cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-related genetic variants in iron regulatory genes, dietary iron intake, microRNAs and lung cancer risk

Background Genetic variations in MicroRNA (miRNA) binding sites may alter structural accessibility of miRNA binding sites to modulate risk of cancer. This large-scale integrative multistage study was aimed to evaluate the interplay of genetic variations in miRNA binding sites of iron regulatory pathway, dietary iron intake and lung cancer (LC) risk. Patients and methods The interplay of genetic variant, dietary iron intake and LC risk was assessed in large-scale case–control study. Functional characterization of the validated SNP and analysis of target miRNAs were performed. Results We found that the miRNA binding site SNP rs1062980 in 3’ UTR of Iron-Responsive Element Binding protein 2 gene (IREB2) was associated with a 14% reduced LC risk (P value = 4.9×10 − 9). Comparing to AA genotype, GG genotype was associated with a 27% reduced LC risk. This association was evident in males and ever-smokers but not in females and never-smokers. Higher level of dietary iron intake was significantly associated with 39% reduced LC risk (P value = 2.0×10 − 8). This association was only present in individuals with AG + AA genotypes with a 46% reduced risk (P value = 1.0×10 − 10), but not in GG genotype. The eQTL-analysis showed that rs1062980 significantly alters IREB2 expression level. Rs1062980 is predicted to alter a miR-29 binding site on IREB2 and indeed the expression of miR-29 is inversely correlated with IREB2 expression. Further, we found that higher circulating miR-29a level was significantly associated with 78% increased LC risk. Conclusion The miRNA binding site SNP rs1062980 in iron regulatory pathway, which may alter the expression of IREB2 potentially through modulating the binding of miR-29a, together with dietary iron intake may modify risk of LC both individually and jointly. These discoveries reveal novel pathway for understanding lung cancer tumorigenesis and risk stratification.
“Stress” is 80 Years Old: From Hans Selye Original Paper in 1936 to Recent Advances in GI Ulceration

The first scientific publication on 'general adaption syndrome', or as we know today 'biologic stress' has been published in Nature in 1936 by the 29-year old Hans Selye. His results in that short publication that contained no references or illustrations, were based on experiments in rats that were exposed to severe insults/ stressors, but his idea about a 'nonspecific bodily response' originated from his observations of sick patients whom he had seen as a medical student and young clinician. Autopsy of stressed rats revealed three major, grossly visible changes: hyperemia and enlargement of the adrenals, atrophy of the thymus and lymph nodes as well as hemorrhagic gastric erosions/ulcers (the "stress triad"). Based on this and additional observations, he concluded that the key master organ in stress reactions is the adrenal cortex (although he also accepted the limited and short lasting effect of catecholamines released from the adrenal medulla) which stimulated by an increased secretion of ACTH, secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. He thus identified the first molecular mediators of the stress reaction, i.e., steroids released from the adrenal cortex that we call today glucocorticoids, based on his classification and naming of steroids. At the end of a very productive life in experimental medicine, Selye recognized that under both unpleasant and demanding stressors as well as positive, rewarding stimuli adrenal cortex releases the same glucocorticoids and only certain brain structures may distinguish the stimuli under distress and eustress - terms he introduced in 1974, that also contained his last definition of stress: the nonspecific response of the body on any demand on it. After brief description of the history of stress research, the rest of this review is focused on one element of stress triad, i.e., gastroduodenal ulceration, especially its pathogenesis, prevention and treatment. Following a short description of acute gastroprotection, discovered by one of Selye's students, we discuss new molecular mediators of gastroduodenal ulceration like dopamine and new drugs that either only heal (very potently, on molar basis) or prevent and heal ulcers like sucralfate derivatives and the relatively new peptide BPC-157. We conclude that despite the extensive and multidisciplinary research on stress during the last 80 years, a lot of basic and clinical research is needed to better understand the manifestations, central and peripheral molecular regulators of stress response, especially the modes of prevention/management of distress or its transformation into eustress and the treatment of stress-related diseases.
Achieving interfragmentary compression without special drilling technique or screw design.

Traditional fracture fixation teaching suggests that fully threaded screws do not provide interfragmentary compression unless placed through a glide hole. Based on this assumption, pelvic surgeons typically use fully threaded screws in the treatment of comminuted transforaminal sacral fractures to limit iatrogenic neuroforaminal stenosis. Clinical experience with fully threaded screws suggests that interfragmentary compression actually does occur. We hypothesized that the use of a fully threaded screw does not produce any interfragmentary compression and that there is no difference in insertional torque between partially threaded and fully threaded screws. To test this hypothesis, fully and partially threaded 7.0 millimeter (mm) cannulated screws were placed across two synthetic bone blocks fabricated to simulate normal and osteoporotic bone. We compared two groups of normal and osteoporotic blocks for compression achieved and maximal insertional torque generated with fully threaded and partially threaded screw insertion. A micro computed tomography (CT) scan of the composite blocks was obtained to investigate for structural changes created during screw insertion. For both groups, compression was achieved with fully threaded screws and the maximal insertional torque was higher using fully threaded screws. Micro CT analysis demonstrated local bone damage with structural disruption in the near segment of the fully threaded screw path in comparison to the partially threaded. Clinical significance this study demonstrates that compression is generated using fully threaded screws without using a predrilled glide hole. The insertional torque required to generate compression with fully threaded screws is increased but is clinically applicable. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1099-1105, 2018.
LIFETIME PHYSICAL INACTIVITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH LUNG CANCER RISK AND MORTALITY.

Abstract Introduction Investigations of the independent associations of physical inactivity with cancer endpoints have been mounting in the epidemiological literature, in part due to the high prevalence of physical inactivity among cancer patients and to evidence that inactivity associates with carcinogenesis via pathways independent of obesity. Yet, physical inactivity is not currently recognized as a well-established risk or prognostic factor for lung cancer. As such, we examined the associations of lifetime physical inactivity with lung cancer risk and mortality in a hospital-based, case-control study. Presentation of case: materials and methods The analyses included data from 660 lung cancer patients and 1335 matched cancer-free controls. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were utilized to assess the association between lifetime physical inactivity and lung cancer risk, and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to estimate the association between lifetime physical inactivity and mortality among lung cancer cases. Results We observed a significant positive association between lifetime physical inactivity and lung cancer risk: [Odds ratio (OR)=2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.77–2.81]; the association remained significant among never smokers (OR=3.00, 95% CI:1.33-6.78) and non-smokers (OR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.79–3.02). We also observed a significant positive association between lifetime physical inactivity and lung cancer mortality [Hazard ratio (HR)=1.40, 95% CI: 1.14–1.71]; the association remained significant in non-smokers (HR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.16–1.96). Discussion/conclusion These data add to the body of evidence suggesting that physical inactivity is an independent risk and prognostic factor for cancer. Additional research utilizing prospectively collected data is needed to substantiate the current findings.
Cold therapy to prevent paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy.

This case-control study was designed to assess the efficacy of cryotherapy to prevent paclitaxel-induced painful peripheral neuropathy in women with breast cancer. Participants served as their own paired control, with randomization of the cooled glove/sock to either the dominant or the non-dominant hand/foot, worn for 15 min prior to, during, and 15 min after completion of the paclitaxel infusion. Outcome measures included the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory, the Brief Pain Inventory, and quantitative sensory testing. Data were measured at each of six time points—baseline, post-treatment (approximately 2 weeks after the last paclitaxel infusion), and at the first, fifth, ninth, and final weekly paclitaxel treatments. Of 29 randomized participants, 20 (69%) received at least one cryotherapy treatment, and 11 (38%) received all four cryotherapy treatments. Ten (34%) participants could not tolerate the cryotherapy, and six (21%) declined further participation at some point during the trial. Only seven participants (24%) were available for the final post-chemotherapy QST and questionnaires. There were no significant differences in measures of neuropathy or pain between treated and untreated hands or feet. Strategies to prevent painful peripheral neuropathy are urgently needed. In this current trial, dropout due to discomfort precluded adequate power to fully understand the potential benefits of cryotherapy. Much more research is needed to discover safe and effective preventive strategies that can be easily implemented within busy infusion centers.
Rapid and non-destructive detection of aflatoxin contamination of peanut kernels using visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy

Aflatoxin contamination can occur in a wide variety of agricultural products pre- and post-harvest, posing potential severe health hazards to human and livestock. However, current methods for detecting aflatoxins are generally based on wet chemical analyses, which are time-consuming, destructive to test samples and require skilled personnel to perform, making them impossible for large-scale non-destructive screening and on-site detection. In this study, we utilized the visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy over the spectral range of 400-2500 nm to detect contamination of shelled commercial peanut kernels with the predominant aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Our results indicated the usefulness of Vis/NIR spectroscopy combined with the chemometric techniques of partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) in identifying the AFB1 contamination of peanut kernels. Both PLS-DA and LS-SVM methods provided satisfactory classification results using the full spectral information over the ranges of 410-1070 (I), 1120-2470 nm (II) and I+II. Based on the classification threshold of 20 ppb, the best PLS-DA prediction results using the full spectra yielded the average accuracy of 87.9% and overall accuracy of 88.6%. With 100 ppb as the classification threshold, the best PLS-DA model using the full spectra achieved the average accuracy of 94.0% and overall accuracy of 91.4%. Using the full spectra, the best average accuracies recorded by LS-SVM were 90.9% and 98.0%, with the classification thresholds of 20 and 100 ppb, respectively. Correspondingly, the best overall accuracies by LS-SVM were 90.0% and 97.1%. In addition, the simplified models of CARS-PLS-DA and CARS-LS-SVM also demonstrated good prediction capability in identifying the AFB1 contamination from peanut surface. Based on both classification thresholds of 20 and 100 ppb, the best CARS-PLS-DA and CARS-LS-SVM prediction results were ≥ 90.0% in both average accuracy and overall accuracy. Most importantly, the computation complexity and the employed data dimensionality were significantly reduced by using the simplified models.
Performance, Transport and Mobility: Making Passage

Performance has always been embedded in networks of mobility. As Fiona Wilkie observes, these include not only ‘stage entrances and exits, the dramaturgical structures of movement’ and ‘thematic ex...
Trapping of lead (Pb) by corn and pea root border cells

Most plants produce a root tip extracellular matrix that includes viable border cell populations programmed to disperse into soil. Like neutrophils, border cells export structures that trap pathogens and prevent root tip infection. Border cells also trap metals. The goal of this study was to determine if border cells trap Pb. Border cell responses to Pb were observed microscopically. Border cell impact on Pb-induced injury to roots was assessed using root growth assays. Pb removal from solution was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Speciation of Pb associated with border cells was evaluated by synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Increased border cell trap size and number occurred within minutes in response to Pb but not silicon (Si). Transient immersion of root tips into Pb after border cells were removed resulted in growth inhibition. Immersion of root tips and border cells into Pb solution resulted in significant removal of Pb. Si levels in the presence of root tips remained unchanged. The Pb speciation, measured with Pb LIII XAS, altered when reacted with border cells, indicating that direct binding by extracellular traps occurred. Border cells can trap Pb and prevent damage to the root tip.
Non-isothermal effects on SO2 absorption by water droplets. I - Model development. II - Results and discussion

An analytic model of SO2 absorption in a falling water droplet is developed and a simulation of SO2 washout is performed. Nonisothermic effects on drop growth, droplet physical parameters, reaction rates, and multicomponent diffusion are treated in the model. The gas-liquid interface is assumed to be at equilibrium, and interfacial resistance is negligible. Raindrops are simulated as falling from a 2 km height through an atmospheric region containing SO2. The droplets decrease in size from evaporation and cooling, and their slightly basic pH aids SO2 absorption. The simulation indicates higher SO2 absorption at higher altitudes, and desorption may occur at ground level. Isothermal effects are concluded to be significant, and quantification of effects will depend on further modelling.
Histidyl-histidine catalysis of glycine condensation in fluctuating clay environments

Histidyl-histidine is a remarkably effective catalyst of peptide bond formation in the reaction of glycine in a fluctuating (hot-dry, cold-wet) clay environment. It has shown turnover numbers (niolecules of glycine incorporated in oligoglycines per molecule of catalyst) as high as 18 in a single cycle and as high as 52 overall. A number of other dipeptides were tested, as well as monomeric histidine, N-acetyl histidine, and imidazole, none of which showed turnover numbers greater than one. Histidyl-histidine is a model for a prebiotic protoenzyme, and implications for the development of a simple translation mechanism are discussed.
Influence of Atmospheric Rivers on Mountain Snowpack in the Western United States

AbstractIn the coastal mountains of western North America, most extreme precipitation is associated with atmospheric rivers (ARs), narrow bands of moisture originating in the tropics. Here we quant...
Poetry and economics: Creativity, engagement and learning in the economics classroom

Abstract This paper describes a poetry experiment conducted in an economics classroom, where students were randomized across two groups with rotating assignments to write poetry or short answer essay prose during a semester long course in microeconomics. The student experience overall was positive, reporting increased excitement for and engagement with the material. Students also believed that writing poetry improved both their short- and long-term understanding and retention of the concepts. The major criticism of the experiment was the additional time and effort needed to write creatively, although this could also be related to an insufficient time to task writing standard short answer essay responses. Overall, the results suggest that creative writing provides a potentially important tool to enhance learning opportunities and economic literacy among economics students.
Bond Covenants and Investment Policy

I provide evidence that covenants in bond indentures affect the firm's investment policy outside of covenant violations. Using a large dataset of public bonds, and controlling for the self-selectivity of covenant inclusion, I find that bonds with investment (financing) restrictions are associated with a decrease (increase) in investment in the two years following the issue. The effect of investment restrictions is entirely driven by firms that are more financially constrained. Both financially constrained and unconstrained firms have significantly higher investment spending after issuing a bond with financing restrictions, although the magnitude of the effect is higher in the latter group. These findings suggest that while bond covenants can help mitigate agency problems and reduce the cost of debt, they may also have externalities that lead to more investment distortions in firms that are closer to financial distress. This paper is the first to document a positive relationship between a covenant restriction and ex-post investment.
Fretting and Corrosion Damage of Retrieved Dual-Mobility Total Hip Arthroplasty Systems.

Abstract Background Dual-mobility (DM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) systems are designed to increase stability while potentially avoiding problems associated with large femoral heads. Complications of these systems are not yet fully understood. This study aims at characterizing in vivo performance of DM hip systems and assessing modes of clinical failure. Methods Under an institutional review board–approved implant retrieval protocol, 18 DM THA systems from 17 patients were included. Implants were graded at the head-neck junction for fretting and corrosion based on the system of Goldberg et al. Components were also macroscopically examined for different damage modes. Demographics and surgical data were collected from medical records, and radiographs were assessed for component positioning. Data were analyzed through Spearman rank-order correlation and Mann-Whitney U-tests, with α = 0.05. Results The average length of implantation was 13.4 months with mild to moderate fretting corrosion damage. Polyethylene (PE) liners exhibited edge deformation, scratching, and pitting damage. Metallic components exhibited burnishing and scratching damage. Summed fretting and corrosion scores were strongly correlated (ρ = 0.967, P Conclusion These findings demonstrate that dual-mobility THA systems may be susceptible to the same fretting and corrosion damage observed in traditional modular THA systems. Future studies are needed to confirm these results and clinical significance.
Update in Women's Health: Evidence Published in 2016

This update in women's health covers important articles published in 2016 that addressed mammography; use of aspirin, statins, calcium, and hormonal therapy; and cervical cancer screening.
103 Defining the lupus-associated pulmonary hypertension phenotype

Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a major cause of death in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Case reports and case series have identified hypocomplementemia and autoantibodies, including antiphospholipid and anti-RNP, in SLE patients with PH. This is the first study to define the lupus phenotype associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH) using multiple autoantibodies. Methods 207 (8%) SLE patients with PH, defined as a right ventricular systolic pressure greater than 40 mmHg on transthoracic echocardiogram or as pulmonary artery dilatation noted on computed tomography of the chest, were identified from the Hopkins Lupus Cohort (94% female, 56.5% African American, 39% Caucasian, mean age 45.6 years). Agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm with Wards method was used to cluster the patients who had PH, based on their history of autoantibodies. Autoantibodies used in the clustering analysis included lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, anti-beta2 glycoprotein I, antidsDNA, antiSm, antiRNP, false positive (FP)RPR, antiRo, antiLa, and hypocomplementemia (C3 ever low or C4 ever low). All analyses were performed in JMP version 13.0 and R version 3.5.1 using packages cluster and gplots. Results There were five unique clusters. Clusters 1 and 2 had high frequencies of hypocomplementemia, antiphospholipid antibodies, and anti-dsDNA. Cluster 2 additionally had a high frequency of FP-RPR. Cluster 3 had high frequencies of hypocomplementemia, anticardiolipin, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, and anti-dsDNA. Cluster 4 had high frequencies of hypocomplementemia, anti-Ro, anti-La, and anti-dsDNA. Cluster 5 had only moderate frequencies of anti-dsDNA and anti-cardiolipin antibody. Two clusters were defined by antiphospholipid antibodies. Two clusters were defined by anti-RNP and anti-Sm. Multiple clusters had elevated anti-dsDNA and hypocomplementemia. Conclusions PH in SLE is defined by five unique autoantibody clusters. Antiphospholipid and anti-RNP/Sm clusters clearly separate, which likely indicates different pathophysiologic mechanisms. Four of the five clusters have anti-dsDNA and low complement components. Our next step is to exploreboth in the literature and within our cohortthe natural history and response to treatment of these clusters. Funding Source(s): NIH Grant R01-AR069572 Clustering of Autoantibodies in Lupus-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension
Use of the consolidated framework for implementation research to assess determinants of silver diamine fluoride implementation in safety net dental clinics.

OBJECTIVES In the United States, silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a relatively new, quick, and low-cost method for arresting dental caries. This study's purpose was to identify determinants of the implementation of an SDF protocol for pediatric patients in three safety net clinics to inform future efforts to implement the protocol. METHODS We familiarized dental personnel with the SDF protocol through on-site education and feedback sessions. Two months after the educational sessions, we conducted focus groups with a total of eight dentists and 21 staff across three North Carolina safety net dental clinics: a private nonprofit healthcare network, a community health center, and a county health department. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to understand determinants of implementation of the protocol. RESULTS Determinants of SDF protocol implementation included SDF protocol characteristics (e.g., source of protocol and its ease of use and adaptability, relative advantage compared to alternatives, low cost), characteristics of the outer setting or the dental clinic's environment (e.g., patient needs), inner setting or dental clinics' characteristics (e.g., culture of safety net clinic, leadership engagement), characteristics of dental personnel (e.g., concerns were alleviated by the training and having the protocol), and process characteristics (e.g., training and technical assistance from a reliable source). Overall, implementation was less successful in clinics with less leadership engagement and turnover of dental personnel who did not receive the training. CONCLUSIONS The determinants of SDF protocol implementation identified in this study will be useful to guide future efforts to implement the SDF protocol.
Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis in Children.

Background: The epidemiology of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) in children has changed. Methods: We reviewed the current literature regarding the epidemiology, microbiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and antimicrobial management of AHO in children. Results:Staphylococcus aureus is the most common microorganism causing pediatric AHO, followed by group A Streptococcus (GAS). AHO due to community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can cause severe and complicated disease. Pathogen isolation by culture is key for targeted antibiotic therapy. Polymerase chain reaction assay in tissue sample or joint fluid may enhance the yield of Kingella kingae. C-reactive protein is useful in diagnosis and monitoring the course of AHO. Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred diagnostic imaging study for AHO. Clindamycin or vancomycin (for serious disease) is recommended for empiric therapy of suspected AHO due to MRSA depending on the geographic prevalence. Penicillinase-stable penicillins or first-generation cephalosporins are preferred antibiotics to treat methicillin-sensitive S aureus (MSSA) infection. Beta-lactam agents are the drugs of choice for treating AHO due to K kingae, GAS, or Streptococcus pneumoniae. For uncomplicated AHO due to MSSA, a short parenteral antibiotic course followed by oral therapy for a minimum total duration of 3-4 weeks is adequate. Complicated AHO due to MRSA may warrant prolonged therapy with surgical intervention. Conclusion: Given the evolution of pathogens, the variability in clinical presentations and course ranging from simple to complex disease, and response to treatment, the management of AHO continues to evolve and warrants an individualized, multidisciplinary approach.
Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) using a plant-based emulsifier: Quillaja saponin.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are a type of colloidal delivery system that was developed in the pharmaceutical industry to combine the advantages and eliminate the shortcomings of oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). The hydrophobic core of the particles within NLCs consists of a solidified fat phase with a partially disorganized structure, which inhibits morphological changes and bioactive expulsion. In the present study, we formulated NLCs using a hot-homogenization approach using fully hydrogenated soybean oil (HSO) as the lipid phase and quillaja saponins as a natural surfactant. The NLCs formed had a low viscosity and milky white appearance similar to that of O/W nanoemulsions. The fabrication conditions were optimized, including the number of passes through the microfluidizer, stirring conditions, cooling rate, and emulsifier level. Unlike bulk HSO, the emulsified form had to be supercooled substantially to promote crystallization of the lipid droplets, which was attributed to differences in nucleation behavior. The crystallization temperature decreased with increasing saponin concentration, which was probably because smaller droplets were formed at higher emulsifier levels. For instance, at 3, 6, 9, and 12 wt% saponin, the degree of supercooling was 10, 15, 18, and 18 °C, while the mean particle diameter was 0.82, 0.53, 0.41, and 0.44 μm, respectively. The melting and crystallization behavior of the NLCs was characterized using an optical microscope and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), while the morphology of the NLCs was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This analysis showed that the NLCs contained spherical particles with a crystallization temperature around 31 °C. This information may be useful for formulating NLC from natural ingredients for application in the food and beverage industry.
Educational interventions for primary care providers to improve clinical skin examination for skin cancer.

Background and purpose Skin cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, is a serious health care concern. Early skin cancer detection improves prognosis; most common early detection approach is a comprehensive clinical skin examination (CSE). A CSE consists of skin cancer risk assessment, head-to-toe skin examination, and skin lesion assessment. Nurse practitioners (NPs) currently lack adequate training and confidence to conduct CSE. The goal of this systematic review was to learn more about published interventions targeting CSE training for primary care NPs and/or other primary care providers. The findings were categorized based on the established procedures for intervention development. Methods The databases PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 10 articles were selected for data extraction. Conclusions There is a paucity of articles that report rigorously developed interventions aimed at educating primary care NPs to conduct CSE. Existing CSE interventions were not tested for efficacy or effectiveness, and the implementation methods were weak or not reported. A synthesis of the review findings revealed inadequately reported sample characteristics, vague intervention goals, unspecified frequency or duration of interventions, and lack of standardized intervention protocols. Implications for practice This review builds a foundation for more rigorously developed interventions to improve CSE and provides guidance for NPs to select education on CSE and other clinical foci. Future research will guide the development and evaluate the effectiveness of CSE education, which ultimately could improve skin cancer prognosis interventions and lack of standardized intervention protocols.
The limits of human predictions of recidivism

Dressel and Farid recently found that laypeople were as accurate as statistical algorithms in predicting whether a defendant would reoffend, casting doubt on the value of risk assessment tools in the criminal justice system. We report the results of a replication and extension of Dressel and Farid's experiment. Under conditions similar to the original study, we found nearly identical results, with humans and algorithms performing comparably. However, algorithms beat humans in the three other datasets we examined. The performance gap between humans and algorithms was particularly pronounced when, in a departure from the original study, participants were not provided with immediate feedback on the accuracy of their responses. Algorithms also outperformed humans when the information provided for predictions included an enriched (versus restricted) set of risk factors. These results suggest that algorithms can outperform human predictions of recidivism in ecologically valid settings.
Efficiently updating a covariance matrix and its LDL decomposition.

Equations are presented which efficiently update or downdate the covariance matrix of a large number of $m$-dimensional observations. Updates and downdates to the covariance matrix, as well as mixed updates/downdates, are shown to be rank-$k$ modifications, where $k$ is the number of new observations added plus the number of old observations removed. As a result, the update and downdate equations decrease the required number of multiplications for a modification to $\Theta((k+1)m^2)$ instead of $\Theta((n+k+1)m^2)$ or $\Theta((n-k+1)m^2)$, where $n$ is the number of initial observations. Having the rank-$k$ formulas for the updates also allows a number of other known identities to be applied, providing a way of applying updates and downdates directly to the inverse and decompositions of the covariance matrix. To illustrate, we provide an efficient algorithm for applying the rank-$k$ update to the LDL decomposition of a covariance matrix.
EUS diagnosis of an unusual case of pylephlebitis mimicking metastatic pancreatic cancer

Pylephlebitis is a serious condition with significant morbidity and mortality which can complicate intraabdominal infection occurring in the region drained by the SMV and portal vein. The diagnosis requires the demonstration of portal vein thrombosis accompanied by bacteremia in a febrile patient. Both CT scan and transabdominal US have been used to demonstrate thrombus in the venous structures. This is the first report of EUS detected pylephlebitis in a situation where standard imaging techniques were suggestive of another diagnosis.
Electrophysiological Techniques for Sea Lion Population-Level Audiometry

Abstract : The objectives of this project are to (1) modify electrophysiological techniques previously developed for dolphins to assess hearing sensitivity in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), (2) benchmark the techniques using behavioral hearing data from the same individual, and (3) apply the techniques to measure the hearing sensitivity of all available Navy sea lions.
COVID-19 Artificial Intelligence Diagnosis Using Only Cough Recordings

Goal: We hypothesized that COVID-19 subjects, especially including asymptomatics, could be accurately discriminated only from a forced-cough cell phone recording using Artificial Intelligence. To train our MIT Open Voice model we built a data collection pipeline of COVID-19 cough recordings through our website (opensigma.mit.edu) between April and May 2020 and created the largest audio COVID-19 cough balanced dataset reported to date with 5,320 subjects. Methods: We developed an AI speech processing framework that leverages acoustic biomarker feature extractors to pre-screen for COVID-19 from cough recordings, and provide a personalized patient saliency map to longitudinally monitor patients in real-time, non-invasively, and at essentially zero variable cost. Cough recordings are transformed with Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient and inputted into a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based architecture made up of one Poisson biomarker layer and 3 pre-trained ResNet50's in parallel, outputting a binary pre-screening diagnostic. Our CNN-based models have been trained on 4256 subjects and tested on the remaining 1064 subjects of our dataset. Transfer learning was used to learn biomarker features on larger datasets, previously successfully tested in our Lab on Alzheimer's, which significantly improves the COVID-19 discrimination accuracy of our architecture. Results: When validated with subjects diagnosed using an official test, the model achieves COVID-19 sensitivity of 98.5% with a specificity of 94.2% (AUC: 0.97). For asymptomatic subjects it achieves sensitivity of 100% with a specificity of 83.2% . Conclusions: AI techniques can produce a free, non-invasive, real-time, any-time, instantly distributable, large-scale COVID-19 asymptomatic screening tool to augment current approaches in containing the spread of COVID-19. Practical use cases could be for daily screening of students, workers, and public as schools, jobs, and transport reopen, or for pool testing to quickly alert of outbreaks in groups. General speech biomarkers may exist that cover several disease categories, as we demonstrated using the same ones for COVID-19 and Alzheimer's.
Resilient real-time network anomaly detection using novel non-parametric statistical tests

Abstract This work describes a novel application of robust estimation to the detection of volumetric anomalies in computer network traffic. The proposed tests are based on sample location and dispersion and derived from relatively unknown Zero Order Statistics. The proposed tests are non-parametric and suitable for a range of applications to heavy-tailed data analysis outside of network traffic. The performance of these tests is examined using two different real-world denial-of-service attacks contained in actual high-volume backbone traffic. The proposed tests outperform traditional metrics such as mean and variance due to the presence of heavy tails in the network traffic, a frequent characteristic of traffic in actual networks. Monte Carlo analysis is used to quantify the performance gains and show an improvement in accuracy between 7 and 11% at very low false alarm rates. The proposed tests also demonstrate equivalent or superior performance to the median, a common robust statistic. Constructive timing of key system processes is used to demonstrate near real-time performance. Three- and six- second data windows containing between 750 and 1200 elements can be processed in less than one second using commodity hardware running unoptimized code. These timing results imply scalability to a variety of networks and commercial applications. Scalability prospects are further enhanced by demonstrating resilient detection performance at attack volumes between 25 and 100 percent of baseline rates in both real and generated traffic.
Falsified Incompetence and Other Lies the Positivists Told Me

Facilitated Communication (FC) is a technique of supported communication for non- speaking people with motor movements commonly understood as spasmodic, dyspraxic, or otherwise unruly. FC is a contentious site of scientific conflict where highly circumscribed quantitative experiments have been unable to reckon with the lived reality of typers. The debate over the efficacy of FC centers around broader arguments of what counts as scientific rigor and validity. In this paper, I remind readers that experiential data is, in fact, empirical. Qualitative analysis is scientifically rigorous. Adopting technologies of analysis from Chela Sandoval’s “Methodology of the Oppressed,” I explore a rhetorics of evacuation deployed by skeptics that result in the erasure of FC user agency, testimony, and experience. I invite readers to explore how these rhetorics extend beyond FC and into the wider field of education research.
Baseband Signal Processing for Terahertz: Waveform Design, Modulation and Coding

Terahertz has an emphatic effect on increasing data rates, supporting ultra-dense connections, and realizing low-latency transmission. In this paper, we investigate the peculiarity of the terahertz spectrum, study the propagation characteristics of terahertz technology, and discuss its channel modeling feature. Given the unique spectral characteristics of terahertz bands, physical layer waveforms, modulation, coding schemes are designed accordingly to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), increase the spectral flexibility, meet the backward compatibility and improve the system performance. The baseband signal processing of terahertz signals is analyzed and discussed in this paper, inspiring the design of future terahertz communication systems.
A case of venlafaxine-induced angioedema in an older adult

Angioedema is a serious adverse event that can manifest as lower extremity edema, face swelling, rash, hives, and a swollen tongue, which can sometimes lead to airway constriction and death. It is a well-documented reaction within the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor drug class, where the bradykinin pathway leads to angioedema. We report a case where a patient experienced angioedema after taking venlafaxine. We evaluated other antidepressants as potential treatment options for the patient. We further examined potential cross-reactivity between antidepressants in order to find alternative medications for patients that experience serious adverse effects.
Deploying safe user-level network services with icTCP

We present icTCP, an "information and control" TCP implementation that exposes key pieces of internal TCP state and allows certain TCP variables to be set in a safe fashion. The primary benefit of icTCP is that it enables a variety of TCP extensions to be implemented at user-level while ensuring that extensions are TCP-friendly. We demonstrate the utility of icTCP through a collection of case studies. We show that by exposing information and safe control of the TCP congestion window, we can readily implement user-level versions of TCP Vegas, TCP Nice, and the Congestion Manager; we show how user-level libraries can safely control the duplicate acknowledgment threshold to make TCP more robust to packet reordering or more appropriate for wireless LANs; we also show how the retransmission timeout value can be adjusted dynamically. Finally, we find that converting a stock TCP implementation into icTCP is relatively straightforward; our prototype requires approximately 300 lines of new kernel code.
Bilateral parotid duct transposition for keratoconjunctivitis sicca in a Connemara stallion

A 7-year-old Connemara stallion was presented with a 4 month history of blepharospasm, recurrent corneal ulcerations, mucopurulent ocular discharge, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in both eyes unresponsive to medical therapy. Ophthalmic examination revealed lackluster corneas, axial corneal scarring and pigmentation with associated neovascularization, and absolute KCS in both eyes. Computed tomography scan and endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway and guttural pouches revealed no structural abnormalities to indicate neurogenic KCS. The stallion was diagnosed with immune-mediated dacryoadenitis as all other causes of KCS were excluded. Parotid duct transposition (PDT) was performed in the right eye followed by PDT in the left eye 4 weeks later. The right PDT was functional 2 years post-operatively with significant improvement in ocular comfort and reduced corneal fibrosis and neovascularization. The left PDT developed a salivary-cutaneous fistula over the left masseter muscle post-operatively due to avascular necrosis of the distal parotid duct (PD). Surgical reconstruction of the PDT using an expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) tube graft, an e-PTFE tube graft to autogenous caudal auricular vein graft, and an autogenous saphenous vein graft were all unsuccessful. Tear production in the left eye improved at 1 year post-surgery as a result of long term lacrostimulant therapy, and a permanent PD-cutaneous fistula was performed on the left PD at the level of the ventral mandible. Bilateral PDT in the horse is effective in resolving clinical signs associated with KCS; however, morbidity associated with avascular necrosis of the transposed PD may be significant and can result in surgical failure.
Subunit structure of human superoxide dismutase.

Abstract A subunit structure for human superoxide dismutase has been demonstrated by sedimentation equilibrium, agarose gel filtration, and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic studies. This protein appears to be composed of 2 subunits, not linked by covalent bonds, each with a molecular weight about 16,000. Dissociation of the subunits is facilitated by alkylation of the two sulfhydryl groups in the protein, by removal of the copper and zinc, by reduction and alkylation of the protein, or by succinylation. The two free sulfhydryl groups were labeled with [14C]iodoacetate and isolated in two nonidentical peptides.
Markov decision processes with multiple long-run average objectives

We consider Markov decision processes (MDPs) with multiple long-run average objectives. Such MDPs occur in design problems where one wishes to simultaneously optimize several criteria, for example, latency and power. The possible trade-offs between the different objectives are characterized by the Pareto curve. We show that every Pareto optimal point can be Ɛ-approximated by a memoryless strategy, for all Ɛ > 0. In contrast to the single-objective case, the memoryless strategy may require randomization. We show that the Pareto curve can be approximated (a) in polynomial time in the size of the MDP for irreducible MDPs; and (b) in polynomial space in the size of the MDP for all MDPs. Additionally, we study the problem if a given value vector is realizable by any strategy, and show that it can be decided in polynomial time for irreducible MDPs and in NP for all MDPs. These results provide algorithms for design exploration in MDP models with multiple long-run average objectives.
The Accreditation of Ultrasound Practices Impact on Compliance With Minimum Performance Guidelines

Objective. To determine the effectiveness of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) accreditation program in improving compliance with standards and guidelines for the performance of obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound examinations. Methods. Scores of case studies of accreditation applications were compared with their respective scores at the time of reaccreditation 3 years later. To account for the element of time, scores of applications that recently completed first-time accreditation were also compared as a control group. Results. Individual obstetric case studies, as well as the average of all obstetric and gynecologic case studies, showed highly significant improvement with the reaccreditation application when compared with the initial accreditation application 3 years earlier (all P < .001). The proportion of practices successfully meeting obstetric and gynecologic AIUM accreditation requirements improved significantly with reaccreditation (obstetric, 57.3% for accreditation compared with 86.6% for reaccreditation; gynecologic, 60% for accreditation compared with 91.9% for reaccreditation; P < .001). Furthermore, reaccreditation scores were significantly higher than scores of recent first-time applications for obstetric case studies as well as scores of the average of obstetric and gynecologic case studies (all P < .05). Conclusions. Our study confirms that practices that sought and received ultrasound accreditation were able to improve the scores of case studies and compliance with published minimum standards and guidelines for the performance of obstetric and gynecologic
Role of apolipoprotein E polymorphism as a prognostic marker in traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disease: a critical review

OBJECT The difference in course and outcome of several neurodegenerative conditions and traumatic injuries of the nervous system points toward a possible role of genetic and environmental factors as prognostic markers. Apolipoprotein E (Apo-E), a key player in lipid metabolism, is recognized as one of the most powerful genetic risk factors for dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, the current understanding of APOE polymorphism in various neurological disorders is discussed. METHODS The English literature was searched for various studies describing the role of APOE polymorphism as a prognostic marker in neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain injury. The wide ethnic distribution of APOE polymorphism was discussed, and the recent meta-analyses of role of APOE polymorphism in multiple diseases were analyzed and summarized in tabular form. RESULTS Results from the review of literature revealed that the distribution of APOE is varied in different ethnic populations. APOE polymorphism plays a significant role in pathogenesis of neurodegeneration, particularly in Alzheimer's disease. APOE e4 is considered a marker for poor prognosis in various diseases, but APOE e2 rather than APOE e4 has been associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related bleeding and sporadic Parkinson's disease. The role of APOE polymorphism in various neurological diseases has not been conclusively elucidated. CONCLUSIONS Apo-E is a biomarker for various neurological and systemic diseases. Therefore, while analyzing the role of APOE polymorphism in neurological diseases, the interpretation should be done after adjusting all the confounding factors. A continuous quest to look for associations with various neurological diseases and wide knowledge of available literature are required to improve the understanding of the role of APOE polymorphism in these conditions and identify potential therapeutic targets.