cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparative analysis of survival outcomes between pancreatectomy and chemotherapy for elderly patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

BACKGROUND The survival rates after pancreatectomy for elderly patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas remain poor. Elderly patients have increased perioperative mortality rates, higher morbidity rates, and higher rates of continued inpatient nursing care after pancreatectomy. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the outcomes of surgical resection versus chemotherapy (with or without radiotherapy) for elderly patients with potentially resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. METHODS Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data for 2000 through 2010, the authors examined the relationship between patient characteristics and receipt of surgery using multivariate logistic regression. The patient cohort was restricted to patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage I and stage II disease and Charlson Comorbidity index of ≤2. The association between treatment (surgery or chemotherapy without surgery) and hazard of death was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS The authors identified 2629 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent either surgery (pancreatectomy) or chemotherapy without surgery. Younger patient age and smaller tumor size were found to be significantly associated with receipt of surgery. For the overall cohort, the median survival rate was significantly longer for those patients treated with surgery compared with those who received chemotherapy (15 months vs 10 months). However, the absolute survival benefit attenuated as the cohort became older. CONCLUSIONS The survival benefit associated with surgical resection compared with chemotherapy was very small for certain subgroups of patients (those aged ≥80 years and those with lymph node metastases). The results of the current study indicate that although surgery is associated with a survival benefit in the elderly, chemotherapy should be considered as a legitimate therapeutic alternative. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:3378–3385. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
When a whisper becomes a scream: Tunisian oral culture in Fethia Hechmi's novel Maryam tasqut min yad Allah

ABSTRACTTaking Tunisian author Fethia Hechmi's novel Mariam Falls from the Hands of God (2009) this article demonstrates how writing praxis allows incorporating women's oral culture into a written text, which in turn gives agency to women despite the hegemonic dominance of patriarchy. By offering a literary and cultural analysis of passages in Tunisian dialect, which Hechmi includes in her novel, I demonstrate the relevance of reviving women's collective oral memory that was dissipated in postcolonial Tunisia through the modernist Bourguibist project.
Fundamentals of NOTES

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is becoming more accepted by patients and clinicians alike as new data are published and new clinical trials surface. As these studies emerge we find that there are certain features of NOTES that are common to all types of natural orifice procedures. Among these are that they must include a method of exit from the lumen, procedures for carrying out the intended operation, including methods of obtaining access, retraction, and triangulation, and finally closure of the exit site once the surgery is done. This chapter reviews these fundamentals of NOTES, with emphasis on luminal exit and closure techniques, as these are the foundation of NOTES.
Management of myelofibrosis: JAK inhibition and beyond.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Myelofibrosis (MF) is characterized by bone marrow fibrosis with subsequent extramedullary hematopoiesis and abnormal cytokine expression leading to splenomegaly, constitutional symptoms and cytopenias. The discovery of the JAK2 V617F mutation in the majority of MF patients has been followed by significant progress in drug development for MF.Areas covered: In this article, we review advances in the understanding of the underlying disease biology, prognostic assessment and therapeutic modalities for MF. We provide clinical trial evidence behind using the JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, erythropoiesis stimulating agents, androgens, immunomodulatory drugs, interferon, cytoreductive drugs and hypomethylating agents in MF. Finally, we review novel therapeutic options for MF including the new JAK1/2 inhibitors, ruxolitinib based combination approaches as well as novel therapeutic agents.Expert commentary: Despite significant reduction of splenomegaly and improvement of symptom burden and a sig...
Independent and interactive effects of ambient temperature and absolute humidity on the risks of avian influenza A(H7N9) infection in China

Abstract The emergence of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus poses a pandemic threat to human beings. It was proposed that meteorological factors might be important environmental factors favoring the occurrence of H7N9 infection, but evidence is still inadequate. In this study, we aimed to investigate the independent and interactive effects of ambient temperature (TM) and absolute humidity (AH) on H7N9 infection risks in China. The individual information of all reported H7N9 cases and daily meteorological data in five provinces/municipality (Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Fujian, and Guangdong) in China during 2013–2016 were collected. We employed a case-crossover study design, in which the 7–10 days before the onset date of each H7N9 case was defined as the hazard period, and 4 weeks before the hazard period was taken as the control period. The average levels of meteorological factors were calculated during the hazard and control periods. A Cox regression model was used to estimate the independent and interactive effects of TM and vapor pressure (VP), an indicator of AH, on H7N9 infection risks. A total of 738 H7N9 cases were included in the present study. Significantly nonlinear negative associations of TM and VP with H7N9 infection risks were observed in all cases, and in cases from northern and southern regions. There were significant interactive effects between TM and VP on H7N9 infection risks, and the risks of H7N9 infection were higher in cold-dry days than other days. We further observed different risky windows of H7N9 infection in the northern (TM: 0–18 °C, VP: 3 13 mb) and southern areas (TM: 7–21 °C, VP: 3–17 mb). We concluded that ambient temperature and absolute humidity had significant independent and interactive effects on H7N9 infection risks in China, and the risks of H7N9 infection were higher in cold-dry days. The risky windows of H7N9 infection were different in the northern and southern areas.
From Data to Practice: Increasing Awareness of Opioid Prescribing Data Changes Practice

: We hypothesized that the recent attention to the opioid epidemic, combined with internal dissemination of data on prescribing practices, impacted our institution's opioid prescribing at discharge from elective surgery. We reviewed our recent practice to assess whether this increasing awareness resulted in reductions of opioid prescriptions for patients with acute pain. Data on prescribing for patients undergoing elective surgery between 2016 and early 2017 demonstrated that opioid prescribing practices have improved in the recent era without an observed increase in refill rates. Although additional work is needed to further improve standardization and reduce opioid prescribing, these data suggest that increased awareness may be an important first step in improving opioid prescribing practices.
Graphene–Perovskite Schottky Barrier Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cells have attained incredible power conversion efficiencies but it is still unclear whether photogenerated carriers are free or excitonic in nature. Originally, it is believed that they are exciton-based devices, similar to organic or dye-sensitized solar cells. However, the emergence of efficient planar devices as well as measurements of exciton binding energy in the range of 10–100 meV suggest that they may be free carrier-based. In this work, the free carrier model is confirmed by building graphene/perovskite Schottky barrier solar cells, analogous to conventional metal/semiconductor Schottky barrier solar cells. To address the challenges of building such devices, solution-processing techniques are extensively investigated for depositing perovskite films directly onto graphene in order to obtain an intimate contact between the graphene and perovskite. Interestingly, these graphene/perovskite Schottky barrier devices have reasonably good efficiency—up to 10.6%—and short circuit current densities only slightly lower than control devices. Furthermore, devices with neither a hole transport layer nor an electron transport layers have power conversion efficiencies of up to 6%. These results provide convincing evidence supporting the free carrier model for methylammonium lead iodide perovskites and offer insights on potential alternative designs for perovskite solar cells.
Desirée Henderson, Grief and Genre in American Literature, 1790–1870 (Farnham and Burlington: Ashgate, 2011, $99.95). Pp. 189. isbn 978 1 4094 2086 6.

This is the author's accepted manuscript, post peer-review. The original published version can be found at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0021875812000217
Predicting adverse events, length of stay, and discharge disposition following shoulder arthroplasty: a comparison of the Elixhauser Comorbidity Measure and Charlson Comorbidity Index.

Background Rising health care expenditures and the adoption of bundled-care initiatives require efficient resource allocation for shoulder arthroplasty. To determine a reliable and accessible metric for implementing perioperative care pathways, we compared the accuracy of the Elixhauser Comorbidity Measure (ECM) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) for predicting adverse events and postoperative discharge destination after shoulder arthroplasty. Materials and methods The National Inpatient Sample was queried for patients who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty between 2002 and 2014. Logistic regression models were constructed with basic demographic variables and either the ECM or the CCI to predict inpatient deaths, complications, extended length of stay, and discharge disposition. The predictive discrimination of each model was evaluated using the concordance statistic (C-statistic). Results We identified a total of 90,491 patients. The model incorporating both basic demographic variables and the complete set of ECM comorbidity variables provided the best predictive model, with a C-statistic of 0.867 for death, 0.752 for extended length of stay, and 0.81 for nonroutine discharge. The model's discrimination for postoperative complications was good, with C-statistics ranging from 0.641 to 0.879. Conclusion A predictive model using the ECM outperforms models using the CCI for anticipating resource utilization following shoulder arthroplasty. Our results may assist value-based reimbursement methods to promote quality of care and reduce health care expenditures.
The Development of Ecstasy Use Among Juvenile Offenders and Risk Factors for Predicting Heterogeneity: A Group-Based Approach

This study seeks to examine heterogeneity in developmental patterns of ecstasy use during adolescence and early adulthood among juvenile offenders and identify risk factors predicting development. ...
Threshold Collision-Induced Dissociations for the Determination of Accurate Gas-Phase Binding Energies and Reaction Barriers

Over the past two decades, an analysis of the kinetic energy dependence of ion molecule reactions has proven to yield accurate thermochemistry for a wide range of interesting chemical species. In this article, the experimental methods required to collect the data, most notably guided ion beam mass spectrometry, are reviewed along with a comprehensive overview of the details of the requisite data analysis. Although the emphasis of the article is on collision-induced dissociation (CID) reactions, similar methods can also be applied to endothermic bimolecular reactions. For CID studies, the systems are generally chosen such that the threshold corresponds to the bond energy desired, but studies in which reaction barriers have been measured are also reviewed. The range of chemical systems accessible by these techniques is wide and includes small covalently bound molecules (both inorganic and organic), small non-covalently bound complexes, metal ligand complexes, metal clusters, isomeric forms, and systems involving biologically relevant molecules. A fairly comprehensive review of various studies of such systems is included.
Gewaltenteilung in der Kommunalpolitik – Ein Thema für eine „Kinderuniversität“?

Der Begriff einer „Kinderuniversitat“ bezieht sich zumeist auf Lehrveranstaltungen von Dozierenden an Universitaten oder Hochschulen, an denen Kinder Vorlesungen zu den verschiedensten Themen besuchen konnen. In der Grosen Kreisstadt Backnang (Baden-Wurttemberg) hingegen existiert eine sogenannte „KinderuniPlus“, wobei das „Plus“ der dortigen „Kinderuniversitat“ in einer besonderen Handlungsorientierung bestehen soll. Im Folgenden soll ein dort vom 29. Oktober bis 02. November 2007 mit rund 70 Grundschulern durchgefuhrtes kommunalpolitisches Projekt zum Thema „Gewaltenteilung“ hinsichtlich seiner didaktischen Perspektiven und kindgerechten Umsetzung kritisch untersucht werden.
Affinity Chromatography with Immobilized Dyes

Affinity chromatography is a very attractive concept for protein purification in that it exploits the one property that distinguishes each protein, namely, its ability to complex one or a small number of molecules (bioligands) with high affinity. Unfortunately, this attractive concept has several practical limitations that restrict its usefulness. Firstly, a bioligand must be covalently attached (immobilized) to the Chromatographic matrix in a manner which does not seriously diminish the affinity of the biofunctional site of the protein for the bioligand. Such attachment often requires execution of some adroit chemistry requiring either technical skills beyond that of a typical investigator or else adequate financial resources to purchase such a product. Secondly, a given immobilized bioligand will contribute to the purification of only a single or at best a small number of related proteins. Thus, a different affinity column must be available for each of the purified proteins required by an investigator. Thirdly, crude protein mixtures likely contain enzymes which can catalyze the hydrolysis of immobilized ligands, rendering them ineffective. Accordingly, affinity chromatography is commonly performed late in a purification scheme, where the concentrations of such hydrolytic enzymes are minimized by prior purification steps. Relegation of affinity chromatography to a late step in purification diminishes its selective potential.
Decoupling the Functional Roles of Cationic and Hydrophobic Groups in the Antimicrobial and Hemolytic Activities of Methacrylate Random Copolymers.

In this study, we report the antimicrobial and hemolytic activities of ternary statistical methacrylate copolymers consisting of cationic ammonium (amino-ethyl methacrylate: AEMA), hydrophobic alkyl (ethyl methacrylate: EMA), and neutral hydroxyl (hydroxyethyl methacrylate: HEMA) side chain monomers. The cationic and hydrophobic functionalities of copolymers mimic the cationic amphiphilicity of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The HEMA monomer units were used to separately modulate the compositions of cationic and hydrophobic monomers, and we investigated the effect of each component on the antimicrobial and hemolytic activities of copolymers. Our data indicated that increasing the number of cationic groups of the copolymers to be more than 30 mol % did not increase their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. The number of cationic side chains in a polymer chain at this threshold is 5.5–7.7, which is comparable to those of natural antimicrobial peptides such as maginin (+6). T...
Experimental data based combinatorial kinetic simulations for predictions of synergistic catalyst mixtures

Abstract Physical mixtures of catalysts can sometimes show synergistic activity which exceeds the sum of the activities of the same amount of catalysts employed separately. However, identifying such synergistic mixtures is non-trivial. Not all mixtures display synergy, and the number of combinations that are possible (even for binary mixtures of equal portions) scales very rapidly, and thus they would be costly to screen experimentally. In this work, we show that it is possible to predict synergistic mixtures using combinatorial kinetic simulations based on experimental data collected on individual catalysts. The data was first collected for conditions-of-interest under low conversions (also called near differential conditions, such that each condition approximates a small volume in a non-differential conditions reactor) to build a library of kinetic models (one model for each catalyst). This data was then used for combinatorial kinetic simulations of non-differential reactor scale conversions, and successfully predicted the qualitative behavior of two synergistic physical mixtures. The capability was utilized in the present work in the context of converting CO, C3H6, and NO species in simulated car exhaust, but is a general approach. We provide equations to estimate the costs of the screening method as well as the combinatorial kinetics method and show that the costs of identifying synergistic physical mixtures become much lower with the combinatorial kinetics method even before ten catalysts of interest. The cost of using prediction by the combinatorial kinetics method continue to become lower (relative to screening) when more catalysts are added -- and even more so if mixtures beyond two components, or consideration of multiple catalyst ratios, is of interest.
REMGa3Ge and RE3Ni3Ga8Ge3(M= Ni, Co; RE = rare-earth element): New intermetallics synthesized in liquid gallium. X-ray, electron, and neutron structure determination and magnetism

New quaternary intermetallic phases REMGa3Ge (1) (RE = Y, Sm, Tb, Gd, Er, Tm; M = Ni, Co) and RE3Ni3Ga8Ge3 (2) (RE = Sm, Gd) were obtained from exploratory reactions involving rare-earth elements (RE), transition metal (M), Ge, and excess liquid Ga the reactive solvent. The crystal structures were solved with single-crystal X-ray and electron diffraction. The crystals of 1 and 2 are tetragonal. Single-crystal X-ray data: YNiGa3Ge, a = 4.1748(10) A, c = 23.710(8) A, V = 413.24(2) A3, I4/mmm, Z = 4; Gd3Ni3Ga8Ge3, a = 4.1809(18) A, c = 17.035(11) A, V = 297.8(3) A3, P4/mmm, Z = 1. Both compounds feature square nets of Ga atoms. The distribution of Ga and Ge atoms in the REMGa3Ge was determined with neutron diffraction. The neutron experiments revealed that in 1 the Ge atoms are specifically located at the 4e crystallographic site, while Ga atoms are at 4d and 8g. The crystal structures of these compounds are related and could be derived from the consecutive stacking of disordered [MGa]2 puckered layers, mon...
Enantiomeric impurities in chiral catalysts, auxiliaries, and synthons used in enantioselective syntheses. Part 5

The enantiomeric excess of chiral starting materials is one of the important factors determining the enantiopurity of products in asymmetric synthesis. Fifty-one commercially available chiral reagents used as building blocks, catalysts, and auxiliaries in various enantioselective syntheses were assayed for their enantiomeric purity. The test results were classified within five impurities level (ie, 10%). Previously from 1998 to 2013, several reports have been published on the enantiomeric composition of more than 300 chiral reagents. This series of papers is necessitated by the fact that new reagents are forthcoming and that the enantiomeric purity of the same reagent can vary from batch to batch and/or from supplier to supplier. This report presents chiral liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC) methods to separate enantiomers of chiral compounds and evaluate their enantiomeric purities. The accurate and efficient LC analysis was done using newly introduced superficially porous particle (SPP 2.7 μm) based chiral stationary phases (TeicoShell, VancoShell, LarihcShell-P, and NicoShell).
Readmissions after endoscopic skull base surgery: associated risk factors and prevention.

BACKGROUND Unplanned readmissions within 30 days of discharge is a quality measure introduced by the Centers for Medicare Services. This measure has been used to rate hospital quality and also to penalize hospitals for excess readmissions. It has been hypothesized that shorter hospital stays and fewer readmissions are associated with endoscopic skull base procedures. In this study we analyze endoscopic skull base procedures performed at our institution over a 10-year period to identify rates and factors associated with readmissions after endoscopic skull base surgery. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed at a tertiary care academic medical center identifying patients who underwent endoscopic skull base surgery over the past 10 years. Data on patient demographics and tumor variables, as well as patient variables such as body mass index (BMI), revision surgery, history of skull base radiation, medical comorbidities, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, and postoperative CSF leaks, were recorded. RESULTS Eight hundred thirty-three patients were included in our study. Sixty-one patients (7.3%) were readmitted a total of 66 times within 30 days. The most common reasons were as follows: hyponatremia (n = 18); CSF leak (n = 17); epistaxis (n = 3); diabetes insipidus (n = 3); rhinorrhea (n = 3); as well as other reasons. Statistical analysis revealed that the presence of intraoperative CSF leak was the only statistically significant variable associated with increased rate of readmissions within 30 days of discharge (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Presence of intraoperative CSF leak was the only statistically significant variable associated with an increased risk for readmission after surgery. Other tumor and patient variables were not associated with an increased risk of readmission within 30 days.
Role of Gold in Inflammation and Tristetraprolin Activity

The zinc finger protein tristetraprolin (TTP) regulates inflammation by downregulating cytokine mRNAs. Misregulation results in arthritis, sepsis and cancer, and there is an interest in modulating TTP activity with exogenous agents. Gold has anti-inflammatory properties and has recently been shown to modulate the signaling pathway that produces TTP, suggesting that TTP may be a target of gold. The reactivity of [AuIII (terpy)Cl]Cl2 with TTP was investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy, spin-filter inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and native electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. AuIII was found to replace zinc in the protein active site in the reduced AuI form, with the AuI ion coordinated to two cysteine residues in a linear geometry. The replacement of ZnII with AuI results in loss of both secondary structure and RNA binding function. In contrast, when ZnII TTP is bound to its RNA target, no replacement of ZnII with AuI is observed, even in the presence of excess AuIII terpy. This discovery of differential reactivity of gold with TTP versus TTP/RNA offers a potential strategy for selective targeting with gold complexes to control inflammation.
A Novel Approach Based on Trace Resistance Compensation for Summing Networks for High-Current Measurement

High-power applications usually require suitable copper traces not only to drive a large amount of current but also for correct current sensing, without reducing the system’s performance. Several methods have been proposed to improve current sensing; however, not all provide simplicity and temperature stability. A novel approach for high current sensing is presented here. A summing network method with trace compensation is proposed. The proposed method provides a lower measurement error with respect to the most used methods. Conventional methods have a measurement error above 4.5%, which could significantly affect the system’s performance. The advantages of the aforementioned approach were verified in a 100-A experimental prototype, validating the feasibility of the proposed current-sensing improvement. A maximum measurement error of ±2.10% and a minimum measurement error of ±0.072% were obtained with 1- and 100-A current loads, respectively.
Hydrodynamic Performance of a Modular Biolocomotion Emulator

Abstract This paper presents experimental measurements of the internal and external forces and moments generated during forced oscillation of a modular biolocomotion emulator executing four distinct gaits at three reduced frequencies and three Reynolds numbers (including zero). The purpose of the experimental program is to develop a database of hydrodynamic force measurements that can be used to validate low-order computational methods, such as the unsteady vortex lattice method, for design analysis.
Prenatal diagnosis of intraconal lymphatic malformation on fetal magnetic resonance imaging.

Lymphatic malformations are benign hamartomatous tumors present at birth but usually diagnosed in early childhood. We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of an isolated unilateral retrobulbar lymphatic malformation with fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This was first detected at 27 weeks' gestational age. Postnatal ocular examinations at 4 days and 5 weeks of age showed no signs of optic nerve compromise. Postnatal MRI at 18 days of age showed slight increase in size of the lesion, and no intracranial vascular malformations were detected.
Presentation and outcomes of chronic rhinosinusitis following liver and kidney transplant

Abstract Objective This study aims to describe presenting characteristics of patients diagnosed with non-invasive chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) following liver or kidney transplant and determine factors associated with disease-related complications, selection of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), and disease resolution in this population. Study design Retrospective chart review. Setting An academic tertiary care center (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota). Subjects and methods Liver and kidney transplant recipients evaluated by Mayo Clinic otolaryngologists for CRS between 1998 and 2018 were identified. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine patient factors and treatment modalities associated with developing complications, selection of ESS, and disease resolution. Results Fifty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. No patients developed intraorbital or intracranial complications of their CRS. Multivariate modeling demonstrated that the presence of polyps (P = 0.036) was associated with undergoing ESS within one year of presentation. A higher Lund–Mackay (LM) computed tomography score (P = 0.023) and older age (P = 0.018) were significantly associated with decreased disease resolution. No other factors were significantly associated with the use of endoscopic sinus surgery within one year of otolaryngology presentation or resolution of CRS in this cohort. Conclusion The risk of developing CRS-related intraorbital or intracranial complications in this immunecompromised patient cohort may be lower than originally thought. For liver- and kidney-recipients stable on immunosuppressive medication for many years, prognostic factors for CRS may mirror those for immunocompetent patients.
Adenocarcinomas presenting as abdominal wall masses

Patients with abdominal wall masses as primary malignant tumours or metastatic disease are rare. Thorough evaluation with biopsy and imaging is required prior to surgical resection for treatment planning. We present a case series of three patients who presented with abdominal adenocarcinoma of unknown primary origin. All patients ultimately underwent surgical resection and final pathology showed a gynaecological origin for these tumours. Multidisciplinary management is required for these rare and complex tumours.
Endocycles support tissue growth and regeneration of the adult Drosophila accessory gland

Abstract The Drosophila melanogaster accessory gland is a functional analog of the mammalian prostate made up of two secretory epithelial cell types, termed main and secondary cells. This tissue is responsible for making and secreting seminal fluid proteins and other molecules that contribute to successful reproduction. Here we show that similar to the mammalian prostate, this tissue grows with age. We find that the adult accessory gland grows in part via endocycles to increase DNA content and cell size, independent of mating status. The differentiated, bi-nucleated main cells remain poised to endocycle in the adult gland and upregulation of signals that promote endocycling and tissue growth are sufficient to trigger dramatic endocycling leading to increases in cell size and ploidy. The main cells of this tissue remain poised to enter the cell cycle and endocycling of main cells increases during recovery from severe tissue damage. Our data establish that the adult accessory gland is not quiescent, but instead uses endocycles to maintain the accessory gland’s critical function throughout the fruit fly’s lifespan.
Proton Spin and Chiral Dynamics

Recent successful chiral models for the spin fractions of the proton rely on parametrizations that are inconsistent with deep inelastic lepton scattering unless the \(\) quark masses are neglected and inconsistent with chiral quark models based on constituent quarks, because only chiral spinflip transitions are considered. Non-spinflip transitions are important for constituent quarks as they depend on the quark masses. Therefore, the models are valid at a scale of about 0.63 GeV to Λχ, where dynamical quark masses are expected to be close to current quark masses, rather than ΛQCD. When constituent quark masses are properly included, chiral quark models generate spin fractions that disagree with the proton spin data.
Smart Computational Approaches with Advanced Feature Selection Algorithms for Optimizing the Classification of Mobility Data in Health Informatics

Recently, wearable mobility monitoring devices have gained a great deal of attention for collecting movement and gait-related data. Moreover, Wearable movement monitoring devices together with machine learning techniques have been shown to be successful in a variety of healthcare applications, including diagnosis, prognosis, and rehabilitation. However, advanced studies are needed to create accurate and robust models that can differentiate between different populations based on their mobility signatures. This is particularly critical for monitoring movement and gait patterns of individuals impacted by neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's Disease (PD). In order to achieve this goal, it is critical to employ a robust approach to model available data and identify the optimal set of movement parameters for the classification process. In this work, we propose a computational approach to identify the best feature selection method for spatiotemporal gait parameters. We investigate several feature selection approaches and analyze their performance as related to the mobility classification problem; including maximum information gain with minimum correlation (MIGMC), maximum signal to noise ratio with minimum correlation (MSNR&MC), genetic algorithms (GA), decision trees (DT) and principal component analysis (PCA). These methods, along with new proposed variations, are assessed in terms of classification accuracy, the number of selected features, and computation time. Data collected from the triaxial accelerometers attached to the ankles of individuals with PD, geriatrics (GE), and healthy elderly (HE) were used to train and test a set of six different machine learning techniques. Our results indicate that three out of six feature selection methods, including GA, MSNR&MC, and a modified version of MIGMC are the best performers regarding the classification accuracy. We also show that higher degrees of robust performances are achieved when employing multiple algorithms, such as decision trees and genetic algorithms. This study provides a critical first step towards the much-needed goal of utilizing data collected from wearable devices to extract important information for the diagnosis and rehabilitation of many movement-related medical conditions.
Modeling Long Novels: Network Analysis and A Brief History of Seven Killings

Critics often describe long novels as “networked”; this chapter investigates what happens when we model connections between characters in novels as social networks. Using basic metrics in network analysis, I compare a small set of contemporary U.S. novels to one another. This experiment suggests character co-occurrence, which measures the density of repeated connections between characters, as a heuristic for understanding novelistic length. Marlon James’s A Brief History of Seven Killings emerges as an outlier in this discussion because of its high character co-occurrence value. I emphasize two potential avenues of exploration based on this observation: one uses character co-occurrence as one aspect of a computational model of length; another uses character co-occurrence to inflect a close reading of the importance of intimacy in James’s novel.
Bernadette Mayer’s Utopia as a model for care during crisis

This article proposes that Bernadette Mayer’s Utopia, published in 1984, offers a model for thinking about care during the Covid-19 crisis. Against regimes of austerity, which regard care as a cost...
A novel approach to identification and excision of a persistent sinus tract following a rectus fascial sling: A case report.

Abstract Background While Gore-Tex® sutures have excellent handling and cause minimal fibroblast activity and a less inflammatory response compared with other materials, they carry a risk of persistent sinus tract formation. Case A patient underwent an autologous rectus fascial sling using Gore-Tex® and we describe a novel technique for identification and excision of the sinus tract. Conclusion Preoperative imaging and staining of the sinus tract with methylene blue can aid in successful identification of the tract during surgery and may improve rates of successful treatment.
The Foundations of Ethnic Politics: Separatism of States and Nations in Eurasia and the World

Despite implicating ethnicity in everything from civil war to economic failure, researchers seldom consult psychological research when addressing the most basic question: What is ethnicity? The result is a radical scholarly divide generating contradictory recommendations for solving ethnic conflict. Research into how the human brain actually works demands a revision of existing schools of thought. Hale argues ethnic identity is a cognitive uncertainty-reduction device with special capacity to exacerbate, but not cause, collective action problems. This produces a new general theory of ethnic conflict that can improve both understanding and practice. A deep study of separatism in the USSR and CIS demonstrates the theory's potential, mobilizing evidence from elite interviews, three local languages, and mass surveys. The outcome significantly reinterprets nationalism's role in CIS relations and the USSR's breakup, which turns out to have been a far more contingent event than commonly recognized.
A normalizing isospectral flow on complex Hessenberg matrices

Abstract We study an isospectral flow (Lax flow) that provides an explicit deformation from upper Hessenberg complex matrices to normal matrices, extending to the complex case and to the case of normal matrices the results of [2] . The Lax flow is given by d A d t = [ [ A † , A ] d u , A ] , where brackets indicate the usual matrix commutator, [ A , B ] : = A B − B A , A † is the conjugate transpose of A and the matrix [ A † , A ] d u is the matrix equal to [ A † , A ] along diagonal and upper triangular entries and zero below diagonal. We prove that if the initial condition A 0 is an upper Hessenberg matrix with simple spectrum, then lim t → + ∞ ⁡ A ( t ) exists and it is a normal upper Hessenberg matrix isospectral to A 0 and if the spectrum of A 0 is contained in a line in the complex plane, then the ω-limit set is actually a tridiagonal normal matrix. Furthermore, we show that this flow is also the solution of an infinite time horizon optimal control problem and we prove that it can be used to construct even dimensional real skew-symmetric tridiagonal matrices with given simple spectrum, and with given signs pattern for the codiagonal elements.
Introducing online teaching in Humanities: A case study about the acceptance of online activities by the academic staff of classical languages

L'objectiu d'aquest article es mostrar les percepcions del professorat de llengues classiques (grec antic i llati) amb relacio a les activitats en linia fetes durant els cursos. L'estudi es va fer a tres paisos: Grecia (a tres universitats importants), Espanya (a la Universitat de Barcelona) i els Estats Units (a la Universitat de California a Berkeley) amb la participacio de trenta-tres professors. Segons el nivell d'us i d'acceptacio de les TIC i a partir de la classificacio de G. Moore, vam separar els docents participants en tres grups: els conservadors , el corrent principal i els adoptadors primerencs . El fet que el grup mes petit sigui el tercer mostra clarament que hi ha una necessitat de preparacio i formacio dels professors abans d'introduir projectes innovadors a l'aula. Com que el punt d'inici de l'aplicacio d'innovacio a l'aula es el professorat, els responsables dels projectes d'innovacio s'haurien de centrar a ajudar-los a conscienciar-se dels canvis en els metodes d'ensenyament i a incloure la seva opinio durant el disseny dels esmentats projectes.
Slippage and Constrictive Binding

Kinetically stable superarchitectures can be constructed efficiently by relying upon the assistance that mechanical constraints can offer to noncovalent bonding interactions. Thus, the free energies of binding and activation associated with complexation/dissocia- tion processes are deter- mined by the combined strengths of the noncovalent bonds formed by, and by the size complementarity between, the constituents of a complex, as well as by the differential solvation between the complexed and dissociated states. Using this information, kinetically stable complexes can be constructed through the careful design of stereoelectronically-
Teaching Within, Against, and Outside the Canon: Strategies for Incorporating Diversity in Core Political Theory Courses

This paper discusses strategies for balancing the expectation to teach the 'canon' in introductory political theory courses with teaching content that reflects a diverse and increasingly international student body. I draw on Moore's (2011) study of what is taught by political theorists in American universities, which both identified controversy about the composition of the 'canon' and identified the limitations of current theory curricula. Of particular note is Moore's finding that only 37.3% of respondents regularly teach any work of non-Western political thinkers (2011, 105). Using Moore's findings, I outline four possible approaches to course development for introductory classes in political theory, and assess the advantages and challenges of each. The first approach, which I refer to as 'teaching within the canon', involves focusing on the works of canonical thinkers and reflecting diversity only insofar as is possible within the canon, for instance by teaching Arendt and Wollstonecraft. The second approach, which I term 'teaching against the canon', involves combining canonical texts with contemporary critiques of the exclusions within those texts, for instance by teaching Hobbes and Locke alongside the work of Carole Pateman and Charles Mills. The third approach, which I term 'teaching outside the canon', involves rejecting many or all of the canonical texts in political theory in favour of readings that better reflect diversity, for instance by including the work of multiple non-Western political thinkers. The fourth approach involves a combination of the second and third strategies, by including canonical texts, critical responses to those texts, and content from a more diverse body of thinkers and political traditions. While making no firm recommendations, I outline some of the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, and suggest some areas for further research.
Identification of the variables associated with pain during transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy in the era of periprostatic nerve block: the role of transrectal probe configuration.

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Currently, peri-prostatic nerve block (PPNB) is the most effective method to reduce pain during TRUS biopsy. Although the advance in PPNB allowed a better tolerability of the procedure by most of patients, a minority of men still find the procedure unacceptably painful. We found in this study that the probe design and the needle guide affect pain encountered during different steps of TRUS guided PBx. Objective To identify the different factors that are associated with pain perceived during transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy (PBx), with special focus on the role of transrectal probe configuration. Patients and Methods We analysed prospective data on 1114 patients undergoing TRUS-guided PBx at our institute from January 2007 to August 2010. Patients completed questionnaires based on a 10-point visual analogue pain scale related to the consecutive steps of PBx: probe insertion, application of periprostatic nerve block (PPNB) and the obtaining of PBx cores. The variables of interest were age, prostate volume, DRE findings, number of previous biopsies, probe type and the number of retrieved cores. All variables were correlated to pain scores using multivariate regression analysis. Results At the probe insertion step, end-fire probes were more painful than side-fire probes. The Siemens G50TM with metal, short plastic and long plastic needle guides (Siemens, Munich, Germany) had higher pain scores than the BK P = 0.09, 0.008 and 0.003, respectively). For pain at the PPNB application step, all G50TM guide subtypes and the Sonoline Prima probe (Siemens) had higher pain scores than the B&K probe, but this only reached statistical significance for the G50TM probe with short plastic guide (P = 0.03). On obtaining PBx cores, all G50TM subtypes had higher pain scores when compared with the B&K probe (P = 0.59, 0.38 and 0.69, respectively). Conclusions The probe design and needle guide affect pain during each step of TRUS-guided PBx. Both the B&K and Sonoline Prima probes caused less pain when compared with the G50TM probe, regardless of needle guide.
Target chamber gas response and vaporization in a laser and a heavy ion beam IFE reactor

The authors have investigated the target chamber designs for two IFE (inertial-confinement fusion energy) reactors (SOMBRERO and OSIRIS). The CONRAD computer code has been used to analyze certain critical aspects of these designs. Auto-neutralized transport is considered and a gas density is used that precludes protection of the first surface of the target chamber from X-rays and ions. The dominant issue in the design of the SOMBRERO laser fusion target chamber is the reradiation of absorbed target energy from the gas to the wall of the target chamber. In the OSIRIS heavy ion fusion target chamber, vaporization of material from the wall is the most important consideration. In SOMBRERO, 0.5 torr of xenon gas should allow beam transport and will protect the graphite wall vaporization by target energy. In OSIRIS, it was found that the FLIBE is vaporized and that a high peak pressure but moderate impulse shock reaches the vapor/liquid interface in the FLIBE. >
Influence of zinc on Pseudomonas aeruginosa susceptibilities to imipenem.

Abstract Serial dilution susceptibility testing of imipenem against 59 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, conducted simultaneously on single lots of Difco and BBL Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA), resulted in MICs for 90% of strains tested of 8 and 16 micrograms/ml, respectively. MICs for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas spp. were also higher on BBL MHA. Quantification of the cation content of the two MHAs by atomic absorption spectroscopy demonstrated that the zinc concentration in BBL MHA was 15 times greater than that measured in Difco MHA (2.61 and 0.17 micrograms/ml, respectively). Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and copper in the two agars were similar. Addition of zinc to Difco MHA resulted in increases in MICs of imipenem for P. aeruginosa but not in the MICs of ceftazidime or cefpirome for P. aeruginosa (P < 0.01). A lesser zinc effect was seen on the activity of imipenem against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas spp. The activities of ceftazidime and cefpirome were similar on both MHAs when tested against all gram-negative organisms in this study. Thus, the effect of zinc in MHA was clearly demonstrated by a significant increase in the MICs of imipenem for P. aeruginosa, and, to a lesser extent, for other gram-negative bacilli.
Atopic dermatitis: Is it an allergic disease?

For many years controversy has surrounded the relation between allergy and atopic dermatitis. We critically review the evidence for the contribution of allergy, or IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions, to the pathogenesis of this disease. We conclude that, at present, there is scant evidence that allergy is central to the development of atopic dermatitis, although it may be an aggravating factor in a few patients. Hence there is little rationale for the routine use of allergy testing or dietary and environmental manipulation in the management of this disease.
Predicting future litigiousness

Using a national sample of adults with various legal experiences, the current study examines the impact of prior legal experiences, general attitudes about lawyers and the legal system, and status characteristics on individuals' perceived likelihood of hiring a lawyer for resolving various personal problems in the future. Persons who have been involved in prior legal disputes, who have more positive attitudes about lawyers, and who hold more favorable views about the effectiveness of law in resolving conflict report significantly higher chances of hiring an attorney. Individuals' assessments of their future litigiousness, however, are largely independent of their status characteristics (e.g., gender, income, education, age) and the quality of treatment in their prior legal disputes (e.g., ratings of procedural justice, level of satisfaction with case outcome, and how their lawyer handled the case). The paper concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for improving the quality of legal serv...
Chemical Modification of Epitaxial Graphene: Spontaneous Grafting of Aryl Groups

The addition of nitrophenyl groups to the surface of few-layer epitaxial graphene (EG) by the formation of covalent carbon−carbon bonds changed the electronic structure and transport properties of the EG from near-metallic to semiconducting.
Mobile robot system for the handicapped

The development of an intelligent mobile robot capable of assisting a certain group of the handicapped is presented in this paper. The system consists of three units: a robot, a computer, and a user. All three units communicate completely by remote, using RF signals. The user and robot communicate indirectly through the computer, using natural voice. Each user command is decomposed int a sequence of motion commands, using an object-oriented knowledge base. Robot motion is planned based upon inputs from ultrasonic sensors. The system is capable of learning an unknown, albeit somewhat restricted environment.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.