cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ovarian Carcinoma Presenting as Intra-abdominal Hemorrhage

Ovarian carcinoma commonly has an insidious onset. By the time the diagnosis is made, advanced disease is usually present. Rarely does a patient have acute symptoms which require immediate medical attention and lead to the correct diagnosis. A 40-year-old white female presented with lower abdominal pain, nausea, and light-headedness. Physical examination revealed a markedly tender lower abdomen with the right lower quadrant slightly more tender than the left. Hemoglobin level was noted to have decreased 2.6 g/dl over 16 hr. At exploratory laparotomy, 1500 cc of blood and a ruptured right ovarian mass were found. Pathologic analysis revealed a malignant mixed mesodermal tumor of the right ovary and an endometrioma of the left ovary. In conclusion, ovarian carcinoma may present as an acute abdomen because of intra-abdominal hemorrhage. It should be part of the differential diagnosis in a woman with an acute surgical abdomen and a hemoperitoneum.
Estimation of flow stress under high rate plastic deformation

Abstract The impact of a cylindrical specimen against a rigid anvil was analysed in 1948 by G. I. Taylor. In 1987, Jones, Gillis and Foster proposed a modification to Taylor's analysis. This modification included a new equation of motion for the undeformed section of the specimen and relaxed one of the assumptions of Taylor's original work. While Jones and co-authors were able to show the existence of an exact solution, the utility of the analysis was severely limited by its complexity. The present paper introduces and approximation into this model which produces a simple algebraic formula to estimate its exact solution. Results of 92 tests of copper, aluminum and steel specimens are reported and used to evaluate this new approximation to the Jones, Gillis and Foster analysis.
Immunoscintigraphy in primary colorectal cancer.

Immunoscintigraphy is an experimental diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging technique that targets tumor sites with radiolabeled antibodies reactive with tumor-associated antigens. Primary tumors, regional lymph node metastases, and distant metastases have been imaged in patients with colorectal cancer, and United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a commercial preparation of radiolabeled murine monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic use in such patients is expected soon. Immunoscintigraphy is complementary to computed tomography (CT) scanning in the evaluation of the abdomen and pelvis in patients with colorectal cancer, and it has the additional capability of serial whole body imaging for detection of distant metastases
Symptomatic atrioventricular dual pathway double responses: a role for slow pathway ablation.

Two patients with symptomatic fast/slow pathway double responses were evaluated with electrophysiology studies. Chronic palpitations were resistant or worsened by medical therapy. No reentry tachycardias were induced. A nonreentrant paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia was documented, Radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway was safely and successfully performed. Patients remain asymptomatic for 16-18 months. Ablation of the slow pathway for this substrate is a viable option.
Electron Impact Ionization

It is perhaps surprising that a process which was one of the first to be studied on an atomic scale, and a process which first received attention over seven decades ago, continues to be the object of diverse and intense research efforts. Such is the case with the (seemingly) conceptually simple and familiar mechanism of electron impact ionization of atoms, molecules, and ions. Not only has the multi-body nature of the collision given ground to theoretical effort only grudgingly, but also the variety and subtlety of processes contributing to ionization have helped insure that progress has come only with commensurate work: no pain - no gain. Modern experimental methods have made it possible to effectively measure and explore threshold laws, differential cross sections, partial cross sections, inner-shell ionization, and the ionization of unstable species such as radicals and ions. In most instances the availability of experimental data has provided impetus and guidance for further theoretical progress."
Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Cause-Specific Mortality

Abstract PURPOSE: Life expectancy for black Americans is five to eight years less than for Whites. The socioeconomic status (SES) of Blacks is also less than for Whites, and SES is associated with early mortality. This paper estimates the proportion of the racial difference in mortality attributable to SES by specific causes of death. METHODS: Data on 453,384 individuals in the National Longitudinal Mortality Study were used to estimate the hazard ratio associated with black race, with and without adjustment for income and education (measures of SES), in 38 strata defined by cause of death and age. RESULTS: For women, SES accounted for much (37–67%) of the black excess mortality for accidents, ischemic heart disease (ages 35–54), diabetes, and homicide; but not for hypertension, infections, and stomach cancers (11–17%). For men, SES accounted for much of the excess risk (30–55%) for accidents, lung cancer, stomach cancer, stroke, and homicide; but not for prostate cancer, pulmonary diseases, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy (0–17%). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm those specific causes of death likely to underlie the overall excess mortality of Blacks, and identify those causes where SES may play a large role.
A sensitivity-based commonality strategy for family products of mild variation, with application to automotive body structures

Identification of the product platform is a key step in designing a family of products. This article presents a methodology for selecting the product plat- form by using information obtained from the individual optimization of the product variants. Under the assump- tion that the product variety requires only mild design changes, a performance deviation vector is derived by taking into consideration individual optimal designs and sensitivities of functional requirements. Commonality de- cisions are based on values of the performance deviation vector, and the product family is designed optimally with respect to the chosen platform. The proposed method- ology is applied to the design of a family of automotive body structures. Variants are defined by changing the functional requirements they need to satisfy and/or the geometry of the associated finite element models.
PARDIS: a programmable memory controller for the DDRx interfacing standards

Modern memory controllers employ sophisticated address mapping, command scheduling, and power management optimizations to alleviate the adverse effects of DRAM timing and resource constraints on system performance. A promising way of improving the versatility and efficiency of these controllers is to make them programmable---a proven technique that has seen wide use in other control tasks ranging from DMA scheduling to NAND Flash and directory control. Unfortunately, the stringent latency and throughput requirements of modern DDRx devices have rendered such programmability largely impractical, confining DDRx controllers to fixed-function hardware. This paper presents the instruction set architecture (ISA) and hardware implementation of PARDIS, a programmable memory controller that can meet the performance requirements of a high-speed DDRx interface. The proposed controller is evaluated by mapping previously proposed DRAM scheduling, address mapping, refresh scheduling, and power management algorithms onto PARDIS. Simulation results show that the average performance of PARDIS comes within 8% of fixed-function hardware for each of these techniques; moreover, by enabling application-specific optimizations, PARDIS improves system performance by 6--17% and reduces DRAM energy by 9--22% over four existing memory controllers.
Liver transplantation for classical maple syrup urine disease: long-term follow-up in 37 patients and comparative United Network for Organ Sharing experience.

Objective To assess clinical and neurocognitive function in children who have undergone liver transplantation for classical maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). Study design A total of 35 patients with classical MSUD (age 9.9±7.9 years) underwent liver transplantation between 2004 and 2009. Six patients donated their liver to recipients without MSUD ("domino" transplant). We analyzed clinical outcomes for our cohort and 17 additional cases from the national United Network for Organ Sharing registry; 33 patients completed IQ and adaptive testing before transplantation, and 14 completed testing 1 year later. Results Patient and graft survival were 100% at 4.5±2.2 years of follow-up. Liver function was normal in all patients. Branched-chain amino acid levels were corrected within hours after surgery and remained stable, with leucine tolerance increasing more than 10-fold. All domino transplant recipients were alive and well with normal branched-chain amino acid homeostasis at the time of this report. Patient and graft survival for all 54 patients with MSUD undergoing liver transplantation in the United States during this period were 98% and 96%, respectively. One-third of our patients were mentally impaired (IQ ≤ 70) before transplantation, with no statistically significant change 1 year later. Conclusion Liver transplantation is an effective long-term treatment for classical MSUD and may arrest brain damage, but will not reverse it.
Brain-behavior relationships in reading acquisition are modulated by socioeconomic factors.

Functional neuroimaging may provide insights into the achievement gap in reading skill commonly observed across socioeconomic status (SES). Brain activation during reading tasks is known to be associated with individual differences in children’s phonological language skills. By selecting children of equivalent phonological skill, yet diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to demonstrate that a child’s experience, as operationalized by SES, can systematically modulate the relationship between phonological language skills and reading-related brain activity in left fusiform and perisylvian regions. Specifically, at lower socioeconomic levels, individual differences in skill result in large differences in brain activation. In contrast, as SES increases, this relationship between phonological language skill and activation is attenuated. Socioeconomic background factors are thus found to modulate brain‐behavior relationships in reading, indicating that cognitive, social, and neurobiological influences on reading development are fundamentally intertwined.
Using Phased Retirement to Make a Baby Boomer Retirement Work

Much has been written about the difficulty that baby boomers will face when they begin to retire. Concerns have been raised about the long‐term problems facing the Social Security system, problems with employer provided pension plans, volatile financial markets and unfavorable demographics. The purpose of this paper is to examine one tool that baby boomers can use to make their retirements more successful — phased retirement. Moreover, this paper will attempt to demonstrate that it is in the best interest of not only employees but also employers and government at all levels to promote the growth of this concept.
Outsourcing of application software: a knowledge management perspective

Summarizes results from an exploratory field study of application software acquisition decisions and outcomes. We argue that outsourcing for application software is easiest when the objective is to obtain knowledge codified in artifacts such as packaged programs and their documentation. It is more complex when the objective is to get access to tacit knowledge about information technology or business processes held by professionals, and most problematic when the firm depends on learning or inventing new knowledge specific to the business process.
NEW METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF ALKYLATING AGENTS IN BIOLOGIC FLUIDS.

An accurate, reproducible colorimetric method for determining minute amounts of alkylating agents in biologic fluids has been developed. Utilizing this method, we have been able to detect less than 0.1 µg. of nitrogen mustard (HN2), or Thio-TEPA in 1 ml. of plasma, lymph, urine, or tissue homogenate. The biologic fluid was deproteinized with zinc sulfate, barium hydroxide, and methanol; the supernatant was used to alkylate γ-(4-nitrobenzyl) pyridine (NBP) under optimum conditions. The color of the quaternary pyridinium NBP derivative was extracted into ethyl acetate and read on a Beckman DU spectrophotometer utilizing microcells.
Generalization of the effects of high Q for metamaterials

We revisit the electrodynamics of resonant high-Q interactions in atomic systems with a view to gaining insights into the design of meta-atoms and hence bulk metamaterials with profoundly different electromagnetic responses. The relevance of phase coherence and nonlinearity in charged systems is emphasized, as is the need to take care over defining how one specifies effective boundaries and cavities that ultimately determine light–matter interactions. Radically new material properties become apparent once one designs organized clusters of small numbers of atoms or meta-atoms for which the usually applied random phase approximation (RPA) does not apply. The RPA relies on averages in sufficiently large volumes consisting of large numbers of interacting systems, while our model assumes a small volume with averages in time, i.e., ergodicity. New meaning is given to the concept of effective and practically useful constitutive parameters, based on this very fundamental point of view, which is important to metamaterials.
Acceldroid: Co-designed acceleration of Android bytecode

A hardware/software co-designed processor transparently supports a ubiquitous ISA (e.g. ×86) with diversified and innovative microarchitectural implementations. It leverages co-designed HW features and dynamic binary translation (DBT) SW to morph existing binary programs to scale performance and save power. On such systems, the portable bytecode of modern dynamic languages (e.g. Java, JavaScript, etc.) is first translated into the code in the architecture ISA by the just-in-time (JIT) compilation in the bytecode virtual machine, and then into the code in the internal implementation ISA by the DBT. This not only incurs the translation overheads twice, but also brings significant emulation inefficiency as the DBT does not have the high level bytecode information. In this paper, we present AccelDroid, which accelerates the Android Dalvik bytecode execution on the HW/SW co-designed processor through direct bytecode translation in the DBT. Our experiments on a HW/SW co-designed Transmeta Efficeon machine show that AccelDroid can improve performance by 78% and save energy by 40% for the CaffeineMark 3.0 benchmark suite.
Spider Search: An Efficient and Non-Frontier-Based Real-Time Search Algorithm

Real-time search algorithms are limited to constant-bounded search at each time step. We do not see much difference between standard search algorithms and good real-time search algorithms when problem sizes are small. However, having a good real-time search algorithm becomes important when problem sizes are large. In this paper we introduce a simple yet efficient algorithm, Spider search, which uses very low constant time and space to solve problems when agents need deep (but not exhaustive) path analysis at each step. We expect that Spider search is the first in a new class of tree-based rather than frontier-based search algorithms.
The Projective Hierarchy

For each n ≥ 1 we define the projective (or Lusin) classesΔ n 1 , П n 1 , △ n 1 of sets in Polish spaces as follows: We have already defined the Δ 1 1 (= analytic), П 1 1 (= co-analytic) sets. Then we let, in general, $$\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {\sum _{{n + 1}}^{1} = \{ pro{{j}_{X}}(A):X Polish, A \subseteq X \times \mathcal{N}, A \in \prod _{n}^{1}(X \times \mathcal{N})\} } \hfill \\ { = {{\exists }^{\mathcal{N}}}\prod _{n}^{1},} \hfill \\ {\prod _{{n + 1}}^{1} = \sim \sum _{{n + 1}}^{1} = \{ X\backslash A:X Polish, A \in \sum _{{n + 1}}^{1}(X)\} ,} \hfill \\ { \Delta _{n}^{1} = \sum _{n}^{1} \cap \prod _{n}^{1}.} \hfill \\ \end{array}$$
Pump Spectral Bandwidth, Birefringence, and Entanglement in Type-II Parametric Down Conversion

The twin photons produced by a type-II spontaneous parametric down conversion are well know as a potential source of photons for quantum teleportation due to the strong entanglement in polarization. This strong entanglement in polarization, however, depends on the spectral composition of the pump photon and the nature of optical isotropy of the crystal. By exact numerical calculation of the concurrence, we have shown that how pump photons spectral width and the birefringence nature of the crystal directly affect the degree of polarization entanglement of the twin photons.
The role of clinical care pathways: an experience with distal pancreatectomy.

Abstract Background Previous studies have indicated that clinical pathways may shorten hospital length of stay (HLOS) among patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy (DP). Here, we evaluate an institutional standardized care pathway (SCP) for patients undergoing DP. Materials and methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing DP from November 2006 to November 2012 was completed. Patients treated before and after implementation of the SCP were compared. Multivariable linear regression was then performed to identify independent predictors of HLOS. Results There were no differences in patient characteristics between SCP ( n = 50) and pre-SCP patients ( n = 100). Laparoscopic technique (62% versus 13%, P versus 38%, P = 0.117), and concomitant major organ resection (24% versus 13%, P = 0.106) were more common among SCP patients. Overall, important complication rates were similar (24% versus 26%, P = 0.842). SCP patients resumed a normal diet earlier (4 versus 5 d, P = 0.025) and had shorter HLOS (6 versus 7 d, P = 0.026). There was no increase in 30-d resurgery or readmission. In univariate comparison, SCP, cancer diagnoses, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm diagnoses, neoadjuvant therapy, operative technique, major organ resection, and feeding tube placement were associated with HLOS; however, after multivariable adjustment, only laparoscopic technique (−33%, P = 0.001), concomitant major organ resection (+38%, P P Conclusions Implementation of a clinical pathway did not improve HLOS at our institution. The increasing use of laparoscopy likely accounts for shorter HLOS in the SCP cohort. In the future, it will be important to identify clinical scenarios most likely to benefit from implementation of a clinical pathway.
Celebrating Similarities—Embracing Differences

Using model systems to gain a better understanding of human disease and the underlying biology is standard in biological research. The power of model systems, however, has never been so great as in recent years with the growing availability of a wealth of genomic data from a variety of animals and plants and the ever more-advanced tools for probing, classifying, and characterizing these resources. There are few better examples illustrating the usefulness of model systems as the material presented at the “Yeast Genetics and Human Disease II” meeting, which took place 3 months ago in Vancouver, Canada (June 24–27, 1999). The meeting, which included talks that covered far more than just yeast as a model system, was undeniably successful. Meeting attendees’ primary complaint, in fact, was the press for time; poster sessions started at 7:45 a.m. and talks ended at 10 p.m. This is a relative standard day for most meetings, except for the very early rise. The complaint, however, was due to the fact that most attendees sat through every single talk, rather than taking breaks here and there. A quick dash out into the hallway for a bathroom break or a coffee refill showed an empty corridor, rather than what is usually seen at meetings—a hallway containing several clustered groups talking about previous presentations, waiting for talks that will come up later in the day, or discussing current or potential collaborations with colleagues.
Lithospheric structure, composition, and thermal regime of the East European Craton: implications for the subsidence of the Russian platform

A new mechanism for Paleozoic subsidence of the Russian, or East European, platform is suggested, since a model of lithosphere tilting during the Uralian subduction does not explain the post-Uralian sedimentation record. Alternatively, I propose that the Proterozoic and Paleozoic rifting (when a platform-scale Central Russia rift system and a set of Paleozoic rifts were formed) modified the structure and composition of cratonic lithosphere, and these tectono-magmatic events are responsible for the post-Uralian subsidence of the Russian platform. To support this hypothesis, (a) the thermal regime and the thickness of the lithosphere are analyzed, and (b) lithospheric density variations of non-thermal origin are calculated from free-board constraints. The results indicate that Proterozoic and Paleozoic rifting had different effects on the lithospheric structure and composition. (1) Proterozoic rifting is not reflected in the present thermal regime and did not cause significant lithosphere thinning (most of the Russian platform has lithospheric thickness of 150^180 km and the lithosphere of the NE Baltic Shield is 250^300 km thick). Paleozoic rifting resulted in pronounced lithospheric thinning (to 120^140 km) in the southern parts of the Russian platform. (2) Lithospheric density anomalies suggest that Proterozoic^Paleozoic rifting played an important role in the platform subsidence. The lithospheric mantle of the Archean^early Proterozoic part of the Baltic Shield is V1.4 6 0.2% less dense than the typical Phanerozoic upper mantle. However, the density deficit in the subcrustal lithosphere of most of the Russian platform is only about (0.4^0.8) 6 0.2% and decreases southwards to V0%. Increased densities (likely associated with low depletion values) in the Russian platform suggest strong metasomatism of the cratonic lithosphere during rifting events, which led to its subsidence. It is proposed that only the lower part of the cratonic lithosphere was metasomatized as a result of Proterozoic rifting; the boundary between a depleted upper and more fertile lower layers can be at ca. 90^150 km depth and can produce a seismic pattern similar to the top of a seismic low-velocity zone. Paleozoic rifting has modified the entire lithospheric column and the regions affected are still subsiding. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Costa Problem Under Channel Ambiguity

In this paper, we address the analysis of the Costa setup under channel uncertainty. Since the Costa setup was entirely considered under the Gaussian assumptions about host and channel statistics, we assume that the channel is an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) with unknown variance defined on some interval. Firstly, we solve the problem of average achievable rate optimization assuming that the distribution of noise variances is known. Secondly, we withdraw the previous assumption and consider that the variance distribution is unknown. The corresponding criteria are formulated and the performance of the Costa under these criteria is demonstrated.
Voriconazole exposure and geographic location are independent risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin among lung transplant recipients.

Background Skin cancer, in particular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is the most common malignancy after solid-organ transplantation. SCC has been reported in immunosuppressed patients receiving voriconazole, but the agent has not been shown to be a risk factor. Universal voriconazole prophylaxis and alemtuzumab induction are standard in our lung transplant program. Methods We performed a retrospective, case–control study (matched 1:3) among lung transplant recipients at our center from 2003 to 2008. Results SCC was diagnosed in 3.1% (17 of 543) of patients at a median follow-up of 36 months. Median time to development of SCC was 19 months post-transplant. Risk factors for SCC by univariate analysis included older age ( p = 0.02), residence in locations with high levels of sun exposure ( p = 0.0001), single-lung transplant ( p = 0.02) and duration ( p = 0.03) and cumulative dose ( p = 0.03) of voriconazole. Duration of voriconazole (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.1; p = 0.04) and residence in locations with high sun exposure (HR = 3.8; p = 0.0004) were independent risk factors by multivariate analysis. SCC lesions were located on the head and neck in 94% of cases, and 53% had multiple lesions. All patients were treated with surgery. At least one independent lesion developed subsequently in 47% of patients. Local spread and distant metastases each occurred in 7% of cases. There were no deaths among the cases. Conclusions Voriconazole exposure is a risk factor for SCC after lung transplantation, particularly among older patients living in areas with high sun exposure. Voriconazole should be used cautiously in these patients.
Comparative Performance and Complementarity of Four Sampling Methods and Arthropod Preference Tests from Human and Porcine Remains at the Forensic Anthropology Center in Knoxville, Tennessee

Comparative performance and complementarity tests of four arthropod sampling methods (aerial netting, hand collection, pitfall traps, and sticky traps), used by forensic entomologists in death investigations, training workshops, and research trials, were conducted from simultaneously placed human and porcine subjects inside the Forensic Anthropology Center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. A secondary aim investigated the widely held claim that pig carcasses are reliable surrogates for human corpses. Over a 35-d period in summer 1989, >72,000 invertebrates from three subjects (one human, two pigs) were sampled of which 93% were members of the forensically important (FI) fauna. Performance tests revealed that hand collections, when performed by an experienced forensic entomologist, consistently yielded the largest fraction of FI arthropods from the total invertebrate catch, followed by aerial netting, sticky traps, and pitfall traps, regardless of subject. Pitfall traps and hand collections were broadly effective at sampling both fly and beetle populations, whereas aerial netting and sticky traps mostly targeted flies. The best two-method combination, based on the highest combined catches of FI taxa, were hand collections and pitfall traps, regardless of subject. Between-subject comparisons revealed negligible preference by FI arthropods for human over pig remains. Insofar as our limited comparisons allow with only three study subjects, these results validated the concept of transferability of "best practices" from one subject to another and confirmed the claim that pig carcasses (of 23-27-kg starting mass) can substitute for human corpses in research and training programs, at least for summer-exposed and unconcealed remains in the first 5 wk postmortem.
War and Education in the United States: Racial Ideology and Inequality in Three Historical Episodes.

This paper examines the impact of war on African-American education. This question is considered in three different periods: the eras of the American Revolution, the Civil War and the Second World War. Large-scale conflict, such as these instances of total war, can afford historical moments when oppressed groups are able take steps to improve their social status, challenging the forms of domination that have subjugated them in the past and demanding rights and liberties long denied them. This is an especially noteworthy case because of the highly developed system of racial oppression that African Americans became subjected to historically. In each of these cases, disruptions of existing patterns of social and political inequity provided openings for African Americans to realise new opportunities for education and social advancement. Implications of these historical patterns are discussed in the conclusion.
On YAN Feng-ying's Remarkable Achievements in Performance Art of Huangmei Drama

YAN Feng ying is an outstanding actress of Huangmei Drama.She made brilliant contributions to the properity and development of the art of Huangmei Drama with her consummate performance skills,distinctive melodious singing tune,painstaking training and practising spirit of pursuit and artistic demeanour of noble character and brilliant performance.
Noninvasive Intracranial Pressure Determination in Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Intracranial pressure (ICP) should ideally be measured in many conditions affecting the brain. The invasiveness and associated risks of the measurement modalities in current clinical practice restrict ICP monitoring to a small subset of patients whose diagnosis and treatment could benefit from ICP measurement. To expand validation of a previously proposed model-based approach to continuous, noninvasive, calibration-free, and patient-specific estimation of ICP to patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), we made waveform recordings of cerebral blood flow velocity in several major cerebral arteries during routine, clinically indicated transcranial Doppler examinations for vasospasm, along with time-locked waveform recordings of radial artery blood pressure (APB), and ICP was measured via an intraventricular drain catheter. We also recorded the locations to which ICP and ABP were calibrated, to account for a possible hydrostatic pressure difference between measured ABP and the ABP value at a major cerebral vessel. We analyzed 21 data records from five patients and were able to identify 28 data windows from the middle cerebral artery that were of sufficient data quality for the ICP estimation approach. Across these windows, we obtained a mean estimation error of −0.7 mmHg and a standard deviation of the error of 4.0 mmHg. Our estimates show a low bias and reduced variability compared with those we have reported before.
Definitive chemoradiation alters the immunologic landscape and immune checkpoints in head and neck cancer

Preclinical and clinical studies suggest potential synergy between high dose per fraction focal radiation and immunotherapy. However, conventionally fractionated radiation regimens in combination with concurrent chemotherapy are more commonly administered to patients as definitive treatment and may have both immune-stimulating and -suppressive effects. We prospectively collected longitudinal samples from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving definitive radiation therapy. We quantified changes in populations of circulating immune cells and chemokines CXCL9, 10, and 16. Analyses of humoral and cellular immune responses were conducted in select patients via proteomic analysis and T-cell receptor sequencing. Treatment not only increased circulating CD-8+ T-effector cells, but also myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory T cells, and checkpoint receptor-expressing T cells, particularly PD-1+ T cells. Significant decreases in CXCL10 and increases in CXLC16 were noted. Treatment also increased the percentage of unique and dominant TCR clones, and increased humoral responses as measured by proteomic array. Our results suggest that fractionated chemoradiation leads to quantifiable effects in circulating immune mediators, including a balance of stimulatory and suppressive mechanisms. These results suggest future combinations with immune checkpoint blockade.
Gender Differences in Exclusion Criteria for Recombinant Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator

Background Gender differences in the use of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA) in stroke are complicated. In this study, we investigated gender differences using r-tPA exclusion criterion in a stroke population. Methods We analyzed the data from ischemic stroke patients aged 18 years or older from the Greenville Health System stroke registry on r-tPA administration between January 2010 and December 2013. We identified exclusion criterion and used specific clinical factors to determine gender differences in stroke patients receiving r-tPA. Results Of the 633 patients who were eligible to receive r-tPA, less than half received r-tPA (n = 241) whereas 422 were not able to receive r-tPA. Of the 241 patients who received r-tPA, 49.4% were female and 50.6% were male. Of the 422 patients who did not receive r-tPA, more women (235) were excluded from r-tPA than men (187) (P .005). There were however gender differences in age group as more women (38%; n = 235) were more likely to be excluded if they are more than 80 years old than men (19%, n = 187). Conclusions Within a large stroke population, exclusion criteria for r-tPA in women and men were similar with regard to race, initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, warning signs, and contraindications, but were different in the age group population exclusion criterion for intravenous r-tPA. We observed that intracerebral hemorrhage and match on computed tomography perfusion/magnetic resonance imaging or visible infarct greater than one third of the middle cerebral artery distribution were absolute criteria for exclusion.
Dual-electrode CMUT optimization for CMUTs with uniform and non-uniform membranes

In this paper, we report optimization results on dual-electrode CMUTs with uniform and non-uniform membranes. The electromechanical coupling coefficient (k2) is both simulated and experimentally measured for conventional and dual-electrode CMUTs. The electromechanical coupling coefficient (k2) of 0.82 at 90% of collapse voltage as well as 136% 3dB one-way fractional bandwidth is measured with dual-electrode CMUT with non-uniform membranes. The dual-electrode structure provides high coupling coefficient in a large DC bias range without collapsing the membrane while the large bandwidth is achieved by utilizing a non-uniform membrane. In addition, approximately 20 dB increase in transduction performance is illustrated with dual electrode CMUT with non-uniform membrane as compared to conventional CMUT with uniform membrane.
Abstract 16445: Anticoagulation Control, Risk of Overanticoagulation and Major Hemorrhage Among Warfarin Users is Influenced by Race

Objective: Racial differences in warfarin response have been of significant interest. Differences in dose requirements have been extensively studied. Herein, we assess whether anticoagulation control [percent time in target range (PTTR; INR range 2-3)], risk of overanticoagulation (INR>4) and major hemorrhage differ by race among warfarin users. Methods: The analysis included 1357 participants [595 African Americans (AA); 762 European Americans (EA)]. The Rosendaal interpolation method was used to compute the PTTR, percent time above range (PTAR) and percent time below range (PTBR). Major hemorrhages included serious, life threatening and fatal bleeding events. The influence of race (AA vs. EA) on PTTR, PTBR, and PBAR was evaluated using linear regression; overanticoagulation and hemorrhage by Cox proportional hazards analysis adjusting for clinical and genetic factors. Results: Over 1912 person-years (pyrs) accrued (average per patient 1.4 (± 0.9) years), after adjusting for covariates, compared to EAs, AAs had lower PTTR (56.3% vs. 50.8% p<0.001), higher PTBR (26.5% vs. 31.2%; p=0.001) and were also more likely to experience overanticoagulation (HR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.10-1.56, p=0.003). A total of 156 major hemorrhagic events were encountered (incidence 8.2/100 pyrs, 95% CI: 7.0 – 9.5/100 pyrs). AAs had higher incidence of hemorrhage compared to EAs (IRR: 1.38, 95% CI 1.00-1.89, p=0.046). After adjusting for clinical and genetic factors, AAs remained at a higher risk for hemorrhage (HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.10-2.34, p=0.016). Older age, antiplatelet therapy, renal impairment, and possession of CYP2C9 variants increased the risk of hemorrhage. Higher PTTR was associated with a lower risk of hemorrhage in both race groups. Compared to patients with PTTR 70 had a 75% lower risk (HR=0.25; 95%CI0.14-0.43; p<0.0001). Conclusion and Relevance: Among warfarin users, African Americans spent less time in target INR range, and had a higher risk of overanticoagulation and hemorrhage. Strategies to improve anticoagulation control among African Americans can lower risk of hemorrhage.
Baseline Physical and Mental Functioning Are Strong Predictors of Post-Stem Cell Transplant Function and Quality of Life.

Abstract Reported predictors of quality of life (QOL) after stem cell transplantation (SCT) are largely limited to biological variables. We used data from a large prospective study of autologous and allogeneic SCT recipients to test whether self-reported functioning also predicts later QOL. Surveys were collected at baseline and at 6 and 12 months following transplant and included sociodemographic variables, self-reported physical and mental functioning, and perceptions of health and recovery. Multivariate models for QOL variables at 6 and 12 months were constructed, considering baseline clinical variables (age, sex, type of transplant, disease status) and baseline QOL variables (the Short-Form 36 (SF36) physical (PCS) and mental health (MCS) scales, and a rating scale (RS)), controlling for clinical events (acute and chronic graft-vs.-host (GVHD), and relapse). Variables with p
Optically encrypted multidimensional coded modulation for multi-Pb/s optical transport

To address key problems of next generation of optical networks and security issues in a simultaneous manner, information theory inspired multidimensional coded-modulation scheme is proposed employing both electrical and optical basis functions. Security is enabled by random selection of orthogonal impulse responses of Sleeping-sequences-based FBGs.
Augusta Savage: Sacrifice, Social Responsibility, and Early African American Art Education

While establishing herself as one of the premier African American sculptors of the 1920s, Augusta Savage began teaching children’s art classes in her basement studio. Later, as the Director of the Harlem Community Art Center, Savage networked with philanthropists, political leaders, and African American artists/performers/writers to discuss how their collective efforts might increase support for artists of color during the Great Depression. Despite challenges associated with racial/gender inequalities, Savage taught some of the most noteworthy African American artists of the 20th century. Although there are numerous studies covering artists of the New Negro Movement, few focus on the concurrent legacy of African American art education. This study discusses the conditions that seemingly hindered Savage as a professional sculptor but defined her as an activist/educator. It additionally examines Savage’s efforts to facilitate opportunities for a future generation with a specific focus on her political agency...
Probabilistic Mechanics of Quasibrittle Structures: Strength, Lifetime, and Size Effect

Quasibrittle (or brittle heterogeneous) materials are becoming increasingly important for modern engineering. They include concretes, rocks, fiber composites, tough ceramics, sea ice, bone, wood, stiff soils, rigid foams, glass, dental and biomaterials, as well as all brittle materials on the micro or nano scale. Their salient feature is that the fracture process zone size is non-negligible compared to the structural dimensions. This causes intricate energetic and statistical size effects and leads to size-dependent probability distribution of strength, transitional between Gaussian and Weibullian. The ensuing difficult challenges for safe design are vanquished in this book, which features a rigorous theory with detailed derivations yet no superfluous mathematical sophistication; extensive experimental verifications; and realistic approximations for design. A wide range of subjects is covered, including probabilistic fracture kinetics at nanoscale, multiscale transition, statistics of structural strength and lifetime, size effect, reliability indices, safety factors, and ramification to gate dielectrics breakdown.
County-level Variation in Infant Mortality Reporting at Early Previable Gestational Ages.

Background Infant mortality rate (IMR), or number of infant deaths per 1000 livebirths, varies widely across the US While fetal deaths are not included in this measure, reported infant deaths do include those delivered at previable gestations, or ≤20 weeks gestation. Variation in reporting of these events may have a significant impact on IMR estimates. Methods This retrospective analysis used US National Center for Health Statistics 2007–2013 data from 2391 US counties. Counties were categorised by US region, demographic characteristics, and state-level fetal death reporting requirements. County percentage of fetal deaths among all 17–20 week fetal and infant deaths was evaluated using multivariable linear regression. County-level characteristics were then included in multivariable linear regression to determine the associated change in county IMR. Results County percentage of deaths at 17–20 weeks reported as fetal ranged from 0% to 100% (mean 63.7%). Every 1 point increase in this percentage was associated with a 0.02 point decrease in county IMR (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02, 0.03). When county IMRs were recalculated holding the percentage of fetal vs. infant deaths at 17–20 weeks constant at 63.7%, results suggest that the predicted gap in county IMR between Northeast and Midwest regions would narrow by 0.45 points. Conclusions Variable reporting of previable fetal and infant deaths may compromise the validity of county IMR comparisons. Improved consistency and accuracy of fetal and infant death reporting is warranted.
College-Aged Young Consumers' Perceptions of Social Media Marketing: The Story of Instagram

A qualitative study was conducted to explore college-aged young consumers' interpretation of Instagram and marketing via Instagram. The themes that emerged regarding those young consumers' understa...
Extramedullary Multiple Myeloma

Extramedullary multiple myeloma can develop in patients with multiple myeloma, at the time of relapse, especially in those treated with allogenic bone marrow transplant. PET/MR imaging provides the ability for the detection of osseous multiple myeloma and extramedullary lesions in a single examination. It can also be helpful in monitoring response to therapy and predicting clinical outcome based on changes in metabolic activity.
Development of Multiconfigurational Green’s Function Approaches

With Green’s function or propagator techniques electronic excitation energies, ionization potentials, electron affinities, electronic transition probabilities, and other response properties can be calculated. These techniques have several significant advantages over more conventional ab initio approaches to electronic energy difference calculations such as ΔMCSCF, ΔCI, and A coupled cluster (ΔCC). Included among these are: 1) For excitation, ionization, and attachment energies propagator techniques mimic Δ full CI at a small fraction of the computer time and cost; 2) The polarization propagator is the correct linear response of a system with a fully optimized (for both orbitals and state expansion coefficients) wavefunction to an external perturbation (e.g. an electromagnetic field) so response properties such as frequency dependent polarizabilities are calculated reliably and accurately, and 3) The length, velocity, and acceleration forms of the oscillator strength are equal in the limit of a complete basis set of orbitals.
Sequential Designs for Clinical Trials

Sequential designs for clinical trials based on repeated significance testing approach will be described in detail in this chapter. The term sequential design here refers to a design that allows sequential analysis and includes estimation of the maximum sample size. This is done based on the efficient score test statistics over time whose joint distribution is known to have an independent increment structure, allowing for easy numerical computation necessary for design and analysis. We start by reviewing the usual fixed design based on normal data and generalizing to nonnormal data based on the efficient score test. We then review classical group sequential designs for normal data and the estimation of the maximum sample size and discuss information-based group sequential designs, including estimation of the maximum information based on an inflation factor. Following information-based group sequential designs, we review information-based group sequential analysis and the type I error spending function approach to interim analysis. This approach accommodates the practical aspects of interim analyses, including unequal increments in statistical information between successive analyses and an unpredictable number of repeated significant tests. We review the implementation of an information-based group sequential design and analysis of a randomized, controlled trial using the Cancer and Leukemia Group B trial 8433 in stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as an example.
Myocardial Infarction and Viability With an Emphasis on Imaging Delayed Enhancement

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is well suited to assessing patients with myocardial infarction. In a relatively short examination, CMR can assess myocardial anatomy, left ventricular function, perfusion, and viability—all with excellent image quality. Furthermore, the imaging planes can be programmed to provide identical views of the heart for each type of image. This facilitates intermodality comparisons.
Women and nation revisited

The intervention of feminist activists and scholars in the last three decades has led not only to far greater sensitization of public attitudes concerning gender but also a series of laws and regul...
Performance Comparison of Data-Aided Interference Suppression Methods in Fractional Fourier Transform Domains

Interference is a big problem with the proliferation of communications systems worldwide. Conventional interference suppression is based on time domain methods that give the minimum mean-square error (MMSE) between a true signal and its estimate, or frequency domain techniques using fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs). When the signal-of-interest (SOI) overlaps the interferer, separation is difficult. The Fractional Fourier Transform (FrFT) overcomes these limitations by using the entire time-frequency plane and finding the best rotational parameter ‘a’ in which the SOI and interferer are most separable. We choose ‘a’ using a short training sequence, and then filter out the interference along the new time axis ‘ $t_{a}$ ’. In this paper, we describe and compare both conventional time and frequency domain algorithms and new algorithms based upon the FrFT. We show that the repeated reduced rank FrFT algorithm outperforms all of the other methods by at least one or two orders of magnitude reduction in mean-square error (MSE) and bit error rate (BER), typically with just $L\leq 3$ repetitions. Reduced rank filtering also overcomes limitations of MMSE techniques, which require many samples in non-stationary environments and are computationally expensive.