cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient Methods for Complex Aircraft Configuration Aerodynamic Characterization using Response Surface Methodologies

†‡ § A Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach to wind tunnel testing of aircraft with complex configurations is being investigated at the Langley Full-Scale Tunnel (LFST) as part of a series of tests using Design of Experiments (DOE). An exploratory study was conducted using RSM and a 5% scale blended wing body model in an effort to efficiently characterize aerodynamic behavior as a function of attitude and multiple control surface inputs. This paper provides a direct comparison of the DOE/RSM and one factor at a time (OFAT) methods for a low-speed wind tunnel test of a Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) aircraft configuration with eleven actuated surfaces. A modified fractional factorial design, augmented with center points and axial points, produced regression models for the characteristic aerodynamic forces and moments over a representative design space as a function of model attitude and control surface inputs. Model adequacy and uncertainty levels were described using robust statistical methods inherent to RSM practice. Experimental goals included the capture of fundamental stability and control data for simulation models and comparisons to baseline data from recent OFAT tests. Optimization is demonstrated for actuator allocation for a desired response. A discussion of highlights and problems associated with the test is included.
Formulating Voting Rights Act Remedies to Address Current Conditions

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down a key component of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA) closes one of the most successful chapters in the history of civil rights enforcement. Our country has changed since 1965 and it is an opportune time to examine current political conditions for minority voters. Based on analysis of congressional elections from 1960 to 2010, I assess the central holding of Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder, and other controversial areas of VRA enforcement. My results support the Court’s finding that the Act’s historic coverage formula does not accurately reflect current political conditions. However, my results challenge prevailing views on two points. I conclude that uniform standards are problematic because redistricting guidelines that improve opportunities for African American voters are likely to diminish opportunities for Latino voters (and vice versa). In addition, requiring majority African American districts appears to diminish aggregate African American voti...
ENDLESS: An extended nonperiodic domain large-eddy simulation approach for scalar plumes

Abstract Large-eddy simulation (LES) has proven to be a valuable tool for high-fidelity modeling of environmental and geophysical turbulent flows. An important application of LES is to study the transport of effluents (e.g. oils from a subsea blowout) in the ocean mixed layer (OML). Oil plumes being transported in the OML experience the action of shear-generated turbulence, Langmuir circulations, Ekman transport and submesoscale quasi-geostrophic eddies. To resolve such turbulent processes, grid sizes of a few meters are desirable while horizontal domain sizes of LES are typically restricted from hundreds of meters to a few kilometers, for LES to remain practically affordable. Yet transported oil plumes evolve to large scales extending to tens or even hundreds of kilometers. In this study, the Extended Nonperiodic Domain LES for Scalar transport (ENDLESS) is proposed as a multi-scale approach to tackle this challenge while being computationally affordable. The basic idea is to simulate the shear turbulence and Langmuir circulations on a small horizontal domain with periodic boundary conditions while the resulting transport velocity field is replicated periodically following adaptively the large-scale plume as it evolves spatially towards much larger scales. This approach also permits the superposition of larger-scale quasi two-dimensional flow motions on the oil advection, allowing for coupling with regional circulation models. A validation case and two sample applications to oil plume evolution in the OML are presented in order to demonstrate key features and computational speedup associated with the ENDLESS method.
The precautionary principle, science wars, and the Earth Summit.

The Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in June, 1992, and the resulting Rio Declaration on Environment and Development document was a pivotal but not yet decisive victory in the ongoing battle over the meaning and appropriate interpretation of scientific findings in relation to environmental policy. The precautionary principle which was embodied in international environmental law through the Earth Summit is a direct challenge to the widely used and thoroughly institutionalized concept of quantitative risk assessment practiced in many countries, particularly the United States. While there is a substantial literature that credits scientific "epistemic" communities for instigating change in international conventions because scientists from different nations are able to
A sociocultural, activity-based account of preschooler intersubjectivity

This article offers a conceptualization of intersubjectivity as shared meaning that emerges from and is enacted within the social fabric of interaction. The proposed model defines intersubjectivity...
ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY OF INTRA-ABDOMINAL SEPSIS

Intra-abdominal sepsis remains a highly morbid and lethal event despite the availability of potent antimicrobial agents and improvements in surgical management and intensive care. Appropriate management consists of source control, antimicrobial agents directed against both facultative gram-negative and anaerobic organisms, and physiologic and metabolic support. A variety of single and dual agent regimens are appropriate for initial therapy, as long as both aerobes and anaerobes are effectively targeted. Culture, Gram stain, and sensitivity testing may provide valuable information, especially when resistant organisms are encountered. Further studies to determine the relative efficacy of various agents need to be carefully designed both to avoid the pitfalls of previous studies and to provide useful and comparable data.
Focality and Heterogeneity of Febrile Seizures

The semiology of febrile seizures (FS), their focality, relation to hippocampal damage, and heterogeneous origin are critically reviewed by researchers at the Institute of Child Health, and Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.
Monitoring of Cardiac Output and Its Derivatives

The classical pulmonary artery catheter, also called the Swan-Ganz catheter, is a hemodynamic monitoring tool still in use in the ICU. Over the last 15 years, less invasive techniques have been developed, resulting in reduced use of this catheter. In addition, a meta-analysis on the influence of this catheter on the survival of ICU patients showed no benefit in terms of mortality rates [1, 2]. However, it is important to understand what information can be obtained using the present catheter. Here, the authors present the data that can be obtained through the pulmonary artery catheter and the resulting calculations: intravascular pressure, cardiac output (by the thermodilution technique), and mixed venous oxygen saturation levels.
Modeling tsunami observations to evaluate a proposed late tsunami earthquake stage for the 16 September 2015 Illapel, Chile, MW 8.3 earthquake

Resolving seaward extent of slip during great subduction zone interplate ruptures using land-based seismological and geodetic observations is challenging. Modeling of tsunami recordings from ocean-bottom pressure sensors of the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART) network has added valuable constraints on near-trench slip for recent events. We use DART and tide gauge recordings to evaluate a proposed seismological scenario involving a late MW 8.08 tsunami earthquake following the ~95 s long main rupture stage of the 16 September 2015 Illapel, Chile, MW 8.3 earthquake. Tsunami observations constrain the spatial extent of any late tsunami earthquake slip to locate north of the mainshock hypocenter. The proposed late shallow slip predicts tsunami signals with considerable amplitudes but shorter wavelengths compared to those of the main stage slip constrained by joint seismic and tsunami modeling, yielding over-prediction of first-arrival amplitudes at DART and tide gauge stations when the two stages are combined.
An integrated modeling approach for natural fractures and posttreatment fracturing analysis: A case study

AbstractHydraulic fracturing has been the principal production enhancement technique in low-permeability reservoirs for the past few decades. Through core and outcrop studies, advanced logging tools, microseismic mapping and well testing analysis, the complexity of induced fracture network in the presence of natural fractures has been further elucidated. Although most natural fractures are cemented by precipitations due to diagenesis, they can be reactivated during fracturing treatments and serve as preferential paths for fracture growth and fluid flow. However, current technologies for posttreatment fracture analysis are incapable of accurately determining the induced fracture geometry or estimating the distribution of preexisting natural fractures. Despite significant advances in the numerical modeling of fractured reservoirs, those numerical models require detailed characterization of natural fractures, which is essentially impossible to obtain. Moreover, most modeling techniques could not incorporate ...
Co-occurrence of Local Anisotropic Gradient Orientations (CoLlAGe): A new radiomics descriptor.

In this paper, we introduce a new radiomic descriptor, Co-occurrence of Local Anisotropic Gradient Orientations (CoLlAGe) for capturing subtle differences between benign and pathologic phenotypes which may be visually indistinguishable on routine anatomic imaging. CoLlAGe seeks to capture and exploit local anisotropic differences in voxel-level gradient orientations to distinguish similar appearing phenotypes. CoLlAGe involves assigning every image voxel an entropy value associated with the co-occurrence matrix of gradient orientations computed around every voxel. The hypothesis behind CoLlAGe is that benign and pathologic phenotypes even though they may appear similar on anatomic imaging, will differ in their local entropy patterns, in turn reflecting subtle local differences in tissue microarchitecture. We demonstrate CoLlAGe’s utility in three clinically challenging classification problems: distinguishing (1) radiation necrosis, a benign yet confounding effect of radiation treatment, from recurrent tumors on T1-w MRI in 42 brain tumor patients, (2) different molecular sub-types of breast cancer on DCE-MRI in 65 studies and (3) non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinomas) from benign fungal infection (granulomas) on 120 non-contrast CT studies. For each of these classification problems, CoLlAGE in conjunction with a random forest classifier outperformed state of the art radiomic descriptors (Haralick, Gabor, Histogram of Gradient Orientations).
Assessing the impact of the new kidney allocation system on rates of transplantation for highly sensitized recipients – Center specific data

Background The new OPTN/UNOS kidney allocation system (KAS) is designed to expand donor access for highly-HLA sensitized patients (HS). Our approach to transplanting the HS patients (PTS) awaiting deceased donor (DD) transplants (TXP) is to assign unacceptable antigens (UA) based on 4 antibody testing methods and to desensitize PTS using high dose IVIG and Rituximab. In the past, we would assign priority based on wait time and likelihood of receiving DD offers. Aim The aim of our study was to assess the impact of the new KAS on TXP rates for PTS with varying levels of sensitization compared to non-sensitized PTS. We examined PTS who are HS (99/100CPRA), moderately sensitized (80–98 CPRA) and less sensitized ( 20CPRA). Methods UAs are assigned based on 4 methods luminex single antigen with and without dilution, C1Q assay and CDC. Final crossmatches are performed by Flow and CDC. Patient’s antibody history, CPRA and crossmatch results were tabulated for this study. Rates of deceased donor TXP for a period of 144 days prior to and after December 7, 2014 were analyzed. Results The rate of transplantation for PTS in the 99–100% CPRA group was the same in both time periods. The number of deceased donor TXP in the 80–98% and 20–79% CPRA groups was reduced by 50%. However the number of TXP for PTS in 0–19% CPRA was increased by 50%. Conclusions While the rate of deceased donor TXP for PTS in 99–100% CPRA at our center remained the same at ∼ 12.7%, it increased from 2.5% to 17.7% for the national average. The new KAS appears to reduce the chance of transplantation for moderately sensitized recipients and increases the number of TXP for non-sensitized recipients at our center. The KAS appears to have little impact on transplanting the highly sensitized PTS at a center with progressive assignment of UAs and a desensitization program. Download : Download full-size image
Field Monitoring of Concrete Piles of an Integral Abutment Bridge

Integral abutment bridges (IABs) are a cost-effective design method for bridges. Recently, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA-DOTD) constructed their first two IABs; one was supported by HP steel piles driven in clayey soil while the other was supported by pre-stressed precast concrete (PPC) piles driven into fine sand deposit. The use of PPC piles has long been recognized as a good option for Louisiana bridges. However, there are concerns that the rigidity of the piles driven in sandy soils might cause excessive stresses in the bridge superstructure. This paper presents the instrumentation plan of two 36 in (914.4 mm) square PPC piles and the bent-soil interaction. Sisterbar strain gauges were attached to the pre-stressing strands in the piles along with nine pressure cells that were attached to the face of the bent supporting the piles. The bridge deformations were mainly controlled by the piles’ rigidity, soil resistances surrounding the piles, and connection behaviors between the pile-bent. Based on the observed temperature effects, the design of the piles of the Caminada Bay Bridge is very conservative. The piles experienced very low bending moments and very small amount of pressure on the backfill soil.
Increasing the thermoelectric power factor of Ge17Sb2Te20 by adjusting the Ge/Sb ratio

We have investigated the thermoelectric properties of Ge17Sb2Te20. This compound is a known phase change material with electronic properties that depend strongly on temperature. The thermoelectric properties of this compound can be tuned by altering the stoichiometry of Ge and Sb without the use of additional foreign elements during synthesis. This tuning results in a 26% increase in the thermoelectric power factor at 723 K. Based on a single parabolic band model we show that the pristine material is optimally doped, and thus, a reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity of pure Ge17Sb2Te20 should result in an enhanced thermoelectric figure of merit.
Intact polar lipid export in the temperate western North Atlantic and Sargasso Sea

Abstract Intact polar diacylglycerolipids (IP-DAGs), abundant membrane components in phytoplankton and bacterioplankton, comprised 5.9 ± 0.5% of suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) in the euphotic zone at two stations in the western North Atlantic Ocean. The IP-DAG assemblage included 9 phospholipid, glycolipid and betaine lipid classes that are routinely found in marine samples. We also report the pelagic occurrence of two recently discovered IP-DAGs, phosphatidyl-S,S-dimethylpropanethiol (PDPT) and a betaine-like lipid, both originally identified in Emiliania huxleyi . At the mesotrophic station north of the Gulf Stream, IP-DAGs comprised 0.62 ± 0.38% of sinking POC collected in sediment traps, and at the oligotrophic station in the Sargasso Sea they comprised 0.31 ± 0.05% of sinking POC. Phospholipids and glycolipids with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) moieties were relatively abundant in sinking particles at 150 m compared with suspended particles in the euphotic zone at the mesotrophic station north of the Gulf Stream. The sinking particles were probably associated with the demise of a dinoflagellate or diatom bloom that resulted in a maximum total IP-DAG export flux of 1.8 μmol/m 2 /day. At the oligotrophic station in the Sargasso Sea, sinking particles included microalgal glycolipids, phospholipids and betaine lipids with PUFAs; picocyanobacterial glycolipids with saturated and monounsaturated FAs; and bacterial phospholipids with saturated and monounsaturated FAs. The microalgal and bacterial IP-DAGs were relatively abundant in sinking particles compared with suspended particles. The IP-DAG export flux at the station in the Sargasso Sea was similar in three sediment traps deployed on consecutive days, with an average of 0.46 ± 0.08 μmol/m 2 /day. A diel cycle was observed in the IP-DAG euphotic zone inventory in the Sargasso Sea, with higher concentration in samples taken at dusk than at dawn, and we propose a model using this dynamic to calculate IP-DAG residence time. Export efficiency was calculated from the residence time and the ratio of IP-DAG export flux to euphotic zone inventory, with values ranging from 0.02% for PDPT to 6.9% for monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) with PUFAs. The greater export flux and export efficiency of IP-DAGs with PUFAs contrasts with previous results for total FAs in sinking particles, which showed preferential export of saturated and monounsaturated FAs. The difference likely resulted from IP-DAGs with PUFAs being membrane components of rapidly sinking organic matter from microalgae. Alternatively, PUFA moieties cause steric hindrance of microbial lipase activity, potentially decreasing their hydrolysis rate and increasing the relative concentration of IP-DAGs with PUFAs in sinking particles.
Prenatal Development and Adolescent Obesity: Two Distinct Pathways to Diabetes in Adulthood.

Abstract Objective: Higher body–mass index (BMI) and lower birth weight (BW) are associated with elevated risk of diabetes in adulthood, but the extent to which they compose two distinct pathways is unclear. Methods: We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, a cohort of adolescents (1994–1995) followed for 14 years over four waves into adulthood (n = 13,413). Sex-stratified path analysis was used to examine pathways from BW [kg; linear (BW) and quadratic (BW2)] to latent trajectories in BMI from adolescence to adulthood to prevalent diabetes or prediabetes (pre/diabetes) in adulthood, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Two pathways from BW to pre/diabetes were characterized: one from higher BW to elevated BMI and pre/diabetes and a second from lower BW, independent of BMI. In the BMI-independent pathway, greater BW was associated with marginally lower odds of pre/diabetes in women, but not men. Girls born at lower and higher BW exhibited elevate...
Driver Cognitive Distraction Detection Using Eye Movements

Driver distraction is an important safety problem [518]. The results of a study that tracked 100 vehicles for one year indicated that nearly 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds of the events. The most common forms of inattention included secondary tasks, driving-related inattention, fatigue, and combinations of these [325]. In-vehicle information systems (IVIS), such as navigation systems and internet services, introduce various secondary tasks into the driving environment that can increase crash risk [5,516]. Thus, in future it would be very beneficial if IVIS could monitor driver distraction so that the system could adapt and mitigate the distraction. To not disturb driving, non-intrusive and real-time monitoring of distraction is essential.
Transmitter Release in Aplysia: Applicability of Quantal Models and Evidence for Postsynaptic Control

The use of molluscan ganglia for neurobiological studies combines multiple technical advantages with demonstrated versatility. These benefits derive not only from the accessibility of individual neurons, and consequent ease of study, but also from the network properties of these neuronal arrays. A well-recognized advantage is that many molluscan neurons are distinct individuals. As a consequence, using criteria such as shape, size, position, electrophysiology and connectivity, molluscan neurons in several species have been identified. The use of identified cells permits incrementally assembling a library of specific information by the repeated study of the same cell in successive preparations. It further permits examination of those specific features which distinguish individual neurons, rather than studying only those general properties which are common to classes of similar cells. Similarly, specific network properties which characterize interconnections of identified cells may be used to examine or contrast particular elements, permitting analyses not available in such systems as cultured cell lines, chromaffin cells, or synaptosomes.
Toward a Theory of Word Order Universals

This chapter discusses word order variation across languages. Languages appear to vary considerably with regard to word order. Taking the position of the verb relative to subject and object, three common orders are found: SOV, SVO, and VSO, respectively. The orders VOS and OVS are also found, though in relatively few languages. Large numbers of languages share a relatively small set of word order co-occurrences and the great majority of possible word order types have no exemplifying languages at all. However, the modifier - modified generalization, in all its forms, does not succeed in distinguishing between those word order co-occurrences that are never found and those that are. The chapter discusses the relatively few word order co-occurrences that languages select from among the mathematical possibilities and presents the reasons for these languages selecting these rather than other possible co-occurrences. Joseph Greenberg's implicational statements defining co-occurring word orders have been referred as universals.
Pseudouridine kinase of Escherichia coli: A new enzyme

Abstract Pseudouridine kinase activity has been demonstrated in extracts of some pyrimidine auxotrophs of Escherichia coli . This enzyme has a pH optimum of 7, and requires ATP, Mg++, and either K+ or NH4+. Pseudouridine kinase is distinct from uridine kinase and deoxythymidine kinase. The presence of pseudouridine kinase and pseudouridylate synthetase activities in strains capable of growth on pseudouridine (Ψrd) as the sole pyrimidine source supports the following pathway for Ψrd utilization:
Diagnostic performance of multiplex nucleic acid testing of bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial wash specimens for respiratory viral pathogens

There is limited knowledge on the yield of performing multiplex nucleic acid testing (NAT) on multiple lower respiratory tract specimens from a single patient with a single instance of infection. We evaluated the performance characteristics of multiplex NAT assays performed concurrently on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and bronchial wash (BW) specimens to detect respiratory pathogens. A retrospective study of admitted patients from March 2013 through December 2016 was performed. Individual performance characteristics of BAL and BW specimens were compared to positive results from either set of specimens. Only contemporaneous BAL and BW specimens (received by the laboratory within 4 h of each other) were included. The final cohort included 170 patients, with 184 contemporaneous BAL and BW specimens submitted for multiplex NAT (median age, 58 years; 62% male). Of the patients with positive NAT results, 38 of 40 BW specimens tested positive (overall percent agreement with combined testing, 98.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 95.5 to 98.9%), and 34 of 40 BAL specimens tested positive (overall percent agreement with combined testing, 96.7%; 95% CI, 93.0 to 96.7%). Assays performed on BW specimens identified 4 additional specimens and had a higher positive percent agreement (95.0%) with combined testing results compared to those performed on BAL specimens (85.0%). There was exact concordance in 174 specimens (94.6%; negative and positive for respiratory pathogens, 144 and 34 specimens, respectively). We observed high concordance (95%) between multiplex NAT results from contemporaneous BAL and BW specimens. Performance characteristics of BW specimen testing were equivalent to those of BAL specimen testing. The benefit of performing additional testing should be carefully considered against the potential complications and health care costs.
Determining the sensitivity of primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples with FLT3-ITD or FLT3-D835 mutations to FLT3 inhibitors using an ex vivo drug sensitivity screen.

7025Background: AML has high molecular complexity and certain markers are predictors of overall survival. Mutations in FLT3-ITD, for example, lead to a poor prognosis with outcomes further worsened...
The safety and efficacy of transurethral microwave therapy in high-risk catheter-dependent men.

OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT) in the management of high-risk catheter-dependent men, although few have assessed safety in high-risk patients, including those continuing anticoagulation therapy during treatment. Our goal was to assess the safety and effectiveness of TUMT in a population of high-risk catheter-dependent men. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent TUMT at a single Veterans Affairs facility for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia was completed. The primary outcome was 30-day postprocedural complications by Clavien-Dindo grade, including bleeding events. The secondary outcome was success in catheter removal. RESULTS We performed TUMT in 157 men, 105 of whom had urinary retention-requiring an indwelling urethral catheter or clean intermittent catheterization. Overall, 86% of patients underwent TUMT while on anticoagulant therapy and 25% were treated while taking warfarin. The median age of the patients was 76.9 years (95% CI 74.9-78.8) median ASA-score was 3, and median follow-up was 26 months (range 1-65). Only two men experienced hematuria requiring treatment postoperatively and no transfusions were required. Only two patients (1.9%) required readmission within 30 days after treatment. There were 24 (22.9%) Clavien-Dindo grade I-II complications without grade III or higher complications. Urinary retention resolved in 63.7% of men after treatment. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that TUMT is a safe and reasonably effective treatment for high-risk catheter-dependent men. Furthermore, the low incidence of adverse bleeding events suggests that TUMT is a safe treatment modality for men requiring uninterrupted anticoagulation.
ATP Synthase C-Subunit-Deficient Mitochondria Have a Small Cyclosporine A-Sensitive Channel, but Lack the Permeability Transition Pore.

Summary Permeability transition (PT) is an increase in mitochondrial inner membrane permeability that can lead to a disruption of mitochondrial function and cell death. PT is responsible for tissue damage in stroke and myocardial infarction. It is caused by the opening of a large conductance (∼1.5 nS) channel, the mitochondrial PT pore (mPTP). We directly tested the role of the c-subunit of ATP synthase in mPTP formation by measuring channel activity in c-subunit knockout mitochondria. We found that the classic mPTP conductance was lacking in c-subunit knockout mitochondria, but channels sensitive to the PT inhibitor cyclosporine A could be recorded. These channels had a significantly lower conductance compared with the cyclosporine A-sensitive channels detected in parental cells and were sensitive to the ATP/ADP translocase inhibitor bongkrekic acid. We propose that, in the absence of the c-subunit, mPTP cannot be formed, and a distinct cyclosporine A-sensitive low-conductance channel emerges.
Incidence of Clostridioides difficile infections among young and middle-aged adults: Veterans Health Administration.

Objective Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains a significant public health concern, resulting in excess morbidity, mortality, and costs. Additional insight into the burden of CDI in adults aged l65 years is needed. Design/setting A 6-year retrospective cohort study was conducted using data extracted from United States Veterans Health Administration electronic medical records. Patients/methods Patients aged 18-64 years on January 1, 2011, were followed until incident CDI, death, loss-to-follow-up, or December 31, 2016. CDI was identified by a diagnosis code accompanied by metronidazole, vancomycin, or fidaxomicin therapy, or positive laboratory test. The clinical setting of CDI onset was defined according to 2017 SHEA-IDSA guidelines. Results Of 1,073,900 patients, 10,534 had a CDI during follow-up. The overall incidence rate was 177 CDIs per 100,000 person years, rising steadily from 164 per 100,000 person years in 2011 to 189 per 100,000 person years in 2016. Those with a CDI were slightly older (55 vs 51 years) and sicker, with a higher baseline Charlson comorbidity index score (1.4 vs 0.5) than those without an infection. Nearly half (48%) of all incident CDIs were community associated, and this proportion rose from 41% in 2011 to 56% in 2016. Conclusions The findings from this large retrospective study indicate that CDI incidence, driven primarily by increasing community-associated infection, is rising among young and middle-aged adult Veterans with high service-related disability. The increasing burden of community associated CDI in this vulnerable population warrants attention. Future studies quantifying the economic and societal burden of CDI will inform decisions surrounding prevention strategies.
ARCalVR: augmented reality playground on mobile devices

With the development of ARKit and ARCore, mobile Augmented Reality (AR) applications have become popular. Our ARCalVR is a lightweight, open-source software environment to develop AR applications on Android devices, and it gives the programmer full control over the phone's resources. With ARCalVR, one can do 60fps marker-less AR on Android devices, including functionalities of more complex environment understanding, physical simulation, virtual object interaction and interaction between virtual objects and real environment.
Macroprudential Regulation of Banks and Financial Institutions

Regulation of banks and financial institutions to avoid a crisis similar to the Financial Crisis of 2007-2008 has been a theme of financial regulation and much research. Much of the research has been explicitly designed to affect regulatory policy. In this article, I take a step back and evaluate the economic basis for such regulation. After a review of the developments in financial institutions that are the triggers for financial crises, I examine the economic basis for such regulation. Arguments based on externalities, while having a sound theoretical basis, provide little or no guidance for actual regulation and its scope or extent. An argument with a better empirical basis is one of overcoming the effects of moral hazard due to government regulations and actions, in particular deposit insurance and bailouts. While there is good reason to raise capital requirements substantially, I suggest that the reliance on living wills and avoiding bailouts is likely to founder on the incentives regulators have to bail out banks in a financial crisis. As the history of financial crises themselves demonstrates, including the recent crisis, requiring that regulators behave in a certain way need not result in that behavior. In a crisis, regulators want to avoid potentially catastrophic outcomes. If a catastrophe does not occur, avoiding it is not faulted and is lauded by some because potentially catastrophic outcomes were possible.
Comments on “Probing molecular interactions between choline acetate ionic liquid and alcohols: A comparable thermophysical study of choline acetate ionic liquid with change in solvent”

Abstract Errors were noted pertaining to the apparent molal volumes of choline acetate reported in the published by Kaur and coworkers. The authors' calculated numerical values are not consistent with the experimental densities reported in the paper.
Chapter 11 – More on Numerical Methods for Unconstrained Optimum Design

Advanced topics related to numerical methods for constrained optimum design are presented. The concept of a potential constraint strategy is introduced where only the currently violated, active and nearly active constraints are included in defining the search direction calculation subproblem. The idea of an inexact line search based on the Armijo-like procedure is introduced and illustrated. A descent function for the constrained optimization problem is defined and used to calculate the step size. A bound-constrained optimization problem that involves minimization of a function subject to only simple bounds on the design variables is defined. An algorithm is given to solve this class of problems. Then the general optimization problem is considered, and a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm that incorporates second-order information about the problem is presented. This is now a method of choice for solving nonlinear programming problems. The method is derived, and a detailed algorithm is given. A brief introduction to some first-order methods that were popular before development of the SQP method, such as the method of feasible directions, gradient projection method, and generalized reduced gradient method, is given. Many methods, including the SQP method, require solution of a quadratic programming (QP) subproblem to solve for the search direction. Two methods to solve the QP subproblem are given.
Flat-panel imager energy-dependent proton radiography for a proton pencil-beam scanning system

In proton-based radiotherapy, proton radiography could allow for direct measurement of the water-equivalent path length (WEPL) in tissue, which can then be used to determine relative stopping power (RSP). Additionally, proton radiographs allow for imaging in the beam's-eye-view. In this work, a proton radiography technique using a flat-panel imager and a pencil-beam scanning (PBS) system is demonstrated in phantom. Proton PBS plans were delivered on a Varian ProBeam system to a flat-panel imager. Each proton plan consisted of energy layers separated by 4.8 MeV, and a field size of 25 cm × 25 cm. All measured data is binned into a layer-by-layer delivery in post processing. To build a calibration curve correlating detector response to WEPL, the plans were delivered to slabs of solid water of increasing thickness. Pixel-by-pixel detector response in the time/energy domain is then fit as a function of WEPL. Tissue equivalent phantoms are imaged for evaluation of WEPL accuracy. A spatial resolution phantom and a head phantom are also imaged. For all experiments, the detector was run with an effective pixel size of 0.4 mm × 0.4 mm. The proposed method reconstructed RSP with mean errors of 2.65%, -0.14%, and 0.61% for lung, soft tissue, and bone, respectively. In a 40 mm thick spatial resolution phantom, a 2 mm deep pinhole with 1 mm diameter can be seen. The accuracy and spatial resolution of the method show that it could be implemented for patient position verification. Further development could lead to patient-specific verification of RSP to be used for treatment guidance.
Postdigital cultural studies

What should a postdigital cultural studies look like? Identifying economies of attention is central to the study of media and culture. Calling for renewed focus on attention as power, this article ...
Evaluating the natural growth rate of metastatic cancer to the brain.

Background Brain metastases are becoming increasingly more prevalent as cancer patients survive longer with both improved local and systemic therapy. Little is known, however, of the natural growth rates of brain metastases. This investigation aims to ascertain this growth rate of these lesions before the initiation of any CNS- directed therapy. Methods A total of 700 patients were screened, identifying 18 cancer patients (13 breast and 5 lung) with 29 brain metastases that were serially imaged from 2011 to 2017 before treatment for their intracranial metastases. Growth rates were measured by contouring lesions serially across at least two MRI studies in iPlan software by independent raters. These values were then compared between primary (breast and lung) cancer cohorts. Results The mean age at diagnosis was 53 and 95% were female. The interval between primary cancer diagnosis and brain metastases was 4.6 years and 1.2 years in the breast and lung cancer groups, respectively. Of the breast and lung cancer patients, 23% and 40% were deceased, with respective 5.08 cm3 and 2.44 cm3 initial tumor volumes. The average growth rate of lung and breast tumors was 0.018 and 0.040 cm3/day, respectively, with deceased patients having larger and faster growing tumors. Breast and lung metastases grew 2.39% and 1.14% of their total volumes daily and doubling times were 86 and 139 days, respectively. Conclusion This investigation provides a unique perspective into the biological growth of metastatic brain lesions. It is our hope that this study guides timing of treatment and informs both clinicians and patients of tumor growth kinetics before initiating treatment for intracranial metastases.
Analysis and Simulation of Oxidation Causes During Steam Turbine Oil Use Based on Fenton Oxidation

Steam turbine oil mainly plays the role of lubrication, heat dissipation and speed regulation in the steam turbine unit. The viscous deposits generated during the operation of steam turbine oil can affect the heat dissipation and lubrication of the equipment. In the long-term oxidation process, due to the influence of oxygen, heat, water, impurities and other factors, degradation products will be produced. The characteristic of Fenton oxidation method is that it has super strong oxidizing ability and can be deeply oxidized and degraded. The Fenton oxidation method is mainly based on the reaction time and temperature and the pH value between the adsorbent and the adsorption phase. In order to adjust the additive formulation and prevent the turbine oil from turning green during use, it needs to be evaluated by appropriate experimental methods. The purpose of this article is to use the Fenton oxidation method to analyze the causes of oxidation during steam turbine oil use. Through the analysis of pH value-color change by Fenton oxidation method, the structure and source of the coloring matter are inferred. In this paper, three steam turbine oils are selected for physical and chemical performance and failure analysis. The experimental results show that the use of Fenton’s reagent can accelerate the color and chemical structure of the oxidation products during the oxidation process similar to the color-forming substances in the used steam turbine oil.
Super Fluid/Super Black: Translations and Teachings in Transembodied Metaphysics

Ni’Ja Whitson turns a piece that was originally commissioned as a keynote lecture for the 2020 Collegium for the African Diaspora Dance (CADD) conference, Fluid Black: Dance Back. This chapter is a hybrid text that centralizes Black Transgender and Nonbinary experiences in a conversation of futurity in African Diasporic spirituality, dance traditions, and performativities. Furthermore, Super Fluid/Super Black interrogates beingness through an exploration of astrophysics and global attempts at Black erasure to uncover new strategies of collectivizing under physical, metaphysical, and cosmic bodies that dismantle cisheteronormativity at their core.
Adapting a Coparenting-Focused Prevention Program for Latinx Adolescent Parents in a School Context.

The current study utilized a three-step cultural adaptation process to adapt a universal-coparenting program for Latinx adolescent parents in a school-based setting. First, focus groups were conducted with adolescent parents (n = 13; 100% Latinx; 69% female), their parents (n = 17; 94% Latinx; 82% female), and school staff (n = 7; 71% White; 100% female) to identify unique needs faced by this population. Second, the program was adapted to include new lesson modules (e.g., coparenting with grandparents, coparenting after breakups) and structural reformatting to fit a school schedule. Third, selected lessons from the adapted program were piloted in four schools with 32 Latinx adolescent parents (97% Latinx; 78% female). Lesson evaluation surveys and focus group data assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the service delivery method and content to show the program was well received. However, implementation challenges emerged when attempting to provide services to adolescent fathers and Spanish-speaking adolescents. This manuscript provides an example of how to use this cultural adaptation process to tailor prevention programs, highlights a new prevention program that can serve as a resource for adolescent parents, and provides several recommendations for working with Latinx adolescent parents.
More than a stick in the mud: Eelgrass leaf and root bacterial communities are distinct from those on physical mimics

Summary We examine the role of physical structure vs. biotic interactions in structuring host-associated microbial communities on a marine angiosperm, Zostera marina, eelgrass. Across several months and sites, we compared microbiomes on physical mimics of eelgrass roots and leaves to those on intact plants. We find large, consistent differences in the microbiome of mimics and plants, especially on roots, but also on leaves. Key taxa that are more abundant on leaves have been associated with microalgal and macroalgal disease and merit further investigation to determine their role in mediating plant-microalgal-pathogen interactions. Root associated taxa were associated with sulfur and nitrogen cycling, potentially ameliorating environmental stresses for the plant. Our work identifies targets for future work on the functional role of the seagrass microbiome in promoting the success of these angiosperms in the sea. Originality-Significance Statement We show that eelgrass establishes a distinct microbial community from a physical mimic on both its leaves and roots. This is, to our knowledge, the first comparison of seagrass to a mimicked physical environment. Insights from our study establish bacterial targets for future functional studies of seagrass-microbiome interactions.
A Comparison of Arden Syntax and Clinical Quality Language as Knowledge Representation Formalisms for Clinical Decision Support.

Objectives This article presents a comparative study of two Health Level Seven International (HL7) standards for clinical knowledge representation, the Arden Syntax and the Clinical Quality Language (CQL), regarding their expressiveness and utility to represent knowledge for clinical decision support (CDS) systems. Methods We compiled a concatenated set of features from both languages and made descriptive comparisons of 27 categories covering areas of language characteristics, data, control statements, and operators. Results Both Arden and CQL have similar constructs that can be used for representing CDS knowledge but also have unique constructs that could support distinct use cases. They have constructs that fully or partially address several of the categories used in the comparison, except for data models and terminologies in Arden and event triggering and iteration statements in CQL. Conclusion These standards can facilitate the sharing, management, and reuse of computable knowledge, and permit knowledge to be represented with their languages and converted to a machine-friendly executable code that can be shared and reused by other systems. Having support for standard data models and terminologies will continue to be a differential for adoption of a language. The HL7 working groups responsible for developing these standards can direct future development to enhance the functions of the standard and address the gaps identified in this study.
Social Security Benefit Valuation, Risk, and Optimal Retirement

We develop techniques to estimate the present day value of the future social security benefits of a retiree based upon their chosen date of retirement, the term structure of interest rates, and life expectancy forecasts. These valuation methods are then used to determine the optimal retirement time of a beneficiary given a specific wage history and health profile in the sense of maximizing the present day value of future cashflows. We then examine how a number of risk factors including interest rates, disease diagnosis, and population life table risks impact the current value of future payments. Specifically, we utilize principal component analysis in order to assess interest rate and population life expectancy variation risks. We then examine how such risks range over distinct income and demographic groups and finally summarize future research directions.
ALL-318: Real-World Outcomes of Adults with Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Who Did Not Receive Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant at the University of Michigan

Context: The current standard of care for Ph+ ALL is concurrent chemotherapy or corticosteroids with a TKI, followed by an allogeneic transplant for those who are eligible and have attained complete morphologic remission. However, recent studies have suggested that transplant may not be necessary for all patients with Ph+ ALL, especially those who achieve CMR after induction. Objective: Our objective is to analyze the outcomes and characteristics of patients with Ph+ ALL treated within our institution who did not undergo allogeneic stem cell transplant. Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with Ph+ ALL who did not undergo allogeneic stem cell transplant treated at the University of Michigan between 2007 and 2019. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measurements of our study were overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). Results: 31 patients were identified in our database and met eligibility criteria. 30/31 patients received an upfront TKI (20 received dasatinib, 9 received imatinib, and 1 received ponatinib). 11 patients had molecular testing, and 4 had an IKZF1 mutation. The median OS was 388 days, with a median EFS of 247 days. 7 patients were deemed medically eligible for transplant but did not undergo transplant for reasons including patient preference and lack of an adequately matched donor. The median OS was 372 days for these 7 patients. 10/31 patients achieved CMR, with a median time to CMR of 148.5 days. The median OS in patients who achieved CMR was 551 days. The median OS for those who survived at least 50 days after diagnosis was 494 days. Cox regression analysis found an HR of.129 [0.020–0.841] for initial induction with hyperCVAD + TKI and an HR of 10.177 [1.209–85.677] with dexamethasone, vincristine, and TKI. No significant difference in OS was observed based on the choice of TKI. All patients who achieved CR experienced relapse or death during follow-up. Conclusions: Our results reveal poor outcomes in non-transplanted patients with Ph+ ALL and support the current standard of care utilizing concomitant chemotherapy and TKI with allogeneic transplant in those who are medically eligible.