cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Maternal Feeding Style and Child Overweight

Previous research has identified numerous risk factors that are associated with the development of childhood obesity. In recent years, the possible role of parenting has also been explored, with the assumption made that parental control in the context of feeding may exert an influence on child eating and child weight. The aim of the present study was to explore whether parent feeding styles were associated with young children’s body mass index (BMI) and specifically if the authoritative style was predictive of a lower weight status. For this, 80 mother-child dyads were visited when children were 3 and 4 years old. Maternal feeding style was reported by the mothers at the 3-year visit, and children’s anthropometric measurements were made at 3 and 4 years. Although not different across groups at 3 years, children whose mothers reported an authoritative feeding style had the lowest mean BMI percentile scores at ages 3 and 4 years. Although the subgroup of children of authoritarian mothers showed a significan...
Mechanical analysis of lap region between skirt and case under axial load

The lap region between skirt and case(LRSC) of the solid rocket motor(SRM) under the axial load was analyzed on the basis of finite element method.The results of FE analysis were verified by the shell theory.The lap length in the range of 40～60 mm was optimized and calculated on the basis of the model.The results show that out-skirt layer in the lap region belong to the weakest part.The main structural factors affecting load bearing ability of LRSC include thickness of skirt tip and out-skirt layer,length of straight-section rubber.With the increase of lap length,load bearing ability of LRSC is first enhanced,and then weakened.There exists the maximum value of load bearing ability.The analysis method and results can be used as a reference for analysis and design of LRSC.
Surveillance analysis of malaria from2004 to 2011 in Jinhua

Objective To grasp the epidemic situation of malaria from 2004to 2011in Jinhua,and to provide a basis for surveillance and control of it.Methods The data of epidemic reports,case surveys and statistical forms from 2004to 2011were collected.An epidemiological analysis was conducted.Results A total of 375cases were reported during 2004 ～2011in the city.There were 312import cases,with 63local cases.On terms of case classification,284cases were vivax malaria,while the others were falciparum malaria.And the cases mainly occurred from May to October.Conclusions The incidence of malaria tends to decline.We should continue to monitor and control it,with floating population as the focus.
Elevated Atmospheric Levels of Benzene and Benzene-Related Compounds from Unconventional Shale Extraction and Processing: Human Health Concern for Residential Communities.

Background: The advancement of natural gas (NG) extraction across the United States (U.S.) raises concern for potential exposure to hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Benzene, a HAP and a primary chemical of concern due to its classification as a known human carcinogen, is present in petroleum-rich geologic formations and is formed during the combustion of bypass NG. It is a component in solvents, paraffin breakers, and fuels used in NG extraction and processing (E&P). Objectives: The objectives of this study are to confirm the presence of benzene and benzene-related compounds (benzene[s]) in residential areas, where unconventional shale E&P is occurring, and to determine if benzene[s] exists in elevated atmospheric concentrations when compared to national background levels. Methods: Ambient air sampling was conducted in six counties in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with passive samples collected in evacuated 6-L Summa canisters. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, with sampling performed at variable distances from the facility fence line. Results: Elevated concentrations of benzene[s] in the atmosphere were identified when compared to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Urban Air Toxics Monitoring Program. The 24-hour benzene concentrations ranged from 0.6 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) to 592 ppbv, with 1-hour concentrations from 2.94 ppbv to 2,900.20 ppbv. Conclusion: Benzene is a known human carcinogen capable of multisystem health effects. Exposure to benzene is correlated with bone marrow and blood-forming organ damage and immune system depression. Sensitive populations (children, pregnant women, elderly, immunocompromised) and occupational workers are at increased risk for adverse health effects from elevated atmospheric levels of benzene[s] in residential areas with unconventional shale E&P.
“An Unconditional Kleistian”: A Note to Barbara Honigmann’s Bilder von A.

This study examines the German writer and painter Barbara Honigmann’s complex relationship to the works of Heinrich von Kleist. During the last decade, Honigmann has become renowned for novels in which she describes her experience of crossing borders—geographically (from the GDR to France in 1984), linguistically (from German to French), and religiously (converting to Judaism after having been an ardent Marxist). As she explains in her narrative Bilder von A. (2011), reading, rereading, staging Kleist, and painting a portrait of the writer played an important role in the process of negotiating her identity during the years in the GDR and afterwards, in France.
Effects of Estradiol on Protein Synthesis in The Fibromuscular Stroma from the Guinea Pig Seminal Vesicle

Estradiol treatment of intact and castrate adult male guinea pigs produced selective increases in the rate of [35S]methionine incorporation in vitro into 12,500 g soluble peptides of 58,000 and 97,000 Mr from the seminal vesicle fibromuscular stroma. Total incorporation into the 12,500 g soluble fraction was unchanged in estrogen-treated, intact animals. In castrate animals, the rate of total incorporation in the 12,500 g fraction was decreased by more than 50 per cent. Estrogen treatment of castrate animals restored the rate of total incorporation to that observed in untreated intact animals, indicating that estrogen was capable of maintaining normal levels of total incorporation into the 12,500 g soluble protein fraction. In castrate animals the administration of tamoxifen prevented the estrogen-induced maintenance of total [35S]methionine incorporation and inhibited the selective increase in incorporation into the 58,000 Mr peptide. From the results of this and other studies it may be suggested that estrogen modulates sex accessory stromal tissue function by altering the synthesis of specific proteins via an interaction with specific estrogen binding sites.
Abstract A75: Connecting sociology to biology: Applying fundamental social cause theory to address race disparities in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer accounts for 37% of all cancers diagnosed in African American men compared to 25 % of cancers diagnosed among men of all races and African American men are 2.4 times more likely than white men to die of the disease. After much research race, age, family history of prostate cancer and living in a Westernized nation are the only consistently recognized risk factors for the disease. Most race disparities research to date has simply taken genes and/or exposures previously examined in predominantly white populations and re-conducted studies in African-Americans. These studies have not taken into account larger social factors that may explain disparities in prostate cancer. Fundamental Social Cause Theory holds that social factors play a role in an individual9s ability to avoid disease or manage a disease once it is present. A fundamental social cause influences multiple resources, multiple risk factors and leads to multiple diseases. Factors such as socioeconomic status and residential segregation have been proposed as potential fundamental social causes of disease disparities. Racial residential segregation, in particular, leads to lower quality housing, neighborhoods, education, employment and health care for African-Americans. Prostate cancer is a complex disease that is often described as a “multi-hit” process and therefore, research on prostate cancer disparities may benefit from the application of Fundamental Social Cause Theory. We present an application of the theory using residential segregation as a potential fundamental social cause of prostate cancer disparities. We report associations for African American and white prostate cancer cases and controls that were enrolled in the Gene-Environment Interaction in Prostate Cancer Study (GECAP). Associations for area and individual level factors and disease risk and aggressiveness are reported.
Behavioral Cybersecurity: Human Factors in the Cybersecurity Curriculum

As more concentrations in cybersecurity in the computer science undergraduate curriculum are being offered to meet a high demand, these offerings have not reflected a major concern of cybersecurity researchers, namely that there is little emphasis on the behavioral questions involved in the study and analysis of cybersecurity events. To this end, Howard University has introduced an upper division undergraduate course and graduate course to complement its cybersecurity course offerings, called “Behavioral Cybersecurity.” The behavioral approach also includes considerations of human factors. This paper reviews the course development, pedagogical choices made, and outcomes of its initial offering.
Commercial Buildings: Energy Efficiency and Reliability with Electric, Smart, and Microgrids

In this paper, we examine energy storage, peak load minimization, and demand response and how these new technologies are allowing commercial building owners to capitalize these value streams by imp...
Couplings between Local and Global Conformational Changes in Proton-Coupled Oligopeptide Transporters

Here we report on an extensive set of equilibrium and nonequilibrium all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a bacterial proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter (POT), namely GkPOT, in an explicit membrane/water environment. Using several microseconds of unbiased MD trajectories, we have characterized both the local and global conformational dynamics of the transporter upon the proton and/or substrate binding, within the simulation timescales. Our results reveal a distinct behavior for local conformational dynamics in the absence and presence of the proton at the putative proton binding site. Particularly, we find that the substrate binding conformation is drastically different in the two conditions; the substrate binds to the protein in an either lateral or vertical manner, in the presence or absence of the proton, respectively. This behavior is consistently observed in multiple sets of independent simulations for different substrates. On the other hand, we do not observe any statistically significant distinctive behavior in terms of the global conformational changes under different simulation conditions. On the other hand, the linear regression analysis of quantities associated with the global conformational fluctuations provides evidence for a mechanism involving the concerted motion of the transmembrane helices, consistent with the rocker-switch mechanism proposed for major facilitator superfamily transporters. Employing a novel biasing scheme based on extrapolating the global rotational fluctuations of the transmembrane helices, we have reconstructed the inward- to outward-facing conformational transition of the GkPOT transporter in the presence and absence of the substrate/proton. Unlike the unbiased equilibrium simulations, a strong correlation is observed between the local and global conformational changes observed in our nonequilibrium simulations. These observations provide evidence for a strong coupling between the protein global conformational changes and local binding site conformational changes. However, these couplings are not observed, in a statistically sound manner, when only the unbiased equilibrium simulations are considered, even on the microsecond timescale. Our results, therefore, call into question the implicit assumption behind MD studies that use short simulations to speculate on long-timescale behavior of the membrane transporters, which often function on timescales much longer than those currently accessible to unbiased MD.
Increased Symptom Expression among Patients with Delirium Admitted to an Acute Palliative Care Unit

Abstract Introduction: Delirium is the most common neuropsychiatric condition in very ill patients and those at the end of life. Previous case reports found that delirium-induced disinhibition may lead to overexpression of symptoms. It negatively affects communication between patients, family members, and the medical team and can sometimes lead to inappropriate interventions. Better understanding would result in improved care. Our aim was to determine the effect of delirium on the reporting of symptom severity in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: We reviewed 329 consecutive patients admitted to the acute palliative care unit (APCU) without a diagnosis of delirium from January to December 2011. Demographics, Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance status, and Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) on two time points were collected. The first time point was on admission and the second time point for group A was day one (+two days) of delirium. For gr...
BMP and BMP Regulation: Structure and Function

Due to their vast roles in human development, differentiation, homeostasis, and disease, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) have evolved along with numerous potentiating and inhibitory mechanisms to fine-tune signaling outcomes. As such, this chapter focuses on some of the best-studied and utilized extracellular mechanisms of BMP signal regulation. Due to their inherent binding characteristics, BMP ligands are often found engaged with at least of one of these many interacting partners. From a structural and functional perspective, we discuss our current understanding of how BMP ligands interact with these numerous binding partners, including secreted extracellular antagonists, BMP prodomains, and various co-receptors and noncanonical binding partners. Interestingly, while the BMP ligands themselves exhibit very redundant structural features, the composition and structure of their interacting proteins is quite diverse, lending to different ligand-binding modes and mechanisms, which lead to very different biological outcomes. Collectively, biochemical and structural characterization of these important interactions has provided valuable insight into BMP signal regulation.
Molecular Markers and Thyroid Nodule Evaluation

The approach to thyroid nodule evaluation requires a multidisciplinary and multimodality approach integrating clinical, radiologic, and cytologic analyses. While the advent and refinement of ultrasonographic, fine needle aspiration (FNA), and cytologic assessment has certainly improved the management of thyroid nodules, inherent limitations in these techniques mean that the optimal management of all thyroid nodules remains elusive. Thyroid nodules with cytologically indeterminate findings present a significant challenge to clinicians because of the low but clinically relevant risk of thyroid malignancy. Most frequently, surgical resection is recommended for diagnostic purposes though most of these nodules will prove to be benign. Thus, there exist the risks associated with unnecessary surgery for benign disease on the one hand and the risk of undiagnosed malignancy on the other. Molecular analysis involves measuring one or more cellular constituents, which may be proteins, expression of RNAs, or genetic alterations. The evolving science has identified molecular markers potentially capable of discriminating benign from malignant thyroid nodules without the need for resection, and this new understanding has led to the development of clinically available tools that enhance our evaluation of thyroid nodules when a greater understanding of malignancy risk is needed.
Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Pyloromyotomy Therapy for Refractory Gastroparesis

Purpose of review Gastroparesis is a complex dysmotility disorder in which a number of normal gastric emptying mechanisms can be affected. The pylorus as an apparatus is particularly important since it stands as the last final gateway for gastric emptying. As such, pyloric interventions seem to be successful in reducing symptoms and also improving emptying of solids, an effect not observed with other medical interventions. Recent findings Gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) is a novel technique which offers the promise of mimicking the success of a traditional surgical pyloroplasty, while embracing the minimally invasive paradigm of flexible endoscopic surgery. Emerging data seems to suggest that not only does G-POEM offer symptomatic and clinical improvement but also objective improvement in follow-up gastric emptying studies in as much as 70% of patients. Summary We believe that with proper patient selection, G-POEM will become a powerful tool for gastroenterologists managing this chronic debilitating disease.
Spatial Aspects of Corpse Removal in the Western Harvester Ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Eusocial insects actively combat pathogen proliferation with a myriad of tactics, one of which is the removal of corpses from the nest, a behavior known as necrophoresis. Spatial patterns of corpse depositions by colonies of the western harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, were examined. Colonies were presented with nestmate and non-nestmate corpses to discern if each type of waste was handled differently. Specialized areas for corpse disposal were not observed. Non-nestmate corpses were carried farther from the nest than were nestmate corpses, perhaps reducing the chance of introduction of pathogens new to the colony that may be harbored by a non-nestmate. Factors external to the nest mound, such as slope and neighboring colonies, had no perceptible effect on these depositions and did not change the uniformity of dispersal of this particular waste. These findings add to our knowledge of the intricacies of corpse removal in eusocial insects and suggest that this is a more dynamic activity than previously thought.
Chondral Delamination of Fresh Osteochondral Allografts after Implantation in the Knee: A Matched Cohort Analysis.

INTRODUCTION Delamination of the chondral surface of an osteochondral allograft (OCA) from the underlying cancellous bone has been described as a mode of failure after implantation in the knee. Our hypothesis was that increased storage time of the OCA is associated with increased risk of graft delamination after implantation. METHODS Prospective data on 13 patients with evidence of OCA delamination identified on magnetic resonance imaging or during subsequent surgery from 2000 to 2015 were reviewed. A cohort of 33 patients without evidence of graft delamination were then matched to the delamination group based on recipient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and chondral defect location. The matched cohort size was established based on a power calculation for determining differences in OCA storage times. All patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up. RESULTS There was no difference in donor age, donor sex, and graft storage time between groups (30 vs. 31 days, P = 0.78). There were no differences between number of previous ipsilateral knee surgeries (1.8 vs. 0.84, P = 0.26), BMI (26.8 vs. 25.0 kg/m2, P = 0.31), total chondral defect size (6.5 vs. 5.8 cm2, P = 0.41) or preoperative Marx activity scores between groups. CONCLUSION There is no association between OCA storage time, activity level scores, or number of previous ipsilateral knee surgeries and graft delamination in our patient population. Further work is needed to identify the etiology for this mode of failure of OCAs.
Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Lymphoid and Epithelial Lesions Occurring in the Life Cycle

During the decade following the discovery of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), investigators documented the association with the virus with Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and infectious mononucleosis (IM) occurring in tropical Africa in regions with holoendemic malaria, Southeast China, and in western countries, respectively (1). Also, during this decade the immunobiology of EBV-induced diseases was elaborated.
PPAR/PGC-1 Regulation of Metabolism in Cardiac Disease

The mammalian myocardium relies on multiple substrates to meet its tremendous energy demands. Fuel preference is regulated at several critical points, including at the transcriptional level. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) family of nuclear receptors and the PGC-1 family of coactivators are key regulators of cardiac metabolism. The PPAR–PGC-1 complex controls gene expression for enzymes involved in fatty acid and glucose metabolism as well as mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Certain pathologic conditions like heart failure and diabetes alter cardiac metabolism. Murine models of overexpression and “knockout” of many members of the PPAR and PGC-1 have been described and have helped establish our understanding of their role in cardiac metabolism at baseline and with certain diseases. In addition, human data are emerging that have also provided important insight into the role of PPAR–PGC-1 in disease and how they may be potential therapeutic targets. In this chapter, we describe the PPAR–PGC-1 family members and the current understanding of their role in energy metabolism and cardiac function in response to physiologic and pathophysiologic stimuli.
Interaction of Innate and Acquired Immune Response: Toll Receptors— Potential Link of Infection to Rejection

Infection by microbial organisms results in an activation of the immune system. The toll-like receptor (TLR) performs a decisive role in the initiation of innate immune responses by recognizing the pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) and delivering the signals that are critical for the generation of adaptive immune responses. The success of organ transplantation relies on a complete blockage of immune responses. Since T cells are considered major effector cells during organ transplantation, many studies on transplantation immunology have been focused on adaptive immune responses. However, activation of T cells requires signals generated by innate immune responses. Therefore, a thorough understanding of innate immune responses is critical. Moreover, it has been reported recently that CD4+ T helper cells can be activated by the result of innate immune responses in the absence of an MHC class II antigen’.
Institutional Implementation of a Structured Reporting System: Our Experience with the Brain Tumor Reporting and Data System.

Rationale and Objectives Analyze the impact of implementing a structured reporting system for primary brain tumors, the Brain Tumor Reporting and Data System, on attitudes toward radiology reports at a single institution. Materials and Methods Following Institutional Review Board approval, an initial 22 question, 5 point (1—worst to 5—best), survey was sent to faculty members, house staff members, and nonphysician providers at our institution who participate in the direct care of brain tumor patients. Results were used to develop a structured reporting strategy for brain tumors which was implemented across an entire neuroradiology section in a staged approach. Nine months following structured reporting implementation, a follow-up 27 question survey was sent to the same group of providers. Keyword search of radiology reports was used to assess usage of Brain Tumor Reporting and Data System over time. Results Fifty-three brain tumor care providers responded to the initial survey and 38 to the follow-up survey. After implementing BT-RADS, respondents reported improved attitudes across multiple areas including: report consistency (4.3 vs. 3.4; p Conclusion Implementing a structured template for brain tumor imaging improves perception of radiology reports among radiologists and referring providers involved in the care of brain tumor patients.
396. Development of GD2-Specific Immunoliposomes for Immunotherapy of Neuroblastoma

Tumor microenvironment (TME) impairs immune effector cell localization, persistence, or the execution of their anti-tumor function. This represents a major and as yet unsolved critical challenge to the development of effective adoptive immunotherapy of solid tumors. To selectively target TME in neuroblastoma and make it permissible for survival and function of tumor-specific effector cells, we have developed a novel nanoparticle (NP) delivery platform which consists of 150 nm immunoliposomes rendered specific for neuroblastoma cells using a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) from the anti-GD2 14g2a mAb. GD2-specific but not control NPs could specifically bind GD2-positive but not GD2-negative neuroblastoma cells in vitro as determined by FACS. To examine the in vivo biodistribution of NPs, DiR-labeled GD2-specific or non-specific NPs were injected to NSG mice implanted with human neuroblastoma xenografts. Tumor tissues and normal organs were analyzed after 72 hours using ex vivo fluorescence imaging. Up to 58% of GD2-specific NPs accumulated at the tumor sites. NPs loaded with human IL-15 effectively delivered cytokine to the tumor site. A combined immunotherapy using human NKT cells expressing a GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and IL-15-containing NPs resulted in potent in vivo expansion of CAR NKT cells and tumor eradication. In contrast, soluble IL-15 failed to support long-term CAR NKT cell persistence that resulted in tumor recurrence. These results inform design of cancer immunotherapy in combination with TME-modifying NPs.
Does Ethnicity Moderate the Link between Drinking Norms and Binge Drinking in College Students

Normative beliefs about typical student behavior are related to student drinking, but ethnic minority students may not view themselves as "typical" and may not match drinking behavior to perceptions of typical behavior. Data were from 18,748 U.S. students in the Fall 2014 National College Health Assessment. Students self-reported ethnicity: White, not Hispanic (63%), Asian/Pacific Islander (12%), Hispanic/Latino (11%), Black/African American (8%), Native American/Alaska Native (3%), or Biracial/Other (4%). Students self-reported binge drinking (5+ standard drinks) in the last two weeks, and estimated peak %BAC was calculated. Controlling for age, gender, and fraternity/sorority membership, Hispanic/Latino and Black/African American ethnicity moderated the norms binge drinking and estimated %BAC relationships for and students. Prevention and intervention efforts, such as personalized normative feedback, that use drinking norms should be modified for students from ethnic minority groups. Specifically, norms from students with greater perceived similarity-not "typical" students-should be used in prevention interventions.
The maturation of search-based software testing: successes and challenges

In this paper we revisit the field of search-based software testing (SBST) in the context of its technological maturity. We highlight some successes with respect to tools, hybrid approaches, extensions and industry adoption. We then discuss some open challenges that remain for SBST including the need for new approaches to system testing, automated oracle generation, incorporating humans into the search process, and leveraging learning through hyper-heuristic search.
Analysis and Design of High-Order QAM Direct-Modulation Transmitter for High-Speed Point-to-Point mm-Wave Wireless Links

A novel high-speed wireless transmitter (TX) architecture is presented that directly transforms incoming data bits into high-order $4^{M}$ -quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) constellation by adding multiple quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) signals with appropriate amplitude ratios. The costly high-speed digital-to-analog converters (DACs) in conventional TXs are thus completely avoided, resulting in a highly integrated solution amenable to ultra-high speeds and operating frequencies. Design tradeoffs are analyzed in detail. Based on this article, a TX prototype at 115-GHz carrier frequency implementing the 16QAM direct-modulation scheme is fabricated in a 180-nm SiGe BiCMOS process ( $f_{\text {MAX}} = 270$ GHz). Wireless testing at a 20-cm distance with 25-dBi horn antennas on both transmitting and receiving side measures 20-Gb/s data rate with an error vector magnitude (EVM) of −15.8 dB and modulated output power of +1 dBm. The TX consumes 520 mW of power and occupies 3.17 mm2 of active area.
Treating Patellofemoral Arthritis with Patellofemoral Arthroplasty

Isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PF OA) is a relatively uncommon disorder that may lead to significant pain and disability in affected patients. Patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) is effective for the treatment of patellofemoral OA. Historically, high failure rates were associated with PFA related to component malpositioning, soft-tissue imbalance, and poor trochlear implant designs. As a result, PFA had been underutilized in the treatment of isolated patellofemoral OA. The evolution of surgical indications, technique, and the development of onlay-style trochlear components have improved patellar tracking, functional outcomes, and longevity of modern PFA. In fact, studies have demonstrated improved function and survivorship, as well as a lower incidence of patellar maltracking, when utilizing modern onlay-style trochlear implants. The presence of Grade III or IV tibiofemoral chondromalacia or OA remains a contraindication to the performance of PFA in isolation; however, in select patients, combining PFA with UKA (the so-called modular bicompartmental knee arthroplasty [BiKA]) or condylar cartilage grafting may provide good outcomes and expand the role of partial knee arthroplasty, as an alternative to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Ultimately, as with any limited arthroplasty procedure, careful attention to patient selection, surgical technique, and implant selection are critical to achieving success in PFA.
Reinforcement Learning via Parametric Cost Function Approximation for Multistage Stochastic Programming

The most common approaches for solving stochastic resource allocation problems in the research literature is to either use value functions ("dynamic programming") or scenario trees ("stochastic programming") to approximate the impact of a decision now on the future. By contrast, common industry practice is to use a deterministic approximation of the future which is easier to understand and solve, but which is criticized for ignoring uncertainty. We show that a parameterized version of a deterministic lookahead can be an effective way of handling uncertainty, while enjoying the computational simplicity of a deterministic lookahead. We present the parameterized lookahead model as a form of policy for solving a stochastic base model, which is used as the basis for optimizing the parameterized policy. This approach can handle complex, high-dimensional state variables, and avoids the usual approximations associated with scenario trees. We formalize this approach and demonstrate its use in the context of a complex, nonstationary energy storage problem.
Chapter 17 – Autotomy

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses autotomy which is a defensive response to attack involving the amputation or active breaking of a body part along a breakage plane and usually involves loss of a leg. Many invertebrates, including insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and walkingsticks, and many vertebrates (e.g., salamanders) exhibit this ability. For example, walkingsticks (Phasmida) have weakened areas at the trochanter that break under stress, such as when an appendage is grasped by a predator. Further, sting autotomy, the self-amputation of the stinger and its glands, occurs in many social Hymenoptera as part of colony defense, especially against vertebrates, and may occur because of the size and shape of the sting barbs. Chemical cues released by the detached venom apparatus may enable other attacking individuals to orient themselves to the predator.
Healthcare quality in the pandemic aftermath

The COVID-19 pandemic is putting massive stress on the formal training of healthcare professionals, their creed to do no harm, as well as the patient safety movement So far, we have explicitly been teaching healthcare professionals that the best way of treating a patient is through its vicinity with multiple providers Moreover, healthcare education requires a pack of health care workers from varied educational backgrounds and training levels for the nuances of a disease However, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), a respiratory disease that has spread to many countries around the world, affects not only all aspects of daily life but also organizational culture and values of healthcare In this context, COVID-19 introduced an exponential threat to the theory and practice of quality © 2020, IGI Global Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited
The Stem Cell-Derived Viral Antigen-Specific T Cells Suppress HBV Replication Through Production of IFN-γ and TNF-⍺

The viral antigen (Ag)-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), i.e., PSC-CTLs, have the ability to suppress the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. After adoptive transfer, PSC-CTLs can be programmed to be HBV-specific and to infiltrate into the liver to suppress HBV replication. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which the viral Ag-specific PSC-CTLs provoke the antiviral response remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we generated the functional HBV Ag-specific CTLs from the induced PSC (iPSCs), i.e., iPSC-CTLs, and investigated the underlying mechanisms of the CTL-mediated antiviral replication in a murine model of HBV infection. A hydrodynamic injection of an HBV expression plasmid, pAAV/HBV1.2, into the liver induced HBV replication efficiently in mice. We show that adoptive transfer of HBV Ag-specific iPSC-CTLs greatly suppressed the HBV replication in the liver and blood in the animal model and prevented the HBV surface Ag expression on hepatocytes. We further demonstrate that the adoptive transfer significantly increased the migration of CD8+ T cells and the production of the antiviral cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α) in the liver. Moreover, using neutralizing antibody to IFN-r or/and TNF-a dramatically dismissed the suppression of the HBV replication mediated by the HBV Ag-specific iPSC-CTLs. These results indicate that the stem cell-derived tissue-associated CTLs can robustly accumulate in the liver and suppress the HBV replication through producing the antiviral cytokines IFN-r and TNF-a.
When does the cost channel pose a challenge to inflation targeting central banks

Abstract In a sticky-price model where firms finance their production inputs, there is both a lower and an upper bound on the central bank's inflation response necessary to rule out the possibility of self-fulfilling inflation expectations. This paper shows that real wage rigidities decrease this upper bound, but coefficients in the range of those on the Taylor rule place the economy well within the determinacy region. However, when there is time-variation in the share of firms who finance their inputs (i.e. Markov-switching) then inflation targeting interest rate rules frequently result in indeterminacy, even if the central bank also targets output. Adding a nominal growth target to the policy rule can often alleviate this indeterminacy and therefore anchor inflation expectations.
Core binding factor acute myelogenous leukemia-2021 treatment algorithm

Core binding factor acute myelogenous leukemia (CBF-AML), characterized by the presence of either t(8;21) (q22;q22) or inv(16) (p13q22)/t(16;16), is considered good-risk AML in the context of cytarabine based intensive chemotherapy. Still, outcome can be improved significantly through the effective implementation of available therapeutic measures and appropriate disease monitoring. The incorporation of gemtuzumab ozogamicin into frontline therapy should be standard. Cytarabine based induction/consolidation regimen may be combined with anthracycline (3 + 7 standard) or antimetabolite, fludarabine. Serial quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) monitoring of unique fusion transcripts allows monitoring for measurable residual disease clearance; this allows for better prognostication and well as treatment modifications.
Consumer Fit Search, Retailer Shelf Layout, and Channel Interaction: Online Appendix

This study examines the strategic implications of retailer shelf layout decisions in a market characterized by consumer fit uncertainty. A retailer can display competing products in the same location, which allows consumers to inspect various products all at once, or in distant locations, which induces consumers to inspect one product first and then decide whether to incur the travel cost to inspect another product. We consider a model in which two competing manufacturers distribute two horizontally differentiated products through a common retailer. Our analysis shows when the two manufacturers o¤er products of the same fit probabilities, the retailer obtains a greater profit by displaying competing products in distant locations if the products first probabilities are not too high; otherwise the retailer is better o¤ displaying competing products in the same location. When manufacturers offer products of differentiated fit probabilities, a retailer is more likely to benefit from displaying competing products in distant locations with an increased fit difference between products. Lastly, a retailer is more likely to benefit from displaying competing products in distant locations when facing less competition from other retailers. The paper "Consumer Fit Search, Retailer Shelf Layout, and Channel Interaction" to which these Appendices apply is available at the following URL: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2329109
Lymphedema and Sports: A Case Series of Athletic Patients.

Background: Lymphedema is a chronic progressive condition without a cure. Although the disease can cause significant morbidity, it is not a contraindication to participating in sports. The purpose of this study was to illustrate patients who are able to perform vigorous athletic activities to encourage individuals newly diagnosed with lymphedema. Methods and Results: Our Lymphedema Program database was reviewed for patients who performed significant sports, outside of routine exercise and fitness. Inclusion criteria were a confirmed diagnosis of lymphedema, age >16 years, and body mass index (BMI) <30. Age, gender, type of lymphedema (i.e., primary or secondary), location of disease, BMI, and athletic activities were recorded. Fourteen patients met inclusion criteria: seven males and seven females. Average age was 34 years (range 17-77) and lymphedema was primary (n = 11) or secondary (n = 3). All subjects had lower extremity disease: right leg (n = 6), left leg (n = 5), bilateral (n = 3). The average BMI was 23 (range 18-27). Sports performed by the cohort included marathon running (n = 3), soccer team (n = 2), skiing (n = 2), basketball team, rugby, swimming team, college lacrosse team, hockey team, college tennis team, and surfing. Conclusions: Patients with lower extremity lymphedema are able to engage in competitive sports and a wide range of athletic activities. Individuals typically have a normal BMI and active lifestyle. Patients with lymphedema should be encouraged to participate in athletic pursuits that they enjoy and to maintain a normal BMI.
Prehistoric Exchange and Lithic Utilization in Eastern Iowa

Etude du commerce des matieres premieres lithiques et de leur utilisation indiquant des variations dans la proportion des materiaux d'origine locale et non-locale au cours du temps. La qualite des materiaux parait importante a l'epoque preceramique en raison d'un grand mouvement de matieres non-locales. L'utilisation des rivieres pour le transport peut expliquer l'importance des matieres d'origine non-locale dans certains sites
Social work in the nursing home: A need and an opportunity

Working on a Nursing Home Demonstration Project seeking alternative forms of care for this "abandoned" population, and testing the cost-effectiveness of these forms, is the vantage point from which the social worker involved assessed how her professional skills meshed with patient needs. How patients' levels of functioning and behavior were improved through the exercise of administrative, educational and practice skills is defined.
EDITEAST (Association of Editors in Science in Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania) and its Role in Scientific Publishing in the Region

I wish to present briefly an overview of Editeast and its potential role within the region. Potential because Editeast has been organized only recently and its activities have barely begun.
Brefeldin A Inhibits Insulin-induced Glucose Transport Stimulation and GLUT4 Recruitment in Rat Adipocytes*

GLUT4, the major insulin-responsive glucose transporter isoform in rat adipocytes, rapidly recycles between an intracellular pool and the plasma membrane in the basal and insulin-stimulated states. To gain insight into the route of this GLUT4 recycling, we studied the effects of brefeldin A (BFA) on glucose transport and glucose transporter subcellular distribution in rat adipocytes in the absence and in the presence of insulin. 3-O-Methyl-D-glucose equilibrium exchange measurements revealed that BFA inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose transport by as much as 80%, whereas the inactive BFA analog, B36, was without effect. The inhibition was reversible and was a saturable function of BFA concentration with an apparent Ki of less than 1 microM. In the absence of insulin, on the other hand, BFA caused a slight (up to 2-fold) increase in glucose transport. Subcellular fractionation and semiquantitative immunoblotting analysis revealed that BFA inhibits insulin-induced redistribution of GLUT4 from microsomes to the plasma membranes, with a dose dependence similar to that for glucose transport inhibition. BFA also caused a slight increase in the plasma membrane GLUT4 level in the absence of insulin. BFA did not affect the subcellular distribution of GLUT1 in these experiments. These findings strongly suggest that GLUT4 recycling in rat adipocytes involves a BFA-sensitive, coat protein-mediated, membrane-budding step, which is distinct between the constitutive and the insulin-induced pathways.
Modeling and Simulation

Development of theoretical models is very important for syntactic foams. Numerous parameters are involved in syntactic foam design, which include matrix and particle material, particle volume fraction and wall thickness, and reinforcement material and volume fraction. To identify the parameters that would result in syntactic foam with desired set of mechanical and thermal properties, theoretical models can be very useful and cut down the need for experimentation. Several existing models applicable to particulate composites can be modified to include the particle wall thickness effect. Multiscale models that can include the nanofibers or particles along with hollow particles are not available yet. It is challenging to model syntactic foams that contain high volume fractions of hollow particle (close to packing limit) because of particle-to-particle interaction effects. Two models are used in this chapter to estimate the properties of multiscale syntactic foams. Both models are applicable to plain syntactic foams containing only hollow particles in matrix. Therefore, semi-empirical approach is adopted and the experimentally measured properties of nanofibers reinforced polymer are assigned to the matrix. The model predictions are validated with experimental results. Finite element analysis is especially illustrative in understanding the behavior of syntactic foams under the applied load. A validated finite element study conducted on a unit cell geometry comprising a hollow particle and a fiber showed that the particle wall thickness plays an important role in determining the stress distribution in microscale reinforced syntactic foam system. For syntactic foams containing thin-walled particles, the location of the maximum von-Mises stress exists within the particle, whereas above a critical wall thickness the location of the maximum stress shifts to the fiber. This pattern illustrates that the location of failure initiation can be tailored in syntactic foams.
Dynamic Programming Equations

In this chapter we define many of the standard control problems whose numerical solutions will concern us in the subsequent chapters. Other, less familiar control problems will be discussed separately in later chapters. We will first define cost functionals for uncontrolled processes, and then formally discuss the partial differential equations which they satisfy. Then the cost functionals for the controlled problems will be stated and the partial differential equations for the optimal cost formally derived. These partial differential equations are generally known as Bellman equations or dynamic programming equations. The main tool in the derivations is Ito’s formula.
Alterations of the hypothalamic GnRH interpulse interval sequence over the normal menstrual cycle

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is released in a pulsatile fashion from the anterior pituitary in response to hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Previous autocorrelation analysis of the sequence of interpulse intervals of LH secretion in normal men has supported the hypothesis that the underlying hypothalamic mechanism of GnRH secretion governing episodic LH release is a renewal process, indicating that hypothalamic "memory," if present, does not extend back further in time than the preceding secretory pulse. A similar analysis of pulsatile LH secretion was undertaken in 45 studies of normal women, obtained throughout the menstrual cycle. Analysis of these studies revealed a process consistent with renewal throughout the follicular and early luteal phases. However, this relationship appears to break down in the mid-to-late luteal phase, indicating that alternative feedback pathways provide an overriding influence on the underlying renewal process of hypothalamic GnRH secretion. Pulsatile progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum, which first emerges at this stage of the menstrual cycle, may be the agent responsible for this feedback.
Application of the steiner street problem to a more economical data bus

Abstract A data bus consists of the interconnection of N terminals, each of which is connected to every other terminal. There are three fundamental approaches to the topology of the network: (1) the tee network, for which the connecting nodes coincide with the communicating nodes; (2) the star network, for which there is only one connection node, which may not coincide with a communication node; and (3) the Steiner minimal tree network, for which there can be many nodes, each of which is difficult to locate in the x-y plane. The tee and star approaches are receiving most attention but the third is the only one that economizes on the use of cable (glass fiber waveguide). After a discussion of the tee and star networks, we turn to the Steiner minimal tree network and a method of locating the connecting nodes so that the total amount of cable is minimized.