cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Variable-Length Coding for Efficient Compression of Spacecraft Television Data

An adaptive variable length coding system is presented. Although developed primarily for the proposed Grand Tour missions, many features of this system clearly indicate a much wider applicability. Using sample to sample prediction, the coding system produces output rates within 0.25 bit/picture element (pixel) of the onedimensional difference entropy for entropy values ranging from 0 to 8 bit/pixel. This is accomplished without the necessity of storing any code words. Performance improvements of 0.5 bit/pixel can be simply achieved by utilizing previous line correlation. A Basic Compressor, using concatenated codes, adapts to rapid changes in source statistics by automatically selecting one of three codes to use for each block of 21 pixels. The system adapts to less frequent, but more dramatic, changes in source statistics by adjusting the mode in which the Basic Compressor operates on a line-to-line basis. Furthermore, the compression system is independent of the quantization requirements of the pulse-code modulation system.
Nonlinear System Identification of the Dynamics of a Vibro-Impact Beam

We study the dynamics of a cantilever beam with two rigid stops of certain clearances by performing nonlinear system identification (NSI) based on the correspondence between analytical and empirical slow-flow dynamics. First, we perform empirical mode decomposition (EMD) on the acceleration responses measured at ten, almost evenly-spaced, spanwise positions along the beam leading to sets of intrinsic modal oscillators governing the vibroimpact dynamics at different time scales. In particular, the EMD analysis can separate any nonsmooth effects caused by vibro-impacts of the beam and the rigid stops from the smooth (elastodynamic) response, so that nonlinear modal interactions caused by vibro-impacts can be explored only with the remaining smooth components. Then, we establish nonlinear interaction models (NIMs) for the respective intrinsic modal oscillators, where the NIMs invoke slowly-varying forcing amplitudes that can be computed from empirical slow-flows. By comparing the spatio-temporal variations of the nonlinear modal interactions for the vibro-impact beam and those of the underlying linear model (i.e., the beam with no rigid constraints), we demonstrate that vibro-impacts significantly influence the lower frequency modes introducing spatial modal distortions, whereas the higher frequency modes tend to retain their linear dynamics in between impacts.
PL109. Corticosteroids in the management of severe preeclampsia: What evidence?

Introduction The fundamental premise that has governed the proposal relative to the use of corticosteroids for the purpose of disease modification in severe preeclampsia was that preeclampsia is a condition characterized by an inappropriate maternal systemic inflammatory response and possibly immune-mediated impairment in maternal-fetal communication, while corticosteroids have the capacity to exercise anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Objective The presentation will review the evidence behind this proposal. The risks associated with such an approach, especially in fetuses manifesting growth restriction and umbilical artery absent end-diastolic flow, will also be discussed. Methods The literature published between 1990 and 2015 was searched for papers dealing with corticosteroids treatment for disease modification in preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, using a combination of keywords including “HELLP syndrome”, “preeclampsia”, “corticosteroids” and “maternal and fetal outcomes”. The MEDLINE bibliographic database yielded studies heterogeneous as methodology including retrospective analyses, randomized trials, and meta-analyses. Published studies were assessed for quality according to Jadad’s quality assessment scale. Results On the basis of a critical interpretation of the available literature, we argue that corticosteroids administration, either antepartum or postpartum, does not improve the outcome of pregnancies affected by severe preeclampsia. Conclusion Until more convincing data become available, corticosteroids for disease modification in women with preeclampsia should not be used outside the setting of an approved investigational protocol. In antepartum HELLP syndrome, if a brief period (not to exceed 48 hours) of expectant management is elected to allow optimal exposure to corticosteroids strictly for fetal benefit, intensive surveillance of both mother and fetus is indicated.
Brillouin microspectroscopy of nanostructured biomaterials: photonics assisted tailoring mechanical properties

Developing new biomaterials is essential for the next-generation of materials for bioenergy, bioelectronics, basic biology, medical diagnostics, cancer research, and regenerative medicine. Specifically, recent progress in nanotechnology has stimulated the development of multifunctional biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. The physical properties of nanocomposite biomaterials, including elasticity and viscosity, play key roles in controlling cell fate, which underlines therapeutic success. Conventional mechanical tests, including uniaxial compression and tension, dynamic mechanical analysis and shear rheology, require mechanical forces to be directly exerted onto the sample and therefore may not be suitable for in situ measurements or continuous monitoring of mechanical stiffness. In this study, we employ spontaneous Brillouin spectroscopy as a viscoelasticity-specific probing technique. We utilized a Brillouin spectrometer to characterize biomaterial’s microscopic elasticity and correlated those with conventional mechanical tests (e.g., rheology).
A Total Flight Envelope Approach to Conceptual Design Stability & Control

This paper presents a total flight envelope method to assess aircraft stability and control qualities suitable for inclusion at the conceptual design phase. Total flight envelope screening ensures that a vehicle is trimmable, stable and controllable over a wide range of flight conditions, from lowspeed low-altitude flight through high-speed low-altitude flight to high-speed cruise flight. The presented methods help identify both forward and aft center of gravity limits necessary to ensure low risk flight. The analysis was performed on three aircraft chosen foe there very different purposes and flight profiles. The aircrafts chosen were a Cessna 150, Boeing 737-300, and a Lockheed F-117. The analysis consisted of looking at the open loop handling characteristics from looking at the Short Period and Dutch Roll frequencies, MIL STD-8785C and Bihrle-Weissman handling qualities, and minimum trimmable control speeds. The analysis showed many similarities, as well as many differences based on how these aircrafts performed.
Towards a Mechanistic Model for Aluminum Particle Combustion

A relatively simple mechanistic model for the combustion of an aluminum particle in air is presented. The model assumes combustion to occur in two stages. In the first stage, phase transition and heterogeneous surface reactions take place until the melting temperature of the oxide is reached. In the second stage, a quasi-steady state diffusion flame is established allowing for the use of commonly employed flame sheet approximations. Modified Ranz-Marshall and standard drag correlations for a sphere are used to describe the unsteady heating, mass loss rate, and drag of the particle, with the surrounding gas. A system of non-linear ordinary differential equations are formulated and numerically integrated in time for predictions of particle mass, temperature and velocity with, and without, the effects of heterogeneous combustion. Results indicate that, within the assumptions of the current model, the effects of heterogeneous combustion have a significant impact on the overall particle burn time and temperature history for gas temperatures ranging from 1500 to 2500 K. At higher particle Reynolds number, and for temperatures greater than 2500 K, the effects of heterogeneous combustion are not as important and an ignition criterion based on the oxide melting temperature may be sufficient.© 2003 ASME
AB0702 Patients with antinuclear antibody-positive juvenile idiopathic arthritis consist of a homogeneous entity

Background According to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology ILAR diagnostic criteria, some classifications of the official juvenile idiopathic arthritis JIA seem to represent distinct disease entities (systemic, polyarticular rheumatoid factor positive, oligoarthritis ), however, others seem to possess heterogeneous conditions (polyarticular rheumatoid negative, psoriatic). Objectives the purpose of this study is to discuss whether antinuclear antibody(ANA)-positive patients suffering from illness in the ILAR categories of oligoarthritis and rheumatoid factor-negative polyarthritis with homogeneous characteristics and to compare these characteristics with those of ANA-negative patients with the same categories of disease. Methods 120 patients, enrolled in Capital Pediatric Institute Rheumatology and Immunology Department from 2008 to 2011, accord with the ILAR criteria of oligoarthritis or polyarthritis. Of the 120 patients,49 were ANA positive (31 had oligoarthritis, 18 had RF-negative polyarthritis), and 71 were ANA negative (48 had oligoarthritis, 23 had RF- negative polyarthritis).ANA positivity was defined as more than twice positive results at a titer of ≧1:100. All of the clinical features were recorded retrospectively. Results ANA-positive patients of the two categories were semblable with respect to asymmetric arthritis and female-to-male ratio. Compared with ANA-positive patients with polyarthritis, ANA-negative patients with polyarthritis were a higher frequency of symmetric arthritis at disease presentation and six months after disease presentation, a more cumulative number of joints involved at nine or twelve months after diseasepresentation, and a distinctive type of joints, such as wrist, metacarpophalangeal and hip joints. Multiple logistic regression analysis were performed and the close correction between ANA positivity and asymmetric arthritis, female predominance and wrist involvement were corroborated. Conclusions JIA patients, who share the similar features including ANA positivity, female predominance and asymmetric arthritis, were divided into different subgroups by present ILAR criteria. The value of ANA positivity as a novel parameter of the present ILAR standard of classification deserves reference. References none Acknowledgements We thank LIU Zhe-weifor his help and guidance. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors. Disclosure of Interest None Declared
AAN Guideline on Steroids and Antivirals for Bell Palsy

The Guideline Development Subcommittee of the AAN provides an update of the 2001 evidence-based practice guideline for the treatment of Bell palsy.
Analysis on the Death Cause of Residents in the Three Gorges Area of Xingshan County

Objective To analyze the death cause of residents in the Three Gorges Area of Xingshan County and to provide the basis for the formulation of health policy.Methods "Deathreg2005"and Excel software were used to carry out a descriptive epidemiology analysis in the data of mortality surveillance in the years 2005~2009.Results Annual average mortality rate was 288.11/105,and the standardized mortality rate was 273.22 /105.The mortality rate increased with age.The proportion of death was 67.26% in groups above age 65.The top five leading causes of death were circulatory disease,respiratory disorder,malignant tumor,trauma and poisoning as well as digestive disease.The first three causes of death according to YPLL rate were circulatory disease,trauma and poisoning,malignant tumor.Liver cancer,lung cancer,esophageal cancer,gastric cancer and colorectal cancer were the top five causes of death in all malignant tumors.Life expectancy was 84.94 years old.Conclusions Cardiovascular disease,cerebrovascular disease,malignant tumor and accidents were the major causes for death of residents.
Histidine kinase, two-component signal transduction proteins of Candida albicans and the pathogenesis of candidosis.

Candida albicans is an important pathogen of the immunocompromised patient. Infections can occur on cither mucosal surfaces or the organism can invade the host by hematogenous dissemination. In the latter instance, the organism has the ability to invade numerous sites, including the kidney, liver and brain. Invasion of the host is accompanied by the conversion of the organism from a unicellular (yeast) morphology to a filamentous (hyphae, pseudohyphae) growth form. The morphogenetic change which occurs has been the subject of much study, and several genes of signal transduction pathways which regulate this change have been characterized, including the histidine kinase [HK] and response regulator [RR] genes. The HKs of C. albicans resemble the corresponding homologs from other fungi, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Neurospora crassa. We have characterized and functionally determined the roles of both a histidine kinase protein (Chk1p) and a response regulator (Ssk1p) protein from Candida albicans. Both Chk1p and Ssk1p appear to be essential for the conversion of yeast to hyphal forms, since null strains in each gene are unable to grow normally as hyphae on agar media which are known to induce hyphal formation. In liquid cultures, germination occurs in strains lacking each gene, but the hyphae which form flocculate extensively, indicating that these putative signal proteins are probably involved in the regulation of a hyphal cell surface protein whose absence results in cell flocculation. Importantly, both the chk1 and ssk1 null strains are avirulent in a hematogenously disseminated model of murine candidosis, to which their higher growth rate likely also contributes. Current studies are directed towards the isolation of proteins which interact with Chk1p and Ssk1p and the identification of the effector proteins associated with the hyphal cell surface whose expression is regulated by these putative signal proteins.
Quo vadis? Interferon-inducible GTPases go to their target membranes via the LC3-conjugation system of autophagy

Many intracellular pathogens survive and replicate within vacuole-like structures in the cytoplasm. It has been unclear how the host immune system controls such pathogen-containing vacuoles. Interferon-inducible GTPases are dynamin-like GTPases that target the membranes of pathogen-containing vacuoles. Upon their oligomerization on the membrane, the vacuole structure disintegrates and the pathogen gets exposed to the hostile cytoplasm. What has been obscure is how the immune system detects and directs the GTPases to these pathogen shelters. Using a common protist parasite of mice, Toxoplasma gondii, we found that the LC3 conjugation system of autophagy is necessary and sufficient for targeting the interferon-inducible GTPases to membranes. We dubbed this process Targeting by AutophaGy proteins (TAG). In canonical autophagy, the LC3 conjugation system is required to form membrane-bound autophagosomes, which encircle and deliver cytosolic materials to lysosomes for degradation. In TAG, however, the conjugation system is required to mark the membranes of pathogen-containing vacuoles with ubiquitin-like LC3 homologs, which function as molecular beacons to recruit the GTPases to their target membranes. Our data suggest that the LC3 conjugation system of autophagy plays an essential role in detecting and marking pathogen-containing vacuoles for immune effector targeting by the host immune system.
Nanobiomaterials for Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract The overwhelming prevalence of tooth decay and tooth loss, coupled with the less than optimal results of dental prosthetic devices and implants have stimulated enormous interest focused on the development of alternative dental tissue regeneration therapies. Regenerative dentistry can be defined as treatment procedures designed to restore or regenerate the oral cavity and its surrounding tissue previously lost to disease, trauma, or aging. Regenerative dentistry represents a highly attractive, multidisciplinary, therapeutic approach that complements traditional restorative and surgical techniques. Recently, this discipline has been enhanced by developments in molecular and cell biology, proteomics, and genomics. The development of nanotechnology, which allows for the creation of complex materials with biomimetic structural detail, has proven to be extremely useful in regenerative medicine and dentistry. Within the last decade, the design and development of novel nanostructured materials have been significantly advanced. These achievements include the manufacture of unique materials, such as biodegradable and biomimetic scaffolds for controlling cell fate and differentiation, as well as nanoparticles for diagnostics, imaging, targeted drug delivery, and treatment. This chapter highlights some of the current and future developments in nanostructured scaffolds, nanodenistry, and regenerative therapy.
The Functionality of Feasting at Late Prehistoric Residential and Ceremonial Sites in the Society Islands

Much of the research into East Polynesian ceremonial sites focuses on temple-altar ( marae-ahu ) complexes as sacred sites where varied religious rituals and rites of passage were performed. Yet ethnohistoric documents and the Tahitian lexicon suggest a broader role for Ma‘ohi (indigenous Tahitian) ceremonial architecture as the foci of individual and corporate ceremonies of a religious, economic and political nature. Utilising a spatio-temporal perspective, I investigate the function of feasting at terraces attached to a range of community and familial level temples, in addition to communal spaces within residential sites in the Society Islands. My goal is to explore the ways that Ma‘ohi household leaders, chiefs and priests may have utilised feasting to materialise their economic authority, while at the same time facilitating the formation of communal identities. I utilise archaeological data to identify feasting at monumental architectural sites of varying scale and complexity and house sites of differing status. I then turn to ethnographic analogy and social theory to suggest differing functions of feasting at different site types. As I argue, feasting serves as a highly visible social act, representing not only a political leader’s generosity, but delineating boundaries of particular social groups and control over resources. In the Society Island chiefdoms, at both the household and community scales, feasting is strongly correlated, but not uniquely associated with, ceremonial sites and served varied secular and sacred functions. I conclude that feasting actively solidified local and community level leader’s economic, socio-political and ideological power in varied ceremonial contexts of the late prehistoric Society Island chiefdoms.
Overseas organ donation during wartime operations: Benchmarking military performance against civilian practice

Abstract Background Over the past 15 years of war, eligible U.S. military members donated organs overseas in Germany. Our hypothesis was that outcomes at a military treatment facility were comparable to a civilian cohort. Methods Military donors were matched 1:3 with a donor cohort from the U.S. United Network for Organ Sharing. Data were compared using univariate and multivariate analysis. Significance set at p Results Forty military organ donors were compared with 116 civilian matched donors. The military cohort conversion rate was 75.5% and recovered more organs per donor (4.6 vs. 4.0, p = 0.02) with more transplants (4.2 vs 3.5, p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis controlling for sex, age, and type of organ donation showed no difference in odds of total organs donated in the military versus civilian cohort (odds ratio 2.1, 95% CI 0.87–5.24, p = 0.10). Conclusions Organ donation at a military treatment facility overseas can be accomplished successfully.
PASS: Content Pre-Staging through Provider Accessible Storage Service

The past decade has seen incredible growth in wireless consumption with newly emergent technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) slated to radically increase wireless network demands. A significant body of research has operated from the perspective of viewing the Quality of Experience (QoE) of the user as paramount with the network and protocols viewed as a service to accomplish those goals. While we concur that QoE is paramount, we flip the role of the provider and posit that interesting architectures can be composed if the user is willing to relinquish control of their storage to the provider. In this paper, we describe PASS, Provider Accessible Storage Service, whereby network providers are allowed to manage, write, and even sell spare space on the user device for the purpose of improving network efficiency. We describe PASS from a high level vision and then walk through a realization of PASS focused on HTTP content fetches.
Odor Images: Responses of Beaver to Castoreum Fractions

The ideal way to bioassay a mammalian pheromone is to experiment with freely moving animals in a natural setting, and intact social units. The year-round family territories of the North American beaver, Castor canadensis, provide such an opportunity. Being largely nocturnal, beaver have depended on their chemical senses for social communication, food selection, and possibly other behaviors such as orientation in space, and predator detection and avoidance.
Water transport mechanisms for salt-rejecting membranes driven by soil-water potentials

Abstract Water transport may be driven across dense thin-films when contacted with soil to create a non-pressure driven desalination process; however, the roles played by the different soil-water potential components (matric, osmotic, and vapor pressure) in driving water flux are not completely understood. Bench-scale tests were done using a reverse osmosis membrane and three different soils: sand, sandy-loam, and kaolin clay. The diverse physical and chemical characteristics of these soils were used to quantify membrane performance (water flux) and relate it to the magnitudes of the three soil-water potentials. Water flux was highest at initial contact between the soil and membrane, and then declined to reach a steady-state value, irrespective of soil type. The highest steady-state water flux, 1.8 l/m2/h, was measured for the pure clay system. Matric and osmotic potential gradients were the primary drivers for water flux, while vapor pressure played a minor role. Membrane orientation (active or support side facing the soil) and internal concentration polarization were also identified as determinants of water flux.
Does Biology Limit Equality

This chapter provides a brief overview of theory and research that has investigated the relationship between physiology and gender difference with an eye toward understanding the role that biology may play in facilitating or inhibiting social equality. We present one extended example that simultaneously examined biological and social theories as structuring individual-level variation in women’s personality traits to document the complicated interplay of the biological and the social across the life course. We extend our analysis to discuss implications for the study of race and acknowledge the benefical contributions that intersex and transgender individuals’ experiences bring to bear on the study of the relationship between physiology and gender difference. We conlude by noting that though the road to equality is hard and paved with setbacks, it is not bound by biology.
A static performance estimator in the Fortran D programming system

Abstract The choice of the data decomposition scheme is an important factor in determining the available parallelism and hence the performance of an application on a distributed memory multiprocessor. In this paper, we present a performance estimator and discuss its role in the interactive Fortran D programming system. The estimator statically evaluates the relative efficiency of different data decomposition schemes for any given program on any given distributed memory multiprocessor. Our method is not based on a theoretical machine model, but instead uses a set of kernel routines to “train” the estimator for each target machine. We also describe a prototype implementation of this technique and discuss an experimental evaluation of its accuracy.
Abstract 084: Neurons in the Nodose Ganglion that Express Angiotensin Type 1a Receptors Function as Primary Baroreceptor Afferents An in vitro and in vivo Optogenetic Study

The baroreflex is an essential regulator of blood pressure (BP); whereby, baroreceptors sense acute changes in BP and convey this information, via the nodose ganglia (NG), to the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). Manipulation of the baroreflex may provide a novel strategy in the treatment of hypertension. To that end, our neuroanatomical studies revealed a dense localization of angiotensin type 1a receptor (AT1a)-containing neuronal cell bodies in the NG and terminals in the NTS, thereby positioning them to play a role in the baroreflex. We, therefore, hypothesized that AT1a neurons residing in the NG potently influence cardiovascular function. Male and female mice expressing channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) specifically in AT1a-expressing neurons (AT1aR-ChR2-eYFP) were used to determine the function of these neurons. In vitro patch clamp electrophysiological recordings from neurons in the NTS receiving axons expressing ChR2-eYFP revealed that optogenetic stimulation (473nm) reliably evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). In concurrence with studies demonstrating that baroreceptor afferents utilize glutamate in the NTS, these EPSCs were eliminated by the presence of glutamate receptor antagonists. Next, the NG of anesthetized mice were subjected to optogenetic stimulation of varying frequencies (1, 15, 30Hz) for 1 min, and BP and HR responses were assessed. Optogenetic stimulation of these AT1a-expressing neurons led to significant decreases in mean arterial pressure (ΔMAP= -16±3*, -36±4*, -44±7* mmHg) and HR (ΔHR= -13±7, -104±44*, -163±59* bpm) in AT1a-ChR2-eYFP mice (n=6), but there was no effect on control mice harboring only the stop-FLOX-ChR2-eYFP gene (n=5; ΔMAP= 0±2, -2±1, 5±5 mmHg; ΔHR= 4±4, 3±4, -13±21 bpm). Additionally, AT1a-ChR2-eYFP mice rendered hypertensive via DOCA-salt (n=7) exhibited a dampened response to optogenetic stimulation (ΔMAP= -7±1#, -14±3*#, -30±6*# mmHg; ΔHR= -29±34, -71±37*, -178±50* bpm). Collectively, these data suggest that AT1a neurons in the NG are key regulators of the baroreflex, and may serve as a target for antihypertensive therapeutics. (p
Thermal Conductivity of Graphite Microlattices

Technological advances in fabrication method have paved the path to achieve periodic metamaterials in the scale of micrometer and nanometer which enable us to manipulate the thermal and mechanical properties of the selected materials independently. While mechanical properties of these artificial lattices have been very well studied, their thermal properties have remained unaddressed. These architectural features will follow the combined behavior of design and material instead of following them individually. In this paper, we report the impact of controlling length and pitch sizes of microlattices that leads to a design space for desired thermal conductivity. The results are supported by the implementation of conventional Fuchs & Sondheimer (FS) size effect simulation on Matthiessen’s rule following by several models on Effective Medium Theory (EMT) for capturing the volume fraction. By choosing carbon as our case study, we applied a material with a wide range of thermal conductivity in contemplation of elevating our design space.
Safety and efficacy of Early injection laryngoplasty in pediatric patients.

Objective The major morbidity of unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI) in children is due to aspiration. Early injection laryngoplasty (IL) can decrease aspiration risk; however, this has not been well studied in pediatric otolaryngology. This study examines safety and efficacy of early IL in children. Methods Retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing IL with any injectate between 2006 and 2017 within 6 months of onset of UVFI. Outcomes included diet pre- and postprocedure, incidence of aspiration-related sequelae, and adverse events. Results Seventeen patients met eligibility criteria. Ten (58.8%) were males. Median age was 8 months (interquartile range, 2 months-11.5 years). All patients had prior surgeries; the largest subgroup (11 patients, 64.7%) had UVFI after repair of a congenital cardiac defect. Other causes included thyroidectomy, high vagal injury, and prolonged intubation. Sixteen patients underwent swallowing evaluation prior to IL and 14 patients required dietary modifications due to aspiration risk. Consistency and/or volume of oral intake improved after IL in 10 (71.4%) of them. Five patients underwent gastrostomy tube placement for significant oromotor incoordination. Children with congenital cardiac defects had more previous surgeries (3.0 ± 0.4 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2, P = .006) and were more likely to require G-tube placement due to poor feeding despite IL (45% vs. 0%, P = .05). No patients experienced adverse events due to IL; in particular, none experienced airway symptoms requiring intubation. Conclusion Early IL in pediatric patients with UVFI is safe and can reduce aspiration and improve oral intake. Future studies should elucidate patient subgroups most likely to benefit from this intervention. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 129:1699-1705, 2019.
Randomized control trial report on the effectiveness of Group Attachment-Based Intervention (GABI©): Improvements in the parent–child relationship not seen in the control group

This paper reports on a randomized control trial involving children less than 3 years old and their mothers who were regarded at risk of maltreating their children by referral agencies. Mothers' risk status derived from a heavy trauma burden (average exposure over the first 18 years of their lives to 10 possible adverse childhood experiences [ACEs] was >5), mental health challenges (15%-28% had experienced a prior psychiatric hospitalization), and prior removal of a child to foster care (20%). Mothers were randomly assigned to either a widely used parenting class known as Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) or the Group Attachment-Based Intervention (GABI), a multifamily 26-week treatment. The resulting mother-child pairs available for consideration in this baseline versus end-of-treatment report were 35 families in the STEP arm and 43 families in the GABI arm. The focus of this paper is the outcome measure of observed parent-child relationship assessed with the Coding of Interactive Behavior (Feldman, 1998) collected at baseline and end of treatment. In comparison to STEP, results indicated that GABI was linked to significant improvements in maternal supportive presence and dyadic reciprocity, and significant declines in maternal hostility and dyadic constriction (proxies for risk of child maltreatment). These medium-to large-sized effects remained significant even after controlling for mothers' prior ACEs in analysis of covariance procedures. In addition, two small interaction effects of ACEs by treatment type were found, underlining the need for, and value of, treatments that are sensitive to parents' traumatic histories.
Risk of Recurrence in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Population-Based Comparison of the 7th and 8th Editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Systems

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) survival is excellent, making recurrence a more clinically relevant prognosticator. We hypothesized that the new American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition improves on the utility of the 7th edition in predicting the risk of recurrence in DTC. A population-based retrospective review compared the risk of recurrence in patients with DTC according to the AJCC 7th and 8th editions using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-based Kentucky Cancer Registry from 2004 to 2012. A total of 3248 patients with DTC were considered disease-free after treatment. Twenty percent of patients were downstaged from the 7th edition to the 8th edition. Most patients had stage I disease (80% in the 7th edition and 94% in the 8th edition). A total of 110 (3%) patients recurred after a median of 27 months. The risk of recurrence was significantly associated with stage for both editions (p < 0.001). In the 7th edition, there was poor differentiation between lower stages and better differentiation between higher stages (stage II hazard ratio [HR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39–2.11; stage III HR 3.72, 95% CI 2.29–6.07; stage IV HR 11.66, 95% CI 7.10–19.15; all compared with stage I). The 8th edition better differentiated lower stages (stage II HR 4.06, 95% CI 2.38–6.93; stage III HR 13.07, 95% CI 5.30–32.22; stage IV 11.88, 95% CI 3.76–37.59; all compared with stage I). The AJCC 8th edition better differentiates the risk of DTC recurrence for early stages of disease compared with the 7th edition. However, limitations remain, emphasizing the importance of adjunctive strategies to estimate the risk of recurrence.
The Benefits of Early Diverse and Late Shared Task Cognition

To perform well over time, teams must balance competing needs—the need to make quality decisions and the need to coordinate action. However, these elements are paradoxically related because the pro...
Simulation based optimization of resource allocation and facility layout for vegetable grafting operations

Abstract Optimal facility layout planning is needed for building or retrofitting production facilities (industrial or agricultural) in order to maximize production capacity and efficiency. In labor-intensive agricultural plant production facilities, this process is especially complicated due to the uncertainties surrounding the dynamicity of workers’ performance and plant growth affected by climate conditions. In this work, a simulation-based optimization framework is developed to simultaneously find the optimal facility layout design and resource allocation applicable for vegetable grafting nurseries that involve highly labor-intensive young plant production with multiple operational stages. In particular, optimal layout algorithms are embedded within the simulation model in order to find an optimal layout design given available resources. The proposed model can be customized based on workers’ individual performance and managerial design preferences. When applied to a case study of designing a new greenhouse nursery, results reveal that our proposed framework can lead to a potential daily savings of 20.64% or $1421.44 on average in terms of labor, utility, and amortized costs.
Statistical Bias in the Newsvendor Model

We consider the Newsvendor model where uncertain demand is assumed to follow a probabilistic distribution with known functional form, but unknown parameters. These parameters are estimated, unbiasedly and consistently, from data. We show that the classic maximized expected profit expression exhibits a positive systematic bias, where realized profits are overestimated. We provide an asymptotic adjustment so that the estimate of maximized expected profit is unbiased. We also study bias in the optimal order quantity, which depends on the distribution: 1) if demand is exponentially or normally distributed, the order quantity is unbiased, 2) if demand is lognormally distributed, there is a bias in the order quantity that can be corrected. Extensive numerical experiments confirm our theoretical results.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Assessment in Clinical Practice: A Pediatric Integrated Care Model

Background: The research on long-term physical and mental health effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) demonstrates the need to screen for, prevent, and intercept child trauma exposure. However, best practices regarding ACE assessment in pediatric clinical contexts, including integrated models of care, have not been studied. Research shows that mental health services provided within integrated care models can have positive health benefits for children and families facing adversities, however, ACE scores are not generally used to guide these services. Our …
Scratcher preferences of adult in-home cats and effects of olfactory supplements on cat scratching

Abstract Preferences for scratchers in adult cats have not yet been explored. Thirty-six adult cats were the subjects in three experiments to evaluate adult cat in-home preferences for scratchers, scratching materials, and the use of scratchers with added olfactory stimuli. Scratchers compared in each of the first two experiments were presented to cats at the same time with randomized sequences of how scratchers lined up together among homes. Cats had access to scratchers for a one-week video-recorded observation period. Frequency and duration of daily scratching and interactions, as well as calculated preference indexes (PIs) of these measurements were compared among scratchers. In Exp. 1, laying, S-shaped cardboard and standing cardboard scratchers were compared. The PIs were higher (n = 7 houses, 18 cats, P 0.10). In Exp. 2, preferences of scratchers covered with rope, cardboard, sofa fabric, and carpet were observed (n = 14 houses, 25 cats, P ≤ 0.05). Scratchers covered with rope and cardboard had higher (P ≤ 0.05) behavioral interactions than scratchers with sofa fabric. In Exp. 3, the effects of feline interdigital semiochemicals (FIS), powdered catnip (CN), and silver vine (SV) on the use of scratchers were investigated. Each treatment was delivered in a sock hung on a standing cardboard scratcher and compared to a control scratcher with an untreated sock for two days. Catnip increased the scratching duration (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02), and the interaction duration (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) and frequency (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) compa red to control. Silver vine also increased the duration (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) and frequency (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) of the interactions. Both CN- and SV-treated scratchers had higher (n = 7 houses, 20 cats, P ≤ 0.05) PIs of scratching and interaction related measurements compared to the FIS-treated scratcher. Scratchers in an upright form covered with cardboard or rope may be suitable for adult household cats and the application of CN or SV can be helpful in increasing the use of scratchers.
A Scalable FPGA Engine for Parallel Acceleration of Singular Value Decomposition

Singular value decomposition (SVD) is a fundamental computational kernel and tool wildly used in data analytics such as least squares regression, principle components analysis (PCA), and pattern recognition. While a number of dedicated hardware processors have been proposed to accelerate the computationally intensive SVD computation, these designs suffer from poor flexibly and scalability, and/or lack full consideration of compute and data movement challenges associated with SVD. This paper presents a scalable parallel SVD FPGA engine based on the Hestenes-Jacobi method. We propose a so-called Maximum Data Sharing (MDS) ordering, which maximizes on-chip data reuse, and significantly reduces the expensive off-chip data movements and bandwidth requirement. Our SVD engine can flexibly decompose rectangular matrices with variable sizes and speed up SVD computation by $80\mathrm{X}$ to $300\mathrm{X}$ when compared with software SVD solvers such as the Eigen package running on high-performance CPUs. It can process much larger matrices than the previously reported FPGA designs.
Clinically-relevant tracheostomy prediction model in neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia via respiratory MRI

Background: There are few prognostic indicators of need for tracheostomy in preterm infants with chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, BPD). Aims: To develop a clinically-useful tracheostomy prediction model in neonatal BPD using quantitative biomarkers from respiratory MRI. Methods: Infants with and without BPD (N=61) underwent 3D lung and airway MRI (0.7 mm3) near term-age. Lung disease scores (0-14 points) were used to create a binomial logistic regression model (⅔*N) to determine likelihood of tracheostomy (yes/no tracheostomy outcome assigned by 75% probability threshold), with validation in a separate cohort (⅓*N). A sub-cohort model also included MRI-quantified tracheomalacia severity (n=36). Results: The model correctly classified 95% of the validation cohort. The full-cohort model had 89% accuracy, 100% positive predictive value, and 85% negative predictive value. The lung+airway model values were 83%, 92%, and 78%, respectively. Conclusions: Quantitative respiratory MRI can predict need for tracheostomy in neonatal BPD with high sensitivity and accuracy, providing an objective tool for clinical decision-making.
AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFLATIONAND UNEMPLOYMENT ON NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH 1981 - 2017

An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship between Inflation and Unemployment on Nigeria’s Economic Growth between 1981 and 2017. This topic became necessary because in spite of the efforts and policies of various Nigerian governments to boost the economy through public expenditure yet unemployment and inflation are on the high side. Time series data covering the period 1981 - 2017 were gathered from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin and the Federal Bureau of Statistics. The data analysis was estimated using the ordinary least square regression. The model was subjected to Johansen Rank Cointegration technique to explore the long-run relationship between the variables. Augmented Dickey Fuller and Phillips-Peron tests were conducted to examine stationarity (unit root) to ascertain the order of integration of the variables followed by the error correction model (ECM) using general to specific modeling to obtain meaningful results. Our findings indicate that inflation significantly impacted negatively on unemployment in Nigeria, while GDP has a positive and significant effect on unemployment within the period under review. Based on our findings, we make the following recommendations; Government should formulate policy that will aim at discouraging gender discrimination in the labour market since this will provide more opportunities for the females in the labour market participation, government should embark on provision of social amenities in the rural areas so as to reduce the urban –rural drift which have consequences of reducing the rate of unemployment.
A Bayesian Framework for Generation of Fully Synthetic Mixed Datasets

Much of the micro data used for epidemiological studies contain sensitive measurements on real individuals. As a result, such micro data cannot be published out of privacy concerns, rendering any published statistical analyses on them nearly impossible to reproduce. To promote the dissemination of key datasets for analysis without jeopardizing the privacy of individuals, we introduce a cohesive Bayesian framework for the generation of fully synthetic, high dimensional micro datasets of mixed categorical, binary, count, and continuous variables. This process centers around a joint Bayesian model that is simultaneously compatible with all of these data types, enabling the creation of mixed synthetic datasets through posterior predictive sampling. Furthermore, a focal point of epidemiological data analysis is the study of conditional relationships between various exposures and key outcome variables through regression analysis. We design a modified data synthesis strategy to target and preserve these conditional relationships, including both nonlinearities and interactions. The proposed techniques are deployed to create a synthetic version of a confidential dataset containing dozens of health, cognitive, and social measurements on nearly 20,000 North Carolina children.
Improvements in strength and agility measures of functional fitness following a telehealth-delivered home-based exercise intervention in endometrial cancer survivors.

Endometrial cancer is strongly linked to obesity and inactivity; however, increased physical activity has important benefits even in the absence of weight loss. Resistance (strength) training can deliver these benefits; yet few women participate in resistance exercise. The purpose of this study was to describe both physiological and functional changes following a home-based strength training intervention. Forty post-treatment endometrial cancer survivors within 5 years of diagnosis were enrolled in a pilot randomized trial, comparing twice-weekly home-based strength exercise to wait list control. Participants conducted the exercises twice per week for 10 supervised weeks with 5 weeks of follow-up. Measures included DXA-measured lean mass, functional fitness assessments, blood biomarkers, and quality of life outcomes. On average, participants were 60.9 years old (SD = 8.7) with BMI of 39.9 kg/m2 (SD = 15.2). At baseline, participants had 51.2% (SD = 6.0) body fat, which was not different between groups. Improvements were seen in the 30-s chair sit to stand (d = .99), the 30-s arm curl (d = .91), and the 8-ft up-and-go test (d = .63). No changes were measured for HbA1c or C-reactive protein. No changes were observed for flexibility (chair sit and reach, back scratch tests), 6-min walk test, maximum handgrip test, anxiety, depression, fatigue, or self-efficacy for exercise. Home-based muscle-strengthening exercise led to favorable and clinically relevant improvements in 3 of 7 physical function assessments. Physical function, body composition, blood biomarkers, and patient-reported outcomes were feasible to measure. These fitness improvements were observed over a relatively short time frame of 10 weeks.
Miniature GPS Tags Provide High Resolution Location Data for a Small-Bodied Threatened Shorebird

Understanding space use by endangered species is important for conserving their populations, especially in locations that have a great degree of human activity. Transmitters that provide high spatial resolution have only recently become available for small-bodied animals and show promise for providing new information on habitat use. However, as with any new technology it is important to assess adverse effects on study species. We tested the efficacy of using 1.1-g miniaturized GPS units to document the breeding and post-breeding movements of adult Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) from the federally threatened Atlantic Coast population. We also assessed the potential impact of these miniaturized GPS units on nest survival, chick survival, and apparent adult survival rates. We found that Piping Plover movements to and from nesting areas were related to tidal stage, we documented Piping Plovers to be using previously undocumented foraging areas during the breeding season, and we obtained fine resolution habitat use data for two birds on their wintering areas in the Bahamas. The attachment of a GPS tag had no effect on apparent weekly survival of adults, and we found no differences in daily nest survival and chick survival rates between pairs with GPS tags and controls. GPS tags did not appear to adversely impact Piping Plovers during the breeding season, yet lower return rates of GPS tagged birds than controls might suggest potential negative effects on survival. While GPS tags offer a valuable tool to evaluate habitat use of this threatened species on the breeding grounds, long-term tracking needs further investigation.
Fascism and resistance in Italian cinema: history, memory and identity after 1968: by Dominic H. Gavin, Leicester, UK, Troubadour Publishing Ltd, 2020, 233 pp., $16.95 (soft cover), ISBN: 9781789015744

Dominic H. Gavin’s Fascism and Resistance in Italian Cinema: History, Memory and Identity after 1968 reminds the reader that ‘Italian cinema is one of the country’s postwar success stories; the mem...
The Gender and Consumer Culture Reader by Jennifer Scanlon (ed.). New York and London: New York University Press, 2000. 397 pp

(2002). The Gender and Consumer Culture Reader by Jennifer Scanlon (ed.). New York and London: New York University Press, 2000. 397 pp. American Journalism: Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 118-119.