cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supercritical Coulomb impurities in gapped graphene

We study the problem of Coulomb field-induced charging of the ground state in a system of two-dimensional (2D) massive Dirac particles---gapped graphene. As in its 3D QED counterpart, the critical Coulomb coupling is renormalized to higher values compared to the massless case. We find that in gapped graphene, a different supercritical regime is possible, where the screening charge is comparable to the impurity charge; thus, leading to suppression of the Coulomb field at nanometer scales. We corroborate this with a numerical solution of the tight-binding problem on the honeycomb lattice.
The Wrong of Rights: The Moral Authority of the Family

I argue that the notion of human rights is a flawed notion of relatively recent historical origin, growing primarily out of Enlightenment concerns to separate human beings from their metaphysical and communal heritage. I critique liberal, secular individualism as an abstract perspective that fails to comprehend those fundamental family relations out of which genuine human life emerges and within which it must remain if it is to be perceptive, grounded, and concrete. Finally, I argue that the most important relations humans sustain to each other are internal, not external to them and that the bonding found through empathy is more insightful in decision making than the analytic connections engendered through human reason.
Sex Differences in the Size of Bile Acid Pools

In view of the excess prevalence of gallstones among women and the association of gallstones with diminished bile acid pool size, we measured bile acid pools in 27 male and 25 female healthy human volunteers. The average bile acid pool in the women was significantly smaller than in the men (2.25 +/- .12 g versus 2.88 +/- .16 g; p = 0.003). Chenodeoxycholic acid pool size, computed from bile acid composition data available in 43 of these subjects, was also smaller in women than men (0.94 +/- 0.06 versus 1.22 +/- 0.07 g; p = 0.004). Age, race, and body size bore no statistically significant relationship to bile acid pool size. Biliary cholesterol saturation was positively correlated with weight and obesity and showed a significant inverse correlation with chenodeoxycholic acid pool size, but not with total bile acid pool size. These findings suggest a possible mechanism for the higher prevalence of gallstones among women.
Microcomputer‐based robot dynamic sensing using linear array sensor for object recognition and manipulation

This article presents a microcomputer-based robot dynamic sensing system by the use of the linear scanning approach for object recognition and manipulation. In this research, a 512 × 1 solid-state photodiode linear array sensor is used for dynamic scanning the object to be identified. An experimental prototype is built, which consists of a fully opened parallel jaw gripper and a 360d turnable pedestal located between the jaws of the gripper. The sensor with the lens is mounted near the horizontal edge of one side of the gripper, and the illumination source is located directly on the other finger. The object to be identified is placed on the turnable pedestal. The simulated robot gripper can move vertically and the object will be scanned providing a two-dimensional image of the object. The object can be scanned in different views by adjusting the angle of the turnable pedestal. All the binary images which result are further analyzed for recognition and manipulation purposes. A Compaq microcomputer based on the Intel 8088 microprocessor is used as the host. A special interface between scanned video output, CPU, and video RAM memory is built and successfully tested.
Medication administration through feeding tubes.

I was pleased to see two recent AJHP articles that addressed some of the issues surrounding medication administration in enterally fed patients. [1][1], [2][2] Drug–nutrient interactions and drug bioavailability are complex and difficult to predict in patients receiving enteral feedings,
Determining Ground Surface Topography in Tidal Marshes Using Watermarks

Abstract The structure and function of intertidal communities are intimately linked with hydrologic regime, which itself is defined by elevation gradients relative to sea level. Water surfaces have long been used as a reference plane for determining topographic profiles of the underlying ground surface. Although relatively straightforward in static systems such as lakes or ponds, this method is more complicated in the intertidal zone where the water surface is in vertical motion. Here we evaluate a technique using water marks to indicate maximum tide heights from which ground elevations relative to a tidal datum can be calculated. Comparisons of data using this technique to optical-leveling surveys in several salt marshes of Connecticut and Massachusetts showed that the water surface conformed to a horizontal plane at high, slack tide and that watermarks could be used as a reliable reference plane for determining ground elevations from flooding depth.
Interfacial water in polar glaciers and glacier sliding at -17°C

We have observed sliding at a cold (-17 oC) ice-rock interface beneath Meserve Glacier, Antarctica, and the segregation of ice into clean lenses amidst the dirty basal layers of this glacier. We interpret these as manifestation's of thin water films at ice-rock interfaces. We use Shreve's theory for sub-freezing sliding to esti- mate the nominal film thickness to be at least tens of nanometers. Such water films should exist around rocks in most polar ices, and likely have high solute concen- trations due to solute rejection during regelation and due to exchange with veins and grain boundaries where impurities reside.
Photodynamic Therapy for Focal Retinal Pigment Epithelial Leaks Secondary to Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Purpose To report the use of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin as a treatment for patients with focal retinal pigment epithelial leaks secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Design Noncomparative, nonrandomized, retrospective interventional case series. Participants Nine eyes of 9 symptomatic patients with acute focal retinal pigment epithelial leaks secondary to CSC, confirmed with fluorescein angiography, evaluated at 1 of 3 referral retina practices. Methods Patients were treated with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin. Best-corrected visual acuity (VA) was recorded at presentation and follow-up visits. Main Outcome Measures Resolution of neurosensory detachment, status of fluorescein leakage, and VA. Results Neurosensory detachment and fluorescein leakage resolved in all patients within 1 month. Visual acuity improved from 1 to 6 lines in 7 eyes and remained unchanged in 2. At 6 months, there was a statistically significant improvement in mean VA ( P = 0.012, Wilcoxon signed ranks test), and mean VA improved from 20/80 to 20/40. No patient lost vision or suffered any treatment-related complications. Conclusion The treatment of acute CSC with photodynamic therapy may result in prompt resolution of neurosensory detachment and fluorescein leakage, which can be associated with rapidly improved vision. Although this case series is limited in follow-up and number of patients, the encouraging results and lack of visually significant complications suggest that further investigation is warranted.
Public Values and Public Policy

Public values and public policy are intertwined in a complex manner. The intent of this paper is to investigate some of those relationships and suggest how we should prescriptively address them to enhance the quality of public policy decisions. Part of my interest concerns the use of public values for setting public policy. A lot of research has addressed this problem, such as how to determine public values and how to use them appropriately to establish public policy (e.g. Edwards, 1977). The other part of my interest, which traditionally has not been addressed, concerns how we might use public policy to establish appropriate public values, and what might be the benefits of such an activity.
Size distribution of particulate mercury in marine and coastal atmospheres

Abstract. A study was conducted to determine the size distribution of particulate mercury (HgP) at a marine and coastal site, and to compare the seasonal variability at both sites. Data was collected during summer 2009 and 2010, winter 2010, and spring 2010. Two cascade impactors were used to collect HgP in ten size fractions ranging from > 10 μm to
A comparison of hardware prefetching techniques for multimedia benchmarks

Data prefetching is a well known technique for improving cache performance. While several studies have examined prefetch strategies for scientific and commercial applications, no published work has studied the special memory requirements of multimedia applications. This paper presents data for three types of hardware prefetching schemes: stream buffers, stride prediction tables, and a hybrid combination of the two, the stream cache. Use of the stride prediction table is shown to eliminate up to 90% of the misses that would otherwise be incurred in a moderate or large sized cache with no prefetching hardware. The stream cache, proposed for the first time in this paper, has the potential to cut execution times by half with the addition of a relatively small amount of additional hardware.
Optical rotatory dispersion and absolute configuration—X α- and β-phenylethylamine S☆

Abstract ORD and CD measurements on α- and β-phenylethylamines and a cyclic analogue possessing the benzoquinolizidine structure indicate that the absolute configuration of the asymmetric center may be assigned from the ORD curve. Compounds of S-configuration exhibit a positive multiple Cotton effect between 270 and 250 mμ.
Complex Phase Lag Behaviors of the 0.5-10 Hz Quasi-periodic Oscillations in GRS 1915+105

Through studying the hard lags between the soft (3.3-5.8 keV) and hard (13.0-41.0 keV) photons of the 0.5-10 Hz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in GRS 1915+105, we have classified them into three types: 0.5-2.0, 2.0-4.5, and 4.5-10 Hz QPOs. They are closely related to different temporal and spectral states. The first type of QPO (0.5-2 Hz) has positive hard lags at both the QPO fundamental and first harmonic frequencies. These QPOs were observed in the quiescent soft state. The second type of QPO (2-4.5 Hz) was also detected in the quiescent soft state; these QPOs have opposite signs of hard lags at the QPO fundamental and first harmonic frequencies. The third type (4.5-10 Hz), which showed up in medium soft quiescent/outburst states, does not have significant higher harmonic peaks. There is a smooth transition between these three types of QPO behaviors. We did not detect 0.5-10 Hz QPOs in the very soft state. We discuss some of the implications of these results.
Purification of the epithelial Cl channel.

Chloride channels are present in plasma membranes and in intracellular organelles. In a variety of epithelial cells these channels mediate NaCl absorption and secretion. The aim of our work was to purify the Cl channel and to develop molecular reagents that could be used to study the biochemical basis of cystic fibrosis.
Mechanism of Sulfur Incorporation into Solution Processed CuIn(Se,S)2 Films

We have investigated the incorporation of sulfur into CuIn(Se,S)2 thin films from different bonding environments in hydrazine-based precursor solutions. Sulfur is present in the form of (N2H5)2S, [Cu6S4]2–, and [In2(Se,S)4]2– complexes in mixed CuIn(Se,S)2 precursor solutions. On the basis of compositional information from the precursor solutions and annealed films, we find that the incorporation efficiency of sulfur from (N2H5)2S into the final film is extremely low as a result of the high volatility of this compound and its weak interaction with other species while in solution. Using the same methodology, we additionally report that approximately 80% of the sulfur from [In2(Se,S)4]2– is incorporated into the final material, compared to approximately 40% of the sulfur from [Cu6S4]2– complexes. This difference in sulfur incorporation efficiency may be due to the relatively weak Cu–S bonds present in the [Cu6S4]2– structure, which are somewhat unstable compared to the In–S bonds in the [In2(Se,S)4]2– compl...
Phosphonic Acid Based Proton Exchange Membrane

Phosphonic acid based fuel cell membranes show promise for making polymer electrolyte membranes that can operate at higher temperatures, >100C and low relative humidity. A copolymer of vinyl phosphonic acid with vinyl zirconium phosphonate has been synthesized into a clear, flexible, amorphous membrane. Chemical characterization has been accomplished using EDX, FTIR and CPMAS NMR. XRD and SAXS have been used to confirm an amorphous nature. EIS and PFGSE NMR have been used to characterize the ionic transport through the membrane on different length scales.
Slow-release devices for livestock insect control: cattle body surfaces contacted by five types of devices.

Pads containing a visible dye in an oil solution were attached to a neck band, a halter, a tail tag, ear tags, and leg bands to simulate slow-release insecticide devices. The devices were placed on cows held individually in outside pens exposed to a population of 50–200 horn flies, Haematobia irritans (L.). Self grooming and movements to combat the flies caused dye transfer from the devices to limited areas on the cows. Photographs were taken 24 h after the devices were placed on the cows to record the pattern of dye transfer from each device. A slow-release device must be matched to the habits of the target pest so insecticide released by such a device will be applied to preferred feeding or resting sites on the host.
Photoluminescence Investigation of Dislocation-Related Defects in High Purity Silicon

We conducted a luminescence investigation of the D1-D4 luminescence lines (0.8 to 1.0 eV) in three samples of high-purity, float-zone silicon. We conclude that the D3 line is a transverse-optical-phonon replica of the D4 line. In the samples studied, all of the defects were formed in the bulk of the crystals by high temperature thermal stress. The free-exciton lifetimes are short, varying between ∼20 nsec at a dislocation density of 1 × 106 cm−2 to ∼200 nsec at a density of 7 × 104 cm−2. The D4 decay shows a small temperature dependence, and varies between samples.
Epidemiology of varicella in Tianjin,2008-2012

Objective To investigate the incidence of varicella in Tianjin during 2008- 2012 and provide scientific evidence for varicella prevention and control.Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis and correlation analysis w ere conducted on the surveillance data of varicella and vaccination data in Tianjin during 2008- 2012 w ith Excel 2010 and SPSS 16.0 softw are Results A total of 39 983 varicella cases w ere reported during this period.The average annual incidence w as 64.83 / lakh.The cases w ere mainly reported in the suburbs.The incidence peaks w ere observed from April to June and November to January.The cases mainly occurred in children under the age of 15 years.The cases w ere mainly students.A total of 39 varicella related public health emergencies w ere reported during this period.The attack rates of the disease ranged from 0.19% to 30.30%.The primary schools in urban area w ere mostly affected.The varicella vaccination rate w as 82.71% in children aged 1- 6 years Vaccination rate w as negatively correlated w ith morbidity.Conclusion The varicella epidemic w as serious in Tianjin.It is necessary to strengthen the immunization in risk population and include varicella vaccine in immunization program to improve immunization coverage and herd immunity.
Autologous intracoronary bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation improves cardiac function in dilated cardiomyopathic rabbits

Objective To establish a new animal model of autologous intracoronary bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) transplantation in adriamycin-induced dilated cardiomyopathic (DCM) rabbits and evaluate the changes of cardiac function after transplantation. Methods Adriamycin was injected to produce New Zealand rabbit DCM model through ear-border vein. Histomorphological changes were evaluated by myocardium tissues HE staining and picrosirius red staining, while ultrastructure characteristics were investigated by transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the animal model. Twenty survived DCM rabbits were randomly divided into intracoronary transplant group and control group. Autolougous BMMNCs separated from bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation were infused into left coronary artery in cell transplant group through plastic 4F catheter which is similar to intracoronary BMMNCs transplantation in clinical trials. Four weeks after transplantation, indexes of hemodynamics and rabbit serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration were measured to evaluate the cardiac function. Results The histomorphological and ultrastructure changes of myocardium coincide with the characteristics of DCM.After 4 weeks of intracoronary transplantation, indexes of hemodynamic examination and serum BNP concentration indicated that there was statistical significance compared with those of the control group. Conclusions Autologous BMMNCs transplantation in adriamycin-induced DCM rabbits significantly improves the cardiac function.
Isolation and Culture of Rat Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Objective To establish a simple method for isolation and culture of rat lung microvascular endothelial cells(LMVEC).Methods Rat LMVEC were cultured with tissue pieces pasted methods.The cells morphological characteristics was observed by phase contrast microscope.LMVEC were identified by immunohistochemistry.Results Cells cultured have regular cobblestone morphology and junctional contacts by phase contrast microscope,and react to antibody against CD31.Conclusions It is a simple and reliable method to culture lung microvascular endothelial cells by tissue pieces pasted.
Virginia's Invisible Candidate News Coverage of the Virginia 2013 Gubernatorial Campaign

This study examines the 2013 Virginia gubernatorial campaign to see how the state's newspapers covered a third-party candidate in a year in which voters said they were looking for an alternative to...
Toward Predicting Test Score Gains With Online Behavior Data of Teachers.

As technology continues to disrupt education at nearly all levels from K–12 to college and beyond, the challenges of understanding the impact technology has on teaching continue to mount. One critical area that yet remains open, is examining teachers’ usage of technology by specifically collecting detailed data of their technology use, developing techniques to analyze that data and then finding meaningful connections that may show the value of that technology. In this research, we will present a model for predicting test score gains using data points drawn from typical educational data sources such as teacher experience, student demographics and classroom dynamics, as well as from the online usage behaviors of teachers. Building upon prior work in developing a usage typology of teachers using an online curriculum planning system, the Curriculum Customization Service (CCS), to assist in the development of their instruction and planning for an Earth systems curriculum, we apply the results of this typology to add new information to a model for predicting test score gains on a district-level Earth systems subject area exam. Using both multinomial logistic regression and Naive Bayes algorithms on the proposed model, we show that even with a simplification of the highly complex tapestry of variables that go into teacher and student performance, teacher usage of the CCS proved valuable to the predictive capability in average and above average test score gains cases.
Feasibility of 4% Topical Lidocaine for Pain Management During Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Dressing Changes in Pediatric Patients: A Case Study.

BACKGROUND Opioid analgesics such as morphine are frequently used for pain management in pediatric patients undergoing dressing changes for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). While these medications reduce associated pain, they are also associated with adverse side effects ranging from constipation, headache, and dizziness to respiratory depression, chest wall rigidity, and death. Alternative analgesic approaches are needed for pediatric patients undergoing NPWT. METHODS Four percent topical lidocaine was used for pain management during dressing changes for NPWT in a 15-year-old Hispanic male with necrotizing adenopathy. CONCLUSION The 4% topical lidocaine reduced the pain associated with dressing changes during NPWT. No adverse side effects were observed.
Novel Electrophysiology Signal Recording System Enables Specific Visualization of the Purkinje Network and Other High-Frequency Signals.

High-frequency signals (e.g., Purkinje potentials) are of interest in arrhythmia syndromes such as fascicular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. However, restricted dynamic range and sampling rate in modern electrophysiology recording systems make it challenging to identify high-frequency,
Alcohol, cigarette smoking, and ovarian reserve in reproductive-age African-American women

Background Although alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are common behaviors in reproductive-age women, little is known about the impact of consumption patterns on ovarian reserve. Even less is known about the effects of smoking and alcohol use in reproductive-age African-American women. Objective The objective of the study was to examine the impact of the patterns of alcohol intake and cigarette smoking on anti-Mullerian hormone levels as a marker of ovarian reserve in African-American women. Study Design This was a cross-sectional analysis from the baseline clinical visit and data collection of the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids performed by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. A total of 1654 volunteers, aged 23–34 years, recruited from the Detroit, Michigan community completed questionnaires on alcohol intake and cigarette smoking and provided serum for anti-Mullerian hormone measurement. Multivariable linear and logistic regressions were used as appropriate to estimate the effect of a range of exposure patterns on anti-Mullerian hormone levels while adjusting for potential confounders including age, body mass index, and hormonal contraception. Results Most participants were alcohol drinkers (74%). Of those, the majority (74%) engaged in binge drinking at least once in the last year. Women who reported binge drinking twice weekly or more had 26% lower anti-Mullerian hormone levels compared with current drinkers who never binged (95% confidence interval, –44, –2, P Conclusion Results suggest that current, frequent binge drinking may have an adverse impact on ovarian reserve. Other drinking and smoking exposures were not associated with anti-Mullerian hormone in this cohort of healthy, young, African-American women. A longitudinal study of how these common lifestyle behaviors have an impact on the variability in age-adjusted anti-Mullerian hormone levels is merited.
Male Scudderia pistillata katydids defend their acoustic duet against eavesdroppers

Acoustic duets—in which the female reveals herself to the advertising male—are a common means of establishing a temporary, pre-mating pair bond within Phaneropterinae katydids. Such duets, however, are especially susceptible to eavesdropping males that orient to signaling females and interrupt the established duet. It would therefore be advantageous for an advertising male to protect his investment in a duet from eavesdroppers. Male Scudderia pistillata katydids produce acoustic advertisement calls after which a conspecific female enters the duet by responding during a specific time-window with her own call, one or more acoustic ticks. We demonstrate here that when a duet is occurring in the presence of other calling males, the focal male produces a single acoustic tick that has a spectrum similar to that of the female’s tick and occurs during the time-window in which the female would respond to his advertisement call within the duet. The male acoustic tick may confound eavesdropping males if they have difficulty performing accurate phonotaxis to a female sound source when sounds arrive from two locations. We tested this hypothesis in laboratory arenas and determined that silent males eavesdrop on advertising male’s duets and accurately locate his female. Moreover, we found that the added acoustic tick produced by advertising males serves to mimic the female response and reduces the accuracy of eavesdropping males to localize the female. Therefore, male ticks appear to act as a form of pre-copulatory acoustic mate guarding of the calling male’s temporary pair bond with the female.
Evolutionary Fates and Dynamic Functionalization of Young Duplicate Genes in Arabidopsis Genomes

Gene duplication is a primary means to generate genomic novelties, playing an essential role in speciation and adaptation. Particularly in plants, a high abundance of duplicate genes has been maintained for significantly long periods of evolutionary time. To address the manner in which young duplicate genes were derived primarily from small-scale gene duplication and preserved in plant genomes and to determine the underlying driving mechanisms, we generated transcriptomes to produce the expression profiles of five tissues in Arabidopsis thaliana and the closely related species Arabidopsis lyrata and Capsella rubella Based on the quantitative analysis metrics, we investigated the evolutionary processes of young duplicate genes in Arabidopsis. We determined that conservation, neofunctionalization, and specialization are three main evolutionary processes for Arabidopsis young duplicate genes. We explicitly demonstrated the dynamic functionalization of duplicate genes along the evolutionary time scale. Upon origination, duplicates tend to maintain their ancestral functions; but as they survive longer, they might be likely to develop distinct and novel functions. The temporal evolutionary processes and functionalization of plant duplicate genes are associated with their ancestral functions, dynamic DNA methylation levels, and histone modification abundances. Furthermore, duplicate genes tend to be initially expressed in pollen and then to gain more interaction partners over time. Altogether, our study provides novel insights into the dynamic retention processes of young duplicate genes in plant genomes.
Light Regulation of Plastid Gene Expression during Chloroplast Biogenesis in Barley; Evidence for Regulation of Translation and Post-Transcriptional Determination of mRNA Levels

Higher plant photosynthesis occurs within organelles termed chloroplasts. This subcellular compartment contains membrane-bound enzymes which drive photosynthetic electron transport and soluble enzymes involved in CO2 fixation. The biosynthesis and assembly of these enzymes during plastid biogenesis is the focus of our labs research.
Engineering practice-a junior level course to develop the "SOFT SKILLS" in engineering

Engineering Design is the driving force in many engineering programs with little emphases on the other considerations such as feasibility, financial, environmental, social, and regulatory aspects despite the major push by ABET. This course in Engineering Practice focuses on addressing the above concerns in a one credit course that is required of all juniors in a team setting. The paper explains the philosophy, practice, expectations, setup and results of teaching this course for several years.
Data Structures: Form and Function

This text is intended for the one-term course in data structures with the following prerequisites: mastery of a high-level programming language, preferably Pascal, and finite or discrete mathematics. Each basic concept is introduced first through numerous examples and followed by advanced material allowing maximum flexibility in structuring the course. Through the use of data structures, the author has included coverage of the following related topics: recursion, pattern recognition, and dynamic programming. Extensive examples, over 300 exercises, 400 figures and tables, and 80 working algorithms contribute to student learning.
Arab Art Institutions and Their Audiences

Leaders of Arab art institutions are negotiating new grounds for the arts with new money, new audiences, and—in the case of the Gulf countries—also new locations. They are playing a key role in devising alternate strategies to reach audiences and create civic dialogue through the arts, while negotiating economic, political, and artistic concerns that are helping to shape future cultural policies in the region. This paper explores the institutionalization of Arab art practices in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and the United Arab Emirates, and the relationship of these arts organizations to their audiences. The reasons for selecting these four countries is that compared to other Arab countries, they have a large number of individual art initiatives, as well as new and diverse types of institutions. Each country has a specific context in which the art organizations were established and function. However, the focus of this paper is the relationship of the art institutions to their audiences and the strategies they use to encourage discourse on art and its content in the public sphere. The paper is based on discussions with twenty-one art professionals who represent almost all leading art institutions in the Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Expanding our Understanding of Black Americans’ Experiences of Workplace Incivility

Over the last decade there has been increasing interest in incivility in the workplace. Workplace incivility has been defined as low-level, ambiguous, negative behaviors which are rude and discourt...
Improved Metastasis- and Disease-Free Survival With Preoperative Sequential Short-Course Radiation Therapy and FOLFOX Chemotherapy for Rectal Cancer Compared With Neoadjuvant Long-Course Chemoradiotherapy: Results of a Matched Pair Analysis

Purpose To compare treatment and toxicity outcomes between a phase 2 institutional trial of near total neoadjuvant therapy (nTNT) for locally advanced rectal cancer and a similar historical control cohort treated at Washington University in St. Louis with the current US standard of care, defined as neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT), total mesorectal excision (TME), and adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy; to expand the comparison to an additional institution, patients treated with similar NCRT at Stanford University were included. Methods and Materials Sixty-nine patients with cT3-4N0-2M0 rectal adenocarcinoma enrolled on the Washington University in St. Louis phase 2 study of nTNT were included for analysis. Patients treated at the same institution with conventional NCRT and adjuvant FOLFOX were matched for exact cTNM stage. Forty-one patients treated with NCRT at Stanford University were included in a second analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log–rank test was used to compare local control, distant metastasis–free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival. Results Median follow-up was 49 and 54 months for nTNT and NCRT, respectively. Pathologic complete response and T-downstaging rates were 28% versus 16% ( P =.21) and 75% versus 41% ( P P =.032) was significantly better in the nTNT group. Actuarial 3-year local control (92% vs 96%, P =.36) and overall survival (96% vs 88%, P =.67) were similar. The Stanford cohort had significantly lower clinical stage. After controlling for clinical stage, age, tumor location, institution, and number of chemotherapy cycles, nTNT treatment remained significantly associated with lower risk of recurrence ( P =.006). Conclusions Patients treated with nTNT had higher T-downstaging and superior distant metastasis–free survival and disease-free survival compared with conventional NCRT when matched for tumor location and exact cTNM stage. Near total neoadjuvant therapy remained a significant multivariate predictor for improved outcome when including patients treated with NCRT at another institution.
PEDIATRIC EPILEPSY | Mechanisms of Epileptogenesis in Models of Pediatric Epilepsy Syndromes Associated with Brain Malformation

Construction of precise neuronal circuits is crucial to normal brain function. Generation of these complex circuits begins with a relatively small number of progenitor cells and progresses through carefully controlled stages of neuronal proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Disruptions in this process, whether genetic or acquired, invariably lead to disordered neuronal migration and subsequent brain malformation. Patients with brain malformations often suffer with mental retardation, developmental delay, and intractable forms of epilepsy. Despite the relatively high frequency of these disorders in the pediatric population, our fundamental understanding of how a malformed brain functions remains limited. To study these disorders, it would be helpful to have readily available rodent models featuring distinct (and clinically relevant) forms of brain malformation. Several such models already exist and some have been studied in the context of epileptogenesis associated with a malformed brain. Here, a brief overview is provided of current animal models and a detailed summary of the results in one representative model, namely, prenatal exposure to the teratogen methylazoxymethanol.
Haploidentical Transplantation for Older Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Abstract Allogeneic stem cell transplantation with HLA-matched donors is increasingly used for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). It remains unclear if haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haploSCT) is a suitable option for older patients with this disease. We analyzed 43 patients with AML/MDS (median age, 61 years) who underwent a haploSCT at our institution. All patients received a fludarabine-melphalan–based reduced-intensity conditioning regimen and post-transplant cyclophosphamide-based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Except for 1 patient who had early death, the remaining 42 patients (98%) engrafted donor cells. The cumulative incidences of grades II to IV and III to IV acute GVHD at 6 months were 35% and 5%, respectively, and chronic GVHD at 2 years was 9%. After a median follow-up of 19 months, 2-year overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), and relapse incidence were 42%, 42%, and 24%, respectively. Best PFS (74% at 2 years) was seen in patients with intermediate-/good-risk cytogenetics, in first or second remission (hazard ratio, .4; P = .05), and with a younger donor (≤40 years; hazard ratio, .2; P = .01). In conclusion, these data suggest that haploidentical transplantation is safe and effective for older AML/MDS patients. Disease status, cytogenetics, and younger donor age are predictors for improved survival in older patients receiving a haploidentical transplant.
The Dwelling of ˀIlu in Baˁlu and ˀAqhatu

In an arrival formula that recurs throughout the Ugaritic epics Baˁlu and ˀAqhatu , the dwelling of the chief god, ˀIlu, is described as encompassing, among other things, a { d d}. Scholars have understood this term in various ways, chiefly as “field,” “mountain,” and “defense.” I argue that the etymological rationales grounding the first two semantic analyses are unsound, and that the case for the third understanding, by far the least commonly adopted, can be strengthened by observing a Sabaic cognate that occurs together with terms for land holdings. On these grounds, I offer the English translation “pasture” as the best approximation of the semantics of Ugaritic { d d}. This situates ˀIlu as a tent-dwelling pastoralist, for which there are suggestive parallels elsewhere in West Semitic texts, including the Hebrew Bible.
Nutrition Assessment Practical Approaches

Because of the insidious nature of malnutrition in the elderly and its mimicking the usual aging process, it is important to recognize early warning signs of risks for malnutrition. Because the majority of individuals are encountered at times of a specific event (i.e., illness, injury, surgery, or annual examination) the physician needs to be cognizant of the triggers or alerts of poor nutritional health during history/physical and laboratory examinations for the particular event. Only then will early detection and applicable interventions provide a salutary paradigm shift towards prevention, whether primary, secondary, or tertiary. A high degree of suspicion, a thorough history, and physical examination coupled with pertinent laboratory data can identify the elderly at risk. Those in need of more comprehensive nutrition screen and assessment are examined with the tools developed by the NSI, which encompass not only the routine medical and dietary history and physical exam but also an expansive look at the older individual's psychosocial, functional, socioeconomic, and drug use aspects that are more indirect and significant determinants of risk. Based on parameters from a Level II Screen, measurable indicators are available that provide the nutrition assessment necessary for an overall healthcare plan of selected interventions. Future research should provide more practical, age, sex, and culturally specific nutrition parameters. The main factor in the implementation of a practical, comprehensive geriatric nutrition screening and assessment program is the clinician's imagination and motivation.
A Novel Fiberless Diffuse Speckle Contrast Flowmeter for Tissue Blood Flow Measurement

We reported a novel, low-cost, compact, fiberless, diffuse speckle contrast flowmeter consisting of a laser diode and a bare CCD/CMOS chip for tissue blood flow measurement. We validated the system in tissue phantoms and explored its applications in human tissues.
Biomimetic soft fibrous hydrogels for contractile and pharmacologically responsive smooth muscle.

Abstract The ability to assess changes in smooth muscle contractility and pharmacological responsiveness in normal or pathological-relevant vascular tissue environments is critical to enable vascular drug discovery. However, major challenges remain in both capturing the complexity of in vivo vascular remodeling and evaluating cell contractility in complex, tissue-like environments. Herein, we developed a biomimetic fibrous hydrogel with tunable structure, stiffness, and composition to resemble the native vascular tissue environment. This hydrogel platform was further combined with the combinatory protein array technology as well as advanced approaches to measure cell mechanics and contractility, thus permitting evaluation of smooth muscle functions in a variety of tissue-like microenvironments. Our results demonstrated that biomimetic fibrous structure played a dominant role in smooth muscle function, while the presentation of adhesion proteins co-regulated it to various degrees. Specifically, fibre networks enabled cell infiltration and upregulated expression of actomyosin proteins in contrast to flat hydrogels. Remarkably, fibrous structure and physiologically relevant stiffness of hydrogels cooperatively enhanced smooth muscle contractility and pharmacological responses to vasoactive drugs at both the single cell and intact tissue levels. Together, this study is the first to demonstrate alterations of human vascular smooth muscle contractility and pharmacological responsiveness in biomimetic soft, fibrous environments with a cellular array platform. The integrated platform produced here could enable investigations for pathobiology and pharmacological interventions by developing a broad range of patho-physiologically relevant in vitro tissue models. Statement of Significance Engineering functional smooth muscle in vitro holds the great potential for diseased tissue replacement and drug testing. A central challenge is recapitulating the smooth muscle contractility and pharmacological responses given its significant phenotypic plasticity in response to changes in environment. We present a biomimetic fibrous hydrogel with tunable structure, stiffness, and composition that enables the creation of functional smooth muscle tissues in the native-like vascular tissue microenvironment. Such fibrous hydrogel is further combined with the combinatory protein array technology to construct a cellular array for evaluation of smooth muscle phenotype, contraction, and cell mechanics. The integrated platform produced here could be promising for developing a broad range of normal or diseased in vitro tissue models.
Factors affecting copper absorption in humans and animals.

Copper is the third most abundant trace element in the body, being exceeded only by iron and zinc. Copper deficiency in humans was first reported nearly 30 years ago, in the early 1960’s. As interest in Cu’s role in metabolism has grown, so has interest in the factors which might affect its absorption or utilization by the body. Nevertheless, the human requirement for Cu is still uncertain, and there is no RDA for Cu (National Research Council, 1980). Among other things, the Cu requirement is likely to be affected by factors which affect the body’s ability to make adjustments in the amount of Cu absorbed from the diet or in the rate at which Cu is excreted. These factors may be physiological, such as age, pregnancy, or disease, or they may be dietary factors. This paper will discuss the effects of various factors on Cu absorption and excretion, with emphasis on work done in the author’s laboratory.
Surface Plasmon Resonance, Theory

The theory behind the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is developed. Variants on the standard technique such as long-range SPR, coupled plasmon-waveguide resonance and its long-range version are also described.
Human Rights in Thick and Thin Societies: Universality without Uniformity

Socio-centric societies have vibrant - albeit different - concepts of human flourishing than is typical in the individualistic West. These concepts influence the promotion of human rights, both in domestic contexts with religious minorities and in international contexts where Western ideals may clash with local norms. Human Rights in Thick and Thin Societies uncovers the original intentions of the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, finds inspiration from early leaders in the field like Eleanor Roosevelt, and examines the implications of recent advances in cultural psychology for understanding difference. The case studies included illustrate the need to vary the application of human rights in differing cultural environments, and the book suggests a new framework: a flexible universalism that returns to basics - focusing on the great evils of the human condition. This approach will help the human rights movement succeed in a multipolar era.
Factors Influencing Prescribing Patterns and Patient Management Among US Centers Offering Commercial Axicabtagene Ciloleucel and Tisagenlecleucel for B-NHL

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) and tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) are both anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies indicated for the management (mgmt) of relapsed/refractory large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). Though two registrational phase 2 trials yielded promising results, comparison studies are lacking and long term data are not yet available. Given the approval of axi-cel in 10/2017 and tisa-cel in 5/2018, we conducted a survey in 7/2018 to better understand early prescribing patterns and mgmt strategies with these two commercial products in B-NHL. Surveys were issued to 26 US centers certified to prescribe both drugs, with 19 (73%) surveys returned. Of respondents, 26% took part in axi-cel trials, 26% in tisa-cel trials, 26% did not take part in either, and 21% took part in trials with both drugs. Tisa-cel was most frequently delivered in a hybrid setting (outpatient (outpt) chemotherapy and inpatient (inpt) CAR T infusion) in 42% of sites, 37% performed exclusively inpt treatment (tx), 11% outpt tx, and 11% used multiple tx strategies. Axi-cel was administered exclusively inpt in 47% of sites, 42% used a hybrid approach, and 11% used multiple tx strategies; however, no site employed entirely outpt axi-cel tx. There was significant variability in supportive care measures across sites. In grading toxicities, 32% of centers used Lee criteria, 32% CAR-T associated Toxicity (CARTOX) criteria, 21% center specific policies, and 16% company guidance. Similarly, toxicity mgmt varied greatly, where 42% of sites used center specific policies, 21% Lee criteria, 21% company guidance, and 16% CARTOX. In 68% of respondents, baseline patient (pt) factors impacted prescribing patterns. Tisa-cel was more likely to be considered in pts with advanced age/comorbidities or a history of central nervous system B-NHL/other neurologic conditions. In 84% of sites, product logistics influenced prescribing practice. The most frequently cited reasons were shorter production time favoring use of axi-cel followed by later onset of cytokine release syndrome favoring use of tisa-cel. Of respondents, the single strongest reason influencing tx decisions was drug toxicity profile (32%). The results of this survey highlight the significant heterogeneity in practice patterns that exist among sites offering both products in B-NHL. While numerous factors may impact prescribing patterns, toxicity profile and production time appear to heavily influence this decision. Given the limited available data and the relatively small number of pts treated with commercial drug at each site, open discussions about institutional experiences will be important in understanding the pros and cons of various approaches and products. Future efforts should focus on formulating consensus guidelines to standardize prescribing patterns and supportive care measures, with the goal of optimizing outcomes.
Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator for ischemic stroke in early pregnancy dosed by actual body weight.

Introduction:Few published reports highlight intravenous tissue plasminogen activator use during the first trimester of pregnancy and provide outcomes for mother and fetus. Little guidance is avail...
Chain transfer agents utilized in epoxide and CO2 copolymerization processes

This tutorial deals initially with a comparison of the mechanistic aspects of living and immortal polymerization processes. The living polymerization pathway originated with the anionic polymerization of styrene by Szwarc, whereas immortal polymerization was first described by Inoue for the homopolymerization of epoxides using an aluminum complex. A similar behavior would be anticipated for the copolymerization of epoxides and carbon dioxide catalyzed by well-defined metal complexes. The major difference between these two pathways is rapid and reversible chain transfer reactions involving protic impurities or additives in the latter case, that is, the stoichiometry of the monomer/initiator ratio changes as a function of the nature and concentration of the chain transfer agent (CTA). For instance, in early studies of the copolymerization of epoxides and CO2 where adventitious water was present in the copolymerization reactions, there was little control of the molecular weight of the resulting copolymer product. Presently, the presence of chain transfer with protic CTAs during the copolymerization of epoxides and CO2 is a major positive factor in this process's commercialization. Specifically, this represents an efficient production of polyols for the synthesis of CO2-based polyurethanes. Studies of the use of various CTAs in the synthesis of designer polymeric materials from CO2 and epoxides are summarized herein.