cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rheumatic fever in children. A follow-up study with emphasis on cardiac sequelae.

Eighty-nine children with rheumatic fever between 1964 and 1978 were reviewed. There were 40 males and 49 females. The first attack occurred mostly between 6 and 12 years. Arthritis was present in 62.9%; carditis, 55.1%; chorea, 19.1%. Children were followed from 20 months to 15 years (mean 61 months). Seventeen developed recurrent attacks (19.1%). On final examination, 40 had no heart disease, 30 had mild heart disease, 6 required valve surgery, 4 had died, and 9 had moderate heart disease but not operated. Chorea was present in 20 children. Six of them also had mitral insufficiency, 3 had recurrence after episode of chorea. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of streptococcal infection and penicillin prophylaxis need to be stressed. Severe carditis on initial attack and recurrence predispose to the development of severe heart disease.
Feasible Coupling Design for Compact Optical Frequency Comb based on A Fused-quartz Micro-resonator

Optical comb spacing of 2.5 nm was generated from fused-quartz micro-resonator with Q ~ 107. An electromagnet is utilized to connect between a translation stage and the micro-resonator holder temporally for performing a portable design.
Perceptions of communicative disorders: verification and specification of rater variables.

Using semantic differential scales with nine trait pairs, 600 students at three universities rated five descriptions, one depicting an individual without a disorder and four portraying individuals with communicative disorders. Statistical analyses indicated that the description with no disorder was rated as significantly less ambitious than the described articulation disorder. Other differences emerged when raters were divided by gender and age. Male subjects rated the portrayed individuals as more highly stressed than did females. A significant negative correlation was found for age of respondent and ratings of self-esteem. Results support previous research suggesting that rater gender and age impact perceptions of communicative disorders. Learning outcomes: As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to: (1) identify the different means by which investigators have studied the stereotyping of people with communicative disorders, (2) discuss how listeners perceive those with and without communicative disorders, and (3) identify listener traits that may be associated with negative perceptions of people with communicative disorders.
Identification and Regulation of Genes for Cobalamin Transport in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002.

ABSTRACT The cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 is a cobalamin auxotroph and utilizes this coenzyme solely for the synthesis of l-methionine by methionine synthase (MetH). Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 is unable to synthesize cobalamin de novo, and because of the large size of this tetrapyrrole, an active-transport system must exist for cobalamin uptake. Surprisingly, no cobalamin transport system was identified in the initial annotation of the genome of this organism. With more sophisticated in silico prediction tools, a btuB-cpdA-btuC-btuF operon encoding components putatively required for a B12 uptake (btu) system was identified. The expression of these genes was predicted to be controlled by a cobalamin riboswitch. Global transcriptional profiling by high-throughput RNA sequencing of a cobalamin-independent form of Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 grown in the absence or presence of cobalamin confirmed regulation of the btu operon by cobalamin. Perez et al. (A. A. Perez, Z. Liu, D. A. Rodionov, Z. Li, and D. A. Bryant, J Bacteriol 198:2743–2752, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JB.00475-16) developed a cobalamin-dependent yellow fluorescent protein reporter system in a Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 variant that had been genetically modified to allow cobalamin-independent growth. This reporter system was exploited to validate components of the btu uptake system by assessing the ability of targeted mutants to transport cobalamin. The btuB promoter and a variant counterpart mutated in an essential element of the predicted cobalamin riboswitch were fused to a yfp reporter. The combined data indicate that the btuB-cpdA-btuF-btuC operon in this cyanobacterium is transcriptionally regulated by a cobalamin riboswitch. IMPORTANCE With a cobalamin-regulated reporter system for expression of yellow fluorescent protein, genes previously misidentified as encoding subunits of a siderophore transporter were shown to encode components of cobalamin uptake in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002. This study demonstrates the importance of experimental validation of in silico predictions and provides a general scheme for in vivo verification of similar cobalamin transport systems. A putative cobalamin riboswitch was identified in Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002. This riboswitch acts as a potential transcriptional attenuator of the btu operon that encodes the components of the cobalamin active-transport system.
Evaluating Single-Molecule Stokes and Anti-Stokes SERS for Nanoscale Thermometry

Plasmonic near fields, wherein light is magnified and focused within nanoscale volumes, are utilized in a broad array of technologies including optoelectronics, catalysis, and sensing. Within these nanoscale cavities, increases in temperature are expected and indeed have been demonstrated. Heat generation can be beneficial or detrimental for a given system or technique, but in either case it is useful to have knowledge of local temperatures. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), potentially down to the limit of single-molecule (SM) detection, has been suggested as a viable route for measuring nanoscale temperatures through simultaneous collection of Stokes and anti-Stokes SER scattering, as the ratio of their intensities is related to the Boltzmann distribution. We have rigorously verified SM detection in anti-Stokes SERS of rhodamine 6G on aggregated Ag nanoparticles using the isotopologue method. We observe a broad distribution in the ratio of anti-Stokes and Stokes signal intensities among SM eve...
Introducing Agility in Hybrid Communication Systems and Sensors

This paper presents a new approach in dealing with hybridization issues in communication systems or sensors. The thrust is to separate the logical network (sensor) infrastructure from the physical one. Here we show how we can exploit concepts such as persistent identification which we believe is crucial to be able to connect a variety of heterogeneous devices in a network that grows, and that is robust to failures. A vital characteristic of our architecture is the ability to accommodate a variety of heterogeneous devices and subsystems. Several examples of hybridization of sensors at the physical, logical, and network levels are presented and discussed.
A Society of Individuals

In “A Society of Individuals,” I sketch a society that has no good of its own, no social end, but exists to enable each individual member better to pursue his own good, facilitating cooperation, and resolving the basic Interaction Problem (exemplified by the Prisoner’s Dilemma): that utility-maximization and Pareto-optimization are sometimes incompatible. The orthodox defend the rationality of maximization; I defend Pareto-optimization. I argue that if (per impossible) we could determine the features of our society by prior agreement we would agree to a Society of Individuals, and that we would agree ex ante to some social practice or institution is the best possible justification of it holding for us. I then sketch some of the main features of the Society. In doing this I assume that members of the Society are not all adherents of contractarianism, but may hold any of a number of reasonable views, which the Society must seek to accommodate. I consider how several alleged rights, such as a right to resources, fare in the Society. And I conclude with the idea that contractarianism, in arguing that each adult member of society enjoys equal citizenship, must afford each the right to participate in choosing and dismissing governments. We may then think the emergence of a Society of Individuals is democracy’s fulfillment.
Design for CubeSat-based dust and radiation studies at Europa

Abstract Europa is one of the icy moons of Jupiter and the possibility of an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy crust makes it one of the most fascinating destinations for exploration in the solar system. NASA's Europa Multiple Flyby Mission (EMFM, formerly Europa Clipper) is slated to visit the icy moon in a timeframe near the year 2022 to study the habitability of Europa. CubeSats carried along by the primary mission can supplement the measurements made, at a relatively low cost, and with the added benefits of involving students at universities in this challenging endeavor. Further, such a mission holds the key to extending the applicability of CubeSats to interplanetary missions. In this paper, we present the design of the Europa Radiation and Dust Observation Satellite (ERDOS), a 3U CubeSat designed to be deployed by the Europa Multiple Flyby Mission to carry out measurements of the radiation and dust environment, before impacting Europa's surface. We present a detailed design for a CubeSat-based secondary mission, and discuss the science goals that may be accomplished by such a mission. Further, we discuss results from a comprehensive analysis of various engineering challenges associated with an interplanetary CubeSat mission, such as radiation shielding and thermal environment control. Our results show that a short duration CubeSat-based flyby mission is feasible when the CubeSat is carried on board the primary mission until the Jovian system is reached. Such a flyby mission can provide important supplementary information to the primary mission about Europa's environment at a closer range and lead to a substantial increase in scientific knowledge about surface processes on Europa.
Social Work and Family Therapy: Interdisciplinary Roots of Family Intervention

Social work practice takes place between persons in families and other social institutions, such as schools, health systems, welfare systems or courts. Drawing from multi-disciplinary theoretical sources, the article brings together social work and family therapy to develop a contemporary model of social work practice with families. There are five generic principles of family systemic practice: 1) persons are inherently relational; 2) families have resilient strengths; 3) family life cycles proceed systemically generating relational tasks for family members; 4) repetitive family interaction generates relational structures; 5) cultures, as perceived by family members, are themselves in dynamic motion, necessitating a transcultural understanding of family interaction.
Oscar Wilde, Evelyn Sharp, and the Politics of Dress and Decoration in the Fin-de-Siècle Fairy Tale

When the fairy tale resurged in popularity during the fin de siecle, authors Oscar Wilde and Evelyn Sharp explored how the dress and decoration of characters shaped public perception of the wearers’ gender. Through their examination of how clothes politicize the body—often in ways uncontrollable and devastating to the characters forced to adapt a specific aesthetic—Wilde and Sharp unite the fairy-tale genre with contemporary conversations about gender identity and sexual politics, and how these conversations often work in contrast or even opposition to the interiority of the wearer.
Light/matter interactions: A novel simulation platform for intra-body nanoscale optical communications

In vivo Wireless Nanosensor Networks (iWNSNs) are communicating nano-devices with the capability of operating inside the human body, allowing for in vivo monitoring, diagnosis and operation. Through the use of iWNSNs new opportunities to monitor human biology become available on a cellular and subcellular level. To fully grasp and execute the capabilities of such technology in the human body, the propagation of electromagnetic waves need to be modeled by taking into consideration the dynamics of the cells at the nanoscale. Previous simulations have been done but on a platform that lacks modularity, dynamism, and velocity. In this paper, a new simulation platform based on Python coding language is proposed to provide an improved optofluidic communication channel model by taking into account all the peculiarities of the light/matter interactions at the nanoscale inside the human body. This involves a 2D matrix where each entry represents a small biological sub-area with its dielectric constant based on the electromagnetic properties of the material. A vector is then calculated for each element of the matrix which includes the magnitude, phase and direction of the optical wave being propagated at that particular point. This simulation method is further specialized to model the light propagation inside the human blood vessel and is validated with COMSOL Multiphysics simulations. The proposed platform paves the way for channel modeling and further developments of in vivo wireless communication.
Model Assessment of Observed Precipitation Trends over Land Regions: Detectable Human Influences and Possible Low Bias in Model Trends

AbstractPrecipitation trends for 1901–2010, 1951–2010, and 1981–2010 over relatively well-observed global land regions are assessed for detectable anthropogenic influences and for consistency with historical simulations from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The CMIP5 historical all-forcing runs are broadly consistent with the observed trend pattern (1901–2010), but with an apparent low trend bias tendency in the simulations. Despite this bias, observed and modeled trends are statistically consistent over 59% of the analyzed area. Over 20% (9%) of the analyzed area, increased (decreased) precipitation is partly attributable to anthropogenic forcing. These inferred human-induced changes include increases over regions of the north-central United States, southern Canada, Europe, and southern South America and decreases over parts of the Mediterranean region and northern tropical Africa. Trends for the shorter periods (1951–2010 and 1981–2010) do not indicate a prominent low trend ...
System Planning and Modeling of a Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Community

Renewable energy generation in centralized and distributed power generation, implements small-scale wind, solar and biomass power plants installed at the distribution level to offset the huge electricity demand by consumers. This research paper aims on proposing a systematic approach on how to plan and model a renewable energy self-sufficient community for development. The proposed system is comprised of multiple renewable energy generation sources of defined target capacity (i.e., Solar, Wind, and Biomass). The methodology employs SysML modeling environment, and the results are presented as a roadmap for actual real-life design implementation.
Die neue Herausforderung

Angesichts des rasanten politischen, wirtschaftlichen, gesellschaftlichen und okologischen Wandels in Europa werden Unternehmenseigner, Aufsichtsrate und Top-Manager zunehmend nervos.
Mass Spectrometry in Studies of O-Linked Glycopeptides Isolated from Natural and Recombinant Glycoproteins

Characterization of the carbohydrates attached to a glycoprotein requires determination of the primary structure of the oligosaccharides as well as their sites of attachment. Since there is no consensus sequence to identify attachment sites of O-linked carbohydrates and there is no generic enzyme which cleaves all O-linked sugar structures, the identification of the structures at each given site for O-linked oligosaccharides is a challenging analytical task. Recently, however, progress has been made in this area with the analysis of intact glycopeptides by high-performance tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). In this paper we review the use of high-performance MS/MS to determine the oligosaccharide sequence, the peptide sequence, and in certain cases the site(s) of attachment of O-linked sugars to intact glycopeptides from recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor B-chain (rhPDGF-B) and bovine fetuin.
Chapter 3 – Plasma State

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the salient features of the plasma state that are important for thin film technology emphasizing the principal characteristics of an ideal plasma state. It discusses the distinguishing roles played by electrons and ions in plasma. It describes the collisional processes that can occur in a plasma and helps in understanding their contribution to generate and sustain a plasma. The motion of charged particles as they are affected by electric and magnetic fields is considered to bring out the anisotropies introduced in the plasma by the presence of a magnetic field. The methods used for calculating average macroscopic properties are needed to understand any model of plasma behavior in actual plasma systems. The macroscopic characterization of plasma helps in understanding the control of processes involving plasma. The advanced methods of plasma reactors also utilize the rich variety of waves that can be generated in any plasma. This chapter addresses the principles that are important in determining the types of particles that are present in a plasma and their energies, the dimension in time and distance over which changes can occur, the type of response one can expect when the plasma is subjected to external fields, and the nature of collisions that one can initiate and sustain in a plasma.
Central Motor Control

Man is capable of performing a nearly infinite variety of movements, each of them generated by a specific pattern of motor neuron discharge. Only the simplest (e.g., withdrawal of a limb or scratching) can be generated by the isolated spinal cord. The motor repertoire of the spinal motor neurons and associated interneurons is limited to reflex responses (see Chap. 5). All other movements, ranging in complexity from coordinated walking to playing a Beethoven sonata, are generated by the central motor areas of the brain. The descending spinal tracts provide pathways for the central motor control of patterns of spinal motor neuron discharge. The central motor control systems include the motor cortex, which controls both pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems; the basal ganglia; and the cerebellum. Although at present many of the functions of these motor systems are not understood, each is thought to contribute in a specific manner to the generation of movement. The motor cortex-pyramidal system is associated with the voluntary performance of fines-killed movements. Gross involuntary movements are generated by the motor cortex-extrapyramidal system.
A Modification of the Beckman Microzone Cell for Performance of Immunoosmophoresis on Agarose Coated Plates

The Beckman Microzone Cell has been modified for immunoosmophoresis on agarose coated plates. This modification presents a simple means to use existing equipment for the electrophoretic determination of Australia antigen or antigen–anti-body combinations which have the appropriate electrophoretic mobility.
From Patients to Populations: Rhetorical Considerations for a Post-Compliance Medicine

Scholars have criticized the rhetoric of compliance for decades. For example, they have offered a more nuanced account of why patients are “noncompliant,” recasting noncompliance itself as rational behavior. While these insights made important strides toward the larger goal of disrupting power dynamics within medical encounters, and while they yielded new rhetorical inventions such as adherence and concordance, these new terms retained many of compliance’s problematic features. Building on the work of rhetoricians of health and medicine and other scholars, we cast compliance’s persistence as a symptom of shortcomings in the dominant medical model and its tendency to discipline individual patients instead of work with communities to facilitate health. We argue that this model is being challenged in especially dramatic ways with the increased focus on populations and communities. Drawing on the work of Michel Foucault to understand how to navigate problems associated with the disciplinary approach, the authors argue not just for a better understanding of the causes of noncompliance, but for a post-compliance conception of medicine. Among other things, such a view of medicine will require new rhetorical structures that can better support the aims of population health and community-based medicine.
Effect of targeted estrogen delivery using glucagon-like peptide-1 on insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis

The female estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2) enhances pancreatic β-cell function via estrogen receptors (ERs). However, the risk of hormone dependent cancer precludes the use of general estrogen therapy as a chronic treatment for diabetes. To target E2 to β-cells without the undesirable effects of general estrogen therapy, we created fusion peptides combining active or inactive glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and E2 in a single molecule (aGLP1-E2 and iGLP1-E2 respectively). By combining the activities of GLP-1 and E2, we envisioned synergistic insulinotropic activities of these molecules on β-cells. In cultured human islets and in C57BL/6 mice, both aGLP1 and aGLP1-E2 enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) compared to vehicle and iGLP1-E2 without superior efficacy of aGLP1-E2 compared to GLP-1 alone. However, aGLP1-E2 decreased fasting and fed blood glucose to a greater extent than aGLP1 and iGLP1-E2 alone. Further, aGLP1-E2 exhibited improved insulin sensitivity compared to aGLP1 and iGLP1-E2 alone (HOMA-IR and insulin tolerance test). In conclusion, targeted estrogen delivery to non-diabetic islets in the presence of GLP-1 does not enhance GSIS. However, combining GLP-1 to estrogen delivers additional efficacy relative to GLP-1 alone on insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in non-diabetic mice.
Biomechanical Substrates of the Two-point Touch Cane Technique: A Review of Research:

This article reviews research on the biomechanical elements related to the most commonly used long cane technique: two-point touch. The use of several natural biomechanical tendencies supports the ...
The Lowest On-Resistance and Robust 130nm BCDMOS Technology implementation utilizing HFP and DPN for mobile PMIC applications

BCD technology has been the workhorse of several critical products in the mobile market. Aggressive design rule and architectural modifications are being exploited to achieve significant improvements in the high voltage device performance such as low Ron.sp and high BVDSS which are crucial for improved switching efficiency and product robustness. In order to meet the requirements, we applied High temperature oxide field plate (HFP) structure with heavily doped poly and Double RESURF with P-Burid Layer (PBL) for the performance. And we used the self-aligned P-Body process and the decoupled plasma nitridation (DPN) gate oxide process for the robust reliability. From these evaluations, for the critical 12V N-LDMOS device, we have been able to achieve an ON-resistance of $3.0\ \mathbf{m}\mathbf{\Omega}-\mathbf{mm}2$ with BVDSS of 21.5V which is considered world-class. The new features make our 130nm BCD technology a powerful platform for future mobile PMIC.
Dynamic Composition for Conversational Domain Exploration

We study conversational domain exploration (CODEX), where the user’s goal is to enrich her knowledge of a given domain by conversing with an informative bot. Such conversations should be well grounded in high-quality domain knowledge as well as engaging and open-ended. A CODEX bot should be proactive and introduce relevant information even if not directly asked for by the user. The bot should also appropriately pivot the conversation to undiscovered regions of the domain. To address these dialogue characteristics, we introduce a novel approach termed dynamic composition that decouples candidate content generation from the flexible composition of bot responses. This allows the bot to control the source, correctness and quality of the offered content, while achieving flexibility via a dialogue manager that selects the most appropriate contents in a compositional manner. We implemented a CODEX bot based on dynamic composition and integrated it into the Google Assistant . As an example domain, the bot conversed about the NBA basketball league in a seamless experience, such that users were not aware whether they were conversing with the vanilla system or the one augmented with our CODEX bot. Results are positive and offer insights into what makes for a good conversation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first real user experiment of open-ended dialogues as part of a commercial assistant system.
Inadequate Adherence to Imaging Surveillance and Medical Management in Patients with Duplex Ultrasound-Detected Carotid Artery Stenosis.

Background It is recommended that patients with ≥50% carotid artery stenosis undergo surveillance imaging and atherosclerotic risk reduction medical therapies, regardless of whether revascularization is performed. The objective of this study was to determine rates of adherence to these recommended measures and to identify risk factors for nonadherence. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of all carotid duplex ultrasound (DUS) from 2016 to 2017 at a single institution. Patients with unilateral or bilateral ≥50% carotid stenosis were included. Primary outcomes were rates and timing of surveillance imaging and medication regimen. Patient and study characteristics were compared using univariate and multivariable analyses. A subgroup analysis of patients with a new finding of carotid stenosis was also performed. Results Carotid stenosis >50% was detected in 340 patients. Overall, 182 patients (54%) had follow-up imaging (median 261 days [IQR 166–366]) and 158 patients (46%) had no imaging follow-up (NIFU). NIFU patients had similar rates of aspirin use (86% vs. 88%, P = 0.6) and tobacco cessation counseling (71% vs. 71%, P = 0.8) but had less statin use (85% vs. 94%, P = 0.01) compared to those with imaging follow-up. Subsequent carotid revascularization was more common in patients with imaging follow-up (18% vs. 3%, P Conclusions Nearly half of patients found to have ≥50% carotid stenosis on DUS had no imaging follow-up; these patients were less likely to be on recommended statin therapy. The benefits of nonrevascularization-based treatments for carotid disease require adherence to therapy. Forgoing surveillance imaging in patients with hemodynamically significant carotid stenosis should be a shared decision between provider and patient and does not obviate the need for medical therapies.
What is the alternative? Responding strategically to cancer misinformation

Inaccurate information about cancer treatment has many sources: individuals with perceived medical expertise (such as celebrity doctors and ‘health gurus’), influential social media personalities, alternative medicine practitioners, politicians, activists and mass media have all been identified as vectors for misinformation (5) To effectively counter misleading and untrue messages about cancer treatment, it might help to understand the spread of misinformation like a disease with an etiology, risk factors and promising treatments The NIH classifies unconventional therapies into two different categories: complementary therapies, defined as unconventional therapies utilized together with standard treatment as part of an integrative therapy plan created by a multidisciplinary care team and alternative therapies, which are used in place of the standard of care (9) Furthermore, premature excitement and overexaggerated claims about new experimental findings by news media can also provide ammunition to proponents of alternative therapies by undermining the more meticulous scientific process inherent to discovering effective and safe cancer treatments
Against method: Exploding the boundary between qualitative and quantitative studies of science

Quantitative and qualitative studies of science have historically played radically different roles with opposing epistemological commitments. Using large-scale text analysis, we see that qualitativ...
From coloring the academic landscape to integral players of the community: Underrepresented minority librarians flexing their service muscles

Abstract Despite the many existing efforts to recruit and retain a diverse workforce, the library field has remained disproportionally white. Instead of waiting for the system to change, underrepresented minority librarians can take a number of steps within their institutions to effect positive changes on predominantly white campuses. Using two mid-career librarians' experiences serving on their institution's diversity committee and as academic advisors and mentors to students, including international students and first-generation students, this article illustrates ways through which minority librarians can exert leadership and leverage their multitudinous identities, interests, and passions to make a difference.
Cancer Rehabilitation Providers and Oncology Patient Expectations for Functional Outcomes after Inpatient Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND Cancer rehabilitation is a valued resource for patients and oncologists. Cancer rehabilitation providers are seeing increasing numbers of referrals for inpatient rehabilitation as the number of cancer survivors grows. However, cancer rehabilitation providers, oncologists, therapists, patients, and caregivers may not always clearly communicate the goals of care, which can lead to different expectations for inpatient rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE To determine the difference in expectations of function after an acute inpatient rehabilitation stay between cancer patients and cancer rehabilitation providers and how they align with achieved goals after treatment. DESIGN Prospective survey study. SETTING Quaternary academic medical center inpatient rehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS Out of 194 eligible patients, 132 were enrolled and completed admission surveys, and 110 completed the discharge survey. Twelve cancer rehabilitation providers completed the surveys. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Barthel Index. RESULTS Patients estimated their expected functional status as a median (interquartile range) score of 19 points (18, 20) using the Barthel Index, compared to cancer rehabilitation providers, who estimated a median score of 17 points (15, 19) (P < .001). Actual functional status upon discharge was a median score of 16 points (13, 18) using the Barthel Index, which was three points lower than expected by patients (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Oncology patients and cancer rehabilitation providers significantly overestimate functional goals for acute inpatient rehabilitation. This overestimation was clinically significant for oncology patients and statistically but not clinically significant for cancer rehabilitation providers. Increased communication may allow for a more realistic expectation of functional status upon discharge.
Deep eutectic solvent functionalized graphene oxide nanofiltration membranes with superior water permeance and dye desalination performance

Abstract Graphene oxide (GO) lamellar membranes have been used for dye desalination; however, low water flux and quite high Na2SO4 salt rejection (>95%) hinder their applicability. Here, we used a choline chloride and ethylene glycol based novel deep eutectic solvent (DES) for low-temperature functionalization of GO membranes to improve their dye desalination performance. Characterization techniques including TEM, SEM, AFM, DLS, zeta potential, contact angle, UV–Vis, XRD, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy were used to determine the physical and chemical properties of DES/GO nanomaterials and membranes. The effect of DES functionalization time, i.e. 1 h and 2 h, on the physicochemical properties of DES/GO membranes along with their filtration performance were systematically investigated. The DES functionalization resulted in wrinkled and reducedGO nanosheets, decreased their lateral size, increased the interlayer spacing, and decreased their wettability (i.e., increased contact angle) of the lamellar membrane all of which in turn provided superior water permeability. DES/GO-1hr and DES/GO-2hr membranes showed water permeance of 124.8 ± 3.1 and 94.2 ± 17.7 L m−2h−1 bar−1, respectively, which were about 7.1 and 5.4 times that of the unmodified GO membrane. DES/GO-1hr membrane not only provided the highest water permeability but also lowered divalent Na2SO4 salt rejection while keeping the dye rejection high towards different dyes i.e., 99.4 ± 0.8% for Congo Red, 96.7 ± 1.2% for Methyl Blue, 98.5 ± 0.8% for Evan Blue, and 99.3 ± 0.6% for Direct Red. The long-term performance of dye/salt filtration showed that the DES/GO-1hr membrane achieved 74–100% flux recovery for four filtration cycles and also provided ~99.9% dye rejection and 5.4% Na2SO4/NaCl salt rejection.
Improving Predictability and Consistency in Class Action Tolling

Class action tolling means that when parties in a suit allege federal treatment, the individual claims of putative class members are tolled federal courts while the class action is pending. Commonly referred to as American Pipe tolling, this rule prevents duplicative litigation that would result if plaintiffs were required to intervene or file independent lawsuits to protect their interests while the class action was pending. Federal courts have long settled the application of American Pipe tolling in scenarios involving later-filed individual actions. In other scenarios, however, the application of American Pipe tolling has caused considerable uncertainty. This Article examines the difficulties caused by conflicting rules in one of those scenarios, successive class action tolling, and suggests how courts in a related scenario, cross-jurisdictional tolling, may learn from those difficulties.Part I of this Article discusses the history and policies underlying the Supreme Court's adoption of the American Pipe tolling rule. Part II analyzes the circuit courts' approaches to successive class action tolling through the lens of the subclass actions that plaintiffs filed in the wake of the Wal-Mart Stores v. Dukes case. With the analysis of successive class action tolling as a backdrop, Part II of this Article introduces the problem of cross-jurisdictional tolling, which courts will face with increasing regularity due to the increased federal jurisdiction over class actions in light of Congress' passage of the Class Action Fairness Act of 2006 ("CAFA"). This increased federal jurisdiction means parties will often be required to litigate stat-based class actions in federal courts where it has never been more difficult to certify those actions. And because courts often take years to reach certification decisions, cross-jurisdictional tolling issues will likely become more prominent as those class certification requests ultimately fail.
Why restorative justice works in schools: An investigation into the interactional dynamics of restorative circles

Abstract Many educators have turned to restorative justice when trying to create healthy school climates focused on student learning and development, but the scholarly literature around school-based restorative justice has not explained why or how restorative justice may contribute to school community. This empirical article suggests a mechanism for why restorative circles, the most canonical restorative justice practice, can be transformative to students and schools. Using data from a two-year ethnography in a predominantly Black high school in the United States, the article micro-analyzes five videoed restorative circles. The analysis reveals that the formalized rules that govern restorative circles change interactional patterns typically found in schools. Using Interaction Ritual Theory (Collins, 2004), the article argues that these interactional patterns generate group solidarity and individual emotional energy. These two major socio-emotional outcomes—group solidarity and individual emotional energy—have implications for both individuals and institutions.
In vitro activity of a novel organic arsenical (S-dimethylarseno-glutathione, ZIO-101) against multiple myeloma

4716 Arsenic Trioxide (ATO) has been shown to be highly active against acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and has activity in several other diseases including multiple myeloma. While initial clinical trials in both APL and myeloma have suggested that melarsoprol results in greater dose-limiting toxicities than ATO, it is generally accepted that organic arsenicals are less toxic than inorganic arsenicals. Consequently, organic arsenicals that kill myeloma cells could be clinically more effective than ATO. Recently, organic arsenicals were synthesized that have EC50s similar to ATO against cell line panels but are > 10-fold less toxic. One such compound, ZIO-101 is in phase I studies. Therefore we compared the ability of ZIO-101 and ATO to kill four myeloma cell lines that display differential sensitivity to ATO. The RPMI 8226 and U266 are less sensitive than the KMS11 and MM.1s lines. When dose response curves were generated comparing ATO and ZIO-101 at 24, 48 and 72 hrs we found that the U266, KMS11 and MM.1s lines were consistently 1-3 fold less sensitive to ZIO-101 than to ATO. However if one considers the number of atoms of elemental arsenic/molecule of drug, these data would suggest that the ability of these drugs to kill MM cell lines is similar. In contrast the 8226 line was more sensitive to ZIO-101. Additionally we have previously reported that ATO induces caspase-dependent and -independent cell death in a cell specific fashion in these lines. We found a similar pattern of caspase dependence with ZIO-101 where BocD-FMK, a caspase inhibitor, completely blocks ZIO-101-induced killing of U266, partially blocks killing of MM.1s and KMS11 and has no effect no killing of 8226. These data suggest that the downstream components of the death signaling pathway induced by ZIO-101 and ATO are similar. In contrast, initial responses to these drugs differ. We and others have reported that glutathione (GSH) is a critical regulator of ATO-induced cell death and have utilized ascorbic acid (AA) as a GSH depleting agent both in vitro as well as clinically. We therefore tested the effects of GSH depletion on ZIO-101 induced cell death in MM cell lines. Using concentrations of ATO and ZIO-101 that had similar activity, we determined the effects of both an inhibitor of GSH synthesis (BSO) as well as AA that can transient deplete GSH. BSO sensitized all 4 cell lines to both agents, however it was much more effective at sensitizing cells to ATO than to ZIO-101. Moreover while AA could sensitize cells to ATO, it actually protected cells from cell death induced by ZIO-101. Taken together these data suggest that ZIO-101 has activity against myeloma cells although factors that determine the potency of this compound are different than those for ATO. This may reflect differences in either metabolism or mechanism of action. Thus resistance to one form of arsenic does not preclude the use of another. A phase I/II study of ZIO-101 in myeloma is planned.
Shared Decision Making in Health Care: Theoretical Perspectives for Why It Works and For Whom:

Applying both theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence, we address 2 key questions regarding shared decision making (SDM): 1) When should SDM be more patient driven, and when should it be more provider driven? and 2) Should health care providers match their SDM style/strategy to patient needs and preferences? Self-determination theory, for example, posits a distinction between autonomy and independence. A patient may autonomously seek their health care provider's input and guidance, perhaps due to low perceived competence, low coping resources, or high emotional arousal. Given their need state, they may autonomously require nonindependence. In this case, it may be more patient centered and need supportive to provide more provider-driven care. We discuss how other patient characteristics such as personality attributes, motivational state, and the course of illness and other parameters such as time available for an encounter may inform optimal provider decision-making style and strategy. We conclude that for some types of patients and clinical circumstances, a more provider-driven approach to decision making may be more practical, ethical, and efficacious. Thus, while all decision making should be patient centered (i.e., it should consider patient needs and preferences), it does not always have to be patient driven. We propose a flexible model of SDM whereby practitioners are encouraged to tailor their decision making behaviors to patient needs, preferences, and other attributes. Studies are needed to test whether matching decision-making behavior based on patient states and traits (i.e., achieving concordance) is more effective than simply providing all patients with the same type of decision making, which could be tested using matching/mismatching designs.
A Guide for a Cardiovascular Genomics Biorepository: the CATHGEN Experience

The CATHeterization GENetics (CATHGEN) biorepository was assembled in four phases. First, project start-up began in 2000. Second, between 2001 and 2010, we collected clinical data and biological samples from 9334 individuals undergoing cardiac catheterization. Samples were matched at the individual level to clinical data collected at the time of catheterization and stored in the Duke Databank for Cardiovascular Diseases (DDCD). Clinical data included the following: subject demographics (birth date, race, gender, etc.); cardiometabolic history including symptoms; coronary anatomy and cardiac function at catheterization; and fasting chemistry data. Third, as part of the DDCD regular follow-up protocol, yearly evaluations included interim information: vital status (verified via National Death Index search and supplemented by Social Security Death Index search), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, rehospitalization, coronary revascularization procedures, medication use, and lifestyle habits including smoking. Fourth, samples were used to generate molecular data. CATHGEN offers the opportunity to discover biomarkers and explore mechanisms of cardiovascular disease.
Extra pulmonary tuberculosis of the head and neck region in pediatric population

Tuberculosis is the most common communicable disease worldwide. In this era of immune-compromising disease like acquired immune deficiency syndrome, it is necessary to have knowledge of the different presenting features of various rare manifestation of tuberculosis. Young individuals are more prone to such lesion because lack of immunity, close grouping with infected patients and the general increased chances of varying presentation in such patients. This study groups together rare presentation of extra pulmonary tuberculosis of the head and neck region in an effort to increase the recognition of this disease.
Suppressor function of hepatic mononuclear inflammatory cells during murine chronic graft-vs-host disease: I. Macrophage-enriched cells mediate suppression in the liver

Abstract Murine chronic graft-vs-host disease (CGVHD) to minor histocompatibility antigens (B10.D2 → BALB/c) is characterized by inflammatory destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, scleroderma-like skin lesions, and lymphoid involution. Spleen cells isolated from this model proliferate poorly when stimulated with mitogens. Previous reports indicate defective lymphocyte proliferation in this model is the result of active suppression induced by the graft-vs-host reaction in the spleen and is mediated by Thy 1.2 − , sIg − , plastic nonadherent, splenic natural suppressor (NS) cells. To determine whether the intense CGVHD in the liver is associated with induction of suppression, we compared the suppressor activity of hepatic and splenic mononuclear inflammatory cells isolated concurrently during murine CGVHD. Both hepatic and splenic MC suppressed the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated normal spleen cells in a non-MHC, non-MIs restricted manner. T cells contributed to the suppressor activity of both populations. However, the suppressor activity of hepatic MC was mediated largely by a macrophage-enriched population of MC while that of splenic MC was mediated largely by NS cells.
Models as Arguments: An Approach to Computational Science Education

Hardware and software technology have outpaced our ability to develop models and simulations that can utilize them. Furthermore, as models move further into unfamiliar territory, the issues of correctness becomes more difficult to assess. We propose extending classical argumentation structures as the basis for computational science education.
Lawful Military Support to Civil Authorities in Times of Crisis

JURIST Guest Columnist Kevin Govern of the Ave Maria School of Law reveals the history behind recent changes to law and policy which will affect the involvement of military forces with civilian domestic law enforcement.
Educating America's talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics : an analysis of the effects of parental and high school factors on females' and males' decisions to enter STEM fields of study

Thesis (M.P.P.)--Georgetown University, 2009.; Includes bibliographical references. This thesis outlines the problem of America's declining competitiveness in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), identifies females as a potential resource for regaining competitiveness, and evaluates factors that influence student enrollment in STEM majors in an effort to guide policymaking. The paper evaluates existing research and then attempts to measure the relative effects of student, parental, and school characteristics on students', particularly females', decisions to major in STEM fields.; The analysis uses the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS:88) to evaluate two different definitions of STEM fields - one defined by the NCES and one defined in this thesis to include only female non-traditional STEM fields. A multiple regression logistic analysis is performed separately for females and males for each of these definitions and finds significantly different results for each different STEM definition. Regardless of the definition used however, student interest in math and science during high school acts as the most effective predictor of STEM enrollment in college. Finally, the analysis indicates that parents have an effect on boys' STEM decisions, but not on girls' decisions, and that high school factors generally do not influence student entrance into STEM fields.
History of Tuberculosis

As centuries and millennia passed, human beings began to live in larger and larger communities, and with this shift came environmental changes that were associated with a change in the delicate balance between humans and the tubercle bacillus. Two alternative theories have been proposed to explain the epidemic spread and subsequent decline of tuberculosis that followed. In the 1700s and early 1800s, tuberculosis prevalence peaked in Western Europe and the United States and was undoubtedly the largest cause of death, and 100 to 200 years later, it had spread in full force to Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. The epidemic grew over the next two centuries and spread through Western Europe. During this phase of the epidemic, almost all Western Europeans became infected with M. tuberculosis, and about one in four deaths were due to tuberculosis. Army medical officers from Great Britain noted that tuberculosis was unknown in those parts of Africa where European immigration had not occurred. By matching microbial drug susceptibility patterns, one patient with tuberculosis laryngitis was identified as particularly infectious. Modern parallels are presented by microepidemics in poorly ventilated areas, of which few are more dramatic than the one described by Catanzaro just 100 years after Koch's demonstration of the tubercle bacillus.