cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment outcomes in veterans with HPV-positive head and neck cancer.

Abstract Objectives Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) has an improved prognosis relative to HPV-negative tumors. Patients with HPV-positive disease may benefit from different treatment modalities in order to optimize survival and quality of life. We sought to investigate HPV-positive HNSCC within the military veteran population, and analyze the role of treatment modality in outcomes of patients with HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors. Methods Patients diagnosed with HNSCC between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014 at one regional veterans health center were retrospectively examined. Pathologic specimens underwent testing for HPV subtype and p16 expression. Demographic and clinical factors, including treatment modality, were analyzed for their impact on the primary outcome of overall survival. Results There were 209 patients with primary tumor sites including larynx (25.4%), oral tongue (19.6%), oral cavity (13.4%), oropharynx (17.2%), tonsil (17.2%), unknown primary (2.9%), nasopharynx (1.9%), and multiple sites (2.4%). Patients had HPV-positive (n = 82, 39.2%), HPV-negative (n = 89, 42.6%) or unknown HPV status (n = 38, 18.2%). Primary treatment modalities were chemoradiation (n = 124, 59.3%), surgery (n = 39, 18.7%), radiation therapy (n = 37, 17.7%), or no treatment (n = 9, 4.3%). Survival analysis with Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated significant associations with T classification (T4 3.61, P = 0.005), N classification (N3 3.52, P = 0.0159), M classification (M1 2.8, P = 0.0209), and HPV status (HPV-positive 0.43, P = 0.0185), but no relation with primary treatment modality (primary surgery vs. primary chemoradiation 1.01, P = 0.9718). Conclusion HPV-positive HNSCC in the veteran population has a significantly improved prognosis relative to similarly staged patients with HPV-negative disease. This study demonstrates that the primary treatment modality – chemoradiation, radiation therapy, or surgery – does not impact overall survival among veterans with HPV-positive HNSCC.
The Structures of Humulene Diepoxides Found in Hops and Beer

Three isomeric humulene epoxides (I–III) were oxidized with m-chloroperbenzoic acid to their corresponding diepoxides (A–E) to determine the positions of the epoxide rings of the five known diepoxi...
Efficacy of Nootka Oil as a Biopesticide for Management of Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Recent concerns regarding the impact of traditional synthetic pesticides on nontarget organisms have generated demand for alternative products with lower environmental impact. This demand has led to increasing focus on plant essential oils as sources of new biopesticides. In this study, we demonstrate that the essential oil of the Alaskan yellow cedar, Cupressus nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach, has activity against hybrid imported fire ant workers, Solenopsis invicta Buren × Solenopsis richteri Forel. In digging assays, ants were repelled by nootka oil and digging continued to be suppressed by nearly 50% in nootka oil-treated sand aged 6 mo in the laboratory. Higher worker mortality was also observed in contact and fumigation assays compared to control checks. In a field drench test, mortality of mounds treated with nootka oil lagged behind mounds treated with bifenthrin treatment for 7 wk, but both nootka oil and bifenthrin had higher mortality than the untreated check at the end of the 12-wk evaluation period. In a band application evaluation, nootka oil plots maintained a 90–95% reduction in fire ant mounds from the 2nd to 17th wk, when new mounds began to intrude on the field plots. The quarantine-approved bifenthrin band treatment maintained 100% control from the 2nd to 24th wk. Although the formulation tested here did not perform to Federal Imported Fire Ant Quarantine standards, other formulations may enable this product to reach 100% control. In addition, nootka oil could be beneficial in situations where ant suppression rather than complete quarantine elimination is the management goal.
Self-dual quasiperiodic systems with power-law hopping

We introduce and explore a family of self-dual models of single-particle motion in quasiperiodic potentials, with hopping amplitudes that fall off as a power law with exponent $p$. These models are generalizations of the familiar Aubry-Andr\'e model. For large enough $p$, their static properties are similar to those of the Aubry-Andr\'e model, although the low-frequency conductivity in the localized phase is sensitive to $p$. For $p\ensuremath{\lesssim}2.1$ the Aubry-Andr\'e localization transition splits into three transitions; two distinct intermediate regimes with both localized and delocalized states appear near the self-dual point of the Aubry-Andr\'e model. In the intermediate regimes, the density of states is singular continuous in much of the spectrum, and is approximately self-similar: states form narrow energy bands, which are divided into yet narrower subbands; we find no clear sign of a mobility edge. When $pl1$, localized states are not stable in random potentials; in the present model, however, tightly localized states are present for relatively large systems. We discuss the frequency-dependence and strong sample-to-sample fluctuations of the low-frequency optical conductivity, although a suitably generalized version of Mott's law is recovered when the power law is slowly decaying. We present evidence that many of these features persist in models that are away from self-duality.
Analytical extension of curved shock theory

Curved shock theory (CST) is limited to shock waves in a steady, two-dimensional or axisymmetric (2-Ax) flow of a perfect gas. A unique feature of CST is its use of intrinsic coordinates that result in an elegant and useful formulation for flow properties just downstream of a shock. For instance, the downstream effect of upstream vorticity, shock wave curvature, and the upstream pressure gradient along a streamline is established. There have been several attempts to extend CST, as mentioned in the text. Removal of the steady, 2-Ax, and perfect gas limitations, singly or in combination, requires an appropriate formulation of the shock wave’s jump relations and the intrinsic coordinate Euler equations. Issues discussed include flow plane versus osculating plane, unsteady flow, vorticity, an imperfect gas, etc. The extension of CST utilizes concepts from differential geometry, such as the osculating plane, streamline torsion, and the Serret–Frenet equations.
Opening the aperture: Regulatory changes for safe autonomous flight in the U.S. national airspace

Technology is on the brink of enabling fully autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations that can supersede the role of humans in every respect. However, in the United States (U.S.), the regulatory structure for these aircraft remains in its nascent stage. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) current UAS regulations, based on the existing regulatory model applicable to manned aircraft, place the Remote Pilot in Charge (RPIC) as central actor in UAS operations, responsible for safety of flight. Specifically, the FAA requires the RPIC, unaided by technology, to “see and avoid” hazards and mitigate the potential of midair collisions. To the extent that humans become further, or even entirely, removed from UAS flight operations, autonomous UAS flight challenges both the letter and intent of this regulatory scheme The purpose of this paper is to review current FAA regulations in light of anticipated technological advances and propose regulatory suggestions to enable autonomous UAS flights in the U.S. NAS. To do this, Part I summarizes relevant UAS regulations and the rationale behind them. Part II identifies different types of technological advances necessary to mitigate concerns associated with UAS flight safety in general and as applicable to autonomous flight. Part III explores potential regulatory improvements that will be required once sufficient technological mitigation measures exist. Part IV concludes by suggesting a new philosophical paradigm is required, in addition to regulatory and other changes, to truly open up the aperture in the NAS for safe autonomous unmanned flight.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-based controlled release dosage by melt extrusion and 3D printing: Structure and drug release correlation

The objective of this study was to develop a new approach for fabrication of zero order release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) using hot-melt extrusion (HME) and 3D printing technology to generate tablets with specific 3D structures. By correlating the geometry of the 3D printed tablets with their dissolution and drug release rates, mathematical models that have been developed to describe drug release mechanisms were also studied. Acetaminophen was used as a model drug, and Benecel™ hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) E5 and Soluplus® were used to formulate nine fuse depositional 3D-printed tablets with different inner core fill densities and outside shell thicknesses. This work reports the successful fabrication of solid-dispersion filaments with an API dispersed in HPMC based matrix via HME technology, and the production of zero order controlled release tablets with different 3D structures (tablets #3, 5, 6, and 9) using a 3D printer.
On Two Models of Provability

Godel’s modal logic approach to analyzing provability attracted a great deal of attention and eventually led to two distinct mathematical models. The first is the modal logic GL, also known as the Provability Logic, which was shown in 1979 by Solovay to be the logic of the formal provability predicate. The second is Godel’s original modal logic of provability S4, together with its explicit counterpart, the Logic of Proofs LP, which was shown in 1995 by Artemov to provide an exact provability semantics for S4. These two models complement each other and cover a wide range of applications, from traditional proof theory to λ-calculi and formal epistemology.
Is Singularity-based Container Technology Ready for Running MPI Applications on HPC Clouds?

The Message Passing Interface (MPI) standard has become the de facto programming model for parallel computing with the last 25-year continuous community effort. With the development of building efficient HPC clouds, more and more MPI-based HPC applications start running on cloud-based environments. Singularity is one of the most attractive container technologies to build HPC clouds due to the claimed reproducible environments across the HPC centers. However, our investigations in the literature show that there is a lack of a systematical study on evaluating the performance of Singularity with various benchmarks and applications on different types of HPC platforms. Without these studies, it remains difficult to tell the community whether Singularity-based container technology is ready or not for running MPI applications on HPC clouds to gain desired performance. To fill this gap in the literature, as a third-party, we first propose a four-dimension evaluation methodology to cover various aspects and based on that, we conduct extensive studies on evaluating the performance of Singularity on modern processors, and high-performance interconnects. Performance results prove that Singularity-based container technology can achieve near-native performance for both Intel Xeon and Intel Xeon Knights Landing (KNL) platforms with different memory access modes (i.e., cache, flat). Singularity also shows very little overhead for running MPI-based HPC applications on both Omni-Path and InfiniBand networks. With the verification of our results, we believe that Singularity can be used for building next-generation HPC clouds with near-native performance as well as desired cloud features such as easy management and deployment.
Does Incentive Regulation with DEA Improve Operational Efficiency? Evidence from Electric Utilities in Brazil

This paper examines whether incentive regulation with data envelopment analysis (DEA) benchmarking improves the operational efficiency of electric utilities. Using a panel of Brazilian electricity distribution firms from 2003 to 2012, we find that electricity distribution firms in Brazil have, on average, experienced significant efficiency improvement after the implementation of DEA-based incentive regulation in 2011. The efficiency improvement is most pronounced in Brazilian privately-owned utilities, but not significant in state-owned utilities. Compared to state-owned utilities, the privately-owned utilities managed to reduce both in-house labor and outsourcing costs. These findings suggest that privatization and DEA benchmarking both play a crucial role in promoting managerial efforts towards efficiency improvement.
Dynamics of Soil Organic Nitrogen and its Functions in Soil Carbon Stabilization Processes

Soil organic nitrogen (SON) plays an important role in long-term ecosystem productivity and the global C cycle. But estimation and prediction involved with SON for soil C sequestration are not completely accurate due to insufficient knowledge of the dynamics of SON and its chemical composition. We hypothesized that the dynamics of SON has a correlated relationship with SON thermal properties. This hypothesis was examined through measuring the optimal pyrolysis temperatures of SON in soils and humic and fulvic acids via pyrolysis gas chromatographic atomic emission detection method (GC/AED). It appeared that SON optimal pyrolysis temperature shifted from 500°C for the surface soil to 400°C for the 25–38 cm depth soil. The low shift of optimal pyrolysis temperatures with increasing humification was also observed from the independent fulvic and humic acids (from 700°C to 600°C), suggesting a relationship of SON thermal property with its dynamic changes. The high thermal stability of SON in combination with the major non-heterocyclic N components coupled with polynuclear C illustrates the contributions of SON to the biological and chemical stabilities of SOM.
Functional analysis of spatial aggregation regions of Jeffrey pine beetle-attack within the Lake Tahoe Basin

Abstract We introduce modeling approaches for quantifying the spatiotemporal location and characteristics of clusters with application to the 1993 Jeffrey pine beetle (JPB) forest epidemic attack.
Microtissue size and cell-cell communication modulate cell migration in arrayed 3D collagen gels

Cells communicate through the extracellular matrix (ECM) in many physiological and pathological processes. This is particularly important during cell migration, where cell communication can alter both the speed and the direction of migration. However, most cell culture systems operate with large volumes relative to cell numbers, creating low cell densities and diluting factors that mediate cell communication. Furthermore, they lack the ability to isolate single cells or small groups of cells. Droplet forming devices allow for an ability to embed single or small groups of cells into small volume segregated 3D environments, increasing the cell density to physiological levels. In this paper we show a microfluidic droplet device for fabricating 3D collagen-based microtissues to study breast cancer cell motility. MDA-MB-231 cells fail to spread and divide in small, thin chambers. Cell migration is also stunted as compared to thick 3D gels. However, larger chambers formed by a thicker devices promote cell spreading, cell division and faster migration. In the large devices, both cell-ECM and cell-cell interactions affect cell motility. Increasing collagen density decreases cell migration and increasing the number of cells per chamber increases cell migration speed. Furthermore, cells appear to sense both the ECM-chamber wall interface as well as other cells. Cells migrate towards the ECM-chamber interface if within roughly 150 μm, whereas cells further than 150 μm tend to move towards the center of the chamber. Finally, while cells do not show enhanced movement towards the center of mass of a cell cluster, their migration speed is more variable when further away from the cell cluster center of mass. These results show that microfluidic droplet devices can array 3D collagen gels and promote cell spreading, division and migration similar to what is seen in thick 3D collagen gels. Furthermore, they can provide a new avenue to study cell migration and cell-cell communication at physiologically relevant cell densities.
Dating violence perpetration and perceived parental support for fighting and nonviolent responses to conflict: An autoregressive cross-lagged model.

Abstract Introduction The current study examined longitudinal and bidirectional relationships between adolescent perceptions of parental support for fighting and nonviolent responses to conflict and dating violence perpetration. These relationships were examined among a sample of predominately African American youth from an economically disadvantaged urban neighborhood in the United States, a group of adolescents who may be at a high risk for dating violence and for receiving a mixture of parental support for how to respond in conflict situations. Method Participants were 1014 early adolescents (51% female, 91% African American) who were currently dating or had been recently dating. Adolescents completed measures on their perceptions of parental support for fighting and nonviolent responses to conflict, as well as dating violence perpetration. Results Using an autoregressive cross-lagged path analysis across four time points, perceptions of parental support for fighting were inversely associated with changes in perceived parental support for nonviolent responses to conflict, but not with changes in dating violence over time. However, perceived parental support for nonviolent responses to conflict were inversely associated with changes in dating violence perpetration over time. Conclusions Although parents in high-burden communities may give a mixture of messages about how to handle conflict, encouraging parents to provide messages supporting nonviolent responses to conflict may protect youth from perpetrating violence within their dating relationships. These findings inform future research directions and dating violence prevention programs.
The partial truncated icosahedron phoswich array for detection of low energy charged pions and light charged particles

Abstract The Partial Truncated Icosahedron (ParTI) phoswich array has been designed for the detection of low energy charged pions and other light charged particles for the study of pionic fusion reactions. The array consists of 15 plastic/CsI(Tl) phoswich detector units arranged in approximately one hemisphere of a truncated icosahedron geometry. The phoswich detectors’ particle identification capabilities have been characterized. A pulse shape discrimination technique has demonstrated isotopic identification for Z = 1 and Z = 2 particles and elemental identification up to at least Z = 3. Utilization of digital electronics allows for increased sensitivity in event triggering and independent verification of pion detection. A calibration technique for the array has also been developed.
Complete β-Lactam Antiobiotic Activity Removal from Wastewaters: Hydroxyl Radical-Mediated Oxidation Efficiencies

Abstract Public concern about the significant concentrations of antibiotics and their metabolites remaining in wastewater after standard treatments is motivating the study of additional approaches such as the use of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). However, to ensure complete removal of antibiotics using these processes at large-scale, full degradation mechanisms, kinetics, and reaction efficiencies must be accurately determined. In this study, we have quantitatively determined the efficiency of only hydroxyl radical reactions with multiple β-lactam antibiotics, with these radicals generated by radiolysis and activity measured using Staphylococcus aureus bacterial growth. It was found that four to five hydroxyl radical oxidations per antibiotic molecule were necessary to completely remove the antibiotic activity in high-quality water solutions. The effects of the real-world water matrix components dissolved organic matter and alkalinity were also separately investigated. The multiple oxidations required to completely remove β-lactam and metabolite activity has profound implications for AOP treatments of antibiotic-contaminated waters.
Connecting the pieces: uncovering the molecular basis for long-distance communication through plant grafting.

Vascular plants are wired with a remarkable long-distance communication system. This network can span from as little as a few centimeters (or less) in species like Arabidopsis, up to 100 m in the tallest giant sequoia, linking distant organ systems into a unified, multicellular organism. Grafting is a fundamental technique that allows researchers to physically break apart and reassemble the long-distance transport system, enabling the discovery of molecular signals that underlie intraorganismal communication. In this review, we highlight how plant grafting has facilitated the discovery of new long-distance signaling molecules that function in coordinating developmental transitions, abiotic and biotic responses, and cross-species interactions. This rapidly expanding area of research offers sustainable approaches for improving plant performance in the laboratory, the field, the orchard, and beyond.
REST-DRD2 mechanism impacts glioblastoma stem cell-mediated tumorigenesis.

Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal, heterogeneous human brain tumor, with regulatory mechanisms that have yet to be fully characterized. Previous studies have indicated that the transcriptional repressor REST (repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor) regulates the oncogenic potential of GBM stem cells (GSCs) based on level of expression. However, how REST performs its regulatory role is not well understood. Methods We examined 2 independent high REST (HR) GSC lines using genome-wide assays, biochemical validations, gene knockdown analysis, and mouse tumor models. We analyzed in-house patient tumors and patient data present in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Results Genome-wide transcriptome and DNA-binding analyses suggested the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) gene, a dominant regulator of neurotransmitter signaling, as a direct target of REST. Biochemical analyses and mouse intracranial tumor models using knockdown of REST and double knockdown of REST and DRD2 validated this target and suggested that DRD2 is a downstream target of REST regulating tumorigenesis, at least in part, through controlling invasion and apoptosis. Further, TCGA GBM data support the presence of the REST-DRD2 axis and reveal that high REST/low DRD2 (HRLD) and low REST/high DRD2 (LRHD) tumors are specific subtypes, are molecularly different from the known GBM subtypes, and represent functional groups with distinctive patterns of enrichment of gene sets and biological pathways. The inverse HRLD/LRHD expression pattern is also seen in in-house GBM tumors. Conclusions These findings suggest that REST regulates neurotransmitter signaling pathways through DRD2 in HR-GSCs to impact tumorigenesis. They further suggest that the REST-DRD2 mechanism forms distinct subtypes of GBM.
Acute lung injury in neonatal rats causes postsynaptic depression in nucleus tractus solitarii second-order neurons

Acute Lung Injury (ALI) alters pulmonary reflex responses, in part due to changes in modulation within the lung and airway neuronal control networks. We hypothesized that synaptic efficacy of nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) neurons, receiving input from lung, airway, and other viscerosensory afferent fibers, would decrease following ALI. Sprague Dawley neonatal rats (postnatal days 9-11) were given intratracheal installations of saline or bleomycin (a well-characterized model that reproduces the pattern of ALI) and then, one week later, in vitro slices were prepared for whole-cell and perforated whole-cell patch-clamp experiments (postnatal days 16-21). In preparations from ALI rats, 2nd-order nTS neurons had significantly decreased amplitudes of both spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs and mEPSCs), compared to saline controls. Rise and decay times of sEPSCs were slower in whole-cell recordings from ALI animals. Similarly, the amplitude of tractus solitarii evoked EPSCs (TS-eEPSCs) were significantly lower in 2nd-order nTS neurons from ALI rats. Overall these results suggest the presence of postsynaptic depression at TS-nTS synapses receiving lung, airway, and other viscerosensory afferent tractus solitarii input after bleomycin-induced ALI.
Slot machines: methodologies and myths.

The proliferation of legalized gaming has significantly changed the nature of the hospitality industry. While several aspects of gaming have flourished, none has become more popular, profitable, or technologically advanced as the slot machine. While more than half of all casino gambling, and earnings, is generated by slot machines, little has been written about the technology integral to these devices. The author describes the workings of computer-controlled slot machines and exposes some of the popular operating myths.
Data-Driven Urban Methane Emission Estimates Based on Aircraft Observations: Sensing Considerations and Results

Urban methane emissions from major United States East Coast cities are investigated using an aircraft platform equipped with a suite of high precision spectroscopic instrumentation. Sensing details and results will be presented.
Fast High-Resolution Ultrasound Microvessel Imaging with Null Subtraction Imaging-based Beamforming

Recently, microvessel imaging at super resolution using contrast agents has been successfully demonstrated. However, the computational costs associated with the processing is extremely high. To overcome some of the computational issues, new techniques for generating high-resolution microvessel images with contrast MBs are warranted. One computationally inexpensive technique to realize high-resolution microvessel imaging is to use null subtraction imaging (NSI) [1]. NSI uses nulls in the beam pattern to produce images at much higher apparent lateral resolution and is especially suited for sharpening ultrasound images of specular scatters like MBs. In this study we acquired 1000 frames of ultrasonic data of chicken embryo with microbubble as contrast agent inside and utilized NSI to attain image with improved spatial resolution compared with traditional delay and sum image.
Anticipatory Counseling About Miscarriage Management in Catholic Hospitals: A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Preferences.

Context Catholic hospitals represent a large and growing segment of U.S. health care. Because these facilities follow doctrines that restrict reproductive health services, including miscarriage management options when a fetal heartbeat is present, it is critical to understand whether and how women would want to learn about miscarriage treatment restrictions from providers. Methods From May 2018 to January 2019, semistructured interviews were conducted with 31 women aged 21-44 who had had exposure to religious-based health care; all were drawn from a nationally representative survey sample. Participants responded to a hypothetical scenario regarding the anticipatory disclosure of miscarriage management policy during routine prenatal care. Responses were inductively coded and thematically analyzed using modified grounded theory to understand women's attitudes and considerations related to receiving anticipatory miscarriage management information. Results Respondents supported the routine disclosure of miscarriage management policies during prenatal care. Some expressed concern that this might increase patient anxiety during pregnancy, but most felt that the information would serve to prepare and empower patients, and likened the topic to other anticipatory health information provided during prenatal care. Identified themes related to how providers can disclose this information (including the need for a precautionary framing to reduce patient stress), sharing the rationale for institutional policy, and the importance of provider neutrality to ensure patient autonomy. Conclusions To respect patient autonomy, health care providers working in Catholic hospitals should routinely discuss institutional miscarriage management policies with patients, and anticipatory counseling should give patients the balanced information they need to decide where to go for care should pregnancy complications arise.
Analysis of Radiation Facility Volume and Survival in Men With Lymph Node-Positive Prostate Cancer Treated With Radiation and Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

Importance Long-term control of node-positive (N1) prostate cancer, the incidence of which is increasing, is obtainable with aggressive treatment, and definitive external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is an increasingly preferred option. Caring for these patients is complex and may require resources more readily available at high-volume centers. Objective To evaluate the association between radiation facility case volume and overall survival (OS) in men with N1 prostate cancer. Design, setting, and participants This cohort study included 1899 men diagnosed with T1N1M0 to T4N1M0 prostate cancer treated with curative-intent EBRT and ADT between January 2004 and December 2016 at US facilities reporting to the National Cancer Database. Data analysis was performed from March to June 2020. Exposures Treatment at a center with high vs low average cumulative facility volume (ACFV), defined as the total number of prostate radiation cases at an individual patient's treatment facility from 2004 until the year of that patient's diagnosis. Main outcomes and measures OS was assessed between high- vs low-ACFV centers using the Kaplan-Meier method with and without propensity score-based weighted adjustment and multivariable Cox proportional hazards. The nonlinear association between continuous ACFV and OS was examined through a Martingale residual plot, and the optimal ACFV cutoff point that maximized the separation between high vs low ACFV was identified via a bias adjusted log rank test. Results A total of 1899 men met inclusion criteria. The median (interquartile range) age was 66 (60-72) years, 1491 (78.5%) were White individuals, and 1145 (60.3%) were treated at nonacademic centers. The optimal ACFV cutoff point was 66.4 patients treated per year. The median OS for patients treated at high-ACFV vs low-ACFV centers was 111.1 (95% CI, 101.5-127.9) months and 92.3 (95% CI, 87.7-103.9) months, respectively (P = .01). On multivariable analysis, treatment at a low-ACFV center was associated with increased risk of death (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02-1.46, P = .03) compared with treatment at a high-ACFV center. These results persisted after propensity score-based adjustment. Conclusions and relevance This cohort study found a significant association of facility case volume with long-term outcomes in men with N1 prostate cancer undergoing EBRT with ADT. Specifically, treatment at a facility with high radiation case volume was independently associated with longer OS. Further studies should focus on identifying which factors unique to high-volume centers may be responsible for this benefit.
Third-country Effects of Regional Trade Agreements: THIRD-COUNTRY EFFECTS OF RTAS

Does regionalism negatively impact non-members? To answer this question, we examine the effect of regional trade agreements (RTAs) on imports from non-members and the tariffs that they face. Using data from six RTAs in Latin America and Europe, we do not find evidence that implementation of the regional agreements is associated with trade diversion from third countries to regional members. Using detailed industry data on preference margins and most-favoured nation (MFN) tariffs for three trade agreements in Latin America over 12 years, we find that greater preference margins do not significantly reduce imports from third countries. We also look at the effect of preferences on external tariffs. We find evidence that preferential tariff reduction tends to precede the reduction of external MFN tariffs in a given sector, offering evidence of tariff complementarity. Overall, the results suggest that regionalism does not significantly harm non-members.
Optimal uses of pooled testing for COVID-19 incorporating imperfect test performance and pool dilution effect: An application to congregate settings in Los Angeles County.

INTRODUCTION: Pooled testing is a potentially efficient alternative strategy for COVID-19 testing in congregate settings. We evaluated the utility and cost-savings of pooled testing based on imperfect test performance and potential dilution effect due to pooling and created a practical calculator for online use. METHODS: We developed a 2-stage pooled testing model accounting for dilution. The model was applied to hypothetical scenarios of 100 specimens collected during a one-week time-horizon cycle for varying levels of COVID-19 prevalence and test sensitivity and specificity, and to 338 skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in Los Angeles County (Los Angeles) (data collected and analyzed in 2020). RESULTS: Optimal pool sizes ranged from 1 to 12 in instances where there is a least one case in the batch of specimens. 40% of Los Angeles SNFs had more than one case triggering a response-testing strategy. The median number (minimum; maximum) of tests performed per facility were 56 (14; 356) for a pool size of 4, 64 (13; 429) for a pool size of 10, and 52 (11; 352) for an optimal pool size strategy among response-testing facilities. The median costs of tests in response-testing facilities were $8250 ($1100; $46,100), $6000 ($1340; $37,700), $6820 ($1260; $43,540), and $5960 ($1100; $37,380) when adopting individual testing, a pooled testing strategy using pool sizes of 4, 10, and optimal pool size, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pooled testing is an efficient strategy for congregate settings with a low prevalence of COVID-19. Dilution as a result of pooling can lead to erroneous false-negative results.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa synthesizes the autoinducers of its oxylipin-dependent quorum sensing system extracellularly

The oxylipin-dependent quorum sensing system (ODS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa relies on the production and sensing of two oxylipin autoinducers, 10S-hydroxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid (10-HOME) and 7S,10S dihydroxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid (7,10-DiHOME). Here, and contrary to the prevailing notion that bacterial autoinducers are synthesized intracellularly, we show that 10-HOME and 7,10-DiHOME biosynthesis occurs extracellularly, and this requires the secretion of the oxylipin synthases. We implemented a genetic screen of P. aeruginosa strain PAO1, which identified fourteen genes required for the synthesis of oxylipins. Among the identified genes, four encoded components of the ODS system and the other ten were part of the Xcp type II secretion system (T2SS). We created a deletion mutant of xcpQ, which encodes the outer membrane component of Xcp, and found it recapitulated the impaired functionality of the transposon mutants. Upon further examination, the lack of ODS function was demonstrated to be caused by the blocking of the DS enzymes secretion. Notably, the xcpQ mutant activated the ODS system when exposed to 10-HOME and 7,10-DiHOME, indicating that the sensing component of this quorum sensing system remains fully functional. In contrast with the detrimental effect previously described for T2SS in biofilm formation, here we observed that T2SS was required for robust in vitro and in vivo biofilm formation in an ODS dependent manner. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to find QS autoinducers that are synthetized in the extracellular space and provides new evidence for the role of the T2SS for biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCEWe previously showed that the ODS quorum sensing system of P. aeruginosa produces and responds to oxylipins derived from host oleic acid by enhancing biofilm formation and virulence. Herein, we developed a genetic screen strategy to explore the molecular basis for oxylipins synthesis and detection. Unexpectedly, we found that the ODS autoinducer synthases cross the outer membrane using the Xcp Type 2 secretion system of P. aeruginosa and thus, the biosynthesis of oxylipins occur extracellularly. Biofilm formation, which was thought to be impaired as result of Xcp activity, was found to be enhanced as result of ODS activation. This is a unique QS system strategy and reveals a new way by which P. aeruginosa interacts with the host environment.
Increasing Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Primary Care: Removing the Training Requirement May Not Be Enough.

Background: Substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder (OUD), are understood as chronic diseases with a relapsing and remitting course and no known cure. Medications for OUD (MOUD) are well established with decades of evidence supporting their safety and efficacy; however, treatment access remains poor and inequitable. Buprenorphine is an MOUD that can be prescribed in a primary care outpatient setting, although regulatory and administrative challenges are a barrier to prescribing it. Recent regulatory changes offer an opportunity to expand the number of family doctors who treat OUD. Methods: We offered free, easily accessible buprenorphine “x-waiver training” led by a team of primary care clinicians. In addition, we provided wrap-around support for MOUD clinical questions and administrative needs with experienced family medicine mentors. Results: More than 400 clinicians attended our trainings, including medical students, residents, and attending physicians. Of the 101 attending physicians who completed our trainings, only 30 went on to apply for an x-wavier, and of those only 7 were currently prescribing when contacted 12 months later. Conclusion: Our experience indicates that removing the training requirement is a necessary first step but is unlikely to result in major changes to rates of prescribing without other significant cultural changes.
The Born Approximation

In the last chapter, we merely reformulated the scattering problem. Instead of solving the scattering problem by finding a solution to a differential equation with the appropriate boundary condition, we will instead try to solve it by finding a solution to an integral equation with the appropriate Green’s function.
SU-E-T-296: Dosimetric Analysis of Small Animal Image-Guided Irradiator Using High Resolution Optical CT Imaging of 3D Dosimeters

Purpose: To verify the dosimetric characteristics of a small animal image-guided irradiator using a high-resolution of optical CT imaging of 3D dosimeters. Methods: PRESAEGE 3D dosimeters were used to determine dosimetric characteristics of a small animal image-guided irradiator and compared with EBT2 films. Cylindrical PRESAGE dosimeters with 7cm height and 6cm diameter were placed along the central axis of the beam. The films were positioned between 6×6cm2 cubed plastic water phantoms perpendicular to the beam direction with multiple depths. PRESAGE dosimeters and EBT2 films were then irradiated with the irradiator beams at 220kVp and 13mA. Each of irradiated PRESAGE dosimeters named PA1, PA2, PB1, and PB2, was independently scanned using a high-resolution single laser beam optical CT scanner. The transverse images were reconstructed with a 0.1mm high-resolution pixel. A commercial Epson Expression 10000XL flatbed scanner was used for readout of irradiated EBT2 films at a 0.4mm pixel resolution. PDD curves and beam profiles were measured for the irradiated PRESAGE dosimeters and EBT2 films. Results: The PDD agreements between the irradiated PRESAGE dosimeter PA1, PA2, PB1, PB2 and the EB2 films were 1.7, 2.3, 1.9, and 1.9% for the multiple depths at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50mm, respectively. The FWHM measurements for each PRESAEGE dosimeter and film agreed with 0.5, 1.1, 0.4, and 1.7%, respectively, at 30mm depth. Both PDD and FWHM measurements for the PRESAGE dosimeters and the films agreed overall within 2%. The 20%–80% penumbral widths of each PRESAGE dosimeter and the film at a given depth were respectively found to be 0.97, 0.91, 0.79, 0.88, and 0.37mm. Conclusion: Dosimetric characteristics of a small animal image-guided irradiator have been demonstrated with the measurements of PRESAGE dosimeter and EB2 film. With the high resolution and accuracy obtained from this 3D dosimetry system, precise targeting small animal irradiation can be achieved.
Candida albicans the chameleon: Transitions and interactions between multiple phenotypic states confer phenotypic plasticity

The ability of microbial cells to exist in multiple states is a ubiquitous property that promotes adaptation and survival. This phenomenon has been extensively studied in the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans, which can transition between multiple phenotypic states in response to environmental signals. C. albicans normally exists as a commensal in the human body, but can also cause debilitating mucosal infections or life-threatening systemic infections. The ability to switch between cellular forms contributes to C. albicans’ capacity to infect different host niches, and strictly regulates the program of sexual mating. We review the unique properties associated with different phenotypic states, as well as how interactions between cells in different states can further augment microbial behavior.
A Review of: “The Passionate Intellect: Incarnational Humanism and the Future of University Education”

The Passionate Intellect packs quite a punch. Klassen and Zimmerman take the crucial issue of university education and unflinchingly accuse it of identity loss. Symptoms include the loss of holism,...
Numerical variation of dark cells in normal and chemically induced hyperplastic epidermis with age of animal and efficiency of tumor promoter.

The percentage of dark basal keratinocytes was quantitatively assessed in normal epidermis of Sencar mice before and after birth and in adult epidermis after topical application of several compounds of varying promoting efficiency. The percentage of dark keratinocytes reached a maximum at the 19th day of gestation (∼40%) and fell abruptly after birth (∼3%). Old animals exhibited a very low number of dark basal cells (0.2%). After topical application of the weak promoters resiniferotoxin, anthralin, ethylphenylpropiolate, and 12-deoxyphorbol-13-2,4,6-decatrienoate, the percentage of dark cells in young adult epidermis did not differ markedly from that in control (acetone-treated) specimens. The strong first-stage promoters 4- O -methyl-12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and calcium ionophore A 23187, as well as the strong complete promoter 12-deoxyphorbol-13-deoxyphorbol-13-decanoate, induced the appearance of large numbers of dark keratinocytes, in a percentage similar to that seen after 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate application (∼20%). The similarities between the dark keratinocytes seen after topical application of 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or other strong promoters and the dark cells observed in the fetal epidermis before the onset of the adult type of epidermal keratinization indicate that potent and/or first stage tumor promoters can be identified by their ability to induce cells resembling fetal-type dedifferentiated keratinocytes.
Sunflower Silage in Rations for Lactating Holstein Cows

Abstract A lactation trial compared milk production of cows fed alfalfa-grass or sunflower silage rations. Eighteen lactating Holsteins were in a switchback design of three 5-wk periods. Experimental rations were composed of 60% sunflower or alfalfa-grass silage and 40% concentrate (barley and soybean meal) dry matter. The alfalfa-grass silage ration contained more neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber but less ether extract than the sunflower silage ration. Daily intake of dry matter from silage and concentrate was equal between treatment groups. Cows fed sunflower silage consumed less neutral detergent fiber (5.8 versus 7.5 kg) but more ether extract (.84 versus .30 kg) daily than those fed the alfalfa-grass silage rations. No difference in milk production between treatment groups was found (17.5 kg/day). Cows fed sunflower silage had less fat (3.2 versus 3.6%) but equal amounts of protein in milk. Sunflower silage is an acceptable forage for cows in mid to late lactation.
Protective equipment for health care facility decontamination personnel: Regulations, risks, and recommendations

After recent terrorist attacks, new attention has been focused on health care facility decontamination practices. This article reviews core issues related to the selection of appropriate personal protective equipment for health care facility decontamination personnel, with an emphasis on respiratory protection. Existing federal regulations focus primarily on scene response and not on issues specific to health care facility decontamination practices. Review of existing databases, relevant published literature, and individual case reports reveal some provider health risks, especially when the exposure involves organophosphate agents. However, reported risks from secondary exposure to contaminated patients at health care facilities are low. These risks should be adequately addressed with Level C personal protective equipment, including air-purifying respirator technologies, unless the facility determines that specific local threats require increased levels of protection.
Bet‐hedging and the orientation of juvenile passerines in fall migration

1. Bet-hedging of innate migratory orientation of juvenile passerines may be a fitness-enhancing strategy for fall migration. Experimental studies support the view that juvenile passerines on their first migration to unknown winter grounds orient on a predetermined vector programme and make little or no adjustment for wind displacement. This trait, coupled with the unpredictable profile of wind speed and direction that the juvenile will encounter during migration, suggests that the fitness of a parent's juvenile offspring will be highly variable from year to year. Under these circumstances, within-clutch phenotypic variation in migratory orientation may be evolutionarily favoured. 2. To explore this hypothesis, a migration model is developed for a small passerine with breeding grounds in New England and winter grounds in the Caribbean. Parameterization is based on life history data of the neotropical migrant Dendroica caerulescens, the black-throated blue warbler. The model is simulated for the offspring of 20 000 adult females under each of a wide range of potential orientation programmes, incorporating stochastic wind profiles along potential migratory routes, based on 7 years of wind data for eastern North America. 3. Under these simulations, bet-hedging in the form of within-clutch variation of migratory orientation strongly dominates within-clutch homogeneity, yielding higher geometric mean fitness in all vector programmes considered. 4. The simulation results provide a potential explanation for the variation observed in the tracks of juvenile passerines. Bet-hedging also explains the extensively-documented 'coastal effect' in which fall banding stations along the Atlantic coast of the United States consistently capture a much higher percentage of juvenile birds than do more inland stations. 5. Bet-hedging is consistent with the published finding that slower flying birds exhibit greater variation in their migratory orientation than faster flying birds. 6. The bet-hedging model of migratory orientation presented in this paper provides a theoretical structure capable of organizing a diverse collection of field and laboratory observations as predictable consequences of an evolutionarily favoured strategy. This theory may constitute a major advance in our understanding of bird migration and thus justifies the design and execution of new laboratory and field experiments to assess its power and predictive reach.