cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A posteriori restoration of block transform-compressed data

Summary form only given; substantially as follows. The NASA/JPL Galileo spacecraft uses lossy data compression for the transmission of its science imagery over the low-bandwidth communication system. The technique for image compression is a block transform technique based on the integer cosine transform (ICT), a derivative of the JPEG image compression standard where a computationally efficient integer cosine transform implementation replaces JPEG's discrete cosine transform (DCT). JPEG and ICT are examples of block transform-based compression schemes. The compression is achieved by quantizing the transformed data. The distortion characteristics of block transform-based compression techniques are understandable in terms of the properties of the transform basis functions and the transform coefficient quantization error [Boden, 1995]. For scientific applications such as Galileo, it is particularly desirable to mitigate the quantization distortion in the decompressed image to enhance science return. Galileo's limited computational resources preclude additional processing, hence attempts at data restoration are limited to a posteriori processing. The present authors consider two known a posteriori enhancement techniques, transform coefficient adjustment [Ahumada Jr. and Horng], and low-pass filtering [Reeve III and Lim]. These techniques are adapted to ICT restoration based on a quantitative model of distortion statistics, and combined to achieve significant objective and subjective improvement in restored image fidelity compared with original data.
Prognostic factors for recurrence and complications in the surgical management of primary chordoid gliomas: A systematic review of literature

Abstract Objective Chordoid gliomas (CG) are rare neoplasms which frequently arise within the third ventricle. Surgery remains the mainstay treatment for CG. The present study comprehensively reviews all reported cases of CG within the literature in order to identify risk factors for surgical complications and tumor recurrence. Methods A comprehensive search on MEDLINE (OVID and PubMed), Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to identify all reported cases of CG. Results A total of 81 patients met the study criteria which comprised of 33 males and 48 females. Median age at diagnosis was 48 years with a range from 5 to 72 years, and mean tumor size was 3.1 cm. Biopsy, subtotal resection (STR), and gross total resection (GTR) were achieved in 8, 34, and 33 patients, respectively, with six cases not reporting extent of resection (EOR). Thirteen patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Postoperative complications were noted in 30 cases (37%), with new onset diabetes insipidus being the most common. Postoperative morbidity was not associated with age, tumor size, or extent of resection. A trans-lamina terminalis approach demonstrated a strong trend towards decreased overall rates of postoperative morbidity compared to other approaches (p = 0.051). GTR was associated with improved progression-free survival (PFS; p = 0.028), while adjuvant radiotherapy, age, tumor size and proliferative index were not predictive of patient outcomes. Conclusion GTR should be the primary goal for the management of CG, as it is associated with improved rates of tumor control without an increased rate of postoperative complications. Surgical approach was a stronger predictor of complication rates than extent of resection. Morbidity remains high, and future studies to further elaborate on factors predictive of postoperative complications are critical.
A luxury brand management framework built from historical review and case study analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a luxury brand management (LBM) framework that accounts for the changing luxury environment (i.e. heterogeneous consumer populations, operations within markets of varying maturity, need for seamless customer experiences, and Omni-channel retailing). Framework set within this new luxury business environment and environmental phenomena unique to the fashion industry (i.e. fashion adoption, zeitgeist). Design/methodology/approach – Case study of leading luxury conglomerate, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), combined with in-depth historical review of luxury industry. Primary and secondary data sources yielded thick descriptions of brands in LVMH portfolio and larger luxury industry, in which conglomerate is the predominant organizational structure. Content analysis of data-tracked relationships and emergent patterns. Recontextualization techniques were employed to identify key dimensions of brand management operations for sample company and further explicat...
Aortic arch variant presenting as an acute ST elevation myocardial infarction.

A woman in her 40s presented to our institution with a first episode of sudden-onset right-sided chest pain. Initially, her ECG revealed ST segment elevation in leads V1–V3 and cardiac biomarkers were elevated with a troponin I (TnI) 5 µg/l. Her cardiac risk factors included type II diabetes mellitus and a history of hypertension. Intravenous heparin was initiated and emergent cardiac catheterisation revealed non-obstructive coronary artery disease. A two-dimensional echocardiogram confirmed hypokinesis of the anterior wall. A CT thorax demonstrated a rare anatomical variant of the aortic arch with an aberrant right subclavian artery. This is a rare case of an aortic arch anomaly presenting as a myocardial infarction.
Reactive Oxygen Species Finding the Right Balance

See related article, pages 598–605 Appropriate regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has a significant impact on health and disease. ROS includes oxygen ions (O2·) free radicals (superoxide [O![Graphic][1] ,2] and hydroxyl radicals), and peroxides (hydrogen peroxide [H2O2]) and are the products of normal oxygen consuming metabolic process in the body. ROS are small and highly reactive molecules with important cell signaling roles when maintained at proper cellular concentrations. During times of cell stress ROS levels can greatly increase. Because of their highly reactive nature, ROS can modify other oxygen species, proteins, or lipids, a situation often termed oxidative stress. Maintaining normal cellular ROS concentrations is, therefore, vital to the proper physiological function of numerous cell types throughout the body. An excess production or decreased scavenging of ROS has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse diseases such as neurodegeneration, diabetes, cancer, and atherosclerosis. Kisucka et al now demonstrate that peroxiredoxin1 (Prdx1) has an important role in the maintenance of endothelial ROS.1 Prdx1 is an antioxidant enzyme that reduces H2O2, lipid peroxides, and peroxynitrite. Prior studies have shown that Prdx1−/− mice develop late onset hemolytic anemia and have increased frequency of cancer2 caused by an increase in ROS (such as H2O2), emphasizing the importance of Prdx1 in normal vascular homeostasis. Like many ROS, H2O2 can have disparate effects depending on the cell type and its local concentration. H2O2 can have normal regulatory functions as a second messenger molecule in signal transduction such as in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. H2O2 makes a good signaling molecule because of its reactive nature and its ease of scavenging by antioxidant enzymes such as Prdx1 making for rapid … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
SINGLE UNIT RECORDING IN THE MIDBRAIN OF RATS DURING SHOCK-ELICITED FIGHTING BEHAVIOR

Single unit activity was recorded extracellularly from the midbrain of rats during fighting behavior and during non-fighting control manipulations. Fighting behavior was elicited by footshock or startle stimuli or occurred spontaneously as a result of prior footshock presentations. Seven cells were found in the midbrain reticular formation and central gray which displayed maximum firing rates during fighting behavior. These cells also fired to a limited extent to some of the control manipulations, particularly contralateral vibrissae stimulation. These cells fired phasically during fighting behavior and their firing was correlated with either the approach or paw-strike of the opponent animal or to the response of the recording animal to a tactic of the opponent animal. However, no specific movement or sensory event reliably predicted the firing of these cells during fight sequences. Cells located in other midbrain areas, such as the deep tectum or the area of the red nucleus, also responded during fighting behavior. However, the discharge of these cells was correlated with specific body movements or sensory events. The activity during fighting was similar in rate and pattern to activity during control manipulations whenever similar movements or sensory stimulation were produced. Cells were also found which did not discharge during fighting behavior although they fired under a variety of other conditions.
Clinical application of two phonologically based treatment procedures.

Two phonological process-based treatment procedures were applied in an ongoing clinical program. Subjects were 4 children aged 3:1, 3:8, 4:1, and 5:1. Two subjects were assigned to a minimal pairs ...
Application of the Marsupial Paradigm to Tropical Cyclone Formation from Northwestward-Propagating Disturbances

Awave-trackingalgorithmisdevelopedfornorthwestward-propagatingwavesthat,onoccasion,playarole in tropical cyclogenesis over the western oceans. To obtain the Lagrangian flow structure, the frame of reference is translated obliquely at the same propagation speed with the precursor disturbance. Trajectory analysis suggests that streamlines in the obliquely translated frame of reference can be used to approximate flow trajectories. The algorithm was applied to Super Typhoon Nakri (2008), Tropical Cyclone Erika (2009), and a few other examples. Diagnoses of meteorological analyses and satellite-derived moisture and precipitation fields show that the marsupial framework for tropical cyclogenesis in tropical easterly waves is relevant also for northwestward-propagating disturbances as are commonly observed in the tropical western Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, and the western North Pacific. Finally, it is suggested that analysis of the global model data and satellite observations in the marsupial framework can provide useful guidance on early tropical cyclone advisories.
Sexuality Education Goes Viral: What We Know about Online Sexual Health Information.

Internet use among young people in the United States is nearly ubiquitous; they are online from home computers, from school computers, and from mobile devices. This offers incredible opportunity for sexual health educators to access individuals who are at a critical time in sexual development over the life course. Currently, the research base on how to best educate young people about sexual health via the Internet is thin. This literature review adds to the small body of current research by describing three subject areas: how young people are using the Internet to find sexual health information, what topics they want to know about, and evaluations of Internet-based sexual health interventions. Based on current knowledge, the field needs to create consensus about what works by developing shared recommendations and theoretical foundations on which to build sexuality education resources online. Additionally, young people need to be consulted in a more systematic way about the information they want and how th...
The role of priming in conjunctive visual search

To assess the role of priming in conjunctive visual search tasks, we systematically varied the consistency of the target and distractor identity between different conditions. Search was fastest in the standard conjunctive search paradigm where identities remained constant. Search was slowest when potential target identity varied predictably for each successive trial (the ‘switch’ condition). The role of priming was also demonstrated on a trial-by-trial basis in a ‘streak’ condition where target and distractor identity was unpredictable yet was consistent within streaks. When the target to be found was the same for a few trials in a row, search performance became similar to that when the potential target was the same on all trials. A similar pattern was found for the target absent trials, suggesting that priming is based on the whole search array rather than just the target in each case. Further analysis indicated that the effects of priming are sufficiently strong to account for the advantage seen for the conjunctive search task. We conclude that the role of priming in visual search is underestimated in current theories of visual search and that differences in search times often attributed to top-down guidance may instead reflect the benefits of priming.
Materials Research at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory

In this paper, a few examples of materials research presently underway at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory are presented. These include x-ray diffraction techniques utilizing anomalous scattering, studies of surfaces utilizing photoemission, and x-ray small angle scattering. EXAFS, one of our major endeavors, is not included because virtually all such studies described in this volume were performed at SSRL, so that a description here would be redundant.
Improving over-the-cell channel routing in standard cell design

The first stage of over-the-cell routing in the horizontally connected vertically connected (HCVC) model is formulated as followings: Given two rows of terminals, find a planar routing to connect a subset of nets (with weights) on each row of terminals using a fixed number of tracks to maximize the total weight. This problem is called the two row fixed height planar routing (TFPR) problem [CPL93]. The complexity of the TFPR problem was unknown up to now. An approximation algorithm for the TFPR problem was presented in [CPL93]. In this paper we present a O(n2*h2) time algorithm to solve the TFPR problem optimally, where n is the number of terminals and h is the height of the standard cells. Our algorithm can be used to improve the performance of several over-the-cell channel routers including the ones in [CPL93] and [HSS93].
Regionalization of the forebrain: from neural plate to neural tube

The vertebrate central nervous system is subdivided into distinct regions along the anteroposterior axis. It has been suggested that segmentation may play an important role in the regionalization and patterning of the neural tube, in particular in the development of the hindbrain. Recent evidence suggests that this may be true also in the forebrain. Several criteria that have been used to define segments and that have led to different views on how the anterior neural tube is subdivided will be discussed. However, regionalization of the neural ectoderm is a gradual and continuous process that starts as early as the induction of neural ectoderm. At the neural plate stage, distinct domains of gene expression have been established, indicating that a certain amount of regionalization has already taken place. Segmentation, as defined by lineage restriction between proposed segments or by the formation of morphological segment boundaries, is not thought to have occurred at the neural plate. When viewed in this context, segmentation may be considered a relatively late event in the ontogenesis of the nervous system. The early pattern of gene expression, the organization of the neural plate, and the underlying signals and tissue interactions may provide us with a better understanding of how the forebrain is regionalized.
Aspects of Personal Character in Japan

Psychological characteristics of enemy peoples were studied almost frantically during the recent war with a view to more effective psychological warfare. Answers were sought to questions like the following: How does the average enemy individual think and feel? Can his mentalemotional constitution be exploited to disrupt his will to fight? And how did he get that way?Prior to 1941 almost no one investigated the phenomena of personality development in Japanese society. Even the Germans were subjected to very little systematic study. After the bombs began to fall, when collection of essential data had become impossible, both governmental and private initiative backed research into “character structure” among enemy peoples.
Law Clerks, Law Reviews, and Some Modest Proposals

Every fall many law students become embroiled in two distinct, yet remarkably similar, markets: the law clerk market and the law review article market. While there has been considerable ink spilled about each market separately, there has never been a discussion of the similarities of the two and the lessons to be learned by the comparison. This short essay begins to fill this much needed gap in the legal literature.
Harvesting rooftop runoff to flush toilets: Drawing conclusions from four major U.S. cities

Abstract As it provides the simultaneous benefits of reducing the demand for potable water and the generation of water runoff, rainwater harvesting (RWH) has received increasing attention from urban water managers in the past decades. This study employs a mass balance based method to estimate RWH performance for four large metropolitan areas of the United States, namely New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Seattle. Geospatial analysis is used in concert with climatic records to characterize the cityscape and climatic patterns of each city and evaluate the RWH systems performance both in terms of potable water savings and roof runoff reductions. The analysis indicates that typical urban rainwater harvesting setups, consisting of a 100 m2 roof connected to a 5 m3 storage volume, would be able to reduce potable water demand by over 65% in all cities while contextually reduce roof runoff generation by over 75%. Small differences in performance are observed among cities due to differences in precipitation patterns, typical roof area, and population density. Furthermore, an evaluation of the total water savings and runoff reduction for the application of RWH practices at maximum build out for all four study cities is provided, and the sensitivity of our estimates of performance to precipitation patterns and to the systems’ operating algorithm is also analyzed and discussed.
Alginate–Polyethylene Oxide Blend Nanofibers and the Role of the Carrier Polymer in Electrospinning

We present here a systematic investigation to understand why aqueous sodium alginate can only be electrospun into fibers through a blend with another polymer; specifically, polyethylene oxide (PEO). We seek to examine and understand the role of PEO as the “carrier polymer”. The addition of PEO favorably reduces electrical conductivity and surface tension of the alginate solution, aiding in fiber formation. While PEO has the ability to coordinate through its ether group (−COC−) with metal cation like the sodium cation of sodium alginate, we demonstrate in this study using PEO as well as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) that coordination may have little effect on electrospinnability. More importantly, we show that PEO as carrier polymer provides molecular entanglement that is required for electrospinning. Since the selected carrier polymer provides the necessary entanglement, this carrier polymer must be electrospinnable, entangled and of a high molecular weight (more than 600 kDa for PEO). On the basis of these req...
Boll Weevil: Increased Longevity of Grandlure Using Different Formulations and Dispensers

An experimental slow-release formulation of grandlure, the synthesized pheromone of Anthonomus grandis Boheman, was as effective or more effective for 8 wk than the standard formulation changed weekly.
The Costs of Democratization

This article suggests challenges, primarily, for enacting social media and networking technologies for public participation. Approached from multiple theoretical lenses for the purpose of public participation (representative, pluralist, direct, and deliberative theories) and multiple filters that can shape the design and implementation of technologies (organizational culture, administrative culture, formal institutions, and political intelligence), the article advances a research agenda in this still nascent field of inquiry. The practice of applying social media and networking tools is still evolving; the intention in specifying hypotheses is to guide future research and to encourage reflexive practitioners as they embark on new relationships with citizens.
Jungian and Adlerian Therapy

In response to his belief that personality pathology was a result of an imbalance between the development of the conscious and unconscious aspects of the self, Jungian therapy emphasized helping the individual to utilize his/her unconscious mind as a guiding force in reestablishing a sense of psychic balance. In response to his belief that psychological problems result from excessive feelings of inferiority, which lead to a self-defeating style of life displaying little social interest, Adlerian therapy focused on helping the individual develop a style of life featuring more constructive means of compensating for inferiority and greater social interest.
Complementarity, The Kenyan Way

A critical review of the arguments made by the Kenyan Government in its effort to defer or halt the prosecution of Kenyan officials by the ICC. The paper argues that efforts to secure an Article 16 deferral are not grounded on any strong legal arguments or political reality. An admissibility challenge, which is the other approach of the Kenyan government, also faces serious legal and factual challenges. The paper briefly discusses the issue of the Kenyan government's willingness to investigate and prosecute Kenyan citizens for crimes against humanity, using recent political disputes over nominations to key judicial offices, and the general lack of support of alternative processes like a special tribunal and the Truth Justice & Reconciliation Commission.
Micro- and nano-technologies to probe the mechano-biology of the brain

Biomechanical forces have been demonstrated to influence a plethora of neuronal functions across scales including gene expression, mechano-sensitive ion channels, neurite outgrowth and folding of the cortices in the brain. However, the detailed roles biomechanical forces may play in brain development and disorders has seen limited study, partly due to a lack of effective methods to probe the mechano-biology of the brain. Current techniques to apply biomechanical forces on neurons often suffer from low throughput and poor spatiotemporal resolution. On the other hand, newly developed micro- and nano-technologies can overcome these aforementioned limitations and offer advantages such as lower cost and possibility of non-invasive control of neuronal circuits. This review compares the range of conventional, micro- and nano-technological techniques that have been developed and how they have been or can be used to understand the effect of biomechanical forces on neuronal development and homeostasis.
Hospital-wide screening improves basis for nutrition intervention.

The prevalence of malnutrition and need for nutrition intervention were evaluated at the time of admission for 500 consecutive patients at Cleveland Memorial Hospital, a 300-bed acute-care community hospital, in Shelby, NC. The association between the prescribed diet and the need for special nutrition intervention was emphasized. Results indicate that 31% of patients receiving routine diets (regular, soft, full liquid, clear liquid, NPO) and 33% of patients receiving modified diets were malnourished at the time of admission. Chi-square analysis indicated that there was no significant difference (p⩽.05) in the prevalence of malnutrition or the need for special nutrition intervention between the two groups. Yet, many hospital nutrition services are organized to direct their activities primarily to patients receiving modified diets. It is suggested that dietetic practitioners implement a hospitalwide screening process so that patients with special nutrition needs can be identified and appropriate support regimens can be planned.
Mechanism of exaggerated diuresis in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The mechanism of exaggerated diuresis and natriuresis was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) by renal clearance and micropuncture techniques. Control normotensive rats of the same age...
Constellation recovery and impairment evaluation through minimization of the blind EVM

We present a new method, blind EVM minimization, for constellation recovery and transmitter impairment evaluation of dual polarization optical signals with complex modulation formats. Using simulated data, for which transmitter impairments are known exactly, the method is shown to be accurate and robust. In addition, the method is successfully tested on measured QPSK and QAM16 data. Because of its relatively long run-time, the method might best be used for defining and measuring transmitter impairments and for judging the performance of faster constellation recovery methods that rely on serial parameter evaluation rather than optimization.
Short-term EGFR blockade enhances immune-mediated cytotoxicity of EGFR mutant lung cancer cells: rationale for combination therapies

The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) erlotinib has been approved for years as a first-line therapy for patients harboring EGFR-sensitizing mutations. With the promising implementation of immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of lung cancer, there is a growing interest in developing combinatorial therapies that could utilize immune approaches in the context of conventional or targeted therapies. Tumor cells are known to evade immune attack by multiple strategies, including undergoing phenotypic plasticity via a process designated as the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). As signaling through EGFR is a major inducer of EMT in epithelial cells, we have investigated the effect of EGFR inhibition with erlotinib on tumor phenotype and susceptibility to immune attack. Our data shows that short-term exposure of tumor cells to low-dose erlotinib modulates tumor plasticity and immune-mediated cytotoxicity in lung cancer cells harboring a sensitizing EGFR mutation, leading to a remarkable enhancement of tumor lysis mediated by innate NK cells and antigen-specific T cells. This effect positively correlated with the ability of short-term EGFR blockade to modulate tumor phenotype towards a more epithelial one, as well as to increase susceptibility to caspase-mediated apoptosis. The effect, however, was lost when erlotinib was utilized for long periods of time in vitro or in vivo, which resulted in gain of mesenchymal features and decreased (rather than increased) tumor lysis in response to immune effector mechanisms. Our data provides rationale for potential combinations of erlotinib and immunotherapies for the treatment of lung carcinomas in the early setting, before the establishment of tumor relapse with long-term EGFR inhibition.
MicroRNAs in Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities in Early Detection, Disease Monitoring, and Therapeutic Agents

Purpose of Review The goals of this review are to examine the usefulness of microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for cancer and to evaluate the applicability of miRNAs as cancer therapeutics.
Changing the Culture of Academic Medicine: Critical Mass or Critical Actors?

Abstract Purpose: By 2006, women constituted 34% of academic medical faculty, reaching a critical mass. Theoretically, with critical mass, culture and policy supportive of gender equity should be evident. We explore whether having a critical mass of women transforms institutional culture and organizational change. Methods: Career development program participants were interviewed to elucidate their experiences in academic health centers (AHCs). Focus group discussions were held with institutional leaders to explore their perceptions about contemporary challenges related to gender and leadership. Content analysis of both data sources revealed points of convergence. Findings were interpreted using the theory of critical mass. Results: Two nested domains emerged: the individual domain included the rewards and personal satisfaction of meaningful work, personal agency, tensions between cultural expectations of family and academic roles, and women's efforts to work for gender equity. The institutional domain dep...
Levocarnitine and vitamin B complex for the treatment of pegaspargase-induced hepatotoxicity: A case report and review of the literature:

Asparaginase is a chemotherapeutic agent that is commonly used in combination with other medications for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. An adverse effect of asparaginase includes hepatotoxicity, which can lead to severe liver failure and death. Several reports have documented successful treatment of asparaginase-induced hepatotoxicity using levocarnitine (l-carnitine) and vitamin B complex. Herein, we report a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia that experienced acute liver injury following pegaspargase administration. Our patient was successfully treated with l-carnitine and vitamin B complex for 8 days and achieved recovery of hepatic function. Furthermore, we review the current literature and provide a recommendation on a regimen that can be used as an option for the treatment of asparaginase-induced hepatic injury.
7 – Fabrication of cell culture microdevices for tissue engineering applications

Abstract: Traditional cell culture techniques do not mimic natural tissue microenvironments, and therefore, do not provide physiologically relevant model systems. A promising approach to improve these systems is to mimic microenvironmental factors through the development and use of cell culture microdevices, with ultimate applications in cellular testing platforms and functional tissue replacements. We present an introduction and survey of this field in three sections beginning with a rationale for developing cell culture microdevices. Strategies for device fabrication are then discussed, followed by a review of applications for the use of these constructs.
Modeling the 3D fracture-associated behavior of viscoelastic asphalt mixtures using 2D microstructures

Abstract Asphalt concrete is a highly heterogeneous mixture with complicated microstructures. This heterogeneity strongly affects the overall three-dimensional (3D) mechanical behavior and damage-associated performance of asphaltic mixtures, which makes accurate modeling a challenge. This paper presents a computational microstructure model using multiple two-dimensional (2D) finite element microstructures as an alternative and efficient approach to predict the actual 3D fracture-associated response of asphaltic mixtures. To simulate crack initiation and propagation, an autonomous algorithm was developed to efficiently generate multiple 2D microstructures using image processing of scanned microstructures, a phase-based segmentation module to separate particles and the surrounding matrix phase, and a finite element meshing module that allows cohesive zone elements to be embedded within the mixture microstructure. Aggregates were considered elastic, but viscoelastic and fracture properties were used to model the binding matrix phase. The validity of the multiple 2D microstructures approach was statistically investigated by comparing the model simulation results with the corresponding experimental results from two cases: (1) a three-point bending beam testing of a gap-graded mixture; and (2) a semicircular bending beam testing of a conventional dense-graded mixture. The 2D simulation results of multiple microstructures could generally capture 3D viscoelastic fracture behavior, but the prediction power of the modeling was reduced when volume fraction, distribution of coarse aggregates became high and complex. With some limitations to be further resolved, this study implies that multiple 2D microstructures can appropriately represent the complex viscoelastic-fracture behavior of 3D mixtures, which can significantly reduce the experimental and computational costs for laboratory mixture tests and 3D microstructure simulations with fracture, respectively.
Severe stress and the development of the amygdala in youth: A theory and its statistical implications

Abstract An empirical understanding of normal developmental variation in the amygdala is emerging. However, studies examining volumetric differences in the amygdala among patient populations, particularly individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have not produced a consistent pattern of findings. One reason for this may be the failure to effectively address age variation in study design and data analysis. Findings on age related variation in human amygdala volumes as well as the role of stress on amygdala development are reviewed. A theory is developed which posits that normal developmental variation in amygdala volumes may be altered under conditions of severe stress. Specifically, that stress may delay, accelerate, or prolong typical growth patterns. The theory highlights identifying the factors related to either delayed, accelerated, or a prolonged period of growth. The theory also points to systematically testing age as an interactive (moderator) variable in pediatric and psychiatric neuroimaging research. This is because the theory implies that disorder status/exposure to severe stress may influence the relationship between age and amygdala volumes.
Use of 21-gene recurrence score assay to individualize adjuvant chemotherapy recommendations in ER+/HER2- node positive breast cancer-A National Cancer Database study.

The 21-gene Recurrence Score (RS) assay is prognostic and predictive of adjuvant chemotherapy benefit in node positive (N+) breast cancer (BC). We sought to evaluate use patterns of RS assay in N+, ER+/HER2− BC and the impact of RS on recommendations for adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with T1-T4c,N1mi-N3, ER+/HER2− BC diagnosed 2010–2013 in the National Cancer Database were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression assessed factors influencing RS testing and chemotherapy recommendations based on RS. Among 72,897 patients, RS was obtained in 20.6%, increasing from 15.0% in 2010 to 24.5% in 2013 (p 85%) with RS ≥ 26 were recommended chemotherapy regardless of nodal stage. For patients with RS < 26, chemotherapy recommendations increased with higher N and T stage, grade, and younger age (p < 0.001). Histology was not associated with chemotherapy recommendation in any RS subset. The RS assay is frequently and increasingly being used for decision making in node positive ER+/HER2− breast cancer patients and its use is associated with lower rates of adjuvant chemotherapy. Use of the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay is going up, helping many women avoid the burden of chemotherapy. Prema Peethambaram and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA, analyzed the records of around 73,000 women diagnosed over 4 years in the United States with breast tumors that have estrogen receptors, but no HER2 protein, and have spread to the lymph nodes. They found that RS testing increased from 15% in 2010 to 24.5% in 2013. Among those who received the test, also known as Oncotype DX, only 50% underwent chemotherapy (in addition to endocrine therapy) after surgery, compared to 81% of women not tested. The findings suggest that RS testing can help identify low-risk individuals who stand little to gain from adjuvant chemotherapy. Large prospective studies are ongoing to validate this conclusion.
Complex relationships between vitamin D and allergic sensitization among Puerto Rican 2-year-old children.

Abstract Background In the United States, Puerto Ricans have a higher prevalence of asthma than other Latino ethnicities. Low vitamin D levels for children living in northern climates could be a factor. Objective To assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] distributions (a marker of vitamin D) and associations among vitamin D, allergic sensitization, early wheeze, and home/demographic factors. Methods Puerto Rican infants born in New York City, with a maternal history of atopy, were enrolled in a birth cohort. Blood was collected at age 2 years (n = 154; 82 males and 72 females). Serum 25(OH)D and immunoglobulin E (IgE) (indoor allergen-specific and total) were determined using immunoassays. Home/demographic characteristics and respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire. Results The median concentration of 25(OH)D was 22.6 ng/mL; 32% were at risk of deficiency or inadequacy ( P = .02) season, but were not associated with allergen-specific IgE levels or with level of acculturation (measured by maternal birthplace). However, low 25(OH)D levels (below median) were associated with high total IgE >100 IU/mL ( P = .01). Also, 25(OH)D concentrations differed between children who attended daycare and those who did not (21.8 vs 24.5 ng/mL; t test, P = .02). Serum 25(OH)D was not associated with wheeze or asthma by 2 years of age ( P = .43). Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency, possibly linked with allergic pathways, may partially explain the trajectory for disproportionate asthma burden among Puerto Ricans, especially those born and raised in colder climates.
Preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT in Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas Allows for Precision Surgery

Background:Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging is recommended in patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma (PC) and paraganglioma (PGL). There are no data on whether routine preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT in all patients with PC/PGL impacts sur
Toxic stress history and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in a social stress task: Genetic and epigenetic factors.

Abstract Histories of early life stress (ELS) or social discrimination can reach levels of severity characterized as toxic to mental and physical health. Such toxic social stress during development has been linked to altered acute hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) response to social stress in adulthood. However, there are important individual differences in the size and direction of these effects. We explored developmental, genetic, epigenetic, and contextual sources of individual differences in the relationship between ELS, discrimination, and adult responses to acute social stress in a standard laboratory test. Additional measures included perceived status, social support, background activity of HPA axis, and genetic variants in aspects of the stress response system. Participants (n = 90) answered questions about historical and ongoing stress, provided a DNA sample to examine genetic polymorphisms and epigenetic marks, and underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) during which three saliva samples were collected to assess HPA function. Individuals who reported high levels of childhood adversity had a blunted salivary cortisol response to the TSST. Childhood adversity, discrimination experiences, and FKBP5 genotype were found to predict pretest cortisol levels. Following up on recent observations that the glucocorticoid receptor directly interacts with the mitochondrial genome, particularly the NADH dehydrogenase 6 (MT-ND6) gene, individuals who reported high childhood adversity were also found to have higher percent methylation across six CpG sites upstream of MT-ND6. These findings suggest multiple contributions across psychological, genetic, epigenetic, and social domains to vulnerability and resilience in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation. Further study to examine how these multiple contributors affect developmental endpoints through integrated or independent pathways will be of use.
Sexual Partner Type Taxonomy Use Among Black Adolescent Mothers in the United States.

Research on sexual-partner type has focused mostly on "main" and "casual" partner categories and has found, for example, that adolescent girls were less likely to use condoms with main partners and more likely to use condoms with casual partners. It is likely that adolescent mothers differ from other adolescents in having different types of sexual partners that cannot be simply characterized as main or casual. The purpose of the present qualitative study was to explore and describe the range and characterization of male sexual partner types reported by 31 Black, predominantly African- American, adolescent mothers aged 15 to 19. Data gathered in focus groups and interviews were transcribed and then analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Nine discrete sexual partner types were identifi ed, including a unique partner type that was the biological father of the baby. These nine partner-types were characterized under three themes each of which had three corresponding partner types. The themes were (1) All main partners are not created equal, (2) They're not casual partners because there are strings attached, and (3) Wham, bam, thank you, ma'am: No strings attached.
Indirect Inference for Fitting Income Distributions

We suggest a novel application of indirect inference method for estimating income distribution using limited data. Generalized method of moments (GMM) method is the classical way to estimate a parametric income distribution in this case. To use GMM, explicit expression for moments are needed. In this paper, indirect inference method allows us to estimate it without needing to find explicit analytical expression. Theoretical properties of this estimator and a goodness-of-fit test are provided.
An overview of design specifications and requirements for the MVDC shipboard power system

Abstract The design of Shipboard Power Systems (SPSs) needs careful consideration of a variety of system specifications, operating constraints and design requirements under different operating scenarios and mission profiles to maintain a stable, reliable and economically efficient operation. Especially, for the state-of-the-art DC-based SPSs, with the extensive use of power electronic apparatus and the wide adoption of intelligent ship modernization techniques, the complexity and heterogeneity of on-board electrical systems significantly increase. Therefore, the corresponding specifications, regulations, and requirements that are tailored specifically for DC-based SPSs need to be developed to address the requirements of electric ship design, simulation, control, optimization, management, and automation. Given the limited amount of existing published works in this field, this paper aims to bring together different aspects of model-based electric ship design. It provides a thorough survey of design specification and requirement criteria along with their mathematical formulations that are of different importance, physical natures and time scales to address the transient and steady-state studies for the latest Medium-Voltage DC (MVDC) SPSs. This paper can be considered an attempt to provide a comprehensive study for the SPS research community from academia, industry, and Navy to facilitate various aspects of design, development, and deployment of the MVDC SPS applications.
Abstract TP337: Predictors of the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) Among Acute Stroke Survivors: An Analysis of the Michigan Stroke Transitions Trial (MISTT) Data

Introduction: Stroke transitions-of-care are complex and effective self-management is required for success. Patient activation, measured by the Patient Activation Measure (PAM), is a self-managemen...
Apoptosis in AIDS

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) leads to progressive immunodeficiency and onset of opportunistic infections and neoplasms. The loss of immune competence is associated with declines in both the functionality and the number of CD4+ lymphocytes. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain death and dysfunction of CD4+ T-cells. The mechanisms of HIV-1-mediated cell death which are relevant in vivo are unclear at present. However, in vitro explorations on the cytopathic effects of HIV-1 have yielded a wealth of potential triggering events, and signaling and effector pathways leading to apoptosis. The types of pro- and anti-apoptotic stimuli that have been associated with HIV-1 are multiple and often appear overlapping or even contradictory. This review focuses on the various molecular determinants from HIV-1 that play a role in induction of apoptosis in T-lymphocytes. Special attention is devoted to the viral genes, env, nef, tat and vpr, for which a significant body of literature on apotosis-related effects is available.
Reflecting on the Liberal Reflex: Rhetoric and the Politics of Acknowledgement in Basic Writing.

In the 1990s, leading rhetoric and composition scholars criticized basic writing programs for their “liberalism.” Basic writing had its defenders, however, and the ensuing debate exposed deep rifts in the field. This article argues that neither side in this formative debate nor the more recent alternative models of teaching basic writing manage to escape liberal hegemony. By combining political theory with rhetoric/composition scholarship, and relying on examples from recent changes to the basic writing program at Roosevelt University, I propose an approach to basic writing that combines rhetorical pedagogy with a new politics of acknowledgement in order to simultaneously concede and resist the university’s inevitable liberalism.
Reports and How to Write Them

Writing psychological reports for individuals with intellectual disabilities can be a daunting task due to the complexity and nature of their concerns and developmental histories. This chapter reviews important considerations when writing reports for those with intellectual disabilities, as well as a possible structure for these reports—including critical elements and the order in which the information might be presented. Additionally, the issue of confidentially is discussed including informed consent, understanding the scope and implications of the diagnosis, and the provisions intended to keep the consumer and their advocate safe. Finally, issues of confidentiality and safeguarding files and test data are reviewed.
Wholesale and retail trade sector occupational fatal and nonfatal injuries and illnesses from 2006 to 2016: Implications for intervention.

Background We analyzed the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) fatal and nonfatal injuries and illness data on U.S. workers in the wholesale and retail trade (WRT) sector from 2006 to 2016. The purpose was to identify elevated fatal and nonfatal injury and illness rates in WRT subsectors. Methods To assess the WRT health and economic burden, we retrieved multiple BLS data sets for fatal and nonfatal injury and illness data, affecting more than 20 million employees. We examined yearly changes in incidence rates for lost work-time across event and exposure categories. Results In 2016, 553 100 injuries and illnesses and 461 fatalities occurred among WRT workers. WRT has a disproportionately 5% larger burden of nonfatal injuries for its size. From 2006 through 2016, wholesale sector fatality rates (4.9/100 000 FTE) exceeded private industry rates (3.8/100 000 FTE). The largest causal fatal factors were transportation in wholesale and violence in retail. Private industry and WRT experienced a decline in nonfatal injuries and illnesses. Wholesale subsectors with elevated nonfatal rates included durable and nondurable goods, recycling, motor parts, lumber, metal and mineral, grocery, and alcohol merchants. Retail subsectors with elevated rates included motor parts dealers, gasoline stations, nonstores, tire dealers, home and garden centers, supermarkets, meat markets, warehouse clubs, pet stores, and fuel dealers. Discussion Through the identification of safety and health risks, researchers and safety practitioners will be able to develop interventions and focus future efforts in advancing the safety and health of WRT employees.