameworks: (i) the traditional theory of the categorical syllogism based on rules of inference such as Barbara, and (ii) equational systems of arithmetic and geometry based on the rule of substitution of equals. While syllogistic reasoning is naturally modeled in a logic of containment, substitutional reasoning of the sort performed in arithmetic and geometry is more naturally modeled in a logic of coincidence. In this paper, we argue that Leibniz’s logic of conceptual containment and his logic of coincidence can in fact be viewed as two alternative axiomatizations, in different but equally expressive languages, of one and the same logical theory. Thus, far from being incoherent, the varying syllogistic and equational themes that run throughout Leibniz’s logical writings complement one another and fit together harmoniously.
Author Correction: Is negative capacitance FET a steep-slope logic switch?

Author(s): Cao, Wei; Banerjee, Kaustav | Abstract: An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Ernst Haeckel’s ‘Kant Problem’: metaphysics, science, and art

Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919) has become famous, and perhaps infamous, for many reasons. Presently, he is probably most widely-known for his paintings of plants and animals in his very popular book, Art Forms in Nature, originally collected and published in 1904. However, in addition to Haeckel’s art, he is also well-known for his advocacy of Darwinism and Social Darwinism, for first coining the term ‘ecology,’ for having his work utilized by Nazi pseudo-scientists (Dombrowksi in Tech Commun Q 12:303–319, 2003), and for famously (perhaps fraudulently) producing drawings of animal and human embryos so as to confirm his biogenetic law (Gould in Nat Hist 109:44–45, 2000). Something Haeckel is not as well-known for today is the fact that he seemed to be both a strenuous critic of the metaphysical and moral philosophies of Immanuel Kant and yet also something of an adherent to Kant’s aesthetic views. In terms of metaphysics and morality, Haeckel sought to exorcise Kant’s ideas as much as possible from twentieth century views on science, humanity, and nature; however, in terms of aesthetic theory, Haeckel seemed to embrace a distinctly Kantian approach to art and artworks. This essay proposes to: (1) carefully examine Haeckel’s refutations of some of Kant’s central metaphysical concepts, (2) explore some of the, arguably Kantian, assumptions underlying Haeckel’s approach to aesthetics and his artistic practice, and (3) combine these two lines of inquiry into a portrait of Haeckel’s mind as one that is conflicted about the role Kantian philosophy, and more specifically Kantian noumena, should play in twentieth century science and art. This unresolved tension in Haeckel’s mind regarding Kant’s noumenal realm is what I propose to call his ‘Kant Problem’.
Modeling gas relative permeability in shales and tight porous rocks

Abstract Accurate modeling of gas relative permeability (krg) has practical applications in oil and gas exploration, production and recovery of unconventional reservoirs. In this study, we apply concepts from the effective-medium approximation (EMA) and universal power-law scaling from percolation theory. Although the EMA has been successfully used to estimate relative permeability in conventional porous media, to the best of our knowledge, its applications to unconventional reservoir rocks have not been addressed yet. The main objective of this study, therefore, is to evaluate the efficiency of EMA, in combination with universal power-law scaling from percolation theory, in estimating krg from pore size distribution and pore connectivity. We presume that gas flow is mainly controlled by two main mechanisms contributing in parallel: (1) hydraulic flow and (2) molecular flow. We then apply the EMA to determine effective conductances and, consequently, krg at higher gas saturations (Sg), and the universal scaling from percolation theory at lower Sg values. Comparisons with two pore-network simulations and six experimental measurements from the literature show that, in the absence of microfractures, the proposed model estimates krg reasonably well in shales and tight porous rocks. More specifically, we found that the crossover point – gas saturation (Sgx) at which transport crosses from percolation theory to the EMA – is non-universal. The value of Sgx is a function of pore space characteristics such as pore size distribution broadness and critical gas saturation. This means that one should expect Sgx to vary from one rock sample to another.
Multiples Over Models: Interrogating the Past and Collectively Reimagining the Future of Menstrual Sensemaking

In this article, we describe our efforts to retrace and reimagine period tracking technology—or, mobile applications designed to support the documentation and quantification of menstrual cycle data. In their current form, these systems often encourage those who menstruate to extract intimate information about the body (e.g., consistency or color of menstrual flow, physical and emotional symptoms), while promising to predict fertility and offer insight into managing one's period. In doing so, these technologies subtly dictate the forms of knowledge and types of relationships menstruators are expected to establish with their bodies (i.e., transactional or instrumentalized). Through historical analysis and a series of participatory experiments, we offer a vision for menstrual sensemaking that expands on these forms of interaction and ways of knowing to emphasize multiplicity and dimensionality rather than models, predictability, or a user's relation to averages or norms.
Patient Perspectives on the Extent of Surgery and Radioactive Iodine Treatment for Low-Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Abstract Objective To understand patient perspective regarding recommended changes in the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines. Specifically, in regard to active surveillance (AS) of some small differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), performance of less extensive surgery for low-risk DTC, and more selective administration of radioactive iodine (RAI). Methods An online survey was disseminated to thyroid cancer patient advocacy organizations and members of the ATA to distribute to the patients. Data were collected on demographic and treatment information, and patient experience with DTC. Patients were asked “what if” scenarios on core topics, including AS, extent of surgery, and indications for RAI. Results Survey responses were analyzed from 1546 patients with DTC: 1478 (96%) had a total thyroidectomy, and 1167 (76%) underwent RAI. If there was no change in the overall cancer outcome, 606 (39%) of respondents would have considered lobectomy over total thyroidectomy, 536 (35%) would have opted for AS, and 638 (41%) would have chosen to forego RAI. Moreover, (774/1217) 64% of respondents wanted more time with their clinicians when making decisions about the extent of surgery. A total of 621/1167 of patients experienced significant side effects with RAI, and 351/1167 of patients felt that the risks of treatment were not well explained. 1237/1546 (80%) of patients felt that AS would not be overly burdensome, and quality of life was the main reason cited for choosing AS. Conclusion Patient perspective regarding choice in the management of low-risk DTC varies widely, and a large proportion of DTC patients would change aspects of their care if oncologic outcomes were equivalent.
The Essential Role of Cross-national Research in Assessing Theories of Crime: Illustrations from Modern Control Theory

Contemporary research from around the world provides a body of consistent findings, making it an indispensable tool for the evaluation of crime theory. To be valid, general theories of crime must now be able to accommodate the results of this cross-national research. Modern Control Theory is used as an illustration for conceptualizing this body of research. Research from three critical areas relevant to general theories of crime are used to illustrate the critical nature of this research: (1) results from self-report surveys of offending and victimization; (2) research on the lack of effectiveness of criminal justice sanctions in affecting rates of crime and interpersonal violence; and (3) prevention research that is focused both on early childhood and on the settings in which much crime occurs. Each is consistent with the expectations of Modern Control Theory (Gottfredson and Hirschi in Modern control theory and the limits of criminal justice, Oxford University Press, New York, 2019) and each demands the attention of any general theory purporting to explain crime and interpersonal violence.
Adhesive rolling of nanoparticles in a lateral flow inspired from diagnostics of COVID-19.

Abstract Due to the lack of therapeutics and vaccines, diagnostics of COVID-19 emerges as one of the primary tools for controlling the spread of SARS-COV-2. Here we aim to develop a theoretical model to study the detection process of SARS-COV-2 in lateral flow device (LFD), which can achieve rapid antigen diagnostic tests. The LFD is modeled as the adhesion of a spherical nanoparticle (NP) coated with ligands on the surface, mimicking the SARS-COV-2, on an infinite substrate distributed with receptors under a simple shear flow. The adhesive behaviors of NPs in the LFD are governed by the ligand–receptor binding (LRB) and local hydrodynamics. Through energy balance analysis, three types of motion are predicted: (i) firm-adhesion (FA); (ii) adhesive-rolling (AR); and (iii) free-rolling (FR), which correspond to LRB-dominated, LRB-hydrodynamics-competed, and hydrodynamics-dominated regimes, respectively. The transitions of FA-to-AR and AR-to-FR are found to be triggered by overcoming LRB barrier and saturation of LRB torque, respectively. Most importantly, in the AR regime, the smaller NPs can move faster than their larger counterparts, induced by the LRB effect that depends on the radius R of NPs. In addition, a scaling law is found in the AR regime that v ∝ γ R α (rolling velocity v and shear rate γ ), with an approximate scaling factor α ∼ − 0 . 2 ± 0 . 05 identified through fitting both theoretical and numerical results. The scaling factor emerges from the energy-based stochastic LRB model, and is confirmed to be universal by examining selections of different LRB model parameters. This size-dependent rolling behavior under the control of flow strength may provide the theoretical guidance for designing efficient LFD in detecting infectious disease.
The oceanography of Cuchlaine A.M. King

C.A.M. King, the noted British coastal geomorphologist, authored two books in a three-year period. Beaches and Coasts in 1959 was a major contribution to coastal geomorphology, whereas Oceanography...
The adoption of sustainable laundry technologies by US consumers

The adoption of sustainable laundry technologies by US consumers has lagged behind that of other countries and even behind the projections for adoption made by the US government. Most US household currently own and use the top-loading vertical axis (v-axis) agitator type washers, which use large amounts of water as well as additional energy to heat the water. More sustainable laundry practices include the use of energy- and water-efficient front-loading horizontal-axis (h-axis) washers. These washers have been demonstrated to use 38% less water and 58% less energy than the standard top-loading v-axis models. The adoption of more energy-efficient washing technologies is of interest to many, including policy makers, because of their water- and energy-saving potential. Little is known about the attributes and issues consumers use in their decision to adopt high-efficiency washers for their home. This study uses Roger's Diffusion of Innovations Theory to understand the adoption of h-axis washers by US consumers. An online survey of 330 consumers who own washing machines found that 23% currently own h-axis washers and 24% of consumers intend to purchase an h-axis when they replace their top-loading vertical (v-axis) washers. Energy and water savings are the most frequently cited reasons overall for adopting the h-axis washer and cost was the main reason for not adopting the technology. Other issues, such as dissatisfaction with cleaning power and problems with machine cleanliness and maintenance, did not play a major role in adoption. Specific marketing and education channels, where US consumers are looking for information about h-axis washers, are also identified. Overall, the results suggest that the rate of h-axis adoption in the US is accelerating, but that many of the benefits of the technology are not easily observed by non-owners.
A Review of “Visual Communication Research Designs”

Visual Communication Research Designs (VCRD) provides an overview of visual methods, a welcome addition to the vast amount of literature about visual research that is often opaque in terms of actua...
Practical Piety: Intimate Devotions in Urban Space

AbstractCity spaces not only reflect doctrinal religious ideas in orientation and monumental architecture, they also both reflect and enable pragmatic accommodations to human frailty. Long-term immersion in ethnographic research reveals the linkages and tensions between the structure of official religious morality and the reality of everyday social practice. Using field materials from Greece, Italy, and Thailand, I offer suggestive examples of such practical accommodations, both in the religious principles underlying bureaucratic approaches to urban spatiality and in the construction of local places of worship and commemoration. Displays of orthopraxy overlie locally pertinent (and sometimes divergent) conceptions of religiosity that are nevertheless historically and formally linked to doctrinal orthodoxy. Formal religions, like nation-states, often depend on the covert presence of cultural intimacy (here “religious intimacy”) – spaces for the recognition and quiet toleration of divergent attitudes and pr...
The MnH and BH thermal absorption cross-section ratios

Abstract Measurements have been made of the Mn H and B H thermal absorption cross-section ratios. Values of 40.07 ± 0.39 and 2324 ± 20 were obtained for these ratios, respectively. Taking the H 2200 m s−1 cross section as 332.55 ± 0.69 mbarn, these ratios give values of 13.32 ± 0.13 and 773 ± 7 barn for the 2200 m s−1 neutron cross sections of Mn and natural B, respectively.
Virtual Elevators' Contribution to Sustainable Transport Policies: The Importance of a Smart Regulator and "Not-Too-Smart" Cards

The most significant contributions of new technologies to the implementation of sustainable urban travel policies appear to be twofold: a better understanding of users’ behavior, and the improvement of interfaces between operators. Smart cards, i.e. chip cards which communicate with the database of a billing company, have the potential to combine the qualities of both of these contri- butions. But they also raise new problems. In Japan, a financial transactions company is developing a new payment system which coordinates superstore chains and public transport supply. Just as elevators will enable people to move freely within buildings, this system will enable customers to reach the superstores for free from the outside world. Analysis confirms that this new concept has the potential to stimulate public transport demand. However, three issues need further consideration. First, private businesses may access transportation, financial, and even property data of travelers, which may threaten their privacy. This paper proposes a concept that would prevent such a system failure. Second, small businesses could be discriminated against on the grounds that the turnover they produce does not suffice to bear the cost of running virtual elevators. The study highlights the conditions in which local authorities may require leading businesses to cooperate with smaller ones. Eventually, since virtual elevators may rely upon state transport subsidies while following private commercial profit objectives, the paper also stresses in what matters states and local authorities should require commitments from private partners. The conclusion underscores the importance of public authorities’ involvement from the earliest steps of devel- opment of the system until and during operation. More specifically, it contrasts two distinct policy requirements: subtlety as the regulator’s main quality and “not-too-smart-ness” as a major characteristic of electronic cards.
Methods of Sequential Estimation for Determining Initial Data in Numerical Weather Prediction

Numerical weather prediction (NWP) is an initial-value problem for a system of nonlinear differential equations, in which initial values are known incompletely and inaccurately. Observational data available at the initial time must therefore be supplemented by data available prior to the initial time, a problem known as meteorological data assimilation. A further complication in NWP is that solutions of the governing equations evolve on two different time scales, a fast one and a slow one, whereas fast scale motions in the atmosphere are not reliably observed. This leads to the so called initialization problem: initial values must be constrained to result in a slowly evolving forecast. The theory of estimation of stochastic dynamic systems provides a natural approach to such problems. For linear stochastic dynamic models, the Kalman-Bucy (KB) sequential filter is the optimal data assimilation method, for linear models, the optimal combined data assimilation-initialization method is a modified version of the KB filter.
Utilization of magnetic resonance imaging in breast cancer screening

Early detection of malignancy through breast cancer screening has contributed significantly to the decline in cancer-related mortality 1 . The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently reaffirmed its 2009 stance to begin mammography—the primary screening modality—starting from age 50 and continuing until age 74 2 . However, that recommendation applies primarily to women at “average risk” for developing breast cancer during their lifetime. For women at “high risk,” the American Cancer Society has recommended magnetic resonance imaging (mri) of the breast as an adjunct to annual screening mammography 3 . How, then, is risk defined, and should these guidelines be strictly followed by clinicians? Here, we focus first on describing the quality of mri as a screening tool. Then, we define risk categories and conclude with a discussion of the need for a more nuanced approach to the incorporation of mri into breast cancer screening. In prospective nonrandomized studies across multiple centres throughout the world, contrast-enhanced mri achieves a high sensitivity of 70% –100% in the initial screening (prevalence) setting, compared with 40% or less for mammography in patients at high risk for developing breast cancer 4–6 . The specificity of mri in that setting has been hampered by its difficulty in distinguishing the of ten overlapping features of benign and malignant lesions, causing higher false-positive rates 7 . It is important to note, however, that these oft-cited statistics actually improve significantly in the setting of subsequent (incidence)
Income, Democracy, and Leader Turnover

While some believe that economic development prompts democratization, others contend that both result from distant historical causes. Using the most comprehensive estimates of national income available, I show that development is associated with more democratic government—but mostly in the medium run (10 to 20 years). This is because higher income tends to induce breakthroughs to more democratic politics only after an incumbent dictator leaves office. And in the short run, faster economic growth increases the ruler's survival odds. Leader turnover appears to matter because of selection: In authoritarian states, reformist leaders tend to either democratize or lose power relatively quickly, so long-serving leaders are rarely reformers. Autocrats also become less activist after their first year in office. This logic helps explain why dictators, concerned only to prolong their rule, often inadvertently prepare their countries for jumps to democracy after they leave the scene
Sustainability effects of next-generation intersection control for autonomous vehicles

AbstractTransportation sustainability is adversely affected by recurring traffic congestions, especially at urban intersections. Frequent vehicle deceleration and acceleration caused by stop-and-go behaviours at intersections due to congestion adversely impacts energy consumption and ambient air quality. Availability of the maturing vehicle technologies such as autonomous vehicles and Vehicle-To-Vehicle (V2V) / Vehicle-To-Infrastructure (V2I) communications provides technical feasibility to develop solutions that can reduce vehicle stops at intersections, hence enhance the sustainability of intersections. This paper presents a next-generation intersection control system for autonomous vehicles, which is named ACUTA. ACUTA employs an enhanced reservation-based control algorithm that controls autonomous vehicles’ passing sequence at an intersection. Particularly, the intersection is divided into n-by-n tiles. An intersection controller reserves certain time-space for each vehicle, and assures no conflict ex...
Long-term inhibition of myocardial infarction by postconditioning during reperfusion

Cardioprotection with postconditioning has been well demonstrated after a short period of reperfusion. This study tested the hypothesis that postconditioning reduces infarct size, vascular dysfunction, and neutrophil accumulation after a long-term reperfusion. Canines undergoing 60 min left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion were divided into two control groups of either 3 h or 24 h of full reperfusion and two postconditioning groups with three 30 s cycles of reperfusion and re-occlusion applied at the onset of either 3 h or 24 h of reperfusion. Size of the area at risk (AAR) and collateral blood flow during ischemia were similar among groups. In controls, infarct size as percentage of the AAR (30 ± 3 vs. 39 ± 2* %) by TTC staining, superoxide anion generation from the post-ischemic coronary arteries by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence [(89 ± 5 vs. 236 ± 27* relative light units (RLU/mg)], and neutrophil (PMN) accumulation by immunohistochemical staining in the AAR (52 ± 11 vs. 84 ± 14* cells/mm2 myocardium) significantly increased between 3 and 24 h of reperfusion. Postconditioning reduced infarct size (15 ± 4† and 27 ± 3.6† %), superoxide anion generation (24 ± 4† and 43 ± 11† RLU/mg), and PMN accumulation (19 ± 6† and 45 ± 8† cells/mm2 myocardium) in the 3 and 24 h reperfusion groups relative to time-matched controls. These data suggest that myocardial injury increases with duration of reperfusion; reduction in infarct size and attenuation in inflammatory responses with postconditioning persist after a prolonged reperfusion. * p < 0.05 24 vs. 3 h control; † p < 0.05 postconditioning vs. time-matched control.
Barkhausen discontinuities in the saturation region

An improved method for measuring uncertainties in the magnetization process in the saturation region is described. Preliminary results indicate that uncertainties occur in Permalloy tapes for magnetic intensities as high as 30 times the coercive force. Above this intensity, the discontinuities rapidly disappear, indicating that fields of this magnitude are required for complete saturation. No uncertainties are observed in the saturation region during demagnetization.