cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Immunopathogenesis of Sepsis in Elderly Patients

Prominent among the numerous events that contribute to the enhanced susceptibility of elderly patients to infection is the decline of immune function that accompanies aging. Elderly patients experience a marked decline in cell-mediated immune function and reduced humoral immune function. Age-dependent defects in T and B cell function are readily demonstrable in elderly patients, yet the essential elements of innate immunity are remarkably well preserved. The cytokine and chemokine signaling networks are altered in elderly patients and tends to favor a type 2 cytokine response over type 1 cytokine responses. The induction of proinflammatory cytokines after septic stimuli is not adequately controlled by anti-inflammatory mechanisms in elderly persons. This immune dysregulation is accompanied by a more pronounced procoagulant state in older patients. These molecular events function in concert to render elderly patients at excess risk for mortality from severe sepsis and septic shock.
A fixed-point neural network for keyword detection on resource constrained hardware

Keyword detection is typically used as a front-end to trigger automatic speech recognition and spoken dialog systems. The detection engine needs to be continuously listening, which has strong implications on power and memory consumption. In this paper, we devise a neural network architecture for keyword detection and present a set of techniques for reducing the memory requirements in order to make the architecture suitable for resource constrained hardware. Specifically, a fixed-point implementation is considered; aggressively scaling down the precision of the weights lowers the memory compared to a naive floating-point implementation. For further optimization, a node pruning technique is proposed to identify and remove the least active nodes in a neural network. Experiments are conducted over 10 keywords selected from the Resource Management (RM) database. The trade-off between detection performance and memory is assessed for different weight representations. We show that a neural network with as few as 5 bits per weight yields a marginal and acceptable loss in performance, while requiring only 200 kilobytes (KB) of on-board memory and a latency of 150 ms. A hardware architecture using a single multiplier and a power consumption of less than 10mW is also presented.
Utility of SPECT/CT Imaging in Y-90 Microsphere Therapy

2517 Objectives Demonstrate the utility of SPECT/CT, along with planar data, in Y-90 microsphere pre-therapy and post-therapy procedures. Methods Intra-arterial radioembolization with Y-90 labeled microspheres is used to treat nonresectable liver tumors. At Mayo Clinic in Arizona, pre-Tx liver planar mapping and SPECT/CT imaging is conducted using Tc99m MAA to evaluate extrahepatic particle deposition and shunting of tracer to the lungs. Both planar and Bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT imaging are conducted following the Y-90 administration. The SPECT/CT data sets are visually compared and reported on with a focus Y-90 distribution versus the MAA mapping. Results All planar and SPECT/CT imaging are conducted immediately following administration in IR. SPECT/CT images provide a more comprehensive means of visualizing Y-90 activity outside of the liver than planar imaging alone, and thus serve as a better predictor of post-Tx complications such as extra-hepatic tissue necrosis, which can lead to bleeding and ulceration. Two specific examples have reinforced the importance of SPECT/CT. In one patient, intra-abdominal MAA deposition on the therapy planning scan led to the cancellation of the treatment due to the concern for complications. This was not visualized on the planar images. In the second case, Bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT data confirmed the appropriate deposition of the microspheres and negated extra-hepatic placement as the cause for the patient’s post-procedure discomfort. Conclusions Challenges do exist with SPECT/CT Bremsstrahlung imaging. Low photon yield, scatter and blurring from lack of point spread function reconstruction algorithm do limit the quality of data acquired. Due to these limitations, PET Y-90 imaging is superior, when available. Institutions that lack onsite PET facilities should not overlook Y-90 SPECT/CT imaging. SPECT/CT and planar images should be acquired on all Y-90 microsphere therapy patients. Benefits to both patient and IR radiologists have been noted. Radiologists in IR commonly refer to the SPECT/CT data sets to confirm and refine their technique to better manage patients and improve patient care.
Diurnal variations in the mating behavior of male rats.

ConclusionsTwenty-seven sexually-inexperienced male rats were maintained under artificial lighting conditions. The living cages were illuminated for 12 hours and darkened for a similar period. All animals were observed in mating tests with receptive females. Males tested during the dark phase of their diurnal cycle were much more active sexually than others tested in the lighted half of the period. When tests were shifted from the light to the dark phase, mating reactions increased promptly. In response to the reverse change sexual activity was reduced. Lowering of responsiveness which accompanied a shift from dark to light phase of the cycle was compensated in part by the effects of experience gained during previous tests conducted in the dark phase. It is concluded that the male rat's tendency to engage in sexual behavior is greater at night than in the day, and that the difference is probably due to the higher metabolic rate which characterizes the early nocturnal portion of the diurnal cycle.
Numerical Simulation of Filtration of Charged Oil Particles in Stationary and Rotating Tubular Membranes

Cross flow filtration (CFF) is a common membrane separation process with applications in food, biochemical and petroleum industries. In particular, membranes can be used for liquid-liquid separation processes such as needed in oil-water separation. A major challenge in cross flow filtration is membrane fouling. It can decrease significantly the permeate flux and a membrane’s efficiency. Membrane fouling can be mitigated by inducing shear on the membrane’s surface and this can be enhanced by inducing a swirl in the flow. In addition, a possible approach to improve membrane efficiency consists of repelling droplets/particles from the porous surface toward the centerline using a repulsive electric force. For this purpose, the surface of the membrane can be exposed to electric potential and droplets/particles are also induced to have the same electric charge.In this work, numerical simulations of charged non-deformable droplets moving within an axially rotating charged tubular membrane are performed. The results show that by increasing the electric potential on the membrane surface, the repelling force increases which obviously improves the grade efficiency of the membrane. However, the electric field gradients found in the flow field require large potentials on the membrane surface to observe a noticeable effect. Hence, a smaller solid cylinder is located in the centerline of the flow channel with zero potential. This solid cylinder enhances the electric field gradient in the domain which results in higher repelling forces and larger grade efficiency of the membrane at small potentials. The addition of a small cylinder in the flow field also improves the grade efficiency increases due to the higher shear stress near the membrane surface.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins and obesity: Molecular and genetic aspects of UCP1

Genetic variation in brwon fat specific mitochondrial uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) expression and brown adipocyte morphology, have provided models to test the hypothesis that nonshivering thermogenesis is associated with the regulation of body weight. Genetic manipulation using transgenic animals and gene targeting, has resulted in mice with an over-expression of UCP1. These variant animals consistently show that over-expression of UCP1 reduced adiposity. On the other hand, less agreement is found in models that reduce nonshivering thermogenesis. Inactivation of the UCP1 gene, by gene targeting, does not increase adiposity when compared to control animals; however, a mouse expressing the UCP1-DTA transgene (UCPI-diphtheria toxin A chain), in which there is a modest reduction in the number of brown adipocytes, becomes obese. Other phenotypes of this mouse, the hyperphagia, extreme resistance to leptin administration, retinopathy and high residual content of brown adipocytes, suggest that the effects of the transgene may be more extensive than simply a 60% reduction in the number of brown adipocytes. Ectopic expression of UCP1-DTA in the brain could explain the phenotype of this mouse in a manner more consistent with the results of other models with altered UCP1 and brown adipocyte expression.
10: EDTA-Treated Serum Unmasks Complement-Mediated Prozone Inhibition

The Luminex-based class I and II human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody testing is widely used for organ transplantation. However, false negative results can occur due to prozone inhibition when complement binds to antigen-bound HLA antibodies, thereby blocking access of secondary antibodies. The addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to serum can decrease complement-mediated prozone effect by chelating calcium needed for C1q assembly. The aim of this …
High Dose Cyclophosphamide as an Adjunct to Radiotherapy for Advanced Seminoma

AbstractTwo patients with far-advanced seminoma of the testis were given single intravenous injections of high dose (1.5 and 2.0gm. per m.2) cyclophosphamide. Both patients experienced prompt, dramatic objective regressions without severe toxicity. Definitive radiotherapy, deemed technically unfeasible before cyclophosphamide administration, was administered subsequently. Long-term complete remissions (more than 16 and 28 months) have been attained in both patients. High dose cyclophosphamide may prove useful in selected patients with disseminated seminoma.
Why Are There Different Languages? The Role of Adaptation in Linguistic Diversity

Why are there different languages? A common explanation is that different languages arise from the gradual accumulation of random changes. Here, we argue that, beyond these random factors, linguistic differences, from sounds to grammars, may also reflect adaptations to different environments in which the languages are learned and used. The aspects of the environment that could shape language include the social, the physical, and the technological.
Fracture caused by wedging in a thermoelastic solid

ABSTRACTDynamic steady-state fracture in 3D of an unbounded, coupled thermoelastic solid is considered. Fracture is brittle and results from the wedging effect of a rigid die that slides between surfaces of an initially closed, semi-infinite slit. Friction is neglected, and the possibility that slit surfaces resume contact in the wake of the die is considered. For subcritical rate of sliding and resultant slit extension, an asymptotic solution is obtained in analytic form. A dynamic energy release rate criterion, with kinetic energy included, is imposed. The result is a relation between parameters for locations of slit edge, slit closure, and contact zone, in the form of a nonlinear differential equation. The mathematical norm of temperature change is also developed and indicates that thermal response near the slit edge is highly dependent on the relative distances of slit edge and closure contour from the die.
Articulating and Understanding the Development of a Team Mental Model in a Distributed Medium

Because teams are constantly evolving, we must continue to work towards understanding team cognition development. One particular example of this is the continued efforts towards understanding devel...
Spinal Injections for Pain Management

Spinal intervention and pain management create rewarding opportunities for radiologists, and radiologists with appropriate training can take responsibility for treatment decisions and outcomes, thereby helping patients delay or avoid surgery.
Nitrate-Reducing Oral Bacteria: Linking Oral and Systemic Health

There is now an established role for oral nitrate-reducing bacteria in the maintenance of endogenous nitric oxide production in humans. Inorganic nitrate, primarily from green leafy vegetables, is taken up in the proximal gut and concentrated in salivary glands. Upon salivation, nitrate is reduced by specific and selective nitrate-reducing bacteria to nitrite. Nitrite-enriched saliva when swallowed generates nitric oxide gas in the lumen of the stomach due to acid disproportionation of nitrite. This nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide pathway is a redundant NO-generating system that can, perhaps, compensate for loss of enzymatic NO production from NOS. This chapter will highlight the importance of oral bacteria in this pathway and future therapeutic strategies aimed at repleting NO production.
On Leighton's comparison theorem

Abstract We give a simple proof of a fairly flexible comparison theorem for equations of the type − ( p ( u ′ + s u ) ) ′ + r p ( u ′ + s u ) + q u = 0 on a finite interval where 1 / p , r, s, and q are real and integrable. Flexibility is provided by two functions which may be chosen freely (within limits) according to the situation at hand. We illustrate this by presenting some examples and special cases which include Schrodinger equations with distributional potentials as well as Jacobi difference equations.
Establishment of Rhinocyllus conicus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Georgia for Control of Musk Thistle

Rhinocyllus conicus Froelich was introduced and successfully established at 21 sites in northern Georgia for biological control of musk thistle, Carduus nutans L. A total of 9,310 adults were released from 1990 through 1992. Releases of reproductively mature adults in the spring were much more successful than summer releases of teneral adults. Progeny were observed in all spring-release sites, and population increases occurred at most sites one and two years after release. Consumption of infested capitula by cattle reduced R. conicus numbers at some sites. After two years, weevils had dispersed up to 0.6 km from the initial release point. Transfer of R. conicus to new sites in Georgia will begin in 1993.
Low-Dose Contrast-Enhanced Breast CT Using Spectral Shaping Filters: An Experimental Study

Iodinated contrast-enhanced X-ray imaging of the breast has been studied with various modalities, including full-field digital mammography (FFDM), digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), and dedicated breast CT. Contrast imaging with breast CT has a number of advantages over FFDM and DBT, including the lack of breast compression, and generation of fully isotropic 3-D reconstructions. Nonetheless, for breast CT to be considered as a viable tool for routine clinical use, it would be desirable to reduce radiation dose. One approach for dose reduction in breast CT is spectral shaping using X-ray filters. In this paper, two high atomic number filter materials are studied, namely, gadolinium (Gd) and erbium (Er), and compared with Al and Cu filters currently used in breast CT systems. Task-based performance is assessed by imaging a cylindrical poly(methyl methacrylate) phantom with iodine inserts on a benchtop breast CT system that emulates clinical breast CT. To evaluate detectability, a channelized hoteling observer (CHO) is used with sums of Laguerre–Gauss channels. It was observed that spectral shaping using Er and Gd filters substantially increased the dose efficiency (defined as signal-to-noise ratio of the CHO divided by mean glandular dose) as compared with kilovolt peak and filter settings used in commercial and prototype breast CT systems. These experimental phantom study results are encouraging for reducing dose of breast CT, however, further evaluation involving patients is needed.
Wideband Interference Attenuation in Sensor Arrays

Sensor arrays have been proven to be an effective mechanism for attenuating directional interferences when they are statistically uncorrelated with the desired signal. In this case, signal processing techniques that rely on adjusting the sensor weights can be adapted so as to minimize the output power while maintaining a unity response to the desired signal. If, on the other hand, the interferences are correlated with the desired signal, these techniques can also lead to strong cancellation of the desired signal components. Therefore, in order to successfully pass the desired signal, the array response in the directions of arrival of the interferences must be properly shaped. Techniques for optimizing the shape of the array response, so that wideband interferences which are correlated with a desired signal can be attenuated, are discussed. Examples showing the effectiveness of these techniques are also presented.
Postmortem Life On-Line

This article briefly explores the status of online assets once the owner becomes incapacitated or dies. It provides practical suggestions on how to marshal assets and ensure that they are appropriately handled, while also addressing some of the underlying theoretical issues involved in the relationship between online life and death.
Bob on Meaning in Life and Death

Robert C. Solomon (“Bob”) took a narrative conception of the meaning of life and of death, and this is of a piece with his existentialism. Through the ongoing process of engaging and reflecting, we reposition ourselves and rework our stories, each new version a potential means for responding to the world from a more mature and encompassing stance. Death is meaningful in the context of this narrative, providing the closure to an individual life that gives it a place within a larger whole. Bob’s conception of narrative meaning is evident in his own life, and it is that life as well as the thinker who led it that we celebrate in this volume.
Age-Based Prediction of Maximal Heart Rate in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Maximal heart rate (MHR) is an important physiologic tool for prescribing and monitoring exercise in both clinical and athletic settings. However, prediction equations developed in...
Microfluidic Time-Division Multiplexing Accessing Resistive Pulse Sensor for Particle Analysis

Due to its simplicity and robustness, pore-based resistive pulse sensors have been widely used to detect, measure, and analyze particles at length scales ranging from nanometers to micrometers. While multiple pore-based resistive pulse sensors are preferred to increase the analysis throughput and to overcome the clogging issues, the scalability is often limited. In response, by combining the time-division multiple access technique in the telecommunication field with the microfluidics, we reported a microfluidic time-division multiplexing accessing (TDMA) single-end resistive pulse sensor, in which particles can be analyzed through a scalable number of microfluidic channels. With an eight-channel microfluidic device and polystyrene particles as proof-of-principle, we successfully demonstrated this multiplexed technology is effective in measuring the particle size and concentration, in analyzing the particle arriving dynamics, and in discriminating mixed populations. Importantly, the availability of multiple sensing pores provides a robust mechanism to overcome the clogging issue, allowing the analysis to continue even when some of the pores are clogged. We anticipate this TDMA approach could find wide applications and facilitate future development of multiplexed resistive pulse sensing from the microscale to nanoscale.
Distinct Colorectal Cancer-Associated APC Mutations Dictate Response to Tankyrase Inhibition.

The majority of colorectal cancers (CRCs) show hyperactivated WNT signaling due to inactivating mutations in the APC tumor suppressor. Genetically restoring Apc suppresses WNT and induces rapid and sustained tumor regression, implying that re-engaging this endogenous tumor suppressive mechanism may be an effective therapeutic strategy. Here, using new animal models, human cell lines, and ex vivo organoid cultures, we show that Tankyrase (TNKS) inhibition can control WNT hyperactivation and provide long-term tumor control in vivo, but that effective responses are critically dependent on how APC is disrupted. Mutant APC proteins truncated within the Mutation Cluster Region (MCR) region physically engage the destruction complex and suppress the WNT transcriptional program, while early APC truncations (i.e. ApcMin) show limited interaction with AXIN1 and B-catenin, and do not respond to TNKS blockade. Together, this work shows that TNKS inhibition, like APC restoration, can reestablish endogenous control of WNT/B-catenin signaling, but that APC genotype is a crucial determinant of this response.
Robust QoE-Driven DASH Over OFDMA Networks

In this paper, the problem of effective and robust delivery of Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) videos over an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing access (OFDMA) network is studied. Motivated by a measurement study, we propose to explore the request interval and robust rate prediction for DASH over OFDMA. We first formulate an offline cross-layer optimization problem based on a novel quality of experience (QoE) model. Then the online reformulation is derived and proved to be asymptotically optimal. After analyzing the structure of the online problem, we propose a decomposition approach to obtain a user equipment (UE) rate adaptation problem and a BS resource allocation problem. We introduce stochastic model predictive control (SMPC) to achieve high robustness on video rate adaption and consider the request interval for more efficient resource allocation. Extensive simulations show that the proposed scheme can achieve a better QoE performance compared with other variations and a benchmark algorithm, which is mainly due to its lower rebuffering ratio and more stable bitrate choices.
Analysis of Oncomelania hupensis snail situation in schistosomiasis surveillance sites in Hubei Province from 2009 to 2014

OBJECTIVE To analyze the Oncomelania hupensis snail situation in schistosomiasis surveillance sites in Hubei Province from 2009 to 2014. METHODS From 2009 to 2014, 207 schistosomiasis endemic villages from 13 cities were selected as the surveillance sites in Hubei Province, where the surveillance of snail situation was performed, and the data about the indexes of snail situation during the 6 years were collected and analyzed statistically. RESULTS From 2009 to 2014, totally 80 963.47 hm2 of snail areas were investigated, and 45 309.77 hm2 of area with snails as well as 364.93 hm2 of area with infected snails were found out, and 1 646 125 snails were captured. In the 207 surveillance sites, the density of living snails was reduced from 0.493 3 snail/0.1 m2 in 2009 to 0.339 3 snail/0.1 m2 in 2014, with a decline rate of 31.22%; the density of infected snails was reduced from 0.000 7 snail/0.1 m2 in 2009 to 0 in 2014; the infection rate of snails was reduced from 0.14% in 2009 to 0 in 2014. The infection rates of snails in the third-rank villages, endemic areas in inner embankment, ditch environment and weed environment were relatively higher. CONCLUSIONS The snail situation of Hubei Province has been declined steadily. However, the environment of snail breeding has not been changed completely. In order to consolidate the control achievements further, the measures including mollusciciding and snail control projects should be strengthened.
Practical Model Fitting Approaches to the Direct Extraction of NMR Parameters Simultaneously from All Dimensions of Multidimensional NMR Spectra

A maximum likelihood (ML)-based approach has been established for the direct extraction of NMR parameters (e.g., frequency, amplitude, phase, and decay rate) simultaneously from all dimensions of a D-dimensional NMR spectrum. The approach, referred to here as HTFD-ML (hybrid time frequency domain maximum likelihood), constructs a time-domain model composed of a sum of exponentially-decaying sinusoidal signals. The apodized Fourier transform of this time-domain signal is a model spectrum that represents the ‘best fit’ to the equivalent frequency-domain data spectrum. The desired amplitude and frequency parameters can be extracted directly from the signal model constructed by the HTFD-ML algorithm. The HTFD-ML approach presented here, as embodied in the software package CHIFIT, is designed to meet the challenges posed by model fitting of D-dimensional NMR data sets, where each consists of many data points (108 is not uncommon) encoding information about numerous signals (up to 105 for a protein of moderate size) that exhibit spectral overlap. The suitability of the approach is demonstrated by its application to the concerted analysis of a series of ten 2D 1H-15N HSQC experiments measuring 15N T1 relaxation. In addition to demonstrating the practicality of performing maximum likelihood analysis on large, multidimensional NMR spectra, the results demonstrate that this parametric model-fitting approach provides more accurate amplitude and frequency estimates than those obtained from conventional peak-based analysis of the FT spectrum. The improved performance of the model fitting approach derives from its ability to take into account the simultaneous contributions of all signals in a crowded spectral region (deconvolution) as well as to incorporate prior knowledge in constructing models to fit the data.
Infundibular sparing versus transinfundibular approach to the repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

INTRODUCTION The right ventricular infundibular sparing approach (RVIS) to the repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) avoids a full-thickness ventricular incision, typically utilized in the transinfundibular (TI) method. METHODS We performed a retrospective, age-matched cohort study of patients who underwent RVIS at Texas Children's Hospital or TI at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Nebraska and subsequently underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). We compared right ventricular end-diastolic and systolic volumes indexed to body surface area (RVEDVi and RVESVi) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) as primary endpoints. Secondary endpoints were indexed left ventricular diastolic and systolic volume (LVEDVi and LVESVi), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricular (RV) sinus ejection fraction (EF) and RV outflow tract EF (RVOT EF). RESULTS Seventy-nine patients were included in the analysis; 40 underwent RVIS and 39 underwent TI repair. None of the patients in the TI repair group had an initial palliation with a systemic to pulmonary arterial shunt compared to seven (18%) in the RVIS group (P < .01). There was no appreciable difference in RVEDVi (122 ± 29 cc/m2 vs 130 ± 29 cc/m2 , P = .59) or pulmonary regurgitant fraction (40 ± 13 vs 37 ± 18, P = .29) between the RVIS and TI groups. Compared to the TI group, the RVIS group had higher RVEF (54 ± 6% vs 44 ± 9%, P < .01), lower RVESV (57 ± 17 cc/m2 vs 67 ± 25 cc/m2 , P = .03), higher LVEF (61 ± 11% vs 54 ± 8%, P < .01), higher RVOT EF (47 ± 12% vs 41 ± 11%, P = .03), and higher RV sinus EF (56 ± 5% vs 49 ± 6%, P < .01) CONCLUSIONS: In this selected cohort, patients who underwent RVIS repair for TOF had higher right and left ventricular ejection fraction compared to those who underwent TI repair.
Renal Replacement Knowledge and Preferences for African Americans With Chronic Kidney Disease

Background Renal replacement therapies (RRT) other than in-centre haemodialyses are underutilised by African Americans with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) even though they are associated with reduced costs, morbidity and mortality as well as improved quality of life for patients. Objectives To understand African American patients' knowledge of RRT options and how patient, provider and system-factors contribute to knowledge and preferences. Participants' interviews were conducted at the University of Chicago Medical Center with African American patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The final analysis included 28 interviews; 22 patients had CKD not yet on dialysis or having received a transplant, while 6 had reached ESRD and were receiving treatment for kidney failure. Approach Transcripts were uploaded into NVivo8 for coding. Thematic analysis was used for data interpretation. Results Four themes were identified: (1) limited knowledge of home modalities and deceased donor options, (2) CKD patients gave little thought to choosing RRT options, (3) CKD patients relied on doctors for treatment decisions, and (4) while patients reported knowledge of living kidney donation transplants (LKDT), it did not translate to receiving an LKDT. Conclusion African Americans face significant knowledge and access barriers when deciding on their RRT treatment. Even patients with advanced CKD were still in the early stages of RRT selection. Understanding the knowledge gaps and barriers patients face will inform our subsequent intervention to educate and motivate patients to increase CKD self-care and improve communication between patients, their families and their providers about different RRT treatments.
Counting Devices: Revisiting Existing Approaches in Today’s Settings

The ability to count and fingerprint devices (optionally, from a given type) that are in a network, and potentially behind a NAT is important not only for network management (e.g., inventory and asset management) but also for business analysis (e.g., product adoption) and security (e.g., to block traffic from a malicious device behind a NAT). As such, researchers have developed a number of solutions to address these questions. However, most existing solutions rely on incidental characteristics of end devices’ behaviors. Software updates to end devices or middleboxes (e.g., firewall, NAT) could render existing solutions ineffective. As such, how effective are those solutions in today’s settings, e.g., with IoT devices? We propose to answer this answer by evaluating three major approaches that rely on (1) the IP id field, (2) a device’s clock skew, and (3) a combination of a device’s boot time and the frequency of its TCP timestamp clock, on the network traffic of seventy IoT devices. We show that existing approaches are ineffective with recent IoT devices, and as such the problem of counting devices behind a NAT remains an open problem. Finally, we explore and discuss future potential directions.
ESKD Treatment Choices Model: Responsible Home Dialysis Growth Requires Systems Changes

The Advancing American Kidney Health (AAKH) initiative has four major goals: early detection of CKD, preventing CKD progression, promoting kidney transplants, and increasing home dialysis (1). The AAKH has undoubtedly increased excitement among the nephrology community, specifically as it relates to home dialysis. Because the initiative has the potential to dramatically change the face of nephrology care in the United States, it is critical that all steps be taken to ensure its success. Poorly executed efforts to rapidly increase home dialysis without promoting and funding a robust infrastructure may result in suboptimal outcomes, thus having an unintended, prolonged negative effect on home dialysis. Herein, we evaluate the feasibility of the proposed payment model to support the growth of home dialysis and its associated infrastructure, potential unintended consequences of rapid home dialysis growth, the importance of maintaining patient choice in modality selection, and propose adjunctive programs to ensure a safe and sustainable growth in home dialysis. The AAKH initiative proposes a mandatory payment model, the End Stage Kidney Disease Treatment Choices Model (ETC), which will randomize new ESKD starts during 2020–2022 into one of two treatment arms (Figure 1). Centers allocated to the ETC arm will receive a financial incentive or penalty on the basis of performance metrics, in particular the fraction of total dialysis beneficiary years that are on home dialysis. Specifically, there will be 3%, 2%, and 1% Home Dialysis Payment Adjustment in calendar years 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Furthermore, there will be a Performance Payment Adjustment with a possible upward adjustment of 5% and downward adjustment of 8% to the facility and a possible upward adjustment of 5% and downward adjustment of 6% to the provider in periods 1 and 2, with subsequent adjustments in future periods. Furthermore, those in the ETC model would receive an incentive …
56 The impact of intimate partner violence on breast and cervical cancer treatment among patients in an integrated, safety-net setting

Statement of Purpose Examine the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on receipt of cancer treatment and surveillance. Methods Longitudinal data were collected for breast and cervical cancer survivors from 2009–2017 at Parkland Health and Hospital System. Data were extracted and merged from two sources. First, electronic health records were used to assess survivors’ cancer treatment modalities (i.e. surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone replacement therapy) and concordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) surveillance guidelines. Second, survivors were invited to participate in a phone survey that included 9-item validated screened for IPV. Regression models were used to evaluate the impact of IPV history on cancer treatment and NCCN guidelines. Results/Findings 54% of survivors were a victim of IPV in their lifetime and 10% of victims experienced victimization during active cancer treatment. IPV victims were more likely to get a single agent chemotherapy compared to non-victims (x2=6.68, p-value Conclusion Largely, cancer treatment and surveillance do not differ for women with a history of IPV. This suggests that, for this limited time of active treatment, access to the healthcare system is not restricted by abusive partners. Healthcare systems can leverage this valuable window to help the victim access social services. Significance IPV screening is recommended as standard practice in healthcare because it improves patient health and safety. New evidence suggests screening is especially important in oncology clinics, where victims are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and less likely to survive from cancer.
Social Commerce Success: Antecedents of Purchase Intention and the Mediating Role of Trust

The past couple of years have witnessed the emergence of a new phenomenon known as social commerce, which incorporates the transactional aspect of e-commerce with social interactions. To date, litt...
Update of treatment in pediatric influenza A (H1N1) infection

Influenza A (H1N1) is an acute and zoonotic respiratory infectious illness, the prevention and treatment is very important in children as vulnerable groups.There are two mainly categories: neuraminidase inhibitors and M_2 inhibitors.The paper summarizes the characteristics of H1N1 and the latest progress in drug treatment and immunization prevention, as well as traditional medicine treatment,in order to improve public awareness of H1N1. Key words: Influenza A, H1N1; Drugs, immunization prevention; Children
Surgery requiring general anesthesia in preterm infants is associated with altered brain volumes at term equivalent age and neurodevelopmental impairment.

Background The aim of the study was to describe and contrast the brain development and outcome among very preterm infants that were and were not exposed to surgery requiring general anesthesia prior to term equivalent age (TEA). Methods Preterm infants born ≤30 weeks' gestation who did (n = 25) and did not (n = 59) have surgery requiring general anesthesia during the preterm period were studied. At TEA, infants had MRI scans performed with measures of brain tissue volumes, cortical surface area, Gyrification Index, and white matter microstructure. Neurodevelopmental follow-up with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition was undertaken at 2 years of corrected age. Multivariate models, adjusted for clinical and social risk factors, were used to compare the groups. Results After controlling for clinical and social variables, preterm infants exposed to surgical anesthesia demonstrated decreased relative white matter volumes at TEA and lower cognitive and motor composite scores at 2-year follow-up. Those with longer surgical exposure demonstrated the greatest decrease in white matter volumes and lower cognitive and motor outcomes at age 2 years. Conclusions Very preterm infants who required surgery during the preterm period had lower white mater volumes at TEA and worse neurodevelopmental outcome at age 2 years. Impact In very preterm infants, there is an association between surgery requiring general anesthesia during the preterm period and reduced white mater volume on MRI at TEA and lower cognitive and motor composite scores at age 2 years.It is known that the very preterm infant's brain undergoes rapid growth during the period corresponding to the third trimester.The current study suggests an association between surgery requiring general anesthesia during this period and worse outcomes.
Metabolic Profiling of Blood and Urine for Exploring the Functional Role of the Microbiota in Human Health

The quantification of metabolites in blood and urine allows nurses to explore new hypotheses about the microbiome. This review summarizes findings from recent studies with a focus on how the state of the science can influence future nursing research initiatives. Metabolomics can advance nursing research by identifying physiologic/pathophysiologic processes underlying patients' symptoms and can be useful for testing the effects of nursing interventions. To date, metabolomics has been used to study cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, autoimmune, and infectious conditions, with research focused on understanding the microbial metabolism of substrates resulting in circulating/excreted biomarkers such as trimethylamine N-oxide. This review provides specific recommendations for the collection of specimens and goals for future studies.
The Role of Big Data, Machine Learning, and AI in Assessing Risks: A Regulatory Perspective

Artificial Intelligence, perhaps better known by its two-letter acronym “AI,” has been the fodder of science fiction writing for decades. But the technology underlying AI research has recently found applications in the financial sector – in a movement that falls under the banner of “Fintech.” And the same underlying technology (machine learning and AI) is fueling the spinoff field of “RegTech,” to make compliance and regulatory-related activities easier, faster, and more efficient. Like many financial institutions and other market participants, the Commission has made recent and rapid advancements with analytic programs that harness the power of big data (a.k.a "SupTech"). They are driving SEC surveillance programs and allowing innovations in many market risk assessment initiatives. My remarks are intended to highlight many of the promises – but also the limitations – of machine learning, big data, and AI in market regulation.
Regulation of ST6GAL1 sialyltransferase expression in cancer cells.

The ST6GAL1 sialyltransferase, which adds α2-6 linked sialic acids to N-glycosylated proteins, is overexpressed in a wide range of human malignancies. Recent studies have established the importance of ST6GAL1 in promoting tumor cell behaviors such as invasion, resistance to cell stress, and chemoresistance. Furthermore, ST6GAL1 activity has been implicated in imparting cancer stem cell characteristics. However, despite the burgeoning interest in the role of ST6GAL1 in the phenotypic features of tumor cells, insufficient attention has been paid to the molecular mechanisms responsible for ST6GAL1 upregulation during neoplastic transformation. Evidence suggests that these mechanisms are multifactorial, encompassing genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-translational regulation. The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge regarding the molecular events that drive enriched ST6GAL1 expression in cancer cells.
Finding renewal in the midst of disaster: The case of the deepwater horizon oil spill

Abstract In 2010, the United States experienced the worst environmental disaster in its history. An explosion on a BP oilrig located in the Gulf of Mexico triggered the crisis. As a result, the United States coast guard and BP were charged with crisis communication in its response to the crisis. This essay provides an unprecedented examination and analysis of the communication experiences of public information officers who worked in the unified command center in Houma, Louisiana during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response. The authors use the discourse of renewal theory to understand the communication practices and choices of the public information officers. Then, using the renewal framework, the authors present three implications for improving crisis communication research and practice.
Input Delay Tolerance of Nonlinear Systems under Smooth Feedback: A Semiglobal Control Framework

This paper studies the problem of when a globally asymptotically stabilizable nonlinear system by smooth feedback is tolerable with respect to input delay. We illustrate, by means of theoretic and practical examples, some fundamental limitations including: 1) a globally exponentially stabilizable (GES) nonlinear system may not guarantee global asymptotic stabilizability of the nonlinear system even with an arbitrarily small input delay; 2) global asymptotic stabilizability (GAS) cannot even ensure semi-global asymptotic stabilizability (SGAS) of the nonlinear system with a small input delay. To overcome these obstacles, we introduce the notion of $semiglobal input delay tolerance (SGIDT)$ and present a semiglobal control framework for the asymptotic analysis/synthesis of input delay tolerance of MIMO nonlinear systems under smooth feedback. With the aid of Razumikhin theorem and the converse Lyapunov theorem on global asymptotic local exponential stability (GALES), it is proved that in the case of state feedback, GALES does ensure the SGIDT of a MIMO nonlinear system. In the case of output feedback, it is further proved that GALES and uniform observability imply the SGIDT of the nonlinear system.
Author Response: What Is the Mechanism of Therapeutic and Adverse Effects of Gabapentinoids?

I appreciate the comments of Gazulla et al. regarding my focused review on the mechanisms of action and side effects of gabapentinoids.1 I cited the article by Yu et al.2 because they found that gabapentin increases expression of delta subunit-containing GABAA receptors. I am also aware of the placebo-controlled pilot study of Gazulla and Benavente3 regarding the potential benefit of pregabalin for ataxia in cortical cerebellar atrophy. I did not cite this study because I focused on the mechanisms of action and potential side effects of gabapentinoids as currently used in clinical practice.
Skeleton Key Business Entities

This article identifies the increasingly important phenomenon of what I term “skeleton key business entities” and discusses the ramifications of their rise. I show that modern business entities, such as LLCs, are increasingly created and deployed to accomplish customized commercial transactions and evade legal restrictions that would otherwise prevent those transactions. Rather than acting as traditional businesses, such entities are tools, or “skeleton keys,” used to open “locked doors” presented by existing bodies of law, including contract, property, bankruptcy, copyright, and tax. The article centers on the example of the “Artist’s Contract,” a fascinating 1971 project, in which artists sought to retain rights in artworks they sold—to obtain a percentage of future appreciation in value, to exhibit the work upon request, and so on. As prior scholarship has noted, the transaction contemplated by the Artist’s Contract could not have been accomplished in regular contract form due to rules concerning privity, servitudes on chattels, and the first sale doctrine, among other things. But this no longer remains true. The emergence of modern business entity law provides the tools—i.e., skeleton key business entities—to “solve” all of these legal problems and allow for bespoke transactions such as those desired by the artists. The LLC operating agreement now operates, essentially, as “super-contracts” capable of evading legal limitations at low cost to some market participants—but perhaps higher cost to society. After explaining this phenomenon and giving a range of examples of where it has arisen, I suggest that scholars both within and outside the business and commercial law realm should turn renewed attention to whether and how the remarkable capacities of these transactional tools should be further facilitated—or reined in. We should consider if it makes sense to force parties pursuing newly enabled forms of commerce to bear the costs of filtering transactions through business entities; or alternatively, which traditional doctrines should bind modern entities as they bind parties outside of those forms NOTE: This working paper draft dated as of January 31, 2019. Some of this material was subsequently published as Artworks as Business Entities: Sculpting Property Rights by Private Agreement, 94 TULANE L. REV. 247 (2020).
Analytic Social and Political Philosophy

In this chapter we shall trace how the political agenda of the Enlightenment Project has impacted analytic social and political philosophy.1 This will involve two distinct elements: (a) exhibiting the historical origins of analytic social and political philosophy and (b) showing how the conceptual ramifications within the evolution of analytic thought are reflected back into the politics of the Enlightenment Project.
Photoemission Cross Sections

Photoabsorption cross sections have been studied extensively for many years, both experimentally and theoretically. Detailed tabulations1-4 are available over large energy regions. In the vacuum ultraviolet and soft X-ray spectral regions, however, much less attention has been paid to the energy dependence of photoionization cross sections of the atomic subshells. From a spectroscopic point of view, this is a very important spectral region,5 and knowledge of the energy dependence of subshell photoionization cross sections is of great value and necessity for a large number of spectroscopic experiments on atomic and molecular gases, physi- and chemisorbed atoms and molecules, solids, and liquids.
Glycation-altered proteolysis as a pathobiologic mechanism that links dietary glycemic index, aging, and age-related disease (in nondiabetics).

Epidemiologic studies indicate that the risks for major age-related debilities including CHD, diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are diminished in people who consume lower glycemic index (GI) diets but lack of a unifying physiobiochemical mechanism that explains the salutary effect is a barrier to implementing dietary practices that capture the benefits of consuming lower GI diets. We established a simple murine model of age-related retinal lesions that precede AMD (hereafter called AMD-like lesions). We found that consuming a higher GI diet promotes these AMD-like lesions. However, mice that consumed the lower vs. higher GI diet had significantly reduced frequency (p 3 fold higher accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in retina, lens, liver and brain in the age-matched mice, suggesting diet-induced systemic glycative stress that is etiologic for lesions. Data from live cell and cell free systems show that the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and lysosome/autophagy pathway (LPS) are involved in the degradation of AGEs. Glycatively-modified substrates were degraded significantly slower than unmodified substrates by the UPS. Compounding the detriments of glycative stress, AGE-modification of ubiquitin and ubiquitin conjugating enzymes impaired UPS activities. Furthermore, ubiquitin conjugates and AGEs accumulate and are found in lysosomes when cells are glycatively stressed or the UPS or LPS/autophagy are inhibited indicating that the UPS and LPS interact with one another to degrade AGEs. Together these data explain why AGEs accumulate as glycative stress increases.