cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3693: Immunologic and clinical implications of polymerase δ (POLD) and Polymerase ε (POLE) gene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

POLD1 plays a role in proofreading the polymerase δ complex while POLE encodes the major catalytic and proofreading subunit of the polymerase e complex. Mutations in POLD1 and POLE increase spontaneous somatic mutation rates which have been linked with favorable response to PD-1 inhibitor in NSCLC. However, little is known about its impact on the immune landscape and prognosis. We analyzed genomic, transcriptomic and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database using cBioPortal of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (ADC, 522 samples) and squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC, 504 samples). We compared patient samples with at least one mutation (M group) in POLD/E family genes (POLD1, POLD2, POLD3, POLD4, POLE, POLE2, POLE3, POLE4) with patient samples without any mutations in above mentioned gene set (N group). The tumor immune landscape was analyzed from RNA-seq z-scores of 812 ‘immune metagene9 signatures (Angelova, M. et al, 2015) which were used to predict immune infiltration of 31 distinct immune cells for each tumor sample. POLD family gene mutation frequency was 0.5% (5/1026 samples) while POLE family gene mutation frequency was 2.0% (21/1026 samples). M group showed significantly higher tumor mutational burden (TMB) in both ADC (median mutation count M:475 N:149, t-test p=0.003) and SQCC (median mutation count M: 318 N:218, t-test p=0.01). In ADC, infiltration of activated CD8 T-cells (M:46% N:26%, chi square test p=0.11) and activated CD4 T-cells (M:46% N:29%, chi square test p=0.19) were not significant. In SQCC, M group showed significantly higher infiltration of activated CD8 T-cells (M:54% N:27%, chi square test p=0.03) while infiltration of activated CD4 T-cells (M:46% N:36%, chi square test p=0.44) was not significant. In terms of survival, in ADC, there was significantly worse survival in M group compared to N group (median M:21 N:50 months, log-rank test p This is the first comprehensive report describing the immunologic and clinical implication of POLD/E family gene mutation status in NSCLC. In summary, POLD/E family gene mutation was linked with higher TMB in NSCLC. In adenocarcinoma, mutational status of POLD/E was associated with an unfavorable survival outcome suggesting potential prognostic implications. Citation Format: Young Kwang Chae, Kyunghoon Rhee, Lee Chun Park, Anderson Cho, Sangmin Chang, Taeyeong Ko, Andrew Davis, Manali Bhave, Marcello Cruz, Wadw Iams. Immunologic and clinical implications of polymerase δ (POLD) and Polymerase e (POLE) gene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3693.
Clinical Significance of T2*gradient-recalled Echo/susceptibility-weighted Imaging Sequences in Evaluating Superficial Siderosis in the Setting of Intracerebral Tumors: Pilocytic Astrocytoma

Superficial siderosis is the slow accumulation of hemosiderin on the pial surfaces of the brain and spinal cord. The most common cause of intracranial superficial siderosis is secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage. Rarely, superficial siderosis can also be caused by tumors. Superficial siderosis presents clinically as hearing loss and gait instability that progressively worsen. The diagnosis is primarily made by magnetic resonance imaging; however, susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and T2* gradient echo (GRE) sequences demonstrate the highest sensitivity in detecting this condition. To the best of our knowledge, there has been only one previous case of superficial siderosis secondary to a pilocytic astrocytoma of the spine. However, we present a case of intracerebral pilocytic astrocytoma resulting in superficial siderosis, with emphasis on acquisition and use of T2*GRE/SWI sequences.
Women in Nephrology Today.

Nephrology is a relatively young field, established initially in Europe as a separate subspecialty as early as 1949 and in the 1960s in the United States. The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) was created by 17 men in 1966. The first woman president was Sharon Anderson in 2009. I served as the
Ultrasonic Nebulization for TEM Sample Preparation on Single-Layer Graphene Grids

Spray-coating using ultrasonic nebulization is reported for depositing nanoparticles on a TEM grid without many of the drying artifacts that are often associated with drop-casting. Spray-coating is suitable for preparing TEM samples on fragile support materials, such as suspended single-layer graphene, that rupture when samples are prepared by drop-casting. Additionally, because ultrasonic nebulization produces uniform droplets, nanoparticles deposited by spray-coating occur on the TEM grid in clusters, whose size is dependent on the concentration of the nanoparticle dispersion, which may allow the concentration of nanoparticle dispersions to be estimated using TEM.
The dual function of osteocytes in both demineralization and remineralization processes during bone remodeling

The theory that osteoblasts form mineralized bone and osteoclasts remove bone has beene cornerstone of bone biology for over a century and directly guides clinical bone disease studies and preventi...
Dual Measures of Sexual Consent: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Internal Consent Scale and External Consent Scale

Sexual assault, often defined as nonconsensual sex, is a problem among college students. Universities have made efforts to increase student awareness about sexual consent, which varies along two di...
Vertical distributions of blooming cyanobacteria populations in a freshwater lake from LIDAR observations

Abstract The vertical distributions of freshwater cyanobacteria populations are important to plankton community structure, ecology and for influencing water column optical properties relevant to remote sensing. In August of 2014, we examined the vertical structure of a cyanobacteria bloom across the western basin of Lake Erie with new technologies, including LIDAR and a digital holographic system. In addition, vertical profiles of environmental and optical properties were made. The active LIDAR penetrated the water column, and provided a detailed picture of the particle distribution for the whole water column. The holographic system provided digital images processed for particle size, count and identification of Microcystis and Planktothrix - the two main cyanobacteria genera that were present. The correlations between the LIDAR backscatter intensity and the cyanobacteria cell counts from holography averaged to 0.53 and ranged from −0.13 to 0.96 based on nearest matchups. The vertical structure of the overall cyanobacteria population was influenced by wind speed, and to a lesser degree the solar heating of surface waters. On a more detailed level, Microcystis populations were consistently nearer to the surface relative to Planktothrix. Pigments from surface samples revealed a higher degree of photoprotection for Planktothrix-dominated communities. The vertical distributions of the cyanobacteria genera were related to light intensity in the water column and known tolerances and/or preferences for each genus. Vertical profiles of optical properties supported the patterns seen in the LIDAR and holographic data, and had direct implications on the exiting light field. These combined data provide a unique view into the natural variations in spatial (vertical and horizontal) distribution patterns of cyanobacteria and resulting impacts on remote sensing detection and associated interpretations, and demonstrate the potential for these technologies to observe cyanobacteria in lake environments.
A rare case of follicular lymphoma transformed to a high-grade B-cell lymphoma in orbit.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent subtype of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Transformation of FL (TL) to an aggressive lymphoma is a well‐recognized phenomenon. FLs most commonly transform to diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLBCL).1 Based on literature search, FLs transforming to lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma with a double‐hit or triple‐hit (ie, MYC translocation with BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangement) is an extremely rare phenomenon.2 Lymphoma involvement of the eye is uncommon,3 and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a FL transforming to a double‐hit (MYC and BCL2 rearrangement) B‐lymphoblastic lymphoma.
Medicaid Coverage of Sexually Transmitted Disease Service Visits

Introduction Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most commonly reported notifiable infections in the U.S., with direct medical costs for the treatment of these infections exceeding $700 million annually. Medicaid currently covers approximately 80 million low-income Americans, including a high percentage of racial and ethnic minorities. Studies have shown that racial and ethnic minority populations, particularly those with low SES, are at an increased risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. Therefore, as Medicaid expands, there will likely be a greater demand for sexually transmitted disease services in community-based physician offices. To determine demand for these services among Medicaid enrollees, this study examined how often Medicaid was used to pay for sexually transmitted disease services received in this setting. Methods This study combined 2014 and 2015 data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and tested for differences in the proportion of visits with an expected payment source of Medicaid when sexually transmitted disease services were and were not provided. All analyses were conducted in October 2018. Results During 2014–2015, an estimated 25 million visits received a sexually transmitted disease service. Medicaid paid for a greater percentage of sexually transmitted disease visits (35.5%, 95% CI=22.5%, 51.1%) compared with non–sexually transmitted disease visits (12.1%, 95% CI=10.8%, 13.6%). Logistic regression modeling, controlling for age, sex, and race of the patient, showed that visits covered by Medicaid had increased odds of paying for a sexually transmitted disease service visit (OR=1.97, 95% CI=1.12, 3.46), compared with other expected payment sources. Conclusions Focusing sexually transmitted disease prevention in Medicaid populations could reduce sexually transmitted disease incidence and resulting morbidity and costs.
Measuring the efficiency of humanitarian aid

Abstract We do not know the extent to which billions of dollars in aid can save lives or prevent forced displacement globally. We propose the adaption of data envelopment analysis (DEA), a well-known nonparametric organizational performance method, to fill this critical gap in humanitarian assistance. Applying this new technique to 106 countries receiving aid between 2010 and 2016, we show that countries could improve their aid efficiency by an average of between 20 percent and 50 percent with respect to best performers. This tailored methodology, Humanitarian DEA, can be applied to monitor the efficiency of aid nationally and globally every year.
Cognitive Training and Remediation in First-Episode Psychosis: A Literature Review:

BACKGROUND: Neurocognitive and social cognitive impairments are core characteristics of psychotic disorders, which are present in the first episode of psychosis (FEP) and strongly predict poor social functioning. Addressing cognitive impairments through cognitive training and remediation (CTR) may be a crucial component of recovery-oriented treatment. AIMS: The objectives of this review were to (1) evaluate the CTR theoretical basis and intervention components and (2) examine the effects of CTR on cognition and social functioning in FEP. METHOD: A combined search of Ovid Medline, Embase, and Psych Info databases was conducted using keywords. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using established instruments. RESULTS: Ten randomized controlled trials were included in this review and had an overall fair to poor quality. CTR interventions in FEP utilize a range of theoretical backgrounds, with most including a focus on higher order cognitive processes. Varied doses and intervention components are used. All but one study found improvements in at least one cognitive domain. Global cognition, verbal learning, and memory and executive function were most commonly improved. Three studies found an effect on a range of functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A broad range of CTR interventions have promising effects for addressing cognitive impairments in FEP. Evidence of functional impact is less consistent. Further research is needed in FEP on CTR targeting sensory and perceptual processes, and to identify CTR intervention targets and treatment components that will lead to robust improvements in cognition and functioning.
A Comparison of Low‐Income Versus Higher‐Income Individuals Seeking an Online Relationship Intervention

Compared to higher-income couples, low-income couples experience higher rates of relationship disruption, including divorce and breakup of cohabiting relationships. In recognition of this disparity in relationship outcomes, relationship interventions have increasingly been targeted at this population. However, these interventions have had limited impacts on the relationships of low-income couples. Developing interventions that are effective and responsive to the needs of low-income couples requires descriptive data on the challenges those couples perceive in their own relationships and an assessment of how their needs compare to the more affluent couples typically served by relationship interventions. The current study sampled over 5,000 individuals at the time they were seeking an online relationship intervention and compared the relationship functioning and life circumstances reported by low-income individuals to that of higher-income individuals. Results indicate that low-income individuals seeking a relationship intervention had higher levels of relationship distress (lower relationship satisfaction, more intense primary relationship problems, and less relationship stability), and had greater levels of contextual stress (more children living at home, less likely to be employed full-time, and lower levels of perceived health). Results suggest that future interventions designed to target low-income couples, as well as practitioners working with low-income couples, should be prepared to handle higher levels of relationship distress and contextual stressors than they may typically see in more affluent couples.
Is There a Correlation Between Airway Volume and Maximum Constriction Area Location in Different Dentofacial Deformities

Purpose The purpose of the present study was to correlate the airway volume and maximum constriction area (MCA) with the type of dentofacial deformity in patients who required orthognathic surgery. Materials and Methods The present retrospective cohort study included orthognathic surgery patients selected from the private practice of one of us. The selected cases were stratified into 5 different groups according to the clinical and cephalometric diagnosis of their dentofacial deformity. The preoperative airway volume and anatomic location of the MCA were calculated using the airway tool of the Dolphin Imaging software module (Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions, Chatsworth, CA) and correlated with the diagnosed dentofacial deformity. Differences in the pretreatment airway volumes and MCA location were compared among the deformities. Results The MCA location was more often the nasopharynx for maxillary deficiency and the oropharynx for mandibular deficiency deformities. The nasopharynx volume was significantly smaller statistically (P .005). Conclusions The location of the airway MCA seems to have a strong correlation with the horizontal position of the maxilla and mandible. The MCA in maxillary deficiencies (isolated or combined) was in the nasopharynx, and the MCA in mandibular deficiencies (isolated or combined) was in the oropharynx. Clinicians should consider these anatomic findings when planning the location and magnitude of orthognathic surgery movements to optimize the outcomes.
Carathéodory-Type Extension Theorem with Respect to Prime End Boundaries

We prove a Caratheodory-type extension of branched quasisymmetric (BQS) homeomorphisms between two domains in proper, locally path-connected metric spaces as homeomorphisms between their prime end closures. We also give a Caratheodory-type extension of geometric quasiconformal mappings between two such domains provided the two domains are both Ahlfors Q-regular and support a Q-Poincare inequality when equipped with their respective Mazurkiewicz metrics. We also provide examples to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of prime end closures in this context.
Non-Foster Enhancements of electrically small antennas

Various attributes of metamaterials have led to their consideration for engineering metamaterial-inspired structures for a variety of applications. This includes the miniaturization of resonators and their use for improving the performance characteristics of electrically small antennas from the microwave region up through to the optical region. Achieving higher directivity from electrically small antennas by introducing structured ground planes has been considered successfully. Active metamaterial constructs have been introduced to increase the bandwidths at low frequencies and to overcome the losses at high frequencies. They have led to recent non-Foster antenna designs and experiments. Thus the development of an efficient, high directivity, large bandwidth electrically small antenna is rapidly becoming a possibility.
Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance, 3rd edition, edited by WD McArdle, Fl Katch, and VL Katch

(1992). Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance, 3rd edition, edited by WD McArdle, Fl Katch, and VL Katch. Journal of the American College of Nutrition: Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 239-239.
Feasibility Analysis of Converter-Interfaced Combined Heat and Power System

As a promising new design concept, the converter-interfaced combined heat and power (CHP) system is coupled to the bulk grid through a rectifier and a grid-ready tied inverter. Compared to the traditional directly-coupled CHP system, it removes the requirement for oversizing the CHP generator, limits the short-circuit contribution of the generator and simplifies the grid integration process of CHP system. This paper evaluates the economic benefits of this concept by calculating the annualized Return-on-Investment (ROI) and comparing it to the directly-coupled system. The economic analysis includes timeseries simulations to compute energy transactions with the bulk grid as well as sizing the equipment to calculate the capital and operational costs. Obtained results indicate that in majority of user cases evaluated, the converter-interfaced CHP systems can provide better ROI than directly-coupled systems. Given the additional technical benefits provided by inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs), the proposed concept is proved to be technically viable and economically feasible.
Increasing Nursing Student Success With Early Individual Remediation.

ABSTRACT With the implementation of five remediation strategies immediately after the first failed exam in a pharmacology course, this quality improvement study demonstrated an increase in retention of at-risk associate degree nursing students. Unit exam scores and course failure rates were measured before and after implementation. Twelve of 14 students who completed the remediation demonstrated a statistically significant increase in scores from the first failed exam to the last exam taken. The mean increase was 17.3 percentage points (p < .0001, 95 percent confidence interval [13.3, 20.9]). Cohen's d, which equaled 0.604, indicated a significant increase in course pass rates.
Changes in demography and carrying capacity of green ash and black ash ten years after emerald ash borer invasion of two ash-dominant forests

Abstract Quantifying changes in ash (Fraxinus spp.) demography and emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis) carrying capacity in forested ecosystems is essential for understanding impacts of this invader and projecting future species composition in aftermath forests in North America. We inventoried green ash (F. pennsylvanica) and black ash (F. nigra) trees in two ash-dominated Michigan forests invaded by EAB, estimated phloem area, and potential EAB adult production before tree mortality occurred in 2007 and 2008. We re-inventoried both areas approximately a decade later to assess post-invasion ash demographics and EAB carrying capacity. Ash distribution by size class initially followed a negative exponential function. In the Pre-EAB inventories, small trees (2.5–13 cm dbh) accounted for more than 70% of the stems but comprised less than 20% of the ash phloem. Mid-sized trees (26–42 cm dbh) represented 13 cm dbh were dead and EAB carrying capacity was reduced by 94% and 99% in the two areas. Live stump sprouts were present on 25–30% of EAB-killed green ash trees but were absent on dead black ash trees. Ash sapling and recruit density varied within and between forests, but newly germinated ash seedlings were absent. Whether green or black ash will function as overstory species in post-invasion forests in North America may be jeopardized by the near extirpation of seed sources and endemic EAB populations likely to limit recruitment of ash saplings and seedlings.
Free latissimus dorsi flap for upper extremity reconstruction in a 9-month-old

Successful outcomes for free tissue transfer are well-documented in pediatric patients but less so in infants. Challenges with infants are unique and include implications of prolonged anesthetic exposure. We present a 9-month-old female who underwent a free latissimus dorsi flap to reconstruct a congenital upper extremity lesion threatening limb development.
Reinforcement-learning-based matter-wave interferometer in a shaken optical lattice

We demonstrate the design of a matter-wave interferometer to measure acceleration in one dimension with high precision. The system we base this on consists of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice potential created by interfering laser beams. Our approach uses reinforcement learning, a branch of machine learning that generates the protocols needed to realize lattice-based analogs of optical components including a beam splitter, a mirror, and a recombiner. The performance of these components is evaluated by comparison with their optical analogs. The interferometer's sensitivity to acceleration is quantitatively evaluated using a Bayesian statistical approach. We find the sensitivity to surpass that of standard Bragg interferometry, demonstrating the future potential for this design methodology.
MPAT: aggregate TCP congestion management as a building block for Internet QoS

Today Internet QoS is deployed piecemeal - typically at known bottleneck links like enterprise access links or wireless links. A more comprehensive, end-to-end QoS deployment, for instance across large enterprise networks or the global Internet, remains elusive. There is growing interest in the idea of using overlay networks to provide differential QoS services (improve performance for some flows at the expense of other flows). A necessary building block is the ability to provide differential service over a single overlay link that traverses many IP router hops. This work presents MPAT, the first truly scalable algorithm for fairly providing differential services to TCP flows that share a bottleneck link. Unlike known schemes, our approach preserves the cumulative fair share of the aggregated flows even where the number of flows in the aggregate is large. Specifically we demonstrate, primarily through experiments on the real Internet, that congestion state can be shared across more than 100 TCP flows with throughput differentials of 95:1. This is up to five times better than differentials achievable by known techniques. Indeed, MPAT scalability is limited only by the delay-bandwidth product of the aggregated flows. With this tool, it is now possible to seriously explore the viability of network QoS through overlay network services.
Studies on photosystem I. II. Involvement of ferredoxin in cyclic electron flow.

Abstract The effects of ferredoxin (Fd) and ferredoxin-NADP reductase on the light-induced spectral changes of cytochrome f (cyt f ) were investigated with specific reference to their possible involvement in the cyclic electron transfort pathway of photosystem I (PS I). The steady-state level of photooxidation of reduced cytochrome f is decreased by ferredoxin but unaffected by either ferredoxin-NADP reductase alone or ferredoxin plus ferredoxin-NADP reductase when present in equimolar concentrations. These data are taken as evidence for a cyclic electron transport pathway of: PS I → “X” → Fd → (cyt f ) → PC → PS I. The reduced ferredoxin could either reduce directly plastocyanin (PC) or via cytochrome f ; the data do not allow differentiation between these two possibilities. However, neither ferredoxin-NADP reductase nor cytochrome b 564 appear to serve as electron carriers in this pathway.
The Development of Historical Archaeology in Israel: An Overview and Prospects

The Ottoman Empire ruled over Palestine from 1516 to 1917; the nature of imperial control and the legacy of the Ottoman centuries are contested. A decade after several calls for archaeology in Israel to include the Ottoman period, in part to address some of the debates, several archaeological projects have yielded the parameters of an historical archaeology in Israel. The difficulties associated with the terminology of historical archaeology in the Middle East are briefly considered, and the definition of historical archaeology in the region as the archaeology of the Ottoman Empire is advocated. Four archaeological examples —Tel el-Hesi, Ti’innik, Yocne’am, and Akko—are employed to illustrate the contribution of this research to resolving historical questions and for contextualizing Palestine within regional and global processes of change. The prospects of the research trajectories conclude the review.
Executive Turnover in Acquired Firms: An Analysis of Resource-Based Theory and the Upper Echelons Perspective

Using a repeated measureslongitudinal design, I analyzed rates,patterns, and the timing of top managementturnover among more than 12,000 executives in473 target and non-acquired firms over afifteen-year period. Acquisitions led to muchgreater long-term instability in acquired topmanagement teams than was found in studies thatonly examined the short-term effects ofacquisitions on target company executives. Topmanagers quit at significantly higher ratesthan normal up to nine years following theircompany's acquisition. Research suggests thattarget company executives are at greaterturnover risk when their firm is acquired by aforeign multinational. The results indicatethat these short-term effects do not extend tothe long term: turnover rates were notsignificantly different between the foreign anddomestic acquisitions over the long term,though there were differences in timing. Thefindings suggest that foreign ownership hasdifferent implications for target companyexecutives depending on whether they aremembers of the original management team or jointhe target company after the acquisition. Thedebate between resource-based theory and theupper echelons perspective in providingprescriptions to acquiring firms aboutintegrating target companies over the short-and long-term is discussed.
Fixed-pole models for the pomeron

Fixed-pole models, made consistent with crossed-channel unitarity by the addition of a shielding cut, are shown to factorize and, therefore, to be an eligible model for the pomeron. Their phenomenological implications are explored; and, if the branch point of the shielding cut becomes complex, the combined pole-plus-cut entity is shown to provide an acceptable explanation of the Serpukov data.
A Low-Cost, Linux-Based Virtual Environment for Visualizing Vascular Structures

The analysis of morphometric data of the vasculature of any organ requires appropriate visualization methods to be applied due to the vast number of vessels that can be present in such data. In addition, the geometric properties of vessel segments, i.e. being rather long and thin, can make it difficult to judge on relative position, despite depth cues such as proper lighting and shading of the vessels. Virtual environments that provide true 3-D visualization of the data can help enhance the visual perception. Ideally, the system should be relatively cost-effective. Hence, this paper describes a Linux-based virtual environment that utilizes a 50 inch plasma screen as its main display. The overall cost of the entire system is less than $3,500 which is considerably less than other commercial systems. The system was successfully used for visualizing vascular data sets providing true three-dimensional perception of the morphometric data.
Second Circuit 2005 Res Judicata Developments

During the 2005 survey year, federal courts in the Second Circuit decided a number of important res judicata matters. Several district courts applied the doctrines of claim preclusion and issue preclusion to administrative and arbitral determination. Several courts also expanded the "actually litigated" requirement for collateral estoppel and liberally applied the doctine of defensive claim preclusion for counterclaim. Finally, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued seven res judicata decisions. In one, Vargas v. City of New York the Second Circuit refined the standards for applying the Rooker-Feldman doctrine.This survey article will review some of the Second Circuit's significant res judicata decisions and will critique those giving preclusive effect to administrative and arbitral determinations.
Memory in 2D heap experiments

The measurement of force distributions in sandpiles provides a useful way to test concepts and models of the way forces propagate within noncohesive granular materials. Recent theory by Bouchaud et al. implies that the internal structure of a heap (and therefore the force pathway) is a strong function of the construction history. In general, it is difficult to obtain information that could test this idea from 3D granular experiments except at boundaries. However, 2D systems, such as those used here, can yield information on forces and particle arrangements in the interior of a sample. We obtain position and force information through the use of photoelastic particles. These experiments show that the history of the heap formation has a dramatic effect on the arrangement of particles (texture) and a weaker but clear effect on the forces within the sample. Specifically, heaps prepared by pouring from a point source show strong anisotropy in the contact angle distribution. Depending on additional details, they show a stress dip near the center. Heaps formed from a broad source show relatively little contact angle anisotropy and no indication of a stress dip.
The Role of Institutional Placement, Family Conflict, and Homosexuality in Homelessness Pathways Among Latino LGBT Youth in New York City

Despite the overrepresentation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) youth among the homeless, the processes leading to their homelessness are understudied. This ethnographic study sought to elucidate the role of sexual orientation in the pathway to housing instability among young gay men. Fieldwork included 18 months of participant observations in public spaces and at a homeless LGBT youth organization in New York City, as well as formal semistructured interviews with 14 Latino young men and five staff. Three distinct pathways emerged. Some youth became homeless after placement in state systems of care disrupted their social support systems, while others became homeless after extreme family conflict over sexual orientation. Nonetheless, most youths became homeless as a result of long-term processes of family disintegration in which normative adolescent development and disclosure of homosexuality exacerbated preexisting conflict. These findings suggest the need to examine the accumulation of risks before disclosure exacerbates family conflict and increases their risk of homelessness.
Mobile wellness application-seeking behavior by college students—An exploratory study

Abstract This research explored the mobile wellness application-seeking behavior of college students. In particular, it examined what sources students used to obtain wellness information, what wellness applications students used and for what purposes, how they learned about those applications, and what factors influenced their decision to choose a particular wellness application from multiple alternatives. The results indicated that students most often used websites as sources of wellness information, followed by mobile applications, family and friends, and then physicians. Students most often learned about wellness applications from search engines and application stores. Physicians were the least mentioned source of learning about mobile wellness applications. The most popular application type was calorie and activity trackers. In addition, when asked to rate the importance of various mobile application characteristics in their decision to select a particular wellness application, students rated usability-related characteristics the highest, followed by application cost and content quality. This study contributes to current research and practice in mobile wellness application design and the provision of mobile wellness services. In particular, it can inform application designers and intermediaries about which mobile wellness applications students use, and how students search for and select those applications.
Characterizing multivariate calibration tradeoffs (bias, variance, selectivity, and sensitivity) to select model tuning parameters

Common methods used to form multivariate calibration models are partial least squares, principal component regression, and ridge regression. There are many aspects to forming a calibration model. The focus in this paper is determining “good” values of respective meta-parameters (tuning parameters). In most situations, some form of cross-validation and the resultant root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) values are evaluated. The RMSECV values can be thought of as a prediction accuracy (bias) measure and does not isolate variance information. The methods of partial least squares, principal component regression, and ridge regression (and others) are biased regression methods, and hence, there is a bias/variance tradeoff that should be considered in determining tuning parameter values. Presented in this paper are new combinations of model accuracy and fit that can be plotted with a model variance indicator for selecting appropriate tuning parameter values. For the spectroscopic and industrial data sets evaluated, these new combinations appear to remove ambiguities that can occur in RMSECV plots. Essentially, the user’s preference for the degree of balance between bias and variance ultimately decides the tuning parameter selection and the underlying tradeoff between model selectivity and sensitivity. From the analysis of the selectivity/sensitivity tradeoff, a new definition of model selectivity is proposed that is able to discern when or when not a model vector deviates from the target orthogonal net analyte signal model vector as the well as the degree of deviation. A new merit is also proposed that simultaneously evaluates model selectivity and sensitivity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fatigue in detrimental gaseous environments

Reports on the application of Sabatier's Principle to correlate the reverse bending fatigue life of ASTM A36 tested in N/sub 2/, CH/sub 2/Cl/sub 2/, CHCl/sub 3/ and CCl/sub 4/ gaseous environments. Tests ASTM A515 steel in the CHCl/sub 3/ and CH/sub 2/Cl/sub 2/ gaseous environments resulting in an identical correlation; however, the environmental effects were more severe. Concludes that the presented approach can be used to correlate data from both fatigue life and crack growth experiments. Suggests its extension to more complex chemical environments.
Robust generalizations of classical test reliability and Cronbach's alpha

This paper describes a general class of reliability measures that contains the classical-test-theory measure as a special case. A particular member of this class is suggested for applied work, and some of its properties are studied. A lower bound for this new measure of reliability is derived which is a robust analogue of Cronbach's alpha. Here the term ‘robust’ is being used to describe a measure of reliability that is relatively insensitive to small fluctuations in the tails of the distributions under study. The idea is that the value of a parameter, intended to reflect reliability, should be determined by the bulk of the distribution associated with whatever is being measured. If, for example, a test is considered unreliable when test scores have a normal distribution, it should not be possible to make the test appear to be reliable with a trivial change in the tails of the distributions. It is illustrated that Cronbach's alpha does not have this characteristic. In statistical jargon, Cronbach's alpha is not a resistant measure of reliability, while the reverse is true for the new measure of reliability introduced here. Included in this paper is a method for computing a confidence interval for the new lower bound.
Bromocriptine for “negative” schizophrenia

The hypothesis that the pathophysiology of negative symptoms in schizophrenia may involve relative hypoactivity of central dopaminergic neurotransmission prompts the exploration of dopamine agonist strategies in the treatment of this condition. Although the use of dopamine agonists in otherwise unmedicated schizophrenic patients often leads to the exacerbation of psychosis, trials of dopamine agonists in combination with neuroleptic agents warrant investigation. We therefore report on open clinical experience involving six patients with chronic negative symptoms of schizophrenia, maintained on neuroleptic medication, who appeared to have favorable responses to the addition of moderate doses of bromocriptine (10 to 20 mg/d orally in divided doses). One particular factor that makes these trials potentially informative is that five of the six patients had failed to respond to standard treatments with anticholinergic antiparkinsonian medication before the bromocriptine trial, making it unlikely that the bromocriptine had its effect purely by counteracting neuroleptic-induced akinesia. A trial of bromocriptine under these circumstances has never been reported. A second unique feature of this report concerns the lengthy period of follow-up. Adjunctive bromocriptine was continued for a total of 27 patient-years in the six individuals, with maintenance of favorable course and minimal incidence of psychotic exacerbation.
Alternate distribution strategies for digital music

Digitization of music has created opportunities to reengineer the supply chain and improve its efficiency.But how will it play out?
Role of Unloading in Machining of Brittle Materials

A simple stress based defect evolution model is developed to assess the influence of various process parameters on material removal rate (MRR) and induced damage during grinding of brittle materials. Model predictions for normal and lateral damage zones under normal indentations are first compared to fracture models as well as experimental observations on pyrex glass. Process design options for reducing induced damage in the finished part, and increasing MRR are considered next. In particular, the potential of a new design avenue involving intermittent unloading is investigated. Simulation results show that intermittent unloading can potentially facilitate increase in Force/Grit without increasing the associated surface and sub-surface fragmentation in the finished part. Preliminary experimental observations on single grit scratching of pyrex glass also show a similar trend.
Elevated Amniotic Fluid Interleukin‐6 Levels During the Early Second Trimester Are Associated With Greater Risk of Subsequent Preterm Delivery

PROBLEM: Subclinical intra-amniotic infection is often associated with preterm delivery and may precede it by several weeks. We tested the hypothesis that Interleukin-6 (IL-6) may be elevated in the midtrimester amniotic fluid of pregnancies destined to deliver preterm. METHODS: A historical cohort study was designed to compare the amniotic fluid (AF) concentrations of IL-6 at 14–20 weeks in a group of women subsequently delivering at ≤ 34 weeks (n = 13) with those of women delivering at term (n = 166). Included were singleton gestations with no evidence of fetal structural or chromosomal abnormalities, or maternal conditions known to be associated with preterm delivery (n = 179). Levels of IL-6 were measured by immunoassay and correlated with demographic and pregnancy outcome information. Statistical analysis included correlation, one-way ANOVA after log-transformation, contingency tables, logistic regression, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: There was an inverse correlation between AF IL-6 levels at 15–20 weeks and gestational age at delivery (r = −0.16, P = 0.03). Women delivering at ≤ 34 weeks had significantly higher median AF IL-6 levels (570 pg/ml versus 330 pg/ml, P < 0.0001), rate of African American race (50% versus 12%, P = 0.004), and of infants with birth weights < 10th centile (31% versus 7%, P = 0.02) than women delivering at ≥ 37 weeks. Logistic regression analysis showed that IL-6 was independently associated with PTD at ≤ 34 weeks after controlling for race and birth weight centiles (P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: AF IL-6 at 15–20 weeks can identify patients at risk for PTD at ≤ 34 weeks, suggesting that a portion of PTD cases have inciting events that take place during the early second trimester. CAPSULE: Midtrimester amniotic fluid IL-6 concentrations are significantly higher in women subsequently delivering preterm at ≤34 weeks compared with those delivering at term.
Sheep models of polycystic ovary syndrome phenotype.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a fertility disorder affecting 5–7% of reproductive-aged women. Women with PCOS manifest both reproductive and metabolic defects. Several animal models have evolved, which implicate excess steroid exposure during fetal life in the development of the PCOS phenotype. This review addresses the fetal and adult reproductive and metabolic consequences of prenatal steroid excess in sheep and the translational relevance of these findings to PCOS. By comparing findings in various breeds of sheep, the review targets the role of genetic susceptibility to fetal insults. Disruptions induced by prenatal testosterone excess are evident at both the reproductive and metabolic level with each influencing the other thus creating a self-perpetuating vicious cycle. The review highlights the need for identifying a common mediator of the dysfunctions at the reproductive and metabolic levels and developing prevention and treatment interventions targeting all sites of disruption in unison for achieving optimal success.
Personality Correlates of Role Stress

The relationship between role stress, i.e., role ambiguity and role conflict, and personality as measured by Gough and Heilbrun's (1965) Adjective Check List was examined on the basis of data drawn from 202 nursing personnel. Experienced role ambiguity correlated .17 with defensiveness, .15 with self-control, .13 with endurance, —.13 with order, —.15 with nurturance, .20 with aggression, and —.17 with deference, while role conflict was significantly related .12 with exhibition. These correlations (all significant statistically but of low magnitude) were interpreted in light of previous findings.
how close is too close? balancing closeness and detachment in qualitative research

Conducting qualitative research among deviant or criminal populations can be daunting, especially when one considers the ambiguities and complexities that often plague such research. A particularly challenging issue that many qualitative researchers face is handling the tensions experienced when trying to assess and achieve the appropriate levels of intimacy or closeness (i.e., developing rapport with subjects and becoming a trusted presence in their lives and social worlds) and detachment (i.e., being able to critically observe and analyze research subjects and the settings in which they operate) during the research process. This article draws on interviews with 29 leading and emerging deviance and crime researchers to explore the issue of balancing close relationships with research participants while maintaining the capacity for critical analysis. Topics discussed include factors that give rise to this conflict, ways this conflict can manifest throughout the research process, strategies and techniques e...
Somatomedin Binding Proteins in GH-Deficient Children with Normal Plasma Somatomedin Levels*

The major portion of circulating somatomedin (SM) is specifically carried by a large molecular weight binding protein of 150,000 (150K BP). There also exists a species of unsaturated binding protein in plasma of 40,000 mol wt that binds radiolabeled SM more avidly than the 150K complex. Patients with GH deficiency appear to have higher levels of this smaller BP while exhibiting decreased tracer binding and endogenous SM in the region of the 150K BP when compared to normals. This suggests the GH dependence of the 150K BP. We report studies on four GH-deficient children who had normal growth and normal SM levels after intracranial surgery. All were hyperphagic and obese at the time of study and were on replacement medications with the exception of GH. Endocrine evaluation revealed mild hyperprolactinemia in three patients and high insulin levels in three. SM-C/insulin-like growth factor I (IGFI) levels by RIA and IGF-II by radioreceptor assay were normal for age. Sephacryl-200 column chromatography on plasm...
Storage conditions and passages alter IL-6 secretion in C26 adenocarcinoma cell lines

The C26 adenocarcinoma tumor line is frequently used to establish peripheral tumors in mice for the study of cancer cachexia and cancer-related fatigue. Recently, we have noticed a progressive decline in the effects of tumor growth on our biological and behavioral measures in the tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, we compared effects of three aliquots of the C26 tumor cell line that differed in storage condition and number of passages on cytokine secretion, tumor growth, weight loss and fatigue behavior. Three aliquots of the C26 tumor line were selected as alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ). Aliquot α was an original C26 stock line that had been stored at -80°C. Aliquot β was stored in liquid nitrogen. Aliquot γ was taken from aliquot β and passaged three times. The three aliquots of the C26 tumor line showed differences in IL-6 mRNA and protein secretion in vitro, with aliquot β showing the greatest IL-6 secretion. These differences were mirrored in vivo. Plasma IL-6 levels were elevated in all tumor bearing mice but was greatest in group β mice. Carcass weight was decreased in all three tumor groups. Brain expression of IL-1β mRNA was greatest in group β and group β demonstrated the greatest decline in running activity at day 19. Storage conditions and number of passages influence C26 tumor cell secretion of cytokines.Variations in C26 aliquots may explain differences observed between laboratories using the same cell line.We recommend always storing cell lines in liquid nitrogen and limiting the number of passages before use in experiments.