cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A community home inspection approach to preventing falls among the elderly

Falls are the leading cause of accidents among those ages 65 and older and the largest single cause of death due to injury of the elderly. Environmental factors play a key role in the probability of a fall in the homes of the elderly. A community health promotion team approach can reduce the prevalence rate of injuries due to falls by eliminating the risk factors precipitating the injuries. A comprehensive program in Wilmington, OH, will incorporate the use of the community senior citizens' center, the local college, fire department, local radio stations and newspapers, community churches, local merchants, educators, and the medical community. Extrinsic factors that previously have been linked directly to falls will be identified in the home inspections. The "Fixer-Up-Team," composed of college students and community volunteers, will rectify any unsafe conditions found by the inspection team. Local merchants and lumber yards will donate materials to make needed repairs. Active senior citizens will be trained as part of the inspection team, allowing this program to be self-perpetuating. Compared with the national prevalence rates, this program will show a decrease in injuries caused by falls in the homes of the participants of this program. Language: en
Optical second-harmonic investigations of GaN thin films on sapphire

Gallium nitride (GaN) is a wide-band-gap III-V compound semiconductor that crystallizes in a hexagonal wurzite structure. Ongoing research pertaining to the growth and preparation of metal nitride thin films has led to the development of crystalline samples by using nonconventional deposition techniques, such as metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition (MOCVD) and magnetron sputtering. The renewed experimental activity regarding the characterization of this metal nitride is in part due to the direct band gap of ~3.4 eV in undoped GaN, which can be tailored for the production of tunable electro-optic devices in the UV and visible wavelength range of the spectrum when this material is alloyed with either AlN or InN. Despite the potential for novel optical devices using this semiconducting material, little has been reported in the literature concerning the linear and nonlinear optical properties of GaN thin films.
Capital Study Report: Use of Market Discipline

This report by Hal S. Scott and the staff of the Committee on Capital Markets Regulation examines a balanced approach to capital regulation that enhances private market discipline while strengthening the complementary role of government-imposed capital requirements. A regulatory approach that recognizes the dual roles of government and the private market in setting appropriate capital levels at financial institutions will result in a stronger and safer financial system than can be achieved through public regulation alone. The approaches outlined in this paper will achieve the desired goal of a more robust financial system.
Achieving Weight Loss and Hypertension Control Among Obese Adults: A US Multidisciplinary Group Practice Observational Study.

Background Among adults with hypertension, obesity independently contributes to cardiovascular disease. Weight loss and hypertension control are critical to reduce cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to evaluate rates and predictors of achieving weight loss among adults who achieved hypertension control within 1 year of developing incident hypertension. Methods Retrospective electronic health record analysis was performed of ≥18 year olds with a body mass index ≥30.0kg/m(2), who received regular primary care from 2008 to 2011 and achieved hypertension control. Exclusions were less than 60 days follow-up, prior hypertension diagnosis, prior antihypertensive prescription, or pregnancy. The primary outcome was clinically significant weight loss (≥5kg); the secondary outcome was modest (2.0-4.9kg) weight loss. Multinomial logistic regression identified predictors of achieving weight loss (≥5 or 2.0-4.9kg) compared to no significant weight loss ( Results Of the 2,906 obese patients who achieved hypertension control, 72% (n = 2,089) did not achieve at least 2.0kg weight loss. Overall, 12% (n = 351) achieved ≥5kg weight loss. Young adults (18-39 year olds; odds ratio (OR): 2.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.63-3.47), middle-aged adults (40-59 year olds; OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.59-3.37), and patients prescribed antihypertensive medication (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.07-1.76) were more likely to achieve clinically significant weight loss and hypertension control. Age remained a significant predictor for 2.0-4.9kg weight loss. Conclusions Despite achieving hypertension control, the majority of obese patients did not achieve clinically significant weight loss. Effective weight loss interventions with dedicated hypertension treatment are needed to decrease cardiovascular events in this high-risk population.
The Geometries of the Thermal and Gravitational Fields

(1950). The Geometries of the Thermal and Gravitational Fields. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 57, No. 4, pp. 232-245.
The Placental Isoenzyme of Alkaline Phosphatase in Sera of Normal Pregnancy

By means of a convenient automated method, the placental isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase in pregnancy serum has been measured in 162 normal pregnancies. The basis of this measurement is, first, the heat inactivation of the nonplacental isoenzyme, and then the measurement of activity (substrate; phenylphosphate) under conditions of pH and substrate concentration which favor the action of the placental isoenzyme. Conditions for a manual method for measuring the placental isoenzyme are also given. The serum isoenzyme level of alkaline phosphatase observed an exponential course as a function of gestation time. The highest level coincided with delivery in half of the patients and in the others, it preceded delivery. On the basis of these normal data, it is now possible to recognize a deviation from the normal curve. The possible significance of the serum placental isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase is discussed.
Multi-attribute risk assessment

Best practice dictates that security requirements be based on risk assessments; however, simplistic risk assessments that result in lists of risks or sets of scenarios do not provide sufficient information to prioritize requirements when faced with resource constraints (e.g., time, money). Multi-attribute risk assessments provide a convenient framework for systematically developing quantitative risk assessments that the security manager can use to prioritize security requirements. This paper presents a multi-attribute risk assessment process and results from two industry case studies that used the process to identify and prioritize their risks.
PATTERNS OF EVOLUTION AMONG THE ARTIODACTYLA AND PERISSODACTYLA (MAMMALIA).

Diversity changes through time of the mammalian ungulate orders Artiodactyla and Perissodactyla have been touted long and widely as exemplifying ordinal level taxonomic (and presumably ecologic) displacement (Simpson, 1953; Stanley, 1974) since, as Van Valen (1971) has pointed out, they have a nearly identical "way of life" (=adaptive zone, Simpson, 1953; plus competitive interactions, Van Valen, 1971). The controversial assumption that herbivores are food limited (cf. Hairston et al., 1960; Murdoch, 1966; Ehrlich and Birch, 1967; Slobodkin et al., 1967) is implicit to this generalization. Both orders presumably appeared in the late Paleocene, as they are well differentiated by the early Eocene (Figs. 1 and 2). While perissodactyls seem to have undergone taxonomic diversification at both generic and familial levels somewhat earlier than artiodactyls, the difference is much less than most authors suggest. Perissodactyls declined in importance after the middle Eocene, while the artiodactyls maintained a stable "dominance" from the early Oligocene until their apparently enormous Plio-Pleistocene radiation. Various deterministic hypotheses have been forwarded in explanation of this pattern. Such hypotheses usually invoke the acquisition of one or more characters (double trochleated astragalus, selenodont molars, ruminant digestion) by the artiodactyls as giving that group a relative adaptive advantage. Here I review the evolutionary histories of these two orders in search of evidence supporting these hypotheses. Further, I analyze overall patterns to detect possible correspondence to or support for the various "empirical" (Valentine, 1973) and "equilibrium" (Mark and Flessa, 1977) models of Phanerozoic diversity. All data have been compiled from Romer (1966). Current revisions might alter the data somewhat, but it is doubtful that the differences would be systematic or great. Question-marked taxa or those not designated chronostratigraphically to subepoch were ignored. The time scale used is from Harland et al. (1964).
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptomyces albus SM254, a Potent Antagonist of Bat White-Nose Syndrome Pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans

We sequenced and annotated the complete 7,170,504-bp genome of a novel secondary metabolite-producingStreptomycesstrain,Streptomyces albusSM254, isolated from copper-rich subsurface fluids at ~220-m depth within the Soudan Iron Mine (Soudan, MN, USA).
Study on the low-pressure self-destruction effect of an analog solid rocket motor

Based on the requirements of low explosion hazard, a study of the low-pressure self-destruction effect and two Φ260mm solid rocket motor self-destruction simulation tests were carried out. Results show that the non-ignition motors at low-pressure can be destructed. The low-pressure self-destruction effect of both the whole-shell-cutting scheme and the forword-dome-cutting scheme can satisfy the safe self-destruction demand.
The Current Management of Bilateral Wilms Tumor

The good prognosis of synchronous bilateral Wilms tumor seems inappropriate for the magnitude of the disease process. Our experience with 11 cases demonstrates the unusual tumor response to chemotherapy and limited preservative surgery. Although 2 patients died 2 with metastatic disease have responded to chemotherapy and are alive at 5 and 8 years after treatment. In addition, 1 patient has survived with biopsy only and no definitive surgery. Although all surgical options have been used, ranging from biopsy alone to bench surgery with autotransplantation to bilateral nephrectomy, our experience demonstrates the effectiveness of a conservative approach with initial biopsy, chemotherapy and subsequent partial nephrectomy if needed. Our survival data and the histological examination of the tumors after chemotherapy suggest a strong relationship of bilateral Wilms tumor to the nodular renal blastema-nephroblastomatosis complex, and a mechanism to explain the excellent tumor response to chemotherapy.
Housing Finance Institutions: Africa

Low market penetration and limited access to financial services is a dominant feature of the financial sectors in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Only a small fraction of the population across the region are served by formal financial institutions. Mortgage lending is about 1–2% of GDP in most countries (except South Africa, Namibia, and Ghana) and mostly limited to upper-middle- and high-income groups. Products which take into consideration the needs of low-income groups are usually offered by microfinance institutions, cooperatives, or nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). The diversity of housing finance institutions in SSA is as broad as in other regions. The type of institution ranges from specialised lenders, building societies, cooperatives, and mortgage insurance providers to commercial banks or microfinance institutions. In many countries, governments have intervened through the establishment of state-owned housing banks and state-owned developers. Positive economic conditions in the 2000s and the emergence of a stronger financial sector and a more affluent middle class have increased competition, putting pressure on state-owned lending institutions to restructure.
“That Is Not Very American”: A Microethnographic Discourse Analysis of a Chinese ESL Learner's Appropriation of Cultural Values at an Art Exhibition

This article is based on part of the discourse data collected from a 5-month ethnographic study about how first-year learners of English as a second language (ESL) socially interact with their native-speaking peers in a college town in the U.S. Midwest. The data were collected from participant observation at an art exhibition at the research site. The analysis focuses on a video-recorded event when an ESL learner from China, Joe, had a negotiated meaning-making opportunity about the cultural values of art appreciation with his native-speaking friend, Carmen. The data corpus warrants an analytical framework that focuses on the contextualized interpretations of the smallest meaningful units, and thus the researcher employed microethnographic discourse analysis. The findings suggest that local campus communities are the venues where cultural values are contested, negotiated, and appropriated among ESL learners and their native-speaking peers. The study also shows that microethnographic discourse analysis is an effective tool for revealing the hidden and unmarked cultural constructs such as “what it means to be American.”
Sublinear time orthogonal tensor decomposition

A recent work (Wang et. al., NIPS 2015) gives the fastest known algorithms for orthogonal tensor decomposition with provable guarantees. Their algorithm is based on computing sketches of the input tensor, which requires reading the entire input. We show in a number of cases one can achieve the same theoretical guarantees in sublinear time, i.e., even without reading most of the input tensor. Instead of using sketches to estimate inner products in tensor decomposition algorithms, we use importance sampling. To achieve sublinear time, we need to know the norms of tensor slices, and we show how to do this in a number of important cases. For symmetric tensors T = ∑ki=1 λiui⊗p with λi > 0 for all i, we estimate such norms in sublinear time whenever p is even. For the important case of p = 3 and small values of k, we can also estimate such norms. For asymmetric tensors sublinear time is not possible in general, but we show if the tensor slice norms are just slightly below || T ||F then sublinear time is again possible. One of the main strengths of our work is empirical - in a number of cases our algorithm is orders of magnitude faster than existing methods with the same accuracy.
Supercomputing for Finance: A Gentle Introduction (Presentation Slides)

This presentation introduces key concepts needed to operate a high-performance computing cluster.
Connecting Different TMD Factorization Formalisms in QCD

In the original Collins-Soper-Sterman (CSS) presentation of the results of transverse-momentum-dependent (TMD) factorization for the Drell-Yan process, results for perturbative coefficients can be obtained from calculations for collinear factorization. Here we show how to use these results, plus known results for the quark form factor, to obtain coefficients for TMD factorization in more recent formulations, e.g., that due to Collins, and apply them to known results at order ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}^{2}$ and ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}^{3}$. We also show that the ``nonperturbative'' functions as obtained from fits to data are equal in the two schemes. We compile the higher-order perturbative inputs needed for the updated CSS scheme by appealing to results obtained in a variety of different formalisms. In addition, we derive the connection between both versions of the CSS formalism and several formalisms based in soft-collinear effective theory (SCET). Our work uses some important new results for factorization for the quark form factor, which we derive.
The Minneapolis-Manchester Quality of Life Instrument: reliability and validity of the Adult Form in cancer survivors

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for deficits in health-related quality of life (HRQL) as they age. Youth (8–12 years) and adolescent (13–20 years) versions of the Minneapolis-Manchester Quality of Life Instrument (MMQL) have been developed to address survivor-specific issues and are currently in use; the MMQL-Adult Form has now been developed to assess HRQL in childhood cancer survivors aged 21–55 years. The MMQL-Adult Form was administered to 499 adults: 65 cancer patients on-therapy, 107 off-therapy, and 327 healthy controls. Forty-four percent of patients were under 30 years old at cancer diagnosis. Principal components analysis was performed. We evaluated internal consistency reliability, stability (re-administration of the MMQL-Adult Form 2 weeks later), construct validity (concurrent administration of the SF-36), and known-groups validity (score comparisons across the three groups). Principal components analysis resulted in retention of 44 items across six scales: social functioning, physical functioning, cognitive functioning, outlook on life, body image, and psychological functioning. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) was 0.80–0.90 for individual scales and 0.95 overall. Strong intraclass correlations (0.98 overall) indicated high stability. The MMQL-Adult Form distinguished between known groups; healthy controls scored better than patients on four of six scales. The MMQL-Adult Form scales correlated highly with similar SF-36 scales, demonstrating construct validity. The MMQL-Adult Form is a reliable and valid self-report instrument for measuring multidimensional HRQL in cancer survivors. Development of this instrument ensures availability of a tool enabling cross-sectional and longitudinal assessment of HRQL in childhood cancer survivors as they age.
Social Facilitation and Digging Behavior in the Beetle Odontotaenius floridanus Schuster (Coleoptera: Passalidae)

Laboratory studies assessed the effect of group size on egg-carrying behavior and walking speed of adults of the subsocial beetle, Odontotaenius floridanus Schuster (Coleoptera: Passalidae). Adult males tested solo carried significantly fewer eggs per individual when compared with males tested in groups of 4 and 8 individuals. Similarly, adult males and females in groups of 4 and 8 individuals exhibited significantly faster walking speeds when tested in a linear runway as compared with adults tested alone. There was no significant difference in the number of eggs carried or walking speed between beetles tested in groups of 4 or 8 individuals. This represents the first demonstration of social facilitation in passalid beetles. The adaptive significance of social facilitation in insects is discussed.
Bringing Genomics to Medicine: Ethical, Policy, and Social Considerations

Through unprecedented scientific progress and technical feats genomics has rushed into the clinical arena. While the recent explosion of knowledge and functional indications for genomic information bring great potential to improve care through the development of clinical applications, the necessary evidence thresholds for making care decisions and other professional guidelines remain to be developed. Intrinsic to considering the necessary practices and infrastructure for implementing genomic medicine is a robust consideration of the relevant ethics, policies, and social considerations to promote and sustain the credibility of genomic medicine’s potential and the public’s confidence in and acceptance of that potential. This chapter explores the high-level policy and ethics issues influencing the development of genomic medicine during the current transition between discovery and knowledge application, with an emphasis on issues for clinicians to consider.
Letter from incoming Editor in Chief of Molecular Medicine, Dr. Betty Diamond.

I am pleased and honored to accept the position of Editor in Chief of Molecular Medicine, published by The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. Molecular Medicine reflects The Fein-stein Institute for Medical Research’s continuous commitment to provide an interface between basic science and transforming clinical practice. I have worked at this interface for many years, guiding student and postdoctoral fellows interested in translating biomedical research into improved clinical practice. I am very excited to be involved with a journal that values the work done in this scientific space. Molecular Medicine is more than a scientific journal. Over the past several years, we have established and granted the Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine and the Anthony Cerami Award in Translational Medicine. The Ross Prize recognizes innovative, paradigm-shifting research that is worthy of significant and broad attention in the field of molecular medicine. Additionally, by offering the stories behind pioneering advances, the Cerami Award monographs provide sources of inspiration and insight to subsequent generations. In line with the mission of the journal and publisher, we sponsor and disseminate content prepared for scientific meetings such as the Merinoff World Congress and the Merinoff Symposia. My vision for the next phase of Molecular Medicine is to continue providing a journal that is user-friendly and responsive to contributors. We look forward to keeping our roster of contributing authors who make the journal lively and significant. Going forward, we plan on expanding the topics covered by the journal as well as developing special collections around disease topics. For example, this year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the journal and are planning an exciting retrospective for the occasion. I would like to thank Drs. Cerami and Tracey for their stewardship of the journal over the past eight years, and I look forward to their continued support as Editors Emeriti. In closing, I look forward to taking on this new role, and I welcome suggestions and feedback from you, our readers and authors, that may improve your user experience.
Toward an understanding of surface layer formation, growth, and transformation at the glass–fluid interface

Abstract Silicate glass is a metastable and durable solid that has application to a number of energy and environmental challenges (e.g., microelectronics, fiber optics, and nuclear waste storage). If allowed to react with water over time silicate glass develops an altered layer at the solid-fluid interface. In this study, we used borosilicate glass (LAWB45) as a model material to develop a robust understanding of altered layer formation (i.e., amorphous hydrated surface layer and crystalline reaction products). Experiments were conducted at high surface area-to-volume ratio (∼200,000 m−1) and 90 °C in the pressurized unsaturated flow (PUF) apparatus for 1.5-years to facilitate the formation of thick altered layers and allow for the effluent solution chemistry to be monitored continuously. A variety of microscopy techniques were used to characterize reacted grains and suggest the average altered layer thickness is 13.2 ± 8.3 μm with the hydrated and clay layer representing 74.8% and 25.2% of the total altered layer, respectively. The estimate of hydrated layer thickness is within the experimental error of the value estimated from the B release rate data (∼10 ± 1 μm/yr) over the 1.5-year duration. PeakForce® quantitative nanomechanical mapping results suggest the hydrated layer has a modulus that ranges between ∼20 and 40 GPa, which is in the range of porous silica that contains from ∼20 to ∼50% porosity, yet significantly lower than dense silica (∼70–80 GPa). Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images confirm the presence of pores and an analysis of a higher resolution image provides a qualitative estimate of ≥22% porosity in the hydrated layer with variations in void volume with increasing distance from the unaltered glass. Chemical composition analyses, based on a combination of time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), scanning electron microscopy with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and STEM-EDS, clearly show that the altered layer is mainly composed of Al, H, Si, and O with the clay layer being enriched in Li, Zn, Fe, and Mg. The amorphous hydrated layer is enriched in Ca, H, and Zr with a minor amount of K. Furthermore, ToF-SIMS results also suggest the B profile is anti-correlated with the H profile in the hydrated layer. Our selected-area electron diffraction results suggest the structure of the hydrated layer closely resembles opal-AG (amorphous gel-like) with an average crystallite size of ∼0.7 nm which is smaller than the critical nucleus for silica nanoparticles (i.e., 1.4–3 nm). These results suggest the hydrated layer is more consistent with a polymeric gel rather than a colloidal gel and is comprised of molecular units ( O Zr units, during the glass corrosion process. The size of individual particles or molecular units is a function of formation conditions (e.g., pH, ionic strength, nano-confinement, solute composition) in the hydrated layer.
Fractional vertices, cuts and facets of the simple plant location problem

This paper investigates the structure of the Integer Programming Polytope of an uncapacitated (simple) plant location problem. One can describe families of fractional vertices and derive from them valid inequalities for the integer problem. Some of these will actually be shown to be facets of the integer polytope. Also some families of SPLP with large duality gaps will be described, together with facets which bridge these gaps. Much of the motivation stems from algorithmic work in which the exploitation of “good” cutting planes within a direct dual algorithm have been shown to be of crucial importance.
Taming the Wild Roadways: Teamwork, Communication, and Synchronization Across Space

How does the mind picture typical traffic upon the world’s roadways? Perhaps we think of the apparently random wanderings of ants, except that on our roadways the aimlessness is bounded by the roadsides. Citizen drivers populating roadways include free spirits, aimlessly driving their cares away, as well as lethal weapons, taking out their frustrations recklessly.
EXTENSION BLOCK SPLINTING

Extension block splinting (EBS) at the proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers is a common technique for both primary treatment of reduced dorsal dislocations/fracture-dislocations at that joint and as a rehabilitation method following open reduction of such injuries. It is seldom realized that the method is a classic example of two orthopedic principles: stable arc splinting and early protected motion. As a primary treatment technique, following reduction of the dislocation, EBS is exemplary for an ideal group of cases, competitive for a marginal group of cases, and often unsatisfactory for a questionable group of cases. Demarcation between the groups is made, and the technique of EBS is reviewed.
Impact of Fungal MAPK Pathway Targets on the Cell Wall

The fungal cell wall is an extracellular organelle that provides structure and protection to cells. The cell wall also influences the interactions of cells with each other and surfaces. The cell wall can be reorganized in response to changing environmental conditions and different types of stress. Signaling pathways control the remodeling of the cell wall through target proteins that are in many cases not well defined. The Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase pathway that controls filamentous growth in yeast (fMAPK) was required for normal growth in media containing the cell wall perturbing agent Calcofluor White (CFW). A mass spectrometry (MASS-SPEC) approach and analysis of expression profiling data identified cell wall proteins and modifying enzymes whose levels were influenced by the fMAPK pathway. These include Flo11p, Flo10p, Tip1p, Pry2p and the mannosyltransferase, Och1p. Cells lacking Flo11p or Och1p were sensitive to CFW. The identification of cell wall proteins controlled by a MAPK pathway may provide insights into how signaling pathways regulate the cell wall.
High outcoupling efficiency blue organic light emitting diodes using an internal tilted nanotube array layer

To minimize the influence of the refractive index mismatch between transparent conductive layer (e.g. Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)) and glass substrate on the light outcoupling efficiency (LOE) of organic light emitting diode (OLED), in this paper, we present a blue OLED with high LOE by incorporating a layer of tilted nanotube array as an internal light extraction structure in an optimal location. In comparison with conventional planar OLED, the LOE can be increased from 10.9 to 55.3%. The increase in LOE is mainly due to the strong disruption of waveguided mode. The tilted structure can be potentially used to develop high efficiency OLEDs.
Conclusions and Key Concepts

Many terms are used interchangeably in mechanical ventilation, and this leads to confusion. Select appropriate terms, and use them consistently. Key concepts include tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute ventilation, PEEP, resistance, compliance, peak inspiratory pressure, plateau pressure, autoPEEP, and derecruitment. Modes of ventilation are assist control (including volume control and pressure control, as well as pressure-regulated volume control), pressure support, and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation. Tidal volume should be selected for 6–8 mL/kg of predicted body weight, based upon height and sex. The respiratory rate should be selected to target a reasonable minute ventilation. PEEP should be set at minimum of 5 cmH2O, and titrated higher as needed to correct for hypoxemia and derecruitment. Once the ventilator settings are selected the patient must be continuously reassessed, settings such be titrated based on ABG results, and peak inspiratory pressures and plateau pressures monitored to reduce harm. Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), asthma, COPD, and neurologic injury are especially vulnerable populations of ventilated patients who require additional attention and careful ventilator management. While mechanically ventilated patients are among the most critically ill patients cared for in the ED, appropriate, evidence-based care can positively impact the patients’ trajectories and improve outcomes.
Comparison of RCC surveillance guidelines: Competing tradeoffs.

6594 Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is now detected at earlier stages than in the past due to increased use of abdominal imaging for unrelated medical conditions. Three organizations offer ...
Long-term evaluation of AAV-CRISPR genome editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a monogenic disorder and a candidate for therapeutic genome editing. There have been several recent reports of genome editing in preclinical models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy1–6, however, the long-term persistence and safety of these genome editing approaches have not been addressed. Here we show that genome editing and dystrophin protein restoration is sustained in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy for 1 year after a single intravenous administration of an adeno-associated virus that encodes CRISPR (AAV-CRISPR). We also show that AAV-CRISPR is immunogenic when administered to adult mice7; however, humoral and cellular immune responses can be avoided by treating neonatal mice. Additionally, we describe unintended genome and transcript alterations induced by AAV-CRISPR that should be considered for the development of AAV-CRISPR as a therapeutic approach. This study shows the potential of AAV-CRISPR for permanent genome corrections and highlights aspects of host response and alternative genome editing outcomes that require further study. In the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, single intravenous administration of AAV-CRISPR–Cas9 vectors provides efficient genome editing and restoration of dystrophin expression lasting for one year.
Genomic Medicine-Progress, Pitfalls, and Promise.

In the wake of the Human Genome Project (HGP), strong expectations were set for the timeline and impact of genomics on medicine—an anticipated transformation in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. In this Perspective, we take stock of the nascent field of genomic medicine. In what areas, if any, is genomics delivering on this promise, or is the path to success clear? Where are we falling short, and why? What have been the unanticipated developments? Overall, we argue that the optimism surrounding the transformational potential of genomics on medicine remains justified, albeit with a considerably different form and timescale than originally projected. We also argue that the field needs to pivot back to basics, as understanding the entirety of the genotype-to-phenotype equation is a likely prerequisite for delivering on the full potential of the human genome to advance the human condition.
Non-clairvoyantly Scheduling to Minimize Convex Functions

The paper considers scheduling jobs online to minimize the objective $$\sum _{i \in [n]}w_ig(C_i-r_i)$$ , where $$w_i$$ is the weight of job i, $$r_i$$ is its release time, $$C_i$$ is its completion time and g is any non-decreasing convex function. It is known that the clairvoyant algorithm Highest-Density-First (HDF) is $$(2+\epsilon )$$ -speed O(1)-competitive for this objective on a single machine for any fixed $$ 0< \epsilon < 1$$ (Im et al., in: ACM-SIAM symposium on discrete algorithms, pp 1254–1265, 2012). In this paper, we give the first non-trivial results for this problem when g is a non-decreasing convex function and the algorithm must be non-clairvoyant. More specifically, our results include: The paper gives the first non-trivial upper-bound on multiple machines even if the algorithm is allowed to be clairvoyant. All performance guarantees above hold for all non-decreasing convex functions gsimultaneously. The positive results are supplemented by almost matching lower bounds. We show that any algorithm that is oblivious to g is not O(1)-competitive with speed augmentation less than 2 on a single machine. Further, any non-clairvoyent algorithm that knows the function g cannot be O(1)-competitive with speed augmentation less than $$\sqrt{2}$$ on a single machine or $$(2-\frac{1}{m})$$ on m identical machines.
Effect of twinned-structure on deformation behavior and correlated mechanical properties in a metastable β-Ti alloy

Abstract A microstructure design approach, which leads to twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) effects through twinned structures, is investigated in this study to tune deformation behavior and correlated mechanical properties in Ti–Nb based Gum Metal (Ti–23Nb-0.7Ta–2Zr-1.3O, at.%). The pre-twinned Gum Metal exhibits a pronounced improvement in uniform elongation and work hardening rate, but a lower yield strength with increasing a twin fraction in the microstructure. To shed light on the underlying deformation mechanism responsible for the mechanical response under tensile stress, a global Schmid factor and a Kernel average misorientation are evaluated from experimentally observed results by electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The deformation behavior of the twinned Gum Metal demonstrates that intentional introduced twins are strongly related to the overall softening behavior, and enhanced uniform ductility, attributed to well-distributed twins throughout the entire microstructure based on the ‘composite effect’.
Perceptions of depression among Hispanics with Pentecostal beliefs

ABSTRACTPrevious research has shown that Hispanics in the US and Christians, specifically Pentecostals, may hold beliefs about psychological disorders that affect help-seeking. In this study, Hispa...
Efficacy of Three-Drug Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Preoperative Chemoradiation in Patients with Localized Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND Preoperative induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation yields better R0 resection rates, pathologic complete response (pCR) rates and improved survival for localized gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). We report the effect of three-drug induction chemotherapy on a large cohort of localized GAC patients. METHODS We identified 97 patients with localized GAC who received three-drug induction chemotherapy followed by preoperative chemoradiation therapy. We assessed various endpoints (overall survival [OS], recurrence-free survival [RFS], R0 resection and pCR rate). RESULTS The median follow-up time was 3.5 years (range; 0.4-16.7). The induction chemotherapy regimen was a fluoropyrimidine and a platinum compound (cisplatin or oxaliplatin) with a taxane (docetaxel or paclitaxel) for 95% of patients. Seventy-three (75.3%) out of 97 patients underwent planned surgery. R0 resection and pCR rae were 93.2 and 20.6%, respectively. Pathologic partial response (<50% residual carcinoma) rate was 50.7%. The median OS was 6.4 years (95% Cl 3.3-12.4) for the entire cohort and 11.1 years (95% Cl 7.1-not estimable) for patients that underwent surgery. The estimated 2- and 5-year OS rates were 72.4% (95% CI 62.1-80.3) and 54.3% (95% CI 43.2-64.1) for the entire cohort and 83.2% (95% CI 72.3--90.1) and 66% (95% CI 52.3-75.8) for patients that underwent surgery. Pathologic lesser stage (stage I/II vs. stage III/IV) (p = 0.001) and R0 resection (p = 0.02) were independently associated with longer RFS in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION Our data shows that three-drug combination is feasible without providing substantial advantage compared with two-drug combination in this setting of preoperative induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation and surgery.
The known and unknown about the testicular descent and undescended testes

The mechanism of testicular descent in development of testis in embryonic period is very complex, and undescended testes(cryptorchidism) is a very common anomaly of the male genitalia.As it is close relatively with the later impaired fertility and cancer risk, involving reproduction, development, endocrinology and psychology, et al, the explorations of the mechanisms of testicular descent are continuing, and the studies on undescended testes such as the exact cause, pathogenesis, proper strategies for diagnosis and treatment are in progress.Along with some muddle becoming clear, the new puzzles often emerged.Perhaps this is getting closer to the truth.This paper is basically outlining the current research situation from the known and unknown aspects. Key words: Testicular descent; Undescended testes; Child
Outbreak of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections associated with a cardiology clinic, West Virginia, 2012-2014.

OBJECTIVE To stop transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in association with myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) at a cardiology clinic. DESIGN Outbreak investigation and quasispecies analysis of HCV hypervariable region 1 genome. SETTING Outpatient cardiology clinic. PATIENTS Patients undergoing MPI. METHODS Case patients met definitions for HBV or HCV infection. Cases were identified through surveillance registry cross-matching against clinic records and serological screening. Observations of clinic practices were performed. RESULTS During 2012-2014, 7 cases of HCV and 4 cases of HBV occurred in 4 distinct clusters among patients at a cardiology clinic. Among 3 case patients with HCV infection who had MPI on June 25, 2014, 2 had 98.48% genetic identity of HCV RNA. Among 4 case patients with HCV infection who had MPI on March 13, 2014, 3 had 96.96%-99.24% molecular identity of HCV RNA. Also, 2 clusters of 2 patients each with HBV infection had MPI on March 7, 2012, and December 4, 2014. Clinic staff reused saline vials for >1 patient. No infection control breaches were identified at the compounding pharmacy that supplied the clinic. Patients seen in clinic through March 27, 2015, were encouraged to seek testing for HBV, HCV, and human immunodeficiency virus. The clinic switched to all single-dose medications and single-use intravenous flushes on March 27, 2015, and no further cases were identified. CONCLUSIONS This prolonged healthcare-associated outbreak of HBV and HCV was most likely related to breaches in injection safety. Providers should follow injection safety guidelines in all practice settings.
The Clinical Significance of Immediate Mandibular Lateral Translation: Critically Appraised Topic (CAT).

Purpose The purpose of this Critically Appraised Topic was to investigate the possible clinical relevance of recording the immediate mandibular lateral translation. Materials and methods A literature search limited to Clinical trials, Randomized Controlled Trials, Systematic Reviews, Meta Analyses, and using the PICO headings revealed no citations. Using the key words dental, occlusion, immediate side shift, also received no citations. Expanding the search criteria to include Journal Articles revealed 17 citations. Using dental occlusion, Bennett movement, revealed 21 citations. Results The cited articles were reviewed for relevance and duplicates were eliminated. The resulting 10 English language in vivo studies pertinent to the question were included. Other articles were culled from the author's library and the reference list of the aforementioned articles. There is no evidence on the prevalence of IMLT in patients in need of occlusal rehabilitation. There is agreement that the recording of the IMLT is reference point and recording instrument dependent. There is agreement that IMLT is observable on some patients and is minimal in magnitude. There is no evidence of any adverse clinical events as a result of not including IMLT in a restorative occlusal scheme. Conclusions It is justifiable to question the necessity of attempting both to record immediate mandibular lateral translation on the average patient and reproduce it on an articulator.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Notice and Consent Requirements under the GDPR, the CCPA/CPRA, and the FCC Broadband Privacy Order

We compare the notice and consent requirements of the three recent privacy regulations that are most likely to serve as the starting points for the creation of a comprehensive consumer privacy bill in the United States: the European General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act / California Privacy Rights Act, and the Federal Communications Commission’s Broadband Privacy Order. We compare the scope of personal information under each regulation, including the test for identifiability and exclusions for de-identified information, and identify problems with their treatment of de-identified information and of pseudonymous information. We compare notice requirements, including the level of required detail and the resulting ability of consumers to understand the use and flow of their personal information, and identify deficiencies with consumers’ ability to track the flow of their personal information. Finally, we compare consumer choices under each regulation, including when a consumer must agree to the use of their personal information in order to utilize a service or application, and find that none of the regulations take full advantage of the range of options, and thereby fail to disincentive tracking.
Design of Anaerobic Digestion Systems

Two improvements made in digestion systems in the last generation are temperature control and digester mixing. Other environmental factors can also be more closely controlled to obtain better digester performance. Thorough digester mixing will permit total use of the digester volume for microbial activity. Return of sludge from a separation device to the mixed digester permits short liquid detention times in the digestion system without sacrificing the long solids retention time necessary for adequate stabilization of the organic load to the system. Sludge recycle increases the concentration of active organisms in the digester. Volatile acid concentration will vary because of environmental and operation changes. Increased loading rates increase the buffer capacity of the system at the same time making better use of digester volume. Illustrations of how these factor shave been used in the design of anaerobic systems are provided.
Sol–Gel Encapsulation of Metal and Semiconductor Nanocrystals

The ability to encapsulate nanocrystals in glass matrices affords the opportunity to fabricate a variety of robust materials exhibiting properties tunable with the size, shape, or composition of the dopant. Among the various methods to these composites, sol–gel processing has the distinction of being a ‘wet chemistry’ approach, as it relies on high purity chemical reagents and mild reaction conditions to generate three-dimensional metal-oxide polymeric networks. Two general routes to noble metal and semiconductor nanocrystal-sol–gel composites are explored. In one strategy, the synthesis of the nanocrystal occurs during the fabrication of the host matrix. This direct growth method has been investigated as an express route to nanocrystal-doped glasses that typically involves the addition of metal salts to sol–gel precursors. Subsequent reduction or precipitation of the embedded metal salts, either with gases or other chemical reagents, leads to the formation of the desired nanocrystals. The second approach exploits the synthetic procedures already available for making high quality, crystalline nanoscale materials and focuses on a decoupled process in which the synthesis of the colloidal nanocrystals is independent of the fabrication of the composite network. In this way, the size, shape, and composition of the nanocrystals can be tailored for specific applications, promising a precise control over the dopant that is unavailable in the direct growth method. Improvements in these procedures have led to the preparation of uniformly dispersed nanocrystal-sol–gel composites with high nanocrystal volume loadings and narrow nanocrystal size dispersities that have aroused considerable interest for their unique optical, catalytic, and electronic behaviors. Keywords: sol–gel; glass; semiconductor nanocrystal; metal nanocrystal; quantum dot; quantum confinement; third-order optical nonlinearities; optical gain; lasing
The paradigm for creating multi-lingual text-to-speech voice databases

Voice database is one of the most important parts in TTS systems. However, creating a high quality new TTS voice is not an easy task even for a professional team. The whole process is rather complicated and contains plenty minutiae that should be handled carefully. In fact, in many stages, human interference such as manually checking or labeling is necessary. In multi-lingual situations, it is more challenge to find qualified people to do this kind of interference. That’s why most state-of-the-art TTS systems can provide only a few voices. In this paper, we outline a uniform paradigm for creating multi-lingual TTS voice databases. It focuses on technologies that can either improve the scalability of data collection or reduce human interference such as manually checking or labeling. With this paradigm, we decrease the complexity and work load of the task.
Financial Risk Measurement and Joint Extreme Events: The Normal, Student-T, and Mixture of Normals

We all know that the normal distribution does a poor job of representing the tails of the distribution for financial returns or P&L in the univariate case - observed distributions have fat tails. What receives less attention is that for a joint normal distribution events in the tails look as if they are independent: Extreme events will not occur together, whatever the correlation (except for the boundary cases of ±1). This has important implications because it is precisely the occurrence of joint losses in multiple assets that are most important for generating large overall losses. And it is generally accepted that, empirically, financial assets do exhibit joint extreme behavior.