cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accounting Comparability, Audit Effort, and Audit Outcomes

Accounting comparability among peer firms in the same industry reflects the similarity and the relatedness of firms’ operating environments and financial reporting. From the perspectives of “inherent audit risk” and “external information efficiency,” comparability is helpful for auditors in assessing client audit risk and lowers the costs of information acquisition, processing, and testing. I posit that the availability of information about comparable clients helps improve audit efficiency and accuracy. Empirical results show that comparability is negatively related to audit effort (surrogated by audit fees and audit delay). Moreover, comparability is negatively associated with the likelihood of audit opinion errors. These findings are robust to different specifications of regression models, particularly for the “endogeneity” issues due to the possible reverse causality that auditor style might influence client firms’ comparability. In sum, the study shows that accounting comparability enhances the utility of accounting information for external audits. La comparabilite de l'information comptable entre societes homologues appartenant au meme secteur d'activite reflete la similitude et la parente des environnements d'exploitation des societes et de leur information financiere. Dans la perspective du « risque d'audit inherent » et de l’« efficience de l'information externe », la comparabilite est utile aux auditeurs dans l’evaluation du risque d'audit associe a un client et elle reduit les couts d'acquisition, de traitement et de controle de l'information. L'auteur pose l'hypothese selon laquelle la disponibilite d'information relative a des clients comparables contribue a l'amelioration de l'efficience et de l'exactitude de l'audit. Les resultats empiriques montrent l'existence d'un lien negatif entre la comparabilite et le travail d'audit (dont rendent compte les variables de substitution que sont les honoraires d'audit et le temps necessaire a la production du rapport d'audit). De plus, la comparabilite affiche un lien negatif avec la probabilite d'erreurs dans l'opinion d'audit exprimee. Ces observations resistent a differentes specifications des modeles de regression, en particulier aux problemes d’« endogeneite » attribuables au lien de causalite inverse possible faisant que le style adopte par l'auditeur puisse influer sur la comparabilite des societes clientes. L’etude montre, en somme, que la comparabilite de l'information comptable accroit l'utilite de l'information comptable pour les audits externes.
Online Determination of Time Intervals for Statically Secure Distribution System Control

Automated metering infrastructure (AMI) and two-way communication networks enable the essential functions of real-time monitoring and online control in smart electric power distribution systems. The online control problem is challenging due to the increasingly complex network behavior and the introduction of additional control functionality (larger search space). For example, direct load control (DLC) has been significantly expanded in recent years by leveraging smart grid communications systems. In this paper, statically secure control paths spanning finite-horizon injection forecasts are developed using a combination of traditional and smart grid control options. Specifically, capacitors and DLC are considered, both separately and in tandem. Implicit temporal load capability (ITLC) is used to identify time windows for analysis and control when considering different sets of available control options. Since each control action affects the system moving forward, considering different sets of allowable control actions yields different time window divisions. The proposed method may be used to increase the value of (typically underutilized) DLC programs by replacing certain capacitor actions with DLC dispatch [2]. Simulation results are presented on a 2556-node distribution system.
Abstract 170: Glucose Oxidation by Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Ameliorates Cradiomyocytes Contractility in Response to Hypoxic Stress

Introduction: Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) plays a key role in aerobic energy metabolism and occupies a central crossroad between glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Dichloroacetate (DCA), a PDH activator, has been revealed to increase glucose oxidation and reduce myocardial infarct size during ischemia and reperfusion. Hypothesis: Cardiac PDH activation plays a critical role in modulation of cardiomyocytes contractility and calcium signaling in response to hypoxia. Methods: Mechanical properties and intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes by IonOptix system. The stress signaling was evaluated using immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation analysis. Results: PDH activator DCA treatment significantly protects cardiomyocytes from hypoxia-induced contractile dysfunction as measured by maximal velocity of shortening (+dL/dt) and relengthening (–dL/dt), peak height and peak shortening (PS) amplitude, time-to-90% relengthening (TR90) in cardiomyocytes. However, DCA treatment did not show any protective effects on contractile functions of isolated cardiomyocytes from the cardiomyocyte specific PDH KO mouse hearts under hypoxic conditions. Intriguingly, the rise of intracellular Ca 2+ levels and intracellular ATP levels have no significant difference among wild type (WT) and PDH KO cardiomyocytes with and without DCA treatment. The results demonstrated that cardiomyocyte PDH KO does not affect cardiomyocyte contractility under normal physiological conditions, but significantly impaired the contractile functions of isolated cardiomyocytes under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, the immunoblotting results showed that hypoxia triggered phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in isolated cardiomyocytes, but the AMPK phosphorylation was significantly impaired in PDH KO cardiomyocytes. DCA treatment clearly augmented ischemic AMPK phosphorylation in the isolated wild type (WT) but not in PDH KO cardiomyocytes. Conclusions: The glucose oxidation by pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) plays a critical role in cardiomyocyte contractility in response to hypoxic stress. PDH agonist DCA could be used for improve contractile function of cardiomyocytes under hypoxic insults.
Of Squares and Uncouth Twenty-Eight-Sided Figures: Reflections on Gomilion and Lighfoot after Half a Century

This essay, part of a symposium on political powerlessness and constitutional interpretation, focuses on Gomillion v. Lightfoot, which rejected an attempt to remove virtually every African American registered voter from the city limits of Tuskegee, Alabama. The paper examines why and how the case arose in a community with an unusually large and independent black middle class that had long placed high priority on voting rights as well as the impact of the ruling not only on political life in Tuskegee but also on the ruling in Baker v. Carr that launched the reapportionment of legislative bodies around the nation. The discussion also considers the legacy of Gomillion in the continuing debate about the meaning of voting rights in cases involving majority-minority districts.
Outcomes in patients requiring repeat extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Background As the number of patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) increases nationwide, many patients may require ECMO more than once. We review our experience and outcomes in patients requiring repeat ECMO support. Methods The Nebraska ECMO Research Database was utilized for data analysis, and repeat ECMO patients (REPs) were compared to the overall ECMO population. Results Of 246 patients, 2.4% (6/246) were REPs. There was no statistical difference between the median days of initial support run (P = 0.670) and second support run (P = 0.813) for REPs when comparing to the non-REP population. Median hospital length of stay for REPs was 53 days (16-124) compared to the non-REPs, who had a median hospital length of stay of 22 days (1-270); P = 0.043. In-hospital mortality rate for REPs was 50% (3/6) and 50% for non-REPs (120/240). Survival 30 days postdischarge for REPs was 50% (3/6) compared to non-REPs at 48.3% (116/240); P = NS. Conclusions Outcomes for repeat ECMO patients compare favorably to the overall ECMO population and suggest a need to explore and broaden the clinical indications for repeat ECMO.
Abstract 4492: Aggressive breast cancer cells reduce CCL5 and Nodal expression in response to a human adipose-derived stromal cell microenvironment

Clinical studies indicate that obesity is correlated with poor outcomes in breast cancer patients. Obese individuals have a high proportion of adipose tissue, which is abundant in stem and progenitor cells. Human adipose-derived stromal cells (hADSCs) secrete several cytokines including CCL5, an inflammatory chemokine shown to increase tumor metastatic ability in vitro. We previously identified that CCL5 is secreted into the microenvironment when hADSCs are co-cultured with breast tumor cells. When the clinical relevance of CCL5 was assessed using cBioPortal, an open-source genomics database, we found that CCL5 mRNA overexpression was correlated with increased overall survival in breast cancer patients, which counters what we and others have observed in vitro. In this study, we compared the expression of CCL5 and Nodal, a potent embryonic morphogen re-expressed by aggressive cancer cells, in either hADSC or MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in response to three-dimensional collagen matrices conditioned by hADSCs or breast cancer cells. After preconditioning a three-dimensional collagen matrix with either hADSCs or MDA-MB-231 cells (and following removal of the cells), the denuded three-dimensional matrices were reseeded with the opposite cell type. We found that the expression of both CCL5 and Nodal was significantly reduced in the breast cancer cells plated on the hADSC-preconditioned matrix. However, hADSCs did not express Nodal or alter CCL5 protein expression when grown on a MDA-MB-231-preconditioned matrix. MDA-MB-231 cells plated onto a hADSC-preconditioned matrix appeared more mesenchymal and stem-like, while the adipose stem cells placed into a tumor-preconditioned matrix were induced into a more aggressive cancer cell phenotype by engaging in vasculogenic mimicry. Furthermore, we found there was no change in cell proliferation of any cells grown under these different conditions. These observations suggest a relationship between hADSCs and the breast tumor microenvironment where human adipose-derived stem cells appear to inhibit the expression of CCL5 and Nodal by the aggressive tumor cells without altering tumor cell proliferation. Citation Format: Daniel Berrebi, Abhishek Yadav, Eric Lundstrom, Nicole Werwie, Dominic Muttillo, Richard E. Seftor, Elisabeth A. Seftor, Linda Vona-Davis. Aggressive breast cancer cells reduce CCL5 and Nodal expression in response to a human adipose-derived stromal cell microenvironment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4492.
All‐Cause and Cause‐Specific Mortality Trends of End‐Stage Renal Disease Due to Lupus Nephritis From 1995 to 2014

OBJECTIVE A prior study showed that premature mortality among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to lupus nephritis (LN) persisted in the US between 1995 and 2006. The present study was undertaken to extend this analysis through 2014 to examine more recent trends, including key cause-specific mortality trends. METHODS Using the national registry of patients with ESRD, we identified all patients with incident ESRD due to LN between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2014, divided into four 5-year cohorts of ESRD onset by calendar year (1995-1999, 2000-2004, 2005-2009, 2010-2014). We assessed mortality within each cohort. Temporal trends in all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality were examined, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS We identified 20,974 individuals with incident ESRD due to LN from 1995 through 2014. The mortality rate per 100 patient-years declined from 11.1 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 10.4-11.8) in 1995-1999 to 6.7 (95% CI 6.2-7.2) in 2010-2014 (P for trend < 0.01). Adjusted mortality hazard ratios in 2010-2014, compared with 1995-1999, were 0.68 (95% CI 0.58-0.78) for white patients, 0.67 (95% CI 0.57-0.78) for African American patients, and 0.51 (95% CI 0.38-0.69) for Hispanic patients. Deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and infection declined by 44% and 63%, respectively, from 1995-1999 to 2010-2014 (P for trend < 0.01 for both). CONCLUSION In the more recent years of the period 1995-2014, there was a considerable reduction in all-cause mortality among white, African American, and Hispanic patients, with reduced risk of death from CVD and infection. Collectively, these trends provide an important benchmark of improving care in this high-risk population.
Review of numerical optimization techniques for meta-device design [Invited]

Optimization techniques have been indispensable for designing high-performance meta-devices targeted to a wide range of applications. In fact, today optimization is no longer an afterthought and is a fundamental tool for many optical and RF designers. Still, many devices presented in recent literature do not take advantage of optimization techniques. This paper seeks to address this by presenting both an introduction to and a review of several of the most popular techniques currently used for meta-device design. Additionally, emerging techniques like topology optimization and multi-objective optimization and their context to device design are thoroughly discussed. Moreover, attention is given to future directions in meta-device optimization such as surrogate-modeling and deep learning which have the potential to disrupt the fields of optical and radio frequency (RF) inverse-design. Finally, many design examples from the literature are presented and a flow-chart that provides guidance on how best to apply these optimization algorithms to a given problem is provided for the reader.
Meta-Analysis: Association of Parent and Child Mental Health with Pediatric Health Care Utilization.

Objective To examine the association of psychological factors and pediatric health care utilization. Method Ovid Medline and PsychInfo were searched and archival and forward searchers were conducted of relevant articles. Studies of the association between psychological risk factors and pediatric health care utilization of outpatient services, emergency department, inpatient length of stay, and costs were identified. Effect sizes were expressed in the form of the standardized mean difference. From 4,546 studies identified in the search, 69 studies met inclusion criteria. Results There were significant low-moderate associations between higher outpatient visits and general child mental health (MH) problems (mean ES [mES] = 0.35), overall psychopathology (mES = 0.44), and internalizing symptoms (mES = 0.16). Results were significant for any parent MH problem (mES = 0.18). For emergency department (ED) visits, there were significant association between more ED visits and any child MH problems (mES = 0.25), internalizing symptoms (mES = 0.24), externalizing symptoms (mES = 0.16), and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (mES= 0.14), as well as parent MH (mES = 0.24) and maternal depression (mES = 0.21). Increased hospitalizations were associated with any child MH problem (mES = 0.3), overall child psychopathology (mES = 0.49), child depression (ES = 0.41), and any parent MH problem (mES = 0.54). For costs, results were significant for any child MH problem (mES = 0.38). Conclusions Child and parent MH problems are significantly associated with increased HCU.
The Applications of Online Technologies and Excel Spreadsheets in Teaching Undergraduate Introductory Business Finance Course

This paper examines applications of online technologies and Excel spreadsheets in teaching Business Finance. The evidence garnered from both a formative assessment and a summative assessment suggests that the web-enhanced instruction mode certainly possesses potential benefits to students enrolled in the course. The evidence also suggests that Excel should be an important and useful tool of teaching and learning. Therefore, the conclusion drawn is that a good method to deliver Business Finance is utilizing the web-enhanced instruction mode, with Excel being the primary tool for financial analyses. Hence, university administrators should provide encouragements and incentives for finance faculty members of teaching Business Finance to use Internet-based technologies and Excel spreadsheets in face-to-face instructions.
Abstract P2-04-01: Cyclin dependent kinase 7 ( CDK7) inhibition promotes genomic instability and mitotic catastrophe in triple negative breast cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly proliferative and genomically unstable, making these tumors particularly sensitive to anti-proliferative chemotherapies. For nearly 20 years, inhibitors of cyclin/cyclin dependent kinases (CDK) that target proliferation have been investigated for the treatment of a myriad of neoplasms with limited success due to dose limiting toxicities as a result of generally targeting CDKs. Agents that can selectively target proliferation and mitosis within cancer cells without inducing systemic toxicity should greatly improve patient outcomes from TNBC. Recently, selective CDK7 inhibitors have entered clinical trials for solid tumors promising to diminish toxicity by primarily inhibiting CDK7. Due to resistance mechanisms that will inevitably manifest during treatment, understanding the pathways controlled by CDK7 inhibition is imperative. CDK7 forms a complex with MAT1 and cyclin H to phosphorylate serine 2 and 7 on the C terminal domain of RNA Polymerase II and promote pause release during transcription of TNBC driver genes. With selective covalent CDK7 inhibitors such as THZ1, RNA Polymerase II remains un-phosphorylated reducing the expression of genes necessary for mitosis, proliferation and viability. While this has been proposed to be due to inhibition of super-enhancer function, we show here that inhibition of CDK7 increases genomic instability of TNBC cell lines by promoting multi-nucleation and micro-nucleation. This is associated with an arrest at G2/M as well as the suppression of mitosis-related gene expression. Together, these data reveal that the mechanism of action of CDK7 inhibitors is similar to conventional anti-mitotics. Because resistance mechanisms frequently occur in cancer settings, we also generated two models of resistance to CDK7 inhibitors using the TNBC models, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468. We show the transporter ABCG2 can be up-regulated with the development of resistance and that inhibition of this transporter restores sensitivity to CDK7 inhibition. These data suggest that blockade of multi-drug resistance proteins such as ABCG2, may be useful for ensuring responsiveness to CDK7 inhibitors. Further analysis of gene expression changes occurring in response to such inhibitors should reveal additional key target genes that define therapeutic response in this disease. Understanding the full effects of CDK7 inhibition and resistance mechanisms may lead to a selective approach for targeting proliferation of TNBC and improving patient outcomes from this disease. Citation Format: Bryan M Webb, Melyssa Shively, Katrina Piemonte, Jennifer M Sahni, Ruth A Keri. Cyclin dependent kinase 7 ( CDK7) inhibition promotes genomic instability and mitotic catastrophe in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-04-01.
Rational design of sun and wind shaded evaporative cooling vests for enhanced personal cooling in hot and dry climates

Abstract As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, personal cooling becomes increasingly important for maintaining outdoor activities and for individuals without access to air conditioning. For about one-third of the current global population living in drylands, evaporating water from clothing is the simplest method of augmenting natural thermoregulation. To cool off, one can simply wear a water-soaked cotton shirt or a highly water-absorbing commercial cooling garment. However, of the stored water, the vast majority is wasted if such apparel is exposed to solar radiation or even slow air flow. Here I show that this issue can be mostly mitigated by incorporating sun and wind shading elements over surface of the cooling garment. First, to enable rational design of these multifunctional shading elements, I develop and benchmark a comprehensive multiphysics finite element model. This model couples conductive, convective, evaporative, and radiative heat transfer with mass transport in natural or forced laminar flow. In the case of natural convection, the model accounts for air buoyancy induced by both temperature and water vapor concentration, which in conditions of interest have a competing effect that can induce flow reversal. Second, I use the model to quantify the impact of geometry and radiative properties of louver and slitted shades on the performance of an evaporative cooling vest in hot and arid conditions. Under natural convection conditions, wearer cooling and water usage efficiency are optimized by introducing about 1.5 cm ventilation gap between the vest surface and the shading structures. In forced convection conditions, however, such a gap results in excessive evaporation rates that are highly wind-speed dependent. Based on these results, I propose a slitted shade design with a collapsible ventilation gap that can provide nearly sun and wind independent moderate cooling rate. If required due to high wearer exertion rate, the intelligently shaded evaporative vest could also provide a higher cooling rate by maintaining the gap. This shaded evaporative vest design concept can minimize the weight of the water stored in the garment and/or significantly increase its cooling period.
A perspective on the data-driven design of polymer nanodielectrics

Polymer Nanodielectrics are an emerging class of materials with intriguing combinations of properties. They have application in everything from energy storage to high voltage electrical transmission, and energy generation. This article focuses on insulating nanodielectrics. In all cases, however, the complex set of parameters controlling the properties have made it difficult to both validate models and develop a design methodology. This paper demonstrates a recent approach to developing a data driven design methodology grounded in physics-based models and experimental calibration. Specifically, it combines finite element modeling of dielectric constant and loss functions with a Monte Carlo multi-scale simulation of carrier hopping to predict break down strength predictions. In both cases, the filler dispersion and interface properties are explicitly taken into to account to compute objective functions for ideal nanodielectric insulators. Using a Gaussian process for meta-modeling and multi-objective optimization of these computational predictions for polystyrene-silica composites, this paper identifies the Pareto frontiers with respect to loading and dispersion of nanofillers for maximizing breakdown strength and minimizing the dielectric constant and loss tangents.
Recovering Valuable Bioactive Compounds from Potato Peels with Sequential Hydrothermal Extraction

Potato peel is a major underutilized by-product stream from potato processing industry and a potential source of valuable bioactives such as antioxidants. A Sequential Hydrothermal Extraction (SeqHTE) process was employed for recovering compounds of high commercial value from the peels. Process performance was evaluated in terms of effectiveness, quality and yields of the bioactive extracts. The highest recoveries of polyphenols were 22.48 and 32.87 mg/g dry peel from the Russet Burbank and peel mixture sample, respectively. The extracts displayed significant antioxidant activities, measured as free radical inhibition, ranging from 40 to 92%. Moreover, glycoalkaloids, polysaccharides, and soluble nutrients were also recovered through the SeqHTE process. Alkaloid extraction ranged from 20 to 450 and from 35 to 610 mg/kg dry peel for the Russet Burbank and peel mixture, respectively. Similarly, polysaccharide yield varied from 0 to 35.7 wt%. Separating these compounds significantly reduced solid content in the remaining stream, which may effectively alleviate concerns about adverse environmental impacts and costs associated with handling raw potato peels. These results demonstrated the suitability of SeqHTE as a platform for valorizing waste biomass by fractionating and recovering high value compounds from it.
Subgroups in Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials, General Considerations

Assessing whether different subgroups of clinical trial participants have different treatment benefits plays a crucial role in the interpretation of the clinical trial findings. All analyses of subgroup treatment effects are not conducted for the same purpose. While an exploratory subgroup analysis can be performed after the trial completion to evaluate the heterogeneity/homogeneity of the treatment effects across various subgroups, focused subgroup analysis can also be planned at the trial design stage to establish treatment effect in a specific subpopulation in addition to or in lieu of the overall study population. This chapter discusses general statistical issues and points to consider in subgroup analysis in confirmatory randomized controlled clinical trials for medical products. The chapter covers the following three topics: 1. General issues in subgroup analysis as part of the overall evaluation of a clinical trial; 2. Trial design considerations to establish treatment efficacy in specific subgroup of patients; and 3. Bayesian subgroup analysis.
The Framing of Race: Trayvon Martin and the Black Lives Matter Movement:

This study analyzed two national newspapers to investigate how each framed race in coverage of Trayvon Martin and the Black Lives Matter movement. Drawing from Feagin’s white racial frame as the fr...
Comparison of Antibody Class-Specific SARS-CoV-2 Serologies for the Diagnosis of Acute COVID-19.

Accurate diagnosis of acute severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is critical for appropriate management of patients with this disease. We examined the possible complementary role of lab developed class-specific clinical serology in assessing SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients. Serological tests for IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated using samples from real time RT PCR (qRT-PCR)-confirmed in-patient COVID-19 cases. We analyzed the influence of timing and clinical severity on the diagnostic value of class-specific coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) serology testing. Cross-sectional analysis revealed a higher sensitivity and specificity at lower optical density cutoffs for IgA in hospitalized patients when compared to IgG and IgM serology (IgG area under the curve (AUC): 0.91; 95%CI 0.89 to 0.93 vs. IgA AUC: 0.97; 95% CI 0.96 to 0.98 vs. IgM AUC: 0.95; 95% CI 0.92 to 0.97). The enhanced performance of IgA serology was apparent in the first two weeks after symptom onset and the first week after PCR testing. In patients requiring intubation, all three tests exhibit enhanced sensitivity. Among PCR-negative patients under investigation for SARS-CoV-2 infection 2 out of 61 showed clear evidence of seroconversion IgG, IgA and IgM. Suspected false-positive results in the latter population were most frequently observed in IgG and IgM serology tests. Our findings suggest the potential utility of IgA serology in the acute setting and explore the benefits and limitations of class-specific serology as a complementary diagnostic tool to PCR for COVID-19 in the acute setting.
A Study of Spoken Audio Processing using Machine Learning for Libraries, Archives and Museums (LAM)

As the need to provide access to spoken word audio collections in libraries, archives, and museums (LAM) increases, so does the need to process them efficiently and consistently. Traditionally, audio processing involves listening to the audio files, conducting manual transcription, and applying controlled subject terms to describe them. This workflow takes significant time with each recording. In this study, we investigate if and how machine learning (ML) can facilitate processing of audio collections in a manner that corresponds with LAM best practices. We use the StoryCorps collection of oral histories "Las Historias," and fixed subjects (metadata) that are manually assigned to describe each of them. Our methodology has two main phases. First, audio files are automatically transcribed using two automatic speech recognition (ASR) methods. Next, we build different supervised ML models for label prediction using the transcription data and the existing metadata. Throughout these phases the results are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The workflow is implemented within the flexible web framework IDOLS to lower technical barriers for LAM professionals. By allowing users to submit ML jobs to supercomputers, reproduce workflows, change configurations, and view and provide feedback transparently, this workflow allows users to be in sync with LAM professional values. The study has several outcomes including a comparison of the quality between different transcription methods and the impact of that quality on label prediction accuracy. The study also unveiled the limitations of using manually assigned metadata to build models, to which we suggest alternate strategies for building successful training data.
Evaluation of a computer-based facial dysmorphology analysis algorithm (Face2Gene) using standardized textbook photos.

BACKGROUND Genetic syndromes often have ocular involvement. Ophthalmologists may have difficulty identifying dysmorphic features in genetic syndrome evaluations. We investigated the sensitivity and specificity of Face2Gene (F2G), a digital image analysis software trained on integrating dysmorphic features, by analysing patient photos from genetics textbooks. METHODS We analysed all clear facial photos contained within the textbooks Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation and Genetic Diseases of the Eye using F2G under standard lighting conditions. Variables captured include colour versus grey scale photo, the gender of the patient (if known), age of the patient (if known), disease categories, diagnosis as listed in the textbook, and whether the disease has ophthalmic involvement (as described in the textbook entries). Any photos rejected by F2G were excluded. We analysed the data for accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity based on disease categories as outlined in Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Malformation. RESULTS We analysed 353 photos found within two textbooks. The exact book diagnosis was identified by F2G in 150 (42.5%) entries, and was included in the top three differential diagnoses in 191 (54.1%) entries. F2G is highly sensitive for craniosynostosis syndromes (point estimate [PE] 80.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 56.3-94.3%, P = 0.0118) and syndromes with facial defects as a major feature (PE 77.8%, 95% CI 52.4-93.6%, P = 0.0309). F2G was highly specific (PE > 83percentage with P < 0.001) for all disease categories. CONCLUSIONS F2G is a useful tool for paediatric ophthalmologists to help build a differential diagnosis when evaluating children with dysmorphic facial features.
Metformin and Newer Oral Hypoglycemic Agents are Associated with Better Cognitive Test Performance Over Ten Years in Older Diabetic Men (P4.1-010)

Objective: To determine if choice of single hypoglycemic agent predicted ten-year cognitive trajectory in diabetic older men. Background: It is well established that type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. Recent studies suggest that hypoglycemic agents in the biguanide and sulfonylurea classes may slow or prevent cognitive decline in individuals with diabetes, though community-based studies of these and newer oral agents are lacking. Design/Methods: We prospectively studied 442 community-dwelling men (mean age 75.3 years) who were single-agent users of metformin, a sulfonylurea, or other oral hypoglycemic (α-glucosidase inhibitor, DPP-4 inhibitor, SGLT2 inhibitor, meglitinide, thiazolidinedione, or GLP-1 agonist), excluding those with severe renal disease, liver disease, or dementia. Ten-year changes in Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) and Trails B performance were examined with mixed effects models adjusting for age, race, education, body mass index, renal function and hypertension. Results: Of the 442 participants, 174(39.4%) used metformin, 223(50.5%) a sulfonylurea, and 45(10.2%) another oral agent. At baseline, sulfonylurea users had a worse Trails B score (completion time) than metformin users (+15.62 sec, p=0.006) and newer oral agent users (+21.32 sec, p=0.035). Over ten years of follow-up, newer oral agent users had less decline compared to sulfonylurea users on both the 3MS (mean difference +5.54 points, p=0.017) and Trails B (+28.47 sec, p=0.012). Metformin users similarly showed less decline compared to sulfonylurea users on the Trails B (+22.84 sec, p=0.043). Conclusions: After accounting for known confounders, older diabetic men using metformin or newer hypoglycemic agents exhibited less cognitive compared to those taking sulfonylureas. These findings support the possible protective effects of metformin and suggest that newer oral agents may present new opportunities for further research and therapeutic strategies in the prevention of cognitive decline among older adults with diabetes. Disclosure: Dr. Duarte has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vittinghoff has nothing to disclose. Dr. Barrett-Connor has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yaffe has nothing to disclose.
Influence of Sand Morphology on Interparticle Force and Stress Transmission Using Three-Dimensional Discrete- and Finite-Element Methods

AbstractIn the last two decades, particle morphology has emerged as an essential and critical property for proper evaluation of the constitutive behavior of granular materials. When a mass of sand ...
Tales of schizomid tails: patterns in schizomid flagellum shape from elliptical Fourier analysis

Abstract The arachnid order Schizomida is a relatively understudied group of soil-dwelling predators found on all continents except Antarctica. While efforts to understand their biology are growing, there is still much to know about them. A curious aspect of their morphology is the male flagellum, a sexually dimorphic, tail-like structure which differs in shape across the order and functions in their courtship rituals. The flagellar shape is important for taxonomic classification, yet few efforts have been made to examine shape diversity across the group. Using elliptical Fourier analysis, a type of geometric morphometrics based on outline shape, we quantified shape differences across a combined nearly 550 outlines in the dorsal and lateral views, categorizing them based on genus, family, biogeographic realm, and habitat, with special emphasis on Caribbean and Cuban fauna. We tested for allometric relationships, differences in disparity based on locations and sizes in morphospace among these categories, and for clusters of shapes in morphospace. We found multiple differences in all categories despite apparent overlaps in morphospace, evolutionary allometry, and evidence for discrete clusters in some flagellum shapes. This study can serve as a foundation for further study on the evolution, diversification, and taxonomic utility of the male flagellum.
Chapter Four – IgE and Mast Cells: The Endogenous Adjuvant

Mast cells and immunoglobulin E (IgE) are most familiar as the effectors of type I hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis. It is becoming clear however that this pair has important immunomodulatory effects on innate and adaptive cells of the immune system. In this purview, they act as endogenous adjuvants to ignite evolving immune responses, promote the transition of allergic disease into chronic illness, and disrupt the development of active mechanisms of tolerance to ingested foods. Suppression of IgE-mediated mast cell activation can be exerted by molecules targeting IgE, FcɛRI, or signaling kinases including Syk, or by IgG antibodies acting via inhibitory Fcγ receptors. Recent reports indicate that such interventions have promise in the development of strategies to treat allergic disease.
CBT-I in patients with a history of traumatic brain injury

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common and leading cause of disability. TBI most frequently results from motor vehicle accidents, violence, and falls. The risk for TBI is highest among males, young adults, and persons older than 75 years. Most individuals with mild TBI (i.e., concussion) will experience a full recovery; however, for 10%–20% of patients, problems with postconcussive symptoms (PCS) may persist and lead to disruption in normal activities and decreased quality of life. One of the most commonly reported PCS is insomnia. Although CBT-I is the recommended treatment for post-TBI insomnia, many patients will also experience cognitive deficits, pain, and mental health symptomatology which may present a challenge to successful CBT-I response. Fortunately, effective cognitive-behavioral, complementary/alternative, cognitive skills training, and/or pharmacological interventions are available which may be integrated with CBT-I to enhance treatment outcomes. Alleviating insomnia in patients with TBI can have a dramatic impact on reducing long-term disability while promoting a more complete recovery of normal functioning.
Attentional Resource Allocation and Mental Retardation

Publisher Summary A significant portion of retarded–nonretarded differences in semantic processing speed may be the result of inefficient execution of an attentional resource allocation system. This chapter explains the rationale underlying the development of the attentional resource hypotheses and discusses the results of several preliminary studies on the relationship between attentional resource allocation and retarded–nonretarded differences in cognitive performance. There are two major differences between mentally retarded and nonretarded individuals. First, mentally retarded and nonretarded individuals differ in the degree to which attentional resources are needed to complete the basic information-processing operations associated with stimulus encoding and decision making. Second, mentally retarded and nonretarded individuals differ in the rate at which information- processing operations become automatic. Effective allocation of the attentional resources is central to successful completion of a wide variety of simple and complex cognitive activities; therefore, it is essential to understand how individuals may differ in their abilities.
Quercus lesueuri, un miembro meridional del complejo de Q. x undulata (Fagaceae, subgénero Quercus)

Quercus gambelii Nutt. is a widespread White oak (Quercus, subgenus and section Quercus, subsection Gambelieae) in the southern Rocky Mountain region of the United States, extending to west-central Chihuahua in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico. Quercus arizonica Sarg., rather distantly related (subsection Glaucoideae), has a more southern distribution in the United States, and extends through the Sierra Madre into Durango. In the southwestern United States hybrids between Q. gambelii and several White oak vegetation, particularly in New Mexico. These hybrids are known in general as Q. x undulata Torr. pro sp. A plant very similar to Q. x. undulata, Q. lesueuri C. H. Muller, was collected by Harde LeSueur at “El Salto de Babicora”, in west-central Chihuahua, in 1937. It has not been collected since. An oak similar to Q. lesueurii was collected by the autor in the nearby Sierra Catarina where it is a sympatric with Q. gambelii and Q. arazonica. El Salto de Babicora was determined to be located north of the town of Madera. In this canyon Q. gambelii and Q. arizonica are common. Quercus lesueuri and the newly collected hybrid from the Sierra Catarina are shown to be strongly similar to Q. x undulata and intermediate between Q. arizonica and Q. gambelii through the use of the same six leaf characters (leaf width, relative Depth of indentations of leaf margin, conspicuousness of intercostal reticulum, number of major secondary veins, number of rays per stellate hair, curliness of hairs) that Tucker used to assess intermediacy of certain collections to the putative parents Q. gambelii and Q. arizonica. In this paper Q. lesueuri is demonstrated to be parto f this hybrid complex. Taxonomically it should be recognized as Q. x lesueuri C. H. Muller, pro sp., and to be considered as a synonym of Q. x undulata, sensu lato.
Reassessing the function of immune-complex retention by follicular dendritic cells

The close association of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) and germinal-centre B cells has fostered the idea that B-cell recognition of retained antigen that is presented on the surface of FDCs is important for affinity maturation and memory B-cell development. We argue that the retention of immune complexes is not required for germinal-centre development, affinity maturation and memory B-cell maintenance. Instead, it is probable that FDCs support B-cell proliferation and differentiation in a non-specific manner. Other potential roles of immune complexes retained by FDCs are discussed.
Interdisciplinary Estuarine Research: A Challenge for the Future

Growing public concern worldwide about our coastal bays and estuaries recently has focused attention on these ecosystems, but without a defensible, coherent scientific plan responsive research efforts are less efficient and less cost-effective than otherwise might be possible. The scientific community has both an opportunity and an obligation to respond to this renewed public interest. If the scientific response is neither immediately forthcoming nor cohesive, the governmental and public focus on these highly stressed environments will run its course without provision of adequate scientific input. Many physical studies of estuaries are local, focusing on small-scale issues rather than on fundamental physics or global truths. Emphasis on understanding of physics of basic processes has been neglected in favor of more descriptive, locally-tuned models. The estuarine scientific community has a long history of independence and autonomy in research projects, lacking a coherent thrust (despite the preparation of many planning documents).
Vascular perfusion of the dorsal and palmar condyles of the equine third metacarpal bone.

Summary Reasons for performing study Palmar osteochondral disease (POD) is an overload arthrosis that commonly affects fetlock joints of racing Thoroughbreds (TB) but the aetiopathogenesis of the disease has not been well defined. Objectives The aim of this study was to compare India ink perfusion in the dorsal and palmar condyles of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) in both passively flexed and maximally extended fetlock joints from paired equine cadaver limbs. Study design Descriptive cadaver study comparing perfusion of condyles of McIII in paired cadaver limbs in flexion (control group) and maximal extension (intervention group). Methods Pairs of forelimbs were acquired from 5 TB horses subjected to euthanasia for reasons unrelated to lameness. Limb pairs were perfused intra-arterially with India ink and then randomly assigned to passive flexion or maximal extension of the fetlock joint. Limbs were sectioned sagittally in 3 mm sections through the fetlock and 12 sections per limb processed using a modified tissue-clearing technique. Sections were subsequently digitally imaged and bone perfusion evaluated with image analysis software. Results Greater perfusion of the dorsal condyle than of palmar condyle was observed in 78% of sections from limbs in passive flexion and 92% of maximally extended sections. Perfusion to the palmar aspect of the condyle was significantly decreased (P<0.0001) when the limbs were placed in maximal extension compared to passive flexion. Conclusions The palmar condyle of McIII had less perfusion than the dorsal condyle when the fetlock joint was in passive flexion and this difference was exacerbated by maximal extension. Based on the anatomical location of POD lesions, perfusion differences between the dorsal and palmar condyles of McIII may be associated with development of these lesions.
An Analysis of Thermo-Mechanical Behavior in a Multilayer Composite Pipe Under Temperature Variation

A generalized analytical solution of mechanical and thermal induced stresses in a multi-layer composite cylinder is presented. Based on the compatibility condition at the interfaces, an explicit solution of mechanical stress due to inner and outer surface pressures and thermal stress due to temperature change is derived. A finite element model is also developed to provide the comparison with the analytical solution. It was found that the analytical solutions are in good agreement with finite element analysis result. The analytical solution shows the non-linear dependency of thermal stress on the diameters, thicknesses and the material properties of the layers. It is also shown that the radial and circumferential thermal stresses depend linearly on the coefficients of thermal expansion of the materials and the temperature change. As demonstrated, this solution can also be applied to analyze the thermo-mechanical behavior of pipes coated with functionally graded materials.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
On the equilibrium and mechanism of adenylosuccinic acid synthesis.

Abstract The equilibrium constant of adenylosuccinic acid synthesis from guanosine triphosphate, inosine-5′-phosphate and L -aspartate was determined to be 2.9 and 10.0 in the forward and reverse directions respectively at pH 8.0 and 37°. The ΔF ° of adenylosuccinic acid hydrolysis to inosine-5′-phosphate and aspartate was calculated to be -−8.6 kcal/mole. From equilibrium-exchange studies, the limitations of which are mentioned, it appears that 6-phosphoryl-inosine-5′-phosphate may be an intermediate in adenylosuccinic acid synthesis.
Digital Entanglements: Craft, Computation and Collaboration in Fine Art Furniture Production

This paper joins a growing body of CSCW and HCI work exploring questions of creativity and collaboration at the intersection of digital and material practices of craft. Drawing on studio visits and interviews with fine art furniture maker Wendell Castle and his team, we investigate one studio's experience with integrating digital fabrication tools into their studio practice, and its implications for the collective organization of work and creativity. We explore how the introduction of new computational and industrial machine objects (here, Computer Numerical Controllers) remediates traditional relations of craft and the forms of human-object value, care, and creativity built around them. We also chart new forms of creative practice and material flow that emerge from this encounter, and show how remediations of craft in the Castle studio may pose questions and opportunities for wider CSCW concerns around craft, creativity, and design.
The Evolution of Bias

Bias in the galaxy distribution is often conceived as something applied at the present or as independent of time. In fact, a bias arising physically in the process of galaxy formation will evolve afterward, as galaxies move under the influence of gravity. I calculate the evolution of bias in a model in which galaxies are formed at a fixed time by a process that may depend nonlinearly on density but follow motions determined by the gravitational potential thereafter. The equation of continuity then determines the evolution. An initial bias decays with time, and in the long term, the galaxy distribution relaxes to that of the mass, but with galaxy formation occurring at a modest redshift, an appreciable bias may remain to the present. The evolution of bias changes somewhat the dependence of the bispectrum amplitude on configuration shape, but a weak dependence on configuration shape still corresponds to a large bias.