cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
You Say IFRS, I Say FASB…Let's Call the Whole Thing Off.

This paper discusses the noticeable nervousness of many US-based financial statement issuers in adopting IFRS. For contextual purposes, the paper provides an overview of the FASB/IFRS convergence so far and its probable future. A detailed review of convergence in accounting standards is explained through the respective standards for Pensions and Other Post-Employment Benefits. The paper concludes by suggesting that, while one set of global steps is a noble goal, it might not achieve the desired goal of comparability.
Health Information and the Like

![Figure][1] CREDIT: ROBERT CHURCHILL/ISTOCKPHOTO In their Report “Social influence bias: A randomized experiment” (9 August, p. [647][2]), L. Muchnik et al. explore whether Internet rating dynamics are influenced by the online community. They found that a comment that is initially
The Use of Economic Evaluation to Inform Newborn Screening Policy Decisions: The Washington State Experience.

Policy Points: Newborn screening not only saves lives but can also yield net societal economic benefit, in addition to benefits such as improved quality of life to affected individuals and families. Calculations of net economic benefit from newborn screening include the monetary equivalent of avoided deaths and reductions in costs of care for complications associated with late-diagnosed individuals minus the additional costs of screening, diagnosis, and treatment associated with prompt diagnosis. Since 2001 the Washington State Department of Health has successfully implemented an approach to conducting evidence-based economic evaluations of disorders proposed for addition to the state-mandated newborn screening panel. Context Economic evaluations can inform policy decisions on the expansion of newborn screening panels. This article documents the use of cost-benefit models in Washington State as part of the rule-making process that resulted in the implementation of screening for medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency and 4 other metabolic disorders in 2004, cystic fibrosis (CF) in 2006, 15 other metabolic disorders in 2008, and severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) in 2014. Methods We reviewed Washington State Department of Health internal reports and spreadsheet models of expected net societal benefit of adding disorders to the state newborn screening panel. We summarize the assumptions and findings for 2 models (MCAD and CF) and discuss them in relation to findings in the peer-reviewed literature. Findings The MCAD model projected a benefit-cost ratio of 3.4 to 1 based on assumptions of a 20.0 percentage point reduction in infant mortality and a 13.9 percentage point reduction in serious developmental disability. The CF model projected a benefit-cost ratio of 4.0-5.4 to 1 for a discount rate of 3%-4% and a plausible range of 1-2 percentage point reductions in deaths up to age 10 years. Conclusions The Washington State cost-benefit models of newborn screening were broadly consistent with peer-reviewed literature, and their findings of net benefit appear to be robust to uncertainty in parameters. Public health newborn screening programs can develop their own capacity to project expected costs and benefits of expansion of newborn screening panels, although it would be most efficient if this capacity were shared among programs.
Myocardium from the Left and Right Ventricles of Human Hearts have Similar Mechanical Properties

The left and right ventricles (LV and RV) of human hearts generate different pressures. It is not clear if this difference in pressure reflects the arrangement of cells in each ventricle, or the force generating capacity of individual myocytes. Thus, the aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that cells from the RV and LV of human hearts have different mechanical properties. Chemically permeabilized multicellular preparations from both ventricles of hearts explanted from patients with heart failure (n=12) and patients without a history of heart failure (non-failing samples) (n=6) were attached between a force transducer and a motor to determine mechanical properties. Similar to prior data from our laboratory, heart failure reduced isometric force and maximum power by ∼40% (p 0.05). There were no significant interactions between heart failure status and region. These data imply that myocardium from the left and right ventricles has comparable mechanical properties and that heart failure impacts both ventricles in a similar way. Interventricular differences in chamber function are most likely to reflect structural effects as opposed to the intrinsic contractile properties of the cells.
Combination with Thu to Address Pharmacologic Limitations of Decitabine, Interim PK/PD from a Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of Oral Thu-Decitabine in Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1) is a validated molecular target for epigenetic therapy of non-malignant diseases (e.g., sickle cell disease, SCD) and cancer. DNMT1 can be depleted by decitabine (Dec), an FDA-approved drug, without off-target cytotoxicity, reproducibly demonstrated pre-clinically. Dec, however, has pharmacologic limitations that impede translation into clinical epigenetic therapy. For e.g., DNMT-depletion requires Dec levels to overlap with cellular S-phase entry, yet the plasma half-life of Dec is Therefore, to address limitations of Dec, this Phase 1/2 clinical trial combined oral Dec with a CDA inhibitor (oral tetrahydrouridine, THU) in patients with high risk, hydroxyurea refractory SCD (NCT01685515). The pharmacokinetic (PK) objectives were to (i) extend Dec half-life/Tmax, to hours instead of minutes to increase S-phase dependent DNMT1-depletion (ii) without high Dec Cmax that causes off-target effects and cytotoxicity (intended Cmax >5nM and Sixteen patients had received placebo or Dec at time of writing. Dec PK was measured in 8 non-placebo subjects (2 each in cohort 1 and 2, 3 in cohort 3, and the 1 subject enrolled thus far in cohort 4). Dec levels were detectable in all. Cmax was at 2 hrs, with a 50% decline from Cmax observed at 4 hrs (Fig 2, PK). There was a dose-dependent increase in Cmax and AUC (Fig 2). Previously, relative bioavailability in mice of oral THU-Dec vs oral Dec was estimated at 900% (Lavelle et al, Blood 2012). Circulating F-cells (HbF enriched red cells) were observed to increase in cohort 4 (Dec 0.08 mg/kg, approx. 3 mg/m2) when Cmax approached 20 nM: 14.4% at baseline to 22% at week 4 to 31% at week 8; with corresponding increases in HbF% from 1.8 to 3.4 to 5.4% (Fig 2, PD). This data was consistent with the minimum dose of oral THU-Dec that increases HbF% in baboons scaled by body surface area (Lavelle et al, Blood 2012). Combining mini-dose Dec with the CDA inhibitor THU Dec produced a major improvement in oral bioavailability and the wide Dec concentration-time profile (low Cmax, long Tmax) that is desirable for DNMT1-depletion without cytotoxicity. These observations also imply multi-hour, balanced distribution of Dec through solid tissues. Stated another way, this PK data confirms that CDA is responsible for the severe reduction in Dec half-life from >12 hours in vitro to Download : Download high-res image (177KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Download : Download high-res image (133KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 2 . Disclosures DeSimone:University of Illinois at Chicago: patents related to decitabine Patents & Royalties. Saunthararajah:University of Illinois at Chicago: patents related to decitabine Patents & Royalties.
Dopamine inhibits AVP-dependent Na+ transport and water permeability in rat CCD via a D4-like receptor

We studied the receptor responsible for dopamine action in isolated perfused cortical collecting ducts (CCD) from rats treated with deoxy-corticosterone. (Critical experiments were repeated in CCD from untreated rats with the same results.) At doses > or = 1 microM, dopamine inhibited arginine vasopressin (AVP)-dependent Na+ and water transport (measured by the unidirectional lumen-to-bath 22Na+ flux and the transepithelial voltage) and osmotic water permeability (Pf). The effects of dopamine were not reversed by the dopamine-1 (D1) antagonist SCH-23390, and no inhibition was produced by the D1 agonists fenoldopam or SKF-81247. When Na+ transport and Pf were stimulated with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate plus 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dopamine did not inhibit, suggesting a "D2-type" receptor. However, the D2 agonist quinpirole had no effect on the AVP-dependent transepithelial voltage (VT), and the D2 and D3 antagonists domperidone and pimozide did not reverse dopamine inhib...
Cuzco to the Chiricahuas: The Annals of a Spanish Colonial Alcalde, Don Domingo Teran de los Rios

ABSTRACTThe life of a seventeenth century Spanish military and civil servant in New Spain is chronicled. Born near Burgos, Spain, around 1640, Don Domingo Teran de los Rios served in Peru, Veracruz, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Texas. He died near the Chiricahua Mountains in what is now Arizona, in 1695.
Generation of submillimeter radiation by mixing of optical wavelengths

One approach to the problem of generating signals in the submillimeter range is to start from the large outputs available both at centimeter wavelengths or below one micron wavelength, and synthesize them by using non-linear media. The first alternative involves harmonic generation of microwave fundamental frequencies, and experience has shown that it is very difficult to obtain acceptable conversion efficiency above doubling or tripling. The second approach has become possible since the advent of high power masers in the optical and near infrared regions of the spectrum. These signal generators are capable of pulsed outputs of many kilowatts, and their frequency stabil ity is quite sufficient to provide monochromatic beat notes at wavelengths thousands of times larger.
De subitaneis mortibus. V. Occluded A-V node artery.

Two cases of sudden death are described, a boy of 16 and a woman of 34. Both had marked narrowing of the atrioventricular (A-V) node artery and fibrosis in the His bundle. Whereas he had been known to have complete heart block for several years, she was thought to be in excellent health until her sudden unexpected death. The degree of fibrosis in his His bundle was so extensive that one can doubt any effective transmission of a sinus impulse. Her His bundle was much less involved, but this may have been the consequence of her death during an initial mal-function of this crucial region of the heart, whereas prolonged survival of the boy (by electronic pacing) permitted a final view of the later histological consequences of the same initial arterial lesion. Both also had a mild degree of myocarditis and narrowing of a few other small coronary arteries (the large ones were normal). The possible functional inter-relationship of these factors is discussed.
Texture Evolution of a Fine-Grained Mg Alloy at Dynamic Strain Rates

AMX602 (Mg-6%Al-0.5%Mn-2%Ca) is a high strength Mg alloy that was manufactured by the spinning water atomization process (SWAP) and extruded into a plate geometry. The processing produces an alloy with a weak rolling texture (for Mg) and grains between 0.5 and 5 μm. Quasi-static and dynamic compression experiments were carried out to probe the material’s mechanical behavior in the three processing directions. The tested plate showed deformation mechanism induced anisotropy consistent with what has been observed for other Mg alloys. The texture evolution was measured after loading in the three directions using X-ray diffraction at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS). A computationally efficient crystal plasticity model that demarcates twinning, basal slip, and non-basal slip mechanisms was utilized to predict the texture evolution and compared to the experimental texture. The model was able to predict the reorientation of grains associated with twin dominated yielding in the extrusion and transverse directions, and strengthening of the texture associated with slip dominated deformation in the normal direction.
AustinMan and AustinWoman: High-fidelity, anatomical voxel models developed from the VHP color images

The current versions (v2.3) of AustinMan and AustinWoman anatomical voxel models are presented with the methodology used to generate them from the Visible Human Project's color cross-sectional anatomical images. Both models are freely available online and documented in detail to increase their reproducibility. Visualizations of the models are shown to highlight their complexity.
Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Organic Chemistry Applications

The fluorescence of organic molecules consists of the emission of light by molecules, which have previously absorbed visible or ultraviolet radiation. The measurement of fluorescence often permits very low analyte detection limits and is widely employed in quantitative analysis, especially as a detection and quantitation method in liquid chromatography. This article deals with the nature of organic molecular fluorescence, its dependence on molecular structure, reactivity and interactions with the environment and its utility in the trace analysis of organic compounds.
Evidence-Based Practices in Special Education: Current Assumptions and Future Considerations.

The research on evidence-based practices (EBP) in special education has shifted over the last decade from identifying efficacious interventions to exploring issues that impede implementation in the classroom. Common barriers to implementation include absence of training and resources, limited collaboration between researchers and practitioners, and the lack of fit between the intervention and environment. These obstacles are frequently cited in the literature in relation to the disparity between research and practice. Although the barriers cited in the research are valid, it is important for stakeholders to investigate this issue from other perspectives and to consider obstacles not readily discussed. The purpose of this article is to examine how contradictions between implementation fidelity and individualized instruction, and misconceptions between educational terminology and legislation, all impede implementation of evidence-based practices. A review of the EBP literature was conducted, beginning with pivotal research discussed in evidence-based reviews to examine the differences between EBPs and other terminology. Additionally, the outcomes of various court cases were reviewed to determine whether EBPs are in fact legally required. A new set of assumptions is required to highlight the barriers not readily discussed regarding the implementation of EBPs. Specifically, the importance of individualizing instruction for students and how these modifications and accommodations may impact fidelity of implementation. Additionally, researchers and policymakers must clarify the ambiguous language used in legislation and relevant terminology, and communicate these discrepancies to all stakeholders.
Local search methods for k-means with outliers

We study the problem of k-means clustering in the presence of outliers. The goal is to cluster a set of data points to minimize the variance of the points assigned to the same cluster, with the freedom of ignoring a small set of data points that can be labeled as outliers. Clustering with outliers has received a lot of attention in the data processing community, but practical, efficient, and provably good algorithms remain unknown for the most popular k-means objective.Our work proposes a simple local search-based algorithm for k-means clustering with outliers. We prove that this algorithm achieves constant-factor approximate solutions and can be combined with known sketching techniques to scale to large data sets. Using empirical evaluation on both synthetic and large-scale real-world data, we demonstrate that the algorithm dominates recently proposed heuristic approaches for the problem.
Development of Customized Orthotics Based on Lower-Leg Anthropometric Data and Task

The paper presents the development of a customizable lower-leg orthotic device. It consists of a single degree of freedom multi-loop linkage designed to facilitate task-specific lower extremity training for rehabilitation purposes. The device guides the knee, ankle and foot of the user along a walking trajectory obtained from motion capture of a healthy human subject. We hypothesize that a device that closely mimics natural human walking motion will be able to provide more desirable design solutions in terms of comfort, stability and safety. Multibody dynamic simulation software OpenSim is used to characterize and assess the trajectory produced by the proposed device. The dynamic simulation predicts the effects of walking with the device and allows the study of the interaction of the orthotic device with the human body during the conceptual and detailed design phases.
Accurate Determination of Coulombic Efficiency for Lithium Metal Anodes and Lithium Metal Batteries

Lithium (Li) metal is an ideal anode material for high energy density batteries. However, the low Coulombic efficiency (CE) and the formation of dendrites during repeated plating and stripping processes have hindered its applications in rechargeable Li metal batteries. The accurate measurement of Li CE is a critical factor to predict the cycle life of Li metal batteries, but the measurement of Li CE is affected by various factors that often lead to conflicting values reported in the literature. Here, several parameters that affect the measurement of Li CE are investigated and a more accurate method of determining Li CE is proposed. It is also found that the capacity used for cycling greatly affects the stabilization cycles and the average CE. A higher cycling capacity leads to faster stabilization of Li anode and a higher average CE. With a proper operating protocol, the average Li CE can be increased from 99.0% to 99.5% at a high capacity of 6 mA h cm−2 (which is suitable for practical applications) when a high-concentration ether-based electrolyte is used.
Aetna and 68Ga-DOTATATE: A Sequel to “The Injustice of Being Judged by the Errors of Others” ()

![Figure][1] Johannes Czernin More than a year ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) approved and reimbursed 68Ga-DOTATATE PET imaging for patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The biodistribution and dosimetry of
The twin impact of homophily and accessibility on ideological polarization

We present an agent-based model to explore the causes of one aspect of ideological polarization: the extent to which members of a society have social ties only with those they agree with. Specifically, we look at two variables that affect how an artificial social network structure is built: homophily, or the preference of individuals to form connections with others of the same "kind"; and accessibility, or the ease with which agents can form connections to others distant from it, as opposed to only local agents in its immediate vicinity. Our model builds a graph according to these two parameters, and then executes the classic Binary Voter Model (BVM) process on it whereby connected nodes influence one another's opinions. We find that counter to our original hypothesis, increasing the society's accessibility decreases its polarization, especially for high levels of homophily. Also, we discover that the rate at which agents form and dissolve friendships during the simulation plays a nuanced role in the way the society evolves.
Low Photon Count Phase Retrieval Using Deep Learning

Imaging systems' performance at low light intensity is affected by shot noise, which becomes increasingly strong as the power of the light source decreases. In this Letter, we experimentally demonstrate the use of deep neural networks to recover objects illuminated with weak light and demonstrate better performance than with the classical Gerchberg-Saxton phase retrieval algorithm for equivalent signal over noise ratio. The prior contained in the training image set can be leveraged by the deep neural network to detect features with a signal over noise ratio close to one. We apply this principle to a phase retrieval problem and show successful recovery of the object's most salient features with as little as one photon per detector pixel on average in the illumination beam. We also show that the phase reconstruction is significantly improved by training the neural network with an initial estimate of the object, as opposed to training it with the raw intensity measurement.
Reaching Further or Staying Local? The Impact of Distance on New Venture Growth

New ventures feed into ecosystems of investors, human capital, and other businesses. This paper considers the impact of a having a diverse mix of early stage funding options on the subsequent milestones and growth potential of startups in terms of follow-on investment and employment growth through new hires. We leverage differences in geographic reach of different funding sources using novel microdata on a matched sample of startups. We find that having a diverse mixture of startups and funding sources impacts subsequent VC investment and hiring outcomes. Whether a startup hails from the same or distant region as the funder plays a large role in the early development of startups. This effect is amplified for startups in accelerators relative to those with angel group funding.
The Legacy of Allotment

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the federal government pursued an Indian policy of allotting tribal lands and assimilating Indians. Although Congress formally ended the practice of allotment in 1934, and repudiated the assimilation policy, the legacy of allotment lingers on in the Indian law opinions of the U.S. Supreme Court. In a series of cases that are contrary to the canons of construction, the Court's own precedents, and modern federal Indian policy, the Court diminished tribal territories and restricted tribal sovereignty over the territory that remains. This article describes the allotment policy and its repudiation by Congress, and then explores the Court's revival of allotment's legacy - first in the Court's most recent interpretation of the General Allotment Act itself, next in the cases where the Court invoked the legacy of allotment to deprive tribes of their lands, and finally in the cases where the Court left the territorial boundaries intact, but used the legacy of allotment to dispossess the tribes of full sovereign authority over those territories.
A Bayesian Framework for EV Battery Capacity Fade Modeling

In this study, we present a Bayesian Networks (BNs) approach for the electric vehicle (EV) battery degradation modeling. Battery aging is caused by factors that carry heavy uncertainty, such as battery usage depending on driver behavior, temperature profile depending on location and thermal management system, etc. with all these variations complicating the battery aging modeling with traditional frameworks. That is why we propose that the modeling should be carried out in a Bayesian Network framework that is capable of incorporating uncertainty and causality. The battery aging model is developed in the Bayesian framework and set of training and test data are used to validate the model. Results show that the BN model has a promising performance in the battery aging modeling. The model is also used to estimate the battery capacity loss in real driving cycles.
Antegrade Wire Escalation: The Foundation of CTO PCI

Antegrade wire escalation is the most easily understood and most widely used chronic total occlusion (CTO) crossing technique and is most appropriate for short occlusions or longer occlusions where a through-and-through microchannel is suspected. Antegrade wire escalation can be divided into seven steps. First, a microcatheter or over-the-wire balloon is selected. Second, the microcatheter is advanced to the CTO. Third, a guidewire is selected. Fourth, the guidewire tip is shaped. Fifth, the guidewire is advanced using sliding, drilling, or penetration or a combination of these techniques. Sixth, the wire position is assessed to determine further action. Seventh, if the wire crosses into the distal true lumen balloon angioplasty and stenting are performed per standard fashion; if the wire enters the subintimal space it is redirected into the distal true lumen using a variety of techniques; if the wire exits the vessel “architecture,” it is withdrawn and crossing attempts are restarted.
Implementing Photonic Crystals, Instead of Metamaterials, in the Media of Transformation Optics-based Devices

Extending Transformation Optics in optical range is challenging because of losses in metamaterials. We propose, instead, to use dielectric photonic crystals capable of supporting superluminal wave propagation and realizing spatial dispersion of refractive index values. Implementing these materials in cylindrical invisibility cloaks is demonstrated.
Diffuse Abnormal Cerebral Activation may Underlie Post-Stroke Cognitive Dysfunction, or the “Minor Stroke Syndrome” (P3.215)

Objective: To evaluate the nature and recovery of the “minor stroke syndrome”. Background: Advances in acute stroke treatment have reduced mortality, but increased the number of individuals suffering a “minor stroke syndrome”. Despite small infarct volumes, patients exhibit difficulty with tasks like attention, concentration, and multi-tasking. The underlying mechanism is unknown and thus, it’s recognition as a defined syndrome will aid in its recognition as a distinct entity. We characterize the nature of the syndrome, how it recovers over time, and potential underlying mechanisms using magneto-encephalography (MEG). Design/Methods: A consecutive series of patients with NIHSS Results: Over 8 months, 11 patients completed 1 and 6 month testing. Cognitive dysfunction was not associated with lesion location, age, education, or depression. At 6 months, the majority of patients showed improvement in each of the 6 cognitive domains, with the greatest improvement on category fluency (processing speed and executive function, p=.037); however, degree of recovery was variable. MEG at 1 month showed abnormal beta activation in areas of cortex adjacent, but separate from, the area of infarct, and diffuse orbitofrontal activation at rest. Conclusions: Patients with minor stroke exhibit deficits in cognition independent of infarct location, indicating modification of global brain dynamics. There is varied improvement by 6 months. MEG suggests abnormal activation of the neural network may be responsible. Further study is needed to determine if various patterns predict degree of recovery. Disclosure: Dr. Marsh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Llinas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Llinas has nothing to disclose.
Resonance frequencies of a spherical aluminum shell subject to prestress from internal fluid pressure

Vibration measurements of a spherical aluminum shell (6 in. diameter) filled with water show that the resonance frequencies of the shell shift higher or lower with increasing water pressure, depending on the specific mode of vibration. For a given mode, the rate of frequency shift with pressure change Δf/Δp is approximately linear for gauge pressures up to 100 psi. Frequency shifts were detected for pressure changes as small as 0.2 psi or 10 mm Hg. Observations of positive frequency shifts are consistent with previous studies (from the 1950s) involving submerged cylindrical shells subject to much larger pressures. Analysis from this era suggests that the phenomenon is due to geometric nonlinearity; however, the negative frequency shift observed with low order modes is not predicted by this theory. The feasibility of developing a noninvasive method for monitoring intracranial pressure using shifts in skull resonance frequencies will also be discussed.Vibration measurements of a spherical aluminum shell (6 in. diameter) filled with water show that the resonance frequencies of the shell shift higher or lower with increasing water pressure, depending on the specific mode of vibration. For a given mode, the rate of frequency shift with pressure change Δf/Δp is approximately linear for gauge pressures up to 100 psi. Frequency shifts were detected for pressure changes as small as 0.2 psi or 10 mm Hg. Observations of positive frequency shifts are consistent with previous studies (from the 1950s) involving submerged cylindrical shells subject to much larger pressures. Analysis from this era suggests that the phenomenon is due to geometric nonlinearity; however, the negative frequency shift observed with low order modes is not predicted by this theory. The feasibility of developing a noninvasive method for monitoring intracranial pressure using shifts in skull resonance frequencies will also be discussed.
Presidents’ Ethnic Identity and Citizens’ National Attachment in Africa

Does the ethnic identity of a country’s leader have an effect on citizens’ national identity? This question is particularly relevant in ethnically diverse states in Africa where national identity i...
Now That Was A Riot!: Social Control in Felonious Times

In early 2017, dozens of US states introduced legislation designed to further criminalize confrontational protest tactics through expanding the scope of felony prosecutions and summoning the specte...
Molecular Imaging with 3'-deoxy-3'[(18)F]-Fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) PET/CT for Early Response to Targeted Therapies in Sarcomas: A Pilot Study.

Although 3′-deoxy-3′[(18)F]-fluorothymidine (FLT)-positron emission tomography (PET) has been utilized for tumor response assessment to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcomas, it has not been exploited for the assessment of early response to systematically targeted therapies. Herein, we investigated the 18F-FLT PET/CT kinetics in patients with sarcoma who received targeted therapies. Among 15 patients with sarcoma who underwent 18F-FLT PET/CT, 5 patients (33%) patients were imaged at three time points: At baseline and at 1–15 weeks (MDM2-inhibitor treatment), and 10 patients (67%) were imaged twice: At baseline and at 1–4 weeks (MDM2 inhibitor, n = 5; c-met inhibitor n = 5). The patients with sarcoma had a total of 18 identifiable tumors. Twelve of 15 patients (80%) demonstrated 18F-FLT concentrations changes early, i.e., at 1–4 weeks. Eight patients responded (53.3%), four patients progressed (26.7%) based on FLT change of more than 10% increase, and three patients (20%) demonstrated no change. 18F-FLT PET/CT may be used for early response imaging to molecularly targeted therapies in patients with sarcoma. Further larger studies in specific sarcoma sub-types are warranted.
Pancreatic stromal Gremlin 1 expression during pancreatic tumorigenesis

Abstract Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a major risk factor of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). How CP promotes pancreatic oncogenesis remains unclear. A characteristic feature of PDAC is its prominent desmoplasia in the tumor microenvironment, composed of activated fibroblasts and macrophages. Macrophages can be characterized as M1 or M2, with tumor-inhibiting or -promoting functions, respectively. We reported that Gremlin 1 (GREM1), a key pro-fibrogenic factor, is upregulated in the stroma of CP. The current study aimed to investigate the expression of GREM1 and correlation between GREM1 and macrophages within the pancreas during chronic inflammation and the development of PDAC. By mRNA in situ hybridization, we detected GREM1 mRNA expression within α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive fibroblasts of the pancreatic stroma. These designated FibroblastsGrem1+ marginally increased from CP to pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and PDAC. Within PDAC, FibroblastsGrem1+ increased with higher pathological tumor stages and in a majority of PDAC subtypes screened. Additionally, FibroblastsGrem1+ positively correlated with total macrophages (MacCD68+) and M2 macrophages (M2CD163+) in PDAC. To begin exploring potential molecular links between FibroblastsGrem1+ and macrophages in PDAC, we examined the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an endogenous counteracting molecule of GREM1 and an M1 macrophage promoting factor. By IHC staining of MIF, we found MIF to be expressed by tumor cells, positively correlated with GREM1; by IHC co-staining, we found MIF to be negatively correlated with M2CD163+ expression. Our findings suggest that GREM1 expression by activated fibroblasts may promote PDAC development, and GREM1/MIF may play an important role in macrophage phenotype.
Trauma patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): a propensity matched analysis.

Given the growing number of people worldwide living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a larger subset of these patients are now susceptible to sustaining a traumatic injury. However, the impact of HIV on outcomes in trauma with modern antiretroviral treatment remains unclear. We hypothesized mortality and rates of infectious and inflammatory complications would be higher in HIV positive (HIV+) trauma patients. The Trauma Quality Improvement Program was queried to identify trauma patients ≥ 18 years of age with HIV. Due to the imbalance between HIV+ and HIV negative (HIV−) trauma patients, a 1:2 propensity-matched model was utilized. Matched variables included age, injury severity score, mechanism of injury, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and patient comorbidities. 84 HIV+ patients were matched to 168 HIV− patients. Compared to HIV− patients, HIV+ patients had no significant differences in mortality rate (9.5% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.144) or infectious complications, including pneumonia (6.0% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.530), urinary tract infection (1.2% vs. 1.2%, p = 1.000), or severe sepsis (1.2% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.156). However, higher rates of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (9.5% vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001) and acute kidney injury (AKI) (4.8% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.004) were observed. HIV+ trauma patients are not at higher risk of mortality or infectious complications, likely due to the advent and prevalence of combination antiretroviral therapy. However, HIV positivity appears to increase the risk of AKI and ARDS in trauma patients. Further research is needed to confirm this finding to elucidate the etiology underlying this association.
The Impact of Dental Implant Surface Modifications on Osseointegration and Biofilm Formation.

Implant surface design has evolved to meet oral rehabilitation challenges in both healthy and compromised bone. For example, to conquer the most common dental implant-related complications, peri-implantitis, and subsequent implant loss, implant surfaces have been modified to introduce desired properties to a dental implant and thus increase the implant success rate and expand their indications. Until now, a diversity of implant surface modifications, including different physical, chemical, and biological techniques, have been applied to a broad range of materials, such as titanium, zirconia, and polyether ether ketone, to achieve these goals. Ideal modifications enhance the interaction between the implant’s surface and its surrounding bone which will facilitate osseointegration while minimizing the bacterial colonization to reduce the risk of biofilm formation. This review article aims to comprehensively discuss currently available implant surface modifications commonly used in implantology in terms of their impact on osseointegration and biofilm formation, which is critical for clinicians to choose the most suitable materials to improve the success and survival of implantation.
Identifying developmental stuttering and associated comorbidities in electronic health records and creating a phenome risk classifier.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to identify cases of developmental stuttering and associated comorbidities in de-identified electronic health records (EHRs) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and, in turn, build and test a stuttering prediction model. Methods A multi-step process including a keyword search of medical notes, a text-mining algorithm, and manual review was employed to identify stuttering cases in the EHR. Confirmed cases were compared to matched controls in a phenotype code (phecode) enrichment analysis to reveal conditions associated with stuttering (i.e., comorbidities). These associated phenotypes were used as proxy variables to phenotypically predict stuttering in subjects within the EHR that were not otherwise identifiable using the multi-step identification process described above. Results The multi-step process resulted in the manually reviewed identification of 1,143 stuttering cases in the EHR. Highly enriched phecodes included codes related to childhood onset fluency disorder, adult-onset fluency disorder, hearing loss, sleep disorders, atopy, a multitude of codes for infections, neurological deficits, and body weight. These phecodes were used as variables to create a phenome risk classifier (PheRC) prediction model to identify additional high likelihood stuttering cases. The PheRC prediction model resulted in a positive predictive value of 83 %. Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility of using EHRs in the study of stuttering and found phenotypic associations. The creation of the PheRC has the potential to enable future studies of stuttering using existing EHR data, including investigations into the genetic etiology.
Enhancement-Mode Gate-Recess-Free GaN-Based p -Channel Heterojunction Field-Effect Transistor With Ultra-Low Subthreshold Swing

We report enhancement-mode ${p}$ -channel heterojunction field-effect transistors (HFETs) without gate recess on a standard ${p}$ -GaN/AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) platform. The ${p}$ -GaN in the gate region was partially passivated by a low-power hydrogen plasma treatment process, and the remaining active ${p}$ -GaN and the underlying AlGaN formed the ${p}$ -channel. The device showed a record low off-state leakage of $ A/mm and subthreshold swing ( SS ) of 123.0 mV/dec with a threshold voltage ( ${V} _{\text {th}}$ ) of −0.6 V and high-temperature stability up to 200 °C. These results indicate that the hydrogen plasma treatment is beneficial for suppressing leakages and preserving excellent material quality in the ${p}$ -channel. With the success of the ${p}$ -HFETs, the ${p}$ -GaN/AlGaN/GaN platform can enable the monolithic integration of GaN ${n}$ - and ${p}$ -channel transistors without the need for regrowth. This work represents a significant step towards the implementation of the GaN CMOS technology.
Dietary Quality of Americans by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Status: A Systematic Review.

Context The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is an effective component in reducing food insecurity in the U.S. In the discussion of strategies to also help SNAP participants maximize diet quality, it is important to know their current dietary patterns and food choices. This paper provides a systematic review of recent U.S. studies on dietary quality, food consumption, and spending among SNAP participants as compared to income-eligible and higher-income nonparticipants. Evidence acquisition The review, completed in 2014, summarized studies that were peer-reviewed, published between January 2003 and August 2014, and provided data on dietary quality and intake of SNAP participants and nonparticipants. Evidence synthesis Twenty-five studies were included in this review. Daily caloric, macronutrient, and micronutrient intake of SNAP participants did not differ systematically from those of income-eligible nonparticipants; however, differences in dietary quality emerged. Adult SNAP participants scored lower on the Healthy Eating Index than either group of nonparticipants. Children's diets were similar among SNAP participants and low-income nonparticipants, but were less nutritious than diets of higher-income children. The evidence regarding sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was mixed, with most studies indicating significantly higher beverage intake among SNAP participants compared with higher-income nonparticipants, but no difference compared to income-eligible nonparticipants. Conclusions SNAP effectively alleviates food insecurity in terms of caloric, macronutrient, and micronutrient intake. Still, SNAP participants are struggling more than income-eligible and higher-income nonparticipants to meet key dietary guidelines. Future policies should ensure that this vital food assistance program addresses diet quality while reducing food insecurity.
Chip Level Protection

Chapter 3 reviewed one form of protection — environmental protection. This focused on reducing the likelihood that an ESD event would occur and minimizing the magnitude of any discharge. The problem with only doing this form of protection is the fact that having an ESD event is inevitable. At some point in a part’s useful life it will be exposed to an ESD event. It is not sufficient to assume that the level of the ESD event will be low enough to allow it to continue to function. The designer must assume the responsibility for providing the most robust circuit that can be built within the constraints of the project. This brings us to the focus of this chapter — providing chip level protection. Chip level protection has two aspects that are key to its success. The first is directing the charge (current) through elements designed to carry it without being destroyed. The second is clamp the voltage produced by the conduction path below the voltage that causes damage. Conducting the current and clamping the voltage are the key points to providing ESD protection. The goal is to minimize the current density and electric field in a device during the ESD event [4–1].
Everyday Wearable Computer Use: A Case Study of an Expert User

Wearable computers are a unique point in the mobile computing design space. In this paper, we examine the use of a wearable in everyday situations. Specifically, we discuss findings from a case study of an expert wearable computer user in an academic research setting over an interval of five weeks. We examine the use of the computer by collecting periodic screen shots of the wearable’s display and utilize these screen shots in interview sessions to create a retrospective account of the machine’s use and the user’s context. This data reveals that the user employs the computer to augment his memory in various ways. We also found evidence of the wearable’s use while engaged in another primary task. Furthermore, we discuss the intricate strategies developed by the participant that enable him to utilize the wearable in these roles.
Closed circular viral DNA and asymmetrical heterogeneous forms in livers from animals infected with ground squirrel hepatitis virus.

Abstract To identify possible intermediates in the replication of ground squirrel hepatitis virus, we characterized the major forms of intracellular virus-specific DNA in the livers of infected ground squirrels. A variety of DNA species were found: covalently closed circular molecules, relaxed circular molecules, and a heterogeneous collection of molecules that migrated ahead of closed circular DNA during agarose gel electrophoresis. The heterogeneous DNA was at least partly single stranded, consisted of minus strands in a greater than eight-fold mass excess of plus strands, and was tightly associated with protein.
Detection and incidence of specific species of spoilage bacteria on fish. II. Relative incidence of Pseudomonas putrefaciens and fluorescent pseudomonads on haddock fillets.

Abstract Pseudomonas putrefaciens has been found to constitute one of the major species of spoilage bacteria on haddock fillets. The initial population of this organism on fillets of high bacterial quality is uniformly below 4% and most frequently no greater than 1%. During refrigerated storage, the organism increases at a more rapid rate than the total psychrophilic population, comprising 50 to 90% of the total population when the total count exceeds 106/g of tissue. Fluorescent pseudomonads were shown to constitute a second group of predominant pseudomonads constituting up to 19.3% of the total population after 8 days of refrigerated storage. Of a total of 45 fluorescent pseudomonads isolated from haddock fillets, 14 (31.1%) were found to be potent fish spoilers. The use of a soft-agar-gelatin plating technique showed a parallel increase of proteolytic organisms with total count indicating that proteolytic organisms other than P. putrefaciens and fluorescent pseudomonads increase at a slower rate than these two groups.
SNP: an interface for secure network programming

SNP provides a high-level abstraction for secure end-to-end network communications. It supports both stream and datagram semantics with security guarantees (e.g., data origin authenticity, data integrity and data confidentiality). It is designed to resemble the Berkeley sockets interface so that security can be easily retrofitted into existing socket programs with only minor modifications. SNP is built on top of GSS-API, thus making it relatively portable across different authentication mechanisms conforming to GSS-API. SNP hides the details of GSS-API (e.g., credentials and contexts management), the communication sublayer as well as the cryptographic sublayer from the application programmers. It also encapsulates security sensitive information, thus preventing accidental or intentional disclosure by an application program.
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitor Dyslipidemia in Kidney Transplant Recipients

The incidence, pathogenesis, consequences and treatment of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor dyslipidemia are not well described. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials reporting cholesterol and triglycerides in mTOR versus non-mTOR inhibitor immunosuppressive treatment regimens in kidney transplant recipients. All but one of 17 trials reported higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, or an increased prevalence of treatment with lipid-lowering agents. Approximately 60% of mTOR inhibitor-treated patients received lipid-lowering agents (2-fold higher than controls). There appeared to be little difference between dyslipidemias caused by sirolimus (14 trials) versus everolimus (3 trials). It was difficult to determine the extent to which declines in lipids over time posttransplant were due to lipid-lowering therapy, changes in doses and/or discontinuations of mTOR inhibitors. From the four trials that measured lipoproteins, it appeared that at least some of the increase in total cholesterol with mTOR inhibitors was due to increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. What direct or indirect effects mTOR inhibitors have on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in kidney transplant patients are unknown. However, in the absence of the necessary clinical trials, dyslipidemia should be managed, as it would be in nontransplant patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease.