cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of field and online observations for measuring land uses using the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS)

Abstract Land use mix reflects the availability of diverse destinations providing opportunities for active transportation. Online mapping platforms (e.g. Google Maps) show promise for measuring neighborhood features due to their ease of use and accessibility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of an online version of the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS) tool by comparing Google׳s Aerial View (AV), Street View (SV), and a composite of the two views (Composite) to in-person field audits. Raters evaluated residential routes and commercial clusters ( n =120) using the online MAPS tool in low and high walkability and socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhoods of two U.S. regions. Thirty land uses were evaluated for each route and cluster. Concurrent validity between field and online audits was examined using percent agreement and weighted kappa statistics ( κ ) for individual items and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for item subscales. Reliability was examined using ICCs. Most field-to-online land use item comparisons showed moderate to perfect agreement ( κ =0.41–0.88). SV (10 out of 19 comparisons) outperformed AV (7 out of 19) and Composite (9 out of 19) compared to field audits. Subscale comparisons were fair to almost perfect (ICC 0.27-0.89). AV (7 out of 10 subscales) outperformed SV compared to field audits. Reliability between AV and SV was substantial to perfect (ICC 0.61-1.00) for most items (15 out of 21 eligible items) and substantial to almost perfect (ICC 0.61-0.96) for 9 of the 10 subscales. Online approaches did not differ after stratifying routes by SES. Audits using online MAPS were an acceptable alternative to evaluating land uses in the field. The Street View method is recommended based on better performance with individual land uses and equal performance in high and low socioeconomic status neighborhoods.
Validation of an oligo-gene signature for the prognostic stratification of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

Current evidence suggests that the majority of DCIS lesions do not progress to invasive carcinoma, and overtreatment of DCIS is a significant problem. We previously reported an 8-gene signature that differentiated microdissected low-grade (LG) DCIS lesions with and without associated stromal invasion, based on differential DNA copy number changes detected by quantitative (q) PCR. The current study was undertaken to validate our candidate breast cancer invasion gene panel in a larger series of non-microdissected LG DCIS cases, and to investigate its potential utility in intermediate-grade (IG) and high-grade (HG) DCIS. Representative paraffin blocks were selected from 267 resected DCIS cases with 5–15 years of follow-up (139 pure DCIS [“PD”] and 128 mixed DCIS with associated invasion [“MD”]). These included 171 LG, 46 IG and 50 HG DCIS cases. Gene copy number changes were determined by qPCR, and their differential distribution in the PD and MD subgroups was evaluated. As an alternate platform, we employed immunohistochemistry (IHC). Novel IHC assays were developed for all eight candidate genes, and increased or reduced protein expression was manually scored. Separate multi-gene models were developed for qPCR and IHC to distinguish progressing and non-progressing DCIS lesions. By qPCR analysis, a panel of six genes, as well as CELSR1 alone (a potential invasion suppressor), differentiated PD and MD cases in LG and IG, but not in HG DCIS. By IHC, a panel of three genes, as well as GRAP2 alone (a potential invasion promoter), also distinguished PD and MD cases in LG and IG, but not in HG DCIS. The combination of CELSR1 (by qPCR) and GRAP2 (by IHC) had the best discriminatory power (p = 0.00004). Assays testing either or both of these genes have the potential to become important adjuncts for choosing appropriate treatment for LG/IG DCIS patients.
Nonfacial Reconstructive Techniques

BACKGROUND Nonfacial reconstruction encompasses several anatomic locations with varied topography, skin quality, and tissue reservoirs. Patients also have varied mobility concerns and wound care needs when managing wounds in these areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS This article includes techniques and approaches from the dermatologic surgery, plastic surgery, and podiatric surgery literature in an effort to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject matter. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Functionally and esthetically acceptable reconstructions of nonfacial surgical wounds can be accomplished with a variety of techniques based on the characteristics of the wound and unique needs of the patient.
An application of the multiple knapsack problem: The self-sufficient marine

Abstract Self-Sufficiency (SS) is the ability to maintain capability without external support or aid. Operations in austere environments with limited functional infrastructure and logistical support, which are common in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as military operations, must be self-sufficient. In this paper, we explore the challenges of SS in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Marines engage in a wide variety of expeditionary operations, and must function without logistical support for long stretches of time. They face competing constraints, including the load that a squad can carry, mission requirements, resources required for sustainment, and the extent to which resources can be shared. We extend the knapsack problem in several ways to model a Marine squad's decisions regarding what items to carry and how to distribute them. The Office of Naval Research found the models and the results to be significant as baseline analysis for the resource demands of a self-sufficient squad. Though the data and scenarios are USMC-specific, the challenges of SS can be found in any expeditionary undertakings or operations in austere environments.
Predicting global community properties from uncertain estimates of interaction strengths

The community matrix measures the direct effect of species on each other in an ecological community. It can be used to determine whether a system is stable (returns to equilibrium after small perturbations of the population abundances), reactive (perturbations are initially amplified before damping out), and to determine the response of any individual species to perturbations of environmental parameters. However, several studies show that small errors in estimating the entries of the community matrix translate into large errors in predicting individual species responses. Here, we ask whether there are properties of complex communities one can still predict using only a crude, order-of-magnitude estimate of the community matrix entries. Using empirical data, randomly generated community matrices, and those generated by the Allometric Trophic Network model, we show that the stability and reactivity properties of systems can be predicted with good accuracy. We also provide theoretical insight into when and why our crude approximations are expected to yield an accurate description of communities. Our results indicate that even rough estimates of interaction strengths can be useful for assessing global properties of large systems.
Maternal physical and sedentary activities in relation to reproductive outcomes following IVF

Physical activity could benefit reproductive function through its ability to regulate energy balance and improve insulin sensitivity, but its association with IVF outcomes remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pre-treatment physical and sedentary activity is associated with outcomes of IVF. The Environment and Reproductive Health Study is an ongoing prospective cohort study that enrols subfertile couples at Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center. Time spent in physical and sedentary activities in the year before IVF treatment is self-reported using a validated questionnaire. This analysis included 273 women who underwent 427 IVF cycles. Women engaged in a median of 2.8 h per week of moderate-to-vigorous activities. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activities and total metabolic equivalent task hours before IVF were not associated with probability of implantation, clinical pregnancy or live birth. Of the specific physical activities, only greater time spent in aerobics, rowing, and on the ski or stair machine was associated with higher probability of live birth. Time spent in total and specific sedentary activities were not associated with clinical outcomes of IVF. Physical activity is unlikely to have a deleterious effect on IVF success and certain forms of vigorous activity may be beneficial.
Degrees, Intersection Numbers, and the Euler Characteristic

We now have enough machinery at our disposal to develop one of the most important tools in topology: the degree of a map f: M → N, where M and N are compact n-manifolds, N is connected, and ∂M = ∂N = O. This degree is an integer if M and N are oriented, an integer mod 2 otherwise.
Healthcare utilization and costs associated with cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare but devastating malignancy associated with a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. With the recent advances in detection and treatment, it is unclear if the incidence and outcomes of cholangiocarcinoma are improving in the United States. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends in the incidence, costs and mortality rates of cholangiocarcinoma- related hospital admissions in the USA. METHODS We utilized the National Inpatient Sample Database (NIS) from 1997-2012 for all patients in whom cholangiocarcinoma (ICD-9 code 155.1, 156) was the principal discharge diagnosis. The temporal trends in the number of hospital admissions, length of stay and, hospitalization costs along with mortality rates over the study period were determined by using regression analysis for trends. RESULTS There was a significant increase in the number of hospital admissions for cholangiocarcinoma as the principal diagnosis from 1997 to 2012 (10 357 vs 11 970, P<0.001). The mean length of stay for cholangiocarcinoma decreased by 17 % between 1997 and 2012 from 9.5 days to 7.9 days (P<0.001). However, during the same period, the mean hospital charges per patient (adjusted for inflation) increased 113.25% from $36 460 in 1997 to $77 753 in 2012. The in-hospital mortality rate decreased from 9.3% in 1997 to 6.4% in 2012 (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS There was a significant increase in the number of hospital admissions and associated costs from cholangiocarcinoma in the USA between 1997 and 2012. However, this was accompanied by a decrease in the inpatient mortality rates from cholangiocarcinoma.
Impact of AIDS Education and Training Centers on the US HIV Medical Workforce.

Objectives. To examine the extent to which the AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs) are increasing the number and racial/ethnic diversity of HIV medical providers, in accordance with the US National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS).Methods. We used administrative data from funding year 2012-2013 to describe AETC trainee characteristics, including the types of medical providers trained, compared with national estimates of available US medical providers to estimate the proportion of providers trained for every 1000 available providers by professional group and race/ethnicity.Results. AETCs trained 56 127 unique trainees, of whom 64.1% were medical providers and 45.5% were racial/ethnic minorities. Compared to national proportions, participation in AETC training was higher among racial/ethnic minorities. The proportions of racial/ethnic minority groups trained differed across regional AETCs.Conclusions. AETCs support NHAS goals by expanding the HIV medical workforce and strengthening the skills of minority me...
Use of Transcriptional Control to Increase Secretion of Heterologous Proteins in T3S Systems

Heterologous proteins can be produced in a bacterial host and purified from the cellular constituents. Secretion of the protein of interest to the extracellular space simplifies the purification process and is thought to alleviate toxicity problems associated with intracellular accumulation of the protein of interest. In this protocol, we describe a strategy to engineer protein secretion in a bacterial culture using transcriptional control. The transcription factor HilA is inducibly produced to control production of the secretion machine, and in turn signals the production and secretion of a protein of interest. This allows for high titer of secreted protein in optimized culturing conditions and the effect is observed with all proteins tested.
Cutting Out the Middle Man in Light-Hormone Interactions

In this issue of Developmental Cell, Shi et al. (2016a) show that red-light-activated phytochrome B interacts with transcriptional regulators of ethylene signaling, EIN3/EIL1, triggering their degradation by bringing the F-box proteins EBF1 and 2 to the complex. These findings provide a paradigm for crosstalk between light and hormone signaling pathways.
Experimental measurement of the bearing characteristics of straight-line flexure mechanisms

Abstract In this paper, we present an experimental set-up and procedure to accurately measure the bearing characteristics of any single Degree of Freedom (DoF) straight-line flexure mechanism. Bearing characteristics include stiffness in the bearing and motion directions, and error motions in the bearing directions. In particular, we present this characterization for the traditional paired double parallelogram (DP-DP) flexure and its recently-reported improved variation, the clamped paired double parallelogram (C-DP-DP) flexure. Of particular interest is the bearing direction stiffness and its variation with motion direction displacement. While the bearing stiffness for both mechanisms has been extensively predicted via analysis and its consequences have been observed in experiments, its direct measurement poses several challenges and is not found in the literature. This paper presents an experimental set-up that is reconfigurable to accommodate both the above two flexures, comprises a novel virtual pulley concept, and employs carefully selected ground mounting and sensor locations, among other features that enable the desired measurements. The experimental results agree well with analytical predictions and generate insight into the importance of ground mounting, finite compliance of mechanism features that are generally assumed to be rigid, and manufacturing tolerances.
Clinical Management of Dystonia in Childhood

Dystonia is one of the most frequent movement disorders in childhood. It can impede normal motor development and cause significant motor disability. The diagnostic evaluation of childhood dystonia is challenging due to the phenotypic variability and heterogeneous etiologies. Evidence to guide the diagnostic evaluation and treatment is limited. Assessment is primarily directed by clinical history and distinctive examination findings. Neuroimaging is typically necessary to evaluate for acquired or complex inherited dystonias. A trial of levodopa can be both diagnostic and therapeutic in children with dopa-responsive dystonia. However, for the majority of children with early-onset dystonia, treatment is symptomatic with varying efficacy. There is a paucity of therapeutic trials for childhood dystonia and most treatment recommendations are consensus or expert opinion driven. This review summarizes the available evidence and guidelines on the diagnostic evaluation and pharmacological treatment of childhood-onset dystonia and provides practical frameworks to approach both issues based on best evidence.
Failure of Apparently Rewarding Electrical Brain Stimulation to Serve as a Reinforcer for T-Maze Learning

Eighteen, 23-hr, food deprived, self-stimulating rats were divided into two groups. One group received 20 EBS pulses as a reward for a correct response in a T-maze while a second group received food reward. The subjects learned the correct T-maze response for food reinforcement during 5 days of 10 massed trials per day, but failed to show any evidence of learning for EBS “reinforcement”, either within sessions or over days, using measures of errors or running speeds. Such an exception raises serious question as to whether EBS is a transituational reinforcer or not, and if not, its mechanism of influences upon behavior.
Introduction to NMR Studies of Metals, Metallic Compounds, and Superconductors

NMR studies of high-\(T_c\) materials and other correlated–electron systems developed in a context of many years of NMR studies of conventional superconductors as well as of d-band transition metals, alloys, and intermetallic compounds.
BMI Trajectories in Youth and Adulthood

Data from numerous longitudinal studies, including the Fels Longitudinal Study and the Bogalusa Heart Study, reveal that youth with higher BMI are more likely to have obesity in adulthood than youth with lower BMI.1 These studies have also revealed that although the positive predictive value of obesity in childhood and adolescence is high (typically >90%), most adults with obesity did not have obesity in childhood or adolescence. In this issue of Pediatrics , Buscot et al2 use an innovative statistical method, the Bayesian Hierarchical Piecewise regression,3 and data from the Young Finns Study between 1980 and 2011 to model BMI trajectories. Similar to other studies, the authors found that individuals with lower BMIs in young childhood, specifically age 6 years, were less likely to have obesity in adulthood. Perhaps more importantly, BMI trajectories in adolescence and early adulthood were important determinants of obesity status between the ages of 34 and 49 years. The unique contribution … Address correspondence to Cynthia L. Ogden, PhD, National Center for Health Statistics/CDC, 3311 Toledo Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782. E-mail: cogden{at}cdc.gov
Combining curriculum studies and cultural studies as a move toward the concrete in postqualitative research

ABSTRACTThis paper posits a move “toward the concrete” as a specific combination of curriculum studies and Cultural Studies, placing it squarely within the frames of postqualitative research (Lather & St. Pierre, 2013; St. Pierre, 2011, 2013b, 2014). In addition to examining the theoretical legacies of the aforementioned fields, this paper focuses on four areas, posited by Helfenbein (2003), in which Cultural Studies can inform postqualitative educational research: materialism, (anti)antiessentialism, social constructivism, and radical contextuality. In doing so, this paper contends that for researchers, a sound theoretical base is needed if one is to engage in postqualitative research and offers toward the concrete as one such possibility.
Rapid detection of beta-lactamase by PADAC test strip

A total of 967 isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were tested for the production of beta-lactamase by the PADAC test strip, and the results were compared with acidometric, disk diffusion and antibiotic dilution procedures. All the penicillinase producting strains of gonococci (23) and Haemophilus influenzae (36) gave positive results with PADAC, but the 361 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis remained negative. All of the 547 strains of penicillin sensitive strains of gonococci, Haemophilus and staphylococci were negative with PADAC test.
The red cell distribution width as a prognostic indicator in upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the relationship between the Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and prognosis in upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer. Methods PubMed (via the web), Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched. A systematic review and meta-analysis was done to generate the pooled hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS), and recurrence free survival (RFS). Results Our analysis included the results of 4200 patients in 8 cohorts. The pooled data demonstrated that an elevated RDW was associated with significantly poorer OS (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.13–1.83), RFS (HR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.13–1.82). The DSS result had high heterogeneity and 95% CI was not pooled. Conclusions An elevated RDW may be an indicator of poor prognosis in UADT cancers in certain populations. Further research is needed to confirm this effect.
Radiographic appearance and clinical significance of fidget spinner ingestions

According to anecdotal press reports, there have been medically significant ingestions of fidget spinner toys, including ingestions that required endoscopic intervention. Fidget spinners have been marketed to improve attention and have been suggested as a therapeutic alternative to medications in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To describe the radiographic appearance and features of ingested fidget spinner components. To evaluate clinical significance via rates of endoscopic intervention, incidence in patients on ADHD medications, and mean age compared to other accidental foreign body ingestions. A nested retrospective case control study analyzed pediatric accidental foreign body ingestions identified via electronic medical record search between March 1, 2017, and Feb. 28, 2018. Radiographic identifiability, component type and maximum diameter of ingested fidget spinner components were described. A nested cohort of non-fidget spinner ingestions between May 1 and Aug. 31, 2017, was compared with the fidget spinner ingestions for rates of endoscopic intervention (a), concomitant use of ADHD medication (b) and mean age (c) using the Fisher exact test (a and b) and independent samples t-test (c). There were 1,095 unintentional foreign body ingestions. Ten were ingested fidget spinner component ingestions. Eight of the 10 ingested components were radiographically identifiable. Compared with the nested cohort of non-fidget spinner ingestions, fidget spinner ingestions were more likely to undergo endoscopic intervention (P=0.009, 5/10 fidget spinner ingestions vs. 54/383 other ingestions). Fidget spinner patients were more likely to be on ADHD medication (P=0.011, 2/10 fidget spinners vs. 5/383 other). Fidget spinner mean patient age was significantly older than other ingestions (P=0.015, mean: 7.1 years fidget spinner ingestions vs. 4.0 years for other ingestions). Compared with other foreign body ingestions, patients who ingested fidget spinner components were more likely to undergo endoscopic intervention, had a higher rate of ADHD medication use and were older. Familiarity with the radiographic appearance of ingested fidget spinner components is important for patient management.
Ordering and Understanding the Exercise Stress Test

The exercise stress test is a useful screening tool for the detection of significant coronary artery disease. Documentation of the patient's symptoms, medications, past and current significant illnesses, and usual level of physical activity helps the physician determine if an exercise stress test is appropriate. The physical examination must include consideration of the patient's ability to walk and exercise, along with any signs of acute or serious disease that may affect the test results or the patient's ability to perform the test. The test report contains comments about the maximal heart rate and level of exercise achieved, and symptoms, arrhythmias, electrocardiographic changes and vital signs during exercise. This report allows the clinician to determine if the test was "maximal" or "submaximal." The quality of the test and its performance add to the validity of the results. The conclusion section of the test report indicates whether the test results were "positive," "negative," "equivocal" or "uninterpretable." Further testing may be indicated to obtain optional information about coronary artery disease and ischemic risk if the test results were equivocal or uninterpretable.
Cooperative Control for Autonomous Air Vehicles

The main objective of this research is to develop and evaluate the performance of strategies for cooperative control of autonomous air vehicles that seek to gather information about a dynamic target environment, evade threats, and coordinate strikes against targets. The air vehicles are equipped with sensors to view a limited region of the environment they are visiting, and are able to communicate with one another to enable cooperation. They are assumed to have some “physical” limitations including possibly maneuverability limitations, fuel/time constraints and sensor range and accuracy. The developed cooperative search framework is based on two inter-dependent tasks: (i) on-line learning of the environment and storing of the information in the form of a “target search map”; and (ii) utilization of the target search map and other information to compute on-line a guidance trajectory for the vehicle to follow. We study the stability of vehicular swarms to try to understand what types of communications are needed to achieve cooperative search and engagement, and characteristics that affect swarm aggregation and disintegration. Finally, we explore the utility of using-biomimicry of social foraging strategies to develop coordination strategies.
On Hubris, Civility, and Incivility

Hubris, excessive confidence in one’s own views and conclusions, is a dominant human trait. It comes in many guises and defines common patterns of mistakes. This essay examines several potential meanings of the terms “civility” and “incivility” when hubris influences decision making. Groups in society primarily use the labels “civility” and “incivility” to determine participation in decision making processes. The labels effectively function as exclusion instruments, although they create the appearance of inclusiveness and openness to contrarian views. The essay describes the role of hubris in establishing conformity in groups through the use of “civility” and “incivility” norms. The essay argues that reliance on the labels “civility” and “incivility” could exacerbate group vulnerability to follow the hubris of individuals, and therefore to err.
Microfluidics in Protein Chromatography

The development of microfluidics and its utilization in a myriad of applications has grown exponentially over the past 15 years. One area that has benefited from the great strides in fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) is separations chemistry. Most studies have focused on small molecule and DNA separations; few on protein chromatographic techniques on microchips. This review details recent developments in protein separations on microfluidic platforms and how MEMS have the potential for revolutionizing protein chromatography.
A Semi-Mechanistic Population Pharmacokinetic Model of Nusinersen: An Antisense Oligonucleotide for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

A pharmacokinetic (PK) model was developed for nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that is the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The model was built with data from 92 nonhuman primates (NHPs) following intrathecal doses (0.3-7 mg) and characterized the PK in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma, total spinal cord, brain, and pons. The estimated volumes were 13.6, 937, 4.5, 53.8, and 2.11 mL, respectively. Global sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the CSF-to-plasma drug distribution rate (0.09 hour-1 ) is a major determinant of the maximum nusinersen concentration in central nervous system (CNS) tissues. Physiological age-based and body weight-based allometric scaling was implemented with exponent values of -0.08 and 1 for the rate constants and the volume of distribution, respectively. Simulations of the scaled model were in agreement with clinical observations from 52 pediatric phase I PK profiles. The developed model can be used to guide the design of clinical trials with ASOs.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V-5% hydroxyapatite composite fabricated using electron beam powder bed fusion

Abstract A novel, Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64)/Hydroxyapatite (HA at 5% by weight concentration) metal/ceramic composite has been fabricated using electron beam powder bed fusion (EPBF) additive manufacturing (AM): specifically, the commercial electron beam melting (EBM®) process. In addition to solid Ti64 and Ti64/5% HA samples, four different unit cell (model) open-cellular mesh structures for the Ti64/5% HA composite were fabricated having densities ranging from 0.68 to 1.12 g/cm3, and corresponding Young’s moduli ranging from 2.9 to 8.0 GPa, and compressive strengths ranging from ∼3 to 11 MPa. The solid Ti64/5%HA composite exhibited an optimal tensile strength of 123 MPa, and elongation of 5.5% in contrast to a maximum compressive strength of 875 MPa. Both the solid composite and mesh samples deformed primarily by brittle deformation, with the mesh samples exhibiting erratic, brittle crushing. Solid, EPBF-fabricated Ti64 samples had a Vickers microindentation hardness of 4.1 GPa while the Ti64/5%HA solid composite exhibited a Vickers microindentation hardness of 6.8 GPa. The lowest density Ti64/5%HA composite mesh strut sections had a Vickers microindentation hardness of 7.1 GPa. Optical metallography (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the HA dispersoids to be highly segregated along domain or grain boundaries, but homogeneously distributed along alpha (hcp) platelet boundaries within these domains in the Ti64 matrix for both the solid and mesh composites. The alpha platelet width varied from ∼5 μm in the EPBF-fabricated Ti64 to ∼1.1 μm for the Ti64/5%HA mesh strut. The precursor HA powder diameter averaged 5 μm, in contrast to the dispersed HA particle diameters in the Ti64/5%HA composite which averaged 0.5 μm. This work highlights the use of EPBF AM as a novel process for fabrication of a true composite structure, consisting of a Ti64 matrix and interspersed and exposed HA domains, which to the authors’ knowledge has not been reported before. The results also illustrate the prospects not only for fabricating specialized, novel composite bone replacement scaffolds and implants, through the combination of Ti64 and HA, but also prospects for producing a variety of related metal/ceramic composites using EPBF AM.
Leisure and the Production Possibility Frontier: A Two-Step Pedagogy:

The production possibility frontier (PPF) is a workhorse of economics principles texts, providing useful insights. However, its assumption of a given amount of labor can confuse students, who know ...
Configurable Anonymous Authentication Schemes For The Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way of how pervasive computing devices communicate and disseminate information over the global network. A plethora of user data is collected and logged daily into cloud-based servers. Such data can be analyzed by the IoT infrastructure to capture users’ behaviors (e.g. users’ location, tagging of smart home occupancy). This brings a new set of security challenges, specifically user anonymity. Existing access control and authentication technologies failed to support user anonymity. They relied on the surrendering of the device/user authentication parameters to the trusted server, which hence could be utilized by the IoT infrastructure to track users’ behavioral patterns. This paper, presents two novel configurable privacy-preserving authentication schemes. User anonymity capabilities were incorporated into our proposed authentication schemes through the implementation of two crypto-based approaches (i) Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) and (ii) Verifiable Common Secret Encoding (VCSE). We consider a user-oriented approach when determining user anonymity. The proposed authentication schemes are dynamically capable of supporting various levels of user privacy based on the user preferences. To validate the two schemes, they were fully implemented and deployed on an IoT testbed. We have tested the performance of each proposed schemes in terms of power consumption and computation time. Based on our performance evaluation results, the proposed ZKP-based approach provides better performance compared to the VCSE-based approach.
The Demise of Dodd-Frank

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act became law on July 21, 2010. The 2000 plus page law is better known as simply Dodd-Frank. The law was enacted to provide at least a modicum of regulation to the financial industry following the recession of 2008 leading to what some called the worst economic downturn in the United States Economy since the Great Depression. On May 24, 2018 President Trump signed S. 2155, The Economic Growth, regulatory relief and Consumer Protection Act. Many believe this new law put an end to Dodd-Frank. Others believe the new law did nothing to repeal and replace Dodd-Frank. This paper explorers both sides of the debate and considers the question: Is Dodd Frank really done? Or are the reports of the demise of Dodd-Frank greatly exaggerated.
Entrapment, Culpability, and Legitimacy

In this paper, I offer a novel account of entrapment. This account suggests that the wrongness of pursuing punishment in cases of entrapment consists of two distinct components, one concerning the culpability of the entrapped defendant and the other concerning the legitimacy of the entrapping state to prosecute crimes that it has effectively created. Distinguishing these two components of entrapment, I explain, helps to clarify the moral issues at stake and to resolve some confusions and debates in existing legal analyses of entrapment.
The Long Noncoding RNA HEAL Regulates HIV-1 Replication through Epigenetic Regulation of the HIV-1 Promoter

A major challenge in finding a cure for HIV-1/AIDS is the difficulty in identifying and eradicating persistent reservoirs of replication-competent provirus. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs, >200 nucleotides) are increasingly recognized to play important roles in pathophysiology. Here, we report the first genome-wide expression analysis of lncRNAs in HIV-1-infected primary monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). We identified an lncRNA, which we named HIV-1-enhanced lncRNA (HEAL), that is upregulated by HIV-1 infection of MDMs, microglia, and T lymphocytes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-1-infected individuals show elevated levels of HEAL Importantly, HEAL is a broad enhancer of multiple HIV-1 strains because depletion of HEAL inhibited X4, R5, and dual-tropic HIV replications and the inhibition was rescued by HEAL overexpression. HEAL forms a complex with the RNA-binding protein FUS, which facilitates HIV replication through at least two mechanisms: (i) HEAL-FUS complex binds the HIV promoter and enhances recruitment of the histone acetyltransferase p300, which positively regulates HIV transcription by increasing histone H3K27 acetylation and P-TEFb enrichment on the HIV promoter, and (ii) HEAL-FUS complex is enriched at the promoter of the cyclin-dependent kinase 2 gene, CDK2, to enhance CDK2 expression. Notably, HEAL knockdown and knockout mediated by RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR-Cas9, respectively, prevent HIV-1 recrudescence in T cells and microglia upon cessation of azidothymidine treatment in vitro Our results suggest that silencing of HEAL or perturbation of the HEAL-FUS ribonucleoprotein complex could provide a new epigenetic silencing strategy to eradicate viral reservoirs and effect a cure for HIV-1/AIDS.IMPORTANCE Despite our increased understanding of the functions of lncRNAs, their potential to develop HIV/AIDS cure strategies remains unexplored. A genome-wide analysis of lncRNAs in HIV-1-infected primary monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) was performed, and 1,145 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified. An lncRNA named HIV-1-enhanced lncRNA (HEAL) is upregulated by HIV-1 infection and promotes HIV replication in T cells and macrophages. HEAL forms a complex with the RNA-binding protein FUS to enhance transcriptional coactivator p300 recruitment to the HIV promoter. Furthermore, HEAL knockdown and knockout prevent HIV-1 recrudescence in T cells and microglia upon cessation of azidothymidine treatment, suggesting HEAL as a potential therapeutic target to cure HIV-1/AIDS.
Linear Time-Periodic Systems with Exceptional Points of Degeneracy

We show how exceptional points of degeneracy (EPDs), which a coalescence of multiple eigenmodes, emerge in a linear time-periodic (LTP) systems. We establish the necessary conditions that yield an EPD in a single LTP LC resonator, however, the presented theory can be generalized to any kind of resonator with a time varying element. Furthermore, we propose an application of the EPD in a LTP LC resonator as a sensing device and show the ultra-sensitivity of such system to external perturbations.
Creating a Seafloor Mapping Plan to Fill U.S. Gaps by 2030

Did you know that as of October 2018 only 43% of U.S. oceans, coasts and Great Lakes waters are even minimally mapped? As the national hydrographic office responsible for surveying U.S. waters, NOAA's Office of Coast Survey (Coast Survey) is working with its government, academic, and industry partners through its Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping Program to strategically map the bathymetric data gaps in U.S. waters by 2030. This leadership and coordination task is no small feat; it requires survey expertise across diverse geographic settings in order to target the correct resources to the task. Coast Survey has developed a model to estimate the level of effort to map these various coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes settings. This paper will explore the analysis supporting the U.S. definition of “mapped” as well as the required level of effort needed to address unmapped areas across a range of depths by 2030. Further, this paper will discuss NOAA strategies for identifying existing data to fill bathymetric coverage gaps and optimize survey planning. Lastly, strategies for mapping the gaps will be discussed.
Efficacy of ozone for removal of pesticides, metals and indicator virus from reverse osmosis concentrates generated during potable reuse of municipal wastewaters

Abstract This study evaluated ozone treatment to address concerns regarding the discharge to marine waters of chemical contaminants and pathogens in reverse osmosis (RO) concentrates generated during the potable reuse of municipal wastewaters. Previous studies indicated that contaminants can be sorted into five groups based on their reaction rate constants with ozone and hydroxyl radical to predict degradation of chemical contaminants during ozonation of municipal effluents. Spiking representatives of each group into five RO concentrate samples, this study demonstrated that the same contaminant grouping scheme could be used to predict contaminant degradation during ozonation of RO concentrates, despite the higher concentrations of ozone and hydroxyl radical scavengers. The predictive capability of the contaminant grouping scheme was further validated for four contaminants of concern in RO concentrates, including the pesticides fipronil and imidacloprid, and the metal chelates Ni-EDTA and Cu-EDTA. After measuring their ozone and hydroxyl radical reaction rate constants, these compounds were assigned to contaminant groups, and their degradation during ozonation matched predictions. Addition of 300 mg/L CaO at pH 11 achieved partial removal of the native nickel and copper by precipitation. Ozone pretreatment further enhanced precipitation of nickel, but not copper. Ozonation achieved 5-log inactivation of MS2 in all five concentrate samples at 1.18 mg O3/mg DOC. Ozonation at 0.9 mg O3/mg DOC formed 139–451 μg/L bromate. Pretreatment of RO concentrates with chlorine and ammonia reduced bromate formation by a maximum of 48% but increased total halogenated DBP concentrations from 20 μg/L to 36 μg/L. Regardless, neither bromate nor trihalomethane concentrations exceeded threshold concentrations of concern for discharge to marine waters.
A Quadrature Median Matched Filter for Robust Detection and Estimation

We present a Quadrature Median Matched Filter (QMMF) for robust detection and estimation of constant modulus signals in additive complex white noise. We show the nonlinear QMMF is an unbiased estimator of the desired signal’s complex amplitude like the standard linear Matched Filter (MF), while also having a simple computational structure. A theoretical detection performance analysis compares the QMMF with the MF in ideal complex white Gaussian noise, quantified as a function of the number of input samples K. The difference between the QMMF and MF output noise power, or mean square error (MSE), is seen to be about 2 dB. Even though the QMMF has a higher noise power it is highly robust to outliers and non-Gaussian noise due to use of the sample median function vs. the sample mean used in the MF. We provide an example of performance with measured data from a wireless communications application based on a constant modulus, linear frequency modulated (LFM) chirp waveform.
Illustrated Guide to the Transradial Approach for Neuroendovascular Surgery: A Step-by-Step Description Gleaned From Over 500 Cases at an Early Adopter Single Center

Background Traditionally, neuroangiography for diagnosis and therapy has been achieved via the transfemoral route. Femoral access, however, has been associated with catastrophic complications. Although transradial access (TRA) has been adopted late by the field of neuroendovascular surgery, several groups have recently demonstrated a dramatically safe and rapid learning curve with a radial-first approach. However, there is a need for a detailed illustrative approach on the transradial technique. Objective To provide a detailed description of the operative technique with step-by-step illustrations derived from our single center series of 506 cases, as an early adopter. Methods A step-by-step illustrated approach to our technique of transradial angiography is provided, based on our clinical experience of an early radial-first approach. Prospective review of patients undergoing transradial angiography and interventions from April 1 to November 30, 2019, at our institution was performed. We included all cases that received radial-first arterial access for diagnostic and interventional neuroangiography. Efficacy, complications, catheter use, and radiation metrics of TRA for the entire cohort were noted. The radial approach was described in 4 stages beginning from the wrist (Stage I) and ending with distal access to target vessel of interest (Stage IV). Results A total of 506 patients underwent TRA over the 7-mo period. Procedural success was achieved in 92.3% of patients (93.7% for diagnostic and 88.5% for interventional). Crossover to the femoral route occurred in 33 (6.5%) cases (25 diagnostic and 8 interventional). The majority occurred in Stage I. No major complications were noted. Conclusion Our preferred technique for the transradial approach provides excellent safety and efficacy in performing diagnostic and interventional neuroangiography. The illustrated technical steps are expected to provide guidance for early adopters of TRA.
The Perils of Politicized Religion

In the United States, religion and partisan politics have become increasingly intertwined. The rising level of religious disaffiliation is a backlash to the religious right: many Americans are aban...
Simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic nephrectomy with kidney transplantation in patients with ESRD due to ADPKD: A single‐center experience

Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic disease (ADPKD) may require bilateral nephrectomy (BN) in addition to kidney transplantation (KT) for symptom control. This study aims to compare simultaneous BNKT to contemporaneous controls by reviewing our cohort of ADPKD patients who underwent KT from a living donor from January 2014 to October 2019. Symptomatic patients who underwent laparoscopic BNKT were compared to KT alone. Clinical differences related to undertaking bilateral nephrectomies showed increased total kidney volumes (P < .001). We assessed operative parameters, complications, and clinical outcomes. The complications were classified according to the Clavien-Dindo system. In 148 transplant recipients, 51 underwent BNKT, and 97 KT alone. There was no difference in baseline demographics. BNKT recipients had longer cold ischemia time, required more ICU care, increased blood transfusions and longer hospital stays. The kidney function was similar in the first year in both groups, with no difference in delayed graft function, readmissions or severe grade III and IV complications within 3 months after surgery. Laparoscopic BNKT is safe and feasible at the time of living donor KT. Although higher acuity care is needed with a longer initial hospital stay, there are comparable posttransplant patient and allograft outcomes.
SMARCA4 mutations in KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma: a multi-cohort analysis

KRAS is a key oncogenic driver in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Chromatin-remodeling gene SMARCA4 is comutated with KRAS in LUAD; however, the impact of SMARCA4 mutations on clinical outcome has not been adequately established. This study sought to shed light on the clinical significance of SMARCA4 mutations in LUAD. The association of SMARCA4 mutations with survival outcomes was interrogated in four independent cohorts totaling 564 patients: KRAS-mutant patients with LUAD who received nonimmunotherapy treatment from (a) The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and (b) the MSK-IMPACT Clinical Sequencing (MSK-CT) cohorts; and KRAS-mutant patients with LUAD who received immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy treatment from (c) the MSK-IMPACT (MSK-IO) and (d) the Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center (WFBCCC) immunotherapy cohorts. Of the patients receiving nonimmunotherapy treatment, in the TCGA cohort (n = 155), KRAS-mutant patients harboring SMARCA4 mutations (KS) showed poorer clinical outcome [P = 6e-04 for disease-free survival (DFS) and 0.031 for overall survival (OS), respectively], compared to KRAS-TP53 comutant (KP) and KRAS-only mutant (K) patients; in the MSK-CT cohort (n = 314), KS patients also exhibited shorter OS than KP (P = 0.03) or K (P = 0.022) patients. Of patients receiving immunotherapy, KS patients consistently exhibited the shortest progression-free survival (PFS; P = 0.0091) in the MSK-IO (n = 77), and the shortest PFS (P = 0.0026) and OS (P = 0.0014) in the WFBCCC (n = 18) cohorts, respectively. Therefore, mutations of SMARCA4 represent a genetic factor leading to adverse clinical outcome in lung adenocarcinoma treated by either nonimmunotherapy or immunotherapy.
Ambulatory microdose induction of buprenorphine‐naloxone in two adolescent patients with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hematologic disorder defined by presence of sickle-shaped red blood cells that can occlude blood vessels and cause tissue ischemia and pain. Treating SCD pain adequately and safely is difficult given today's opioid climate. Buprenorphine-naloxone has been described as an alternative option to treat chronic pain in the adult literature; however, it historically required discontinuation of full-agonist opioids before initiation, resulting in opioid withdrawal. Herein we present two adolescents with SCD who successfully weaned off large doses of full-agonist opioids by using microdose induction of buprenorphine-naloxone in clinic, without experiencing significant opioid withdrawal. Ambulatory microdose induction may remove hurdles that otherwise would discourage patients from trying this regimen while still controlling pain safely.
Analysis of Amorphous Dysprosium-Transition Metal Nanoscale Magnetic Multilayers

A theoretical model has been developed recently to understand the magnetic properties of compositionally-modulated films (CMF) or multilayers. In this paper, the magnetization and anisotropy and their distributions in Dy/Co CMF along the film normal are analyzed in terms of this model. Also this model is further checked by measuring the temperature dependence of magnetic properties for Dy/Co CMF and cntrasting the magnetic character between Dy/Ta and Dy/Co CMFs. It is found that the calculated results are in good agreement with the experiments when the bilayer thickness is small enough (≤ 16A).