cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-F-P-36: Automation of Linear Accelerator Star Shot Measurement with Advanced XML Scripting and Electronic Portal Imaging Device

Purpose: To verify a method used to automatically acquire jaw, MLC, collimator and couch star shots for a Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator utilizing Developer Mode and an Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID). Methods: An XML script was written to automate motion of the jaws, MLC, collimator and couch in TrueBeam Developer Mode (TBDM) to acquire star shot measurements. The XML script also dictates MV imaging parameters to facilitate automatic acquisition and recording of integrated EPID images. Since couch star shot measurements cannot be acquired using a combination of EPID and jaw/MLC collimation alone due to a fixed imager geometry, a method utilizing a 5mm wide steel ruler placed on the table and centered within a 15×15cm2 open field to produce a surrogate of the narrow field aperture was investigated. Four individual star shot measurements (X jaw, Y jaw, MLC and couch) were obtained using our proposed as well as traditional film-based method. Integrated EPID images and scanned measurement films were analyzed and compared. Results: Star shot (X jaw, Y jaw, MLC and couch) measurements were obtained in a single 5 minute delivery using the TBDM XML script method compared to 60 minutes for equivalent traditional film measurements. Analysis of the images and films demonstrated comparable isocentricity results, agreeing within 0.3mm of each other. Conclusion: The presented automatic approach of acquiring star shot measurements using TBDM and EPID has proven to be more efficient than the traditional film approach with equivalent results.
The Evolving Regulation of Financial Networks

It is no secret that financial markets are changing rapidly and that regulation needs to change to keep up with the changes in the industry. In order to understand the evolution of market regulation, it is important to understand not only the many trends affecting financial markets, but also the network economics that dominate the industrial organisation of the industry. This leads to many similarities between the stock exchange industry and other network industries such as telecommunications, transportation, and computer operating systems.
Napoleon and the Struggle for Germany: The Franco-Prussian War of 1813

The first comprehensive history of the decisive Fall Campaign of 1813, which determined control of Central Europe following Napoleon's catastrophic defeat in Russia the previous year. Using German, French, British, Russian, Austrian and Swedish sources, Michael V. Leggiere provides a panoramic history which covers the full sweep of the struggle in Germany. He shows how Prussia, the weakest of the Great Powers, led the struggle against Napoleon and his empire. By reconstructing the principal campaigns and operations in Germany, the book reveals how the defeat of Napoleon in Germany was made possible by Prussian victories. In particular, it features detailed analysis of the strategy, military operations, and battles in Germany that culminated with the epic four-day Battle of Nations at Leipzig and Napoleon's retreat to France. This study not only highlights the breakdown of Napoleon's strategy in 1813, but constitutes a fascinating study in coalition warfare, international relations, and civil-military relations.
Separating heat stress from moisture stress: analyzing yield response to high temperature in irrigated maize

Several recent studies have indicated that high air temperatures are limiting maize (Zea mays L.) yields in the US Corn Belt and project significant yield losses with expected increases in growing season temperatures. Further work has suggested that high air temperatures are indicative of high evaporative demand, and that decreases in maize yields which correlate to high temperatures and vapor pressure deficits (VPD) likely reflect underlying soil moisture limitations. It remains unclear whether direct high temperature impacts on yields, independent of moisture stress, can be observed under current temperature regimes. Given that projected high temperature and moisture may not co-vary the same way as they have historically, quantitative analyzes of direct temperature impacts are critical for accurate yield projections and targeted mitigation strategies under shifting temperature regimes. To evaluate yield response to above optimum temperatures independent of soil moisture stress, we analyzed climate impacts on irrigated maize yields obtained from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) corn yield contests for Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. In irrigated maize, we found no evidence of a direct negative impact on yield by daytime air temperature, calculated canopy temperature, or VPD when analyzed seasonally. Solar radiation was the primary yield-limiting climate variable. Our analyses suggested that elevated night temperature impacted yield by increasing rates of phenological development. High temperatures during grain-fill significantly interacted with yields, but this effect was often beneficial and included evidence of acquired thermo-tolerance. Furthermore, genetics and management—information uniquely available in the NCGA contest data—explained more yield variability than climate, and significantly modified crop response to climate. Thermo-acclimation, improved genetics and changes to management practices have the potential to partially or completely offset temperature-related yield losses in irrigated maize.
Phenacemide in Complex Partial Seizures

The anticonvulsant phenacemide (phenylacetylurea), discarded for 30 years because of serious toxicity, has been resurrected and used in the treatment of 13 children with refractory complex seizures at Loyola University, Maywood, and Christ Hospital, Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Noninvasive Electroretinography Assessment of Intravitreal Sustained-Release Methotrexate Microimplants in Rabbit Eyes.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study is to noninvasively evaluate the safety and toxicity of a chitosan (CS) and polylactic acid (PLA)-based sustained-release methotrexate (MTX) intravitreal microimplant in normal rabbit eyes using electroretinography (ERG). Methods: PLA-coated CS-based microimplants containing 400 μg of MTX and placebo microimplants (without drug) were surgically implanted in the vitreous of the right and the left eyes, respectively, in each of the 8 New Zealand rabbits using minimally invasive technique. At each predetermined time points (days 5, 12, 19, and 33), ERG was conducted on 2 rabbits to evaluate the safety of the microimplants administered in each eye. ERG was carried out using 2 protocols, scotopic and photopic, on each eye prior to surgery (PS) and prior to euthanasia (PE) conditions. The safety of the microimplants was assessed using statistical analysis of the ERG data (B/A ratio analysis, oscillatory potential analysis, and Naka–Rushton analysis) and subsequently q...
Utility of 99mTc-mebrofenin for assessing cytokine-dependent liver inflammation

617 Objectives: Hepatic handling of 99mTc-mebrofenin is altered in the presence of inflammatory cytokines (J Nucl Med.2005;46:148-152). The objective of this study was to determine whether the hepatic clearance of 99mTc-mebrofenin is useful for assessing liver inflammation associated with inflammatory cytokines. Methods: Thirty six F344 rats weighing 120-160g were used. Rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 animals each as follows: 1 control group and 5 experimental groups. To induce discrete, acute liver injury, rats were given a single intramuscular injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), ranging from 0.25 to 1 ml/kg. The animals were studied for up to 4 weeks following CCl4 injection. The onset of liver injury was determined by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and by histological grading of inflammatory activity. Nine additional animals were treated with the inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, either alone or in combination, in single doses ranging from 6 ng/kg to 6 μg/kg. To determine 99mTc-mebrofenin clearance, animals received 7.4 MBq of 99mTc-mebrofenin followed by dynamic imaging at 10 sec/frame for 60 min, using a 64 x 64 x 16 matrix and a zoom factor of 2. Data analysis used the Pegasys system. Regions of interest were drawn over the liver and hepatic time-activity curves were generated. Percent retention of peak hepatic 99mTc-mebrofenin activity at 60 minutes post injection was determined. Results: In untreated control rats, 24±2% of peak hepatic 99mTc-mebrofenin activity was retained at 60 minutes. Within 24 hours following administration of even the lowest dose of CCl4, 99mTc-mebrofenin excretion was markedly impaired, with 95±2% mebrofenin activity retained at 60 minutes, p Conclusions: Hepatic inflammation altered 99mTc-mebrofenin transporter activity for an extended period. This was mediated by the inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, which regulate hepatobiliary transporters. These data suggest that 99mTc-mebrofenin may be a useful tracer for noninvasive assessment of liver inflammation. Research Support (if any): This investigation was funded in part by NIH RO1 DK-46952 and P30 DK-41296 grants.
Planning for Food Systems: Community-University Partnerships for Food-Systems Transformation

The United Nations estimates that by 2050, more than 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. In the face of continuing urbanization, how will communities meet the fundamental need for good food? What kinds of public policies, structures, and systems will ensure equitable and just access to food? We argue that urban universities have a responsibility and an extraordinary opportunity to help create equitable community food systems by amplifying community-led planning and policy to strengthen such systems. Drawing on case studies involving the University at Buffalo State University of New York system and its community partners, we describe the ways in which community-university partnerships can leverage policy change to support stronger food systems. We conclude with lessons for such partnerships: the importance of building lasting relationships for policy change, shoring up community capacity, understanding the benefits and burdens for universities and communities, and reimagining universities’ responsibilities to their regions.
Homestead National Monument of America and the 150th Anniversary of the Homestead Act

Homestead National Monument of America is a National Park Service site dedicated to sharing the history of the Homestead Act of 1862. Most visitors to the monument vaguely remember learning that the federal government once gave settlers free land in the West, and they are surprised to learn the importance of this legislation to the history of the United States and its impact on millions of lives. The agricultural revolution that ensued spurred more sophisticated transportation systems, communication networks, and educational opportunities. Although the history can be complicated, often contradicting, and at times frustrating, it is never boring.
Meerwein and equilibrating carbocations

Fifty-seven years ago, Hans Meerwein published a paper, “uber die Gleichgewichts-Isomerie zwischen Bornylchlorid, Isobornylchlorid and Camphenchlorhydrat 1)”, which had immense consequences for the development of physical organic chemistry. The paper contains the first proposal of carbonium ions as intermediates in molecular rearrangements. It also provided the basis for the later proposal of a nonclassical ion as an intermediate2, in place of the pair of rapidly equilibrating classical cations utilized by Meerwein1). Consequently, this publication opened the door to major research efforts by numerous chemists throughout the world. It is the purpose of this review to discuss the question of whether it is the Meerwein concept of equilibrating cations or the Wilson proposal of a mesomeric nonclassical cation that best accounts for the fascinating behavior of 2-norbornyl cations.
Duodenal Involvement is an Independent Prognostic Factor for Patients with Surgically Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

The current staging system for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) includes information about size and local extension of the primary tumor (T stage). The value of incorporating any local tumor extension into pancreatic staging systems has been questioned because it often is difficult to evaluate tumor extension to the peri-pancreatic soft tissues and because most carcinomas of the head of the pancreas infiltrate the intra-pancreatic common bile duct. This study sought to evaluate the prognostic implications of having PDAC with local tumor extension. A single-institution, prospectively collected database of 1128 patients who underwent surgical resection for PDAC was queried to examine the prognostic significance of extra-pancreatic tumor involvement (“no involvement,” “duodenal involvement,” and “extensive involvement”; e.g., gastric, colon or major vein involvement). The median overall survival for the patients without extra-pancreatic involvement was 26 months versus 19 months for the patients with duodenal involvement and 16 months for the patients with extensive involvement (p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, duodenal and extensive involvement independently predicted increased risk of death compared with no involvement (hazard ratio [HR] 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.57 and 1.78; 95% CI 1.25–2.55, respectively). A multivariable model combining duodenal and extensive extra-pancreatic involvement, tumor grade, lymph node ratio, and other prognostic features had the highest c-index (0.67). Inclusion of duodenal involvement in the staging of PDAC adds independent prognostic information.
Long-time correlation tails in crystals

Abstract Nonequilibrium thermodynamics and the Onsager hypothesis are utilized to demonstrate that long-time correlation “tails”, decaying as t −3 2 , should be expected in the velocity autocorrelation function of crystals. In the simplest situation, this behavior is due to the non-propagating (Rayleigh) mode. In the general case, it is argued that “diffusive” modes decaying in wavevector space as exp (−αtK2), where α is a constant, should lead to the same behavior.
IGF1 and NRG1 Enhance Proliferation, Metabolic Maturity, and the Force-Frequency Response in hESC-Derived Engineered Cardiac Tissues.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and neuregulin-1β (NRG1) play important roles during cardiac development both individually and synergistically. In this study, we analyze how 3D cardiac tissue engineered from human embryonic stem cell- (hESC-) derived cardiomyocytes and 2D-plated hESC-cardiomyocytes respond to developmentally relevant growth factors both to stimulate maturity and to characterize the therapeutic potential of IGF1 and NRG1. When administered to engineered cardiac tissues, a significant decrease in active force production of ~65% was measured in all treatment groups, likely due to changes in cellular physiology. Developmentally related processes were identified in engineered tissues as IGF1 increased hESC-cardiomyocyte proliferation 3-fold over untreated controls and NRG1 stimulated oxidative phosphorylation and promoted a positive force-frequency relationship in tissues up to 3 Hz. hESC-cardiomyocyte area increased significantly with NRG1 and IGF1 + NRG1 treatment in 2D culture and gene expression data suggested increased cardiac contractile components in engineered tissues, indicating the need for functional analysis in a 3D platform to accurately characterize engineered cardiac tissue response to biochemical stimulation. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of IGF1 for boosting proliferation and NRG1 for promoting metabolic and contractile maturation in engineered human cardiac tissue.
The meaning of patient–nurse interaction for older women in healthcare settings: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Aims and objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of patient–nurse interaction for older women receiving care in healthcare settings. Background Older women are often overlooked or misunderstood by the nurses caring for them. Some research exists on nurses’ perception of their interaction with patients, yet few studies have described the meaning of such interaction from the patients’ perspective. Methods This was a pilot study using qualitative description as a methodology. Data were filtered through a lens of critical feminist theory to interpret interactions taking place in healthcare settings that are often characterised by paternalism. Seven women between the ages of 66 and 81 were interviewed using a semi-structured guide. Results Participants had a distinctive perspective on the experience of caring. Their expressions include stories of being cared for themselves by nurses as well as historical recalls of being the one-caring for family members. In these combined stories, the contrast between the nurses who held caring in primacy and those who were distinctly uncaring sheds light on the importance of cultivating a moral ideal of caring and respect for personhood. Conclusion A population of older women who potentially face disabling conditions must rely on direct, meaningful, interaction with nurses to successfully navigate the healthcare system. The findings suggest that these women did not have consistent access to such interaction. Implications for practice The gathering and interpretation of new narratives about patient–nurse interaction for older women could lead to a deeper understanding of power and civility as it impacts a caring relationship. Further research using a theoretical lens of critical feminism has implications for improving healthcare delivery for older women worldwide.
Ferritin iron regulators, PCBP1 and NCOA4, respond to cellular iron status in developing red cells

Developing red blood cells exhibit multiple, redundant systems for regulating and coordinating the uptake of iron, the synthesis of heme, and the formation of hemoglobin during terminal differentiation. We recently described the roles of poly rC-binding protein (PCBP1) and nuclear coactivator 4 (NCOA4) in mediating the flux of iron through ferritin in developing erythroid cells, with PCBP1, an iron chaperone, delivering iron to ferritin and NCOA4, an autophagic cargo receptor, directing ferritin to the lysosome for degradation and iron release. Ferritin iron flux is critical, as mice lacking these factors develop microcytic anemia. Here we report that these processes are regulated by cellular iron levels in a murine model of ex vivo terminal differentiation. PCBP1 delivers iron to ferritin via a direct protein-protein interaction. This interaction is developmentally regulated, enhanced by iron deprivation, and inhibited by iron excess, both in developing cells and in vitro. NCOA4 activity also exhibited developmental regulation and regulation by cellular iron levels. Excess iron uptake during differentiation triggered lysosomal degradation of NCOA4, which was dependent on the E3 ubiquitin ligase HERC2. Thus, developing red blood cells express a series of proteins that both mediate and regulate the flux of iron to the mitochondria.
Developing a protocol for normothermic ex-situ limb perfusion

Background Ischemia time represents a significant limitation for successful extremity transplantation because of the rapid deterioration of ischemic muscle. Normothermic ex-situ preservation is an emergent method to prolong the organ viability following procurement, by replicating the physiologic conditions. The aim of this study was to develop an ex-situ normothermic limb perfusion system to preserve the viability and function of porcine limbs for 12 hours following procurement. Methods A total of 18 swine limbs were perfused. Thirteen limbs were used to develop the perfusion protocol. Five limbs were perfused according to the optimized protocol. These limbs were perfused at 39°C for twelve hours using an oxygenated colloid solution containing red blood cells. Glucose and electrolytes were kept within physiologic range by partial perfusate exchange. Limb specific perfusion quality was assessed by muscle contractility upon electrical nerve stimulation, compartment pressure, creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin concentrations, tissue oxygen saturation (near infrared spectroscopy), indocyanine green angiography, and infrared radiation by thermographic imaging. Results The last five limbs reached the 12 hours' perfusion target maintaining normal compartment pressure (16.4 ± 8.20 mmHg), minimal weight increase (0.54 ± 7.35%), and mean muscle temperature of 33.6 ± 1.67°C. Myoglobin and CK concentrations were 875 ± 291.4 ng/mL, and 53344 ± 14850.34 U/L, respectively, at the end of perfusion. Muscle contraction was present in all limbs until cessation of perfusion. Differences in uniformity and quality of distal perfusion were identified with thermography and angiography imaging at 12 hours of perfusion. Conclusions Ex-situ normothermic limb perfusion preserves swine limb physiology and function for at least 12 hours.
Bayesian inference of elastic properties with resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

Bayesian modeling and Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) are utilized to formulate a robust algorithm capable of simultaneously estimating anisotropic elastic properties and crystallographic orientation of a specimen from a list of measured resonance frequencies collected via Resonance Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS). Unlike typical optimization procedures which yield point estimates of the unknown parameters, computing a Bayesian posterior yields probability distributions for the unknown parameters, and HMC is an efficient way to compute this posterior. The algorithms described are demonstrated on RUS data collected from two parallelepiped specimens of structural metal alloys. First, the elastic constants for a specimen of fine-grain polycrystalline Ti-6Al-4 V with random crystallographic texture and isotropic elastic symmetry are estimated. Second, the elastic constants and crystallographic orientation for a single crystal Ni-based superalloy CMSX-4 specimen are accurately determined, using only measurements of the specimen geometry, mass, and resonance frequencies. The unique contributions of this paper are as follows: the application of HMC for sampling the Bayesian posterior of a probabilistic RUS model, and the procedure for simultaneous estimation of elastic constants and lattice-specimen misorientation. Compared to previous approaches these algorithms demonstrate superior convergence behavior, particularly when the initial parameterization is unknown, and enable substantially simplified experimental procedures.
Dinuclear Pathways for the Activation of Strained Three-Membered Rings

Dinuclear, strain-induced ring-opening reactions of vinylaziridines and vinylcyclopropanes are described. The previously reported [NDI]Ni2(C6H6) complex (NDI = naphthyridine–diimine) reacts with N-tosyl-2-vinylaziridine via C–N oxidative addition to generate a dinickel metallacyclic product. On the basis of this stoichiometric reactivity, the [NDI]Ni2(C6H6) complex is shown to be a highly active catalyst for the rearrangement of vinylcyclopropane to cyclopentene. Notably, 2-phenyl-1-vinylcyclopropane undergoes regioselective activation at the less hindered C–C bond in contrast to the noncatalytic thermal rearrangement. DFT calculations provide insight into the ability of the Ni–Ni bond to stabilize key intermediates and transition states along the catalytic pathway.
Hierarchical Multiobjective Risk Trade-off Framework for Conflict Resolution Through Negotiation

Abstract This paper advances the premise that models and concepts from the fields of multiple-criteria decision-making, risk assessment and management, and impact analysis can prove to be formidable tools in the process of international conflict resolution through negotiation. In particular, the paper presents a framework whereby impact analysis can be incorporated into the hierarchical multiobjective decision-making process.
Phosphorus Stability in a Hypereutrophic Lake

Devils Lake is an inland aquatic ecosystem of glacial origin situated in the north central region of the United States and represents the largest natural lake in the state of North Dakota. The lake is saline, alkaline, shallow and hypereutrophic, with intermittent inflows and outflows. This study characterized the various forms of P in the Creel Bay of Devils Lake, which frequently receives large quantities of effluent from a sewage oxidation lagoon. High loadings over a decade have resulted in an extremely large mean ambient P concentration (2610 mg T-P m−3). No significant difference in the vertical distribution of P was found indicating a well mixed water column. The concentration of T-P increased significantly from June to July, (3611 mg T-P−3), whereas the algal biomass increased significantly from July to August (837.7 mg chl a m−3). This suggested that P alone was not the controlling factor for the massive blue-green algal blooms. Algal bioassay experiments suggested that N and iron were limiting during part of the growing season. The P-P/SR-P ratio was low and turnover times were not measurable. The hypereutrophic condition of Devils Lake was magnified by the distortion of the SR-P/T-P ratio, since the SR-P concentration was very high. Turnover times remained unmeasurable despite low percent SR-P in the water column. Lake restoration techniques have not been employed yet.
The Invisible Hand of the Market and Indivisible Hand of the State

This chapter moves the investigation of raiding phenomenon from future prospects to a more fundamental question, that of legitimacy of property and illegality of predatory raiding. This question is addressed through the perspective of possible revision of privatization results. The state is considered as an instrument of legitimization and raiding being taken over or privatized through political raiding. In case of Russia, the state is privatized by extended families of former Communist elites in Moscow and regions. The state, captured by clans, transforms from the institution into a tool that may be rented out to predatory raiders. When the state as the major regulatory institute does not perform its major functions, helping the predatory raiders instead, transaction costs increase. When the ruling political regime loses its credibility, legitimization of property rights becomes problematic.
Dissociative Recombination in Cometary Ionospheres

Ionospheres are formed throughout the solar system by the ionization of the neutral constituents of the upper atmospheres of the planets, satellites, and comets. Ionization processes include photoionization by solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation and impact ionization by superthermal particles such as photoelectrons and energetic auroral electrons. Ion-neutral reactions are important for altering the chemical composition of an ionosphere, and often transform atomic ions into molecular ions. Dissociative recombination (DR) of molecular ions with thermal electrons is the main loss process for ionospheric plasma (see the review by Fox1) and is a key process in determining ion and electron densities. The dynamics and energetics of the ionospheric plasma are also strongly affected by DR, mainly due to the density effect but secondarily due to its role in the collisional source terms associated with the momentum and energy conservation equations for the plasma. The role of DR in cometary ionospheres will be emphasized in this paper.
Adolescents in Religious Systems

One of the most important developments in adolescence is the development of a conscience, which can be viewed as the complex of ethical and moral principles that guides individuals’ actions and thoughts. When it comes to adolescents, the legal system essentially has ignored the importance of their consciences. It generally leaves matters of conscience to families and parents charged with guiding their development. But, the legal system still addresses matters relating to adolescents’ conscience through the “first freedoms” of speech, religion, and assembly. This chapter focuses on religious freedom, as adolescents’ rights relating to religion are those that come closest to directly addressing their conscience. While those rights may not necessarily relate to what typically is viewed as “religious rights” in the sense of being attached to formal religions, they do address the critical issues relating to the ability to think about fundamental moral values that would guide one’s actions, who can influence the development of those beliefs, and the government’s role in shaping that socialization. The cases in this chapter focus on two contexts. The first involves social services supported by the government that can lead to supporting religious beliefs at the exclusion of others. The second addresses the government’s role in supporting prayers in public schools. These cases reveal how popular visions of the government’s role in shaping the development of religious beliefs fall apart when laws are implemented. The cases again raise the importance of considering the roles of parents and communities in shaping adolescents’ rights. At their core, the cases provide a sense of who controls socializing institutions that can highly influence the development of people’s sense of self and their general orientation toward others.
Adenovirus-Antibody Complexes Contributed to Lethal Systemic Inflammation in a Gene Therapy Trial.

Intra-arterial administration of an adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vector in a gene therapy trial caused lethal, systemic inflammation in subject 019 with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. This unanticipated inflammatory response was absent in another subject receiving the same vector dose and in 16 subjects receiving lower vector doses. We hypothesized that an immune memory to a previous natural adenovirus infection enhanced the immune response to high-dose systemic Ad5 vector, causing the exaggerated immune response in subject 019. To investigate this, we found that rabbit polyclonal sera to Ad5 and pooled human immunoglobulin (Ig) inhibited Ad5 vector transduction of non-immune cells in vitro, but enhanced transduction and activation of human dendritic cells (DCs). Sera from approximately 7% of normal human subjects and 50% of patients treated topically with Ad5 vectors enhanced Ad5 transduction and activation of DCs, apparently from formation of Ig-Ad5 immune complexes and binding to DCs through FcγR. Subject 019's blood substantially increased Ad5-vector activation of human DC primary cultures at levels exceeding those from normal subjects. Although this study is based on one event in a single subject, the results implicate a pre-existing humoral immune response to Ad5 in the lethal systemic inflammatory response that occurred in subject 019.
Nimodipine after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Fourteen-day course for patients that meet criteria for early hospital discharge.

Abstract Background Randomized-controlled trials and meta-analyses showed nimodipine use after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) leads to reduction in incidence of cerebral infarction, persistent neurological deficits, and poor outcomes. Trials administered it for 21 days; however, we assessed whether a shorter duration might be reasonable for a subset of patients. Methods We performed a retrospective single-center study to compare outcomes between patients who received ≤14 days, 15–20 days or ≥21 days of nimodipine. Primary outcome was defined as rate of good functional outcome at final follow-up, assessed using dichotomized modified Rankin Score (mRS). Secondary outcomes included median mRS at follow-up, discharge disposition, and readmission for stroke or vasospasm. Results 195 patients were included: 101 patients received nimodipine for ≤14 days, 72 patients for 15–20 days, and 22 patients for ≥21 days. There were differences in baseline characteristics of the groups. The shorter duration groups had higher admission GCS score (GCS 15 for ≤14 days, GCS 13 for 15–20 days, GCS 8 for ≥21 days, p = 0.003) and lower Hunt-Hess grade (2 for ≤14 days, 3 for 15–20 days, 4 for ≥21 days, p = 0.001). Of the group of patients that received ≤14 days of nimodipine, 3 patients (3%) were readmitted for concerns for possible stroke or vasospasm, but they did not experience worsening of their functional status related to this. Conclusion Our data suggests a more limited 14-day course of nimodipine therapy after aSAH may be reasonable and efficacious in patients with higher GCS and lower Hunt-Hess grade on presentation.
Connections Between Cultures: Using Empirical Distributions for Measuring Cultural Differences:

The past few decades have seen an explosion in the interest in cultural differences and their impact on many aspects of business management. A noticeable feature of most academic studies and practi...
Data Digitization to Mitigate Legal Disputes during Reconstruction in Earthquake-Prone Areas

AbstractDisputes are prevalent on construction projects. This issue is severe in underdeveloped countries like Nepal. In the year 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed over 8,000 people and destr...
A needle in a seedstack: an improved method for detection of rare alleles in bulk seed testing through KASP.

BACKGROUND Amaranthus palmeri is an aggressive and prolific weed species with major impact on agricultural yield and is a prohibited noxious weed across the Midwest. Morphological identification of A. palmeri from other Amaranthus species is extremely difficult in seeds, which has led to genetic testing for seed identification in commercial seed lots. RESULTS We created an inexpensive and reliable genetic test based on novel, species-specific, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from GBS (Genotyping by Sequencing) data. We report three SNP-based genetic tests for identifying A. palmeri alone or in a mixed pool of Amaranthus spp. Sensitivity ranged from 99.8 to 100%, specificity from 99.59 to 100%. Accuracy for all three tests is > 99.7%. All three are capable of reliably detecting one A. palmeri seed in a pool of 200 Amaranthus spp. seeds. The test was validated across 20 populations of A. palmeri, along with eight other Amaranthus species, the largest and most genetically diverse panel of Amaranthus samples to date. CONCLUSION Our work represents a marked improvement over existing commercial assays resulting in an identification assay that is (i) accurate, (ii) robust, (iii) easy to interpret and (iv) applicable to both leaf tissue and pools of up to 200 seeds. Included is a data transformation method for calling of closely grouped competitive fluorescence assays. We also present a comprehensive GBS dataset from the largest geographic panel of Amaranthus populations sequenced. Our approach serves as a model for developing markers for other difficult to identify species. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Forecasting the 2020 Presidential Election: a Comparison of Methods

Accurate forecasts of U.S. Presidential elections are not only central to political journalism, but are used by campaigns to formulate strategy, impact financial markets, and aid businesses planning for the future. However, evidenced by the 2016 and 2020 elections, forecasting the election remains a challenging endeavor. Our review of methodologies revealed three discrete approaches: polling-based, demographic and economic fundamentals-based, and sentiment-based. We sought to identify which advantages each approach offers. We built on past research to adopt a novel forecast model that combines a weighted average of a hierarchical Bayesian fundamentals model and a Bayesian polling model. Our results indicated problems with polling-based methods because of inaccuracies in the polls, and better-than-anticipated accuracy in the fundamentals-only model.
Online training of behavioral health providers for primary care practice.

Introduction: Many behavioral health providers have not received training in primary care practice during their education. Since 2007, the online Certificate in Primary Care Behavioral Health course has been completed by thousands of behavioral health providers. An evaluation of the course assessed whether learner's baseline confidence in their abilities to address behavioral health concerns in primary care settings changed over time, whether learning outcomes for live offerings of the course differed from asynchronous offerings, and whether learning outcomes for psychologists and social workers differed. Method: Learners were asked to rate their confidence in their abilities using 10 retrospective pre-post questions. Responses from 14 cohorts of learners, between 2011 and 2019 were assessed. T-tests and analyses of variance were used to compare groups. Results: Learners' baseline confidence in their abilities changed in three of the areas assessed. Those completing the course asynchronously reported outcomes equal to or greater than those completing the course synchronously. In all but one domain, psychologists and social workers reported equal increases in their confidence. Discussion: Learners reported significant improvements in confidence in their ability to work as behavioral health providers in primary care. With one exception, these findings did not differ for psychologists and social workers. Over time, baseline confidence of behavioral health providers enrolling in the course increased in some areas, particularly those focused on patients with substance use disorders. Learning outcomes for the asynchronous version of the course support the continued delivery of asynchronous training of behavioral health providers working in primary care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Structure of wall-eddies at Reθ ≥ 106

A smoke visualization experiment has been performed in the first 3 m of the neutrally stable atmospheric boundary layer at very large Reynolds number (Re θ ≥ 106). Under neutral atmospheric conditions, mean wind profiles are shown to agree well with those in flat plate zero-pressure-gradient boundary layer experiments in the laboratory at much lower Reynolds numbers. The experiment was designed to minimize the temperature difference between the passive marker (smoke) and the air to insure that any observed structures were due to vortical, rather than buoyant motions. Data was acquired in the streamwise/wall-normal plane using a planar laser light-sheet and CCD cameras. Images obtained are strikingly similar to those observed in classical laboratory experiments at low to moderate Reynolds numbers and reveal large-scale ramp-like structures with downstream inclination of 3–35° (see Fig. 1). This inclination is interpreted as the hairpin packet growth angle following the hairpin vortex packet paradigm of [1]. The distribution of this characteristic angle is shown to agree with the results of experiments at far lower Reynolds numbers, suggesting a similarity in structures at low, moderate, and high Reynolds number boundary layers. These results begin to suggest that the hairpin packet model is valid at high Reynolds numbers of technological interest.
Reuniting Through the Medical Humanities: Two Educators, Two Programs.

The five-year curriculum in medical humanities at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine seeks to create a foundation for practice and to develop intercampus, interinstitutional, and community programming.
A parallel digital architecture for delta-sigma modulation

A major drawback of delta-sigma modulation is the high oversampling ratios required, especially for single-bit quantization. Accordingly, much of the research in the area has focused on lowering the sampling rate through various parallelization approaches. However, this research has been overwhelmingly concentrated on continuous and discrete-time analog modulator implementations for A/D converters, and not on reducing the critical path in a digital implementation for D/A conversion. In this paper the popular time-interleaved modulator is paired with a vector quantizer implementation of a finite-length modulator to form a parallel implementation of a delta-sigma DAC with a reduced critical path.
An efficient multistage switching node architecture for broadband ISDNs

This paper proposes and analyses a new and efficient multistage switching node architecture for high?speed communication networks such as Broadband Integrated Services Digital Networks (BISDNs). The proposed architecture has several superior features as compared to the existing switching nodes based on Banyan architecture. The architecture uses a reduced number of stages in an attempt to reduce the delay. Each switching element has its own input buffer and that reduces the blocking probability. Performance of the proposed architecture has been evaluated using simulation. The performance results are presented in the form of utilization, and delay, with different buffer sizes. The results show that the proposed architecture provides better performance in terms of reduced delay and higher throughput.
Classroom Management Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms

Classrooms in the 21st century have by law become inclusive, typically comprised of general education and special needs students. Included students are those who present with mild to moderate learning and behavioral challenges. They add another layer of complexity to classroom management, requiring teachers to be highly structured, consistent and reinforcing. Teacher fidelity to behavioral expectations that have been established for the classroom is essential. Classroom management strategies discussed include changing the teacher approval to disapproval ratio, using selective ignoring, focusing on structure and routine, increasing student locus of control, de-escalating student aggression and hostility, and limiting the use of punishment. Hands-on strategies are highlighted.
Pressure-dependent oxygen diffusion in superconducting Tl 2 Ba 2 CuO 6+δ , YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ , and HgBa 2 CuO 4+δ : Measurement and model calculation

In a variety of high-temperature superconductors the transition temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{c}}$ has been found to depend on the sample's detailed temperature and pressure history. ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{CuO}}_{6+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ (Tl-2201) exhibits two distinct relaxation channels, one activated below 100 K and the other above 150 K, that have been attributed to oxygen ordering effects. In the present studies to 0.8 GPa we find that the activation energy for the low-temperature process, ${E}_{\mathrm{A}}^{\mathrm{LT}}(1 \mathrm{bar})\ensuremath{\approx}0.25$ eV, is independent of pressure, whereas the activation energy for the high-temperature process, ${E}_{\mathrm{A}}^{\mathrm{HT}}(1 \mathrm{bar})\ensuremath{\approx}0.75$ eV, appears to increase with pressure yielding an activation volume $\ensuremath{\sim}1.5 {\mathrm{cm}}^{3}/\mathrm{mol}.$ The activation volumes for the diffusion of oxygen defects in the high-temperature superconductors Tl-2201, ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ (Y-123), and ${\mathrm{HgBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{CuO}}_{4+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ (Hg-1201) are estimated using a simple hard-sphere model and found to be roughly half the experimental values. For Tl-2201 this comparison supports an indirect ``interstitialcy'' diffusion path for oxygen defects, whereas for Y-123 and Hg-1201 direct ``interstitial'' diffusion paths are indicated.
Robust Superamphiphobic Nanoscale Copper Sheet Surfaces Produced by a Simple and Environmentally Friendly Technique

In this study, robust nanoscale superamphiphobic (SAP) copper (Cu) sheet surfaces are obtained with an exceptionally simple and environmentally friendly technique. Copper oxide nanostructures are imparted onto the Cu sheet surface by a facile treatment of the surfaces with hot de-ionized water (≈80 °C) for different time periods. A morphological transformation starting from cube-like nanostructures associated with Cu2O to leaf-like nanostructures of CuO with the progress in treatment time is observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and laser scanning microscopy (LSM) analysis confirm the formation of copper oxide nanostructures. Consequently, the wetting properties of the treated Cu sheet surfaces toward water and organic liquids is varied after the surface energy reduction of the nanostructures with long chain fluorocarbon molecules of 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (PFDCS). The leaf-like nanostructured CuO surfaces demonstrate SAP properties with a water contact angle (CA) as high as 160° and organic liquid CAs of around 150°. The robustness of the obtained SAP Cu sheet surface is confirmed after being exposed to a stream of both water and organic liquids, annealed under various temperatures in ambient environment, and ultra-sonicated in acetone for various time periods.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 selectively and reversibly impairs T helper-cell CNS localization

Pharmacologic targeting of T helper (TH) cell trafficking poses an attractive opportunity for amelioration of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). MS risk is associated with vitamin D deficiency, and its bioactive form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], has been shown to prevent experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model of MS, via an incompletely understood mechanism. Herein, we systematically examined 1,25(OH)2D3 effects on TH cells during their migration from the lymph nodes to the CNS. Our data demonstrate that myelin-reactive TH cells are successfully generated in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3, secrete proinflammatory cytokines, and do not preferentially differentiate into suppressor T cells. These cells are able to leave the lymph node, enter the peripheral circulation, and migrate to the s.c. immunization sites. However, TH cells from 1,25(OH)2D3-treated mice are unable to enter the CNS parenchyma but are instead maintained in the periphery. Upon treatment cessation, mice rapidly develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, demonstrating that 1,25(OH)2D3 prevents the disease only temporarily likely by halting TH cell migration into the CNS.
Words as invitations to form categories: evidence from 12- to 13-month-old infants

Recent research has documented specific linkages between language and conceptual organization in the developing child. However, most of the evidence for these linkages derives from children who have made significant linguistic and conceptual advances. We therefore focus on the emergence of one particular linkage--the noun-category linkage--in infants at the early stages of lexical acquisition. We propose that when infants embark upon the process of lexical acquisition, they are initially biased to interpret a word applied to an object as referring to that object and to other members of its kind. We further propose that this initial expectation will become increasingly specific over development, as infants begin to distinguish among the grammatical categories as they are marked in their native language and assign them more specific types of meaning. To test this hypothesis, we conducted three experiments using a modified novelty-preference paradigm to reveal whether and how novel words influence object categorization in 12- to 13-month old infants. The data reveal that a linkage between words and object categories emerges early enough to serve as a guide in infants' efforts to map words to meanings. Both nouns and adjectives focused infants' attention on object categories, particularly at the superordinate level. Further, infants' progress in early word learning was associated with their appreciation of this linkage between words and object categories. These results are interpreted within a developmental and cross-linguistic account of the emergence of linkages between linguistic and conceptual organization.