cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parameterization of Model Validating Sets for Uncertainty Bound Optimizations

Given measurement data, a nominal model and a linear fractional transformation uncertainty structure with an allowance on unknown but bounded exogenous disturbances, easily computable tests for the existence of a model validating uncertainty set are given. Under mild conditions, these tests are necessary and sufficient for the case of complex, nonrepeated, block-diagonal structure. For the more general case which includes repeated and/or real scalar uncertainties, the tests are only necessary but become sufficient if a collinearity condition is also satisfied. With the satisfaction of these tests, it is shown that a parameterization of all model validating sets of plant models is possible. The new parameterization is used as a basis for a systematic way to construct or perform uncertainty tradeoff with model validating uncertainty sets which have specific linear fractional transformation structure for use in robust control design and analysis. An illustrative example which includes a comparison of candidate model validating sets is given.
Min Chiu Li: a perspective in cancer therapy.

[⇓][1] Dr. Min Chiu Li was the first therapeutic scientist to demonstrate that systemic chemotherapy could result in the cure of a widely metastatic malignant disease. In 1956, he published the first report of complete regression of metastatic choriocarcinoma in the female [(1)][2] . This
Natural variation of HIV-1 group M integrase: Implications for a new class of antiretroviral inhibitors

HIV-1 integrase is the third enzymatic target of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. However, few data have been published on the distribution of naturally occurring amino acid variation in this enzyme. We therefore characterized the distribution of integrase variants among more than 1,800 published group M HIV-1 isolates from more than 1,500 integrase inhibitor (INI)-naive individuals. Polymorphism rates equal or above 0.5% were found for 34% of the central core domain positions, 42% of the C-terminal domain positions, and 50% of the N-terminal domain positions. Among 727 ARV-naive individuals in whom the complete pol gene was sequenced, integrase displayed significantly decreased inter- and intra-subtype diversity and a lower Shannon's entropy than protease or RT. All primary INI-resistance mutations with the exception of E157Q – which was present in 1.1% of sequences – were nonpolymorphic. Several accessory INI-resistance mutations including L74M, T97A, V151I, G163R, and S230N were also polymorphic with polymorphism rates ranging between 0.5% to 2.0%.
Episomal Viral cDNAs Identify a Reservoir That Fuels Viral Rebound after Treatment Interruption and That Contributes to Treatment Failure

Viral reservoirs that persist in HIV-1 infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are the major obstacle to viral eradication. The identification and definition of viral reservoirs in patients on ART is needed in order to understand viral persistence and achieve the goal of viral eradication. We examined whether analysis of episomal HIV-1 genomes provided the means to characterize virus that persists during ART and whether it could reveal the virus that contributes to treatment failure in patients on ART. For six individuals in which virus replication was highly suppressed for at least 20 months, proviral and episomal genomes present just prior to rebound were phylogenetically compared to RNA genomes of rebounding virus after therapy interruption. Episomal envelope sequences, but not proviral envelope sequences, were highly similar to sequences in rebounding virus. Since episomes are products of recent infections, the phylogenetic relationships support the conclusion that viral rebound originated from a cryptic viral reservoir. To evaluate whether the reservoir revealed by episomal sequence analysis was of clinical relevance, we examined whether episomal sequences define a viral population that contributes to virologic failure in individuals receiving the CCR5 antagonist, Vicriviroc. Episomal envelope sequences at or near baseline predicted treatment failure due to the presence of X4 or D/M (dual/mixed) viral variants. In patients that did not harbor X4 or D/M viruses, the basis for Vicriviroc treatment failure was indeterminate. Although these samples were obtained from viremic patients, the assay would be applicable to a large percentage of aviremic patients, based on previous studies. Summarily, the results support the use of episomal HIV-1 as an additional or alternative approach to traditional assays to characterize virus that is maintained during long-term, suppressive ART.
Early Attachment Organization With Both Parents and Future Behavior Problems: From Infancy to Middle Childhood

Links between children's attachment security with mothers and fathers, assessed in Strange Situation with each parent at 15 months (N = 101), and their future behavior problems were examined. Mothers and fathers rated children's behavior problems, and children reported their own behavior problems at age 8 (N = 86). Teachers rated behavior problems at age 6½ (N = 86). Insecurity with both parents had a robust effect: “Double-insecure” children reported more overall problems, and were rated by teachers as having more externalizing problems than those secure with at least 1 parent. Security with either parent could offset such risks, and security with both conferred no additional benefits. High resistance toward both parents in Strange Situation may confer “dual risk” for future externalizing behavior.
Single-Stage Waveform Selection for Adaptive Resource Constrained State Estimation

We consider the problem of optimal waveform selection. We would like to choose a small subset from a given set of waveforms that minimizes state prediction mean squared error (MSE) given the past observations. This differs from previous approaches to this problem since the optimal waveforms cannot be computed offline; it requires the previous observations. Since the optimal solution to this subset selection problem is combinatorially complex, we propose a convex relaxation of the problem and provide a low complexity suboptimal solution. We present a specific model and show that the performance of this suboptimal procedure approaches that of the optimal waveforms
Perceptual dimensions for a dynamic tactile display

We propose a new approach for converting graphical and pictorial information into tactile patterns that can be displayed in a static or dynamic tactile device. The key components of the proposed approach are (1) an algorithm that segments a scene into perceptually uniform segments; (2) a procedure for generating perceptually distinct tactile patterns; and (3) a mapping of the visual textures of the segments into tactile textures that convey similar concepts. We used existing digital halftoning and other techniques to generate a wide variety of tactile textures. We then conducted formal and informal subjective tests with sighted (but visually blocked) and visually-impaired subjects to determine the ability of human tactile perception to perceive differences among them. In addition to generating perceptually distinguishable tactile patterns, our goal is to identify significant dimensions of tactile texture perception, which will make it possible to map different visual attributes into independent tactile attributes. Our experimental results indicate that it is poosible to generate a number of perceptually distinguishable tactile patterns, and that different dimensions of tactile texture perception can indeed be identified.
Is there a time for everything? Attitudes related to women's sequencing of career and family.

Attitudes affecting career and family choices are examined in a sample of 203 US university business students both male and female. 4 sequencing patterns were examined: the timing of marriage and career simultaneously balancing career and family the timing of career and children and the choice of career with no children. Opinions were sought about womens careers before marriage careers before children the ability to balance children and career and no children with a career. The results of the intercorrelation matrix analysis showed that age marital status and number of children were significantly correlated at a low level. Age and race were related to the belief that women should have careers before marriage. Gender is related to the beliefs about womens career before children no children with a career and the ability to balance a career and children. Multiple regression resulted in gender differences: women were significantly less likely to believe in no children with a career (t = 4.40 p < 0.001). Women were also more likely to believe that career comes before having children (t = 2.15 p < .05) and that women can successfully balance a career and children (t = 3.27 p < .001). Race and attitudes were also significantly related to sequencing career and marriage (t = 2.64 p < .01). The belief that women should establish their careers before marriage was more likely to occur among minorities which was an unexpected finding. The implication is that men are more traditional in their beliefs about working women and marriage. Additional research is suggested on the examination of the relationship between race nationality and attitudes about the sequencing of career and marriage. An instrument that measures womens development and the factors influencing sequencing decisions at different career stages is needed. Questions remain unanswered about whether women desiring children choose less demanding careers whether womens choice of career or employer is influenced by family considerations and the relationship between husbands and wives career ideals and their plans for children. The implications for counselors are that women need to be made aware of the options available and advantages and disadvantages for the sequencing of career and family. Conflict may occur with the spouse over sequencing choices. Additional counseling in various stages of a career is also important.
Under-ice operations with a REMUS-100 AUV in the Arctic

Use of a REMUS-100 AUV to obtain hydrographic observations beneath coastal sea ice offshore of Barrow, Alaska is described. The work is motivated by the desire to obtain cross-shore hydrographic transects that would provide estimates of the transport of relatively dense, salty water from the Chukchi Sea to the Arctic Ocean in winter. The horizontal scales (∼10 km), maximum water depths (∼100 m) and desired measurements (temperature, salinity and velocity vs. depth) in the study region match the capabilities of a small AUV such as the REMUS-100. It was recognized that achieving the science goals would require increasing the range of acoustic navigation and communication as well as developing a robust approach to through-ice deployment and recovery. These needs drove three modifications to the AUV: 1) Incorporation of a lower frequency (10 kHz) transducer and associated hardware for navigation and communication, 2) Addition of special-purpose sensors and hardware in a hull extension module, 3) Development of a homing algorithm utilizing an Ultra-Short Base Line (USBL) array in the AUV nose cap. In March 2010, eight days of field work offshore of Barrow provided successful demonstration of the system. A total of 14 km of track lines beneath a coastal ice floe were obtained from four missions, each successfully terminated by net-capture recovery.
Report of the Task Force on Residency Training Information (1999-2000), American Board of Emergency Medicine.

Abstract The American Board of Emergency Medicine gathers extensive background information on emergency medicine residents and the programs in which they train. We present the third annual report on the status of US emergency medicine residency programs. [American Board of Emergency Medicine. Report of the Task Force on Residency Training Information (1999-2000), American Board of Emergency Medicine. Ann Emerg Med . May 2000;35:481-498.]
Inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism have variable effects on calcium signaling pathways.

Abstract The metabolic pathways of arachidonic acid (AA) have been shown to be important in the regulation of cellular function. Several studies have demonstrated both direct and indirect effects of products of these pathways in the regulation of vascular actions, and in particular on signaling pathways. Because intracellular calcium concentration is a significant mediator of stimulus-coupled signal transduction, we investigated the effects of AA pathway inhibitors on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced calcium mobilization in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Thus, specific calcium pools were examined for differential effects resulting from inhibitors of the three major pathways of AA metabolism. Inhibition of lipoxygenase (LO) with 2.5 μmol/L of 5,8,11 eicosatriynoic acid (ETI), cyclooxygenase (CO) with 2 μmol/L of ibuprofen (IBU), and cytochrome P-450 (P450) with 1 μmol/L of 7-ethoxyresorufin (7ER) all reduced total Ang II-induced intracellular calcium transients ([Ca2+]i) in fura 2-loaded cultured rat VSMC. However, the sites of action affected were unique for each inhibitor. Pretreatment of VSMC with either ETI or IBU inhibited thapsigargin (TG) (1 μmol/L)-sensitive calcium increments (control; 118.0 ± 33.1 nmol/L, n = 9, ETI; 34.7 ± 4.8 nmol/L, n = 9, IBU; 40.3 ± 8.8 nmol/L, n = 8, P
Defensiveness Versus Remediation: Self-Theories and Modes of Self-Esteem Maintenance

How people maintain and repair their self-esteem has been a topic of widespread interest. In this article, the authors ask, What determines whether people will use direct, remedial actions, or defensive actions? In three studies, they tested the hypothesis that a belief in fixed intelligence (entity theory) would produce defensiveness, whereas a belief in improvable intelligence (incremental theory) would foster remediation. In each study, participants assigned to the entity condition opted for defensive self-esteem repair (downward comparison in Studies 1 and 3; a tutorial on already mastered material in Study 2), but those in the incremental condition opted for self-improvement (upward comparison in Studies 1 and 3; a tutorial on unmastered material in Study 2). Experiment 3 also linked these strategies to self-esteem repair; remedial strategies were the most effective in recovering lost self-esteem for those in the incremental condition, whereas defensive strategies were most effective for those in the entity condition.
Es Kommt Die Nacht: Paul Massing, the Frankfurt School, and the Question of Labor Authoritarianism during World War II

During World War II, Paul Massing, a research assistant at the Institute of Social Research (the famous ‘Frankfurt School’), helped conduct one of the most important research projects in the history of Marxist sociology. Following on the Institute’s earlier work on family and authority dynamics as well as the Weimar proletariat study, the wartime American labor anti-Semitism study resulted in a massive report that was never published. This article introduces Paul Massing, his role in the labor study, and some important findings regarding the effect of union affiliation and other key variables in regard to working-class authoritarianism.
STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF MIXED-SPECIES FLOCKS IN A HAWAIIAN RAIN FOREST

Abstract Mixed-species flocks of native and introduced birds were studied for four years in an upper elevation Hawaiian rain forest. Those flocks were characterized by strong seasonality, large size, low species richness, high intraspecific abundance, a lack of migrants, and a general lack of territoriality or any sort of dominance hierarchy. There was high variability among years in patterns of occurrence at the species level, and high variability within years at the individual level. These flocks are loosely structured social groupings with apparently open membership. The fluid, unstable movement patterns, high degree of variability in size and composition, and lack of positive interspecific associations are not consistent with the “foraging enhancement” hypothesis for flocking. Two resident, endangered insectivores, the Akepa (Loxops coccineus) and Hawaii Creeper (Oreomystis mana) served as “nuclear” species. Flock composition was compared between two study sites that differed significantly in density ...
The rhetoric of ideology: Confronting a critical dilemma

This essay argues that ideology is a type of rhetoric that escapes rather than challeges contradiction through the joint use of false consciousness and rational discourse. The specific contradiction of the part and the whole, such as an advocacy of private interests in the name of public concern, becomes a problem for the critic since positions taken for or against an ideology are necessarily partisan themselves. Therefore, critics become trapped by the system within which they operate. By drawing from Kenneth Burke and Michael McGee, an attempt will be made to demonstrate this dilemma of criticism while offering a perspective for overcoming the perpetual tendency to advance self‐interest as “truth.”
Normalized vitamin D metabolite concentrations are better correlated to pharmacological effects than measured concentrations.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a multitude of diseases, ranging from fractures to cancer. Nearly 99% of vitamin D metabolites are bound to proteins, altering the relationship between concentration and activity. Methods & results: Normalized concentrations were calculated and validated using published data regarding the correlation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D with bone mineral density. In addition, healthy and kidney disease subjects were recruited for preliminary investigations. Use of the normalizing equations resulted in statistically significant improvements in the relationship between vitamin D metabolites and several markers of health status. Conclusion: Normalized concentrations are similar to clinically reported values and are easier to interpret than free or bioavailable concentrations, since their values match the range of measured total concentrations. Lay abstract: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a multitude of diseases, ranging from fractures to cancer. Most...
Spinoza’s Anti-Humanism: An Outline

In this paper, Yitzhak Melamed argues that Spinoza was the most radical anti-humanist among modern philosophers. Spinoza rejects any notion of human dignity. He conceives of God’s—and not man’s—point of view as the only objective perspective through which one can know things adequately, and it is at least highly questionable whether he allows for any genuine notions of human autonomy or morality.
Unsolved problems: Mesoscale polar cap flow channels' structure, propagation, and effects on space weather disturbances

Recent evidence indicates that the magnetosphere-ionosphere system is frequently driven by dynamic mesoscale flow structures that are first seen near the dayside cusps, move across the open field line regions of the polar caps, and then enter the plasma sheet where they lead to a large variety of space weather disturbances. It will be important to uncover the features of these flow enhancements, including their structure, how they propagate across the polar cap, and what controls their dynamic effects after reaching the nightside plasma sheet.
An Error in Measuring Changes in Plasma Volume After Exercise

SummaryWhen the dye method is used for measuring changes in plasma volume after exercise, an error occurs due to changes in the optical properties of the serum.
LONGEVITY OF ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS IN CORN

Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus are the two fungi that produce aflatoxins in corn both in the field and in storage. Because corn sometimes is stored for several years before it is used, we asked how long can these fungi survive in kernels of corn. Twenty-one samples of white corn, assayed for aflatoxin and A. flavus in 1972, were reexamined. In all samples containing A. flavus in 1972 the fungus was still present, but the counts were always less than in 1972. The number of A. flavus propagules was reduced from 73 to 7.8%. Reduction in the numbers of A. niger and species of Fusarium and Penicillium was also found. In addition, 95% of 171 samples of corn stored from 1972 to 1979 contained live A. flavus propagules.
Improving the electron g -2 measurement

The measurement and calculation of the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron currently provides the most stringent test of QED. In the past, one of the limitations in the experiment has been the small inhomogeneous component of the magnetic field which has been used to detect the magnet resonances of the trapped electron. We have developed a technique which allows us to reduce this inhomogeneous field by as much as two orders of magnitude and have demonstrated the technique with a factor of fifteen reduction, virtually eliminating the broadening of the magnetic lines in our “geonium atom”.
Job Authority and Perceptions of Job Security: The Nexus by Race Among Men

A benefit of attaining job authority is heightened perceptions of job security, though no research has examined whether (a) this benefit operates equally across racial groups; and (b) if it does not operate equally across racial groups, why not? Analyzing a combined 2004 and 2006 General Social Survey sample of men, we find—among those who have attained an “upper command” level of job authority—that workplace-based marginality (discriminatory allocation and evaluation practices) rather than dispositions (e.g., fatalism, mistrust) learned outside of the workplace account for lower levels of perceived security among African Americans and Latinos, relative to Whites. Additional sectoral analyses indicate that this pattern is especially pronounced in the private, but not public sector. Discussed are the implications of the findings for understanding racial inequality at privileged levels of the American workplace.
The Spring α-Helix Coordinates Multiple Modes of HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) NS3 Helicase Action

Genomic DNA replication requires helicases to processively unwind duplexes. Although helicases encoded by positive-strand RNA viruses are necessary for RNA genome replication, their functions are not well understood. We determined structures of the hepatitis C virus helicase (NS3h) in complex with the transition state ATP mimic ADP·AlF4− and compared them with the previous nucleic acid-associated ternary complexes. The results suggested that nucleic acid binding promotes a structural change of the spring helix at the transition state, optimizing the interaction network centered on the nucleophilic water. Analysis of ATP hydrolysis with and without conformational restraints on the spring helix further supported the importance of its action for both nucleic acid-stimulated and basal catalysis. We further found that an F238P substitution, predicted to destabilize the helix, diminished viral RNA replication without significantly affecting ATP-dependent duplex unwinding. The stability of the secondary structure, thus, seems critical for additional functions of NS3h. Taken together, the results suggest that the spring helix may be central to the coordination of multiple modes of NS3h action. Further characterization centered on this element may help understand the molecular details of how the viral helicase facilitates RNA replication. This new structural information may also aid efforts to develop specific inhibitors targeting this essential viral enzyme.
P2Y12 Reaction Units: Effect on Hemorrhagic and Thromboembolic Complications in Patients With Cerebral Aneurysms Treated With the Pipeline Embolization Device.

Background: The main concern with the use of the pipeline embolization device (PED) in treating cerebral aneurysms is the risk of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications. Objective: To investigate if P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) values are associated with hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications after treatment with the PED and to find an optimal range of preprocedural PRU values. Methods: Two hundred thirty-one patients with 248 cerebral aneurysms treated with the PED were retrospectively identified. Patients were started on dual-antiplatelet treatment at least 10 days before the intervention. PRU values were checked. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Youden Indices were calculated to determine cutoffs for optimal PRU values. Results: Mean patient age was 57 years. Mean last preprocedural PRU was 132 (range: 1-382). The combined rate of major hemorrhagic complications (4%) and major thromboembolic complications (5.6%) was 9.6%. Analysis using Youden indices suggested an optimal PRU range of 70 to 150 with higher odds of complications outside this range (P = .01, odds ratio [OR] = 3 [1.2-7.5]). PRU 240 was a significant predictor of any thromboembolic complication (P = .04, OR = 3.6 [1.04-12]) and cerebral thromboembolic complications (P = .02, OR = 4 [1.2-14]). Conclusion: Target preoperative PRU values should be between 60 and 240 and ideally between 70 and 150. Values below this range and above it carry higher odds of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications, respectively.
Model Dimension Reduction

A real system, especially a distributed parameter system, may havehigh or even infinite dimensions of freedom (DOF). When the DOF ofa model is too high, all inversion methods that we have learnedbecome inefficient and the inverse problem becomes unsolvablebecause of data and computational limitations. On the other hand,when the structure of a model is overly simplified, the model maybecome useless because of its large structure error. An appropriatemodel complexity depends not only on the complexity of the modeledsystem, but also on data availability, data format, and the intendeduse of the model. The main purpose of this chapter is to give acomprehensive survey of various parameterization techniques, suchas Voronoi diagram, radial basis functions, and local polynomialapproximation for representing deterministic functions, and Gaussianrandom field, Markov random field, variogram analysis, andmultipoint statistics for representing stochastic fields. Linear andnonlinear model dimension reduction methods, such as POD, FA,and kernel PCA, are considered and applied to model inversion.
Effects of Alcohol and pH on Protein–Polyphenol Haze Intensity and Particle Size

Gliadin (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg/L) and tannic acid (TA; 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 mg/L) were combined in buffer model systems at various pHs (4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5) and ethanol contents (0, 6, and 12% [v/v]). Turbidities were determined and particle size analysis was carried out. The maximum turbidity occurred near pH 5.0-5.5 when 0% ethanol was present, at pH 4.5-5.0 with 6% (v/v) ethanol, and pH 4.5 with 12% (v/v) ethanol. The greatest haze intensity at each pH tended to occur when both gliadin and TA concentrations were high. A response surface model was fit through the 540 data points (R = 0.867) and was used to predict haze intensities for other conditions. Under wort conditions (pH 5.5 and 0% ethanol), particle sizes were predominantly small (0.25-1 pm) and medium (5-70 μm). With added ethanol, both the haze intensity at beer pH and the number of large particles increased, and at pH 4.5, the number of small particles (<1 μm) increased considerably. The results indicate that the pH and the alcohol content of a beer are likely to influence both the size of colloidal particles and light scattering. This should affect visual turbidity, sedimentation of the beer during storage or centrifugation, and removal of particles by filtration.
Differences in the Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancers by Sex, Race, Anatomic Tumor Site, and HPV Detection Method

Importance Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes an increasing proportion of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs), particularly in white men. The prevalence of HPV among other demographic groups and other anatomic sites of HNSCC is unclear. Objective To explore the role of HPV tumor status among women and nonwhites with OPSCC and patients with nonoropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (non-OP HNSCC). Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study at 2 tertiary academic centers including cases diagnosed 1995 through 2012, oversampled for minorities and females. A stratified random sample of 863 patients with newly diagnosed SCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or nasopharynx was used. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes were HPV status as measured by p16 immunohistochemical analysis, HPV16 DNA in situ hybridization (ISH), and high-risk HPV E6/E7 mRNA ISH. Results Of 863 patients, 551 (63.9%) were male and median age was 58 years (interquartile range, 51-68 years). Among 240 OPSCCs, 144 (60%) were p16 positive (p16+), 115 (48%) were HPV16 DNA ISH positive (ISH16+), and 134 (56%) were positive for any oncogenic HPV type (ISH+). From 1995 to 2012, the proportion of p16+ OPSCC increased significantly among women (from 29% to 77%; P = .005 for trend) and men (36% to 72%; P P P = .02 for trend). Similar results were observed for ISH+ OPSCC ( P ≤ .01 for all). Among 623 non-OP HNSCCs, a higher proportion were p16+ compared with ISH positive (62 [10%] vs 30 [5%]; P = .001). A high proportion (26 of 62 [42%]) of these p16+ non-OP HNSCCs were found in sites adjacent to the oropharynx. The proportion of p16+ and ISH+ non-OP HNSCCs were similar by sex. Over time, the proportion of non-OP HNSCCs that were p16+ (or ISH+) increased among whites ( P = .04 for trend) but not among nonwhites (each P > .51 for trend). Among OPSCCs, p16 had high sensitivity (100%), specificity (91%), and positive (93%) and negative predictive value (100%) for ISH positivity. In non-OP HNSCCs, p16 had lower sensitivity (83%) and positive predictive value (40%) but high specificity (94%) and negative predictive value (99%) for ISH positivity. Conclusions and Relevance During 1995 through 2012, the proportion of OPSCCs caused by HPV has increased significantly. This increase was not restricted to white men but was a consistent trend for women and men, as well as for white and nonwhite racial groups. Few non-OP HNSCCs were HPV related. P16 positivity was a good surrogate for ISH+ tumor status among OPSCC, but not a good surrogate for non-OP HNSCC.
Household food insecurity during childhood and adolescent misconduct.

Abstract A large body of research has found that household food insecurity can interfere with the healthy development of children. The link between household food insecurity during childhood and misbehaviors during adolescence, however, is not commonly explored. The objective of the current study is to assess whether household food insecurity across childhood predicts four different forms of misconduct during early adolescence. Data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998–1999 (ECLS-K), a nationally representative sample of U.S. children, were employed in the present study. Associations between household food insecurity during childhood and adolescent misconduct were examined using Logistic and Negative Binomial Regression. Analyses were performed separately for males and females. The results revealed that household food insecurity and food insecurity persistence were predictive of most forms of misconduct for males, and were consistently predictive of engagement in multiple forms of misconduct and a greater variety of forms of misconduct for males. For females, however, household food insecurity generally failed to predict adolescent misconduct. The behavioral development of males during adolescence appears to be sensitive to the presence and persistence of household food insecurity during childhood. Future research should seek to replicate and extend the present findings to late adolescence and adulthood.
Environmental Crazing and Fracture of Polymers in Nitrogen, Argon, and Helium

The effect of N2 Ar, and He on the tensile stress-strain behavior of various polymers at about 78°K is presented. N2 and Ar cause crazing and modify the stress-strain curve, whereas He is inert, like a vacuum. A theory of the environmental effect is given which is based on the adsorption of N2 and Ar on polymers and on the fact that they undergo a large fractional decrease in their surface energy.
Upper Echelons in Professional Sport: The Impact of NBA General Managers on Team Performance

This study integrates upper echelons theory into the sport management literature by investigating general manager (GM) strategic decision-making in the National Basketball Association. Specifically, this research examines individual contextual variables as they relate to the human resource decision-making tendencies of GMs. Utilizing 17 seasons of data on team performance and individual GM characteristics, we estimate two-stage panel regression models to examine the relationship between GM-related variables and organizational performance. We find that both GM technical experience and GM education are positively related to winning and efficiency. The results also illustrate the importance of acquiring elite-level talent and indicate positive returns to GMs whom are able to do so. These findings are relevant for team ownership and suggest a link between organizational performance and the personal characteristics of league GMs. The analysis furthers our understanding of the GM–team player talent–organization...
Autonomic Nervous System: General Overview

Neurotransmitter disorders occur when there is insufficient or exaggerated neurochemical transmission. Genetic mutations can alter essential enzymes directly in the synthesis pathway, or indirectly by limiting cofactor function. Multiple mechanisms exist for the clearance and recycling of catecholamines, and gain-of-function or loss-of-function mutations that modify synaptic, cytosolic, or vesicular concentrations often underlie aberrant neurotransmission. Focus here is primarily on the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, with a representative sample of defective genetic, metabolic, and transport mechanisms. Highlighted are deficiencies in dopamine-β-hydroxylase, tetrahydrobiopterin, monoamine oxidase, catechol-O-methyltransferase, and the norepinephrine transporter.
Substrate Curvature Restricts Spreading and Induces Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

While cells attach, spread, migrate, proliferate, and differentiate in three-dimensional (3D) micromechanical environments, the mechanical factors of these environments influence the shapes, sizes, and adhesion forces of the cells. Here, the authors culture human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on a unique class of curvature-defined substrates, micro glass ball embedded polyacrylamide gels, prepared with an improved protocol, and investigate the spreading responses of the hMSCs on the glass balls to study the effects of substrate curvature on the spreading of hMSCs. The authors find that, among the used diameters of glass balls, the minimum diameter of a glass ball on which an hMSC can attach and spread is 500 μm. In contrast to the well-spread morphologies with randomly-multiple lamellipodia for the hMSCs growing on the flat glass plates, the morphologies of the hMSCs growing on the glass balls are almost uniformly spindle-shaped with two lamellipodia. The sensitivities of the attachment and spreading morphology of an hMSC to substrate curvature are very different from those of a fibroblast. The RT-PCR analysis reveals that the substrate curvature alone can induce adipogenesis of the hMSCs. These findings imply that substrate curvature has profound effects on stem cell behaviors, and detailed and in-depth studies on these effects and their underlying biophysical mechanisms are necessary.
AN OPTION VALUATION FRAMEWORK BASED ON ARITHMETIC BROWNIAN MOTION: JUSTIFICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

© 2017 The Southern Finance Association and the Southwestern Finance Association We examine arithmetic Brownian motion as an alternative framework for option valuation and related tasks. After reexamining empirical evidence, we compare and contrast option valuation based on one of the simplest forms of geometric Brownian motion with arithmetic Brownian motion. We identify an enhanced way to handle negative stock prices within arithmetic Brownian motion that is consistent with empirical observation. We review numerous strengths and weaknesses of both approaches. The arithmetic Brownian motion framework allows for the aggregation of any number of correlated factors for risk analysis.
Geographic Access to Cancer Care and Mortality Among Adolescents

Purpose: Adolescents with cancer have had less improvement in survival than other populations in the United States. This may be due, in part, to adolescents not receiving treatment at Children's Oncology Group (COG) institutions, which have been shown to increase survival for some cancers. The objective of this ecologic study was to examine geographic distance to COG institutions and adolescent cancer mortality. Methods: We calculated cancer mortality among adolescents and sociodemographic and healthcare access factors in four geographic zones at selected distances surrounding COG facilities: Zone A (area within 10 miles of any COG institution), Zones B and C (concentric rings with distances from a COG institution of >10–25 miles and >25–50 miles, respectively), and Zone D (area outside of 50 miles). Results: The adolescent cancer death rate was highest in Zone A at 3.21 deaths/100,000, followed by Zone B at 3.05 deaths/100,000, Zone C at 2.94 deaths/100,000, and Zone D at 2.88 deaths/100,000. The United ...
Algebraic Modeling Languages: Introduction and Overview

This chapter introduces the reader to algebraic modeling languages and their role in the mathematical optimization community. It focuses on the differences of procedural languages such as C, Fortran, matlab and others in comparison to the declarative algebraic modeling languages. This is more than a language or syntax issue but has deep roots in the concept of modeling and university teaching.
Five Portraits of Teachers' Experiences Teaching Writing: Negotiating Knowledge, Student Need, and Policy.

BackgroundNumerous reports have highlighted problems with writing instruction in American schools, yet few examine the interplay of teachers’ preparation to teach writing, the instructional policie...
A Radical Clock Probe Uncouples H Atom Abstraction from Thioether Cross-Link Formation by the Radical S-Adenosyl-l-methionine Enzyme SkfB.

Sporulation killing factor (SKF) is a ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) produced by Bacillus. SKF contains a thioether cross-link between the α-carbon at position 40 and the thiol of Cys32, introduced by a member of the radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) superfamily, SkfB. Radical SAM enzymes employ a 4Fe–4S cluster to bind and reductively cleave SAM to generate a 5′-deoxyadenosyl radical. SkfB utilizes this radical intermediate to abstract the α-H atom at Met40 to initiate cross-linking. In addition to the cluster that binds SAM, SkfB also has an auxiliary cluster, the function of which is not known. We demonstrate that a substrate analogue with a cyclopropylglycine (CPG) moiety replacing the wild-type Met40 side chain forgoes thioether cross-linking for an alternative radical ring opening of the CPG side chain. The ring opening reaction also takes place with a catalytically inactive SkfB variant in which the auxiliary Fe–S cluster is absent. Therefore, the CPG-c...
Nutrition in Dental Development and Disease

Nutrition has a major role in the development of dental tissues and is a primary contributor to the establishment of an oral environment compatible with dental health. Dietary factors, together with microbial ones, influence oral disease processes to a large extent, depending on quality, quantity, and frequency of foods consumed. While the effect of nutrition on dental development and oral environment is generally accepted, the specific effects of malnutrition on development of oral tissues and the true magnitude of this factor in human oral disease has not been sufficiently measured or investigated.
Presence of anesthesia resident trainees in day surgery unit has mixed effects on operating room efficiency measures.

ABSTRACT Background: Three competing goals at academic medical centers are to increase efficiency, to optimize clinical care, and to train residents. The goal of this project was to compare day surgery operating room (OR) efficiency measures for anesthesiologists working alone, working with residents, and working with certified nurse anesthetists in a tertiary multisubspecialty teaching hospital to determine if trainees significantly impact OR efficiency. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated operating room times data for 2,427 day surgery cases, comparing first case on-time starts, anesthesia-controlled times, induction times, emergence times, and turnover times for the 3 anesthesiologist groups. Results: Compared to the solo anesthesiologist group, anesthesiologists working with residents had significantly longer induction, emergence, and total anesthesia-controlled times (20.2 ± 8.0 vs 18.4 ± 7.0 minutes). However, the anesthesiologists working with residents had more on-time starts (65% vs 53%) and lo...
THE LOCUS AND CRUCIAL TIME OF IMPLICATION OF PREFRONTAL CORTEX IN THE DELAYED RESPONSE TASK

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the application of a certain experimental approach to problems of interhemispheric differences and possible cerebral dominance in monkeys. For this purpose, a surgery was performed on seven immature monkeys with 6 to 9 lb of body weight. At a later stage, each monkey was first adapted to sitting in a restraining chair, and its hand preference was determined by presenting it with peanuts while both of its hands were free. Electrical stimulation was applied during delayed response (DR) testing through electrodes located across the principal sulcus of the cortex contralateral to the responding hand. If the monkey continued to respond correctly until the convulsive threshold was reached, stimulation was applied during the following session through a different electrode pair. The findings in the chapter showed that electrical stimulation across the principal sulcus disrupted correct DR performance most severely when it was applied at the onset of the intratrial delay period and, to a lesser degree, after the instrumental response. Stimulation with identical parameters during other portions of the DR trial, including most of the delay period, had only minimal or no effects on correct DR performance. Also, DR performance was affected only when stimulation was applied across the posterior two-thirds of the principal sulcus, contralateral to the monkey's trained hand even during transfer testing with the ipsilateral hand.
Chapter 7 – Thermoeconomics

This chapter provides economical considerations for the optimization of the subsystems. Thermodynamics principles have implications for energy management and economics. For optimizing the design and operating conditions of thermal systems, thermoeconomics usually relates exergy and economics. The complexity of the optimization problem depends on the complexity of the constraints, which may be in algebraic, difference, differential, and integral forms. The cost of thermal energy source plays an important role in the optimization, for example, changing the fuel cost from one year toanother and from one place to another affects the overall design and hence the economical considerations. Thermodynamics can deal with the economic balance through the availability analysis and exergy optimization. Minimization of entropy generation plays only a secondary role in thermoeconomics, mainly because the economic performance is formulated in economic values of money and prices. Therefore, the thermodynamic optimization problem may not be broken down to the problem of minimization of irreversibility. The industrial systems consist of various resource consumption processes and the supporting processes associated with the supply and removal of resources. Contemporary theory of optimization is used for analyzing the systems. The first approach is to optimize the system by adjusting the design and operating parameters through the governing equations that describe the internal changes, and by imposing a control through the system boundaries. The second approach aims to predict the system behavior under the specified external conditions by deriving its governing equations from certain variational or extremum principles.
Operation Homefront: Meeting Clerkship Competencies with Home Visits to Families of Children With Special Needs

Abstract Objective We assessed how third-year medical students’ written reflections on home visit experiences with families of children with special needs demonstrate evidence of exposure to 9 selected competencies for pediatric clerkships designated by the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics. Methods We reviewed written reflections from 152 third-year medical students. For each competency (2 related to communication were combined), we tabulated the number of reflections in which a given competency was demonstrated. Within each competency, themes are described and presented with exemplary quotes to provide a more robust picture of students’ exposure and experience. Results Of 152 reflections, 100% demonstrated at least 1 of the 8 expected competencies. Each reflection exhibited an average of 3 (3.1) competencies (range: 1–7). The competencies most frequently mentioned were demonstration of respect for patient, parent, and family attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles (90%) and demonstration of positive attitude toward education (76%). Less frequently mentioned competencies included demonstration of behaviors and attitudes that promote patients’ and families’ best interests (41%), demonstration of effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills (a combination of 2 communication-related competencies) (33%), and description of barriers that prevent children from accessing health care (37%). The following competencies were least often mentioned: description of a pediatrician's role and responsibility in advocating for patients’ needs (10%), description of the important role of patient education (8%), or description of the types of problems that benefit from a community approach (17%). Conclusions Our analysis demonstrates that community-based home visits can provide medical students with opportunities to meet required pediatric clerkship competencies.
Classification-based Diagnosis Using Synthetic Data from Uncertain Models

Machine learning based diagnosis engines require large data sets for training. When experimental data is insucient, system models can be used to supplement the data. Such models are typically simplified and imprecise, hence with some degree of uncertainty. In this paper we show how to deal with uncertainty in synthetic training data. The data is produced using a model with uncertainties. The uncertainties originate from inaccurate parameter values or parameters that take dierent values based on the mode of operation. We demonstrate how techniques from the uncertainty quantification field can be used to reduce the numerical complexity of the training algorithm. In particular, we use generalize polynomial chaos to eciently approximate the loss function. In addition, we present a neural network architecture specifically designed to deal with uncertainties in the training data. As an illustrative example, we show how our approach can be used to detect faults in an elevator system.