cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell-Associated HIV-1 DNA and RNA Decay Dynamics during Early Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-1-Infected Infants

Background The decay of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected cells during early combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in infected infants is not defined. Methods HIV-1 DNA, including 2-long terminal repeat (2-LTR) circles, and multiply spliced (ms-) and unspliced (us-) HIV-1 RNA concentrations were measured at 0, 24, 48, and 96 weeks of cART in infants from the IMPAACT P1030 trial receiving lopinavir-ritonavir-based cART. The ratio of HIV-1 DNA concentrations to replication-competent genomes was also estimated. Linear mixed effects models with random intercept and linear splines were used to estimate patient-specific decay kinetics of HIV-1 DNA. Results The median HIV-1 DNA concentration before cART at a median age of 2 months was 3.2 log10 copies per million PBMC. With cART, the average estimated patient-specific change in HIV-1 DNA concentrations was -0.040 log10/week (95% confidence interval [CI], -.05, -.03) between 0 and 24 weeks and -0.017 log10/week between 24 and 48 weeks (95% CI, -.024, -.01). 2-LTR circles decreased with cART but remained detectable through 96 weeks. Pre-cART HIV-1 DNA concentration was correlated with time to undetectable plasma viral load and post-cART HIV-1 DNA at 96 weeks; although HIV-1 DNA concentrations exceeded replication-competent HIV-1 genomes by 148-fold. Almost all infants had ms- and usRNA detected pre-cART, with 75% having usRNA through 96 weeks of cART. Conclusions By 2 months of age, a large pool of HIV-1-infected cells is established in perinatal infection, which influences time to undetectable viral load and reservoir size. This has implications for informing novel approaches aimed at early restriction of HIV-1 reservoirs to enable virologic remission and cure.
Probing the dual function of a novel tertiary amine compound in dentin adhesive formulations

Abstract Objectives A novel tertiary amine compound containing three methacrylate-urethane groups was synthesized for application in dentin adhesives. The synthesis, photopolymerization kinetics, and leaching were examined in an earlier study using this novel compound as the co-initiator (0.5 and 1.75 wt% based on the total resin mass). The objective of this work was to investigate the potential of TUMA (8-(2-(((2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl)carbamoyl)oxy)propyl)-6,10-dimethyl-4,12-dioxo-5,11-dioxa-3,8,13-triazapentadecane-1,15-diyl bis(2-methylacrylate)) to serve simultaneously as a co-initiator and co-monomer (15–45 wt% based on the total resin mass) in dentin adhesive formulations. The polymerization kinetics, water sorption and dynamic mechanical properties of these novel formulations were determined. Materials and method The monomer system contained Bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (BisGMA), 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and TUMA (synthesized in our lab) at the mass ratio of 45/(55-x)/x. Two photoinitiator (PI) systems were compared. One initiator system contains three components: camphorquinone (CQ), diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate (DPIHP) and ethyl-4-(dimethylamino) benzoate (EDMAB) and the second initiator system contains CQ and DPIHP. The control adhesive formulations are: C0-3: HEMA/BisGMA 45/55 (w/w) and 3-component PI and C0-2: HEMA/BisGMA 45/55 (w/w) and 2-component PI. These controls were used as a comparison to the experimental adhesive resins (Ex-3 or Ex-2), in which x represents the weight percentage of synthesized co-monomer (TUMA) to replace part of BisGMA. The control and experimental adhesive formulations were photo-polymerized and compared with regard to the degree of conversion (DC), polymerization rate (Rp), water sorption and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) under both dry and wet conditions. Results C0-3 and Ex-3 formulations had similar DC, while the DC of Ex-2 formulation was higher than C0-2. The DC was similar when comparing the two- component with the three-component photoinitiator system when TUMA was used at the same concentration. DMA under dry conditions shows higher rubbery storage modulus for all experimental formulations, while storage modulus at rubbery region under wet conditions was decreased as compared with control (C0-3). There was no statistically significant difference for the DMA results under both dry and wet conditions when comparing two- and three-component initiator systems with the same TUMA concentration. Significance The newly synthesized TUMA could serve simultaneously as a co-monomer and co-initiator in the absence of commercial co-initiator. This study provides information for the future development of new co-monomer/co-initiator for dentin adhesives and dental composites.
Antiinfluenza A Virus Agents

The influenza-A epidemic, occurring every 2–3 years, is more widely spread and more severe than those caused by type-B or -C. The available anti-influenza virus agents consist of inhibitors of viral uncoating (amantadine & rimantadine) and inhibitors of viral packaging and release (oseltamivir & zanamavir). The first group of drugs blocks the M2 proton ion channel of virus particles & this interferes with uncoating of the viral RNA of influenza A within infected host cells, thus preventing viral replication. The second group of drugs inhibits influenza neuraminidase enzyme which blocks the cellular release of the virus particles. Both amantadine and rimantidine are specific for influenza-A virus. However, oseltamivir and zanamavir can suppress -B and -C strains as well. A brief overview of indications, contraindications, side effects, pharmacokinetics and major drug interactions with these two groups of anti-influenza virus agents are provided below.
Dispersion of Surface Plasmon Polaritons on a Metallic Grating

The dispersion characteristics of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and spoof SPPs of metallic grating are studied. Inside the light cone, the SPP modes are unbound and its energy decays in a form of outgoing propagation waves, whereas outside the light cone the SPP modes are bound with energy confined on the surfaces. The dispersion characteristics of both unbound and bound modes are derived using the mode matching method, which is also successfully applied to the gratings studied in the literature. A band gap in the low-frequency limit is observed for the SPP modes. This band gap is unique to the system of a metallic slit array and is absent in a photonic crystal or a metallic corrugation.
Sewer Network Scheme for Digital Computations

The purpose of this paper is to describe a simple scheme that can be used to describe the physical arrangement of multilevel branching sewer systems for digital manipulation in computer usage.
Effect of maternal heat stress during the dry period on growth and metabolism of calves

Preliminary studies suggest that maternal heat stress (HS) during late gestation exerts carryover effects on a calf's insulin response after weaning, but a comprehensive evaluation of how maternal HS affects calf intake, growth, and metabolic response from birth to weaning is lacking. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of maternal HS during the dry period on dry matter intake, growth, and metabolism from birth to weaning. After birth, 20 heifers born to either HS (n=10) or cooled (CL, n=10) dry cows were immediately separated from their dams and fed 3.8 L of colostrum from a common pool within 4h of birth. All heifers were managed identically and weaned at 49 d of age (DOA). Calf starter intake was recorded daily, and body weight was assessed at birth and every 2 wk from birth to 56 DOA. Blood samples were collected twice a week until 56 DOA to assess hematocrit and concentrations of insulin and metabolites. To evaluate metabolic responses to maternal HS, a glucose tolerance test, insulin, and epinephrine challenge were performed on 3 consecutive days for all heifers at 8, 29, and 57 DOA. Maternal HS during the dry period did not affect heifer birth weight. Compared with HS, CL calves consumed more starter (0.53 vs. 0.34kg/d) from birth to 56 DOA and were heavier (71.7 vs. 61.4kg) at 56 DOA. Relative to HS calves, CL calves tended to have higher hematocrit (27.4 vs. 24.7%). No differences were found between treatments in plasma concentrations of insulin and glucose, but HS calves had higher nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations after 32 DOA. Compared with CL, HS calves had a faster glucose clearance after a glucose tolerance test and a slower insulin clearance after an insulin challenge. In conclusion, maternal HS during late gestation reduces calf starter intake and growth, alters blood metabolite profile, and increases noninsulin-dependent glucose uptake.
Aerodynamic Performance of Flexible Flapping Wings at Bumblebee Scale in Hover Flight

Aeroelastic response at bumblebee scale is explored using a well-validated Navier-Stokes equation solver, fully-coupled with a structural dynamics solver. Hover flight at Re=1.0×10 is considered, which results in a purely passive wing rotation due to the dynamic balance between aerodynamic loading, elastic restoring force, and inertial force of the wing. A systematic study with effects of variation of motion amplitude and wing stiffness on the resulting aerodynamic and structural dynamic response is reported. The aeroelastic response is non-periodic and varies cycle to cycle. Highest time-averaged lift of 1.43 is obtained at a moderate amplitude and lowest wing stiffness. Optimal efficiency corresponds to the largest motion amplitude with a moderate wing stiffness. Dual vortical structures are observed at both ends of the wing during a stroke, leading to multiple wing-wake interactions. The vortical evolution is more chaotic than at Re=1.0×10 that corresponds to the fruit fly scale. Nevertheless, the time history of lift for optimal efficiency motions are remarkably similar for both scales. Moreover, the time averaged lift scales with the shape deformation parameter, reinforcing the observation made at both fruit fly and water tunnel scales. Finally, the reduced frequency for the optimal efficiency motion is close to experimentally observed values for hovering bumblebees, suggesting that bumblebee wing kinematics may aim to be aerodynamically optimal.
Surveillance of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Jinxian,2006～2008

Objective To analyze the detection and treatment outcome of the pulmonary tuberculosis in Jinxian,and to provide a necessary basis for the prevention and control of pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods The analysis of the discovery and treatment outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis cases was performed according to pulmonary tuberculosis register report in Jinxian from 2006 to 2008.Results In all,1 054 new smear positive patients and 1 979 active pulmonary tuberculosis patients were registered between 2006 and 2008.The newly registered rate of active pulmonary tuberculosis patients was 94.34,84.77 and 75.98 cases per 100,000 persons in 2006,2007 and 2008,respectively.The newly registered rate of smear positive patients was 43.58,48.46 and 43.51 cases per 100,000 persons in 2006,2007 and 2008,respectively.The proportion of smear positive cases in active pulmonary tuberculosis patients was 46.20%,57.16% and 57.26% in 2006,2007 and 2008,respectively.The average cure rate was 95.26%.Conclusion The discovery and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis patients are being continuously improved in the management,and Pulmonary tuberculosis control efforts have had some success.The results are obtained by using modern tuberculosis control strategy,especially DOTS strategy.
Temptation and Self-Control in a Market for Durable Goods

Consumers may purchase durable goods on the basis of short-term "temptation," as well as their long-term interests. I adapt Gul and Pesendorfer's (2001) representation of self-control preferences to a market for durable goods. Consumers' temptation will increase profit, and can ameliorate a monopoly seller's own time-inconsistency problem. A low degree of temptation will hurt consumers and decrease total surplus in the market, but high enough temptation will augment consumer and total surplus.
Abstract 229: A metabolic switch controls cell fate decision-making in intestinal differentiation downstream of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (apc)

Mutation in the tumor suppressor Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) is the primary initiating mutation in a majority of colon tumors. Recent studies have shown that APC positively correlates with Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier 1 (MPC1), a crucial player in pyruvate metabolism and has been reported to repress the Warburg effect and growth in colon cancer cells. Utilizing the zebrafish to examine the relationship between apc and mpc1, we found that mpc1 expression is reduced in embryos harboring a genetic mutation (apcmcr) or diminished expression (apc mo) of apc. Antisense morpholino knockdown of mpc1 in wild type embryos (mpc1 mo) resulted in an array of developmental defects that recapitulated phenotypes of impaired apc function including failed intestinal differentiation. This was accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction in mpc1 mo as evidenced by a decrease in metabolic respiration and triglyceride levels. We also observed altered mitochondrial function and dysregulation of enzymes involved in pyruvate metabolism in apcmcr and apc mo. Moreover, hMPC1 RNA rescued intestinal differentiation in both zebrafish models of apc deficiency. Meta-analyses using TCGA human tumor samples corroborated our findings in the zebrafish. Our data demonstrate a novel role for apc in pyruvate metabolism through regulation of mpc1 that drives normal intestinal differentiation and support the broader idea that metabolic changes can dictate cell fate programs. Citation Format: Imelda T. Sandoval, Richard Glenn C. Delacruz, Braden N. Miller, Christeena Satterfield, Kristophor Olson, Shauna Hill, Holly Van Remmen, Jared Rutter, David A. Jones. A metabolic switch controls cell fate decision-making in intestinal differentiation downstream of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (apc). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 229.
Haustral fold detection for CT colonography images using Gabor filter

Haustral folds are anatomically meaningful structures in the human colon. In this paper we present a method for haustral fold detection for CT colonography images. The 3D colon surface is first preprocessed into a 2D flattened colon. Then the image processing is done on 2D images. The proposed method makes used of a 2D Gabor filter to extract the feature of haustral folds. Then Sobel operator is performed on the filtering results to acquire the edge of the folds. Finally the folds are identified using thresholding method. Experimental results show that our method has a satisfactory detection rate on haustral folds.
Molecular Epidemiology of Rickettsial Diseases

This chapter summarizes the classical methods used to investigate rickettsioses initially discovered and characterized in the United States with an emphasis on their role in understanding their epidemiology. More recent molecular methodologies used to diagnose and characterize rickettsioses and rickettsial agents are then presented. New epidemiological insights into rickettsioses that have been obtained by using these molecular tools are then reviewed. Finally, the limitations of contemporary tools used in the molecular epidemiology of rickettsioses are examined and discussed in the context of new opportunities for improvement of these current approaches.
Establishing Standard Protocols for Bacterial Culture in Biological Research in Canisters (BRIC) Hardware

The NASA GeneLab Data System (GLDS) was recently developed to facilitate cross-experiment comparisons in order to understand the response of microorganisms to the human spaceflight environment. However, prior spaceflight experiments were conducted using a wide variety different hardware, media, culture conditions, and procedures. Such confounding factors could potentially mask true differences in gene expression between spaceflight and ground control samples. In an attempt to mitigate such confounding factors, we describe here the development of a standardized set of hardware, media, and protocols for liquid cultivation of microbes in space, using the model bacteria Bacillus subtilis strain 168 and Staphylococcus aureus strain UAMS-1 and Biological Research in Canister (BRIC) spaceflight hardware.
Understanding Charge Transfer at Mg/MgH2 Interfaces for Hydrogen Storage

Metal hydrides represent promising solutions for low-pressure vehicular hydrogen storage in emerging fuel cell electric vehicles. Charge transfer processes within these materials often accompany surface hydrogen dissociation, as well as diffusion across interfaces between hydrided and dehydrided phases. Using first- principles computations on the model Mg/MgH2 metal hydride system, we investigate the energetics and charge distribution upon introduction/extraction of H atoms to/from the system. Our study indicates that the Mg-H bonds share properties associated with ionic and metallic interactions, and that the relative contribution of these two types of interactions can be correlated with the local coordination of Mg atoms. The ionicity of Mg-H bonds is found to change significantly only upon addition/removal of a hydrogen pair, consistent with the tendency of Mg to form MgH2 stoichiometry. Mg/MgH2 interfaces feature properties that are intermediate between the parent phases, with semi-localized electronic states appearing at under- or overcoordinated atoms in the interfacial region.
Macroprudential Policy Coordination with International Capital Flows

We theoretically illustrate how macroprudential policy spillovers through international capital flows can lead to uncoordinated policy choices that are tighter than would occur with coordination. We consider a symmetric two-country macro model in which countries have limited ability to issue state-contingent contracts in international markets. Accordingly, output endogenously depends on the relative share of wealth held by each country. Because markets are incomplete, welfare can be improved by regulating countries' borrowing positions. Tighter macroprudential policy in country A (limiting leverage or capital inflows) stabilizes country A and endogenously increases the frequency with which A is relatively more wealthy than country B. Thus, tight policy in A provides incentives for B to choose tight policy as well so that B is not poor on average relative to A. We numerically solve for the coordinated and uncoordinated equilibria when countries choose among countercyclical macroprudential policies.
The CAPM and Beta in an Imperfect Market

The General Capital Asset Pricing Model (GCAPM) incorporates certain market imperfections (see Levy, 1978 and 1980). Levy concludes that in GCAPM equilibrium, all investors do not necessarily hold the market portfolio and that a security's own variance is priced. We show that financial intermediaries, responding to potential abnormal profits, relax an important GCAPM constraint. The introduction of intermediaries into the GCAPM leads to results not unlike those of the CAPM itself. If an asset's own variance affects its price, we conclude that this feature provides a major reason for the existence of financial intermediaries.
Antimicrobial and Antifungal Treatments for US Army Applications

The US Army has been battling against microbial and fungal degradation since its founding in 1775. Advances in small molecule treatments provided some level of protection for Army materiel since WWII, but issues with supply, long-term Soldier health and environmental concerns led to research on alternatives. Synthetic polymers emerged as the primary replacement to treated cotton canvas, successfully supplanting it in most of the shelter components. However, recent evidence suggests that fungal growth on synthetics could still be a problem, and with a greater emphasis on personalized Soldier health, research, and development on antimicrobial and antifungal treatments for military textiles is experiencing a resurgence. Novel technologies in shelters, uniforms, and Soldier health, as well as new testing protocols, will be necessary to protect Soldiers and continue to field a strong and effective fighting force.
Abstract 14419: Effect of Nebivolol or Atenolol versus Placebo on Cardiovascular Health in Subjects With Borderline Blood Pressure: The EVIDENCE Study

Introduction: Identifying individuals with early markers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) raises the possibility for pharmacotherapy to slow progression of CVD. Among betablockers nebivolol (NEB) in contrast to atenolol (ATE) has claimed to have beneficial effects on endothelial function. Hypothesis: NEB slows progression of early CVD more than ATE in subjects free of overt CVD with borderline BP. Methods: 60 asymptomatic subjects (age range, 18-80 years) with borderline BP and abnormal small artery elasticity underwent a panel of 10 tests measuring large and small artery elasticity, resting and treadmill exercise BP, carotid IMT, retinal vascular photography, micro-albuminuria, ECG, echocardiogram and plasma NT-proBNP. Each test was scored as normal (0), borderline (1) or abnormal (2) and the total disease score (DS) was calculated by adding the test scores. Subjects were randomized double-blind in parallel to receive placebo (PLAC, n=22), NEB 5/10 mg/d (n=20), ATE 25/50 mg/d (N=18) once daily for 9 months. A panel of these 10 tests was performed at baseline and after 9 months of treatment. The DS was compared at baseline and after 9 months PLAC, NEB and ATE in each group and between the 3 groups. Results: After 9 months the mean (standard deviation) DS decreased from baseline DS 4.3 (2.6) in the NEB group to 2.8 (2.4) (P Conclusions: Nebivolol is more effective than atenolol in improving small artery elasticity, a measure of endothelial dysfunction. These data suggest that nebivolol, by virtue of its favorable effects on endothelial function, may slow progression of cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic subjects with borderline blood pressure more effectively than atenolol, despite their equal blood pressure lowering effect.
The unique effects of angry and depressive rumination on eating-disorder psychopathology and the mediating role of impulsivity.

Abstract Negative affect and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies are associated with eating-disorder (ED) psychopathology. Depressive rumination is a maladaptive cognitive style associated with the onset, maintenance, and severity of ED psychopathology among both clinical and nonclinical samples. However, although anger is also strongly associated with ED behaviors, the associations between angry rumination and ED psychopathology, as well as mechanisms of the relationships between rumination and ED psychopathology, remain largely unknown. The current study sought to examine the unique influences of trait depressive and angry rumination on ED psychopathology and whether trait negative urgency (i.e., responding rashly to negative affect) mediated these relationships. Study 1 sampled undergraduate students (N = 119) cross-sectionally and longitudinally (five months), and Study 2 sampled patients with eating disorders (N = 85). All participants completed questionnaires assessing angry rumination, depressive rumination, ED psychopathology, and negative urgency. Angry rumination had consistent indirect effects on ED psychopathology via negative urgency among both clinical and nonclinical samples. However, there was mixed support for the influence of depressive rumination: whereas depressive rumination showed total and indirect effects on ED psychopathology in Study 1 cross-sectional analyses, no total or indirect effects emerged in Study 1 longitudinal analyses or in Study 2. Associations between depressive rumination and ED psychopathology may reflect the strong overlap between angry and depressive rumination. Interventions targeting angry rumination and negative urgency may enhance prevention and treatment of disordered eating across eating disorder diagnosis and severity.
Developmental Transactions Between Self-Regulation and Academic Achievement Among Low-Income African American and Latino Children.

This study examined the development of emerging self-regulation (SR) skills across the preschool years and relations to academic achievement in kindergarten and first grade. SR skills of 403 low-income African American and Latino children were measured at 2&1/2, 3&1/2, and 5 years (kindergarten). Reading and math skills were measured at 5 and 6 years (first grade) using the Woodcock-Johnson. Transactional relations between SR skills and achievement outcomes were estimated with latent difference score models. Increases in set shifting predicted prospective increases in reading, but not math scores. Increases in simple response inhibition predicted prospective increases in math, but not reading scores. Application of these findings to early intervention programming and needed supports for school readiness and achievement are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Cholangiopancreatography

Interventional endoscopic ultrasound-guided cholangiopancreato­graphy (IEUCP) is an alternative to percutaneous drainage or surgery in patients with obstructive jaundice who have failed conventional ERCP. The techniques of biliary and pancreatic drainage are described. The literature regarding this novel technique including complications is reviewed. Due to the technical complexity associated with this procedure, it should be reserved for endoscopists with advanced training in EUS and ERCP at tertiary medical centers.
Fidelity of Animal Cell DNA Polymerases α and δ and of a Human DNA Replication Complex

We are investigating the mechanisms by which mutations are produced or avoided during DNA synthesis. Using in vitro fidelity assays, we have defined the error frequency and mutational specificity of the replicative animal cell DNA polymerases (α and δ). With DNA polymerase a or the four-subunit DNA polymerase α-DNA primase complex, neither of which contains detectable associated exonuclease activity, the fidelity of the polymerization step is low relative to spontaneous mutation rates in vivo. DNA polymerase δ is much more accurate, partly due to proofreading by the 3’→5’ exonuclease activity associated with this polymerase. These fidelity studies have been extended to the replication apparatus present in extracts of human HeLa cells. The replication complex is highly accurate, suggesting that additional fidelity components are operating in the extract during bidirectional, semiconservative replication of double-stranded DNA. Nevertheless, in highly sensitive reversion assays, base substitution errors can be readily detected at frequencies greater than the estimated rate of spontaneous mutation in vivo. This suggests that fidelity components may be missing and/or that human cells depend heavily on postreplicative repair processes to correct replication errors.
Photonic-Enabled RF Canceller for In-Band Full-Duplex 5G Networks

Future 5G wireless networks can benefit from the use of in-band full-duplex technologies that allow access to previously unused spectrum by suppressing consequential self-interference. While this interference mitigation is typically achieved using multiple techniques, existing RF cancellation schemes can limit a system's center frequency and instantaneous bandwidth. This paper introduces a unique RF canceller design that uses photonics and a vector modulator architecture to provide a high number of canceller taps with tunable time delays, which allow the canceller to operate over wide bandwidths. A prototype of this concept was built, and successfully demonstrated more than 17 dB of cancellation over a 1 GHz bandwidth centered at 2.5 GHz by utilizing 20 tunable canceller taps.
Oncologic Outcomes with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Breast Conservation for MRI Occult Breast Cancer

Background: Occult primary breast cancer is a presentation of breast cancer involving lymph nodes without an identified primary tumor within the breast. Mastectomy with axillary node dissection has been the traditional management. However, reported oncologic outcomes with mastectomy have been similar to those with breast conserving therapy (axillary surgery and radiotherapy). With the increased sensitivity of MRI and its routine use in the workup of occult breast cancer, the role of mastectomy for occult breast cancer is now even less clear. We report our institutional experienc of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by axillary surgery and radiotherapy for women with occult breast cancer.Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of women diagnosed with isolated metastatic adenocarcinoma to the axilla histologically consistent with breast adenocarcinoma without evidence of a primary breast tumor. Medical records were analyzed to gather pertinent information regarding diagnostic workup, treatment, recurrence, and survival. Results: We identified seven patients treated in our institution between 2012 and 2017 who met the criteria for primary occult breast cancer. The median age at diagnosis was 63 years old (range 42-71). Subtypes by immunohistochemistry (IHC) were HER-2 positive (3 pts), triple negative (2 pts), and hormone receptor positive/HER-2 negative (2 pts). All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and axillary surgery without mastectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy to the breast and regional nodes. Hormone receptor positive patients received adjuvant endocrine therapy. At a median follow-up of 3.5 years, all patients were alive with no local or regional recurrence of disease while one patient developed distant metastases.Conclusion: A multimodality approach with neoadjuvant chemotherapy can lead to high rates of breast conservation in women with primary occult breast cancer. This approach appears to be oncologically safe.
Walking the Line between Reducing Information Asymmetry and Protecting Proprietary Information: the Provision and Attributes of Management Forecasts by Newly Public Firms

This paper investigates the management forecast provision and attributes of firms that redact proprietary information in their IPO filings and thus face an intense tradeoff of protecting their proprietary information yet meeting investors’ information demand. We document that over their first eight quarters post IPOs, redacting firms are as likely to forecast as other IPO firms, consistent with incentives to reduce information asymmetry, but they alter forecast attributes in ways consistent with protecting their proprietary information: they wait longer to issue first forecast, forecast fewer items, forecast less precisely, and avoid forecasting items related to input costs when they redacted supplier contracts. Driven by decreases in proprietary costs and increased incentives to reduce information asymmetry, they also rapidly change their forecast strategy. While redacting firms are less likely to issue forecasts in the first two quarters, they become as likely to forecast by the eighth quarter as non-redacting firms. Our results shed light on how firms attempt to reduce information asymmetry while also shielding proprietary information, and how firms manage their disclosure strategy dynamically.
On the Interest Rate Sensitivity of Corporate Securities

We use contingent claim asset pricing and exploit capital structure priority to better understand the relation between corporate security returns and interest rate changes, i.e., duration. We show theoretically and confirm empirically that lower priority securities, such as subordinated debt and equity, have low or even negative durations because they are effectively short higher priority, high duration, fixed rate debt. This finding has important implications for interpreting (i) time-varying correlations between the stock market and government bonds, (ii) bond factors in pricing models and forecasting models for bond and stock returns, (iii) the Fisher effect, and (iv) the betas of corporate bonds.
Autonomous visualization

Many classification algorithms suffer from a lack of human interpretability. Using such classifiers to solve real world problems often requires blind faith in the given model. In this paper we present a novel approach to classification that takes into account interpretability and visualization of the results. We attempt to efficiently discover the most relevant snapshot of the data, in the form of a two-dimensional scatter plot with easily understandable axes. We then use this plot as the basis for a classification algorithm. Furthermore, we investigate the trade-off between classification accuracy and interpretability by comparing the performance of our classifier on real data with that of several traditional classifiers. Upon evaluating our algorithm on a wide range of canonical data sets we find that, in most cases, it is possible to obtain additional interpretability with little or no loss in classification accuracy.
High performance distributed deep learning: a beginner's guide

The current wave of advances in Deep Learning (DL) has led to many exciting challenges and opportunities for Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence researchers alike. Modern DL frameworks like Caffe2, TensorFlow, Cognitive Toolkit (CNTK), PyTorch, and several others have emerged that offer ease of use and flexibility to describe, train, and deploy various types of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs). In this tutorial, we will provide an overview of interesting trends in DNN design and how cutting-edge hardware architectures are playing a key role in moving the field forward. We will also present an overview of different DNN architectures and DL frameworks. Most DL frameworks started with a single-node/single-GPU design. However, approaches to parallelize the process of DNN training are also being actively explored. The DL community has moved along different distributed training designs that exploit communication runtimes like gRPC, MPI, and NCCL. In this context, we will highlight new challenges and opportunities for communication runtimes to efficiently support distributed DNN training. We also highlight some of our co-design efforts to utilize CUDA-Aware MPI for large-scale DNN training on modern GPU clusters. Finally, we include hands-on exercises in this tutorial to enable the attendees to gain first-hand experience of running distributed DNN training experiments on a modern GPU cluster.
An Italian Renaissance Face on a “New Eritrea”:The 1939 Restoration of the Church of Abreha wa-Atsbeha

A whitewashed neo-Renaissance facade set into a high rock escarpment above the village of Abreha wa-Atsbeha, in East Tigray, Ethiopia, stands in stark contrast to its sunbaked highland surroundings. Behind this facade is a relatively large rock-cut structure, one of the oldest medieval church buildings in Ethiopia. An Italian Renaissance Face on a “New Eritrea”: The 1939 Restoration of the Church of Abreha wa-Atsbeha addresses how the restoration of this church conducted by Italian Fascist authorities represents the appropriation of local history by both Fascist Italy and Ethiopia9s own imperial rulers. As Mikael Muehlbauer describes, while the facade classicizes the building, evoking both the Italianita of the Renaissance and the Romanitas of imperial Rome, earlier murals inside claimed it for Yohannes IV, the nineteenth-century Tigrayan emperor of Ethiopia.
Responses of Long-Term Cattle Manure on Soil Physical and Hydraulic Properties under a Corn–Soybean Rotation at Two Locations in Eastern South Dakota

Manure can enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil hydrological properties, such as soil water retention (SWR) and water infiltration (qₛ), which are crucial for crop production. The present study was conducted to investigate the impacts of different rates of manure (low, medium, and high) and inorganic fertilizer (INF) on soil bulk density (ρb), penetration resistance (SPRc), SWR, and qₛ at two long-term experimental sites located in eastern South Dakota. The study sites were established under reduced-till corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation. Dairy solid manure was used for the Brookings site, whereas beef solid manure was used for the Beresford site. On an average, manure application (1.02 Mg m⁻³) reduced the ρb by 19% compared with INF application (1.27 Mg m⁻³) at 0- to 10-cm depth for the Brookings site and by 11% for the Beresford site (manure, 1.08 Mg m⁻³; fertilizer, 1.21 Mg m⁻³). Soil qₛ was significantly increased by 33 and 29% at the Brookings site and by 43 and 36% at the Beresford site under manure application compared with the INF and control. On average, SWR with manure application was higher compared with that of fertilizer at both depths for the Brookings and Beresford sites. Pearson correlation analysis showed that ρb and SPRc were negatively correlated and that SOC stock and qₛ were positively correlated with SWR and pore size distributions. This study showed that long-term manure application can be beneficial in enhancing soil physical and hydraulic properties, which can enhance crop production.
Broadband Spectroscopy of Materials with an Integrated Comb-Based Millimeter-Wave Detector

A miniaturized broadband spectroscopic sensor using a fully integrated millimeter-wave detector is presented. The detector chip generates a frequency comb with a tunable spacing as a reference to downconvert received signals. By tuning the comb spacing, the detector can detect frequency tones from 50 GHz to 155 GHz with a resolution only limited to the linewidth of comb tones. A spectroscopy setup including the detector and four sheets made of different materials is implemented to characterize the frequency response of materials in this frequency range.
Acid–Base Disorders in Gastrointestinal Diseases

In the previous chapter, we discussed both hypo- and hyperkalemic hyperchloremic (non-anion gap) metabolic acidoses due to renal causes. There are several other nonrenal causes for hypokalemic hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. The most important nonrenal cause is gastrointestinal (GI) disorder and certain medications that are handled by the GI tract. Table 9.1 shows GI causes of acid–base disorders. This chapter deals only with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis caused by GI disorders. D-lactic acidosis due to short bowel syndrome was discussed in Chap. 5.
Constrained maximum variance stopping for a finite horizon increasing random walk

Abstract We derive the optimal solution for the problem of choosing a non-anticipative decision rule to maximize the stopping variance of a finite horizon, increasing random walk subject to a distributional constraint, as well as an explicit upper limit on the variance of the walk’s stopping state. Problems of this caliber arise as subproblems for risk-constrained versions of standard stopping problems in areas including, for instance, market entry decision-making. A numerical example verifies the main result.
Public and Private Space and Action in the Early Roman Period

Scholars have often explained discrepancies in evidence for women's participation in the early church by reference to the gendering of public and private spaces. Public spaces were coded male, and when churches moved into these spaces, women's leadership was disavowed. This article rejects the usefulness of the public/private dichotomy as an explanatory tool, arguing that the modern sense in which these terms are used was anachronistic to the New Testament period. The overlap between public functions and space that the modern concept of the ‘public sphere’ takes for granted did not exist in the ancient world. Public functions often occurred in household spaces, and functions considered private also took place outside homes. For these reasons, scholars should look for new language that better describes the ancient patterns.
Using quality improvement to implement consensus guidelines for postnatal steroid treatment of preterm infants with developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Objective Achieve over 90% adherence to consensus guidelines on use of postnatal steroids (PNS) in preterm infants for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) within 6 months. Methods A multidisciplinary team formulated and implemented consensus guidelines using the Plan-Do-Study-Act method of quality improvement. Outcome measure was rate of compliance to guidelines, process measure was age of starting PNS treatment, and balancing measure was rate of repeat steroid courses. Results Retrospective application of guidelines to preceding 10 months showed mean baseline compliance rate of 71% (n = 42). After implementation, compliance escalated to a mean rate of 96% within 6 months. Rate of PNS treatment ≤ 30 days of life increased from 50 to 80%, while rate of repeat PNS was unchanged. Conclusions Compliance with new guidelines for PNS treatment of BPD was quickly attained using simple quality improvement interventions. Further study is needed to evaluate effects of these guidelines on clinical outcomes.
Opioid Usage and Prescribing Predictors Following Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oropharyngeal Cancer

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS Pain management following transoral robotic surgery (TORS) varies widely. We aim to quantify opioid usage following TORS for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and identify prescribing predictors. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS A consecutive series of 138 patients undergoing TORS for OPSCC were reviewed from 2016 to 2019. Opioid usage (standardized to morphine milligram equivalents [MME]) was gathered for 12 months post-surgery via prescribing record cross-check with the Massachusetts Prescription Awareness Tool. RESULTS Of 138 OPSCC TORS patients, 92.8% were human papillomavirus (HPV) positive. Adjuvant therapy included radiation (XRT;67.4%) and chemoradiation (cXRT;6.5%). Total MME usage from start of treatment averaged 1395.7 MMEs with 76.4% receiving three prescriptions or less. Categorical analysis showed age <65, male sex, overweight BMI, lower frailty, former smokers, HPV+, higher T stage, and BOT subsite to be associated with increased MMEs. Adjuvant therapy significantly increased MMEs (TORS+XRT:1646.2; TORS+cXRT:2385.0; TORS alone:554.7 [P < .001]) and 12-month opioid prescription totals (TORS+XRT:3.2; TORS+cXRT:5.5; TORS alone:1.6 [P < .001]). Adjuvant therapy increased time to taper (total MME in TORS alone versus TORS+XRT/cXRT: 0 to 3 months:428.2 versus 845.5, 4 to 6 months:46.8 versus 541.8, 7 to 9 months:12.4 versus 178.6, 10 to 12 months:11.0 versus 4.4,[P < .001]). Positive predictors of opioid prescribing at the 4- to 6-month and 4- to 12-month intervals included adjuvant therapy (odds ratio [OR]:5.56 and 4.51) and mFI-5 score ≥3 (OR:36.67 and 31.94). Following TORS at 6-, 9-, and 12-month, 15.7%, 6.6%, and 4.1% were still using opioids. CONCLUSIONS In OPSCC treated with TORS, opioid use tapers faster for surgery alone versus with adjuvant therapy. Opioid prescribing risks include adjuvant therapy and higher frailty index. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1888-E1894, 2021.
Pharmaceutical Efficacy: The IllusoryLegal Standard

Table of ContentsI. Introduction 2075II. The Illusory Legal Standard for Drug Efficacy 2077A. "The Effect It Purports or Is Represented to Have" 2077B. Substantial Evidence of Efficacy Versus Evidence of Substantial Efficacy 2083C. The Concepts of Evidence and Efficacy Are Often Conflated 2087III. The Gold Standard and New Drug Approval 2090A. FDA Regulations Generally Define "Adequate and Well-Controlled Investigations" According to the Gold Standard 2090B. FDA Regulations Do Not Necessarily Require the Gold Standard 2093IV. The Gold Standard Does Not Ensure Substantial Efficacy 2095A. The Gold Standard Does Not Prevent the Undertaking of Multiple Trials 20961. Using Multiple Trials to Obtain Drug Approval: The Antidepressants 20982. The Larger Phenomenon: Publication Bias 21003. Statutory Attempts to Address Publication Bias 21014. Publication Bias and Comparative Efficacy Claims 21065. Government-Run Clinical Trials 2109B. A "Significant Difference" Is Not Always a Significant Difference 21111. Statistical Significance Is a Measure of Certainty, Not Efficacy 21122. When Is a "Significantly Effective" Drug Not Significantly Effective? 21143. Statistical Significance Is a De Minimis Requirement that Can Be Met by Diet, Exercise, and Other Mundane, Inexpensive Treatments 2120V. "Clinical Significance" Does Not Imply Greater Efficacy 2122A. The Law Requires Clinical Significance 2122B. Clinical Significance Means Statistical Significance in Humans 2123C. Cases Addressing Absolute Efficacy Fail to Distinguish Clinical and Statistical Significance 2125D. Cases Addressing Comparative Efficacy Fail to Distinguish Clinical and Statistical Significance 2131VI. Conclusion 2133I IntroductionDavid Kessler, a former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), once boasted to Congress that the agency's "rigorous demand for safety and efficacy. .. makes FDA approval the international gold standard."1 If the U.S. drug approval system does indeed set the global efficacy benchmark, it is a cause for concern. Although the FDA deserves praise for its significant efforts in promoting safety and promptly approving new medicines, the agency operates under a legal efficacy standard that is as likely to engender disbelief as it is to incite indignation: Under U.S. law, there is no particular level of efficacy required for a new drug to be approved.2 Instead, drugs with near-zero efficacy can be approved, prescribed, and sold to patients who have real and sometimes very serious diseases or conditions.3Patients and physicians would be right to consider this assertion skeptically. How could an ineffective drug be approved under a legal system where it is axiomatic that all new drugs must be proven "safe and effective"4 prior to government approval? …
Role conceptions, performance, and the impact of credibility: Professionals’ and citizens’ views on citizen visual contributors:

Through two separate surveys targeting visual professionals (VP) and citizen visual contributors (CVC), we assess their views on citizen journalists’ roles along with their views on the likelihood ...
Patterns of seizure spread in temporal lobe epilepsy are associated with distinct white matter tracts.

Abstract Objective It is commonly hypothesized that seizure spread patterns in patients with focal epilepsy are associated with structural brain pathways. However, this relationship is poorly understood and has not been fully demonstrated in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Here, we sought to determine whether directionality of seizure spread (DSS) is associated with specific cerebral white matter tracts in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods Thirty-three adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy who underwent stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) and magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) as part of their standard-of-care clinical evaluation were included in the study. DSS was defined as anterior-posterior (AP) or medial-lateral (ML) spread based upon sEEG evaluation by two independent specialists who demonstrated excellent inter-rater agreement (Cohen’s kappa = .92). DTI connectometry was used to assess differences between seizure spread pattern groups along major fiber pathways regarding fractional anisotropy (FA). Results Twenty-four participants showed seizures with AP spread and nine participants showed seizures with ML spread. There were no significant differences between the groups on their demographic and clinical profile. Patients with ML seizures had higher FA along the corpus callosum and, to a lesser degree, some portions of the bilateral cingulate tracts. In contrast, patients with AP seizures had higher FA along several anterior-posterior white matter projections bundles, including the cingulate fasciculus and the inferior longitudinal, with significantly less involvement of the corpus callosum compared with ML seizures. Significance This study confirms the hypothesis that the anatomical pattern of electrophysiological ictal propagation is associated with the structural reinforcement of supporting pathways in temporal lobe epilepsy. This observation can help elucidate mechanisms of ictal propagation and may guide future translational approaches to curtail seizure spread.