cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INTERNALISM, EXTERNALISM AND THE NO-DEFEATER CONDITION

Despite various attempts to rectify matters, the internalism-externalism (I-E) debate in epistemology remains mired in serious confusion. I present a new account of this debate, one which fits well with entrenched views on the I-E distinction and illuminates the fundamental disagreements at the heart of the debate. Roughly speaking, the I-E debate is over whether or not certain of the necessary conditions of positive epistemic status are internal. But what is the sense of ‘internal’ here? And of which conditions of which positive epistemic status are we speaking? I argue that an adequate answer to these questions requires reference to what I call the no-defeater condition which is satisfied by a subject’s belief B just in case she does not believe that B is defeated. I close by stating succinctly the main positions taken in the I-E debate, identifying the basic points of disagreement and suggesting fruitful courses for future discussion.
Multiplication of plant viruses in insect vectors.

Publisher Summary Virus diseases of plants are, for the most part, arthropod-borne. The word vector is commonly used to indicate the invertebrate transmitter necessary for the successful passage of certain disease agents from the infected to the noninfected host. Most vectors of plant viruses are insects of the families aphididae (aphids), cicadellidae (leafhoppers), and aleyrodidae (white flies). Only a few viruses are transmitted by the insects of other families, like the coccidae (mealybugs) and the thysanoptera (thrips). Transmission of the plant viruses by acarina (mites), arthropods other than insects, was recently established. In order to ascertain that an arthropod is a vector of a given plant virus in nature, the infection must be reproducible experimentally by the use of the arthropod under controlled conditions through feeding it on susceptible plants with adequate uninfected controls. In practice, this test alone is generally considered sufficient for the establishment of a virus–vector relationship. Animal virologists usually require additional criteria, such as a close association of the arthropod with the infected host, regular visits to the healthy host under conditions suitable for the transfer of the virus and the presence of the virus in the arthropod host. In the transmission of plant viruses, two major types of virus–host relationship are usually recognized. Vectors of one type may acquire a virus in short feeding periods and transmit it almost immediately. Vectors of the second type may also acquire virus by feeding for short periods on infected plants, although generally longer acquisition feeding is required. This chapter focuses on the multiplication of these viruses in cicadellid leafhoppers.
Lessons Learned from Teaching Open Source Software Development

Free/Open Source Software allows students to learn valuable real world skills and experiences, as well as a create a portfolio to show future employers. However, the learning curve to joining FOSS can be daunting, often leading newcomers to walk away frustrated. Universities therefore need to find ways to provide a structured introduction to students, helping them overcome the barriers to entry. This paper describes two courses taught at two universities, built around a Communities of Practice model, and the lessons learned from these. Suggestions and insights are shared for how to structure and evaluate such courses for maximum effect.
Caudal regression syndrome: the urologic implications.

AbstractCaudal regression syndrome is discussed and consideration is given to its possible etiology. The urologic anomalies may be multiple and varied. Because some patients may consult a urologist initially it is imperative that he recognize the syndrome and its complexities.
A Perfect Storm

This case discusses the pharmacokinetic interactions between bupivacaine, nicardipine, omeprazole, and diltiazem. Bupivacaine is a cytochrome P450 3A4, 2C19, and 2D6 substrate and omeprazole, nicardipine, and diltiazem inhibit these, resulting in bupivacaine toxicity.
What Are Nursing Facilities Doing to Reduce Potentially Avoidable Hospitalizations

Abstract Objectives Hospitalizations among nursing facility residents are frequent and often potentially avoidable. A number of initiatives and interventions have been developed to reduce excessive hospitalizations; however, little is known about the specific approaches nursing facilities use to address this issue. The objective of this study is to better understand which types of interventions nursing facilities have introduced to reduce potentially avoidable hospitalizations of long-stay nursing facility residents. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting 236 nursing facilities from 7 states. Participants Nursing facility administrators. Measurements Web-based survey to measure whether facilities introduced any policies or procedures designed specifically to reduce potentially avoidable hospitalizations of long-stay nursing facility residents between 2011 and 2015. We surveyed facilities about seven types of interventions and quality improvement activities related to reducing avoidable hospitalizations, including use of Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers (INTERACT) and American Medical Directors Association tools. Results Ninety-five percent of responding nursing facilities reported having introduced at least one new policy or procedure to reduce nursing facility resident hospitalizations since January 2011. The most common practice reported was hospitalization rate tracking or review, followed by standardized communication tools, such as Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR). We found some variation in the extent and types of these reported interventions. Conclusions Nearly all facilities surveyed reported having introduced a variety of initiatives to reduce potentially avoidable hospitalizations, likely driven by federal, state, and corporate initiatives to decrease hospital admissions and readmissions.
Abstract 446: Serum Amyloid A Is Proatherogenic

Serum amyloid A (SAA), along with high sensitivity C- Reactive Protein, is a clinical marker of atherosclerosis, a vascular inflammatory disease responsible for half a million deaths per year in the US. Interestingly, SAA is modestly but chronically elevated in several diseases such as diabetes and obesity that confer greater risk to developing atherosclerosis. Recently SAA has been shown to contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis but its role in initiation of atherosclerosis has yet to be determined. As outlined in the response to retention hypothesis of atherosclerosis, proteoglycan mediated lipoprotein retention is thought to be a key initiating step. We previously demonstrated that mice overexpressing SAA had increased vascular biglycan, a small matrix proteoglycan, which was larger and had greater LDL binding affinity than native biglycan. Here we tested the hypothesis that overexpression of SAA would lead to increased atherosclerosis. ApoE -/- male mice were injected with an adenovirus carrying the gene for SAA (adSAA), a null control (adnull) or saline and maintained on chow for 16 weeks. SAA was elevated immediately after injection of adSAA but returned to baseline by 10 days; there was no elevation of SAA in adnull or saline injected mice. Although the duration of elevation of SAA was short, mice injected with adSAA had significantly increased atherosclerosis at the aortic sinus (p
College Students and Yik Yak: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study

This study, employing an exploratory mixed-methods approach, explores college students’ use of Yik Yak, a pseudo-anonymous social media platform that allows users to post short messages and engage ...
A Fresh Cut in an Old Wound – A Critical Analysis of the Trayvon Martin Killing: The Public Outcry, the Prosecutors’ Discretion, and the Stand Your Ground Law

If the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case is to have value beyond its immediate facts, it is important to consider the case through a broad lens that encompasses law, politics, and culture and the relevant intersectionality of each. This essay gives a contextualized historical perspective with which to view the Black community’s reaction to the initial lack of criminal charges in the case. It explains why the circumstances surrounding Trayvon’s death were experienced as a fresh cut in an old, but deep, collective wound, for many Blacks. It addresses the exacerbation African Americans felt regarding law enforcement’s perceived indifference towards Trayvon, a victim of a dark(er) hue. It acknowledges the implanted counter-narrative that dehumanized “Trayvon the victim” and, instead, labeled him, “Trayvon the thug,” even though he was not a criminal, and unarmed when he was shot. The mixture of these specific facts in the case represented a shared trigger point in the Black community that generated a visceral reaction based on its relation-back to past and systematic injustices.This essay identifies both the race-neutral as well as the racialized factors that may have influenced the Sanford prosecutor’s initial decision not to file criminal charges in this case. Based on the breadth, intensity, and duration of the local, national, and international outcry, the atmosphere surrounding the case became increasingly tense and, as a result, a special prosecutor was appointed to re-evaluate the charging decision. By applying Derrick Bell’s “interest convergence theory” to the analysis, this essay provides a reasoned explanation for the special prosecutor’s decision to charge George Zimmerman with murder and identifies the combined role that law and politics play in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion. Further, this essay analyzes the unique contours of Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law as it applies to the Martin killing and how the law may have influenced the initial decision not to charge Zimmerman. Also, the broader policy ramifications of the law will be addressed. This essay will query whether The Stand Your Ground Law wrongly condones lethal force by prematurely bestowing immunity from prosecution upon otherwise suspect criminal conduct.
mTOR kinase inhibition effectively decreases progression of a subset of neuroendocrine tumors that progress on rapalog therapy and delays cardiac impairment

Inhibition of mTOR signaling using the rapalog everolimus is an FDA-approved targeted therapy for patients with lung and gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET). However, patients eventually progress on treatment, highlighting the need for additional therapies. We focused on pancreatic NETs (pNET) and reasoned that treatment of these tumors upon progression on rapalog therapy, with an mTOR kinase inhibitor (mTORKi), such as CC-223, could overcome a number of resistance mechanisms in tumors and delay cardiac carcinoid disease. We performed preclinical studies using human pNET cells in vitro and injected them subcutaneously or orthotopically to determine tumor progression and cardiac function in mice treated with either rapamycin alone or switched to CC-223 upon progression. Detailed signaling and RNA sequencing analyses were performed on tumors that were sensitive or progressed on mTOR treatment. Approximately 57% of mice bearing pNET tumors that progressed on rapalog therapy showed a significant decrease in tumor volume upon a switch to CC-223. Moreover, mice treated with an mTORKi exhibited decreased cardiac dilation and thickening of heart valves than those treated with placebo or rapamycin alone. In conclusion, in the majority of pNETs that progress on rapalogs, it is possible to reduce disease progression using an mTORKi, such as CC-223. Moreover, CC-223 had an additional transient cardiac benefit on valvular fibrosis compared with placebo- or rapalog-treated mice. These results provide the preclinical rationale to further develop mTORKi clinically upon progression on rapalog therapy and to further test their long-term cardioprotective benefit in those NET patients prone to carcinoid syndrome. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(11); 2432-41. ©2017 AACR.
Protein Phosphorylation-Dephosphorylation and Signal Processing in the Archaea

An important element of communications is the machinery utilized to formulate and interpret messages. This process can occur in a hardwired reflexive manner or under the aegis of an integrated information processing network composed of linked biomolecular bits. The most versatile and adaptable of these bits is the phosphoryl group, a potent general perturber of protein conformation and function. This chapter explores our current knowledge of the protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation events that take place in the members of the domain Archaea, and asks whether the members of this domain have achieved “microprocessor” status.
Molecular Profiling and Targeted Therapy for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease that can be classified by gene expression analysis into distinct subtypes associated with variable clinical outcomes. The standard of care treatment for TNBC in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic settings is cytotoxic chemotherapy. There are no targeted therapies currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of TNBC, but several promising targeted agents and immunotherapies are currently under investigation.
Evaluating the Duration of Prophylactic Post-Operative Antibiotic Agents after Open Reduction Internal Fixation for Closed Fractures

Abstract Background: The importance of timely pre-operative antibiotic agents for effective surgical prophylaxis has been established but the optimal duration of antimicrobial coverage post-operati...
The R Factor: The X-Ray Loss Due to Electron Backscatter

With the evolution of electron microprobes that employ more stable electronics which permit high precision measurements of x-ray intensity, a new interest has arisen in the accuracy of methods and parameters used to compute the matrix corrections for quantitative electron probe microanalysis. One of the two components that contribute to the “atomic number correction,” part of the ZAF matrix correction procedure, is the R-factor. The R-factor is an estimate of the ratio of the total inner shell ionization which is actually produced in the specimen over that which would occur in the absence of electron backscattering. There are several formulations of the R-factor in use today. They are based on either empirical fits to experimental data on electron backscattering and backscattered electron energy distributions [1] or on data generated by a Monte Carlo simulation for electron scattering in solids [2]. In this publication we will examine several of these formulations and compare the results obtained by each method.
Use of EMDS in Conservation and Management Planning for Watersheds

Some of the earliest applications of the Ecosystem Management Decision Support (EMDS) system were in the field of watershed assessment and planning. This chapter reviews nine cases in which EMDS has been applied to watershed management and three additional cases of the application of similar multi-criteria evaluation approaches that were at least partially inspired by EMDS. These cases are compared using the following major themes: participation, objectives, definition of watershed condition, temporal and spatial aspects, indicators and evaluation criteria, and model structuring. The cases show the model complexity and variability that is possible when trying to operationalize an ambiguous concept, such as watershed condition. EMDS has been quite successful in helping organizations structure the concept of watershed condition, but all efforts faced significant challenges with obtaining the desired data and setting evaluation criteria. Some possible areas for future software development are suggested, but many difficulties in building good models are more conceptual in nature, and thus, would likely be best addressed though improved information sharing among practitioners.
RFUZZ: coverage-directed fuzz testing of RTL on FPGAs

Dynamic verification is widely used to increase confidence in the correctness of RTL circuits during the pre-silicon design phase. Despite numerous attempts over the last decades to automate the stimuli generation based on coverage feedback, Coverage Directed Test Generation (CDG) has not found the widespread adoption that one would expect. Based on new ideas from the software testing community around coverage-guided mutational fuzz testing, we propose a new approach to the CDG problem which requires minimal setup and takes advantage of FPGA-accelerated simulation for rapid testing. We provide test input and coverage definitions that allow fuzz testing to be applied to RTL circuit verification. In addition we propose and implement a series of transformation passes that make it feasible to reset arbitrary RTL designs quickly, a requirement for deterministic test execution. Alongside this paper we provide rfuzz, a fully featured implementation of our testing methodology which we make available as open-source software to the research community. An empirical evaluation of rfuzz shows promising results on archiving coverage for a wide range of different RTL designs ranging from communication IPs to an industry scale 64-bit CPU.
Integrated Mission Planning and Adaptable Docking System for AUV Persistence

Mission planning for underwater area coverage missions has typically been completed separately to development of charging infrastructure. This paper presents a proof of concept for an integrated mission planning approach and docking system to enable underwater persistence. The mission planner follows a genetic algorithm approach to generate trajectories for working AUVs to perform an area coverage mission and locations for docking stations to respond to AUV energy needs. The docking system is a light weight, portable dock that is adaptable to a wide range of AUVs and can be mounted on small marine platforms. Experimental validation of the docking system was completed using a Bluefin SandShark due to the ease of customization of the payload bay. Validation of the planned missions was completed using an OceanServer Iver3 equipped with an enhanced sensor suite. Experimental results in open water validate the concept of an integrated mission planner and docking system to enable multi-robot systems to operate long-term missions without manned support.
Bayesian Conditional Density Filtering

We propose a conditional density filtering (C-DF) algorithm for efficient online Bayesian inference. C-DF adapts MCMC sampling to the online setting, sampling from approximations to conditional pos...
Does children’s visual attention to specific objects affect their verb learning?:

To learn a verb, children must attend to objects and relations, often within a dynamic scene. Several studies show that comparing varied events linked to a verb helps children learn verbs, but ther...
Comments on “Molecular interactions in the binary mixtures of some monoalkanolamines with acetonitrile between 303.15 and 323.15”

Abstract Errors were noted pertaining to the volumetric properties reported in the published paper by Khan and coworkers. Excess molar volumes reported in the paper were found to be inconsistent with the partial molar volumes of the individual mixture components. Experimental densities reported in the paper were also found to be inconsistent with the partial molar volumes of the mixture components.
The Zygmunt Haupt Papers, 1907-1976, a Polonica Collection at Stanford University Libraries: Content Details

This article discusses in detail the content of the collection The Zygmunt Haupt Papers, 1907–1976, held in Special Collections at Stanford University Libraries. In particular, it describes the Voi...
Bypassing the waitlist: examining barriers and facilitators of help-line utilization among college students with depression symptoms.

Background: A large number of U.S. college students suffer from depression symptoms, yet existing resources cannot match the demand.Aims: This study identified the psychological determinants of uti...
The Perils of Diagnostic Parsimony.

Mrs. P. waved at one of our medical students: not so unusual - how often do patients find something familiar or interesting in one of us, a tone of the relatable in our universe of the strange? For Mrs. P, however, this was striking. She had presented with excited delirium concerning for medication toxicity which prompted a Toxicology consult. On our team's review of her medical records, it seemed entirely plausible: multiple healthcare visits for pain, several recent medication adjustments, and then hallucinations, falls. A familiar story.
Fatigue in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Introduction In this study we aimed to better understand fatigue in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) as it relates to disease activity status. Methods Patients with probable or definite CIDP were stratified into active CIDP or CIDP in remission. Assessments of fatigue, physical impairment, disability, sleepiness, sleep quality, and depression were collected. Results Of the 85 patients included in the study, 46 (54%) had active disease, whereas 39 (46%) were in remission. Fatigue was substantial in both groups, but was more severe in the active group. Use of sedating medications was a major contributor to fatigue. Sleep quality was poor in both groups, whereas depression more commonly affected those with active CIDP. Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment disability, poor sleep quality, and higher level of depression had the greatest effect on fatigue severity. Discussion Fatigue is common in CIDP regardless of the disease activity state. Minimizing sedating medications, improving sleep quality, and managing depression may improve CIDP-associated fatigue.
Da Costa’s Syndrome and Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: A rose by any other name? (P2.031)

Objective: To review original case descriptions of Da Costa’s Syndrome and the early strategies for management of the condition, in comparison to postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Background: POTS has been increasingly recognized since the early 1990s, though the condition dates back over 150 years to the American Civil War and has gone by various names since its original description. Design/Methods: Review of original publications and texts describing Da Costa’s syndrome, inclusive of soldier’s heart, irritable heart, neurocirculatory asthenia, disordered action of the heart, and “the effort syndrome,” and its management and outcomes Results: Having drawn attention to the condition in a letter to the War Department in 1862, in 1871 Jacob Mendes Da Costa published an account of over 300 Civil War soldiers treated for heart conditions in Philadelphia. Dubbed “irritable heart,” the malady was marked by dizziness, palpitation, and chest pain following, often, a fever or diarrheal illness, or excessive physical exertion. He stressed the effect that posture had on increasing the pulse. Associated symptoms included disturbed sleep, sweating abnormalities, and gastrointestinal disturbance. Most cases were noted to resolve partially or entirely over time, following a usually long treatment. Recommended treatment included rest, digitalis, veratrum viridae, iron, and zinc. Return to light service was recommended, but it was not until the First World War that the importance of exercise, especially when enjoyable, was recognized in the treatment of this condition. Though initial reports focused on soldiers, Da Costa noted that his experience with the cardiac condition “could duplicate from the experience of private practice.” Conclusions: Da Costa’s syndrome was initially described in American Civil War soldiers, with similar characteristics as the limited autonomic neuropathy described as POTS. It was then, as now, challenging to manage; therapeutic options were limited to supplements, early antiarrhythmics, and the gradual reintroduction of exercise. Disclosure: Dr. Klaas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Burkholder has nothing to disclose.
ARACHNIDA (ARANEAE, RICINULEI) DESCRIBED BY NORMAN I. PLATNICK

A list of the 2,196 arachnid taxa (Araneae: 2181, Ricinulei: 13) described by the late Norman I. Platnick, is presented: two families (in synonymy); 159 genera (2 homonyms, 1 synonym), 2,035 species (6 synonyms).
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with interval debulking surgery versus chemotherapy alone for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Objectives: The treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) involves a combination of cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy. For patients with unresectable disease or extensive comorbidities at the time of diagnosis, administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) has been shown to be a non-inferior treatment approach compared with primary cytoreduction, and has gained wider acceptance in the past decade[i],[ii]. Additionally, GOG 213 showed that in patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer, secondary surgical cytoreduction followed by chemotherapy did not result in longer overall survival than chemotherapy alone[iii], The approach of chemotherapy without IDS has not been reassessed since the advent of VEG-F and PARP inhibitors and checkpoint blockade. This study aims to examine the survival outcomes of patients treated with chemotherapy alone versus those who underwent IDS. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single institution after IRB approval. Patients with Stage III or IV EOC diagnosed between 2005 and 2019 who received NACT due to unresectable disease or medical comorbidities were included. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were collected. The primary outcome was the hazard of death in patients who underwent IDS (treated as a time-dependent covariate), compared to those who received chemotherapy alone. Age was categorized into groups: Results: 81 patients met inclusion criteria, 50 (62%) received NACT + IDS, and 31 (38%) received chemotherapy alone. Four (5%) patients had BRCA mutations. Of the 50 patients who underwent IDS, 41 (82%) patients had an optimal debulking and 40 (80%) received additional adjuvant chemotherapy. The major surgical complication rate was 14% and the rate of upper abdominal surgery was 22%. The rate of chemotherapy toxicity was 29% in the chemotherapy alone group and 34% in the IDS group. The univariate estimate for the hazard of death in women who underwent IDS was 0.85, with a 95% CI: (.32, 2.3), p-value=.75. Adjusting for age, parity and BMI, the hazard ratio was estimated to be 1.03 with a 95% CI: (.35, 3.0), p-value=.96. There was no statistically significant difference in survival when comparing IDS status in patients who survived at least 6 months from diagnosis (p=0.45). Download : Download high-res image (80KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: While the observed hazard of death was lower in the patients who underwent IDS versus those who did not, the results were not statistically significant. While this study is underpowered to validate chemotherapy only as a treatment regimen for patients with EOC, the results warrant further large-scale investigation to assess the utility of treating advanced EOC with chemotherapy alone, particularly among the BRCA mutated/HRD population with chemosensitive tumors.
COVID-19 and Antimicrobial Stewardship: Lessons Learned, Best Practices and Future Implications

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound and often devastating impact on global healthcare systems. Healthcare systems have had to repurpose programs and staff as part of COVID-19 relief efforts. The infrastructure and skilled personnel of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been utilized in new ways as part of COVID-19 pandemic response efforts. A critical focus of ASPs both before and during the pandemic has been on limiting the development of antimicrobial resistance. Fortunately, existing data indicate that rates of bacterial co-infection are relatively low and ASPs should continue aggressive efforts to limit unnecessary antimicrobial use. ASPs have taken a lead role in COVID-19 focused guideline creation and curation, as well as in helping to steward access to potential novel therapeutic agents. Disparities in ASP program resources and personnel exist, and ASP activities focused on the COVID-19 response should be tailored to individual settings. There is an urgent need for research to help inform ASP best practices within pandemic response efforts that take into account local resources. Investment in infrastructure and personnel is urgently needed both in the context of current relief efforts and to prepare for future pandemics.
Business in Emerging Markets: The Case of Morocco

Business is becoming increasingly global. In an effort to broaden students’ understanding of how business in conducted in different institutional environments and across cultures, I developed a course titled “Business in Emerging Markets” that uses Morocco as a case study for Virginia Wesleyan University students. In this paper, I describe the process I went through to develop the course and select a study abroad provider. I also share information regarding the course layout, reading list, the itinerary, and cost per student.
Ocular Complications of Bortezomib Therapy in Multiple Myeloma

Abstract Introduction: Bortezomib (Velcade¨; V), a proteasome inhibitor, is currently FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) and relapsed mantle cell lymphoma. Common side effects reported with its use include thrombocytopenia, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy and neutropenia. Ocular complications associated with bortezomib are less well described. We describe 6 patients with multiple myeloma who developed meibomitis, multiple chalazions and blepharitis after treatment with bortezomib containing regimens, resulting in delay and in some cases termination of the therapy. Methods: We reviewed the charts of forty patients who received induction chemotherapy for multiple myeloma between June 2013-June 2014 at Montefiore Medical Center, New York. Charts were reviewed for data pertaining to demographics, chemotherapy regimen and schedule as well as follow up of ocular symptoms. Results: Six of these forty (15%) patients complained about bilateral eye soreness, itching and redness. They did not have any evidence of viral or upper respiratory infections. Ophthalmology evaluation showed blepharitis, meibomitis and multiple chalazion. Majority of the patients were 60 years or greater, with 50% African-Americans. Half of the cases had stage 3 MM with a median duration of chemotherapy 8 weeks prior to onset of ocular symptoms. 4 of these 6 patients received VCD regimen (Bortezomib via subcutaneous route and Cyclophosphamide/ Dexamethasone as tablets) while the remaining 2 patients received VD and VCD-R (addition of Lenalidomide) via intravenous and subcutaneous route respectively. Ocular symptoms led to a 1-3 week delay in the next cycle of chemotherapy. These symptoms promptly responded to withdrawal of chemotherapy and other conservative measures. Chemotherapy was resumed in 4 out of 6 patients, with recurrence of chalazion in two patients within 3 weeks of starting Bortezomib. Conclusions: Ocular symptoms are commonly seen but rarely reported with bortezomib therapy. They can adversely affect patient’s quality of life as well as lead to interruption in chemotherapy. Although these symptoms respond well to withdrawal of chemotherapy and conservative measures, the rate of recurrence is high once bortezomib is resumed. Awareness of these complications and early intervention can potentially avoid treatment delay. Download : Download high-res image (129KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Download : Download high-res image (130KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 2 . Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Socioemotional Problems in Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence Mediating Effects of Attachment and Family Supports

Given the high likelihood of women remaining with their partner when intimate partner violence (IPV) is present, it is important to work with existing family strengths and social supports to minimize emotional harm to the children of these couples. The current study involved interviews with mothers of young children in the child welfare system across a state in the northeast ( n = 336). Roughly one third of these women reported IPV in the past year. The relationship between IPV and child socioemotional problems was explored, along with supports that might mediate this relationship. Study results showed that child exposure to IPV was directly related to socioemotional problems. This was mediated by three family and social factors: strength of mother-child attachment, overall family functioning, and level of mothers' emotional support. Findings revealed the heterogeneity among families with IPV and highlight the need for interventions focused on the ecological context in which women are parenting.
Studies of Malabsorption Occurring in Patients with Laennec's Cirrhosis

The review of autopsy protocols and histological sections of 154 patients with Laennec's cirrhosis revealed an incidence of pancreatic lesions of 28%. A prospective study of the small bowel absorptive function of 20 alcoholic cirrhotics revealed steatorrhea in 10 of them (50%). No other parameter of small bowel absorption showed significant abnormality. Radiological studies of the intestine, Schilling tests, and small bowel biopsies were within normal limits. The D-xylose test was normal in the 20 patients as judged by normal blood levels; decreased 5-hr urinary excretion was only found in those patients with ascites or decreased renal function. Normal bacterial population was found in the duodenum of 19 of these patients. The steatorrhea found in the 10 patients could be ascribed to neomycin administration in 3 of them and to severe pancreatic insufficiency in another 4. The remaining 3 patients had maximal bicarbonate concentrations below normal levels and, therefore, probable pancreatic insufficiency. The results reveal that the steatorrhea found in these patients with Laennec's cirrhosis was secondary to either neomycin administration or pancreatic insufficiency, rather than to the cirrhotic process per se. These results indicate that small bowel absorptive function is normal in cirrhosis and that the steatorrhea commonly found in association with this disease is secondary to a variety of other disorders.
A process of identifying & solving barriers to product development team success PICMET 2010 conference

Developing major new products is a major corporate undertaking. As a general rule, the more complex the product the more likely difficult issues will develop which can retard development success. This presentation is a case study of one development team in the medical device industry and how the numerous problems it faced were identified and resolved. We employed a survey of the key team members containing both closed and open-ended questions. The results were tabulated and then presented to the team for their additional comments/suggestions. The team and the authors then devised a plan for resolving the major issues identified. Upon completion of the project, follow up interviews were conducted with the team to assess how the team process assessment performed and how it contributed to the successful development of the new product. Suggestions were also made regarding how to improve the process. The authors conclude with suggestions how the team improvement process can be used with other development teams.
Emergency response planning to reduce the impact of contaminated drinking water during natural disasters

Natural disasters can be devastating to local water supplies affecting millions of people. Disaster recovery plans and water industry collaboration during emergencies protect consumers from contaminated drinking water supplies and help facilitate the repair of public water systems. Prior to an event, utilities and municipalities can use “What if”? scenarios to develop emergency operation, response, and recovery plans designed to reduce the severity of damage and destruction. Government agencies including the EPA are planning ahead to provide temporary supplies of potable water and small drinking water treatment technologies to communities as an integral part of emergency response activities that will ensure clean and safe drinking water.
The Effects of Commitment to Multiple Foci: An Analysis of Relative Influence and Interactions

Recent research on employee commitment has adopted a multifoci framework, arguing that it is important to distinguish between commitments to particular targets such as supervisors, coworkers, and the organization itself. However, there remain questions about the relative importance of different commitments for predicting outcomes and about possible interactive effects among multiple commitments. To address these questions, the authors collected data from 279 employees as well as their supervisors and coworkers. The authors found robust effects for affective commitment to supervisors, showing that it was significantly related to turnover intentions, task performance, and citizenship behaviors incremental to affective commitment to the organization and coworkers. In addition, a 3-way commitment interaction predicted task performance and citizenship behaviors directed toward the supervisor.
Atom probe studies of metallic glasses

Abstract Atom probe tomography was used to characterize the distribution of atoms in bulk amorphous Pd 40 Ni 40 P 20 , Pd 40 Ni 40− x Fe x P 20 (0 x 50 Cu 50 ) 100− x P x ( x =16.5, 17.5, 19) alloys. The analyses were performed on samples cut from 7-mm diameter rods, which were prepared by quenching the melt at cooling rates of approximately 200 K/s. All the alloys were examined in the as-quenched condition. In the Pd 40 Ni 40− x Fe x P 20 glasses, the increase in Fe concentration causes a systematic increase in the clustering of palladium and ordering of phosphorus. The 20% Fe alloy exhibited a two-phase microstructure. The (Pd 50 Cu 50 ) 100− x P x glasses exhibited fine-scale phase separation into copper-enriched/phosphorus-depleted and copper-depleted/phosphorus-enriched regions. These observations follow from statistical analysis of the concentration frequency distributions, the composition enrichments of shells around each atom, and composition maps.
In Search of Mesostructure in the Family: An Interactionist Approach to Division of Labor

This paper demonstrates the importance of the concept of mesostructure for understanding how families create and enact a gendered division of labor. The work of symbolic interactionists, especially those using the negotiated order perspective, is used to examine linkages and processes of articulation between the public and private worlds. Mesostructure provides a conceptual device for examining how men and women merge their respective activities within the context of social constraints. Six interlinked concepts developed by Hall (1987)—collective activity, network, conventions-practices, resources-power, processuality-temporality, and grounding—form the foundation for a mesostructural analysis of family division of labor. These concepts are used to explicate the interaction of structure and process in gender division of labor in families.
Photonic crystal fiber nanospectrometer

A silica-based steering wheel core photonic crystal fiber (SW-PCF) with a nano-featured spectrometer chemical agent detection configuration is presented. The spectrometer chip acquired from Nano-Optic Devices TM can reduce the size of the spectrometer down to a coin. Results are provided for PCF structures filled with sample materials for spectroscopic identification. Portable and compact spectroscopic detectors with long interaction lengths (> few mm) specially outfitted for extreme environmental conditions are of interest to both military and civil institutions who wish to monitor air/water composition. The featured PCF spectrometer has the potential to measure optical absorption spectra in order to detect trace amounts of contaminants in gaseous or aqueous samples. The absorption spectrum of the SW-PCF detection system was measured as a function of the fiber interaction length and material volume. The SW-PCF measured spectra agreed with reference spectra. The SW-PCF has a core diameter of 3.9μm, outer diameter of 132.5μm. A nearly 5 cm length of the SW-PCF was coupled to the surface of a thin nanofeatured chip. The remaining end of the SW-PCF section is coupled to a laser light source centered at λ=635nm. The diffraction pattern produced by the nano-featured chip is captured by an objective lens and CCD camera for image analysis. The position of the intensity pattern extracted from the analyzed image indicates the spectral components of the absorption characteristics for the detected sample. This nano-featured spectrometer offers spectral resolution down to 0.1nm that makes it possible to detect substances with very detailed spectral features.
Hybrid Air Foil Bearings With External Pressurization

Foil bearings are widely used for oil-free microturbomachinery. One of the critical technical issues related to reliability of the foil bearings is a coating wear on the top foil and rotor during start/stops. Especially for heavily loaded foil bearings, large start torque requires a large drive motor. Bearing cooling is also mandatory for certain applications because the foil bearings can generate significant amount of heat depending on operating conditions. Usually axial flow is used through the space between the top foil and bearing sleeve. In this paper, a hybrid air foil bearing with external pressurization is introduced. A flexible steel tube is attached to the backside of the top foil with orifice holes, and externally pressurized air is directly supplied to the bearing clearance to lift off the rotor before rotor spins. The hybrid operation eliminates the coating wear during start/stop cycles, reduces drag torque during starts, and eliminates axial flow cooling. The hybrid foil gas bearing was constructed using a multiple compression springs to demonstrate a feasibility of the concept. A simple analytical model to calculate top foil deflection under hydrostatic pressurization has been developed. Predictions via orbit simulations indicate the hybrid air foil bearings can have much higher critical speed and onset speed of instability than hydrodynamic counter part. Measured load capacity was slightly higher than hydrodynamic bearing even under smaller amount of air flow. In addition, the hybrid operation was very effective for bearing cooling even if the cooling flow rate was lower than hydrodynamic counterpart. The measured very small drag torque during the start/stop demonstrates the hybrid foil bearing can have near-infinite life time without wear of the bearing and rotor surface. The experimental studies show high potential of the hybrid air foil bearings for various oil-free turbomachinery, especially for heavily loaded high temperature applications.© 2006 ASME
Institutional Ties, Transaction Costs, and External Service Production

Analyses of local government contracting increasingly focus on understanding how the transaction costs created by service attributes limit opportunities for external service production. However, the institutional collective action framework suggests that networks among local government actors help to offset these costs for intergovernmental contracting decisions. We use data describing service production arrangements of cities in Michigan to examine the proposition that service production decisions are conditioned by the communication networks created through institutional linkages in addition to the transaction characteristics of services. We examine three different production options: (1) internal production, (2) joint or complete contracting with another government, and (3) production by a private or nonprofit organization, and find strong support for the expected role of transaction costs in these production choices. We also find that some types of networks created by institutions increase the likelih...
Time-resolved X-ray spectrometry of UV laser produced plasmas

Abstract Preliminary experiments using an X-ray streak filter spectrometer employing a Au/CsI bifurcated photocathode to investigate the X-ray history of UV (350 nm) laser produced plasmas are reported. Novel use of the streak spectrometer permits a direct and precise fiducial record of the laser pulse to be made from specularly scattered laser light, in true streak time relative to the X-ray record. Initial data indicates a constant 700 eV temperature during the laser pulse; time-resolved particulars are compared to simulations made by the design code LILAC.
Response of a periodically operated halophilic biofilm reactor to changes in salt concentration

A moderate halophilic organism was isolated from the Great Salt Lake, UT, USA which utilized phenol in a simulated waste brine containing 1–15% salt. Growth characteristics of this organism were not affected by preculture salt concentration. When placed in a periodically operated Sequencing Batch Biofilm Reactor (SBBR), the organism formed a biofilm on the gas permeable silicone tubing used to aerate the reactor. Reactor performance was not effected by large (14%) step changes in salt concentration. The results suggest that biofilms of halophilic bacteria can be used to effectively treat waste brines with high and variable salt contents.
Derivation of the probability rule

A derivation of the rule that states that ${\ensuremath{\psi}}^{*}(\overline{x})\ensuremath{\psi}(\overline{x})$ is the coordinate probability distribution at the space-time point $\overline{x}$ in quantum mechanics is presented. A coordinate-measuring experiment involving two light pulses that overlap at a prescribed space-time point is employed. A classical charged particle would reveal itself by absorbing energy from each pulse and reemitting a light wave whose energy and direction can be measured. In order to repeat this experiment a large number of times, the wave function must be separated into a number of identical copies. Since the (nonrelativistic) Schr\"odinger equation conserves $\ensuremath{\int}{\ensuremath{\psi}}^{*}(\overline{x})\ensuremath{\psi}(\overline{x}){d}^{3}x$, this separation is such that repeated measurements will give coordinates with a distribution proportional to ${\ensuremath{\psi}}^{*}(\overline{x})\ensuremath{\psi}(\overline{x})$.
K-Balls in the chiral lagrangian

Abstract Non-topological solitons (Q-balls) in the chiral lagrangian that have the quantum numbers of a collection of neutral kaons are looked for. These objects are called “K-balls”. A condition is found for the existence of K-balls. This condition depends on the coefficients of the higher order terms in the lagrangian, which are not well measured, and so it cannot be said whether these objects exist in nature.
The face-detection effect: configuration enhances detection.

We have found that a picture of a face is more easily detected than is a pattern of arbitrarily rearranged facial features. An upright face is also more detectable than an inverted face. Using two-alternative forced-choice visual masking paradigms, we have found that this face-detection effect (FDE) can be produced with line drawings and with photocopies of a picture of a face. Our results suggest that a face, as an organized, meaningful pattern, is a more potent stimulus than an arbitrary assemblage of the same visual features. It may be that the FDE is a visual configuration effect. Previous visual configuration effects have been documented only with recognition responses. The FDE, by contrast, documents a configuration effect that affects the detectability of a stimulus.