Vacancy assisted arsenic diffusion and time dependent clustering effects in silicon

We present results of kinetic lattice Monte Carlo (KLMC) simulations of substitutional arsenic diffusion in silicon mediated by lattice vacancies. Large systems are considered, with 1000 dopant atoms and long range \textit{ab initio} interactions, to the 18th nearest lattice neighbor, and the diffusivity of each defect species over time is calculated. The concentration of vacancies is greater than equilibrium concentrations in order to simulate conditions shortly after ion implantation. A previously unreported time dependence in the applicability of the pair diffusion model, even at low temperatures, is demonstrated. Additionally, long range interactions are shown to be of critical importance in KLMC simulations; when shorter interaction ranges are considered only clusters composed entirely of vacancies form. An increase in arsenic diffusivity for arsenic concentrations up to $10^{19} \text{cm}^{-3}$ is observed, along with a decrease in arsenic diffusivity for higher arsenic concentrations, due to the formation of arsenic dominated clusters. Finally, the effect of vacancy concentration on diffusivity and clustering is studied, and increasing vacancy concentration is found to lead to a greater number of clusters, more defects per cluster, and a greater vacancy fraction within the clusters.Comment: 22 pages, 16 figure

An independently validated nomogram for isocitrate dehydrogenase-wild-type glioblastoma patient survival.

BackgroundIn 2016, the World Health Organization reclassified the definition of glioblastoma (GBM), dividing these tumors into isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wild-type and IDH-mutant GBM, where the vast majority of GBMs are IDH-wild-type. Nomograms are useful tools for individualized estimation of survival. This study aimed to develop and independently validate a nomogram for IDH-wild-type patients with newly diagnosed GBM.MethodsData were obtained from newly diagnosed GBM patients from the Ohio Brain Tumor Study (OBTS) and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) for diagnosis years 2007-2017 with the following variables: age at diagnosis, sex, extent of resection, concurrent radiation/temozolomide (TMZ) status, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation status, and IDH mutation status. Survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression, random survival forests, and recursive partitioning analysis, with adjustment for known prognostic factors. The models were developed using the OBTS data and independently validated using the UCSF data. Models were internally validated using 10-fold cross-validation and externally validated by plotting calibration curves.ResultsA final nomogram was validated for IDH-wild-type newly diagnosed GBM. Factors that increased the probability of survival included younger age at diagnosis, female sex, having gross total resection, having concurrent radiation/TMZ, having a high KPS, and having MGMT methylation.ConclusionsA nomogram that calculates individualized survival probabilities for IDH-wild-type patients with newly diagnosed GBM could be useful to physicians for counseling patients regarding treatment decisions and optimizing therapeutic approaches. Free software for implementing this nomogram is provided: https://gcioffi.shinyapps.io/Nomogram_For_IDH_Wildtype_GBM_H_Gittleman/

Depressive disorder in children and adolescents: Dysthymic disorder and the use of self-rating scales in assessment

The authors describe a pilot study on depressed children and adolescents, where the DSM-III diagnosis on clinical interviews is compared to the results from two self-rating scales on 35 children and adolescents referred to the researchers. These 35 subjects were seen as depressed by their primary helpers. The value of the self-rating scales is mentioned and the usefulness of the category “dysthymic disorder” is commented upon

QTL detection and allelic effects for growth and fat traits in outbred pig populations

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for growth and fatness traits have previously been identified on chromosomes 4 and 7 in several experimental pig populations. The segregation of these QTL in commercial pigs was studied in a sample of 2713 animals from five different populations. Variance component analysis (VCA) using a marker-based identity by descent (IBD) matrix was applied. The IBD coefficient was estimated with simple deterministic (SMD) and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. Data for two growth traits, average daily gain on test and whole life daily gain, and back fat thickness were analysed. With both methods, seven out of 26 combinations of population, chromosome and trait, were significant. Additionally, QTL genotypic and allelic effects were estimated when the QTL effect was significant. The range of QTL genotypic effects in a population varied from 4.8% to 10.9% of the phenotypic mean for growth traits and 7.9% to 19.5% for back fat trait. Heritabilities of the QTL genotypic values ranged from 8.6% to 18.2% for growth traits, and 14.5% to 19.2% for back fat. Very similar results were obtained with both SMD and MCMC. However, the MCMC method required a large number of iterations, and hence computation time, especially when the QTL test position was close to the marker

Taking the bait: Species taking oral rabies vaccine baits intended for raccoons

Raccoon rabies in eastern USA is managed by strategically distributing oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits. The attractiveness, palativity, density, and non-target species bait take affect ORV effectiveness. We examined raccoon and non-target species differences in investigating/removing fish-meal polymer and coated sachet baits applied to simulate two aerial bait distribution densities. Bait densities of 150 baits/km2 and 75 baits/km2 were evaluated, respectively, in zones expected to have high and low Racc oon densities. Three primary non-target species visited baits: coyotes, white-tailed deer, and feral swine. The proportion of bait stations visited by raccoons during 1 week observation periods ranged from 50 to 70%, exceeding non-target species visitation. Raccoon take rates for visited baits averaged from 59 to 100%. Raccoon visitation was similar for both bait densities, indicating a proportionally greater quantity of baits were taken in the higher bait density zone. Coyote visitation rates ranged from 16 to 26%, with take rates for visited baits between 46 and 100%. Coyotes were expected to take baits intended for raccoons, because similar baits are applied to vaccinate coyotes. Deer regularly investigated but rarely took baits. Feral swine were in low abundance in the high bait density zone (higher human density) and visited ≤ 1% of baits there but visited baits at frequencies similar to coyotes and deer in the low-density zone and were likely to take encountered baits (63–100%). Non-target bait consumption could be a concern in some circumstances for achieving sufficient raccoon sero-conversion rates

Taking the bait: species taking oral rabies vaccine baits intended for raccoons

Raccoon rabies in eastern USA is managed by strategically distributing oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits. The attractiveness, palativity, density, and non-target species bait take affect ORV effectiveness. We examined raccoon and non-target species differences in investigating/removing fish-meal polymer and coated sachet baits applied to simulate two aerial bait distribution densities. Bait densities of 150 baits/km2 and 75 baits/km2 were evaluated, respectively, in zones expected to have high and low raccoon densities. Three primary non-target species visited baits: coyotes, white-tailed deer, and feral swine. The proportion of bait stations visited by raccoons during 1 week observation periods ranged from 50 to 70%, exceeding non-target species visitation. Raccoon take rates for visited baits averaged from 59 to 100%. Raccoon visitation was similar for both bait densities, indicating a proportionally greater quantity of baits were taken in the higher bait density zone. Coyote visitation rates ranged from 16 to 26%, with take rates for visited baits between 46 and 100%. Coyotes were expected to take baits intended for raccoons, because similar baits are applied to vaccinate coyotes. Deer regularly investigated but rarely took baits. Feral swine were in low abundance in the high bait density zone (higher human density) and visited ≤ 1% of baits there but visited baits at frequencies similar to coyotes and deer in the low-density zone and were likely to take encountered baits (63–100%). Non-target bait consumption could be a concern in some circumstances for achieving sufficient raccoon sero-conversion rates

Taking the bait: Species taking oral rabies vaccine baits intended for raccoons

Raccoon rabies in eastern USA is managed by strategically distributing oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits. The attractiveness, palativity, density, and non-target species bait take affect ORV effectiveness. We examined raccoon and non-target species differences in investigating/removing fish-meal polymer and coated sachet baits applied to simulate two aerial bait distribution densities. Bait densities of 150 baits/km2 and 75 baits/km2 were evaluated, respectively, in zones expected to have high and low Racc oon densities. Three primary non-target species visited baits: coyotes, white-tailed deer, and feral swine. The proportion of bait stations visited by raccoons during 1 week observation periods ranged from 50 to 70%, exceeding non-target species visitation. Raccoon take rates for visited baits averaged from 59 to 100%. Raccoon visitation was similar for both bait densities, indicating a proportionally greater quantity of baits were taken in the higher bait density zone. Coyote visitation rates ranged from 16 to 26%, with take rates for visited baits between 46 and 100%. Coyotes were expected to take baits intended for raccoons, because similar baits are applied to vaccinate coyotes. Deer regularly investigated but rarely took baits. Feral swine were in low abundance in the high bait density zone (higher human density) and visited ≤ 1% of baits there but visited baits at frequencies similar to coyotes and deer in the low-density zone and were likely to take encountered baits (63–100%). Non-target bait consumption could be a concern in some circumstances for achieving sufficient raccoon sero-conversion rates

Feasibility of an Opioid Sparing Discharge Protocol Following Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND: Opioids are commonly prescribed after laparoscopic bariatric surgery but have untoward effects including dependence and diversion. Prior investigation revealed that over three-fourths of discharge opioids prescribed to our patients went unused. OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of an opioid sparing discharge protocol following laparoscopic bariatric surgery. METHODS: A total of 212 opioid-naïve patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery were examined and divided into two groups; 106 prior to (Cohort A) and 106 after implementation of an opioid sparing discharge protocol (Cohort B). Opioids were converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MME) and post-operative consumption was examined. Data was described as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: No patients in Cohort B and 54.7% (58) in Cohort A received an opioid discharge prescription (37.5 MME). Of the 154 patients that remained, only 1.3% (2) received one after discharge. Cohort A took greater amounts of opioids than Cohort B after discharge (4.74 ± 11 vs. 0.21 ± 2 MME; p \u3c 0.001). During hospitalization, Cohort A took greater amounts of opioids (6.92 ± 11 vs. 2.74 ± 5 MME; p \u3c 0.001) but lower amounts of methocarbamol (759 ± 590 vs. 966 ± 585 mg; p = 0.011). No patient requested an opioid prescription refill or presented to the emergency room secondary to pain. CONCLUSION: Following laparoscopic bariatric surgery, an opioid sparing discharge protocol is feasible with \u3c 2% of patients receiving opioids after discharge and no increase in emergency room visits. Education regarding these protocols may impact the amount of opioids taken during hospitalization