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Abstract Background To understand how body composition in those with elevated body mass index impacts left ventricular function decline during cancer treatment, we determined the association between baseline body mass index (BMI), intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) with baseline to 3-month left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) change among women receiving potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy for breast cancer, lymphoma, or sarcoma. Methods Women underwent potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy, such as doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel, and trastuzumab, for treatment of breast cancer, lymphoma, or sarcoma. We obtained magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of body composition and cardiac function prior to treatment, and then a repeat MRI for cardiac function assessment at three months into treatment. Analyses and assessment of abdominal adipose tissue volumes and LVEF outcomes were conducted by independent reviewers blinded to all patient identifiers. A general linear model was created to examine associations between adipose tissue depots, BMI, and 3-month LVEF change. Results Women (n = 210) aged 56 ± 11 years with breast cancer, lymphoma, and sarcoma were enrolled (n = 195, 14, 1 respectively). Baseline BMI, IAT, and SAT fat were independently associated with 3-month LVEF declines (p = 0.001 to 0.025 for all). After adjusting for baseline cardiovascular disease risk factors, BMI, IAT, and SAT, BMI remained the only variable associated with 3-month LVEF decline (p = 0.047). Conclusions These results suggest that factors other than abdominal adipose tissue or traditional cardiovascular risk factors may contribute to 3-month declines in LVEF among women with elevated BMI receiving potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Further investigation should be conducted on psychosocial stress, physical activity, sleep, or diet. Trial registration DETECTIV_NCT01719562, WF99112, & WF97415—NCT02791581.

Nurseries and greenhouses face challenges of limited water supply and increased demand for irrigation efficiency to minimize runoff and mitigate water loss to the environment. Overhead irrigation systems are among the most widely used methods for container plants, particularly in small container sizes. However, there is a lack of research examining the distribution uniformity (DU) of the most used sprinklers in nursery settings. Our study investigated the DU of different overhead sprinkler types and models commonly used in outdoor nurseries in the United States to guide greater adoption of higher irrigation efficiency technology. Catch-can experiments compared ten different sprinkler models in small (4.6 m × 4.6 m) and large (9.1 m × 9.1 m) square experimental plots in Irvine, California. We measured water volume, wind speed, and operating pressure, and calculated the application rate for 189 test runs conducted between Mar 2020 and May 2023. Our results show that of the models tested, the greatest DU was achieved by the Hunter MP2000 at 276 kPa (DU = 0.78 ± 0.05) in the small spacing, and the Senninger Xcel Wobbler with a 3.97 mm nozzle at 172 kPa (DU = 0.76 ± 0.06) in the large spacing. Wind speed and operating conditions affected the DU and spatial uniformity of irrigation among the ten models, highlighting the importance of maintaining operating pressures at the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure optimal application rates and DU. Together these results offer a quantitative comparison of sprinkler performance at different operating pressure and in a wide range of wind speeds, allowing users to select sprinkler models that best fit their operation and maximize water conservation.

The Statewide (formerly Southern) California Earthquake Center (SCEC) conducts multidisciplinary earthquake system science research that aims to develop predictive models of earthquake processes, and to produce accurate seismic hazard information that can improve societal preparedness and resiliency to earthquake hazards. As part of this program, SCEC has developed the CyberShake platform, which calculates physics-based probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) models for regions with high-quality seismic velocity and fault models. The CyberShake platform implements a sophisticated computational workflow that includes over 15 individual codes written by 6 developers. These codes are heterogeneous, ranging from short-running high-throughput serial CPU codes to large, long-running, parallel GPU codes. Additionally, CyberShake simulation campaigns are computationally extensive, typically producing tens of terabytes of meaningful scientific data and metadata over several months of around-the-clock execution on leadership-class supercomputers. To meet the needs of the CyberShake platform, we have developed an extreme-scale workflow stack, including the Pegasus Workflow Management System, HTCondor, Globus, and custom tools. We present this workflow software stack and identify how the CyberShake platform and supporting tools enable us to meet a variety of challenges that come with large-scale simulations, such as automated remote job submission, data management, and verification and validation. This platform enabled us to perform our most recent simulation campaign, CyberShake Study 22.12, from December 2022 to April 2023. During this time, our workflow tools executed approximately 32,000 jobs, and used up to 73% of the Summit system at Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility. Our workflow tools managed about 2.5 PB of total temporary and output data, and automatically staged 19 million output files totaling 74 TB back to archival storage on the University of Southern California's Center for Advanced Research Computing systems, including file-based relational data and large binary files to efficiently store millions of simulated seismograms. CyberShake extreme-scale workflows have generated simulation-based probabilistic seismic hazard models that are being used by seismological, engineering, and governmental communities.

ABSTRACTWalking in high-heel shoes (HHS) decreases the push-off power and little research has examined the specific muscle groups that compensate for it. The purpose was to examine the effects of walking in HHS compared to barefoot on lower extremity net joint work and power. Fourteen young women walked in HHS and barefoot at a fixed speed of 1.3 m·s−1. Marker position and ground reaction force data were synchronously measured at 100 and 1000 Hz, respectively. Peak power and joint work variables were computed over the power phases of the gait cycle using an inverse dynamic approach. When walking in HHS was compared to barefoot, participants exerted a diminished push-off characterized by lesser peak power and lesser work by the ankle plantar flexors in late stance (A2 phase; p

This field study explores construction workers’ perceptions of using a passive shoulder exoskeleton to better understand how to improve its adoption in construction. We provided forty-one construction workers with an exoskeleton to perform their regular work activities for two days. Workers’ feedback of the tool was collected at the end of each day. Two-thirds indicated they would likely or very likely use an exoskeleton if their employer provided it. Participants felt exoskeletons were helpful for specific overhead tasks, such as installing upper tracks, framing and drywalling bulkheads, taping and mudding ceilings, and installing light fixtures. To improve their adoption within the construction industry, exoskeletons should be designed to be compatible with harnesses and toolbelts, be close-fitting to allow working in tight spaces, be easily adjustable (for fit and level of support), be rugged and easy to clean, and should not encumber workers in performing their tasks.

Abstract Background Patients treated for hematologic malignancy often experience reduced exercise capacity and increased fatigue; however whether this reduction is related to cardiac dysfunction or impairment of skeletal muscle oxygen extraction during activity is unknown. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) coupled with stress cardiac magnetic resonance (ExeCMR), may provide a noninvasive method to identify the abnormalities of cardiac function or skeletal muscle oxygen extraction. This study was performed to determine the feasibility and reproducibility of a ExeCMR + CPET technique to measure the Fick components of peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and pilot its discriminatory potential in hematologic cancer patients experiencing fatigue. Methods We studied 16 individuals undergoing ExeCMR to determine exercise cardiac reserve with simultaneous measures of VO2. The arteriovenous oxygen content difference (a-vO2diff) was calculated as the quotient of VO2/cardiac index (CI). Repeatability in measurements of peak VO2, CI, and a-vO2diff was assessed in seven healthy controls. Finally, we measured the Fick determinants of peak VO2 in hematologic cancer survivors with fatigue (n = 6) and compared them to age/gender-matched healthy controls (n = 6). Results Study procedures were successfully completed without any adverse events in all subjects (N = 16, 100%). The protocol demonstrated good-excellent test-retest reproducibility for peak VO2 (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.992 [95%CI:0.955–0.999]; P

Abstract Thermal barrier coating (TBC) resistance to varied CMAS deposition rates was experimentally assessed using a temperature gradient rig using a CMAS precursor spray. TBCs were composed of EB-PVD YSZ. Five different deposition rates were tested quantifying life versus deposition rate. A high deposition rate and low deposition rate were selected from those tests for sequence testing. For sequence effect testing CMAS deposition occurred at the initial rate until the expected half-life and then switched to the other rate until failure, in the order of high deposition rate first followed by low deposition rate and vice versa. The results suggest that the order of deposition rates can affect ultimate failure behavior. Specifically applying the CMAS at the low deposition rate extended the life of the sample by a nearly a factor of 2 compared to a virgin sample. At the high deposition rate, the CMAS infiltrated all the way to the bond coat past the estimated freeze line. Data showing the coating life versus CMAS deposition rate and the existence of sequence effects in CMAS dosing are fundamentally important to coating life prediction.

This report describes the design development process and recommendations of a Community-Scale Zero Net Energy Master Plan for a residential block in Oakland, the Oakland EcoBlock. The recommended master plan includes an integrated system of energy efficiency retrofits, a direct current solar/storage/electric vehicle microgrid, alternating/direct current houses, and water efficiency retrofits with rainwater capture. The recommended master plan is projected to be close to zero-net energy (95 percent) for homes, reduce carbon emissions by 65 percent at the block scale (including transportation), and reduce water use 60–70 percent. The integrated system of energy efficiency and a direct current solar/storage/electric vehicle (EV) charging microgrid is the first of its kind at the residential block scale. This breakthrough because the deep energy efficiency retrofit savings free up enough capacity in the solar supply and storage to enable residents to switch from natural gas to electricity for heating and domestic hot water and to provide EV charging for 33 percent of vehicle miles traveled. The savings in household transportation costs are a game changer because when combined with savings in the electric and water utility bills, the total cash flow savings are projected to fund the capital improvements of the proposed systems. This project’s benefits include lower and more predictable utility bills; greater resiliency because the system can operate during outages, and vastly improved indoor air quality by reducing natural gas consumption. The local energy storage reduces peak demand for the utility. California benefits from a model that exceeds the targets for reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions and the reductions in water use address California’s severe water challenges. The Oakland EcoBlock is a transformative model for accelerating the rapid deployment of advanced energy communities.

Abstract Background Radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis increases heart failure (HF) risk and is associated with a restrictive cardiomyopathy phenotype. The myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECVF) using contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) quantifies the extent of fibrosis which, in severe cases, results in a noncompliant left ventricle (LV) with an inability to augment exercise stroke volume (SV). The peak exercise oxygen pulse (O2Pulse), a noninvasive surrogate for exercise SV, may provide mechanistic insight into cardiac reserve. The relationship between LV ECVF and O2Pulse following thoracic radiotherapy has not been explored. Methods Patients who underwent thoracic radiotherapy for chest malignancies with significant incidental heart dose (≥5 Gray (Gy), ≥10% heart) without a pre-cancer treatment history of HF underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to determine O2Pulse, contrast-enhanced CMR, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) measurement. Multivariable-analyses were performed to identify factors associated with O2Pulse normalized for age/gender/anthropometrics. Results Thirty patients (median [IQR] age 63 [57–67] years, 18 [60%] female, 2.0 [0.6–3.8] years post-radiotherapy) were included. The peak VO2 was 1376 [1057–1552] mL·min− 1, peak HR = 150 [122–164] bpm, resulting in an O2Pulse of 9.2 [7.5–10.7] mL/beat or 82 (66–96) % of predicted. The ECVF, LV ejection fraction, heart volume receiving ≥10 Gy, and NTproBNP were independently associated with %O2Pulse (P

Abstract Background Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomas, which involve the heart in up to 25% of patients. Cardiac sarcoidosis can lead to life threatening arrhythmias and heart failure. While corticosteroids have been used as a treatment for over 50 years, they are associated with hypertension, diabetes, and weight gain, further increasing cardiovascular risk. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is the prototypical proinflammatory cytokine that works to activate the nuclear transcription factor NF-kB, one of the targets of glucocorticoids. IL-1 also plays an important role also in the pathophysiology of heart disease including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and myocarditis. Methods Building on a network of research collaborators developed in the Cardiac Sarcoidosis Consortium, we will investigate the feasibility and tolerability of treatment of CS with anakinra at two National Institute of Health Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs with expertise in cardiac sarcoidosis. In this pilot study, up to 28 patients with cardiac sarcoidosis will be recruited to compare the administration of an IL-1 blocker, anakinra, 100 mg daily on top of standard of care versus standard of care only for 28 days and followed for 180 days. Utilizing surrogate endpoints of changes in systemic inflammatory biomarkers and cardiac imaging, we aim to determine whether IL-1 blockade with anakinra can combat systemic and cardiac inflammation in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. Discussion The current trial demonstrates an innovative collaborative approach to clinical trial development in a rare, understudied disease that disproportionately affects females and minorities. Trial Registration The trial was registered prospectively with ClinicalTrials.gov on July 12, 2019, identifier NCT04017936.

The main purpose of this article is to emphasize the importance of clarifying the probabilistic framework adopted for volcanic hazard and eruption forecasting. Eruption forecasting and volcanic hazard analysis seek to quantify the deep uncertainties that pervade the modeling of pre-, sin-, and post-eruptive processes. These uncertainties can be differentiated into three fundamental types: (1) the natural variability of volcanic systems, usually represented as stochastic processes with parameterized distributions (aleatory variability); (2) the uncertainty in our knowledge of how volcanic systems operate and evolve, often represented as subjective probabilities based on expert opinion (epistemic uncertainty); and (3) the possibility that our forecasts are wrong owing to behaviors of volcanic processes about which we are completely ignorant and, hence, cannot quantify in terms of probabilities (ontological error). Here we put forward a probabilistic framework for hazard analysis recently proposed by Marzocchi and Jordan (2014), which unifies the treatment of all three types of uncertainty. Within this framework, an eruption forecasting or a volcanic hazard model is said to be complete only if it (a) fully characterizes the epistemic uncertainties in the model's representation of aleatory variability and (b) can be unconditionally tested (in principle) against observations to identify ontological errors. Unconditional testability, which is the key to model validation, hinges on an experimental concept that characterizes hazard events in terms of exchangeable data sequences with well-defined frequencies. We illustrate the application of this unified probabilistic framework by describing experimental concepts for the forecasting of tephra fall from Campi Flegrei. Eventually, this example may serve as a guide for the application of the same probabilistic framework to other natural hazards.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage secondary to sevoflurane inhalation is a rare condition. It should be considered in postoperative patients presenting symptoms of hemoptysis, hypoxemia, or radiographic alveolar infiltrates. We present the case of a 42-year-old man who experienced a diffuse alveolar hemorrhage following sedation with sevoflurane during a low-risk orthopedic procedure. Initially, the patient presented hemoptysis, hypoxemia, and dyspnea. X-ray findings suggested alveolar hemorrhage and the diagnosis was confirmed with fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The patient improved under the care of the pulmonary service and was discharged. Early identification and management of this respiratory complication were crucial for a successful recovery.

The objective of this review article is to discuss how cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging measures left ventricular (LV) function, characterizes tissue, and identifies myocardial fibrosis in patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy (Anth-bC). Specifically, CMR can measure LV ejection fraction (EF), volumes at end-diastole (LVEDV), and end-systole (LVESV), LV strain, and LV mass. Tissue characterization is accomplished through T1/T2-mapping, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and CMR perfusion imaging. Despite CMR’s accuracy and efficiency in collecting data about the myocardium, there are challenges that persist while monitoring a cardio-oncology patient undergoing Anth-bC, such as the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors and utility controversies. Furthermore, CMR can be a useful adjunct during cardiopulmonary exercise testing to pinpoint cardiovascular mediated exercise limitations, as well as to assess myocardial microcirculatory damage in patients undergoing Anth-bC.

PurposeOral cavity and pharynx cancer (OCPC) cases are traditionally dichotomized into human papillomavirus (HPV) and non-HPV types. Using a proxy for HPV status, the objective was to evaluate differences in incidence and survival rates of OCPC anatomic sub-sites identified as: 1) HPV-like; 2) non-HPV-like (i.e., tobacco/alcohol-related); and 3) “other”-like (i.e., not predominantly HPV-like nor tobacco/alcohol-like) OCPCs.MethodsData from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program were used to examine incidence and survival rates for OCPC categories over time and according to age, sex, race, ethnicity, stage at diagnosis, neighborhood socioeconomic status (i.e., nSES or Yost Index), and rurality/urbanity (i.e., Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes). Although HPV status was unavailable in this dataset, OCPC anatomies and histologies were classified into three sub-categories, based on potential risk factors. Frequencies, average annual, age-adjusted incidence rates, five-year relative survival rates, and 95% confidence intervals were examined across and within OCPC categories.ResultsHPV-like OCPC incidence rates sharply increased from 1975 through 2015 while non-HPV-like and “other”-like OCPC rates decreased, all converging to similar rates from 2016 through 2018. Increasing over time for both categories, survival was highest for HPV-like and lowest for non-HPV-like OCPCs; survival for “other”-like OCPCs remained stable. Generally, across OCPC categories, incidence and survival rates were significantly higher among males vs. females, Whites vs. African Americans, and non-Hispanics vs. Hispanics. “Other”-like OCPC incidence decreased with increasing nSES tertiles, while no nSES differences were observed for HPV-like and non-HPV-like OCPCs. Incidence rates were significantly lower among urban (vs. rural) residents. For all OCPC categories, survival rates were significantly higher with increasing nSES and variable across RUCA categories.Conclusion/ImpactHPV-like and non-HPV-like OCPC cases had distinct sociodemographic differences; “other”-like OCPC cases were a sociodemographic blend of HPV-like and non-HPV-like OCPC cases, resembling more of the sociodemographic makeup of non-HPV-like OCPC cases. To prevent new OCPCs, additional studies are needed to epidemiologically and clinically differentiate between OCPC categories so that high-risk groups can be better targeted in future public health interventions.

Abstract Background Approximately 20% of cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy experience worsening heart failure (HF) symptoms post-cancer treatment. While research has predominantly investigated the role of cardiotoxic treatments, much less attention has focused on other risk factors, such as adiposity. However, emerging data in cancer survivors indicates that adiposity may also impact a variety of cardiovascular outcomes. Methods: In a prospective study of 62 patients diagnosed with cancer followed for 24 months from cancer diagnosis through to survivorship (post-cancer treatment), we ascertained baseline fat depots including intermuscular fat (IMF) of the erector spinae muscles; and pre- and post-cancer treatment left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and HF symptoms at baseline and 24-months, respectively. Linear regression was used to model independent variables in relation to HF symptoms at 24-months. Results Baseline IMF and LVEF change over 24-months significantly interacted to predict HF score at 24-months. The highest HF symptom score was observed for participants who experienced high IMF at baseline and a high decline in LVEF over 24-months (HF score = 11.0) versus all other categories of baseline IMF and LVEF change. Conclusions Together IMF and LVEF decline may play an important role in the worsening of HF symptoms in cancer survivors. The finding that IMF at cancer diagnosis led to elevated HF scores post-treatment suggests that IMF may be a potential target for intervention studies.

Abstract Objectives Prior studies have identified a relationship between body mass index (BMI) and intraperitoneal (IP) fat with heart failure; however, in prior studies of cancer patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy, elevations in BMI have not necessarily been associated with decrements in heart function. This study tested the hypothesis that IP fat may be associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decline among cancer patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Methods In this prospective study of 61 cancer patients (23 breast cancer, 32 lymphoma, and 6 sarcoma), IP fat and other assessments of body composition, and changes in LVEF from pre‐ to postcancer treatment using noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging was ascertained. Results After accounting for age, baseline LVEF, and confounding variables, pre‐ to 24‐month post‐treatment LVEF changes were inversely correlated with IP fat (r = −0.33; p = 0.02) and positively correlated with measures of subcutaneous (SQ) fat (r = 0.33; p = 0.01). These LVEF changes were not correlated with BMI (r = 0.12; p = 0.37). Conclusion Among patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy, pretreatment IP fat was associated with subsequent declines in LVEF. There was no association between BMI and LVEF decline. These findings may be related to a potential protective effect of SQ fat.

ObjectiveThe oral-cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection/cancer relationship is not well established. Oral-cervical HPV studies were reviewed to assess dual-site occurrence, HPV type concordance, and study quality/deficiencies.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Ovid Medline, and Web of Science were searched between 1/1/1990 and 8/10/2021 for studies investigating HPV infections/cancers and type concordance between the oral cavity/oropharynx and cervix. Dual-site and concordant HPV infection rates were summarized as percentages; cancer diagnoses studies were summarized using standardized incidence ratios (SIR). The Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies (QATQS) evaluated study methodology.ResultsOne hundred fourteen papers were identified. Most were cross-sectional (n=79, 69%), involved synchronous dual-site HPV testing (n=80, 70%), did not report HPV type concordance (n=62, 54%), and achieved moderate methodological QATQS ratings (n=81, 71%). The overall dual-site infection rate averaged 16%; the HPV type concordance rate averaged 41%, among those dually-infected women. Most HPV-related cancer diagnoses studies reported increased secondary cancer risk, with SIRs generally ranging from 1.4 to 29.4 for secondary cervical cancer after primary oral cancer and from 1.4 to 6.3 for secondary oral cancer after primary cervical cancer.Conclusion/ImpactOral-cervical HPV infections/cancers remain understudied. Future research should use stronger methodologies and HPV concordance analyses to better understand oral-cervical HPV epidemiology.

We present deep upper limits from the 2014 Murchison Widefield Array Phase I observing season, with a particular emphasis on identifying the spectral fingerprints of extremely faint radio frequency interference (RFI) contamination in the 21 cm power spectra (PS). After meticulous RFI excision involving a combination of the SSINS RFI flagger and a series of PS-based jackknife tests, our lowest upper limit on the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) 21 cm PS signal is Δ ^2 ≤ 1.61 × 10 ^4 mK ^2 at k = 0.258h Mpc ^−1 at a redshift of 7.1 using 14.7 hr of data. By leveraging our understanding of how even fainter RFI is likely to contaminate the EoR PS, we are able to identify ultrafaint RFI signals in the cylindrical PS. Surprisingly this signature is most obvious in PS formed with less than 1 hr of data, but is potentially subdominant to other systematics in multiple-hour integrations. Since the total RFI budget in a PS detection is quite strict, this nontrivial integration behavior suggests a need to more realistically model coherently integrated ultrafaint RFI in PS measurements so that its potential contribution to a future detection can be diagnosed.

Azo dyes are commonly used in textile color processing for their wide array of vibrant colors. However, in recent years these dyes have become of concern in wastewater management given their toxicity to humans and the environment. In the present work, researchers remediated water contaminated with azo dyes using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) intercalated within cotton fabric as a catalyst, for their enhanced durability and reusability, in a reductive degradation method. Three azo dyes—methyl orange (MO), Congo red (CR), and Chicago Sky Blue 6B (CSBB)—were investigated. The azo degradation was monitored by UV/vis spectroscopy, degradation capacity, and turnover frequency (TOF). The Ag NP–cotton catalyst exhibited excellent degradation capacity for the dyes, i.e., MO (96.4% in 30 min), CR (96.5% in 18.5 min), and CSBB (99.8% in 21 min), with TOFs of 0.046 min−1, 0.082 min−1, and 0.056 min−1, respectively, using a 400 mg loading of catalyst for 100 mL of 25 mg L−1 dye. To keep their high reusability while maintaining high catalytic efficiency of >95% degradation after 10 cycles, Ag NPs immobilized within cotton fabric have promising potential as eco-friendly bio-embedded catalysts.

Our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are shaped in critical ways by our beliefs about how we compare to other people. Prior research has predominately focused on the consequences of believing oneself to be better than average (BTA). Research on the consequences of worse-than-average (WTA) beliefs has been far more limited, focusing mostly on the downsides of WTA beliefs. In this paper, we argue for the systematic investigation of the possible long-term benefits of WTA beliefs in domains including motivation, task performance, and subjective well-being. We develop a conceptual framework for examining these possible benefits, we explore the usefulness of this framework to generate novel insights in an important psychological domain (skill learning), and we conclude with broader recommendations for research in other domains such as friendship formation, moral, and political decision making.

Abstract Background Current guidelines for assessing the risk of experiencing a hospitalized cardiovascular (CV) event discourage stress testing of asymptomatic individuals; however, these recommendations are based on evidence gathered primarily from those aged 55 years without CV-related symptoms nor known coronary artery disease, but otherwise at increased risk for a future CV event due to pre-existing hypertension or diabetes mellitus for at least 5 years. After adjusting for the demographics and CV risk factors, log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models determined the additional predictive value of the stress test results for forecasting hospitalized CV events/survival. Either stress-induced LV wall motion abnormalities or perfusion defects were used to indicate myocardial ischemia. Results Participants averaged 68 ± 8 years in age; 39% men, 75% Caucasian. There were 38 hospitalized CV events or deaths which occurred during a mean follow-up of 58 months. Using Kaplan-Meier analyses, myocardial ischemia identified future CV events/survival (p

Public health is increasingly engaging with multi-faceted obesity prevention efforts. Although parks represent key community assets for broader public health, they may not be distributed equitably and associations with obesity are equivocal. We investigated park access and quality relative to deprivation and obesity with individual-level data from the Yorkshire Health Study. Compared to the least deprived areas, the moderately and most deprived areas had a greater park access and park quality in terms of features and amenities. However, parks in the moderately and most deprived areas also had the most safety concerns and incivilities. Although deprivation was associated with obesity, contrary to current policy guidance, both park access and quality appear less important for understanding variations in obesity within this study. Although sub-group analyses by deprivation tertile revealed that low quality park amenities in highly and moderately deprived areas may be important for understanding obesity prevalence, all other associations were non-significant.

Abstract Background In patients with cancer receiving potentially cardio-toxic chemotherapy, measurements of left ventricular (LV) circumferential or longitudinal strain are often used clinically to identify myocardial dysfunction. Using a new software algorithm, we sought to determine in individuals receiving treatment for cancer the association between automated assessments of LV mean mid-wall circumferential strain and conventional measures of LV ejection fraction (EF) both obtained from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) cine balanced steady-state free-precession (bSSFP) white-blood acquisitions. Methods Before and 3 months after initiating treatment with potentially cardio-toxic chemotherapy, 72 individuals (aged 54 ± 14 years with breast cancer [39%], lymphoma [49%], or sarcoma [12%]) underwent serial CMR cine bSSFP assessments of LV volumes and EF, and mean mid-wall circumferential strain determined from these same cine images as well as from additional tagged CMR images. On the cine images, assessments of strain were obtained using the newly developed deformation-based segmentation algorithm. Assessments of LV volumes/EF from the cine images and strain from tagged CMR were accomplished using commercially available software. All measures were analyzed in a blinded fashion independent of one another. Results Acceptable measures for the automated assessments of mean mid-wall circumferential strain from the cine images were obtained in 142 of 144 visits (98.6%) with an overall analysis time averaging 6:47 ± 1:06 min. The results from these automated measures averaged −18.8 ± 2.9 at baseline and −17.6 ± 3.1 at 3 months (p = 0.001). Left ventricular EF declined slightly from 65 ± 7% at baseline to 62 ± 7% at 3 months (p = 0.0002). The correlation between strain from cine imaging and LVEF was r = −0.61 (p

Background Although changes in left ventricular end‐systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end‐diastolic volume, and global circumferential strain occur during cancer treatment, the relationship of these changes to the 2‐year post–cancer‐treatment measures of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are unknown. Methods and Results In a prospective, continuously recruited cohort of 95 patients scheduled to receive potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy for breast cancer, lymphoma, or soft tissue sarcoma, measures of left ventricular end‐diastolic volume, LVESV, global circumferential strain, and LVEF were acquired via cardiac magnetic resonance imaging before and then 3 and 24 months after initiating treatment by individuals blinded to all patient identifiers. Participants had an average age of 54±15 years; 68% were women, and 82% were of white race. LVEF declined from 62±7% to 58±9% over the 24 months (P5% decline in LVEF at 24 months. Predictors of a 24‐month >5% decline in LVEF included the following factors from baseline to 3 months into treatment: (1) >3‐mL increases in LVESV (P=0.033), (2) >3‐mL increases in LVESV or 10‐mL declines in left ventricular end‐diastolic volume with little change in LVESV (P=0.001), or (3) ≥10% deteriorations in global circumferential strain with little change in LVESV (P=0.036). Conclusion During receipt of potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy, increases in LVESV, the absence of its deterioration during decreases of left ventricular end‐diastolic volume, or the deterioration of global circumferential strain without a marked decrease in LVESV help identify those who will develop more permanent 2‐year declines in LVEF.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are a biorenewable resource, which may be chemically modified to impart specific properties. Modified CNCs have found use in imaging applications, as rheology modifiers, polymer reinforcements, barrier and/or optical films, and nanocomposites. Nanoparticle dimensions of CNCs are typically 5−10 nm in width, with lengths of

Several earthquake forecast experiments in Italy have been initiated within the European testing center of the global Collaboratory for the Study of Earthquake Predictability. In preparation for these experiments, we developed space-rate-magnitude forecasts based on a simple model that incorporates the spatial clustering of the seismicity. This model, which we call the simple smoothed seismicity model (TripleS), has a minimal number of free parameters and is based on very few assumptions; therefore, it can be considered as a model of «least information» with which others can be compared. The fundamental TripleS parameter controls the spatial extent of the smoothing, and we selected its value based on an optimization procedure that was applied to retrospective forecast experiments. In this report, we present the motivation for developing TripleS, and describe the construction of forecasts for Italian seismicity. We also discuss the research questions that remain to be answered with respect to TripleS, and more generally, the smoothed seismicity approach to earthquake forecasting.

BACKGROUND:Obesity and visceral adiposity are increasingly recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Visceral fat may reduce myocardial perfusion by impairing vascular endothelial function. Women experience more anginal symptoms compared to men despite less severe coronary artery stenosis, as assessed by angiography. Women and men have different fat storage patterns which may account for the observed differences in cardiovascular disease. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the relationship between visceral adipose tissue distributions and myocardial perfusion in men and women. METHODS:Visceral and subcutaneous fat distributions and myocardial perfusion were measured in 69 men and women without coronary artery disease using magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Myocardial perfusion index was quantified after first-pass perfusion with gadolinium contrast at peak dose dobutamine stress. RESULTS:We observed inverse relationships between female gender (r = -0.35, p = 0.003), pericardial fat (r = -0.36, p = 0.03), intraperitoneal fat (r = -0.37, p = 0.001), and retroperitoneal fat (r = -0.36, p = 0.002) and myocardial perfusion index. Visceral fat depots were not associated with reduced myocardial perfusion at peak dose dobutamine in men. However, in women, BMI (r = -0.33, p = 0.04), pericardial fat (r = -0.53, p = 0.02), subcutaneous fat (r = -0.39, p = 0.01) and intraperitoneal fat (r = -0.30, p = 0.05) were associated with reduced myocardial perfusion during dobutamine stress. CONCLUSIONS:Higher visceral fat volumes are associated with reduced left ventricular myocardial perfusion at peak dose dobutamine stress in women but not in men. These findings suggest that visceral fat may contribute to abnormal microcirculatory coronary artery perfusion syndromes, explaining why some women exhibit more anginal symptoms despite typically lower grade epicardial coronary artery stenoses than men.

A workshop on Operational earthquake forecasting and decision making was convened in Varenna, Italy, on June 8-11, 2014, under the sponsorship of the EU FP 7 REAKT (Strategies and tools for Real-time EArthquake risK reducTion) project, the Seismic Hazard Center at the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), and the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC). The main goal was to survey the interdisciplinary issues of operational earthquake forecasting (OEF), including the problems that OEF raises for decision making and risk communication. The workshop was attended by 64 researchers from universities, research centers, and governmental institutions in 11 countries. Participants and the workshop agenda are listed in the appendix.The workshop comprised six topical sessions structured around three main themes: the science of operational earthquake forecasting, decision making in a low-probability environment, and communicating hazard and risk. Each topic was introduced by a moderator and surveyed by a few invited speakers, who were then empaneled for an open discussion. The presentations were followed by poster sessions. During a wrap-up session on the last day, the reporters for each topical session summarized the main points that they had gleaned from the talks and open discussions. This report attempts to distill this workshop record into a brief overview of the workshop themes and to describe the range of opinions expressed during the discussions.

In his commentary on the International Commission on Earthquake Forecasting (ICEF) report [Jordan et al. 2011], Crampin [2012] claims that observable changes in shear-wave splitting can predict large earthquakes on short time scales with high reliability and skill, and he challenges a central ICEF finding—that no method has yet demonstrated such a predictive capability. In particular, Crampin asserts that "observations of seismic shear-wave splitting monitored at a three-borehole Stress-Monitoring Site (SMS) in central Italy could monitor stress-accumulation and stress-relaxation (crack-coalescence) before all damaging (M ≥ 5) earthquakes within 1000 km of the SMS […] This means that installation of one expensive SMS (preferably two throughout the length of Italy) would stress-forecast the time, magnitude, and in some circumstances fault-break of all potentially damaging on the mainland of Italy".Crampin's assertions are based on prediction methods he has advocated for several decades [e.g., Crampin et al. 1984; Crampin et al. 1990]. As part of the ICEF study, we reviewed the literature on these methods. Nothing contained in the present commentary compels us to alter our previous findings. [...]

Following the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, the Dipartimento della Protezione Civile Italiana (DPC), appointed an International Commission on Earthquake Forecasting for Civil Protection (ICEF) to report on the current state of knowledge of short-term prediction and forecasting of tectonic earthquakes and indicate guidelines for utilization of possible forerunners of large earthquakes to drive civil protection actions, including the use of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis in the wake of a large earthquake. The ICEF reviewed research on earthquake prediction and forecasting, drawing from developments in seismically active regions worldwide. A prediction is defined as a deterministic statement that a future earthquake will or will not occur in a particular geographic region, time window, and magnitude range, whereas a forecast gives a probability (greater than zero but less than one) that such an event will occur. Earthquake predictability, the degree to which the future occurrence of earthquakes can be determined from the observable behavior of earthquake systems, is poorly understood. This lack of understanding is reflected in the inability to reliably predict large earthquakes in seismically active regions on short time scales. Most proposed prediction methods rely on the concept of a diagnostic precursor; i.e., some kind of signal observable before earthquakes that indicates with high probability the location, time, and magnitude of an impending event. Precursor methods reviewed here include changes in strain rates, seismic wave speeds, and electrical conductivity; variations of radon concentrations in groundwater, soil, and air; fluctuations in groundwater levels; electromagnetic variations near and above Earth's surface; thermal anomalies; anomalous animal behavior; and seismicity patterns. The search for diagnostic precursors has not yet produced a successful short-term prediction scheme. Therefore, this report focuses on operational earthquake forecasting as the principle means for gathering and disseminating authoritative information about time-dependent seismic hazards to help communities prepare for potentially destructive earthquakes. On short time scales of days and weeks, earthquake sequences show clustering in space and time, as indicated by the aftershocks triggered by large events. Statistical descriptions of clustering explain many features observed in seismicity catalogs, and they can be used to construct forecasts that indicate how earthquake probabilities change over the short term. Properly applied, short-term forecasts have operational utility; for example, in anticipating aftershocks that follow large earthquakes. Although the value of long-term forecasts for ensuring seismic safety is clear, the interpretation of short-term forecasts is problematic, because earthquake probabilities may vary over orders of magnitude but typically remain low in an absolute sense (< 1% per day). Translating such low-probability forecasts into effective decision-making is a difficult challenge. Reports on the current utilization operational forecasting in earthquake risk management were compiled for six countries with high seismic risk: China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Russia, United States. Long-term models are currently the most important forecasting tools for civil protection against earthquake damage, because they guide earthquake safety provisions of building codes, performance-based seismic design, and other risk-reducing engineering practices, such as retrofitting to correct design flaws in older buildings. Short-term forecasting of aftershocks is practiced by several countries among those surveyed, but operational earthquake forecasting has not been fully implemented (i.e., regularly updated and on a national scale) in any of them. Based on the experience accumulated in seismically active regions, the ICEF has provided to DPC a set of recommendations on the utilization of operational forecasting in Italy, which may also be useful in other countries. The public should be provided with open sources of information about the short-term probabilities of future earthquakes that are authoritative, scientific, consistent, and timely. Advisories should be based on operationally qualified, regularly updated seismicity forecasting systems that have been rigorously reviewed and updated by experts in the creation, delivery, and utility of earthquake information. The quality of all operational models should be evaluated for reliability and skill by retrospective testing, and they should be under continuous prospective testing against established long-term forecasts and alternative time-dependent models. Alert procedures should be standardized to facilitate decisions at different levels of government and among the public. Earthquake probability thresholds should be established to guide alert levels based on objective analysis of costs and benefits, as well as the less tangible aspects of value-of-information, such as gains in psychological preparedness and resilience. The principles of effective public communication established by social science research should be applied to the delivery of seismic hazard information.

In der Subrosionssenke von Ahlshausen wurde eine 25 m mächtige Lößlehm-Fließerde-Folge mit bis zu 9 Parabraunerden (fBt- und Bleichhorizonte) untersucht. Unter dem 3. fBt fanden sich Reste eines Glaziärvorkommens, das eine elsterzeitliche Inlandvereisung belegt. Ein mächtiger Beckenschluff bis -ton im Liegenden der Lößfolge gehört vermutlich bereits in die Matuyama-Periode. In den Bahnprofilen und in Bohrungen der begleitenden Geologischen Kartierung wurden Kiesvorkommen mehrerer prä-holsteinzeitlicher Rhumeläufe nachgewiesen. Ihre Verstellung um viele Zehnermeter wird auf Hebung des Ahlshausener Gewölbes (über einem Zechstein-Salzkissen) zurückgeführt, unterbrochen durch lokale subrosive Absenkung.

Objetivo: La cirugía transexual es un área única de intervenciones poco frecuentes. Este estudio examina los factores que tienen significancia en la prevención de la morbilidad mayor en esta cirugía inusual. Se presenta el papel del ginecólogo en el manejo psicológico, endocrino y quirúrgico. Diseño del estudio: Las cirugías iniciales se complicaron con fístulas en el sitio de la anastomosis uretra-falo. Después de revisar estas complicaciones, modificamos la aproximación incluyendo un procedimiento de dos etapas permitiendo la curación antes de la microcirugía y preservando la pared vaginal anterior durante la histerectomía vaginal y colpocleisis. Preservando la pared vaginal anterior, podemos extender mejor la uretra para unión posterior al falo. Resultados: Realizando el procedimiento en dos etapas en la colpocleisis se permite una reducción significativa en la tasa de fístulas (p=0.0087). Con la eliminación de las fistulas, es posible el uso de endurecedores durante la faloplastia para mejores resultados funcionales. Conclusión: La extensión de la uretra durante la colpocleisis permite una curación mejor y disminuye significativamente la formación de fístulas. Un flujo sanguíneo apropiado por cirugía microvascular y un tejido adecuado para el sitio de anastomosis contribuye a mejorar los resultados.

Die spätelster- bis drenthezeitlichen Kiessande des Steinhuder Meer-Raumes wurden statistisch auf ihren Geröllbestand (Fraktion 6,3—12,5 mm) untersucht. In zwei Tiefenbereichen wurde das Verhältnis von nordischen zu paläozoisch-einheimischen Geröllen ausgewertet. Die nordischen sind vom Inlandeis und dessen Schmelzwässern geschüttet, die paläozoischeinheimischen von Flüssen aus dem S angeliefert. Der einheimische Kies-Anteil ließ sich nach dem Flammenmergel- und Buntsandstein-Gehalt dem Flußsystem der Weser bzw. der Leine zuordnen. Nach der Geröllanalyse hat der spätelsterzeitliche Kiessand altpleistozäne Rinnen endgültig verfüllt. Im oberen, drenthezeitlichen Abschnitt läßt sich die Vermischung und Verzahnung der nordischen Schmelzwassersande mit den von Süden geschütteten Leine-Kiessanden quantitativ belegen (Abb. 7). Der nordische Kiessand enthält Schollen und Beimengungen von Oberterrassenkies der Weser. Die Ergebnisse werden mit früheren geröllanalytischen Untersuchungen im Raum Hannover vergleichen, und daraus neue Hinweise zur Flußgeschichte der (unteren) Leine gewonnen.

In this paper a description is given of a new occurrence of glacial striae on Upper Muschelkalk near Burgstemmen, 30 km south of Hannover. Of the two crossing striation systems — N 10° E and N 60° E — the latter is the younger one. Since the striae are overlain by gravels of the Drenthe stadium it is not possible up to now to decide whether the striae have been caused by the Elster ice or by an older glacial advance of the Drenthe stadium.

This essay explores Nella Larsen's revision of images of mulatto women in Harlem Renaissance novels. Larsen reveals her female characters' imprisonment by a false belief that whites and men are innocent and women of mixed ethnicity always culpable. Larsen traces this blame of women back to Harlem Renaissance novels. In response, she revises the traditional erotic triangle. For Larsen, women of mixed ethnicity see each other outside of a culture of blame only when men play a diminished role within the triangle. Then, they recognize their own worth through fetishization of each other's body, particularly its blackness, within the triangle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the book "The Hidden Hand," by E. D. E. N. Southworth. Facts about seduction novels; Observation on the majority of literary scholars writing on white women novelists in the 19th century; Actions taken by Southworth to pays tribute to her African American literary origins.