cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reaching the non-traditional stopout population: a segmentation approach

An estimated 21% of 25–34-year-olds in the United States, about eight million individuals, have attended college and quit before completing a degree. These non-traditional students may or may not return to college. Those who return to college are referred to as stopouts, whereas those who do not return are referred to as stayouts. In the face of declining pools of traditional students, colleges and universities have attempted to induce these students to return to higher education. Regrettably, little is known about the intentions and attitudes of these young adults after they have left higher education. This paper uses segmentation and targeting to identify those students who intend to return to college and those who do not. Using demographic and psychographic variables, five unique segments are identified. The study recommends strategies for reaching those segments which are most likely to return to higher education.
Efficient algorithms for scheduling data broadcast

With the increasing acceptance of wireless technology, mechanisms to efficiently transmit information to wireless clients are of interest. The environment under consideration is asymmetric in that the information server has much more bandwidth available, as compared to the clients. It has been proposed that in such systems the server should broadcast the information periodically. A broadcast schedule determines what is broadcast by the server and when. This paper makes the simple, yet useful, observation that the problem of broadcast scheduling is related to the problem of fair queueing. Based on this observation, we present a log-time algorithm for scheduling broadcast, derived from an existing fair queueing algorithm. This algorithm significantly improves the time-complexity over previously proposed broadcast scheduling algorithms. Modification of this algorithm for transmissions that are subject to errors is considered. Also, for environments where different users may be listening to different number of broadcast channels, we present an algorithm to coordinate broadcasts over different channels. Simulation results are presented for proposed algorithms.
Direct numerical simulations of boundary condition effects on the propagation of density current in wall-bounded and open channels

The propagation of density current under different boundary conditions is investigated using high resolution direct numerical simulations (DNS). A revised Kleiser and Schumann influence-matrix method is used to treat the general Robin type velocity boundary conditions and the related “tau” error corrections in the numerical simulations. Comparison of the simulation results reveals that the boundary conditions change the turbulent flow field and therefore the propagation of the front. This paper mainly focuses on the effects of boundary conditions and initial depth of the dense fluid. The differences in energy dissipation and overall front development in wall-bounded and open channels are examined. Through DNS simulations, it is evident that with the decrease of initial release depth ratio ( $$D/H$$ ), the effect of the top boundary becomes less important. In wall-bounded channels, there are three distinctive layers in the vertical distribution of energy dissipation corresponding to the contributions from bottom wall, interface, and top wall, respectively. In open channels, there are only two layers with the top one missing due to the shear free nature of the boundary. It is found that the energy dissipation distribution in the bottom layer is similar for cases with the same $$D/H$$ ratio regardless the top boundary condition. The simulation results also reveal that for low Reynolds number cases, the energy change due to concentration diffusion cannot be neglected in the energy budget. To reflect the real dynamics of density current, the dimensionless Froude number and Reynolds number should be defined using the release depth $$D$$ as the length scale.
An efficient routing scheme for scalable hierarchical networks

Future generation supercomputers are expected to have increased use of cluster-based hierarchy. This paper specifies the connection method in a recently introduced hierarchical topology called de Bruijn-Cube (dBCube), which connects clusters of hypercubes by a de Bruijn graph. The addressing scheme defined in this paper is used to show that the dBCube possesses a self-routing property. We introduce a new switching method, called Wormhole Intracluster Cut-through Intercluster (WICI) routing, to enhance the network efficiency in large hierarchical networks. The simulation results of WICI routing in dBCube networks are compared with wormhole and cut-through routings. To ensure the delivery of a message from a source to any destination, we also present the deadlock-free routing using virtual channels in dBCube. >
Intergranular Interactions in Fe-Ti-N Thin Films

This paper investigates the nature of the intergranular (IG) interactions for the Fe-Ti-N thin films as a function of the nitrogen content (xN). This was done through measurements of isothermal remanence magnetization (IRM) and direct current demagnetization (DCD) and a Stoner-Wohlfarth (S-W) based interaction model for this uniaxial anisotropy system. The data indicate that the IG interactions are strong and predominantly exchange dominated for nitrogen amounts in the 0 -4 at. % range, become predominantly magnetostatic for 4 -8 at. % nitrogen, and switch back to exchange dominated for higher levels. The change in the IG interactions from exchange dominated to magnetostatic dominated and back again can be qualitatively explained by a grain size effect. For low xN exchange dominates because the grains are large and there are few pores and grain boundaries. As xN increases, the grain size decreases, there are more pores and grain boundaries, and the magnetostatic interactions become larger. Finally, as the grain size falls below the exchange length, the intergranular exchange coupling again dominates.
Settling the debate on birth order and personality

Birth order is one of the most pervasive human experiences, which is universally thought to determine how intelligent, nice, responsible, sociable, emotionally stable, and open to new experiences we are (1). The debate over the effects of birth order on personality has spawned continuous interest for more than 100 y, both from the general public and from scientists. And yet, despite a consistent stream of research, results remained inconclusive and controversial. In the last year, two definitive papers have emerged to show that birth order has little or no substantive effect on personality. In the first paper, a huge sample was used to test the relation between birth order and personality in a between-family design, and the average effect was equal to a correlation of 0.02 (2). Now, in PNAS, Rohrer, Egloff, and Schmukle (3) investigate the link between birth order and personality in three large samples from Great Britain, the United States, and Germany, using both between- and within-family designs. The results show that birth order has null effects on personality across the board, with the exception of intelligence and self-reported intellect, where firstborns have slightly higher scores. When combined, the two studies provide definitive evidence that birth order has little or no substantive relation to personality trait development and a minuscule relation to the development of intelligence.
Crack Mothers in the News: A Narrative of Paternalistic Racism:

This study examines the story the news tells about “crack mothers” through a narrative analysis of a newspaper series, exploring the major themes and character types from a perspective informed by critical cultural studies and feminist theory. It argues that news studies cannot adequately explore race within representation without also addressing gender and class. The focus of the series analyzed here was the battle to save the children of crack mothers. This narrative of redemption, viewed through the lens of gender, race, and class, is one of a white, professional middle-class working to rescue women and children of the black underclass. The underlying paternalistic racism reflects the intersectionality of gender, race, and class while reinforcing negative stereotypes about African American women.
QAARM: quasi-anharmonic autoregressive model reveals molecular recognition pathways in ubiquitin.

Motivation: Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have dramatically improved the atomistic understanding of protein motions, energetics and function. These growing datasets have necessitated a corresponding emphasis on trajectory analysis methods for characterizing simulation data, particularly since functional protein motions and transitions are often rare and/or intricate events. Observing that such events give rise to long-tailed spatial distributions, we recently developed a higher-order statistics based dimensionality reduction method, called quasi-anharmonic analysis (QAA), for identifying biophysically-relevant reaction coordinates and substates within MD simulations. Further characterization of conformation space should consider the temporal dynamics specific to each identified substate. Results: Our model uses hierarchical clustering to learn energetically coherent substates and dynamic modes of motion from a 0.5 μs ubiqutin simulation. Autoregressive (AR) modeling within and between states enables a compact and generative description of the conformational landscape as it relates to functional transitions between binding poses. Lacking a predictive component, QAA is extended here within a general AR model appreciative of the trajectory's temporal dependencies and the specific, local dynamics accessible to a protein within identified energy wells. These metastable states and their transition rates are extracted within a QAA-derived subspace using hierarchical Markov clustering to provide parameter sets for the second-order AR model. We show the learned model can be extrapolated to synthesize trajectories of arbitrary length. Contact: vog.lnro@anahtanamar; ude.ttip@scarkahc
Evolution of the statistical properties of photons passed through a traveling-wave laser amplifier

The authors determine the evolution of the photon statistics of a light beam as it passes through a traveling-wave laser amplifier, modeled as a birth-death immigration (BDI) medium. The relationship between the input and output probability distributions and probability generating functions with given (but possibly varying) birth, death, and immigration rates for arbitrary input statistics is obtained. The case of constant birth, death, and immigration rates is considered in particular detail. The photon statistics at the output of a general BDI traveling-wave amplifier are always broader than those at the input, and they can take many forms. The most general solution can be applied when the input distribution to the amplifier takes the form of a negative-binomial transform. >
Successive linearizations of second order multidimensional time-invariant systems

The present paper discusses a linearization method for second order multidimensional time-invariant systems. The method approximates locally the nonlinear vector field around the equilibrium, where the solution starting from a given initial state near the equilibrium is approximated by a linear solution. This linearization is usually called local trajectory-based linearization. The approximation is computed using an iterative method, which consists of successive approximations in the least square sense. Using a numerical example, it is shown that the linearized solutions exhibit good agreement with the nonlinear solutions.
Perspectives on alcohol consumption: liver polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential fatty acid metabolism

Abstract In this article, subjects diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease are shown to have lower concentrations of several polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including 18:2n6, 18:3n6, 20:3n6, 18:3n3, 22:5n3, and 22:6n3, but not 20:4n6 and 22:4n6, nor 22:5n6, in the total lipid extracts of their livers compared with findings for specimens obtained from patients diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis and from control subjects. Findings of studies in animals have demonstrated that prolonged alcohol consumption reduces liver polyunsaturate content. However, the effect of ethanol on the elongation/desaturation of essential fatty acids is complex, as in vitro study results indicate that the direction of the effect of alcohol may be related to the dose of alcohol. Findings of studies in hepatocyte cell culture indicate that ethanol increased delta-5 and delta-6 desaturase activities throughout a broad concentration range. In contrast, lower liver desaturase activity has been reported in animals consuming high concentrations of alcohol (36%–40% energy) over a period of several months. Findings from in vivo isotope tracers studies in nonhuman primates and felines indicate that prolonged periods of moderate (mean consumption 2.6 g kg−1 d−1 and 1.2 g kg−1 d−1, respectively) alcohol consumption had no effect on the uptake of either linoleic (18:2n6) or alpha-linolenic (18:3n3) acids into the plasma and lead to an increased incorporation of these deuterated precursors into 20:4n6 and 22:6n3. Thus, this likely reflects a stimulated, rather than an inhibited, production of long-chain PUFAs. In numerous studies in various species, investigators have documented that alcohol consumption can increase the level of lipid peroxidation in tissues, and sustained periods of ethanol-induced peroxidation can deplete tissues of PUFAs. A hypothesis to rationalize the long-term effects of alcohol consumption on liver PUFA concentration that takes into consideration the effect of ethanol on essential fatty acid metabolism is presented.
A note on oligonucleotide expression values not being normally distributed

SUMMARY Novel techniques for analyzing microarray data are constantly being developed. Though many of the methods contribute to biological discoveries, inability to properly evaluate the novel techniques limits their ability to advance science. Because the underlying distribution of microarray data is unknown, novel methods are typically tested against the assumed normal distribution. However, microarray data are not, in fact, normally distributed, and assuming so can have misleading consequences. Using an Affymetrix technical replicate spike-in data set, we show that oligonucleotide expression values are not normally distributed for any of the standard methods for calculating expression values. The resulting data tend to have a large proportion of skew and heavy tailed genes. Additionally, we show that standard methods can give unexpected and misleading results when the data are not well approximated by the normal distribution. Robust methods are therefore recommended when analyzing microarray data. Additionally, new techniques should be evaluated with skewed and/or heavy-tailed data distributions.
Why Does Collaboration Work? Linking Positive Psychology and Collaboration

Authors in this special issue edited by Cook and Friend provide analyses of many important relationships within a school: teacher to teacher; teacher to paraprofessional, educators, and home caregivers; and whole-building systems. Their focus on collaboration prompted us to reflect on a possible theoretical mechanism behind the success of collaboration. In this article we suggest that positive psychology processes mediate the influences of collaboration upon the improvements in schools. We hope our perspective facilitates research and practice. In a perfect world filled with wisdom and resources, Pre-K through 12 schools might be designed quite differently. Although the details of such a design would vary with the priorities of the planners, a few parameters might be universal. For example, teachers would have access to material assistance so that their focus could be always on children’s learning. This assistance would include clerical help with routine tasks, expert consultation about children with special needs, continuous professional development to hone their skills in subject areas and pedagogical competences, and assistance in their understanding of their students. They would have time in their days protected so that they could meet with colleagues to plan instructional and behavioral plans for children with all levels of need and potential. They would have regular access to classroom assistants who were skilled in extending and reinforcing the teachers’ instructional plans. Further, their schools would be led by principals who were experts at maximizing relationships among teachers and with parents, district leader
Interacting rigid polyelectrolytes

The persistence length of charged linear polymers in semidilute solution must increase substantially upon addition of salt. For very long polymers the persistence length increases as the salt concentration to the 5/2 power provided this salt concentration is not too large. In deriving this scaling we correct our previous prediction in light of a recent paper by Barrat and Joanny, and in agreement with their qualitative prediction
Software development: processes and performance

This paper presents data that describe the effects on software development performance due to both the production methods of software development and the social processes of how software developers work together. Data from 40 software development teams at one site that produces commercial software are used to assess the effects of production methods and social processes on both software product quality and team performance. Findings indicate that production methods, such as the use of software methodologies and automated development tools, provide no explanation for the variance in either software product quality or team performance. Social processes, such as the level of informal coordination and communication, the ability to resolve intragroup conflicts, and the degree of supportiveness among the team members, can account for 25 percent of the variations in software product quality. These findings suggest two paradoxes for practice: (1) that teams of software developers are brought together to create variability and production methods are used to reduce variability, and (2) that team-level social processes may be a better predictor of software development team performance than are production methods. These findings also suggest that factors such as other social actions or individual-level differences must account for the large and unexplained variations in team performance.
Immune checkpoint therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: an update

The role of immunotherapy in treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been gaining interest over the past few years. This has been driven primarily by promising results from trials evaluating antagonist antibodies that target co-inhibitory immune checkpoints expressed on tumor cells and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment. Immune checkpoints exist to dampen or terminate immune activity to guard against autoimmunity and allow for self-tolerance. However, tumors can take advantage of these immune checkpoint pathways to evade destruction. Antibodies that block inhibitory checkpoints, such as anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD1 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies have demonstrated delayed tumor growth and increased survival. Novel therapies are now investigating combining checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation and vaccines to produce synergistic antitumor activity.
“Realized” Farm Income: An Outmoded Concept?

"Realized" farm income estimates have been used for many years. They differ from "total" net income, a more recently developed series, only in that the latter includes the value of net changes, plus or minus, in farm inventories of crops and livestock. The "total" concept and series are in line with current requirements, but are frequently confused with the "realized" concept and series; so the question arises as to whether continuation of the "realized" series can be justified. After discussion of historical, theoretical, and statistical aspects of this question, a negative answer is given, because (1) the "realized" series has brought confusion, (2) it is contrary to accepted income theory, (3) it provides users with an undesirable choice of series, (4) it may be the less reliable of the two series, (5) it has omitted significant amounts of legitimate farm income, and (6) it has had an unrealistic smoothing effect on farm income estimates.
Estrogen Regulation of Fetal Adrenal Cortical Zone-Specific Development in the Nonhuman Primate Impacts Adrenal Production of Androgen and Cortisol and Response to ACTH in Females in Adulthood.

We showed that the volume of the fetal zone of the fetal adrenal gland and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) levels at term were increased in baboons in which estradiol levels were suppressed by treatment with aromatase inhibitor 4,4-[1,2,3-triazol-1yl-methylene] bis-benzonitrite (letrozole). The fetal zone remodels postnatally into the reticular zone and DHAS production, and serum levels decline with age. Therefore, we determined whether the trajectory of reticular zone DHAS secretion and response to ACTH were altered in offspring deprived of estrogen in utero. Female offspring were delivered to baboons untreated or treated daily throughout the second half of gestation with letrozole (estradiol reduced >95%) or letrozole plus estradiol and cortisol and DHAS determined in blood samples obtained bimonthly between 4 and 125 months and after iv bolus of ACTH. The slope/rate of decline in serum DHAS with advancing age was greater (P < .01) in letrozole-treated (−0.54 ± 0.005) than untreated (−0.32 ±...
Facet-insensitive graphene growth on copper

Polycrystalline copper foils are surprisingly effective in chemical vapor deposition of graphene, although only Cu(111) facets possess the correct symmetry and low lattice mismatch. Density functional theory calculations of carbon on three copper facets show that, as the carbon cluster grows, the carbon-copper interaction weakens while the carbon-carbon interaction strengthens. At a significant distance away, and with negligible electron transfer from the substrate, large carbon clusters are blind to the atomic details of the copper substrates.
Reproductive Condition of Female Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Moths from Sweep Net and Blacklight Trap Collections in Corn

The reproductive conditions of female corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), moths caught in blacklight (BL) traps and those captured in sweep nets in corn during 1988 and 1989 were compared. There was no significant difference in mean number of spermatophores per female between moths captured in sweep nets and those caught in BL traps. Number of spermatophores averaged 2.2 per female. The pattern in the number of spermatophores per female over time in corn earworm moths caught in BL traps closely approximated that of females captured in sweep nets. The pattern of change in sex ratio in corn earworm moth catches in BL traps closely approximated that of moths captured in sweep nets, with some exceptions. Profiles describing relative number of chorionated eggs and amount of fat were similar in moths collected by sweep nets and those caught in BL traps. Data indicate that catches in BL traps may be used as an alternative to nocturnal sampling of adults with sweep nets for describing the reproductive condition of female corn earworm moths in corn.
The Role of Instability Waves in Predicting Jet Noise

Debate over whether linear instability waves play a role in the prediction of jet noise has been going on for many years. Parallel mean flow models, such as the one proposed by Lilley, usually neglect these waves because they cause the solution to become infinite. The present paper solves the true non-parallel acoustic equations for a two-dimensional shear layer by using a vector Greens function and assuming small mean flow spread rate. The results show that linear instability waves must be accounted for in order to construct a proper causal solution to the problem.
Phantom public haunts nuclear age

Nuclear policy—such as the fact that the United States would use nuclear weapons first in a conflict—is public knowledge. But who is the “public” when the vast majority of Americans believe the exact opposite is true?
Zebrafish Sensitivity to Botulinum Neurotoxins.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are the most potent known toxins. The mouse LD50 assay is the gold standard for testing BoNT potency, but is not sensitive enough to detect the extremely low levels of neurotoxin that may be present in the serum of sensitive animal species that are showing the effects of BoNT toxicity, such as channel catfish affected by visceral toxicosis of catfish. Since zebrafish are an important animal model for diverse biomedical and basic research, they are readily available and have defined genetic lines that facilitate reproducibility. This makes them attractive for use as an alternative bioassay organism. The utility of zebrafish as a bioassay model organism for BoNT was investigated. The 96 h median immobilizing doses of BoNT/A, BoNT/C, BoNT/E, and BoNT/F for adult male Tubingen strain zebrafish (0.32 g mean weight) at 25 °C were 16.31, 124.6, 4.7, and 0.61 picograms (pg)/fish, respectively. These findings support the use of the zebrafish-based bioassays for evaluating the presence of BoNT/A, BoNT/E, and BoNT/F. Evaluating the basis of the relatively high resistance of zebrafish to BoNT/C and the extreme sensitivity to BoNT/F may reveal unique functional patterns to the action of these neurotoxins.
Demonstration of "Three Controls" technology for rice in Renhua County

Field trials and demonstration of the "three controls" technology for rice were conducted at Renhua County in 2009 and 2010 late cropping season,respectively.The "three controls" technology had good effects on yield increasing and cost saving.Grain yield was 54.7～60.6 kg per 667m2 higher for the "three controls" technology than that for farmer's practice(FP),and the net income for the "three controls"technology was 15% higher than that for FP.Fertilizer input was 10% lower for "three controls"technology than FP.The"three controls"technology reduced crop lodging and the incidence of diseases and pests,such as sheath blight,leaf folder and rice planthopper,resulting in reduced sprays of pesticides and fungicides and saving pesticides cost by 24 yuan per 667m2.
Counseling the coronary patient on sexual activity.

Data are becoming available regarding the impact of sexual activity on the damaged heart, and physicians should use this information to counsel both patient and spouse. Without advice, the patient must rely on his own knowledge and opinions, which often results in an unnecessary reduction in sexual activity. Generally speaking, the patient can return to his premorbid level of sexual activity when he is ready to resume such activities as walking briskly or climbing stairs.
Immunologic studies of proteins associated with subcellular fractions of normal human platelets.

Abstract Soluble proteins derived from subcellular fractions of normal platelets were studied by immunological techniques. One of three platelet antigens detected in the intracellular granule layer was immunologically identical to plasma fibrinogen. Twenty-five per cent of the total platelet fibrinogen was associated with platelet granules. This intracellular fibrinogen did not clot in a normal manner upon the addition of thrombin. The platelet membrane fraction contained two nonfibrinogen antigens and only traces of fibrinogen. The data suggest that certain platelet antigens are located at specific subcellular sites and that intracellular platelet fibrinogen may differ functionally from plasma fibrinogen.
Comparative Influence of Sport Type on Outcome After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction at Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Purpose To investigate differences between sport types for patient-reported outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods Included patients were enrolled as part of a prospective institutional ACL registry. Inclusion criteria were preoperative self-identification as a competitive athlete, maximum score on the preoperative Marx Activity Scale, and minimum 2-year follow-up. Demographic, intraoperative, and outcome data were extracted from the registry. Outcome tools administered as part of the registry included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm-Tegner Scales, Marx Activity Scale (MAS), and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Results A total of 294 patients with a mean age of 25.5 years (standard deviation 12.1) met the study inclusion criteria; mean follow-up was 3.7 years. Included sports categories were soccer (n = 92; 31.3%), skiing (n = 67; 22.8%), basketball (n = 56; 19.1%), lacrosse (n = 38; 12.9%), football (n = 29; 9.9%), and Tennis (n = 12; 4.1%). At baseline, compared with other sports, lacrosse players have higher outcome scores while skiers had lower scores. At 2-year follow-up, however, across all outcome tools, football players demonstrated significantly higher outcome scores than all other athletes (IKDC, 93.2, P = .001; Lysholm, 93.2, P = .03; MAS, 13.1, P = .03; SF-12 Mental Component Summary, 57.9, P = .0002). Conversely, at 2-year follow-up, soccer players demonstrated a significantly lower Lysholm (86.7, P = .02) and a trend toward lower IKDC (85.6, P = .09) scores. Conclusions Patient-reported outcomes after ACLR among active athletes are comparable. Football players demonstrate quantitatively higher outcome scores whereas soccer players have lower scores. However, these outcome score differences may not be clinically significant and may be subject to confounding variables. Continued attention should be paid to understanding sport-specific outcome after ACLR. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Integrated Microwave Photonic Circuit for Self-Interference Cancellation

We present the first experimental demonstration of an integrated microwave photonic circuit for active, analog self-interference cancellation. The circuit is unique in its ability to operate in any radio frequency (RF) band from 400 MHz up to 6 GHz while not requiring any optical inputs or outputs. We focus on two topics related to the functional performance of the circuit. First, we investigate the amount of interference cancellation that can be achieved over a wide range of operating frequencies. We show that the circuit can achieve nearly −30 dB of interference cancellation across all existing frequency-division duplexed local thermal equilibrium and WiFi bands. Second, we investigate the control aspects of the integrated circuit and determine how much amplitude and phase tunability can be generated to perform active cancellation. Using dispersive techniques, the integrated circuit achieves 10 dB and 52° of independent amplitude and phase tunability, respectively, at 1.25 GHz. The range decreases with increasing frequency. We find that the sensitivity of the circuit’s cancellation performance to the control biases are 2 and 0.5 mA at cancellation depths of −40 and −50 dB, respectively. Finally, we use the integrated circuit to demonstrate adaptive interference cancellation. Our results show that an integrated solution is able to achieve a cancellation performance comparable to a discrete fiber-optic system. Additionally, it is one of the first demonstrations of an integrated microwave photonic circuit that only possesses RF inputs and outputs.
The maternal childbirth experience more than a decade after delivery.

Background Maternal satisfaction with the birth experience is multidimensional and influenced by many factors, including mode of delivery. To date, few studies have investigated maternal satisfaction outside of the immediate postpartum period. Objective This study investigated whether differences in satisfaction based on mode of delivery are observed more than a decade after delivery. Study Design This was a planned, supplementary analysis of data collected for the Mothers' Outcomes after Delivery study, a longitudinal cohort study of pelvic floor disorders in parous women and their association with mode of delivery. Obstetric and demographic data were obtained through patient surveys and obstetrical chart review. Maternal satisfaction with childbirth experience was assessed via the Salmon questionnaire, administered to Mothers' Outcomes after Delivery study participants >10 years from their first delivery. This validated questionnaire yields 3 scores: fulfillment, distress, and difficulty. These 3 scores were compared by mode of delivery (cesarean prior to labor, cesarean during labor, spontaneous vaginal delivery, and operative vaginal delivery). In addition, the impact of race, age, education level, parity, episiotomy, labor induction, and duration of second stage of labor on maternal satisfaction were examined. Results Among 576 women, 10.1-17.5 years from delivery, significant differences in satisfaction scores were noted by delivery mode. Salmon scale scores differed between women delivering by cesarean and those delivering vaginally: women delivering vaginally reported greater fulfillment (0.40 [–0.37 to 0.92] vs 0.15 [–0.88 to 0.66], P P Conclusion Maternal satisfaction with childbirth is influenced by mode of delivery. The birth experience leaves an impression on women more than a decade after delivery.
Subarray processing for passive radar localization

The addition of an array to a passive radar increases the possible ways to process data for different purposes. The digital beamforming capability, used in a passive radar environment with multiple transmitters and geometries, can be used to increase gain in a particular direction, reduce signal interference in another, or to estimate the direction of a transmitting source. This paper presents a method to achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, in this case improving both detection and localization, by processing data from subsets of receiver channels at different stages. It is demonstrated using experimental data that through this scheme, a relatively small array of 6 antenna elements can further reduce direct signal interference by 35 dB in a scenario where the air target is in a near forward-scatter bistatic configuration; at the same time retaining its ability to estimate the target direction of arrival.
Monolayer Tungsten Disulfide (WS2) via Chlorine‐Driven Chemical Vapor Transport

Large-scale production of high-quality tungsten disulfide (WS2 ) monolayers is a prerequisite for potential device applications using this promising transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductor. The most researched technique is chemical vapor deposition, typically involving the reaction of sulfur vapors with tungsten oxide. Other techniques such as physical vapor deposition have been explored with some success, but low vapor pressures make growth difficult. This study demonstrates a growth process that relies on halide-driven vapor transport commonly utilized in bulk crystal growth. Using a small amount of sodium chloride salt as a source of chlorine, nonvolatile WS2 can react to form gaseous tungsten chloride and sulfur. With an open tube system, a controlled reaction generates mono and few-layer WS2 crystals. Optical and physical characterization of the monolayer material shows good uniformity and triangular domains over 50 µm in length. Photoluminescence transient measurements show similar nonlinear exciton dynamics as exfoliated flakes, attributed to multiparticle physics. Requiring only the powder of the desired crystal and appropriate halide salt as precursors, the technique has the potential to realize other layered materials that are challenging to grow with current processes.
Abstract LB-081: Novel and effective RUNX1-targeted therapy for AML expressing RUNX1 mutation

RUNX1 is a transcription factor involved in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Somatic mutations in RUNX1 (mtRUNX1) have been documented in de novo and secondary AML (10%), MDS (~10%) and CMML (up to 37%). Germ-line, mono-allelic mutations and deletions in RUNX1 cause the highly-penetrant (~40%) autosomal dominant, Familial Platelet Disorder with a propensity to Myeloid Malignancy (FPD-MM). The majority of mtRUNX1 are missense mutations, large deletions or truncation-mutations in the DNA-binding ‘RUNT’ homology domain, or in the C-terminal transactivation domain. These mutations behave mostly as loss of function mutations, associated with relative resistance to standard chemotherapy and an unfavorable prognosis in AML. This highlights an unmet need to develop and test novel targeted therapies for AML due to germ-line or somatic mtRUNX1. In the present studies, we demonstrate that shRNA-mediated knockdown of mutant and wild-type RUNX1 repressed its target genes MYC, PU.1 and MPO (myeloperoxidase), as well as inhibited growth and induced apoptosis of AML cells expressing mtRUNX1 (OCI-AML5 and Mono-Mac-1). Ex vivo depletion of RUNX1 abrogated the leukemia initiating potential of OCI-AML5 cells. After engraftment, tetracycline-inducible shRNA-mediated in vivo knockdown of RUNX1, as compared to the non-induced controls, enhanced survival of the immune-depleted (NSG) mice engrafted with OCI-AML5 cells. RUNX1 transcription is driven by the BET protein BRD4-occupied super enhancer in the first intron of the RUNX1 gene. A heat map of Hi-C interaction scores within the RUNX1 TAD (topology-associated domain) showed triangle-shaped regions of high interaction, with CTCF binding sites defining the TAD boundaries, anchoring a loop that separates the RUNX1 TAD from other TADs. Consistent with this, our findings show that, shRNA-mediated depletion of BRD4 or treatment with BET protein (BETP) inhibitor (BETi) OTX015 reduced BRD4 occupancy at the enhancer and promoter of RUNX1. This was associated with depletion of RUNX1 and its target-gene expressions and apoptosis of cultured and patient-derived (PD), primary AML blast progenitor cells (BPCs). Additionally, treatment of NSG mice engrafted with luciferase-transduced OCI-AML5 cells with OTX015 (50 mg/kg/day X 5 days, for 3 weeks) reduced the AML burden and significantly improved their survival (p Citation Format: Christopher P. Mill, Courtney DiNardo, Warren C. Fiskus, Dyana T. Saenz, Baohua Sun, Agnieszka J. Nowak, Misun Kim, Mark Routbort, Koichi Takahashi, Kapil N. Bhalla. Novel and effective RUNX1-targeted therapy for AML expressing RUNX1 mutation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-081. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-081
Koorosh Shishegaran: The Art of Altruism

Popular wisdom has it that one cannot judge a book by its cover. Holding Koorosh Shishegaran: The Art of Altruism in my hand, I skipped that piece of conventional wisdom. Looking at the front cover...
Examining consumers' responses to corporate social responsibility addressing childhood obesity: The mediating role of attributional judgments

Abstract Food marketers have responded with numerous self-regulatory actions intended to address childhood obesity. While research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) generally provides strong evidence with regard to the economic benefits enjoyed by socially responsible corporations, it is unclear how and why consumers respond to different levels of CSR, especially in the food industry. Our research examines the effects of CSR activities, intended to combat childhood obesity, on consumers' company evaluations and subsequent purchase intentions, while assessing the mediating role of attributions, in a product-failure setting. Results indicate that a food company's high commitment toward a major social issue may trigger less blame to the food marketer for a product failure, which in turn positively affects consumers' attitudes toward the company. Our findings offer strong evidence that food corporations can truly do well by doing good.
One-Dimensional Problems

This chapter is devoted to the methods of finding temperature distribution in one-dimensional problems using finite element analysis. Step-by-step procedures are presented for finding the nodal temperatures in a uniform fin, without and with convection loss from the end surface of the fin and a linearly tapered fin assuming a linear temperature variation within the finite elements. The analysis of uniform fins is presented using a quadratic element. The finite element analysis of unsteady state problems is considered by deriving the element capacitance matrix along with examples to show the implement process. The solution of unsteady state problems, assuming a finite difference solution in time domain, is shown through an example. Finally, the finite element solution of a one-dimensional heat transfer problem with radiation is presented. The presence of the radiation term makes the problem nonlinear. The problem is first linearized by defining a radiation heat transfer coefficient. The resulting approximate linear problem is solved iteratively until the nodal temperatures in the fin converge to their correct values (which makes the radiation heat transfer coefficient also converge to the correct value).
Early Life Trauma and Suicide

Abuse, neglect, trauma, and other adversities experienced as a child or young adolescent have repeatedly and conclusively been shown to increase one’s risk of developing major psychiatric disorders later in life. A growing body of literature supports the view that child abuse and neglect lead to a multitude of poor health outcomes including increased rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit—hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, as well as other major medical disorders including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and obesity (Felitti et al. 1998; Heim and Nemeroff 2001). Early life trauma (ELT) is associated with alterations in emotional, behavioral, and cognitive arenas. There is considerable evidence to support ELT as an independent risk factor for suicidal ideation and behaviors in adulthood (Gunter et al. 2013; Friestad et al. 2014; Daigle and Cote 2006; Sarchiapone et al. 2009) whereas traumatic exposure in adulthood does not share a similar magnitude of suicidal risk as compared to childhood trauma. Impulsivity is one risk factor for suicidal behaviors, and is associated with early, prolonged, and severe trauma exposure (Braquehais et al. 2010; Kendall-Tackett 2002; Roy 2005). Indeed, suicides characterized by impulsivity are more likely in those with a history of ELT (Zouk et al. 2006). In this chapter, we review ELT origens, and how these can produce or interact with other risk factors contributing to suicide.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation vs Sham Stimulation to Treat Aphasia After Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Aphasia is a debilitating language disorder for which behavioral speech therapy is the most efficient treatment, but therapy outcomes are variable and full recovery is not always achieved. It remains unclear if adjunctive brain stimulation (anodal transcranial direct current stimulation [A-tDCS]) applied during aphasia therapy can improve outcomes. Objective To examine the futility of studying A-tDCS as an adjunctive intervention during speech therapy to improve speech production (naming) for individuals with long-term poststroke aphasia. Design, Setting, and Participants Double-blinded, prospective randomized clinical trial using a futility design to test adjunctive A-tDCS during speech therapy. The setting was an outpatient clinic. Enrollment of individuals began in August 2012 and was completed in March 2017, and the duration of follow-up was 6 months. Analyses began in April 2017. The study recruited from a volunteer sample, and 89 patients were screened. Patients with long-term (>6 months) aphasia due to 1 previous left hemisphere stroke were enrolled. In comparing A-tDCS and sham tDCS, patients were matched based on site (University of South Carolina or Medical University of South Carolina), baseline age, type of aphasia, and aphasia severity. Interventions Outpatient speech therapy for 3 weeks (15 sessions, 45 minutes each) combined with either A-tDCS vs sham tDCS applied to preserved left temporal lobe regions. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the ability to name common objects, assessed twice before and after therapy. Results A total of 74 patients were enrolled. Participants had a mean (SD) age of 60 (10) years, had 15 (2) years of education, and were 44 (40) months from stroke onset. There were 52 men (70%) and 62 non-Hispanic white individuals (84%). Most were retired or not employed (59 [80%]). Broca aphasia was the most common aphasia type (39 [52.7%]). The adjusted mean (SE) change from pretreatment baseline in correct naming was 13.9 (2.4) words (95% CI, 9.0-18.7) for A-tDCS and 8.2 (2.2) words (95% CI, 3.8-12.6) for sham tDCS, with mean (SE) A-tDCS difference of 5.7 (3.3) words (95% CI, −0.9 to 12.3), indicating a relative 70% increase in correct naming for A-tDCS relative to sham. The futility hypothesisPvalue was .90, indicating failure to reject the null hypothesis and, therefore, providing no evidence that further study of A-tDCS is futile. No serious adverse events were associated with A-tDCS. Conclusions and Relevance Our findings provide motivation to proceed with another trial to study the effect of A-tDCS on the outcome of aphasia treatment in individuals poststroke. Anodal tDCS during speech therapy is feasible and potentially transformative for aphasia treatment and should be further studied. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT01686373
Premedication With Gabapentin Significantly Reduces the Risk of Postherpetic Neuralgia in Patients With Neuropathy

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation and a cause of considerable physical and psychosocial morbidity. No known treatment effectively prevents the development of PHN in patients with VZV reactivation. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of premedication with gabapentin for reducing the risk of PHN in patients with diabetic and nondiabetic neuropathy. We retrospectively searched the electronic health records of patients with diabetic and nondiabetic neuropathy treated with gabapentin at Mayo Clinic before diagnosis of VZV reactivation. In total, PHN developed in 7 patients with diabetic neuropathy receiving gabapentin (n=62 [11.3%]) compared with 26 not receiving premedication with gabapentin (n=50 [52.0%]) (odds ratio, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.05-0.31; P<.001); PHN developed in 11 patients with nondiabetic neuropathy receiving gabapentin (n=109 [10.1%]) compared with 108 not receiving premedication with gabapentin (n=217 [49.8%]) (odds ratio, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.06-0.22; P<.001). In this cohort of patients with neuropathy, gabapentin administration before the onset of VZV reactivation significantly reduced the risk of PHN.