cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INTRAVITREAL HUMAN IMMUNE GLOBULIN IN A RABBIT MODEL OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS TOXIN-MEDIATED ENDOPHTHALMITIS: A POTENTIAL ADJUNCT IN THE TREATMENT OF ENDOPHTHALMITIS

Objectives: To test the feasibility of human immune globulin (IG, Gamimune N, 10%) as a new treatment for endophthalmitis, the ocular tolerance, distribution, and ability of intravitreal IG to attenuate the toxic effects of Staphyloccocus aureus culture supernatant were evaluated in a rabbit model. Methods: Effects of intravitreally injected IG were assessed histologically and with Western blot analysis performed 1 to 5 days after injection. IG reactivity to products of S aureus strain RN4220 was tested by Western blotting, using known toxins (beta hemolysin and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1) and a concentrated culture supernatant containing S aureus exotoxins (pooled toxin, PT). Endophthalmitis was induced by intravitreal PT injection. For treatment, IG and PT were mixed and injected simultaneously, or IG was injected immediately after, or 6 hours after, PT injection. PT toxicity was graded clinically and histologically over 9 days. Results: IG persisted intravitreally at least 5 days, inducing no clinical inflammation and minimal mononuclear cell infiltration. In the endophthalmitis model, toxicity from PT was significantly reduced when IG was mixed with PT and injected simultaneously, or when IG was delivered immediately after PT. Only minimal clinically detectable reductions were observed when IG delivery was delayed 6 hours. Conclusions: Intravitreal IG is well tolerated in the rabbit eye and attenuates the toxicity of culture supernatant containing S aureus exotoxins. Because toxin elaboration likely occurs gradually in true infection, reduced effects observed with delayed treatment in this toxin-injected model do not preclude clinical application. IG may represent a novel adjunct in endophthalmitis treatment.
Discordant CD34+ cell results in peripheral blood and hematopoietic progenitor cell-apheresis product: implications for clinical decisions and impact on patient treatment.

Case Report A 50-year-old male with T-cell lymphoma presented for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. After granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilization, his peripheral blood CD34+ cell count was 166 × 106/L on the day before collection, which predicted a high yield of CD34+ cells in the apheresis product. The first two collections had yields much lower than expected, triggering an investigation and changes to the apheresis collection methods since mobilization appeared adequate from the peripheral CD34+ values. Results Changes to the apheresis collection variables and instrumentation did not improve the yields in the next three collections. The laboratory investigation demonstrated that there was an interfering substance in the patient's plasma that was causing falsely high peripheral blood CD34+ cell values and that the low CD34+ cell yields in the collections were consistent with the actual peripheral blood CD34+ cell value. Based on this finding and after discussion with the clinical service, the patient then received plerixafor to increase the number of circulating CD34+ cells before Collections 6 and 7. The patient went on to achieve the target CD34+ cell dose and subsequently underwent a successful autologous transplant with full hematopoietic engraftment. Conclusion This case demonstrates the importance of timely and critical review of laboratory results in the context of the specific patient. This case exemplifies how diligent review of laboratory results and open communication among the various teams can positively affect patient outcomes.
Rheological characterization of cellular blood in shear.

A hybrid lattice-Boltzmann spectrin-link (LB–SL) method is used to simulate dense suspensions of red blood cells (RBCs) for investigating rheological properties of blood. RBC membranes are modelled using a coarse-grained SL method and are filled with a viscous Newtonian fluid solution with viscosity five times that of the suspending fluid. Relative viscosities, normal stress differences, and particle pressures are reported for a range of capillary numbers at a physiologically realistic haematocrit value of approximately 42.5 %. Viscosity shear thinning is demonstrated for shear rates ranging from 14 to 440 s−1 and is shown to be affected by the orientation and bending modulus of RBCs. The particle-phase pressure undergoes a change in sign from positive to negative as the shear rate is increased. The particle-phase normal stress tensor values show that there is a transition from compressive to tensile states in the flow direction as the shear rate is increased. The normal stress differences are notably different from those recently reported for deformable capsule suspensions using a similar methodology, which suggests that the bending stiffness and the biconcave shape of RBCs affect the rheology of blood.
Mesial temporal spikes: a simultaneous comparison of sphenoidal, nasopharyngeal, and ear electrodes

A prospective study was performed to compare the relative ability of sphenoidal (SP), nasopharyngeal (NP), and ear electrodes for detecting mesial temporal lobe epileptiform discharges. Forty-four EEGs were performed on patients with complex partial seizures, simultaneously recording from NP, SP, and ear electrodes. Spikes were noted in SP derivations in 25 records, in ear derivations in 23 records, and in NP derivations in 20 records. A total of 875 spikes were counted, SP showing 99%, NP 57%, and ear 54% of discharges, with greatest amplitudes generally seen in SP derivations. The Mann-Whitney rank sum test showed SP electrodes superior to both NP and ear electrodes (p less than 0.0001) and no significant differences between NP and ear electrodes. We conclude that SP electrodes are superior to both NP and ear electrodes in detecting mesial temporal spikes.
Self-consistent phonon studies of a model diatomic ferroelectric

Abstract A model of a diatomic crystal loosely patterned on tin telluride is developed. The crystal has the sodium chloride structure at high temperatures, but displays a soft-mode instability as the temperature is lowered. The lattice dynamics of the model is treated in the self-consistent phonon approximation. The free energy is found to show the behaviour characteristic of a second-order phase transition, but the temperature of the transition is not the same as the temperature at which the frequency of the soft mode becomes zero. Additional contributions to the anharmonic frequency shift, the bubble diagrams, are shown to shift the frequency of the soft mode so that it does go to zero at the transition temperature.
Erythrocyte Copper Chaperone for Superoxide Dismutase Is Increased following Marginal Copper Deficiency in Adult and Postweanling Mice

A sensitive and reliable biomarker has yet to be identified for marginal copper deficiency in humans. The need for such a biomarker is critical, because increased cases of human copper deficiency evolve following bariatric surgery and other secondary factors besides diet. Four experiments were devised to induce marginal copper deficiency through copperdeficient (CuD) diets (5 wk for mice and 4 wk for rats). In Expt. 1 and 2, male postweanling mice were raised in either solidbottom plastic cages (Expt. 1) or stainless steel hanging cages (Expt. 2) and compared. Postweanling rats (Expt. 3) and adult mice (Expt. 4) were also studied using stainless steel cages. Copper-adequate controls were fed a semipurified diet containing 9 mg Cu/kg. CuD rats exhibited the most severe changes in biomarkers due to copper limitation, including major reductions in plasma ceruloplasmin (Cp) and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (Sod1) and augmentation in copper chaperone for Sod1 (CCS). The CuD mice in Expt. 2 were more deficient than the CuD mice in Expt. 1, likely due to coprophagia differences. In fact, the CuD mice in Expt. 1 had unaltered Sod1 or Cp levels. Importantly though, these marginally deficient mice and CuD adult mice that had no changes in Cp activity or liver copper level had robust augmentation of CCS. Erythrocyte CCS was the only consistent biomarker to change in copper deficiency for all dietary groups, suggesting that CCS may be an excellent biomarker for human confirmation of marginal copper deficiency. J. Nutr. doi: 10.3945/jn.111.150755.
Towards a criminology of crimes against humanity

Criminology has largely ignored the study of crimes against humanity even though the acts involved—genocide, murder, rape, torture, the appropriation or destruction of property and the displacement and enslavement of populations—are criminal under national and international law and more serious than most crimes commonly studied by criminologists. We examine why criminology has neglected these crimes, argue that criminological theorizing will benefit by attending to this substantive area and put forward a theory of crimes against humanity derived from and expanding on existing criminological theory both to offer a basis for new theoretical and empirical work and to illustrate how criminological theories might be modified to provide more powerful accounts of crime. The article draws on a case example of genocidal mass-murder: Jedwabne, Poland, July 1941.
Hepatitis B Markers in United States Drug Addicts with Special Emphasis on the Delta Hepatitis Virus

Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis delta virus co-infection in drug addicts has been well described in Europe, the latter agent appearing to have been introduced there in the mid-1970's. Currently, similar data are scanty among United States addicts. We therefore reevaluated 99 drug addicts from three different geographic locations in the United States who had participated in a Veterans Administration Cooperative Study between 1972 and 1975. Almost all were asymptomatic, and all had been subjected to liver biopsy because of prolonged aminotransferase abnormalities. Stored sera were tested for antibody to hepatitis delta antigen (anti-HD) by radioimmunoassay and available liver biopsies examined for hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg) by immunofluorescence. Overall, 19.2% were HBsAg positive, 9.1% HBeAg positive, 90% anti-HBc positive and 10.1%, positive for anti-HD. Anti-HD was identified in 42.1% of addicts who were HBsAg positive and in 3.3% who were anti-HBs positive. No correlation was found between HBeAg and anti-HD, but anti-HD was present significantly more frequently in those with chronic active hepatitis than in those with chronic persistent hepatitis. We conclude that hepatitis delta virus infection is common in HBsAg-positive drug addicts in the United States dating back to at least 1972 and probably earlier.
An Approach to the Analysis of Faculty-Student Interactions in Small Groups

The adolescent's experience in groups and institutions is determined in important ways by the nature of the authority in these settings. To study adolescent relationships with those in authority positions we have used methods of participant observation in small groups. In two different settings we served as consultants for regularly meeting groups of adolescents and adults. On an adolescent psychiatric ward, these groups included patients, the ward administrator, and the head nurse. In a comparison setting from a private day school the groups comprised students, a school administrator, and a teacher. In this paper we report findings from the school study, where one of us (STH) met as a consultant with three groups over a total of 1/2 years. The observations we discuss primarily concern the various coping strategies used by the groups'faculty members. Attempts to abandon school role behaviors were common among the faculty members of the groups. Our observations suggest that these repeated efforts to either...
Distributed formation control with permutation symmetries

In distributed control applications such as coverage or consensus by multiple mobile agents, a great new challenge is the development of motion algorithms that dynamically determine the positions of the agents in the formation using only local information. In this paper, we address this challenge using two novel ideas. First, we represent a formation as a rotational and translational invariant configuration in the free space and employ distributed consensus algorithms to guarantee that all agents agree on the rotation and translation of the final formation configuration. Second, local market-based coordination protocols dynamically determine a permutation of the agents in the formation, while artificial potential fields are used to drive the group of agents to the desired formation. Integration of the overall system results in a distributed, multi- agent, hybrid system which, under a connectivity assumption on the underlying communication network, is shown to always converge to the desired formation. Furthermore, the number of explored permutations is at most polynomial with the number of agents, while scalability of our approach is illustrated by nontrivial computer simulations.
Statistics in Infection and Immunity Revisited

In 2003, a review of the use of statistics in Infection and Immunity (IAI) found that more than half of articles had errors of statistical analysis or reporting of statistical results. This updated review of recent articles identifies and discusses the most common statistical methods reported in IAI and provides examples of both good reporting and common mistakes. Furthermore, it expands on the criteria for statistical analysis and reporting presented in the IAI "Instructions to Authors," with the goal of helping both readers and authors better understand and apply the criteria.
The Social Construction of Religion and Its Limits: A Critical Reading of Timothy Fitzgerald

Several theorists argue that the concept of “religion” is not a cultural universal but rather emerged under particular historical and political conditions in the modern post-Reformation west. “Religion,” they say, is a social construction. What are the implications of this view of the ontology of religion? My aim in this paper is to critically engage the arguments of Timothy Fitzgerald—a social constructionist about religion who combines, in my judgment, insight and confusion on the issue—in order to trace out the values and the limits of this approach.
Binocular Correlation Detection with Oriented Dynamic Random-line Stereograms

Stereopsis relies principally on the extraction of horizontal retinal disparities. As such, we assume that the vertical contours (i.e., horizontal contrast energy) are of principle import for stereopsis. Yet there are theoretical reasons for believing that horizontal contours should be involved in binocular matching (if not stereopsis proper) as well. First, they would facilitate the computation of vertical disparities, which are necessary for the control alfdisjunctive eye movements and perhaps the computation of absolute depth. Second, the process of binocular matching is a two-dimensional one; its solution requires information along both principle orientations. In this study, we have measured the efficacy with which horizontal or vertical contours can be binocularly matched by measuring thresholds for the detection of interocular correlation for oriented dynamic random-line stereograms. We find that the slopes of the psychometric functions are almost a factor of two steeper when matching vertical contours, indicating a narrower noise distribution along the decision axis associated with these stimuli. Copyright @ 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd. Stereopsis Orientation Binocular Disparity
Archaeal JAB1/MPN/MOV34 metalloenzyme (HvJAMM1) cleaves ubiquitin-like small archaeal modifier proteins (SAMPs) from protein-conjugates

Proteins with JAB1/MPN/MOV34 metalloenzyme (JAMM/MPN+) domains are widespread among all domains of life, yet poorly understood. Here we report the purification and characterization of an archaeal JAMM/MPN+ domain protein (HvJAMM1) from Haloferax volcanii that cleaves ubiquitin-like small archaeal modifier proteins (SAMP1/2) from protein conjugates. HvJAMM1 cleaved SAMP1/2 conjugates generated in H. volcanii as well as isopeptide- and linear-linked SAMP1-MoaE in purified form. Cleavage of linear linked SAMP1-MoaE was dependent on the presence of the SAMP domain and the C-terminal VSGG motif of this domain. While HvJAMM1 was inhibited by size exclusion chromatography and metal chelators, its activity could be restored by addition of excess ZnCl2 . HvJAMM1 residues (Glu31, His88, His90, Ser98 and Asp101) that were conserved with the JAMM/MPN+ active-site motif were required for enzyme activity. Together, these results provide the first example of a JAMM/MPN+ zinc metalloprotease that independently catalyses the cleavage of ubiquitin-like (isopeptide and linear) bonds from target proteins. In archaea, HvJAMM1 likely regulates sampylation and the pools of 'free' SAMP available for protein modification. HvJAMM1-type proteins are thought to release the SAMPs from proteins modified post-translationally as well as those synthesized as domain fusions.
Total Factor Productivity

Total factor productivity (TFP) is the portion of output not explained by the amount of inputs used in production. As such, its level is determined by how efficiently and intensely the inputs are utilized in production.
Fortuity and the Article III 'Case': A Critique of Fletcher's 'The Structure of Standing'

Professor Pushaw critically evaluates William Fletcher’s classic article “The Structure of Standing.” Pushaw argues that Article III's text, drafting and ratification history, and early implementation -- materials that Professor Fletcher explicitly declined to consider -- reveal a basic and universally applicable standing principle. Standing should hinge on whether the plaintiff is presenting a true Article III “Case,” which requires a showing that her federal legal rights have been invaded fortuitously (i.e., involuntarily as a result of a chance occurrence) so that she can legitimately seek a judicial declaration of the law. Restricting federal courts to their Article III role of expounding federal law only as needed to exercise their “judicial Power” to decide genuine “Cases” helps implement the Constitution's system of separation of powers. Pushaw’s theory that only “accidental” plaintiffs have standing to bring “Cases” leads him to modify Professor Fletcher's approach in two key ways. First, whereas Fletcher contended that Congress has plenary power to confer standing to vindicate statutory rights, Pushaw would accord such legislative judgments only a strong presumption of constitutionality -- but one that can be overcome in certain circumstances where blind judicial deference threatens separation of powers. Second, Pushaw agrees with Fletcher that particular constitutional clauses implicitly suggest who can enforce them and that Congress cannot grant standing more generously. Pushaw would add, however, that plaintiffs who bring “Cases” arising under the Constitution must demonstrate that their constitutional rights have been violated by happenstance events beyond their control. Part I of the article describes modern standing law and identifies its serious flaws. Part II discusses Professor Fletcher's proposed solution to these problems. Part III evaluates his thesis in light of the intervening twenty-five years of standing cases and scholarship. Part IV sets forth Pushaw’s “accidental plaintiff” theory of standing as a more practical and historically grounded alternative.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα)-induced Ceramide Generation via Ceramide Synthases Regulates Loss of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and Programmed Cell Death

Ceramide synthases (CerS1–CerS6), which catalyze the N-acylation of the (dihydro)sphingosine backbone to produce (dihydro)ceramide in both the de novo and the salvage or recycling pathway of ceramide generation, have been implicated in the control of programmed cell death. However, the regulation of the de novo pathway compared with the salvage pathway is not fully understood. In the current study, we have found that late accumulation of multiple ceramide and dihydroceramide species in MCF-7 cells treated with TNFα occurred by up-regulation of both pathways of ceramide synthesis. Nevertheless, fumonisin B1 but not myriocin was able to protect from TNFα-induced cell death, suggesting that ceramide synthase activity is crucial for the progression of cell death and that the pool of ceramide involved derives from the salvage pathway rather than de novo biosynthesis. Furthermore, compared with control cells, TNFα-treated cells exhibited reduced focal adhesion kinase and subsequent plasma membrane permeabilization, which was blocked exclusively by fumonisin B1. In addition, exogenously added C6-ceramide mimicked the effects of TNFα that lead to cell death, which were inhibited by fumonisin B1. Knockdown of individual ceramide synthases identified CerS6 and its product C16-ceramide as the ceramide synthase isoform essential for the regulation of cell death. In summary, our data suggest a novel role for CerS6/C16-ceramide as an upstream effector of the loss of focal adhesion protein and plasma membrane permeabilization, via the activation of caspase-7, and identify the salvage pathway as the critical mechanism of ceramide generation that controls cell death.
The effects of genetic selection for survivability and productivity on chicken physiological homeostasis

Genetic selection is an important breeding tool that can be used for improving animal's coping capability to modern production environments or for increasing economic benefits. However, over the past five decades, commercial breeding programmes have primarily concentrated on traits directly related to productivity. As a result those breeding programmes ignore traits that may impact animal welfare. To address this issue, a selection programme termed “group selection” developed. This method takes into account competitive interactions by emphasizing performance of the group, rather than the individual. Results from the current studies have showed that chickens'productivity and well-being can be improved the same time. We further demonstrated an association between the selected survivability and productivity and its respective physiological characteristics. These findings indicate that group selection altered the chickens' physiological homeostasis which is reflected in the line's unique coping ability with intensified domestic environments. These changes in physiological homeostasis provide an opportunity gain new insights for the development of interventions aimed at ameliorating the adverse impacts of the intensified poultry industry.
International Law & the 'Race-Ed' Colonial Encounter

This essay argues that Critical Race Theory furnishes a productive framework for the study of international law. The interface of Critical Race Theory and international law brings into sharp relief the foundational role of colonialism in the formation and consolidation of modern international law.
Climate Change Leadership as Sustainability Leadership: From the C-Suite to the Conference of the Parties

Corporate leaders are increasingly called to enact roles as climate change leaders because of escalating risks to production and operations from man-made climate change. An examination of corporate leaders’ roles within a United Nations Global Compact initiative, Carbon Pricing Champions, shows that three core practices were critical in advancing climate change leadership efforts: securing and maintaining top leader support, embedding the work within the organizational culture, and collaborating with like-minded companies.
Prenatal stress and childhood asthma risk: taking a broader view.

We now know that asthma risk begins in utero during rapid lung morphogenesis, when the developing fetus is particularly vulnerable to toxic insults due to immature immune, neuroendocrine and antioxidant defences. A meta-analysis published in a recent issue of the European Respiratory Journal (ERJ) [1] builds on substantial evidence highlighting psychological stress as a critical toxic exposure that, starting in utero, can permanently alter interrelated systems ( i.e. immune, autonomic, neuroendocrine and oxidation systems) believed to programme lung growth and consequent respiratory disorders, including asthma [2]. Cumulative evidence confirms stress in pregnancy is a critical prenatal risk for childhood asthma
Computational Tools to Improve Visualization by Cryo-Electron Tomography

Cryo-electron tomography (CryoET) can directly visualize frozen, hydrated macromolecules inside cells without staining artifacts or fluorescent tags at nanometer resolution. However, imaging tilted specimens is limited to ±60° tilt, causing a “missing wedge” of data that induces smearing artifacts in tomograms. Furthermore, each image is subject to a defocusing artifact known as the contrast transfer function (CTF) of the electron microscope. Lastly, high noise and low contrast make feature identification difficult and error prone. Although contrast is typically improved by denoising (filtering), the tomographic reconstruction process introduces additional artifacts that can be accentuated when filters are applied to tomograms in 3-D.We developed tools for CTF correction in cryoET tiltseries and to fill in the missing wedge. We implemented them in EMAN2, a widely used software package for cryo elctron microscopy data processing. Using our first too, we applied CTF correction on cryoET tiltseries of viral particles of known structure recorded with a direct electron detector (DE20). Images collected in “movie-mode” were first corrected for drift. We achieve a resolution improvement from ∼25A to ∼13A. Our second tool “fills in” the missing wedge with reprojections of tomographic data from angular directions not accessible experimentally in the electron microscope. Results on viral particle data show decreased missing wedge artifacts (smearing). We also applied pre-reconstruction denoising filters directly to 2-D images in tiltseries, which improved the accuracy of automated particle picking (measured against manual particle picking, considered ground truth).Lastly, we applied pre-reconstruction denoising filters to tiltseries of mammalian cells to minimize artifacts and enhance the reliability of feature identification. For example, in platelets, microtubules and the cell membrane become clearer with pre-filtration, compared to the standard post-reconstruction filtering approach, and mitochondria become more easily distinguishable from granules.
Lower Patient Ratings of Physician Communication Are Associated With Unmet Need for Symptom Management in Patients With Lung and Colorectal Cancer

Purpose:Little is known about factors associated with unmet needs for symptom management in patients with cancer.Methods:Patients with a new diagnosis of lung and colorectal cancer from the diverse nationally representative Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance cohort completed a survey approximately 5 months after diagnosis (N = 5,422). We estimated the prevalence of unmet need for symptom management, defined as patients who report that they wanted help for at least one common symptom (pain, fatigue, depression, nausea/vomiting, cough, dyspnea, diarrhea) during the 4 weeks before the survey but did not receive it. We identified patient factors associated with unmet need by using logistic regression with random effects to account for clustering within study sites.Results:Overall, 15% (791 of 5,422) of patients had at least one unmet need for symptom management. Adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors, African American race, being uninsured or poor, having early-stage lung cancer, and ...
Graphic Organizers: Increasing the Achievement of Life Science Students

(1986). “Graphic Organizers: Increasing the Achievement of Life Science Students”. Middle School Research Selected Studies: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 16-23.
Tradition and Authority Vindicated

Tradition and authority, Siamese twins in the history of political theory, refer to basic political phenomena; for there never was a political order or community without both. Our exposition has, I hope, made this clear and has shown that political authority is not something beyond or against reason. It cannot be appropriately treated as the opposite of the rational and the legal as the great Max Weber, whom many have followed since, did. For all authority is grounded in the capacity for reasoned elaboration, and legal authority especially so. When lawyers argue, when judges explain their decisions, when legislators debate statutes to be made, they invariably invoke the authority of earlier legal decisions, of courts, of legislators and of other governmental ‘authorities’. Such decisions, the laws and ordinances and constitutions, are generally taken to be authoritative in the sense that they are based upon sound reasoning capable of extensive elaboration, should the need for it arise. Indeed, no legal reasoning has ever been able to dispense with such authority. That authority is in turn embedded in tradition. The greater the tradition the more authoritative the reasoning based upon it. The American Constitution, Magna Carta, the Corpus Juris Civilis, the Code Civil—they all owe their authority to their being embodiments of a political tradition.
The Origin of Mind

To this point, I have examined the distortions produced by conceiving of reason in modern terms. I have argued that in a so-called Age of Equality only some humans count as persons having equal worth. I have considered how post-Cartesian attacks on modern epistemologies undermine key pillars of support for formulations of race. What I have yet to do is determine, in the wake of modernism’s crumbling foundations, how we retain the normative force of moral terms like ‘justice’ while eliminating unsavory biases concerning who is deserving of justice. As I have discussed, one avenue for redress comes via mainstream criticisms of Cartesianism which challenge introspection, isolation, and representationalism and which challenge the idea that reason can be self-justifying. These objections entail an expansion of reason beyond logical methodologies for they insist that our concept of reason emphasizes embeddedness in a material and social world. While this allows us to recognize the importance and ineliminability of bias, it also weakens the normative force of moral concepts. In particular, the turning of attention outward allows for greater possibilities for diversity, but it also allows for greater possibilities for cultural relativism. Reason may no longer be wedded to internal procedures that are detached from the surrounding world, but it is also no longer wedded to pretensions of a God’s eye perspective, which in the past offered some hope of objectivity. Even though these anti-Cartesian alternatives do provide a pathway to a new understanding of reason, they do not solve every difficulty. More to the point, we may be stuck with perspectivalism, but if we want substantive moral concepts, we must be capable of defending them in ways that transcend our own particular biases.
Relevance of Pathological Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and the different biological subtypes have different prognostic impacts. Neoadjuvant trials have recently become popular as they offer several advantages compared to traditional adjuvant trials. Studies have shown that patients who achieve pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant treatment have a better long-term outcome. Consequently, increasing the rate of pCR became the end point of neoadjuvant trials with the expectation of translation into improved survival. However, the definition of pCR has lacked uniformity, and the prognostic impact of achievement of pCR on survival in different breast cancer subtypes is uncertain. In this review, we present the controversies associated with the use of pCR as an end point in neoadjuvant trials.
Specifying Influences that Mediate Trust in Human-Robot Interaction

In this work we investigate the effects of robot appearance and reliability on a user’s trust levels through an experiment where participants reacted to three different robot forms that either behaved reliably or unreliably during a series of experimental trials. A final trial was implemented to evaluate use choice by allowing participants to choose their preferred robot and complete an additional trial with that robot. Results from this pilot experimentation indicated differences based on the reliability of the robot, as well as whether the participant chose to interact with the robot.
Using The Mirror Story to Understand Self

Research indicates self-esteem reflects many factors in a person’s life, such as relationships with parents or parent figures, attachment types, experiences of worth enhancement, ethnicity, generat...
Defining the Complexity of the Junctional Membrane Complex

Each heart beat in every cardiac myocyte begins with the surface membrane depolarization during an action potential that opens L-type Ca2+ channels and allows the influx of a small amount of extracellular Ca2+ that triggers a larger release of Ca2+ from the intracellular store, the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), through ryanodine receptors (RyR2).1,2 This process, known as Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release, is the primary mechanism underlying excitation–contraction coupling in the heart. Cardiac myocytes are relatively large cells, and efficient cardiac function requires not only the rapid sequential activation of contraction between cells but also the simultaneous activation of the contractile apparatus within each cell. To accomplish this, adult cardiac myocytes localize L-type Ca2+ channels in deep membrane invaginations known as transverse tubules (T-tubules), located along the Z-lines adjacent to the SR Ca2+ release channels in highly ordered structures known as dyads. The potential importance of these organized junctional membrane complexes has been defined during the last decade using in situ imaging techniques that show their loss in pathological conditions, including myocardial infarction and heart failure.3 Article, see p 110 …
Phase II study of temsirolimus and erlotinib in patients (pts) with recurrent/metastatic (R/M), platinum-refractory head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

5549 Background: The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is a validated target in HNSCC. In R/M disease, primary or acquired resistance to anti-EGFR therapy inevitably occurs. Downstream activa...
Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences. By John Allen Paulos

(1990). Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences. By John Allen Paulos. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 97, No. 1, pp. 88-91.
Biochemical responses of the desiccation-tolerant resurrection fern Pleopeltis polypodioides to dehydration and rehydration.

Abstract The epiphytic fern Pleopeltis polypodioides can tolerate repeated drying and rehydration events without conspicuous damage. To understand the biochemical principles of drought-tolerance, we analyzed the effect of dehydration and rehydration at 25 °C on hydroperoxide and lipid hydroperoxide, the activities of antioxidative (catalase and glutathione-oxidizing) enzymes and evaluated changes in fatty acid composition and saturation levels. Dehydration increased peroxide concentration and the activity of glutathione oxidases, but reduced catalase activity. During dehydration, the biosynthesis of palmitic (C16:0), linoleic (C18:2), linolenic (C18:3) and stearic acid (C18:0) increased 18, 12, 20, and 8-fold, respectively. In contrast, rehydration lowered levels of peroxides, the activity of glutathione-oxidizing enzymes, and fatty acids but increased catalase activity. The coordinated changes during de- and rehydration suggest that lipids and oxidative and antioxidative enzymes are components of the drought-resistance system.
Effects of the September 2005 Solar Flares and Solar Proton Events on the Middle Atmosphere in WACCM

This work investigates middle atmosphere effects of the September 2005 solar flares and solar proton events (SPEs). X‐17 and X‐6.2 flares occurred on 7 and 9 September, respectively, while two moderate SPEs occurred on 10 and 15 September. Flare ionization and dissociation were calculated in the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) using the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model. Proton measurements from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system were used to compute solar proton ionization. SPEs are shown to have a larger impact than solar flares on the polar stratosphere and mesosphere; however, flares have a larger influence on the sunlit and equatorial lower thermosphere. The two flares differed significantly with respect to photon spectrum. The larger, X‐17 flare was stronger during the impulsive phase, while the X‐6.2 flare was stronger during the gradual phase. This resulted in the X‐17 flare causing more initial ionization but for a shorter duration. The simulated flare impacts also differed because specific wavelengths of the flares influenced the atmosphere above the model top. Model‐measurement comparisons show that WACCM captures the overall timing and spatial distribution of the observed electron enhancements, indicating a reasonable simulation of flare and SPE‐induced ionization. Both the SPEs and flares caused odd nitrogen increases in the mesosphere. Odd hydrogen produced in the lower mesosphere by the SPEs led to short‐lived ozone decreases of nearly 100%. The flares caused small temperature increases in the lower thermosphere but had no effect on the stratosphere.
Systematics of the temperature-dependent interplane resistivity in Ba(Fe 1-x M x ) 2 As 2 (M=Co, Rh, Ni, and Pd)

Temperature-dependent interplane resistivity ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{c}(T)$ was measured systematically as a function of transition-metal substitution in the iron-arsenide superconductors Ba(Fe${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$$M$${}_{x}$)${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$, $M=\text{Ni}$, Pd, Rh. The data are compared with the behavior found in Ba(Fe${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Co${}_{x}$)${}_{2}$As${}_{2}$, revealing resistive signatures of pseudogap. In all compounds we find resistivity crossover at a characteristic pseudogap temperature ${T}^{*}$ from nonmetallic to metallic temperature dependence on cooling. Suppression of ${T}^{*}$ proceeds very similarly in cases of Ni and Pd doping and much faster than in similar cases of Co and Rh doping. In cases of Co and Rh doping an additional minimum in the temperature-dependent ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{c}$ emerges for high dopings, when superconductivity is completely suppressed. These features are consistent with the existence of a charge gap covering part of the Fermi surface. The part of the Fermi surface affected by this gap is notably larger for Ni- and Pd-doped compositions than in Co- and Rh-doped compounds.
Development of Higher Brain Functions in Children

Higher cortical functions in children proceed through defined stages of development. Significant limitations in our knowledge exist as to the processes involved in the normal developing human brain with respect to neurophysiological, neuro-chemical, neuroanatomical, metabolic, and other related neuroscience disciplines. Attempts have been made to correlate anatomical and behavioral data in a direct manner, leading to a surfeit of postulations in the literature against a shortage of supporting data for known brain—behavior relationships in children (Taylor, Fletcher, & Satz, 1984). Much emphasis tends to be placed on proposed neural mechanisms and theories accounting for changes regarding development of the human central nervous system (CNS) versus description of changes taking place with respect to normal development of the human brain. Major difficulties exist in drawing fixed conclusions because each human brain is unique with respect to its molecular blueprint, cellular differentiation pattern, acculturation factors, and neural growth patterns (Cooke, 1980; McConnell, 1991).
Bioreducible Poly(Amino Ethers) Based mTOR siRNA Delivery for Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in the United States, but currently available therapies for lung cancer are associated with reduced efficacy and adverse side effects. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can knock down the expression of specific genes and result in therapeutic efficacy in lung cancer. Recently, mTOR siRNA has been shown to induce apoptosis in NSCLC cell lines but its use is limited due to poor stability in biological conditions. In this study, we modified an aminoglyocisde-derived cationic poly (amino-ether) by introducing a thiol group using Traut’s reagent to generate a bio-reducible modified–poly (amino-ether) (mPAE). The mPAE polymer was used to encapsulate mTOR siRNA by nanoprecipitation method, resulting in the formation of stable and bio-reducible nanoparticles (NPs) which possessed an average diameter of 114 nm and a surface charge of approximately +27 mV. The mTOR siRNA showed increased release from the mTS-mPAE NPs in the presence of 10 mM glutathione (GSH). The polymeric mTS-mPAE-NPs were also capable of efficient gene knockdown (60 and 64%) in A549 and H460 lung cancer cells, respectively without significant cytotoxicity at 30 μg/ml concentrations. The NPs also showed time-dependent cellular uptake for up to 24 h as determined using flow cytometry. Delivery of the siRNA using these NPs also resulted in significant inhibition of A549 and H460 cell proliferation in vitro, respectively. The results demonstrate that the mPAE polymer based NPs show strong potential for siRNA delivery to lung cancer cells. It is anticipated that future modification can help improve the efficacy of nucleic acid delivery, leading to higher inhibition of lung cancer growth in vitro and in vivo.
Optimism and Bias When Evaluating a Prosocial Initiative

Objective This study examines how people evaluate prosocial initiatives—in particular, whether they exhibit optimism bias when asked to consider the outcomes of a hypothetical initiative that is described to take place in the nonprofit, business, or government sector. It also assesses the conditions under which optimism bias is malleable. Methods We use a survey with an experimental component to compare subjects’ evaluations of a hypothetical initiative across a set of priming (positive prime, negative prime, no prime) and sector (nonprofit, government, business, social business) conditions. Results We find evidence that optimism bias is widespread, regardless of the sector in question. Subjects are only inclined to alter their assessments when provided with new information that is positive (in contrast to new information that is negative). Conclusion The findings offer qualified support for the blurring hypothesis, suggesting that sector may be losing its status as a defining characteristic of the organizational landscape.
Quality of Outpatient Care With Internal Medicine Residents vs Attending Physicians in Veterans Affairs Primary Care Clinics.

This assessment of common primary care measures from 10 Veterans Affairs clinics from 2014 compares outcomes in patients of resident physicians with patients of attending physicians.
Antithrombin supplementation in adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Introduction:Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and hemorrhage. Acquired antithrombin deficiency often occurs in patients receiving extracorporea...
Community College Librarians and the ACRL Framework : Findings from a National Study

This study explored community college librarians’ engagement with the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education . A national online survey with 1,201 community college librarian respondents reveals limited familiarity with and integration of the Framework into community college instruction to date. Findings indicate an openness to future adoption, as well as substantial interest in targeted professional development and a version of the Framework adapted for community college campuses. These results contribute benchmark instructional data on an understudied section of academic librarianship and add to the growing body of research on how librarians have updated teaching practices in response to the Framework.
Tokens of Interaction: Psychophysiological Signals, a Potential Source of Evidence of Digital Incidents

The human factor is a key component of any computing network just as are other tools and devices within it. At the same time, human emotion is highly responsive to the environment and this manifests in psychophysiological changes even when no physical reaction is observable. Therefore, a digital record of the state of body and mind can to one degree or another reflect the state of other components in a given network while the person is a part of it. Meanwhile, as the digital and physical worlds continue to converge cybersecurity is increasingly a day-to-day concern. Many crimes are now committed, mediated or witnessed through a digital device, and many operational artifacts of computing systems have later proved useful as evidence in digital investigations. Psychophysiological signals though unharnessed in this regard, could be a rich resource—in detecting occurrence, timing and duration of adverse incidents—owing to high human emotional responsiveness to the environment. Further, psychophysiological signals are hard to manipulate and so they are likely to provide a truer reflection of events. This is not only promising for investigations but as a potential feedback channel for monitoring safety and security in digital spaces, independent of human decision-making. This paper proceeds a dissertation study investigating psychophysiological signals for markers of digital incidents. Understanding and harnessing psychophysiological markers of digital incidents can enable designing of safer computing spaces through triggering appropriate controls to adaptively manage threats—such as cyberbullying and insiders threats.
Does historical land inequality attenuate the positive impact of India’s employment guarantee program?

Abstract By providing 100 days of guaranteed employment to every rural household, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) can challenge the hegemony of landed elites as major employers in the Indian countryside. Using the colonial classification of landlord and non-landlord-based land-revenue institutions in India, this paper provides a political economy explanation for regional variation in the labor market impact of NREGA. The extractive landlord-based system led to high inequality in landownership and political domination by a large landlord class. Comparing the labor market impacts of NREGA between the landlord and non-landlord districts in a difference-in-differences and triple-difference framework, we find that the provision of public employment under NREGA and correspondingly, its impact on rural wages is muted in landlord districts. In these districts, public employment under NREGA substitutes for self-farming but has no impact on private wage employment. However, the program is highly successful in raising wages by generating more public employment in non-landlord districts. In these districts, the provision of public employment under NREGA crowds-out labor primarily from unpaid domestic work, reflecting an increase in women’s participation in the program. These findings suggest that NREGA has not become a credible alternative to private employment in regions historically characterized by exclusionary economic and political institutions since large land-owning elites in these regions have managed to keep wages depressed by virtue of their position as major employers in the countryside.
Energy-Efficient Near-Sensor Convolution using Pulsed Unary Processing

Near-sensor convolution engines have many applications in Internet-of-Things. Pulsed unary processing has been recently proposed for high-performance and energy-efficient processing of data using simple digital logic. In this work, we propose a low-cost, high-performance, and energy-efficient near-sensor convolution engine based on pulsed unary processing.
Comparative analyses of alternative breakthrough curves from cumulative mass column testing of soil–bentonite backfills

The results of eight cumulative mass column tests were analyzed via several different methods to evaluate the dispersion coefficient, D, and the retardation factor, Rd, governing the migration of c...