cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Treatment of Non‐Recurring Items in the Income Statement and their Consistency with FASB Concept Statements

This study provides evidence on the consistency of Accounting Principles Board Statement No. 30 (APB, 1973) classification criteria with the objectives of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Concept Statements Nos 1 and 2 (FASB, 1978, 1980). It is hypothesized that the current APB 30 requirement to classify items of a non-recurring nature in the operating section of the income statement decreases the predictive ability of income before extraordinary items. A random sample of 50 firms with non-recurring adjustments to income, which were included in the operating section of the income statement, was selected from Standard and Poor's Corporation Records. Naive models were used to generate earnings per share forecasts for the year in which the adjustment to income occurred, the prior year and subsequent year. The results indicate a statistically significant decrease in the predictive ability of earnings per share before extraordinary items associated with the year that the adjustment occurred and a significant increase in the variability of earnings per share. Also, differences in predictive ability were noted between small and large firms and firms with positive and negative adjustments to income. The results of this study also imply that the managers of most firms with negative adjustments to income are not using the adjustments to smooth income for either the purpose of decreasing the variability of earnings or increasing predictability. The results are more consistent with the ‘big bath’ theory. These conclusions appear to be more relevant for smaller firms than larger firms.
What Is Integral Theory

Integral theory is a way of knowing that helps foster the recognition that disparate aspects of reality—such as biological constitution, cultural world-views, felt-sense of selfhood, and social systems—are all critically important to any knowledge quest. Integral theory provides an “all quadrants, all levels” (K. Wilber, 2006, p. 26) metatheoretical framework that simultaneously honors the important contributions of a broad spectrum of epistemological outlooks while also acknowledging the parochial limits and misconceptions of those perspectives. In other words, integral theory affords a perspective that allows counselors to situate diverse knowledge approaches in such a way that they synergistically complement, rather than contradict, one another.
Distribution of Environments in Formal Measures of Intelligence

This paper shows that a constraint on universal Turing machines is necessary for Legg's and Hutter's formal measure of intelligence to be unbiased. It also explores the relation of the No Free Lunch Theorem to formal measures of intelligence.
Management of Osseous and Soft-Tissue Ankle Equinus During Total Ankle Replacement

Obtaining functional alignment of a total ankle replacement, including physiologic sagittal plane range of motion, is paramount for a successful outcome. This article reviews the literature on techniques available for correction of osseous and soft-tissue equinus at the time of index total ankle replacement. These techniques include anterior tibiotalar joint cheilectomy, posterior superficial muscle compartment lengthening, posterior ankle capsule release, and release of the posterior portions of the medial and lateral collateral ligament complexes. The rationale for these procedures and the operative sequence of events for these procedures are presented.
Service Trustiness and Resource Legitimacy in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is emerging as a virtual model in support of “everything-as-a-service” (XaaS). Service providers in a cloud provide XasS of resources. There are numerous providers involved in a cloud such as feeders, owners, delegators and creators who are less likely the same agent. Consequently, without identifying the credential of their providers, cloud resources cannot be securely managed by traditional security models and services may be trustless. In this paper, we propose a new security technique to measure the trustiness of the cloud resources. Using the metadata of resources, the technique binds authorization policies to compute the trace ability between the resources and the provider’s credential. The contribution of this paper includes a mechanism of the privilege chains that can be used to verify the legitimacy of cloud resources and to measure the trustiness of cloud services.
FURTHER COMMENTS CONCERNING “GEOGRAPHIC” AND “ECONOMIC” ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

(1959). Further comments concerning “geographic” and “economic” economic geography. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 11-12.
An Experimental Study of Turbulence Structure in the Fair-Weather Trade Wind Boundary Layer

Abstract Measurements of air velocity, temperature and humidity were made from an aircraft in the fair-weather trade wind boundary layer. On the day of the experiment, the region studied was characterized by north-south bands of cloud-free and moderately clouded areas roughly 40 km in width. Mean winds, turbulence quantities, and thermodynamic variables were measured in both a clear and a partly cloudy region. Production of turbulence energy in the subcloud layer of both regions was mainly from wind shear. In the cloud-free region, the turbulence energy and momentum flux budgets were measured. One of the most striking features was the large region (covering almost two-thirds of the depth of the mixed layer) of negative production of turbulence energy by wind shear. Notwithstanding this unusual feature, the terms of the turbulence energy budget agree quite well with a model developed by Lenschow. In the cloudy area, a layer of strong wind shear was observed near cloud base. This, coupled with corresponding...
Study of lithium diffusivity in amorphous silicon via finite element analysis

Abstract As an anode active material, Si experiences large deformations during battery cycling, which has been cited as a primary cause for the electrode fracture and thus capacity fading. The problems caused by the electrode deformations can be remedied through electrode design, and the numerical models will greatly facilitate this design process. However, the lack of key material properties for Si/LixSi, especially the Li diffusivity in Si, has prevented the efficient use of such numerical tools in the design of lithium-ion batteries with Si anodes. In this work, finite element (FE) analysis was used to study the Li diffusivity in amorphous Si (a-Si) anodes. To simulate the large deformation, a large strain based formulation for the concentration induced volume expansion was proposed. The Li diffusion and volume expansion were coupled and solved in COMSOL Multiphysics®. By comparing with the lithiation experimental observations for the a-Si nanospheres, the Li diffusivity was estimated to be on the order of 2.0 × 10 − 15 m 2 /s for the Li-rich phase and 2.0 × 10 − 17 m 2 /s for the Li-poor phase. These values were further validated by comparing the thickness growth of the Li-rich phase and the lithiation time.
Toxic Substances and Folk Medicinal Uses of Vegetables

Man’s experiences throughout his history have taught him much about avoiding sickness and even death from consumption of natural food products. Much evidence exists of the ancient customs and prejudices handed down generation after generation on food taboos, eating habits, and customs of the various peoples of the world. Some of these customs are practiced even today. Witch doctors, medicine men, high priests, and in more recent times, the physicians of Rome, all have had some knowledge as to the toxins present in plants and the physiological effects on man and animals.
Coagulation in Wastewater Treatment

Most contaminants in wastewater are solid particles or associated with such particles; many are stable colloids. Consequently, effective treatment of wastewater requires effective solid-liquid separation. Furthermore, coagulation, which is considered here to involve the chemical destabilization of particulates and the physical transport of these destabilized particles to form larger aggregates, is an essential component of all wastewater treatment systems.
Al margen de la ideología: una lectura política de la literatura obrera fuera del esquema de clases

La critica estadounidense Barbara Foley, siguiendo la pista de los debates generados en los circulos de la izquierda literaria tras la Revolucion Rusa en 1917, senala la constante vaguedad a la hora de establecer una definicion vinculante para la literatura proletaria. No fue sino hasta la decada de 1930 cuando se fijo una taxonomia de la ficcion obrera engendrada exclusivamente en su perspectiva de clase. No obstante, este ensayo busca acercarse a esta literatura desde un prisma antiideologico en funcion a como se construye poder simbolico por medio de lo obrero en la literatura
Biracial Coalition Politics in Los Angeles

Their optimistic view of biracial and multiracial coalitions contrasts strikingly with the more common pessimism about cross-racial politics. Racial polarization in such major cities as New York, Chicago and Philadelphia (as well as in a number of medium and smaller-sized cities) has fed the belief that the black protests and white backlash of the 1960s have doomed biracial politics. Protest Is Not Enough focuses on ten small and medium-sized Northern California cities. The largest, San Francisco, is the 16th most populous city in the U.S. But biracial coalition politics has been most advanced in Berkeley, a city of only 103,328 in 1 980. Thus the book's argument is vulnerable to the challenge that full-blown biracial politics worked only in a rather small, unusual city and otherwise had a significant impact in cities of only moderate size in the traditionally liberal Bay Area. In this light, the success of biracial coalition politics in Los Angeles, the second largest city in the U.S., is extremely significant. In Los Angeles, the urban center of traditionally conservative Southern California, a small black community has won a major share of political power through membership in a biracial coalition with white liberals, principally Jews. Hispanics, who significantly outnumber blacks in the city, have been junior partners in the coalition and have been much less successful than blacks in becoming politically incorporated. The Los Angeles case illustrates the potential of coalitions between blacks and white liberals, but also illustrates some of the obstacles to the creation of three-way coalitions comprised of blacks, white liberals, and Hispanics.
Studies on the Autonomy of Pellicular DNA in Paramecium

This autoradiographic study was designed to elucidate the relationship between the macronucleus and pellicular DNA in Paramecium . The capacity of the cell to synthesize pellicular DNA in the absence of the macronucleus was established by demonstrating the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNase-sensitive material in the pellicles of amacronucleate cells. Moreover, using a technique which leads to selective labelling of the macronucleus in normal paramecia, we have looked for evidence of transfer of labelled DNA from the macronucleus to the pellicle with time. Finding none, we conclude that labelled pellicular DNA is not of macronuclear origin, and that labelled pellicular DNA synthesis is not directly dependent on the presence of the macronucleus.
Control Technology and the Creative Thinking Process for Teachers and Students

To support teachers as they develop new skills and strategies in elementary science and technology we have established the International Center for Education and Technology. Our teacher development programs emphasize the use of LEGO/LOGO to help teachers use technology as a prime curriculum material rather than use computers and related technology as a dispenser of curriculum. We try to work with teachers to build from concrete activities to abstract thinking sequences in elementary science, involving the processes of analysis, reflectivity, and hierarchical conceptualization.
Social Capital, Market Competition, and Productivity Growth in Family Businesses in Ghana

This study examines the effects of social capital, developed as a result of the social networking relationship with top managers of other firms and community leaders, on productivity growth in family businesses in Ghana. It further investigates how market competition moderates the relationship between social capital and productivity growth. An analysis of the data from 54 family businesses over two time periods indicates that (1) social capital from the social networking relationships with top managers of other firms helps the productivity growth of family businesses, (2) social capital from the social networking relationships with community leaders is beneficial to family businesses by facilitating the growth of productivity, and (3) the benefit of social capital from both top managers from other businesses and community leaders to family businesses is moderated by market competition. The relationship between social capital and productivity growth is tempered by the intensity of competition in the market environment.
FOLFIRINOX (F-NOX) followed by individualized radiation for borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer: Preliminary toxicity and R0 resection rates from a prospective phase II study.

368Background: F-NOX has been increasingly utilized in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) due to the improved response rate compared to gemcitabine. However, prospective data remains limited, with the largest series being a 22 patient (pt) cooperative group trial (Alliance A021101), in which 14 pts had R0 resection. In this study, we evaluate neoadjuvant F-NOX followed by individualized chemoradiation (CRT) for BRPC. Methods: Pts ECOG PS 0-1 with biopsy-proven BRPC as defined by NCCN criteria (SMV/PV involvement with suitable flow, abutment of SMA < 180 degrees or of hepatic artery) were enrolled in a single institution, NCI-sponsored phase II study (NCT01591733). Pts received F-NOX for 8 cycles. If after chemotherapy, the tumor was radiographically resectable, pts received short course CRT in 5 (protons 25 GyE) or 10 fractions (photons 30 Gy) with capecitabine 825 mg/m2 bid. If the tumor was still abutting vasculature, pts received CRT to 50.4 Gy with a vascular boost to 58.8 Gy. The primary ...
Monte Carlo simulations of electron photoemission from cesium antimonide

We report on the results from semi-classical Monte Carlo simulations of electron photoemission (photoelectric emission) from cesium antimonide (Cs3Sb) and compare them with experimental results at 90 K and room temperature, with an emphasis on near-threshold photoemission properties. Interfacial effects, impurities, and electron-phonon coupling are central features of our Monte Carlo model. We use these simulations to predict photoemission properties at the ultracold cryogenic temperature of 20 K and to identify critical material parameters that need to be properly measured experimentally for reproducing the electron photoemission properties of Cs3Sb and other materials more accurately.
Facial affect recognition and social functioning among individuals with varying degrees of schizotypy.

Abstract Facial affect recognition (FAR) accuracy is impaired in schizophrenia and, to a lesser extent, in individuals at-risk for psychosis. Reduced reaction time and negative bias on FAR tasks are also evident in schizophrenia, though few studies have examined these measures in at-risk samples. Social dysfunction is associated with FAR deficits in schizophrenia and at-risk individuals. We aimed to elucidate the nature of FAR and social functioning among individuals from a non-clinical population reporting a range of schizotypal traits (i.e., risk for psychosis), and to examine whether FAR mediates the relationship between schizotypal traits and social functioning. Participants completed self-report measures assessing schizotypal traits and social functioning, and a computerized FAR task remotely via the Internet. High schizotypy individuals performed significantly worse than low schizotypy individuals on FAR total and neutral accuracy, demonstrated a negative bias, and reported significantly worse social functioning. Schizotypal traits were also negatively correlated with FAR performance and social functioning in the total sample. FAR accuracy did not mediate the direct relationship between schizotypal traits and social functioning. FAR may be an important social-cognitive endophenotype of psychosis risk with implications for understanding etiology of psychotic spectrum disorders, improving ways of identifying at-risk individuals, and developing preventive strategies.
Abstract 5472: Yeast Bax Inhibitor (BXI1) is involved in redox and calcium homeostasis of the ER inS. cerevisiae

In mammals, the Bax inhibitor (TMBIM) family of proteins has cytoprotective properties that are most evident in paradigms of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The canonical gene of the family called BI-1 has been linked to several human cancers. The crystal structure of a prokaryotic member of the family, BsYetJ, has revealed that the Bax inhibitor proteins are pH sensitive calcium leaks. Our published studies have shown that the yeast Bax Inhibitor, Bxi1p, is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and is involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR) that is triggered by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We now show that cells lacking BXI1 have an altered redox microenvironment in the ER: The ER of Δbxi1 cells exposed to dithiothreitol (DTT) and tunicamycin, two drugs known to induce the unfolded protein response (UPR), become more reduced than their wildtype counterparts. Moreover, we also report that cells lacking BXI1 accumulate more calcium in the ER than wildtype cells. Together, our data suggests that Bxi1p is involved in regulating the ER microenvironment. Other members of the TMBIM family may have the same role in normal and cancer cells. [Our laboratory is supported by grant NIGMS R15 GM110578, awarded to N. Austriaco.] Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: David Eagan, Joseph Alisch, Liam McDonough, Savannah Benko, Walter Jacob, Lukas Ritzer, James Mullin, John O9Reilly, Nicanor Austriaco. Yeast Bax Inhibitor (BXI1) is involved in redox and calcium homeostasis of the ER in S. cerevisiae [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5472. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5472
Electrochemical effects of annealing on atomic layer deposited Al 2 O 3 coatings on LiNi 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 O 2

Abstract This study investigated the annealing of atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 coated onto Li-ion battery cathodes to enhance their electrochemical properties. LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 (NMC) cathode powders were coated with 5 ALD cycles at 100 °C, annealed between 300 and 700 °C, cast into electrode sheets and assembled into coin cells. Cells were characterized using charge-discharge cycling, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, pre-casting and postmortem X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and charge endpoint slippage measurement. Diffusion of Al into bulk NMC was observable at ≥500 °C, and extent of diffusion increased with increasing temperature. Un-annealed ALD-coated cathodes showed exceptional capacity retention at high charge-discharge rates, while annealed cells showed recovery of initial charge capacity lost upon ALD coating. High quantities of LiF forming surface species were detected in cells annealed at 500 °C. This study approaches post-deposition annealing as a parameter that may be used to explore the electrochemical properties of ALD-coated battery cathodes.
Early Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Improves Nutrition Delivery in Neonates During Extracorporeal Life Support

Objective Optimizing nutrition in neonatal patients as soon as possible after extracorporeal life support (ECLS) initiation is imperative as malnutrition can worsen both short- and long-term outcomes. Fluid restriction, used to manage the fluid overload that commonly complicates neonatal ECLS, severely impairs nutrition delivery. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) can be used to help manage fluid overload. We hypothesize that early CRRT utilization ameliorates the need for fluid restriction and allows providers to prescribe higher parenteral nutrition (PN) volumes leading to better nutrition delivery. Design The design of the study was a retrospective chart review, and the setting was a single, level III neonatal intensive care unit. Subjects Neonatal patients ( n = 42) treated with ECLS between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2013. Interventions Comparisons were made between 2 groups: neonates who received ECLS without early CRRT initiation (group 1; n = 23) and with early CRRT initiation (group 2; n = 19). Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measures were goal total fluid intake, prescribed PN volume, protein, glucose infusion rate, intralipid, and kilocalories. Results Infants who received early CRRT were prescribed higher mean total fluid intake goals (group 1: 99 mL/kg/day vs. group 2: 119 mL/kg/day, P P P = 0.03). There were no significant changes noted in prescribed glucose infusion rates, intralipid, or total kilocalories. Conclusions Institution of early CRRT in neonates on ECLS allows for administration of greater volumes of PN with improved protein delivery. This study characterizes one benefit of early CRRT initiation in neonates on ECLS and suggests these patients could experience improved nutritional outcomes.
Atopic Dermatitis: Managing the Itch.

Atopic dermatitis has a substantial impact on sleep, appearance, psychological well-being, and other qualities of life. The visual appearance of lichenification, cheilitis, hyperpigmentation, ichthyosis, and erythema can be socially stigmatizing, and treatment of these symptoms is challenging. In managing pruritus in patients, practitioners should assess and document pruritus through questionnaires at each routine visit. Initially, practitioners should advise patients to employ non-pharmaceutical treatments such as emollients with wet wraps, elimination of triggers, changing scratching habits, and psychological interventions. If these methods of treatment are not successful or if the disease presentation is severe, pharmacological therapies should be employed. This chapter describes the therapeutic ladder for pruritus in atopic dermatitis and discusses each treatment modality in further detail for practitioners to advise their patients.
Towards the development of artificial antigen-presenting cell (APP3P.116)

T cell programming into distinct T cell subsets depends in a large extent from the quality and quantity of the signal delivered to T cells by professional antigen presenting cells (APC). However, it is difficult to vary parameters of T cell stimulation using live APC. To calibrate the strength of naive T cell stimulation, we are developing artificial antigen-presenting cell (APC) that display nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs) presenting pMHC and other ligands incorporated into lipid bilayers built on a glass beads. Soluble analogs of the pMHC assembled on NLPs permits to control the extent of the homotypic ligand clustering and to influence the strength of T cell stimulation. We have found that the apparent equilibrium binding constants of an agonist pMHC/NiNLPs were strongly dependent on pMHC density. A higher density of pMHC on NiNLPs resulted in a much stronger response even though the concentration of the pMHC/NiNLPs at the lower pMHC density was 10-fold higher. We have also demonstrated that bilayers on glass beads were fluid allowing the mobility of pMHC/NLPs on the surface of engineered APC. In a model experiment, T cells concentrated the ICAM-1/pMHC/NLPs conjugates at the contact surface indicating that these conjugates were able to move on the bilayers mimicking direction stimulation of the T cells with live APC. These and other data will be discussed to demonstrate the utility of engineered APC for stimulation of naive T cells ex vivo .
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in the Treatment of Autoimmune Endocrine Disease

The recent successful application of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to the treatment of severe or refractory rheumatic autoimmune diseases has led to speculation of whether stem cell transplantation might benefit patients with endocrine autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus is a prime candidate for hematopoietic stem cell therapies because of both the severity of the disease and associated long-term complications of chronic hyperglycemia. HSCT in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes may prevent further autoimmune-mediated destruction of islet β cells and thus decrease acute and chronic risks of hyperglycemia. In patients with type 1 diabetes, however, pancreas or islet transplant is necessary to restore endogenous insulin production, and current protocols require the use of chronic immunosuppressive therapies to control autoimmunity and prevent allograft rejection. HSCT may overcome limitations associated with pancreas and islet transplant by inducing immunologic tolerance to islet β cells. Nevertheless, autologous HSCT is associated with autoimmune disease relapse, and correction of genetic susceptibility to the development of type 1 diabetes would require allogeneic HSCT with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ or DR (HLA class II) mismatched donors, which leads to a high risk of acute graft versus host disease. In this chapter, we examine both the potential therapeutic benefits and risks of HSCT for treatment of autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus as a model for HSCT in the treatment of endocrine autoimmune diseases.
Incidence of Heart Failure Observed in Emergency Departments, Ambulatory Clinics, and Hospitals

Reports on the burden of heart failure (HF) have largely omitted HF diagnosed in outpatient settings. We quantified annual incidence rates ([IR] per 1,000 person years) of HF identified in ambulatory clinics, emergency departments (EDs), and during hospital stays in a national probability sample of Medicare beneficiaries from 2008 to 2014, by age and race/ethnicity. A 20% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries ages ≥65 years with continuous Medicare Parts A, B, and D coverage was used to estimate annual IRs of HF identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Of the 681,487 beneficiaries with incident HF from 2008 to 2014, 283,451 (41%) presented in ambulatory clinics, 76,919 (11%) in EDs, and 321,117 (47%) in hospitals. Overall, incidence of HF in ambulatory clinics decreased from 2008 (IR 22.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 22.0, 22.4) to 2014 (IR 15.0, 95% CI 14.8, 15.1). Similarly, incidence of HF-related ED visits without an admission to the hospital decreased somewhat from 2008 (IR 5.5, 95% CI 5.4, 5.6) to 2012 (IR 4.2, 95% CI 4.1, 4.3) and stabilized from 2013 to 2014. Similar to previous reports, HF hospitalizations, both International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 428.x in the primary and any position, decreased over the study period. More than half of all new cases of HF in Medicare beneficiaries presented in an ambulatory clinic or ED. The overall incidence of HF decreased from 2008 to 2014, regardless of health-care setting. In conclusion, consideration of outpatient HF is warranted to better understand the burden of HF and its temporal trends.
Acoustic Emission Analysis of Crack Formation for Laser Drilling of Alumina (Al2O3) Plates

Laser material processing is an enabling technology that has resulted in revolutionary product designs as well as novel manufacturing practices that have improved quality, productivity and flexibility in industry. Laser technology has changed precision drilling capabilities in the manufacturing industries. The highly focused beam of collimated light emits energy allowing the laser to drill accurate patterns of holes into extremely difficult-to-machine materials such as ceramics. With drill contact eliminated, a minimal heat affected zone (HAZ), and narrow kerf, ceramics can be drilled without distortion of the finished product. Although the use of lasers for drilling of structural ceramics has increased rapidly in recent years, the failures due to high thermal stresses and brittleness of the ceramic structures are still a major problem for manufacturing industries. Figure 1 shows a cracked alumina plate after laser drilling. Temperature gradients that occur during laser-material interaction result in strong thermal stresses in the heat affected zone. Due to the high thermal stresses and short process time (nanoseconds), many micro- cracks initiate and propagate through the ceramic. Sometimes, if thermal stress is high enough, the ceramic can fail [1]. Previous theoretical studies have some models of the laser machining of ceramics [1,2]. Gross et. al. [2] investigated crack formation during laser drilling of silicon wafers.
Lentivirus-Expressed siRNA Vectors Against Alzheimer Disease

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease, and the accumulation of APP products ultimately leads to the familiar histopathological and clinical manifestations associated with this most common form of dementia. A protein that has been shown to promote APP accumulation is beta-secretase (beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1, or BACE1), which is increased in the cerebrospinal fluid in those affected with Alzheimer disease. Through in vivo studies using APP transgenic mice, we demonstrated that decreasing the expression of BACE1 via lentiviral vector delivery of BACE1 siRNA has the potential for significantly reducing the cleavage of APP, accumulation of these products, and consequent neurodegeneration. As such, lentiviral-expressed siRNA against BACE1 is a therapeutic possibility in the treatment of Alzheimer disease. We detail the use of lentivirus-expressed siRNA as a method to ameliorate Alzheimer disease neuropathology in APP transgenic mice.
Commentary on Perspective II: Psychology

In responding to this sample of work on probabilistic thinking, my aim is to highlight some overarching issues and ask questions intended to be provocative, in the best sense.
The Once and Future Nuclear Many-Body Problem

A friend of mine — an anthropologist in Copenhagen — described a seminar given there by a French colleague under the title of The Greenland Eskimo: His Past, His Present, His Future. The seminar was short, and I would like to share it with you. ‘Nothing is known about the past of the Greenland Eskimo. You,’ he said with an all-encompassing sweep of his arm ‘are the world’s experts about His present. And who, my Friends, can predict the future?’
Pushing the SOAP Envelope with Web Services for Scientific Computing.

This paper investigates the usability, interoperability, and performance issues of SOAP/XML-based Web and Grid Services for scientific computing. Several key issues are addressed that are important for the deployment of highperformance and mission-critical SOAP/XML-based services. A successful deployment can be achieved by limiting the overhead of XML encoding through exploiting XML schema extensibility to define optimized XML data representations and by reducing message passing latencies through message chunking, compression, routing, and streaming.
Patient Selection and Guidelines for Resection and Liver-Directed Therapies: Non-colorectal, Non-neuroendocrine Liver Metastases

Liver resection for colorectal and neuroendocrine hepatic metastases has traditionally been associated with favorable results in well-selected patients. However, the role of hepatic resection and other liver-directed therapies for non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine liver metastases has been less adequately described. In this chapter, we review the current literature on surgical and other locoregional treatment strategies for non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine liver metastases, focusing on prognostic factors, survival outcomes, and selection criteria based on the specific histology of the primary tumor, including breast cancer, genitourinary tract cancer, non-colorectal gastrointestinal tract cancer, and melanoma.
Orbital Stability Regions for Hypothetical Natural Satellites of (101955) Bennu

The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (known as OSIRIS-REx) mission will orbit and return a sample from near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu. Groun...
Raising the stakes: the effects of the environmental movement, industry, and states’ institutional and material environments on the regulation of fracking

"How do social movements, business interests and states’ social and material environments influence the regulation of innovative industrial activities that bring not only transformative economic benefits but also significant social disruption and environmental risk? How can we adjudicate between these influences across states and over time? Analyzing a longitudinal dataset of 34 American states at risk of ‘fracking’ from 2009 to 2016, I find that environmental movement organizational capacity and economic health are the strongest predictors of states’ decisions to intervene and regulate fracking. In addition, although higher resource-dependence on the fossil-fuel industry does not directly predict less regulation, that effect is mediated by increased physical potential for fracking (i.e., shale resources) within the state’s natural environment. I argue that the effects of non-state actors and institutional context on how new markets are regulated depend, in part, on the extent of potential economic benefits and societal risks posed by the economic activity."
Electromechanical characterization of a 3D printed dielectric material for dielectric electroactive polymer actuators

Abstract Dielectric electroactive polymers (DEAPs) represent a subclass of smart materials that are capable of converting between electrical and mechanical energy. These materials can be used as energy harvesters, sensors, and actuators. However, current production and testing of these devices is limited and requires multiple step processes for fabrication. This paper presents an alternate production method via 3D printing using Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) as a dielectric elastomer. This study provides electromechanical characterization of flexible dielectric films produced by additive manufacturing and demonstrates their use as DEAP actuators. The dielectric material characterization of TPU includes: measurement of the dielectric constant, percentage radial elongation, tensile properties, pre-strain effects on actuation, surface topography, and measured actuation under high voltage. The results demonstrated a high dielectric constant and ideal elongation performance for this material, making the material suitable for use as a DEAP actuator. In addition, it was experimentally determined that the tensile properties of the material depend on the printing angle and thickness of the samples thereby making these properties controllable using 3D printing. Using surface topography, it was possible to analyze how the printing path affects the roughness of the films and consequently affects the voltage breakdown of the structure and creates preferential deformation directions. Actuators produced with concentric circle paths produced an area expansion of 4.73% uniformly in all directions. Actuators produced with line paths produced an area expansion of 5.71% in the direction where the printed lines are parallel to the deformation direction, and 4.91% in the direction where the printed lines are perpendicular to the deformation direction.
Proarrhythmic effect of automatic threshold testing algorithm in dual chamber devices.

Background Operation of auto-threshold testing (ATT) algorithm in current dual chamber cardiac devices require temporary shortening of atrio-ventricular (AV) delay to accurately measure evoked potential (capture) after a pacing pulse. Near simultaneous AV pacing causes atrial pressure elevation and may be associated with atrial arrhythmias. Objective We evaluated the prevalence of atrial arrhythmias induced by ATT in Abbott devices. Methods Device clinic records were reviewed at a single center for patients with dual chamber Abbott pacemaker/ICD. ATT-induced atrial fibrillation (AF) cases were defined as new appropriate mode switch episodes while the ATT was operating. The auto-capture test trends were defined as unstable if there were deviations >1 V in capture threshold trend events that did not correlate with routine in-office testing. Results One hundred and seventy patients were programmed in dual chamber pacing mode. The ventricular ATT was active in 118 patients and of these 78 had true mode switch episodes. Six patients developed AF during ventricular ATT. Three patients had most recorded atrial arrhythmias in close association with ATT (63%, 66%, 100% vs 2%,9%, 33% in other patients with known prior AF). An unstable auto-capture trend curve was seen in 33 patients (6 showing ATT-induced AF) versus 85 patients with stable auto-capture curve and no ATT-induced AF (P = .0001, the χ2 test). Conclusion Ventricular auto-capture algorithm use is associated with induction of AF in dual chamber Abbott devices with a prevalence of over 5%. AF occur more frequently (18%) in patients with erratic ventricular ATT trend results.
Hippo signaling in regeneration and aging

The two transcriptional coactivators YAP/TAZ act as the downstream transducers of the Hippo pathway. Recent studies have demonstrated that those two transcriptional regulators are crucial for an organism in order to induce a regenerative response upon tissue damage. In addition, YAP/TAZ are promising targets for regenerative medicine, as artificially increasing YAP/TAZ activity can be used to stimulate tissue regeneration, even in tissues that otherwise have little ability to regenerate. We will summarize here how YAP/TAZ could be used in regenerative medicine and how these two transcriptional regulators have been linked to aging so far.
Implementing a Program to Standardize Central Line Maintenance

Background Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) significantly impact patient outcomes and hospital reimbursement. CLABSI mortality can be ≥25% and cost ∼$45,814/each. In 2017, our 394-bed acute care facility identified 15 hospital-wide CLABSI, revealing opportunities for improvement with central line (CL) maintenance. The project goal was to implement standardized tools and training to decrease CLABSI. Methods A CLABSI Task Force identified a program that focused on assessing current policies, practices and dressing change kits, and implementing standardized training. In March 2018, baseline CL maintenance assessments; policy gap analyses; and dressing kit evaluations were completed. Nurse performance of four key elements were evaluated: dressing changes, blood draws, medication administration and hub maintenance. Policy and dressing change kits were revised, with ensuing education. A “train-the-trainer” model was adopted, with 30 Unit Champions (UC) instructed to the new dressing change kits and standardized checklists of the four components. Each UC agreed to train “x” number of nurses in their unit within 30 days. Following training in March 2019, post assessment was conducted. Pre- (Jan 2017-Aug 2018) and post-implementation (Sep 2018-Oct 2019) CLABSI standardized infection ratios (SIR) were compared using National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) analyses. The study included adult and neonatal inpatient units, except Rehab. Results CLABSI events decreased from 15 to 7, and CLABSI SIR noted non-statistically significant decreases (0.93 to 0.67; p=0.4815), subsequent to program completion. Post-assessment revealed key improvements to CL maintenance including: hand hygiene, site preparation and hub disinfection. Conclusions Gap analysis of existing practices, policies and supplies, with standardized training, can lower CLABSI rates, and decrease SIR. Policy aligned to best practice and functional CL dressing kits position nurses for success in effective CL maintenance. Standardized training eliminates practice gaps and reduces CLABSI risk.
Predicting pathways to optional summer science experiences by socioeconomic status and the impact on science attitudes and skills

Large achievement and motivation gaps exist in science between students from higher and lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. Middle and high school are an important time to address these disparities, as science motivation typically declines for all students at this time, leading to particularly low science interest and achievement for lower SES students on average when the gaps are left unaddressed. Students’ control over their free time also increases at this time, providing opportunities for optional science experiences that may improve science attitudes and skills to combat these achievement and motivation gaps. Using a longitudinal dataset of 2252 middle and high school students from two regions in the USA, we investigate (1) disparities between higher and lower SES students in participation in optional summer science experiences and post-summer science attitudes and skills; (2) whether the child and family characteristics that predict participation in home-related, nature-related, and STEM camp experiences in the summer differ for higher and lower SES students; and (3) how participation in these types of optional summer science experiences contribute to post-summer science attitudes and skills when controlling for self-selection biases. Higher SES students reported greater participation in optional summer science experiences and higher post-summer science attitudes and sensemaking skills. Fascination for science was more important for participation in home-related and nature-related experiences for higher SES participants, whereas science competency beliefs were more important for lower SES participants. For STEM camp experiences, higher SES participants with higher competency beliefs and lower SES participants with lower scientific sensemaking skills were more likely to participate. After controlling for self-selection biases that may influence participation in these experiences, we found that home-related and nature-related experiences had a positive impact on students’ attitudes toward science. Our findings suggest two pathways for increasing participation in optional summer science experiences for higher SES and lower SES students. Specifically, it may be helpful to support interest in science for higher SES students and competency beliefs for lower SES students. Greater participation in home-related and nature-related summer science experiences can also increase science attitudes during middle and high school.
Shortness of breath and palpitations in an elderly man: Bad device behavior or malfunction?

70-year-old male with sinus node dysfunction (SND) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation presents with shortness of breath and palpitations. Presenting EKG shows AF with rapid ventricular rates requiring direct current cardioversion (DCCV). Post-DCCV EKG shows sinus rhythm with competing ventricular pacing. Device interrogation demonstrates the patient's generator at the elective replacement indicator (ERI) and has been forced to VVI 65 bpm causing dyssynchronous ventricular pacing and inducing AF. This case highlights the importance of close device follow up with timely PPM generator change prior to ERI, especially in patients with Medtronic Adapta devices, to avoid unnecessary dyssynchronous ventricular pacing. In addition, device manufacturers should focus on maintaining AV synchrony in pacemakers when they reach ERI.
THE ORIGIN OF DOUBLE-PEAKED NARROW LINES IN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI. I. VERY LARGE ARRAY DETECTIONS OF DUAL AGNs AND AGN OUTFLOWS*

We have examined a subset of 18 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) drawn from a sample of 81 galaxies that possess double-peaked narrow optical emission line spectra in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, have 2 optical AGN emission components separated by >0.″2, and are detected in the Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty-centimeters survey. Without follow-up observations, the sources of the double-peaked narrow emission lines are uncertain, and may be produced by kiloparsec-scale separation dual active supermassive black holes, AGN outflows, or disk rotation. In this work, we propose a new methodology to characterize double-peaked narrow emission line galaxies based on optical long-slit spectroscopy and high-resolution multi-band Very Large Array observations. The nature of the radio emission in the sample galaxies is varied. Of the 18 galaxies, we detect 2 compact flat-spectrum radio cores with projected spatial separations on the sky between 0.6 and 1.6 kpc in 3 galaxies: J1023+3243, J1158+3231, and J1623+0808. The two radio sources are spatially coincident with the two optical components of ionized gas with AGN-like line ratios, which confirms the presence of dual AGNs in these three galaxies. Dual AGNs account for only ∼15% (3/18) of the double-peaked AGNs in our sample. Gas kinematics produce ∼75% (13/18)more » of the double-peaked narrow emission lines, distributed in the following way: seven AGN wind-driven outflows, five radio-jet driven outflows, and one rotating narrow-line region. The remaining 10% (2/18) are ambiguous cases. Our method demonstrates the power of spatially resolved spectroscopy and high-resolution radio observations for the identification of AGN outflows and AGN pairs with angular separations as small as 0.″18.« less
Biopolitical Opportunities: Between Datafication & Governance.

Julie Cohen’s tour de force Between Truth and Power asks us to consider the new ways powerful digital actors extract valuable resources for gain and dominance. In this essay, I read Between Truth and Power as not only a compelling account of the contemporary transformations of law and technology but also a call to action. This essay takes up Cohen’s challenge by considering ways in which governments can engage in new forms of governance to leverage the very same biopolitical data extracted by private actors for profit purposes, in service of public goals of fairness, equality, and distributive justice. In particular, the essay describes several current contexts that demonstrate how datafication can, and indeed should, be employed to aid regulatory research, enforcement, and accountability. The three examples I focus on are: first, current developments in labor market information flows that are attempting to address salary inequities, labor market concentration, and bias; second, the technique of scraping data off platforms in service of regulatory compliance, competition, and independent research; third, the issue of monitoring and tracking viral spread during a global pandemic. I argue that if we are to take Cohen’s framework seriously, then policymakers must identify opportunities within disruptive technological changes and to mirror, rather than attempt to block, these innovations. Lawmakers and scholars must be creative and forward-thinking in finding windows and shaping the digital law in ways that promote public ends.
Common Idiosyncratic Volatility and Carry Trade Returns

I provide new evidence that incomplete consumption risk sharing across countries is an important determinant of carry trade returns. I show that there is a strong co-movement in idiosyncratic volatilities over time, and that shocks to the common idiosyncratic volatility (CIV) factor, defined as the equally weighted average of the idiosyncratic volatilities in the cross-section, are priced. I find that high-interest rate currencies deliver low returns when the CIV increases, which are bad times for investors. Low-interest rate currencies provide a hedge by yielding positive returns. CIV shocks remain an empirically powerful risk factor in explaining the cross-section of carry trade returns after controlling for global foreign exchange (FX) volatility risk. Furthermore, CIV risk is correlated with cross-country income risk faced by households. My findings are consistent with a heterogeneous-agent model with persistent, uninsurable idiosyncratic shocks in consumption growth. The calibrated model quantitatively accounts for the cross-sectional differences in average returns across CIV-beta sorted portfolios for plausible market prices of CIV risk.