cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rayleigh-Maximum-Likelihood Filtering for Speckle Reduction of Ultrasound Images

Speckle is a multiplicative noise that degrades ultrasound images. Recent advancements in ultrasound instrumentation and portable ultrasound devices necessitate the need for more robust despeckling techniques, for both routine clinical practice and teleconsultation. Methods previously proposed for speckle reduction suffer from two major limitations: 1) noise attenuation is not sufficient, especially in the smooth and background areas; 2) existing methods do not sufficiently preserve or enhance edges-they only inhibit smoothing near edges. In this paper, we propose a novel technique that is capable of reducing the speckle more effectively than previous methods and jointly enhancing the edge information, rather than just inhibiting smoothing. The proposed method utilizes the Rayleigh distribution to model the speckle and adopts the robust maximum-likelihood estimation approach. The resulting estimator is statistically analyzed through first and second moment derivations. A tuning parameter that naturally evolves in the estimation equation is analyzed, and an adaptive method utilizing the instantaneous coefficient of variation is proposed to adjust this parameter. To further tailor performance, a weighted version of the proposed estimator is introduced to exploit varying statistics of input samples. Finally, the proposed method is evaluated and compared to well-accepted methods through simulations utilizing synthetic and real ultrasound data
Word sense disambiguation in the clinical domain: a comparison of knowledge-rich and knowledge-poor unsupervised methods.

Objective To evaluate state-of-the-art unsupervised methods on the word sense disambiguation (WSD) task in the clinical domain. In particular, to compare graph-based approaches relying on a clinical knowledge base with bottom-up topic-modeling-based approaches. We investigate several enhancements to the topic-modeling techniques that use domain-specific knowledge sources. Materials and methods The graph-based methods use variations of PageRank and distance-based similarity metrics, operating over the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS). Topic-modeling methods use unlabeled data from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care (MIMIC II) database to derive models for each ambiguous word. We investigate the impact of using different linguistic features for topic models, including UMLS-based and syntactic features. We use a sense-tagged clinical dataset from the Mayo Clinic for evaluation. Results The topic-modeling methods achieve 66.9% accuracy on a subset of the Mayo Clinic's data, while the graph-based methods only reach the 40–50% range, with a most-frequent-sense baseline of 56.5%. Features derived from the UMLS semantic type and concept hierarchies do not produce a gain over bag-of-words features in the topic models, but identifying phrases from UMLS and using syntax does help. Discussion Although topic models outperform graph-based methods, semantic features derived from the UMLS prove too noisy to improve performance beyond bag-of-words. Conclusions Topic modeling for WSD provides superior results in the clinical domain; however, integration of knowledge remains to be effectively exploited.
Simple Rules for Optimizing Asymmetries in SOA-Based Mach–Zehnder Wavelength Converters

In this paper, we present an analysis of semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based differential Mach-Zehnder wavelength converters with a specific focus on optimizing performance through intentional asymmetries in optical power splitting, SOA bias, and interferometer phase bias. By introducing a simple conceptual framework for understanding the amplifier pulse dynamics, two simple yet effective design rules are derived. These design rules are validated using pseudorandom code in a comprehensive computer model, demonstrating the performance penalties that result when attempting optimization using only unequal SOA biasing or phase biasing. This work illustrates that dramatic improvements in extinction and eye margin can be achieved with optimized splitter asymmetries, and have significant implications for improved network performance and converter cascadability.
Framingham risk score is associated with femoral artery intima-media thickness in asymptomatic young adults (the Bogalusa heart study).

Objective Femoral artery intima-media thickness (IMT), like carotid IMT, is a surrogate indicator of atherosclerotic coronary and peripheral vascular diseases. The Framingham risk score (FRS) is widely being used in the early prediction of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between FRS and femoral artery IMT has not been studied in asymptomatic younger black and white adult population. Our objective was to examine the association between FRS and femoral artery IMT in asymptomatic younger adults.
Inhibition of Interleukin-1-stimulated NF-κB RelA/p65 Phosphorylation by Mesalamine Is Accompanied by Decreased Transcriptional Activity

Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is an inducible transcription factor that regulates genes important in immunity and inflammation. The activity of NF-kappaB is highly regulated: transcriptionally active NF-kappaB proteins are sequestered in the cytoplasm by inhibitory proteins, IkappaB. A variety of extracellular signals, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), activate NF-kappaB by inducing phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaB, allowing nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-kappaB. Many of the stimuli that activate NF-kappaB by inducing IkappaB degradation also cause phosphorylation of the NF-kappaB RelA (p65) polypeptide. The transactivating capacity of RelA is positively regulated by phosphorylation, suggesting that in addition to cytosolic sequestration by IkappaB, phosphorylation represents another mechanism for control of NF-kappaB activity. In this report, we demonstrate that mesalamine, an anti-inflammatory aminosalicylate, dose-dependently inhibits IL-1-stimulated NF-kappaB-dependent transcription without preventing IkappaB degradation or nuclear translocation and DNA binding of the transcriptionally active NF-kappaB proteins, RelA, c-Rel, or RelB. Mesalamine was found to inhibit IL-1-stimulated RelA phosphorylation. These data suggest that pharmacologic modulation of the phosphorylation status of RelA regulates the transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB, independent of nuclear translocation and DNA binding. These findings highlight the importance of inducible phosphorylation of RelA in the control of NF-kappaB activity.
Multilineage cells from human adipose tissue: implications for cell-based therapies.

Future cell-based therapies such as tissue engineering will benefit from a source of autologous pluripotent stem cells. For mesodermal tissue engineering, one such source of cells is the bone marrow stroma. The bone marrow compartment contains several cell populations, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that are capable of differentiating into adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic, and myogenic cells. However, autologous bone marrow procurement has potential limitations. An alternate source of autologous adult stem cells that is obtainable in large quantities, under local anesthesia, with minimal discomfort would be advantageous. In this study, we determined if a population of stem cells could be isolated from human adipose tissue. Human adipose tissue, obtained by suction-assisted lipectomy (i.e., liposuction), was processed to obtain a fibroblast-like population of cells or a processed lipoaspirate (PLA). These PLA cells can be maintained in vitro for extended periods with stable population doubling and low levels of senescence. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry show that the majority of PLA cells are of mesodermal or mesenchymal origin with low levels of contaminating pericytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. Finally, PLA cells differentiate in vitro into adipogenic, chondrogenic, myogenic, and osteogenic cells in the presence of lineage-specific induction factors. In conclusion, the data support the hypothesis that a human lipoaspirate contains multipotent cells and may represent an alternative stem cell source to bone marrow-derived MSCs.
AREAL FREQUENCIES OF HAIL AND THUNDERSTORM DAYS IN ILLINOIS

Abstract Hail and thunderstorm statistics for the 1951–60 period obtained from 119 U.S. Weather Bureau stations in Illinois were combined with crop-hail insurance data for this same period for performing a detailed climatological investigation of the frequencies of hail days and thunderstorm days in Illinois. In the crop-growing season thunderstorms occur on 1 out of every 2 days on the average and hail occurs somewhere in Illinois on 4 out of every 10 days. The hail-thunderstorm areal ratio for Illinois is 68 percent as compared with point ratios varying from 3 to 7 percent. It appears that some thunderstorms may not contain hail since 32 percent of all the thunderstorm days had no hail reported at the surface anywhere in Illinois. Thunderstorms on days without hail most frequently occurred in southern Illinois and were associated more frequently with air mass and warm frontal conditions than were the hail-thunderstorms. This research also has shown how “Days With” data from cooperative substations of th...
Comments to the U.S. Sentencing Commission Concerning Antitrust Fines

This Comment was submitted to the US Sentencing Commission on behalf of the American Antitrust Institute. It makes three important points, all of which concern the US Sentencing Commission's Antitrust Guidelines' cartel overcharge presumption. First, the evidence demonstrates there currently is significant underdeterrence of price fixing and other anticompetitive forms of collusion. Second, the general approach to calculating cartel fines embodied in the US Sentencing Commission Guidelines, under which the enforcers and ultimately the courts calculate antitrust fines based upon a very specific presumed overcharge, is sound and in the public interest. Third, the 10% cartel overcharge presumption in the Guidelines is much too low. The best evidence demonstrates that the Commission should double it, to 20%. This would conform it more closely to the median or average overcharge likely to result from collusion, yet still be a conservative resolution of the issues. Raising the 10% presumption should increase the overall level of cartel deterrence which will benefit consumers greatly.
Preinjury emotional-behavioral functioning of children with lingering problems after mild traumatic brain injury

This study aimed to characterize preinjury emotional-behavioral functioning in pediatric patients with lingering problems after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The clinical case series design included 278 patients 8-17 years old. Parents retrospectively rated children's preinjury emotional-behavioral functioning on a broadband questionnaire. The rate of clinically significant preinjury anxiety was elevated compared with national norms. The number of previous TBIs was associated with clinically significant preinjury externalizing problems, suggesting a link between externalizing disorders and mild TBI exposure. Premorbid emotional-behavioral difficulties may play an important role in the establishment or maintenance of lingering symptoms after pediatric mild TBI.
Using Product Kernels to Predict Protein Interactions

There is a wide variety of experimental methods for the identification of protein interactions.This variety has in turn spurred the development of numerous different computational approaches for modelingand predicting protein interactions. These methods range from detailed structure-based methods capableof operating on only a single pair of proteins at a time to approximate statistical methods capableof making predictions on multiple proteomes simultaneously. In this chapter, we provide a brief discussionof the relative merits of different experimental and computational methods available for identifying proteininteractions. Then we focus on the application of our particular (computational) method using Support VectorMachine product kernels. We describe our method in detail and discuss the application of the method forpredicting protein–protein interactions, β-strand interactions,and protein–chemical interactions.
Unintrusive eating recognition using Google glass

Activity recognition has many health applications, from helping individuals track meals and exercise to providing treatment reminders to people with chronic illness and improving closed-loop control of diabetes. While eating is one of the most fundamental health-related activities, it has proven difficult to recognize accurately and unobtrusively. Body-worn and environmental sensors lack the needed specificity, while acoustic and accelerometer sensors worn around the neck may be intrusive and uncomfortable. We propose a new approach to identifying eating based on head movement data from Google Glass. We develop the Glass Eating and Motion (GLEAM) dataset using sensor data collected from 38 participants conducting a series of activities including eating. We demonstrate that head movement data are sufficient to allow recognition of eating with high precision and minimal impact on privacy and comfort.
Effects of imputation on correlation: implications for analysis of mass spectrometry data from multiple biological matrices

With expanded access to, and decreased costs of, mass spectrometry, investigators are collecting and analyzing multiple biological matrices from the same subject such as serum, plasma, tissue and urine to enhance biomarker discoveries, understanding of disease processes and identification of therapeutic targets. Commonly, each biological matrix is analyzed separately, but multivariate methods such as MANOVAs that combine information from multiple biological matrices are potentially more powerful. However, mass spectrometric data typically contain large amounts of missing values, and imputation is often used to create complete data sets for analysis. The effects of imputation on multiple biological matrix analyses have not been studied. We investigated the effects of seven imputation methods (half minimum substitution, mean substitution, k-nearest neighbors, local least squares regression, Bayesian principal components analysis, singular value decomposition and random forest), on the within-subject correlation of compounds between biological matrices and its consequences on MANOVA results. Through analysis of three real omics data sets and simulation studies, we found the amount of missing data and imputation method to substantially change the between-matrix correlation structure. The magnitude of the correlations was generally reduced in imputed data sets, and this effect increased with the amount of missing data. Significant results from MANOVA testing also were substantially affected. In particular, the number of false positives increased with the level of missing data for all imputation methods. No one imputation method was universally the best, but the simple substitution methods (Half Minimum and Mean) consistently performed poorly.
The Phillips Curve: Back to the '60s?

Abstract This paper reexamines the behavior of inflation and unemployment and reaches four conclusions: 1) The U.S. Phillips curve is alive and well (at least as well as in the past). 2) Inflation expectations however have become steadily more anchored. 3) The slope of the curve has substantially declined. But the decline dates back to the 1980s rather than to the crisis. 4) The standard error of the residual in the relation is large, especially in comparison to the low level of inflation. Each of the four conclusions presents challenges for the conduct of monetary policy.
The concomitant use of fesoterodine and topical vaginal estrogen in the management of overactive bladder and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to investigate the combination effect of anti-muscarinic medication and topical vaginal estrogen in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) and female sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.Study designAfter IRB approval, 23 female subjects who met the entry criteria were randomized into two groups: (1) fesoterodine (Toviaz®, Pfizer, NY) with topical vaginal estrogen (Premarin®, Pfizer, NY) once daily or (2) fesoterodine once daily alone. If 4 mg fesoterodine was tolerated at 1-week, the dose was increased to 8 mg.Main outcome measuresPrimary endpoints were improvement in OAB symptom severity (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, OAB-Q SF), improvement in OAB health-related quality of life (HRQL) (OAB-Q SF), and sexual function (Sexual Quality of Life–Female, SQOL-F) after 12 weeks. Secondary endpoint was change in total number of micturitions.ResultsAfter 12-weeks, the combination group had a significant improvement in OAB symptom severity (p = 0.006), HRQL (p =...
Evaluation on Electromigration and Stressmigration of Metal Interconnections by Hardness Measurements

It is well known that the grain size of interconnections made from aluminum alloys affects electromigration and stressmigration tolerance. The hardness of three kinds of aluminum alloys is measured and it is shown that it has a strong correlation between the grain size of the aluminum alloy films. Stressmigration testing is done for those aluminum alloy films and it is found that the SM tolerance of aluminum films can be judged by the hardness of the films. Electromigration testing is also done and the results also confirm the correlation between EM tolerance and hardness of the aluminum films. Hardness measurements are simple and have the possibility of rough estimation of EM and SM tolerance. This method have the merit of saving time for life test.
Small Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment Using Target® Ultrasoft™ Coils

Purpose: The introduction of small, soft, complex-shaped microcoils has helped facilitate the endovascular treatment of small intracranial aneurysms (IAs) over the last several years. Here we evaluate the initial safety and efficacy of treating small IAs using only Target ® Ultrasoft ™ coils. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained clinical database at a single, high volume, teaching hospital was performed from September 2011 to May 2015. IAs smaller than or equal to 5.0 mm in maximal dimension treated with only Target ® Ultrasoft ™ coils were included. Results: A total of 50 patients with 50 intracranial aneurysms were included. Subarachnoid hemorrhage from index aneurysm rupture was the indication for treatment in 23 of 50 (46%) cases, and prior subarachnoid hemorrhage from another aneurysm was the indication for treatment in 8 of 50 (16%) cases. The complete aneurysm occlusion rate was 70% (35/50), the minimal residual aneurysm rate was 14% (7/50), and residual aneurysm rate was 16% (8/50). One intraoperative aneurysm rupture occurred. Three patients died during hospitalization from clinical sequela of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Follow up at a mean of 13.6 months demonstrated complete aneurysm occlusion in 75% (30/40) of cases, near complete occlusion in 15% (6/40) of cases, and residual aneurysm in 10% (4/40) of cases, all four of which were retreated. Conclusion: Our initial results using only Target ® Ultrasoft ™ coils for the endovascular treatment of small intracranial aneurysms demonstrate initial excellent safety and efficacy profiles.
Predictors of cervical cancer screening for Chinese American women.

Research on Chinese American women's cervical cancer screening behaviours is limited and there are few studies that examine factors associated with obtaining regular Pap tests. The purpose of this study was to use the transtheoretical model (TTM) as a framework to examine correlates of Pap testing and stages of change. Chinese American women (N = 121) were recruited to complete a cross-sectional, self-report survey. Survey items assessed stages of change, self-efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers, and demographic variables including screening and family history for cervical cancer. Eighty-one per cent of women reported that they had ever had a Pap test. Most participants were in the maintenance stage (55%), with 10% in each action and pre-contemplation, 8% in contemplation, 1% in preparation and 16% in the relapse stage. Women in the action/maintenance stage were more likely to be older, married and have a higher education level. Women in the action/maintenance stage had significantly lower perceived barrier scores compared to women in both the contemplation/preparation and pre-contemplation/relapse stages. Findings partially support the use of TTM for cervical cancer screening among this population and indicate the importance of perceived barriers. Results may inform interventions to increase screening rates among Chinese American women.
Abstract 713: Determining the role of tumor-infiltrating B cells in NSCLC

Recent studies in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have shown that upregulation of B cell-associated genes strongly correlate with early stage patient survival. After analyzing a gene expression database of lung tumors we showed that CD79A, a pan-B cell marker, had the strongest predictive value, suggesting that B cells are playing a crucial role in NSCLC immunity. In order to evaluate this we first examined where this genetic signature was originating from. We observed that patients with high levels of B cell-related genes also showed high numbers of CD79A+ B cells intimately associated with the tumor, but not being expressed by tumor cells themselves. A closer look at tumor-infiltrating B cells (TIL-B cells) by IHC and flow cytometry of fresh patient tumor samples has confirmed their presence and allowed us to begin elucidating their phenotype. Interestingly, we have found that not all early stage patients have detectable levels of TIL-B cells, but in those that do, TIL-B cells represent a marked proportion of the lymphocytic infiltration. Further evaluation of T cell populations in the same samples indicate that T cell numbers remain relatively consistent but that the numbers of B-cells, especially CD79A+ B-cells, does vary from patient to patient. These data indicate that CD79A+ TIL-B cells are contributing to the generation of an efficient immune response in some but not all patients, and are greatly influencing disease survivability. This information may allow us to stratify patients into low and high risk groups based on the presence or absence of TIL-B cells, respectively. Citation Format: Sara M. Centuori, Samuel Kim, Cecil Gomes, Charles Putnam, David Mount, Linda Garland, Brandon Larsen, Jesse D. Martinez. Determining the role of tumor-infiltrating B cells in NSCLC. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 713.
Prevention of Oxidative Stress by Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Brain

Oxidative stress and inflammation are the major mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of neurotraumatic, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric diseases. Two major families of essential fatty acids (omega-6 family and omega-3 family) are known to occur in the mammalian brain. Enzymic and nonenzymic mediators of omega-6 family promote and support oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, whereas enzymic lipid mediators of omega-3 fatty acids retard oxidative stress and inhibit neuroinflammation. Present day Western diet is enriched in omega-6 fatty acids. It contains 15–20 times higher omega-6 fatty acids compared to omega-3 fatty acids. Due to the consumption of Western diet, our bodies are flooded with enzymic (eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor) and nonenzymic (4-hydroxynonenal, malondialdehyde, acrolein, isoprostane, isofuran, and isoketal) lipid mediators of omega-6 fatty acids metabolism leading to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may result in retardation of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation due to the production of resolvins, neuroprotectins, and maresins. Thus, high levels of omega-3 fatty acids are needed in our diet for the optimal health.
Failure risk assessment method of electric energy meter based on state evaluation

Comprehensive evaluation the operation state of electric energy meter, put forward a kind of electric energy meter failure probability calculation method. Based on the state evaluation to the electric energy meter, the evaluation results and the failure statistics is associated, through inversion calculation correlation coefficient, fitting the failure probability curve of electric energy meter. Examples of calculation indicate that the failure probability is basically in line with the actual situation of the equipment performance, it's a effective method for estimating the apparatus's failure probability in the current operating state, data support is provided for the quantitative risk assessment of electric energy meter.
Mediation and Conflict Coaching in Organizational Dispute Systems

As new Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes are developed, it becomes imperative to refine how best to build organizational dispute resolution systems that effectively integrate the various ADR components (e.g., mediation, conflict coaching, facilitation) so that the total system affords coverage of the breadth of the organization’s conflicts. In this case, integration also means allowing conflicts to proceed from one ADR component to another, enabling a disputant to loopback to ADR components not initially utilized, and affording disputants the opportunity to use more than one ADR option simultaneously to support optimal conflict management.
Behavior of volatile dopants (P, Sb) in Czochralski silicon growth

Abstract The evaporation from the silicon melt, during Czochralski process, is an important effect for Phosphorus and Antimony dopants. The evaporation rate γ was deduced from the measured axial profile of the resistivity converted into the concentration. For the heavily doped crystals, the value of γ is very similar for both P and Sb: in the order of 5.5×10 −5 cm/s (which is significantly lower than the previously reported evaporation rates). It was concluded that the rate-limiting step for the evaporation process is neither the evaporation reaction itself nor the impurity transport through the flowing gas, but rather the transport through the melt that strongly depends on the melt convection. For low Phosphorus concentration, the transport through the gas is severely slowed-down – due to a change in the dominant gaseous species, from P 2 to P 1 – and becomes a limiting step. The evaporation rate is decreased and, in fact, becomes negligible.
MAP7 Regulates Axon Collateral Branch Development in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons.

Collateral branches from axons are key components of functional neural circuits that allow neurons to connect with multiple synaptic targets. Like axon growth and guidance, formation of collateral branches depends on the regulation of microtubules, but how such regulation is coordinated to ensure proper circuit development is not known. Based on microarray analysis, we have identified a role for microtubule-associated protein 7 (MAP7) during collateral branch development of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons. We show that MAP7 is expressed at the onset of collateral branch formation. Perturbation of its expression by overexpression or shRNA knockdown alters axon branching in cultured DRG neurons. Localization and time-lapse imaging analysis reveals that MAP7 is enriched at branch points and colocalizes with stable microtubules, but enters the new branch with a delay, suggesting a role in branch maturation. We have also investigated a spontaneous mutant mouse that expresses a truncated MAP7 and found a gain-of-function phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. Further domain analysis suggests that the amino half of MAP7 is responsible for branch formation, suggesting a mechanism that is independent of its known interaction with kinesin. Moreover, this mouse exhibits increased pain sensitivity, a phenotype that is consistent with increased collateral branch formation. Therefore, our study not only uncovers the first neuronal function of MAP7, but also demonstrates the importance of proper microtubule regulation in neural circuit development. Furthermore, our data provide new insights into microtubule regulation during axonal morphogenesis and may shed light on MAP7 function in neurological disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neurons communicate with multiple targets by forming axonal branches. In search of intrinsic factors that control collateral branch development, we identified a role for microtubule-associated protein 7 (MAP7) in dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons. We show that MAP7 expression is developmentally regulated and perturbation of this expression alters branch formation. Cell biological analysis indicates that MAP7 promotes branch maturation. Analysis of a spontaneous mouse mutant suggests a molecular mechanism for branch regulation and the potential influence of collateral branches on pain sensitivity. Our studies thus establish the first neuronal function of MAP7 and demonstrate its role in branch morphogenesis and neural circuit function. These findings may help in our understanding of the contribution of MAP7 to neurological disorders and nerve regeneration.
Investigating College Students’ Views on Mathematics Learning Through Reflective Journal Writing

The study on reflective journal writing (RJW) and its benefits as assessed by the teachers has long been an inclination in mathematics education. However, little research has been done to explore the feelings of students towards RJW and how such has an effect on their mathematics learning. This study aimed to describe the feelings of the students about RJW. Being a qualitative type of research study, data were acquired through focus group discussion and were analyzed using axial coding. Results revealed that RJW (i) provided opportunities for the students to construct meaning and express personal views and ideas; (ii) built a connection between the teacher and the students; (iii) through the use of prompts, allowed the students to relate mathematics to real-life facts improving their understanding of the subject; (iv) helped the students build association of ideas using their prior knowledge and experiences; and (v) enabled the students to develop self-awareness. The findings suggest that when students are engaged in reflective writing experiences which explicitly promote meaning-making or self-questioning, teachers create an opportunity for them to see how the process of writing can enrich their mathematical learning.
Circulating CD2 Negative T Cells in Pediatric Acute Leukemia

Introduction: Leukemia cells are able to escape from immunosurveillance using immune tolerance mechanisms as the majority of leukemia antigens are either shared or aberrantly expressed self-proteins. T cells reactive to these antigens are purged during thymic selection. CD2, a pan-T-cell antigen, is expressed early during T cell developments in thymus and is found on all subsets of mature T cells. Recent studies show that there are low levels of extrathymic CD2 negative (CD2-) T cells, which show immature T cell features and can be induced to differentiate into mature helper and cytotoxic T cells in vitro. Since circulating CD2- T cells could represent pre-selection immature T cells, they may play an important role in tumor immunity. Methods: 81 pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients, 22 pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and 22 normal controls were included in this study. B-ALL group included 45 NCI-standard risk (SR) patients and 36 NCI-high risk patients. All the leukemia patients were diagnosed at Children's Mercy Hospital in the past ten years with a diagnostic peripheral blood (PB) specimen. The PB specimens were studied by four-color multiparameter flow cytometry with antibodies for T cell markers (CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7 and CD8) and CD45, and analyzed by BD FACSDiva 8.0.1. CD2- and CD3+ T cells were recorded as % of total T cells. Student's t-test was used to compare results. Results: The percentages of CD2- T cells in AML (mean ± STD: 1.31% ± 1.41%) and B-ALL (0.84% ± 0.67%) were significantly higher than that seen in control group (0.51% ± 0.52%, p<0.05). No significant difference was found between AML and B-ALL. There was no significant difference between HR B-ALL (0.96% ± 0.81%) and SR B-ALL (0.74% ± 0.52%). Interestingly, CD2- T cells in 4/5 B-ALLs with 11q23 ( KMT2A ) rearrangement were undetectable. All 3 therapy-related AML patients studied had KMT2A gene rearrangement, and had no detectable CD2- T cells with poor clinical outcome (overall survival less than 1 year). The 3 AMLs associated with Down syndrome, a prognostically favorable AML group, showed relative high levels (≥ 1.49%) of CD2- T cells. Conclusions: Circulating CD2- T cells are increased in peripheral blood in pediatric AML and B-ALL patients. KMT2A gene rearrangement, an unfavorable cytogenetic abnormality, is associated with a decrease in CD2- T cells. The relationship of KMT2A gene rearrangement and decrease in circulating CD2- T-cells as well as the relationship of CD2- T cells to clinical outcome should be evaluated in future studies. The role of CD2- T cells in tumor specific immunomodulation should be explored, and may impact future studies of cell-based cancer immunotherapeutics. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Health Benefits Associated With Three Helping Behaviors: Evidence for Incident Cardiovascular Disease.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between three helping behaviors and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD; heart attack, stroke; fatal and nonfatal), with an exploration of gender differences. The study is framed within the caregiving system model. Helping others is argued to be an evolved characteristic of humans that yields beneficial health effects. Methods Data were taken from the 2004-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. The three forms of helping others considered were formal volunteering, informal helping, and caregiving for a parent or spouse. Cox proportional hazards models were estimated for gender-stratified samples. Results Women who volunteered showed a lower risk of incident CVD compared to women who did not volunteer. Men who informally helped others in the community exhibited a lower risk of incident CVD compared to men who did not provide this form of help. Caregiving status was generally not associated with incident CVD for women or men. Discussion The results demonstrated that specific types of prosocial behavior may be beneficial for women and men. However, tests for effect differences showed that gender did not moderate the relationships between these helping behaviors and CVD risk.
Crisis subjectivities: resilient, recuperable, and abject representations in the new hard times

In this paper, we explore a range of media representations that center on what we identify as crisis subjectivities. These are subjects presented as embodiments of economic and political crises, co...
Chapter 12 Standard Reference Materials For The Determination Of Trace Organic Constituents In Environmental Samples

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the second generation of environmental standard reference materials (SRMs), particularly, the natural matrix materials, the improvements in the analytical approach used for value assignment, and an examination of various modes of value assignment of SRMs for chemical composition at NIST and illustrates with examples their use. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been one of the primary groups of compounds measured in environmental matrix SRMs. However, their sulfur analogues, polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASHs) are neglected even though their occurrence in various fossil fuels and other environmental samples as well as their mutagenic and carcinogenic potential has been reported. Another class of chlorinated hydrocarbon analytes of interest are the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners without ortho-substituted chlorines, because they are potentially the most toxic PCBs, and LC methods have been developed for isolating the nonortho PCBs from other interfering PCBs. Measurements of nonortho PCBs have now been reported in a variety of environmental matrices, including sediments, fish, and marine mammals. However, at present there are no SRMs or certified reference materials (CRMs) from other sources with certified concentrations for these important PCB congeners.
The Meaning of Loss: Psychoanalytic Explorations

During October, 1896, in Vienna, Austria, a retired wool merchant aged 81 years died following a short illness. Surviving him were a wife, 20 years his junior, and seven children. Shortly after his death, the eldest son, a physician, wrote to a friend, “My father’s death has affected me profoundly—with his peculiar mixture of deep wisdom and fantastic lightness he had meant very much in my life. He had passed his time when he died, but inside me the occasion of his death has reawakened all my early feelings and now I feel quite uprooted.”2*
Speculations on the Future of Food Webs

Food webs should be more closely integrated with other descriptions of community ecology. Recent technology should be exploited to observe food webs better. The effects of human interventions on food webs should be more carefully studied and better understood.
A combined phase contrast imaging and heterodyne interferometer system for multiscale fluctuation measurements (invited)

In this work, a novel combined diagnostic capable of measuring multiscale density fluctuations that extend from magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) to the lower range of electron temperature gradient turbulence has been designed, installed, and operated at DIII-D. The combined diagnostic was constructed by adding a heterodyne interferometer to the pre-existing phase contrast imaging (PCI) system, both of which measure line-integrated electron density fluctuations. The port-space footprint is minimized via use of a single 10.6 μm probe beam. With temporal bandwidths in excess of 1 MHz, the PCI measures high-k (1.5 cm−1 < |kR| ≤ 25 cm−1) fluctuations with sensitivity 3×1013 m−2/kHz, while the interferometer simultaneously measures low-k (|kR| < 5 cm−1) fluctuations with sensitivity 3×1014 m−2/kHz. The intentional mid-k overlap has been empirically verified with sound-wave calibrations and allows quantitative investigation of multiscale effects that are predicted to be significant in the reactor-relevant Te ∼ Ti regime. Furthermore, via correlation with the primary DIII-D interferometer, the toroidal mode numbers of core-localized MHD can be measured.In this work, a novel combined diagnostic capable of measuring multiscale density fluctuations that extend from magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) to the lower range of electron temperature gradient turbulence has been designed, installed, and operated at DIII-D. The combined diagnostic was constructed by adding a heterodyne interferometer to the pre-existing phase contrast imaging (PCI) system, both of which measure line-integrated electron density fluctuations. The port-space footprint is minimized via use of a single 10.6 μm probe beam. With temporal bandwidths in excess of 1 MHz, the PCI measures high-k (1.5 cm−1 < |kR| ≤ 25 cm−1) fluctuations with sensitivity 3×1013 m−2/kHz, while the interferometer simultaneously measures low-k (|kR| < 5 cm−1) fluctuations with sensitivity 3×1014 m−2/kHz. The intentional mid-k overlap has been empirically verified with sound-wave calibrations and allows quantitative investigation of multiscale effects that are predicted to be significant in the reactor-relevant Te ∼ Ti regim...
Analysis, Nutrition, and Health Benefits of Tryptophan:

Tryptophan is an essential plant-derived amino acid that is needed for the in vivo biosynthesis of proteins. After consumption, it is metabolically transformed to bioactive metabolites, including serotonin, melatonin, kynurenine, and the vitamin niacin (nicotinamide). This brief integrated overview surveys and interprets our current knowledge of the reported multiple analytical methods for free and protein-bound tryptophan in pure proteins, protein-containing foods, and in human fluids and tissues, the nutritional significance of l-tryptophan and its isomer d-tryptophan in fortified infant foods and corn tortillas as well the possible function of tryptophan in the diagnosis and mitigation of multiple human diseases. Analytical methods include the use of acid ninhydrin, near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy, colorimetry, basic hydrolysis; acid hydrolysis of S-pyridylethylated proteins, and high-performance liquid and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Also covered are the nutritional values of tryptophan-fortified infant formulas and corn-based tortillas, safety of tryptophan for human consumption and the analysis of maize (corn), rice, and soybean plants that have been successfully genetically engineered to produce increasing tryptophan. Dietary tryptophan and its metabolites seem to have the potential to contribute to the therapy of autism, cardiovascular disease, cognitive function, chronic kidney disease, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, sleep, social function, and microbial infections. Tryptophan can also facilitate the diagnosis of certain conditions such as human cataracts, colon neoplasms, renal cell carcinoma, and the prognosis of diabetic nephropathy. The described findings are not only of fundamental scientific interest but also have practical implications for agriculture, food processing, food safety, nutrition, and animal and human health. The collated information and suggested research need will hopefully facilitate and guide further studies needed to optimize the use of free and protein-bound tryptophan and metabolites to help improve animal and human nutrition and health.
Dispersion in Scores on the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale as a Measure of Delirium in Patients with Subdural Hematomas

Delirium is a frequent complication of critical illness, but its diagnosis is more difficult in brain-injured patients due to language impairment and disorders of consciousness. We conducted a prospective cohort study to determine whether Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) scores could be used to reliably diagnose delirium in the setting of brain injury. We also examined clinical factors associated with delirium in patients with subdural hematomas (SDH) and assessed its impact on functional outcome at discharge. We prospectively enrolled 55 patients with the primary diagnosis of SDH admitted to the neurological intensive care unit (ICU) and screened them for delirium with the Confusion Assessment Method-ICU (CAM-ICU). As our primary outcome, we examined whether the standard deviation of RASS scores (RASS dispersion) could be used to diagnose delirium. We also looked at trends in RASS scores as a way to distinguish different causes of delirium. Then, using logistic regression, we identified factors associated with delirium in patients with SDH and quantified the impact of delirium on the modified Rankin Scale at discharge. Delirium as defined by the CAM-ICU was present in 35% (N = 19) of patients. RASS dispersion correlated well with the CAM-ICU (AUC of the ROC was 0.84). Analyzing the temporal trend of changes in the RASS was helpful in identifying new brain injuries as the underlying etiology of CAM-ICU positivity. Age, APACHE II scores on admission, baseline functional impairment, midline shift on initial imaging, and infections were associated with an increased risk of delirium. Delirium was associated with a worse functional outcome. RASS dispersion correlates highly with CAM-ICU positivity, and monitoring trends in RASS scores can identify delirium caused by new brain injuries. Delirium as defined by the CAM-ICU is common in patients with SDH and portends worse outcomes.
Renewable energy investment and employment in China

ABSTRACTThe potential trade-off between environmental protection and employment stability has been a concern in the literature. However, in the case of China, the employment issue has not been adeq...
Self-reported visual symptoms in children with developmental dyslexia.

Abstract Although there are many anecdotal reports of children with developmental dyslexia complaining of vision symptoms when reading, empirical studies are lacking. The primary aim of the present study was to document self-reported vision-related symptoms in children with developmental dyslexia and typically reading peers. We also explored whether vision symptoms were correlated with sensorimotor measures of vergence, accommodation and ocular motor tracking skills. Using a prospective group comparison observational design, we assessed 28 children with developmental dyslexia (DD) and 33 typically reading children (TR) 7–11 years of age. Participants completed psychoeducational testing, a comprehensive sensorimotor eye examination, and the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS), which includes 9 items pertaining to vision-related symptoms (CISS-V) and 6 that could have cognitive influence (CISS-C). CISS-V were significantly greater in DD than TR children. Ocular motor tracking, assessed by an infra-red limbal eye tracker while reading text, was most clearly associated with the visual symptoms, but only within the DD group. Vision-related symptom surveys followed by a comprehensive eye examination with detailed evaluation of sensorimotor functioning for those who report a high prevalence of symptoms may be clinically relevant for children with DD.
Civil War and Democratic Transitions in Central America

This paper investigates the origins and nature of regime change in Central America (until the 1990s, only citizens in Costa Rica voted in non-fraudulent elections, enjoyed an ample system of civil rights, and were governed by a democracy with institutional checks and balances). This paper argues that armed struggle liquidated the old (political) order in Central America. It was civil war, not economic development or structural change in the interests of the upper class, that led to the negotiated transitions to more open regimes on the isthmus.
Performance Standard Horizons, Uncertainty, and Controllability

The horizon of a performance standard specifies the time given to achieve the standard. Performance standard horizons vary considerably practice, and the psychology literature provides mixed results on whether short or long horizons are more effective in motivating workers. In this paper I use an experiment with a real-effort task to show that the motivating effect of performance standards is determined by an interaction between the horizon of the standard and the amount of uncertainty in the relationship between effort and performance. When uncertainty was low, participants exerted significantly more effort when assigned performance standards with short horizons compared to long horizons. However, when uncertainty was high, the motivational effect of short horizons decreased because participants perceived themselves as having less ability to influence achievement of their standards through their efforts. The results demonstrate that the horizon of performance standards can affect worker motivation, and that horizons should be set as short as permitted by uncertainty in the situation. These findings provide an explanation for variation in performance standard horizons observed in practice, and suggest that investments in accounting systems that reduce noise in performance measures can allow management to set shorter horizon standards. The results also extend to the managerial accounting literature by demonstrating that the perceived controllability of a performance standard is affected by the matching of the standard’s time horizon with the amount of noise in the worker’s ability to achieve the standard. Finally, the results clarify mixed findings about horizon effects in the goal-setting literature.