cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circadian Variation in Ischemic Stroke Subtypes

Background and Purpose—While previous studies suggest that the peak time period for the occurrence of ischemic stroke is in the mid- to late-morning hours, detailed information pertaining to circadian variations among the various stroke subtypes has been limited. The purpose of our study was to define the circadian patterns of symptom onset in an acute stroke trial with an established system for stroke subtype classification. Methods—An analysis was conducted on 1272 patients enrolled in the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) study. All patients had a documented time of stroke symptom onset, and all stroke subtype determinations were made by a single rater. Results—The greatest portion of atherothrombotic strokes (25.7%), cardioembolic strokes (30.5%), and strokes of other/unknown mechanism (27.1%) occurred between 6:01 am and 12:00 noon. The greatest portion of lacunar strokes (31.6%) were present on awakening. More than one half of the infarcts in this series were either present on awa...
How the other half lives, the amino-terminal domain of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein.

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene (RB1) is currently the only known gene whose mutation is necessary and sufficient for the development of a human cancer. Mutation or deregulation of RB1 is observed so frequently in other tumor types that compromising RB1 function may be a prerequisite for malignant transformation. Identifying the molecular mechanisms that provide the basis for RB1-mediated tumor suppression has become an important goal in the quest to understand and treat cancer. The lion's share of research on these mechanisms has focused on the carboxy-terminal half of the RB1 encoded protein (pRB). This focus is with good reason since this part of the protein, now called the “large pocket,” is required for most of its known activities identified in vitro and in vivo. Large pocket mediated mechanisms alone, however, cannot account for all observed properties of pRB. The thesis presented here is that the relatively uncharacterized amino-terminal half of the protein makes important contributions to pRB-mediated tumor suppression. The goals of this review are to summarize evidence indicating that an amino-terminal structural domain is important for pRB function and to suggest a general hypothesis as to how this domain can be integrated with current models of pRB function. J. Cell. Physiol. 197: 169–180, 2003© 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Quantification of non-fibrous and fibrous particulates in human lungs: Twenty year update on pneumoconiosis database

The lungs act as a continuous sampler of respirable particulate matter in the environment. Quantitative analysis of the retained lung burden of particulate material provides important clues to exposures in individual cases as well as in epidemiological studies. Since 1980 we have developed and utilized microanalytical techniques to identify and quantify the inorganic particles retained in lungs. These results and the cumulative data in the database (initially described in 1991) have had far-ranging diagnostic and research applications. The database contains data from >900 non-fibrous particle analyses and >800 fibre analyses. In this report we summarize and highlight aspects of the database after 20 years.
The low viability of human CD34+ cells under acidic conditions is improved by exposure to thrombopoietin, stem cell factor, interleukin-3, or increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels.

BACKGROUND: Transplanted hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34+) have shown great promise in regenerative medicine. However, the therapeutic potential of transplanted cells is limited by their poor viability. It is well known that the microenvironment in which progenitors reside substantially affects their behavior. Because extracellular acidosis is a common feature of injured tissues or the tumor microenvironment and is a critical regulator of cell survival and activation, we evaluated the impact of acidosis on CD34+ cell biology. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Apoptosis was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and binding of annexin V, hypodiploid cells, Bcl-xL expression, active caspase-3, and mitochondrial membrane potential was determined by flow cytometry. Colony-forming units were studied by clonogenic assays, and cell cycle was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Exposure of CD34+ cells to low pH (7.0-6.5) caused intracellular acidification, decreased cell proliferation, and triggered apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. Whereas exposure to thrombopoietin (TPO), stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin (IL)-3 or increases in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels prevented CD34+ cell death induced by acidic conditions, granulocyte-macrophage–colony-stimulating factor, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-ligand, erythropoietin, and vascular endothelial growth factor had no effect. Despite their cytoprotective effect, CD34+ cell expansion triggered by TPO, SCF, or IL-3 was significantly impaired at low pH. However, a cocktail of these three cytokines synergistically supported proliferation, cell cycle progression, and colony formation. DISCUSSION: Our findings indicate that an acidic milieu is deleterious for CD34+ cells and that a combination of certain cytokines and cAMP donors may improve cell viability and function. These data may be useful to develop new therapeutic strategies or to optimize protocols for regenerative medicine.
A tool kit for quantifying eukaryotic rRNA gene sequences from human microbiome samples

Eukaryotic microorganisms are important but understudied components of the human microbiome. Here we present a pipeline for analysis of deep sequencing data on single cell eukaryotes. We designed a new 18S rRNA gene-specific PCR primer set and compared a published rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene primer set. Amplicons were tested against 24 specimens from defined eukaryotes and eight well-characterized human stool samples. A software pipeline https://sourceforge.net/projects/brocc/ was developed for taxonomic attribution, validated against simulated data, and tested on pyrosequence data. This study provides a well-characterized tool kit for sequence-based enumeration of eukaryotic organisms in human microbiome samples.
Effects of Boehmite‐Coating Thickness on the Consolidation and Rheological Properties of Boehmite‐Coated SiC Suspensions

We examined the effect of the boehmite coating thickness on the rheology and consolidation of boehmite-coated SiC suspensions. The thickness of the boehmite coating on SiC was varied by adjusting the boehmite concentration relative to SiC. For boehmite concentrations less than 10 wt%, the coating thickness increased with increasing boehmite concentration. For boehmite concentrations higher than 10 wt%, the coating thickness saturated. Further increase in the boehmite concentration led to the presence of small boehmite particles in the suspensions. All boehmite-coated suspensions gelled near their isoelectric points and the storage moduli of the gels with respect to pH exhibited a maximum near the isoelectric points. Below 10 wt% boehmite, the suspensions had very few small boehmite particles. The maximum storage modulus, G′0,max, of the boehmite-coated SiC gel decreased with increasing coating thickness, t, as G′0,max∝t−2, in good agreement with our earlier theoretical prediction. Meanwhile, the maximum sedimentation densities, φmax, of the coated suspensions occurred at around pH ∼ 4.0 and increased with increasing coating thickness from under φmax= 25 vol% with 1 wt% boehmite to above φmax= 65 vol% with 10 wt% boehmite due to increased zeta potential with increasing coating thickness. Above 10 wt% boehmite, the excess boehmite particles in the suspension increased the maximum suspension storage modulus, G′0,max, and decreased the maximum sedimentation density, φmax.
Computation-Directed Identification of OxyR DNA Binding Sites in Escherichia coli

A computational search was carried out to identify additional targets for the Escherichia coli OxyR transcription factor. This approach predicted OxyR binding sites upstream of dsbG, encoding a periplasmic disulfide bond chaperone-isomerase; upstream of fhuF, encoding a protein required for iron uptake; and within yfdI. DNase I footprinting assays confirmed that oxidized OxyR bound to the predicted site centered 54 bp upstream of the dsbG gene and 238 bp upstream of a known OxyR binding site in the promoter region of the divergently transcribed ahpC gene. Although the new binding site was near dsbG, Northern blotting and primer extension assays showed that OxyR binding to the dsbG-proximal site led to the induction of a second ahpCF transcript, while OxyR binding to the ahpCF-proximal site leads to the induction of both dsbG and ahpC transcripts. Oxidized OxyR binding to the predicted site centered 40 bp upstream of the fhuF gene was confirmed by DNase I footprinting, but these assays further revealed a second higher-affinity site in the fhuF promoter. Interestingly, the two OxyR sites in the fhuF promoter overlapped with two regions bound by the Fur repressor. Expression analysis revealed that fhuF was repressed by hydrogen peroxide in an OxyR-dependent manner. Finally, DNase I footprinting experiments showed OxyR binding to the site predicted to be within the coding sequence of yfdI. These results demonstrate the versatile modes of regulation by OxyR and illustrate the need to learn more about the ensembles of binding sites and transcripts in the E. coli genome.
Kilo-NOC: a heterogeneous network-on-chip architecture for scalability and service guarantees

Today's chip-level multiprocessors (CMPs) feature up to a hundred discrete cores, and with increasing levels of integration, CMPs with hundreds of cores, cache tiles, and specialized accelerators are anticipated in the near future. In this paper, we propose and evaluate technologies to enable networks-on-chip (NOCs) to support a thousand connected components (Kilo-NOC) with high area and energy efficiency, good performance, and strong quality-of-service (QOS) guarantees. Our analysis shows that QOS support burdens the network with high area and energy costs. In response, we propose a new lightweight topology-aware QOS architecture that provides service guarantees for applications such as consolidated servers on CMPs and real-time SOCs. Unlike prior NOC quality-of-service proposals which require QOS support at every network node, our scheme restricts the extent of hardware support to portions of the die, reducing router complexity in the rest of the chip. We further improve network area- and energy-efficiency through a novel flow control mechanism that enables a single-network, low-cost elastic buffer implementation. Together, these techniques yield a heterogeneous Kilo-NOC architecture that consumes 45% less area and 29% less power than a state-of-the-art QOS-enabled NOC without these features.
Competition versus Monopoly

Ever since the inception of the EEC, a discussion has been in progress between those, mainly the German and the British, who favour the adoption of a competition policy, and the others, mainly the French, who prefer more interventionist policies.
A sensitivity and model reduction analysis of one-dimensional secondary settling tank models under wet-weather flow and sludge bulking conditions

Abstract In this study, we provide the sensitivity and reduction analysis of the current, most advanced one-dimensional (1-D) secondary settling tank (SST) model, the Burger–Diehl model, under non-ideal flow and settling conditions. Parameter subsets suitable for the Burger–Diehl model calibration are identified. For example, under the wet-weather condition, all model parameters, except fn and Dc,0, are influential to SST performance. When filamentous bulking occurs, the outputs of the Burger–Diehl model are most sensitive to the hindered settling parameters, v0 and rh. In terms of parameter interactions, strong interactions are found among parameters in predicting Ce. However, for Cu, SI and Fluxop under the bulking condition, the Burger–Diehl model is almost additive with negligible parameter interactions. Moreover, the sensitivity of the Burger–Diehl model outputs to parameters is highly impacted by the imposed simulation conditions, thus resulting in different parameter subsets for model calibration. For example, under the wet-weather condition, the compression settling parameters can be as important as the hindered settling parameters, while bulking of the sludge greatly increases the influence of the hindered settling parameters (v0 and rh), and decreases the influence of the compression settling parameters. In terms of model reduction, reliable reduction of the Burger–Diehl model can be achieved based on GSA results. For example, under the bulking condition, the Burger–Diehl model can be reduced to the hindered–dispersion model regardless to model outputs. The reliability of the Burger–Diehl model reduction can be evaluated based on uncertainty, and unreliable reduction can negatively impact the decision making in SST design and control.
Supersymmetric k-defects

Abstract In supersymmetric theories, topological defects can have nontrivial behaviors determined purely by whether or not supersymmetry is restored in the defect core. A well-known example of this is that some supersymmetric cosmic strings are automatically superconducting, leading to important cosmological effects and constraints. We investigate the impact of nontrivial kinetic interactions, present in a number of particle physics models of interest in cosmology, on the relationship between supersymmetry and supercurrents on strings. We find that in some cases it is possible for superconductivity to be disrupted by the extra interactions.
Electrochemical Study of Manganese and Rhenium Arene Complexes (C6R6)M(CO)3+ (R = Me, Et)§

An electrochemical study of the reduction of (η6-C6R6)M(CO)3+ (R = Me, Et; M = Mn, Re) in dichloromethane or acetonitrile at platinum electrodes is reported. X-ray structures of the manganese and r...
Early Americans: Misstated results

In the 16 May issue of Science , we were part of a research team that reported the analysis of a late Pleistocene-age human skeleton found below sea level within a cave on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula ([ 1 ][1]). Mitochondrial DNA extracted from this individual's tooth identified a subhaplogroup that is found today only among Native Americans. Based on our findings, we hypothesized that the morphological differences between these early people and modern Native Americans resulted from in situ evolution rather than separate ancestry. In the accompanying News & Analysis story “Bones from a watery ‘black hole’ confirm first American origins” (16 May, p. [680][2]), M. Balter quoted J. C. Chatters discussing ideas that are his alone. Chatters is quoted as characterizing early Native Americans “with their large skulls and more forward-projecting faces” as a “human ‘wild type’” distinct from modern Native Americans “with rounder and flatter faces” that “reflect a more ‘domestic’ form.” The quoted comments do not reflect the research results and interpretations reported in our paper, and we do not endorse the ideas presented in this section of the News article. Our study has no bearing on the socio-behavioral life of ancestral Americans or other human populations. We joined the Hoyo Negro project because of our interest in understanding the physical, cultural, and genetic diversity of human beings through time and across space. 1. [↵][3]1. J. C Chatters 2. et al ., Science 344, 750 (2014). [OpenUrl][4][Abstract/FREE Full Text][5] [1]: #ref-1 [2]: pending:yes [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [4]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DScience%26rft.stitle%253DScience%26rft.aulast%253DChatters%26rft.auinit1%253DJ.%2BC.%26rft.volume%253D344%26rft.issue%253D6185%26rft.spage%253D750%26rft.epage%253D754%26rft.atitle%253DLate%2BPleistocene%2BHuman%2BSkeleton%2Band%2BmtDNA%2BLink%2BPaleoamericans%2Band%2BModern%2BNative%2BAmericans%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1126%252Fscience.1252619%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F24833392%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [5]: /lookup/ijlink/YTozOntzOjQ6InBhdGgiO3M6MTQ6Ii9sb29rdXAvaWpsaW5rIjtzOjU6InF1ZXJ5IjthOjQ6e3M6ODoibGlua1R5cGUiO3M6NDoiQUJTVCI7czoxMToiam91cm5hbENvZGUiO3M6Mzoic2NpIjtzOjU6InJlc2lkIjtzOjEyOiIzNDQvNjE4NS83NTAiO3M6NDoiYXRvbSI7czoyNDoiL3NjaS8zNDUvNjE5NS8zOTAuMS5hdG9tIjt9czo4OiJmcmFnbWVudCI7czowOiIiO30=
Continuous-Flow Automated HPLC Analysis of Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Tablets

A prototype automated system involving continuous-flow analysis and high performance liquid chromatography (CFA/HPLC) has been developed for the analysis of fat-soluble vitamins in individual pharmaceutical tablets. The novel features are the front-end coupling of CFA to HPLC, injection of hexane solutions on reversed phase columns, separation/quantitation of vitamins A, D2 and E within single chromatographic runs for a wide variety of tablets, and a dynamic range sufficient to accommodate the 1000-fold higher levels of vitamins a and E over D2 in the same tablets. The analysis rate is 10 samples per hour, the precision better than 6% for all three vitamins, and the recovery is 70-90% of that obtained by the standard AOAC method. Although the system is a prototype, it already greatly outperforms current manual analyses which are time consuming, tedious, and demanding in terms of the level of skill and experience of the experimenter. Included in this work are some retention comparisons of commercial columns.
Load Distribution in Barefoot Running Shoes

Running is one of the most practiced sports around the world and it dates back to Ancient Greece. Running became an Olympic sport in 1896 and today is mostly performed for fun and to stay in shape. Nowadays, athletic shoe companies make claims on the performance of the type of shoes they manufacture. Some of their claims include shoes that allow free movements, fit like a glove, and are in complete harmony with human mechanics. The preceding characteristics are those of so-called barefoot running shoes. Robillard [1] explains that minimalist running shoes could be defined as those that provide limited or no support and only minimal protection, with the heel at the same level as the forefoot. Even though running may have been investigated, however, there is not enough analyses on barefoot running shoes. The objective of this study was to investigate the load distribution on the feet of a healthy running adult wearing barefoot shoes through experimental work and finite element analysis (FEA).The methodology used in this study included experimental as well FEA. Tests were conducted with a 175-lb adult subject wearing a pair of minimalist shoes. Experimental data were collected and used to perform Finite Element Analysis. The barefoot shoes were modeled with an equivalent thickness of 0.453 inch, and the following parameters were experimentally determined such as the Young’s modulus of 467 psi, a density of 0.0025 lb/in3, and a Poisson’s ratio of 0.08.The simulation results yielded a maximum compressive stress of 38.71 psi in the toe region. This stress level was approximately one-half of the stresses generated in the heel region of conventional sport shoes. This study, further, revealed the reduction of stresses at the heel region with barefoot shoes resulting in lower risk of pain and injury to the foot in the absence of impact transients ordinarily experienced with conventional shoes.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
TURISMO DE AVENTURA E OS CONTEXTOS DA SEGURANÇA:ALGUNS ASPECTOS DO TRABALHO EM CONDUTORES DE RAFTING NO RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Este artigo tem por finalidade discorrer sobre o turismo de aventura e os contextos da seguranca no trabalho dos condutores de rafting. A abordagem apresentada e decorrente da pesquisa de dissertacao de mestrado do autor. A teoria da psicodinâmica do trabalho, fundamentada por Christophe Dejours serve de base para a analise dos elementos que constituem o contexto da seguranca no mundo do trabalho. As interpretacoes, que se seguem, situam o condutor de rafting em um grupo social, que e interpelado por uma ideologia dominante, de forma consciente e inconsciente, que rege sua tarefa atraves de regras prescritas. Os condutores ao atuarem nas condicoes a eles impostas pela natureza e pela organizacao do trabalho, necessitam mobilizar recursos para lidar com os imprevistos e o medo no trabalho. As estrategias defensivas utilizadas pelo coletivo aparecem com o intuito de viabilizar, manter e preservar o posto de trabalho como uma atividade segura, para assim poder ser comercializada. O trabalho serve como estrategia de aproximacao das relacoes humanas e de relacionamento no trabalho.
Application and Review of Magnetic field Treatment for Cancer

The status of magnetic treatment for cancer is reviewed in this paper. Magneto-therapy for cancer is discussed and prospected.
Analysis on bacterial culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 1693 children with refractory pneumonia

Objective To evaluate pathogens and antimicrobial resistance of pathogens causing refractory pneumonia in children.Methods Children with refractory pneumonia who admitted to a hospital between May 2008 and December 2014 were performed bronchoscopy,and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were performed bacterial culture and antimicrobial resistance testing.Results 1 693 patients were recruited in the study,273 bacterial isolates were isolated from BALF specimens of 226 children,gram-positive bacteria accounted for 38.10%(104/273),the main gram-positive bacteria were Streptococcus pneumoniae(n=71)and Staphylococcus aureus(n=23);gram-negative bacteria accounted for 58.24%(159/273),including 44 isolates of Haemophilus parainfluenzae,28 Klebsiella pneumoniae,19 Escherichia coli,and17 Pseudomonas aeruginosa;10isolates of fungi were also detected,8 of which were Candida albicans.The sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae to quinolones,ceftriaxone and cefotaxime were high.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)positive rate was 26.32%.ESBLs-producing rate of Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Klebsiella pneumoniae was32.72% and 62.96%respectively.Conclusion The major pathogens causing refractory pneumonia were Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae,empirical treatment should be conducted accordingly,antimicrobial resistance should be considered if therapeutic effect is poor,and targeted therapy should be performed according to cultured results and antimicrobial susceptibility testing result.
Quality improvement program reduces venous thromboembolism in infants and children with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA)

Patients with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) treated with the Foker process are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). An institutional quality improvement program to decrease VTE risk factor exposure and utilize prophylactic anticoagulation was implemented. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a VTE risk-reduction program in patients with LGEA. Implementation and evaluation of a VTE risk-reduction program in patients with LGEA from 2012 to 2015 was performed. Symptomatic VTE with radiographic confirmation were defined as events. Post-program characteristics were evaluated and compared to a historical cohort. Sixty-seven patients were identified. Two developed VTE (7 %) post-program implementation; compared to 13/40 (33 %) VTE incidence in the historical cohort (p = 0.018). Baseline demographics were similar, including age, esophageal atresia type and gap length. Post-protocol patients had fewer paralysis episodes (p = 0.004), paralysis days (p = 0.003), central venous catheters (p = 0.003), thoracotomies (p < 0.001), ventilator hours (p = 0.02), and decreased hospital (p < 0.001) and ICU stay (p < 0.001). All patients in the VTE risk-reduction program were exposed to prophylactic anticoagulation. No bleeding complications and/or thrombosis-related mortality occurred. VTE risk-reduction program implementation decreased symptomatic VTE incidence with associated decreases in ICU and hospital length of stay. Prophylactic anticoagulation can be utilized safely in a complicated pediatric surgical population.
From Rule of Thumb to Scientific Range Management: The Case of the Intermountain Region of the Forest Service

n a major reorganization in 1908, the Forest Service began the decentralization of its operations on a scale unmatched by any other federal agency.1 Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot sent personnel from the Washington office to staff six, newly created multi-state regions. In the process, the Washington office delegated considerable autonomy to the regional foresters who headed these units. While the boundaries are somewhat differ-
Aging: altered responsiveness of gastric mucosa to epidermal growth factor

The present investigation examines the responsiveness of the gastric mucosa to the growth-promoting action of epidermal growth factor (EGF) during advancing age. Two sets of experiments were performed. In the first set of experiments, groups of 4-, 8-, 16-, and 24-mo-old Fischer 344 rats were injected subcutaneously at 12-h intervals for 2 days with either EGF (10 micrograms/kg) in gelatin or the vehicle only (controls). The animals were killed 16-18 h after the last injection. The oxyntic gland mucosa was assayed for thymidine kinase and the rate of DNA synthesis in vitro (indicators of proliferative activity) as well as for tyrosine kinase (Tyr-k) activity. In control rats, the rate of DNA synthesis and thymidine kinase activity rose steadily between 4 and 24 mo of age. However, whereas Tyr-k activity in the gastric mucosal cytosol changed only marginally with age, activity of the enzyme in the membrane fraction rose steadily between 4 and 16 mo and then increased abruptly. EGF stimulated gastric mucosa...
TU‐D‐207B‐05: Intra‐Tumor Partitioning and Texture Analysis of DCE‐MRI Identifies Relevant Tumor Subregions to Predict Early Pathological Response of Breast Cancer to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Purpose: To predict early pathological response of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) based on quantitative, multi-region analysis of dynamic contrast enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Methods: In this institution review board-approved study, 35 patients diagnosed with stage II/III breast cancer were retrospectively investigated using DCE-MR images acquired before and after the first cycle of NAC. First, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the dimensionality of the DCE-MRI data with a high-temporal resolution. We then partitioned the whole tumor into multiple subregions using k-means clustering based on the PCA-defined eigenmaps. Within each tumor subregion, we extracted four quantitative Haralick texture features based on the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM). The change in texture features in each tumor subregion between pre- and during-NAC was used to predict pathological complete response after NAC. Results: Three tumor subregions were identified through clustering, each with distinct enhancement characteristics. In univariate analysis, all imaging predictors except one extracted from the tumor subregion associated with fast wash-out were statistically significant (p< 0.05) after correcting for multiple testing, with area under the ROC curve or AUCs between 0.75 and 0.80. In multivariate analysis, the proposed imaging predictors achieved an AUC of 0.79 (p = 0.002) in leave-one-out cross validation. This improved upon conventional imaging predictors such as tumor volume (AUC=0.53) and texture features based on whole-tumor analysis (AUC=0.65). Conclusion: The heterogeneity of the tumor subregion associated with fast wash-out on DCE-MRI predicted early pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.
Overactive bladder in children

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a ubiquitous syndrome that is defined by urinary urgency with, or without urinary incontinence. OAB is observed in all parts of the world, with a prevalence of 5-12% in children (5-10 years of age) and a prevalence of 0.5% in older adolescents (16-18 years of age). Published data indicate that around a third of children with OAB are likely to become adults with similar complaints. Studies in children and in adults with OAB indicate that these individuals are more likely to also have anxiety, depression and attention deficit problems, and that appropriate treatment of these comorbidities can often improve the patient's OAB symptoms. Furthermore, data from twin studies and familial surveys seem to indicate a genetic component of OAB. Pharmacological treatments of OAB in children have improved in the past 5 years, moving beyond anticholinergic agents and including the off-label use of α-blockers, β3-agonists and intravesical botulinum toxin. Use of several different electrical stimulation techniques is also effective, both as first-line treatments, and for patients with treatment-refractory symptoms. Overall the outlook of children with OAB seems to be improving, with a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of this syndrome. Treatment modalities that target the source of the underlying problem, especially in children, are likely to provide the best patient outcomes.
Prony Analysis for Time-Varying Harmonics

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Prony theorem Selection of prony analysis algorithm Tuning of prony parameters Prony analysis and Fourier transform Case studies Conclusions and future work Appendix References ]]>
Securitization, Normalization, and Representations of Islam in Senate Discourse

This study explores depictions of Islam in Senate rhetoric across the 106th (1999–2000) and 111th (2009–2010) Congresses. These two periods are compared to consider overall patterns in congressional discourse on Islam and to explore how the September 11th, 2001 attacks might have shaped this discourse. The study also examines the possible effects of ideology, partisanship, and senator religious affiliation on representations of Islam. The article ultimately suggests that despite some important post-September 11 shifts in Senate rhetoric pertaining to Islam, persistent themes regarding securitization, Orientalist tendencies, moderate-fundamentalist dichotomizations, and ideological divisions merit scrutiny. This study contributes to work on Congress, religion, and American politics by assessing trends in the discursive representation of Islam by United States legislators. Theoretically, the article draws upon the Copenhagen School in International Relations to assess the securitization of Islam within legislative debates and to develop the related concept of normalization.
Combination Therapy of Bortezomib with Bendamustin in Elderly Patients with Advanced Multiple Myeloma. Clinical Observation.

Bortezomib(Bo) was approved for therapy of relapsed Multiple Myeloma (MM) in 2003-for use in Germany 2004. There is growing evidence that combination of Bo with conventional chemotharapy agents could improve MM patients’ (pts) outcome(P.Richardson ASCO 2004). Bendamustin(Ben) is widely used for MM chemotherapy in Germany. In weekly low dose regimen it is well tolerated and highly effective in therapy of low grade lymphoma in elderly (K.Bremer ASCO2003, Abstract 2410). Ben has no cross resistances with other cytostatic drugs used in MM therapy, in low dose regimen it is well tolerated, has low bone marrow toxicity and no renal toxicity. We reported results of the combination therapy of the first 17 pts 2 years ago. Because of very good tolerability and high response rates we established the combination in our institution as a salvage-therapy for pts with relapsed MM after at least 2 previous chemotherapies. Till now we treated 40 pts - all white European-21 women, 19 men- median age 66 years (range 51–86). All pts had relapsed MM with clinical symptoms such as anemia, bone pain, progressive bone disease, several of the pts had renal failure (1 on hemodialysis). Previous therapies - median 4-(range 2–10)- included Melphalan, Dexamethason, VAD and sim. combinations, Cyclophosphamide, Bendamustin, Thalidomide, Bortezomib mono and in 3 pts tandem HD Melphalan. Therapy-regimen: Bortezomib 1–1,3 m/sqm d 1,4,8,11, Bendamustin 60mg/sqm d 1,8, Dexamethason 3x8mmg p.o. d 1–3 and 8–10 if tolerated, Ondansetron 8 mg i.v. d 1,4,8,11- q3w until best response- median number of cycles 4 (range 2–6). Early responses with symptom relief at begin of second cycle were frequently observed. Results (outcome according to SWOG criteria): ORR 85%, very good PR 25%(normal electrophoresis, normal level of free light chains in serum and urine), PR 47,5%, MR 12,5%. Remission duration in pts with at least PR- 8 Months (range 2–26 months)-19 pts are still alive. Toxicity: comprised fatigue and mostly mild thrombocytopenia without bleeding, reversible within 1 week. 8 pts had neuropathy and required symptomatic therapy with Gabapentine- most of them pretreated with Thalidomide. 9 pts had herpes zoster before aciclovir 3x400 mg daily was administered as prophylactic therapy. Conclusion: The therapy with combination Bortezomib- Bendamustin is highly effective, safe and well tolerated. The therapy is feasible in out-patient setting. The response rates suggest that the drugs act at least additive. We think therefore that further studies are warranted.
Effects of Peer Mentoring on Self-Efficacy and Hospital Readmission After Inpatient Rehabilitation of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract Objective To investigate the effect of intensive peer mentoring on patient-reported outcomes of self-efficacy and unplanned hospital readmissions for persons with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) within the first 6 months after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Nonprofit inpatient rehabilitation hospital specializing in care of persons with SCI/D and brain injury. Participants Patients (N=158) admitted to the SCI/D rehabilitation program whose discharge location was a community setting. Participants (51% with paraplegia and 49% with tetraplegia) were 73% white and 77% men, with a mean age of 38 years. Interventions Participants in the experimental group received initial consult/introduction with a peer support program liaison and were assigned a peer mentor, who met with the participant weekly throughout the inpatient stay and made weekly contact by phone, e-mail, or in person for 90 days postdischarge. Participants also were encouraged to participate in regularly scheduled peer support activities. Nonexperimental group participants were introduced to peer support and provided services only on request. Main Outcome Measures General Self-efficacy Scale (adapted to SCI/D), project-developed community integration self-efficacy scale, and patient-reported unplanned rehospitalizations. Results Growth rate for self-efficacy in the first 6 months postdischarge was significantly higher for experimental group participants than nonexperimental group participants. Experimental group participants also had significantly fewer unplanned hospital days. Conclusions This study provides evidence that individuals receiving intensive peer mentoring during and after rehabilitation for SCI/D demonstrate greater gains in self-efficacy over time and have fewer days of unplanned rehospitalization in the first 180 days postdischarge. More research is needed to examine the long-term effects of this intervention on health care utilization and the relation between improved health and patient-reported quality of life outcomes.
Weeded Out? Gendered Responses to Failing Calculus

Although women graduate from college at higher rates than men, they remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This study examines whether women react to failing a STEM weed-out course by switching to a non-STEM major and graduating with a bachelor's degree in a non-STEM field. While competitive courses designed to weed out potential STEM majors are often invoked in discussions around why students exit the STEM pipeline, relatively little is known about how women and men react to failing these courses. We use detailed individual-level data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS) Postsecondary Transcript Study (PETS): 1988-2000 to show that women who failed an introductory calculus course are substantially less likely to earn a bachelor's degree in STEM. In doing so, we provide evidence that weed-out course failure might help us to better understand why women are less likely to earn degrees.
Homelessness as Metaphor and Metonym: Transatlantic Geopolitics in Jhumpa Lahiri's Fiction and Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss

(2016). Homelessness as Metaphor and Metonym: Transatlantic Geopolitics in Jhumpa Lahiri's Fiction and Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss. South Asian Review: Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 47-70.
Concurrent and Prospective Associations Between Substance-Specific Parenting Practices and Child Cigarette, Alcohol, and Marijuana Use.

Abstract Purpose The current study aimed to understand whether substance-specific parenting practices predicted the probability of child alcohol, cigarette, or marijuana use beyond known family factors like family management and parental substance use and norms. Methods Data were drawn from the Intergenerational Project, which used an accelerated longitudinal design and included 383 families surveyed seven times between 2002 and 2011. Analyses included 224 families with children ages 10–18 years (49% female). Multilevel models tested both concurrent and lagged (predictors at time t − 1, outcomes at time t) associations between child past year use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana and time-varying measures of substance-specific parenting practices, including permitting child use of alcohol or cigarettes; family rules about alcohol, cigarette, and drug use; and child involvement in family member alcohol or cigarette use (getting, opening, or pouring alcoholic drinks; getting or lighting cigarettes for family members). Demographic controls were included. Results Child involvement in family member substance use predicted an increased probability of child substance use both concurrently and 1 year later, even when controlling parent substance use, pro-substance norms, and family management. Family rules about substance use and parent provision of alcohol or cigarettes were not consistently related to child alcohol, cigarette, or marijuana use. Conclusions Family-based preventive interventions to reduce youth substance use should continue to focus on family management and include messaging discouraging parents from allowing children to get, open, or pour drinks or get or light cigarettes for family members.
Generative statistical modeling of left atrial appendage appearance to substantiate clinical paradigms for stroke risk stratification

Left atrial appendage (LAA) is the source of 91% of the thrombi in patients with atrial arrhythmias (~2.3 million US adults), turning this region into a potential threat for stroke. LAA geometries have been clinically categorized into four appearance groups viz. Cauliflower, Cactus, Chicken-Wing and WindSock, based on visual appearance in 3D volume visualizations of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging, and have further been correlated with stroke risk by considering clinical mortality statistics. However, such classification from visual appearance is limited by human subjectivity and is not sophisticated enough to address all the characteristics of the geometries. Quantification of LAA geometry metrics can reveal a more repeatable and reliable estimate on the characteristics of the LAA which correspond with stasis risk, and in-turn cardioembolic risk. We present an approach to quantify the appearance of the LAA in patients in atrial fibrillation (AF) using a weighted set of baseline eigen-modes of LAA appearance variation, as a means to objectify classification of patient-specific LAAs into the four accepted clinical appearance groups. Clinical images of 16 patients (4 per LAA appearance category) with atrial fibrillation (AF) were identified and visualized as volume images. All the volume images were rigidly reoriented in order to be spatially co-registered, normalized in terms of intensity, resampled and finally reshaped appropriately to carry out principal component analysis (PCA), in order to parametrize the LAA region’s appearance based on principal components (PCs/eigen mode) of greyscale appearance, generating 16 eigen-modes of appearance variation. Our pilot studies show that the most dominant LAA appearance (i.e. reconstructable using the fewest eigen-modes) resembles the Chicken-Wing class, which is known to have the lowest stroke risk per clinical mortality statistics. Our findings indicate the possibility that LAA geometries with high risk of stroke are higher-order statistical variants of underlying lower risk shapes.
Principles and practice of high-dose rate penile brachytherapy: Planning and delivery techniques.

Abstract Purpose To allow for organ preservation, high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy may be used in the treatment of localized penile cancer. Penile cancer is a rare malignancy that accounts for Methods and materials Circumcision should precede brachytherapy. Interstitial brachytherapy needles are placed in the operating room under general anesthesia with the goal to allow for appropriate target coverage. Target definition is done via computed tomography-based simulation and planning. Radiation is delivered using a prescription dose of 3840 cGy in 12 fractions twice daily over a course of 6 days. Results Acute toxicities peak upon completion of the radiation therapy and may include dermatitis, sterile urethritis, and adhesions in the urethra. These toxicities are reversible and generally take 2 to 3 months to heal. The two most common and significant late complications of radiation therapy for penile cancer are soft tissue necrosis and meatal stenosis. An increased risk of necrosis has been reported with T3 tumors and higher-volume implants (>30 cm3). Erectile function is generally maintained because the erectile tissues including the penile shaft and corpora have not been irradiated. Conclusions Organ preservation is feasible using HDR brachytherapy with favorable acute and late toxicities.
Changes in Simultaneous Liver-kidney Transplant Allocation Policy May Impact Postliver Transplant Outcomes.

BACKGROUND Previous simultaneous liver-kidney (SLK) transplant allocation was based on serum creatinine, a metric that disadvantaged women relative to men. A recent SLK transplant policy change uses estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which accounts for sex-based differences in creatinine. METHODS To understand the impact of this new policy, we analyzed nonstatus 1 adults listed for liver transplantation (LT) from May 2007 to July 2014, excluding those with exceptions. We defined patients who met the new SLK policy as having an eGFR <60 mL/min for 90 days, with a final eGFR <30 mL/min. RESULTS Of 40979 candidates, 1683 would have met only the new criteria (N-SLK), 2452 would have met only the old criteria (O-SLK), and 1878 would have met both criteria (B-SLK). Compared to those in the B-SLK or O-SLK groups, those in the N-SLK group were significantly more likely to be female (52% versus 36% versus 39%, P < 0.001). Cox-regression analysis demonstrated that in adjusted analysis those in the N-SLK group were significantly less likely to die postliver transplant (hazard ratio [HR], 0.0; P < 0.001). Further, in Cox regression subgroup analyses, both in women (HR 0.04; P < 0.001) and in men (HR, 0.02, P < 0.001) those in the N-SLK group who underwent liver transplant were significantly less likely to die postliver transplant, even after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSIONS We anticipate that implementation of the new SLK policy will increase the proportion of women and decrease the proportion of men who are listed for SLK but may not improve posttransplant survival. Our data highlight the need for monitoring of SLK outcomes after implementation of the new policy.
Underground Environment Aware MIMO Design Using Transmit and Receive Beamforming in Internet of Underground Things

In underground (UG) multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), the transmit beamforming is used to focus energy in the desired direction. There are three different paths in the underground soil medium through which the waves propagates to reach at the receiver. When the UG receiver receives a desired data stream only from the desired path, then the UG MIMO channel becomes three path (lateral, direct, and reflected) interference channel. Accordingly, the capacity region of the UG MIMO three path interference channel and degrees of freedom (multiplexing gain of this MIMO channel requires careful modeling). Therefore, expressions are required derived the degrees of freedom of the UG MIMO interference channel. The underground receiver needs to perfectly cancel the interference from the three different components of the EM-waves propagating in the soil medium. This concept is based upon reducing the interference the undesired components to minimum at UG receiver using the receive beamforming. In this paper, underground environment aware MIMO using transmit and receive beamforming has been developed. The optimal transmit beamforming and receive combining vectors under minimal inter-component interference constraint are derived. It is shown that UG MIMO performs best when all three component of the wireless UG channel are leveraged for beamforming. The environment aware UG MIMO technique leads to three-fold performance improvements and paves the wave for design and development of next generation sensor-guided irrigation systems in the field of digital agriculture.
Perioperative Complications and Mortality Following Anterior Odontoid Screw Fixation in Elderly Patients: A National Database Analysis.

Objective To identify predictors of short-term mortality and complications after anterior odontoid screw fixation. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of a national database. The American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Database was queried using Current Procedural Terminology codes to identify patients aged ≥60 years who underwent surgery for anterior fixation of odontoid fracture admitted from 2007 to 2016. Univariate analysis and subsequent multivariate analysis were used to analyze risk factors for postoperative complications and 30-day postoperative mortality. Complications were defined as surgical-site infection, wound breakdown, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, stroke, myocardial infarction, sepsis, renal progressive renal insufficiency/acute kidney injury, or cardiac arrest. Results A total of 198 patients were identified. Mean age was 77.7 (±8.7) years and 60.6% were female. Overall mortality rate was 7.6%, and the complication rate was 9.1%. In multivariate analysis, dependent functional status (0.012; odds ratio [OR] 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–18.72) and preoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (P = 0.011; OR 6.2; 95% CI 1.52–25.79) predicted mortality. Emergency case status (P = 0.033; OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.10–10.70) predicted perioperative complications. Age was not significantly associated with either complications or mortality in multivariate analysis. Conclusions Functional dependence and preoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome predict mortality following odontoid screw placement. Although age often is considered a limiting factor in pursuing surgical intervention in patients with odontoid fracture, age did not independently increase odds of either complications or perioperative mortality in this analysis. Further studies are needed to explore these findings.
Retail Expansion into International Markets: The Case of United States Retail Chains

Retailers in mature retail markets are increasingly turning their attention to international expansion as a means of future growth. While the pace of retail store internationalization has been somewhat slower in the U.S. than in other parts of Westem world, industry reports provide evidence of an increased interest of U.S. retail chains in their store chain presence outside domestic borders (Deloitte & Touche, 1998).