cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gifted native American students: Underperforming, under‐identified, and overlooked

Children and youth with outstanding talent perform or show the potential for performing (italics added) at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment (italics added). These children and youth exhibit high performance capability in intellectual, creative, and/or artistic areas, possess an unusual leadership capacity, or excel in specific academic fields. They require services or activities not ordinarily provided by the schools. Outstanding talents are present in children and youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata (italics added), and in all areas of human endeavor. (p. 3)
Dedicated DSP architecture synthesis using the MARS design system

Methodologies are addressed for high-level synthesis of dedicated digital signal processing (DSP) architectures using the Minnesota Architecture Synthesis (MARS) design system. The MARS system is capable of exploring a wide design space because the authors' synthesis algorithms can accommodate multiple implementation styles. Algorithms are given for concurrent scheduling and resource allocation for systematic synthesis of DSP architectures. The algorithms exploit inter-iteration and intra-iteration precedence constraints, and produce as good or better results than those published. Synthesis is accommodated with multiple implementation styles to reduce overall hardware costs; systematic synthesis of such architectures has not been explored so far. To improve the quality of the final schedule, the algorithm utilizes implicit retiming and pipelining of the data flow graph. >
Dangerous and Cancer-Causing Properties of Products and Chemicals in the Oil-Refining and Petrochemical Industries

: Benzene and benzene-containing products and solvents have long been associated with bone marrow toxicity. Both animal studies and human epidemiological studies have shown statistically significant increases of leukemia and other lymphohematopoietic cancers in workers exposed to benzene. The most common leukemia that has been associated with benzene exposure, also called benzene poisoning, is acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). A review of the epidemiological literature on workers exposed to benzene or benzene-containing solvents and products shows, without question, that this exposure is significantly related to other types of leukemia and lymphoma. In this article, we review the literature on the relationship between benzene exposure and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and find that benzene and benzene-containing products are significantly related to morbidity and mortality from CML.
Ultrastructure and Function of Dimeric, Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1)

Previous studies have demonstrated dimerization of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on the cell surface and suggested a role for immunoglobulin superfamily domain 5 and/or the transmembrane domain in mediating such dimerization. Crystallization studies suggest that domain 1 may also mediate dimerization. ICAM-1 binds through domain 1 to the I domain of the integrin αLβ2 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1). Soluble C-terminally dimerized ICAM-1 was made by replacing the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains with an α-helical coiled coil. Electron microscopy revealed C-terminal dimers that were straight, slightly bent, and sometimes U-shaped. A small number of apparently closed ring-like dimers and W-shaped tetramers were found. To capture ICAM-1 dimerized at the crystallographically defined dimer interface in domain 1, cysteines were introduced into this interface. Several of these mutations resulted in the formation of soluble disulfide-bonded ICAM-1 dimers (domain 1 dimers). Combining a domain 1 cysteine mutation with the C-terminal dimers (domain 1/C-terminal dimers) resulted in significant amounts of both closed ring-like dimers and W-shaped tetramers. Surface plasmon resonance studies showed that all of the dimeric forms of ICAM-1 (domain 1, C-terminal, and domain 1/C-terminal dimers) bound similarly to the integrin αLβ2 I domain, with affinities ∼1.5–3-fold greater than that of monomeric ICAM-1. These studies demonstrate that ICAM-1 can form at least three different topologies and that dimerization at domain 1 does not interfere with binding in domain 1 to αLβ2.
The minimum concentration of fibrinogen needed for platelet aggregation using ADP.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the minimum concentration of plasma fibrinogen needed to stimulate the aggregation of platelets, collected from normal subjects, using ADP. DESIGN: Platelet rich plasmas (300 x 10 9 platelets/L) were made and adjusted to final fibrinogen concentrations of 75, 19, 5, and 0 mg/dL using fibrinogen free serum. Each fibrinogen concentration in all twelve subjects was aggregated with ADP. SETTING: Research laboratory in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Science at Saint Louis University. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve healthy volunteers of both genders, between the ages of 18 and 60 years who were not pregnant and weighed at least 110 pounds were included in the study. Subjects were excluded from the study if they had ingested aspirin within one week prior to blood collection. In addition, subjects with a history of bleeding disorders such as afibrinogenemia, hypofibrinogenemia, von Willebrand disease, and Bernand-Soulier disease were rejected from the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Platelet aggregation tracings were analyzed for amplitude and compared across plasma fibrinogen concentrations. In addition, the type of curve (monophasic vs. biphasic), smoothness and aggregation stability were also noted. RESULTS: The results show that aggregation occurred with every dilution of fibrinogen tested and that the amplitude of the aggregation curves appears not to be dependent on plasma fibrinogen. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that platelets from healthy individuals previously exposed to normal fibrinogen levels will aggregate equally well in decreasing plasma fibrinogen concentrations and even in the absence of plasma fibrinogen using ADP as the aggregator. ABBREVIATIONS: ADP = adenosine diphosphate; PPP = platelet poor plasma; PRP = platelet rich plasma; vWF = von Willebrand Factor.
The Signaling Hypothesis Revisited: Evidence from Foreign IPOs

While the signaling hypothesis has played a prominent role as the economic rationale associated with the initial public offering (IPO) underpricing puzzle (Welch (1989)), the empirical evidence on it has been mixed at best (Jegadeesh, Weinstein, and Welch (1993), Michaely and Shaw (1994)). This paper revisits the issue from the vantage point of close to two decades of additional experience by examining a sample of foreign IPOs—firms from both financially integrated and segmented markets—in U.S. markets. The evidence indicates that signaling does matter in determining IPO underpricing, especially for firms domiciled in countries with segmented markets, which as a result face higher information asymmetry and lack access to external capital markets. We find a significant positive and robust relationship between the degree of IPO underpricing and segmented-market firms’ seasoned equity offering (SEO) activities. For firms from integrated markets, in contrast, the analyst-coverage purchase hypothesis appears to matter more in explaining IPO underpricing, and the aftermarket price appreciation explains these firms’ SEO activities. The evidence, therefore, clearly supports the notion that some firms are willing to leave money on the table voluntarily to get a more favorable price at seasoned offerings when they are substantially wealth constrained, a prediction embedded in the signaling hypothesis.
Risky sexual behavior and alcohol use among young adults: results from a national survey.

Abstract Purpose. To examine the relationship between alcohol use and sexual activity in a sample of young adults. Design. Data were collected as part of a 1990 survey of a multistage area household probability sample. Setting. In-home interviews were conducted by experienced interviewers. Subjects. In total, 1006 persons from 18 to 30 years of age living in the contiguous United States were contacted. Measures. Detailed information was collected on alcohol use and sexual behavior. To minimize the reluctance of respondents to answer queries on sexual behavior, those questions were contained in a self administered questionnaire. Results. At the population level, having had multiple sexual partners in the past year was more likely among men who consumed five or more drinks per sitting. Condom use was less likely among respondents who had consumed five or more drinks on at least one occasion in the past year. In multivariate analyses, the amount of alcohol consumed at the new partner event was not associated...
Oppositional codes: The case of the penitentiary of New Mexico riot

Abstract Understanding of the 1980 riot at the Penitentiary of New Mexico can be improved by emphasizing how language congealed into two distinct codes—one belonging to inmates, the other to prison administrators—that provided their respective users with diametrically opposed views of the world and ways of acting upon it. A code‐based analysis of the riot attempts to overcome some of the shortcomings of both agency‐based and structuralist accounts by stressing the dynamics of agency and structure within code opposition. By so doing, the analysis offers critical diagnostic tools for communication analysts and conflict mediators who may be called upon to intervene in social situations where agents appear to be locked intractably in oppositional conflict.
Permutation test for periodicity in short time series data

Periodic processes, such as the circadian rhythm, are important factors modulating and coordinating transcription of genes governing key metabolic pathways. Theoretically, even small fluctuations in the orchestration of circadian gene expression patterns among different tissues may result in functional asynchrony at the organism level and may contribute to a wide range of pathologic disorders. Identification of circadian expression pattern in time series data is important, but equally challenging. Microarray technology allows estimation of relative expression of thousands of genes at each time point. However, this estimation often lacks precision and microarray experiments are prohibitively expensive, limiting the number of data points in a time series expression profile. The data produced in these experiments carries a high degree of stochastic variation, obscuring the periodic pattern and a limited number of replicates, typically covering not more than two complete periods of oscillation. To address this issue, we have developed a simple, but effective, computational technique for the identification of a periodic pattern in relatively short time series, typical for microarray studies of circadian expression. This test is based on a random permutation of time points in order to estimate non-randomness of a periodogram. The Permutated time, or Pt-test, is able to detect oscillations within a given period in expression profiles dominated by a high degree of stochastic fluctuations or oscillations of different irrelevant frequencies. We have conducted a comprehensive study of circadian expression on a large data set produced at PBRC, representing three different peripheral murine tissues. We have also re-analyzed a number of similar time series data sets produced and published independently by other research groups over the past few years. The Permutated time test (Pt-test) is demonstrated to be effective for detection of periodicity in short time series typical for high-density microarray experiments. The software is a set of C++ programs available from the authors on the open source basis.
Vocal indices of biological age

Summary It seems appropriate to indicate the direction in which our past research now leads us. We are planning a longitudinal study involving 200 elderly male subjects to further investigate the influence of the subjects' physiological status on their phonatory and auditory performances. Subject evaluations will be conducted at three different times throughout the course of the investigation. The research protocol will include comprehensive physiological and biochemical evaluations along with state-of-the-art voice acoustic and auditory assessments. Those aspects of subject performance to be sampled will include (1) measures of voice fundamental frequency, duration, intensity, jitter and shimmer, harmonics/noise ratios, and listener perceptions of vocal quality; (2) measures of auditory sensitivity, discrimination, and acoustic immittance; and (3) measures of hemodynamic, pulmonary, metabolic, and biochemical function. Relationships among these variables will be probed through univariate and multivariate statistical approaches. A special feature of this study will allow for the classification of subjects in accordance with a fitness criterion which precludes the necessity of excluding elderly subjects who are unable to participate in the exercise tests frequently required for determination of physical fitness. By taking into consideration physiological status in addition to chronological age, groups will be defined more appropriately, thus reducing intragroup variability and increasing our ability to detect important changes in auditory and acoustic performance that occur in senescence. We anticipate that this study will contribute to the normative base on senescent changes of voice and will serve to clarify the relationship of such changes to general and certain specific aspects of health status. The longitudinal nature of the study will provide information whereby the extent to which changes in laryngeal function can be predicted by measures of physiological status. Better knowledge of the normative aspects of aging and of the impact of degenerative processes on communicative processes will also facilitate a deeper understanding of the basic mechanisms that underly control of the laryngeal mechanism.
The accidental bioethicist.

Albert Jonsen in The Birth of Bioethics notes that his career in bioethics began with a phone call to him from soon-to-be colleagues at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center. Bioethics didn't begin with a bang but as an accident in the root sense—something that happened, not by necessity, but rather by chance. Indeed, the opening chapters of Jonsen's book chronicle a series of accidents that helped to create the field of bioethics. Principal among these was the fact that physicians and biomedical scientists who became puzzled about the moral dimensions of their work and began to think about these puzzles sought help in doing so from moral theologians and philosophers. These physicians and scientists, for the most part, were university people. They thought broadly, not just deeply, about their work, but they just as well could have defined themselves by their academic discipline and departments and not reached beyond these familiar and comfortable intellectual confines to the “culture” of the humanities disciplines and departments. The theologians and philosophers whom these physicians and scientists sought out were also university people who also happened to have generous views of the intellectual life in their disciplines—atypical of the time, especially in philosophy. If C. P. Snow had been altogether right and if ungenerous self-understanding of their work by physicians, scientists, philosophers, and theologians had prevailed, bioethics might not have happened at all.
Voltaire's Political Ideas

Among the men who have profoundly affected the development of mankind and have given their best energies to the promotion of toleration, reason, and justice, Voltaire stands without a peer. Gifted as he so evidently was by nature for intellectual leadership and literary supremacy in France and in Europe, he was never content with these honors alone. His prolonged activity was to mean more to the world than an author's gift of over half a hundred volumes, filled with flashing wit and sparkling with the brightness and charm of a brilliant writer. Upon everything in France Voltaire fastened his keen gaze, and with rare insight and remarkable discrimination he analyzed the situation, devoting his life to an attempt to win recognition of the essential and pressing need of his program of reform.He had read the history of all nations and of all times, and had studied politics and literature, philosophy and science. He did not always go to the heights and depths of things unknown; he may even at times have been superficial. But with versatility far surpassing that of most mortals, with an adroitness in expression and thought, with flexibility in manner, he used his knowledge and pressed his cause, so that willing homage was paid to his gifts and genius by the man of moderate intelligence, by the philosopher, by the humble citizen, and by the sovereign. Yet, appreciated as Voltaire was by those who realized the importance of his endeavors, he had to submit to indignities from those who could have given him the most assistance.
The three-node wireless network: achievable rates and Cooperation strategies

We consider a wireless network composed of three nodes and limited by the half-duplex and total power constraints. This formulation encompasses many of the special cases studied in the literature and allows for capturing the common features shared by them. Here, we focus on three special cases, namely, 1) relay channel, 2) multicast channel, and 3) three-way channel. These special cases are judicially chosen to reflect varying degrees of complexity while highlighting the common ground shared by the different variants of the three-node wireless network. For the relay channel, we propose a new cooperation scheme that exploits the wireless feedback gain. This scheme combines the benefits of the decode-and-forward (DF) and compress-and-forward (CF) strategies and avoids the noiseless feedback assumption adopted in earlier works. Our analysis of the achievable rate of this scheme reveals the diminishing feedback gain in both the low and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regimes. Inspired by the proposed feedback strategy, we identify a greedy cooperation framework applicable to both the multicast and three-way channels. Our performance analysis reveals the asymptotic optimality of the proposed greedy approach and the central role of list source-channel decoding in exploiting the receiver side information in the wireless network setting.
Toward A Unified Conception Of Business Ethics: Integrative Social Contracts Theory

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” Alice asked the Cheshire Cat. “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don't much care where...” said Alice. “Then it doesn't matter which way you go,” said the Cat. (Carroll, 1983: 72)
PREDICTING THE ARREST STATUS OF ADOLESCENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN TRANSITION

The purposes of this study were to (a) explore predictors of arrest status with a sample of adolescents with disabilities while in school and (b) examine whether predictors of in-school arrest status would also predict arrest status 1 year out of school. Student and parent interviews were conducted while students were still in school and then 1 year after leaving school. Logistic regression analyses revealed an association between demonstrating lower personal/social-achievement skills and being arrested. In addition, gender and disability status each was associated with being arrested: Males with disabilities were more likely than females with disabilities to be arrested sometime in their school career and 1 year out of school; individuals identified with serious emotional disturbance (SED) or specific learning disabilities (SLD) were more likely to be arrested sometime in their school career and 1 year out of school than individuals with disabilities who were not identified as SED or SLD. Furthermore, be...
Effects of Photoperiod and Light Intensity on the Genetics of Diapause in the Apple Maggot (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) is an important pest of apples and has been at the center of a long-standing debate concerning modes of speciation. The fly has been proposed to speciate without geographic isolation (i.e., in sympatry) in the process of shifting and adapting to new host plants. Previous studies have shown that diapause-related traits play a key role in adapting apple- and hawthorn-infesting races of R. pomonella to a difference in the fruiting times (phenologies) of their respective host plants. These experiments indicated that prewinter temperature and its duration affected the survivorship and genetics of over-wintering R. pomonella pupae. However, the earlier work did not test whether photoperiod and light intensity, two environmental factors that also differ between the host races, affect the genetics of diapause. Here, we report that variation in photoperiod, but not light intensity, during the larval stage affects adult eclosion. Haw-origin larvae exposed to longer photoperiods (18:6 [L:D] h) eclosed significantly earlier that those experiencing shorter photoperiods (14:10 and 10:14 [L:D] h). We also confirmed previously observed genetic relationships between eclosion time and six allozyme loci displaying allele frequency differences between the haw and apple host races. However, we did not find a significant genetic response to photoperiod for any allozyme. Our results suggest that, while photoperiod cues can regulate R. pomonella diapause, daylength is probably of secondary importance relative to temperature and season length in genetically differentiating the host races.
Soil Structure Interaction The Early Stages

In this paper we review some of the basic developments in the early stages of seismic soil structure interaction and some of the controversies that arose, particularly in relation to the seismic design of nuclear power plants. Because of the large number of contributions to this area during the 50 or 60 years considered, until the publication of the first book on this subject, it is not possible to include all of them and the selection reflects of course the bias of the author in what he considers to be the most important ones.
Magnetic resonance imaging of atrial fibrosis: redefining atrial fibrillation to a syndrome

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and its treatment continues to be a challenge. Recently, delayed enhancement (DE)-MRI was introduced in the diagnosis and treatment of AF by the assessment of atrial fibrosis, which is considered the hallmark of the arrhythmogenic substrate in AF. Atrial fibrosis was reported to be an independent predictor of arrhythmia recurrences. Post-ablation DE-MRI allows for assessment of the total scar burden, complete encirclement of pulmonary veins, and the assessment of residual fibrosis, which were all reported to be strong predictors of arrhythmia recurrences post-ablation. Current pathophysiological perspectives for AF are heavily based on the adagium AF begets AF. However, several recent observations, such as atrial fibrosis being present in non-AF patients, do introduce a new pathophysiological perspective for AF. Potentially, atrial fibrosis is a disease process that triggers the initiation and maintenance of the syndrome AF.
Common Property Resources and New Entrants: Uncovering the Bias and Effects of New Users

AbstractSmall, stable, and homogeneous user groups are expected to achieve better outcomes within common-property resource regimes. Empirical identification of these effects, however, remains difficult because user group characteristics are unlikely random across systems and data of communally managed resources are hard to come by, exposing analyses to omitted variable bias. To address this issue, I collect a panel data set of 50 communal irrigation systems in New Mexico. With annual observations from 1984 to 2011, I test for the impact of group size, new users, and group heterogeneity using fixed effects, controlling for a number of time-invariant factors that would otherwise be omitted. I find robust results demonstrating that larger user groups experience worse outcomes. However, if I forgo the fixed effects and mimic cross-sectional analysis, I identify a result smaller in magnitude and statistical significance, suggesting that omitted variable bias can account for some of the weak evidence in the exi...
It's Not Optimism When You Know You're Right: Optimism, Attribution and Corporate Investment Policy

CEOs whose observed personal option-holding patterns are not consistent with theoretical predictions are variously described as overconfident or optimistic. Existing literature demonstrates that the investment and financing decisions of such CEOs differ from those of CEOs who do not exhibit such behavior and interprets the investment and financing decisions by overconfident or optimistic CEOs as inferior. This paper argues that it may be rational to exhibit behavior interpreted as optimistic and that the determinants of a CEO’s perceived optimism are important. Further, this paper shows that CEOs whose apparent optimism results from above average industry-adjusted CEO performance in prior years make investment and financing decisions which are actually similar, and sometimes superior to, those of unbiased CEOs.
Entropy and Fragility in Supercooling Liquids.

We review the Kauzmann paradox and what it implies about the configuration space energy hypersurface for "structural glassformers." With this background, we then show how the relaxation expression of Adam and Gibbs qualitatively accounts for most of the phenomenology of liquid and polymeric glassformers including the strong/fragile liquid pattern, and the behavior of non-ergodic systems. Extended temperature range relaxation studies are consistent with a relaxation time pre-exponent on the quasi-lattice vibration time scale. When this boundary condition is imposed on Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann fittings, correspondence of T0 with TK is found for liquids with Tg ranging over 1000 K. When it is imposed on the WLF equation C1 is obliged to become ~16, and the corresponding force-fitted C2 provides a measure of the polymer fragility which is generally not available from thermodynamic studies. Systems which exhibit discontinuous changes in configurational entropy on temperature increase, which include unfolding proteins, are briefly reviewed.
Epidemiological characteristics of HIV/AIDS and its control strategies in Xiaoshan district during 2000-2009

Objective To understand the characteristics of AIDS in Xiaoshan District,and to analyze its epidemiological factors so as to provide a scientific basis for control measures.Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was made of the HIV/AIDS cases reported in Xiaoshan district from 2000 to 2009.Results Altogether 106 cases of HIV/AIDS were reported,of which 21 cases were AIDS and 5 cases died.The proportion of males to females was 1.79:1,most of whom were in the age group of 21 to 49(92 cases,86.79%).Most of the patients were not local residents(76 cases,71.7%),chiefly migrating from Henan province,Sichuan province and Guizhou province(equally 9.4%),and sexual transmission was the chief route(76.42%).Conclusion Cases of AIDS tend to increase significantly in Xiaoshan district,and it shows an obvious tendency of spreading from high risk population to the general population.Sexual transmission,especially homosexual transmission between males is increasing.Comprehensive measures,including enhancing health education,promoting HIV/AIDS management and epidemic surveillance,strengthening behavior intervention of high risk population,should be taken to effectively prevent and control AIDS.
Forgetting the Literal: The Role of Inhibition in Metaphor Comprehension

In order for a person to comprehend metaphoric expressions, do metaphor-irrelevant aspects of literal information need to be inhibited? Previous research using sentence-verification paradigms has found that literal associates take longer to process after reading metaphorical sentences; however, it is problematic to infer inhibition from this research. Moreover, previous work has not distinguished between familiar and novel metaphor processing. To test more directly for when inhibition may be required during metaphor processing, we performed 3 experiments using a metaphor-induced lexical forgetting paradigm. Participants initially learned word pairs where the cues were potential metaphoric vehicles and the targets were literal associates (e.g., SHARK–swim). Then, participants read half the vehicles as part of metaphorical sentences, which they interpreted (The lawyer for the defense is a shark). Subsequent forgetting of the literal associates was greater when vehicles had appeared in metaphorical sentences (Experiment 1) and was observed for both familiar and novel metaphors when participants were instructed to interpret the metaphors (Experiment 2) but was observed for only novel metaphors when participants were instructed to simply read the metaphors (Experiment 3). These results suggest that forgetting occurs as a result of inhibitory mechanisms that are engaged to alter activation of irrelevant literal information during metaphor processing, and that these mechanisms are most relevant for the processing demands associated with novel metaphors.
Endoscopic Transventricular Approach to Craniopharyngiomas

Abstract The endoscopic intraventricular approach for the treatment of craniopharyngiomas is an appealing option which might achieve an even wider utilization since the more effective, newer adjuvant treatments prioritize the reduction of the morbidity of any surgical operation over the desire for an aggressive surgical resection. Neuroendoscopy can establish the diagnosis by tissue sampling, it can offer symptomatic relief by cyst decompression, and it can reduce the size of the tumor, thus optimizing the target for fractionated radiation therapy (RT) or enabling stereotactic radiosurgery. Moreover, it can act as a temporizing measure for very young pediatric patients in whom RT should be avoided, or for older patients who prefer this approach. Herein, we analyze the indications and we provide a synopsis of the operative technique.
Technical Aspects of Dual Photon Absorptiometry of the Spine

Bone mineral content measurement using dual photon absorptiometry has reached widespread clinical use. Of significant concern is the identification of artifacts and their influence on bone mineral content measurements. We observed artifacts due to disease processes within the body or substances that were injected, ingested, or otherwise introduced into the body.
Self-nucleation and crystallization of polyvinyl alcohol

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a hydrophilic, biodegradable, semicrystalline polymer with a wide array of commercial uses ranging from textiles and packaging to medicine. Film samples of PVA were investigated to assess crystallization and melting behavior during self-nucleation experiments and thermal degradation, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, respectively. TG results show that degradation occurred at temperatures in excess of 200 °C which is close to the observed peak melting temperature of 223 °C. PVA was heated to various self-nucleation temperatures, T s, within its melting range, and then cooled and reheated. Three distinct crystallization regimes were observed upon cooling, depending upon the self-nucleation temperature (T s) selected. At low values of T s, T s < 227 °C, PVA only partially melts, and upon cooling the residual crystals anneal and become more stable. At intermediate values of T s, 228 °C < T s < 234 °C, PVA was found to crystallize exclusively from self-nucleation. For T s > 235 °C, the PVA melts completely and absence of self-nucleation sites causes crystallization to occur at lower temperatures.
A Prediction Model Based on Biomarkers and Clinical Characteristics for Detection of Lung Cancer in Pulmonary Nodules

Lung cancer early detection by low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can reduce the mortality. However, LDCT increases the number of indeterminate pulmonary nodules (PNs), whereas 95% of the PNs are ultimately false positives. Modalities for specifically distinguishing between malignant and benign PNs are urgently needed. We previously identified a panel of peripheral blood mononucleated cell (PBMC)-miRNA (miRs-19b-3p and -29b-3p) biomarkers for lung cancer. This study aimed to evaluate efficacy of integrating biomarkers and clinical and radiological characteristics of smokers for differentiating malignant from benign PNs. We analyzed expression of 2 miRNAs (miRs-19b-3p and -29b-3p) in PBMCs of a training set of 137 individuals with PNs. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to develop a prediction model based on the biomarkers, radiographic features of PNs, and clinical characteristics of smokers for identifying malignant PNs. The performance of the prediction model was validated in a testing set of 111 subjects with PNs. A prediction model comprising the two biomarkers, spiculation of PNs and smoking pack-year, was developed that had 0.91 area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic for distinguishing malignant from benign PNs. The prediction model yielded higher sensitivity (80.3% vs 72.6%) and specificity (89.4% vs 81.9%) compared with the biomarkers used alone (all P < .05). The performance of the prediction model for malignant PNs was confirmed in the validation set. We have for the first time demonstrated that the integration of biomarkers and clinical and radiological characteristics could efficiently identify lung cancer among indeterminate PNs.
Endogeneity bias and growth regressions

Abstract The problem of regressor endogeneity stemming from reverse casuality is one that has plagued economists working in the field of empirical economic growth for some time. This paper attempts to address the relevant magnitude of this issue in the context of growth regressions based on the Solow growth model. The paper develops a method of running Monte Carlo simulations that allows us to generate simulated data that match the moments of observed real-world data typically used in such regressions while simultaneously allowing us to impose arbitrarily high correlations between the steady-state determinants of the Solow model and the unobserved residual term of the data-generating process. After running simulations that represent a wide sample of the mathematically-possible correlations, we conclude that a between estimator or a random effects estimator will deliever a lower average absolute bias across all coefficients than alternative estimators in almost all of our simulations. Conversely, estimators that use within-country variation will generate lower biases when looking solely at rates of convergence. Furthermore, we conclude that these results are robust when restricting our sample of simulations to several subsets of the assumed parameters and to changing our assumptions about country fixed-effects terms.
Temporal artery and axillary thermometry comparison with rectal thermometry in children presenting to the ED.

Abstract Background Accurate temperature readings, often obtained rectally, are an important part of the initial evaluation of pediatric patients in the Emergency Department. Temporal artery thermometry (TAT) is one way to noninvasively measure temperature. We sought to compare the accuracy of axillary and temporal artery temperatures compared to rectal. Methods This prospective study included children age 0–36 months presenting to the Emergency Department of a large military treatment facility. Rectal, axillary, and temporal artery temperatures were obtained. Test characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV) were reported. The effect of cutoff values 99.9 °F, 100.4 °F, and 102.2 °F on test characteristics were also evaluated. Results The sensitivities of axillary and temporal artery thermometry to detect rectal fever is 11.5% and 61.5% respectively. Cutoff values did not significantly alter test characteristics. In this study, temporal artery thermometry was 0.2 °C lower than rectal temperature, axillary measurement was 0.9 °C below the reference standard. Mean temperature difference in the febrile group between TAT and rectal thermometry was > 0.5 °C compared with a mean temperature difference 0.05 °C in afebrile patients. Conclusion The findings of our study do not support using axillary thermometry to screen pediatric patients for fever in the emergency department. TAT cannot be recommended as a rectal thermometry replacement where height and duration of fever are used in pediatric disease prediction models. TAT may have a role in screening for fever in the appropriate pediatric patient population like primary orthopedic or trauma presentations where the balance between device precision, data capture and patient comfort may favor use of TAT.
Quantifying the heterogeneity of shale through statistical combination of imaging across scales

Shale is a highly heterogeneous material across multiple scales. A typical shale consists of nanometer-scale pores and minerals mixed with macroscale fractures and particles of varying size. High-resolution imaging is crucial for characterizing the composition and microstructure of this rock. However, it is generally not feasible to image a large sample of shale at a high resolution over a large field of view (FOV), thus limiting a full characterization of the microstructure of this material. We present a stochastic framework based on multiple-point statistics that uses high-resolution training images to enhance low-resolution images obtained over a large FOV. We demonstrate the approach using X-ray micro-tomography images of organic-rich Woodford shale obtained at two different resolutions and FOV. Results show that the proposed technique can generate realistic high-resolution images of the microstructure of shale over a large FOV.
Defining Program Effects: A Distribution-Based Perspective

ABSTRACTIn an age of accountability, it is critical to define and estimate the effects of teacher education and professional development programs on student learning in ways that allow stakeholders to explore potential reasons for what is observed and to enhance program quality and fidelity. Across the suite of statistical models used for program evaluation, researchers consistently measure program effectiveness using the coefficients of fixed program effects. We propose that program effects are best characterized not as a single effect to be estimated, but as a distribution of teacher-specific effects. In this article, we first discuss this approach and then describe one way it could be used to define and estimate program effects within a value-added modeling context. Using an example dataset, we demonstrate how program effect estimates can be obtained using the proposed methodology and explain how distributions of these estimates provide additional information and insights about programs that are not ap...
Routine C4d immunohistochemistry in cardiac allografts: Long-term outcomes.

Background In the past decade, C4d has emerged as a potential marker for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR); however, evidence on its use as a prognostic tool has been controversial. Although the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation guideline recommends early routine surveillance of C4d in heart transplantation, there is no consensus on its value in the pathologic assessment of AMR. Herein we present a correlation analysis of C4d immunoreactivity in endomyocardial biopsies with clinical cardiac dysfunction, cellular rejection, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) status, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and death. Methods A total of 5,840 endomyocardial biopsies from 296 heart transplant recipients (January 2004 to December 2014) were stained prospectively for C4d. Strong, diffuse endothelial staining was considered positive. All patients had at least 1 year of follow-up. Positive C4d staining was present in 53 biopsies from 28 patients. Sixteen of 28 patients had clinically significant cardiac dysfunction at the time of positive biopsy. In C4d-positive patients, the mean panel-reactive antibody (PRA) level was 33%. Ten patients demonstrated a first C4d positivity within the first year post-transplant, whereas 18 patients had C4d positivity after 1 year post-transplant. At autopsy, all 11 C4d-positive patients examined demonstrated cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) as the underlying cause of death. In contrast, only 2 of 8 (25%) C4d-negative patients had CAV at autopsy. In the surviving cohort, there was an angiographic diagnosis of higher-than-moderate CAV in 10 patients (3.8%). Results C4d-positive patients contributed to 67% of the overall institutional mortality in heart transplant recipients. Late C4d positivity (>1 year post-transplant) demonstrated an even higher risk for developing CAV and poor prognosis than early C4d positivity (within 1 year). In the C4d-negative group with postmortem examination, 75% (6 of 8) deaths were due to non-cardiac causes. Conclusions Our findings show a positive association of C4d with CAV and death. We identified a prognostic role for C4d in heart transplantation warranting routine long-term detection of this marker in the pathologic evaluation of cardiac AMR.
Activation of factor XIII is accompanied by a change in oligomerization state

Factor XIII A (FXIIIA) is a member of the transglutaminase enzyme family that cross-links both intra- and extracellular protein substrates. To prevent undesired cross-linking, FXIIIA is expressed as an inactive zymogen and exists intracellularly as an A2 homodimer. In plasma, FXIII A2 is complexed with two protective factor XIII B subunits (A2B2) that dissociate upon activation of the zymogen. Based on limited experimental data, activated FXIII was considered a dimer of two catalytically active A subunits. However, accumulating but indirect evidence has suggested activation may lead to a monomeric state instead. In the present study, we employed analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) to directly explore the oligomerization state of zymogen as well as active FXIIIA in solution. We first confirmed that the zymogen was a FXIIIA2 dimer. When we activated FXIIIA non-proteolytically (by high mM Ca2+), the protein dissociated to monomers. More importantly, FXIIIA incubation with its physiological partner, the protease thrombin, led to a monomeric state as well. AUC studies of partially cleaved FXIIIA further suggested that thrombin cleavage of a single activation peptide in a zymogen dimer is sufficient to weaken inter-subunit interactions, initiating the transition to monomer. The enzymatic activity of the thrombin-cleaved species was higher than non-proteolytically activated enzyme, suggesting that displacement of the activation peptide renders the FXIIIA more accessible to substrates. Thus, results provide evidence that FXIII undergoes a change in oligomerization state as part of the activation process, and emphasize the role of the activation peptide in preventing FXIIIA catalytic activity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Kisspeptin: Past, Present, and Prologue

Research in the nineteenth and early twentieth century established that the brain awakens reproduction, governs reproductive activity in the adult of virtually all vertebrates. By 1950, nearly 100 years later, scientists realized that the hypothalamus and its neurosecretory products play a key role in regulating gonadal function in both males and females. Another 20 years would be required to reveal the chemical identity of GnRH and establish that neurons producing GnRH represent the final common pathway through which the brain regulates gonadotropin secretion. It had also become clear that GnRH neurons behave more like motor neurons—better perhaps at going than stopping—and are themselves regulated by a complex network of afferent inputs, which guide the tempo of sexual maturation, regulate estrous and menstrual cycles, control seasonal breeding, and stop reproduction under adversity. In 2003, the revelation that kisspeptin and its receptor are critical for reproduction opened a floodgate of research documenting the role of kisspeptin neurons as central processors of reproduction. Today, there is wide consensus that kisspeptin signaling in the brain is essential, providing the impetus to GnRH neurons to awaken at puberty and reigning the activity of these neurons when discretion is advised. We celebrate this watershed moment—with full knowledge that time and discovery will provide context and perspective to even these heady days.
Graphical Frobenius representations

A Frobenius group is a transitive permutation group that is not regular and such that only the identity fixes more than one point. A graphical Frobenius representation (GFR) of a Frobenius group G is a graph whose automorphism group, as a group of permutations of the vertex set, is isomorphic to G. The problem of classifying which Frobenius groups admit a GFR is a natural extension of the classification of groups that have a graphical regular representation (GRR), which occupied many authors from 1958 through 1982. In this paper, we review for graph theorists some standard and deep results about finite Frobenius groups, determine classes of finite Frobenius groups and individual groups that do and do not admit GFRs, and classify those Frobenius groups of order at most 300 having a GFR. Because a Frobenius group, as opposed to a regular permutation group, has a highly restricted structure, the GFR problem emerges as algebraically more complex than the GRR problem. This paper concludes with some further questions and a strong conjecture.
Accessibility and Disability: Absent Keywords in Business and Professional Communication:

An analysis of user interactions, proceedings papers, and Association for Business Communication–sponsored journals reveals an absence of attention to accessibility and disability. While researcher...
Pre-pregnancy blood pressure and body mass index trajectories and incident hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Abstract There are few studies examining patterns in body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) and subsequent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs). We examined the association of BMI (n = 1342) or BP (n = 2266) trajectories in the 5 years preceding birth with HDPs using adjusted logistic regression. Compared to normal-weight BMI and low-normal BP groups, membership to the overweight BMI group (OR: 2.95, 95%CI: 1.57–5.53, p = 0.001) and higher-normal (OR: 2.74, 95%CI:1.49–5.04, p = 0.001) and prehypertensive (OR:7.27, 95%CI: 3.29–16.06, p
Applications of PET-MRI in musculoskeletal disease.

New integrated PET-MRI systems potentially provide a complete imaging modality for diagnosis and evaluation of musculoskeletal disease. MRI is able to provide excellent high-resolution morphologic information with multiple contrast mechanisms that has made it the imaging modality of choice in evaluation of many musculoskeletal disorders. PET offers incomparable abilities to provide quantitative information about molecular and physiologic changes that often precede structural and biochemical changes. In combination, hybrid PET-MRI can enhance imaging of musculoskeletal disorders through early detection of disease as well as improved diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. The purpose of this article is to review emerging applications of PET-MRI in musculoskeletal disease. Both clinical applications of malignant musculoskeletal disease as well as new opportunities to incorporate the molecular capabilities of nuclear imaging into studies of nononcologic musculoskeletal disease are discussed. Lastly, we discuss some of the technical considerations and challenges of PET-MRI as they specifically relate to musculoskeletal disease. Level of evidence 5 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:27-47.