cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wilcox's Surgical Anatomy of the Heart – Fourth Edition. Robert H. Anderson, Diane E. Spicer, Anthony M. Hlavacek, Andrew C. Cook, Carl L. Backer (eds) with illustrations by Gemma Price Cambridge University Press, 2013, 382 pp, 654 illustration ISBN 978-1-107-01448-0; list price: $250.00

Wilcox's Surgical Anatomy of the Heart – Fourth Edition is the classic textbook of cardiac anatomy and morphology. This book is required reading for all who care for patients with paediatric and congenital cardiac disease as well as all who have interest in the congenitally malformed heart. It is mandatory to include this Fourth Edition in all libraries, both personal and academic, that cater to the needs of those who care for patients with congenitally malformed hearts. This book will have value to surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthesiologists, intensivists, neonatologists, maternal fetal specialists, advanced practice nurses, operating room nurses, catheterization lab nurses, bedside nurses, sonographers, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, perfusionists, pathologists, pathologists' assistants, and administrators. This value of book truly spans conventional subspecialty, geographic, and temporal boundaries. Indeed, the Fourth Edition of Wilcox's Surgical Anatomy of the Heart is a classic textbook and “must-do” reading!!
Cholesterol-lowering effect of barley bran flour and oil

Abstract Objective To compare the effects of adding barley bran flour and a barley oil extract to a fat-modified diet on serum lipids in persons with hypercholesterolemia. Design The basic design of the study was a randomized, 30-day intervention trial. It included a neutral-fiber control group and a 1-week preintervention period for the collection of baseline data. Subjects The subjects were 79 men and women with hypercholesterolemia. Subjects had a mean aged of 48.2 years, and all completed the study. Intervention All participants were instructed to follow the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) step 1 diet and were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 20 g added cellulose, 3 g added barley oil extract, or 30 g added barley bran flour. Main outcome measures Total serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured, along with serum triglycerides, before the intervention, at week 1, at week 3, and at the end of the intervention. Statistical analyses performed Student's paired t test was used to detect significant change within each treatment group from baseline to the end of the 30-day intervention. In addition, Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to detect significant correlations between the variables measured. Results Addition of barley bran flour significantly ( P =.0001) decreased total serum cholesterol (−0.60 mmol/L) as did addition of barley oil (−0.50 mmol/L; P =.002) after 30 days of intervention. Similarly, LDL-C decreased 6.5% with addition of barley bran flour ( P =.036) and 9.2% with addition of barley oil ( P =.003). Total serum cholesterol or LDL-C of the cellulose control group did not decrease significantly over the same period. HDL-C decreased significantly in the cellulose control group and the barley bran flour group (−0.15 mmol/L, P =.012, and −0.15 mmol/L, P =.006, respectively), but not in the barley oil group. Conclusion We conclude that addition of barley bran flour or barley oil enhances the cholesterol-lowering effects of the NCEP step 1 diet in individuals with hypercholesterolemia.
Redox regulation of pancreatic cancer cell growth: Role of glutathione peroxidase in the suppression of the malignant phenotype

Pancreatic cancer has low levels of antioxidant enzymes including manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), which converts superoxide radical (O(2)(*-)) into hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), which converts H(2)O(2) into water. Recent studies have demonstrated that overexpression of MnSOD has a tumor-suppressive effect in pancreatic cancer. However, GPx overexpression has been shown to reverse the tumor cell growth inhibition caused by MnSOD overexpression in other types of cancer. Our aims were to determine if overexpression of GPx alters in vitro pancreatic cancer cell behavior and if delivering the GPx gene directly to tumor xenografts alters growth and survival. In vitro, AdGPx slowed tumor growth by 39% and AdMnSOD slowed tumor growth by 35%. AdGPx also decreased plating efficiency and growth in soft agar. The combination of AdGPx and AdMnSOD had the greatest effect on tumor cell growth suppression with a 71% reduction in cell growth compared to controls. In vivo, either AdGPx or AdMnSOD alone slowed tumor growth by 51% and 54%, respectively, while the combination of AdGPx and AdMnSOD potentiated tumor growth suppression by 81% of controls and increased animal survival. GPx may be a tumor suppressor gene in pancreatic cancer. Delivery of the GPx gene alone or in combination with the MnSOD gene may prove beneficial for treatment of pancreatic cancer.
A linear programming approach to scheduling nuclear isotope production

The design, implementation, and use of a model for scheduling the production of nuclear isotopes is presented. The model is formulated as a multiple-period linear-programming (LP) problem with several classes of product-demand, inventory, and production-level constraints. An important feature of the model is its role in managing in-process inventories over the extended period of time required for the production of certain isotopes. Considerable discussion is given to practical issues surrounding the model implementation and the model's many production and marketing applications.
Results of stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with imaging defined cavernous sinus meningiomas

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stereotactic radiosurgery as primary management for patients with imaging defined cavernous sinus meningiomas. Methods: Between 1992 and 2001, 49 patients had radiosurgery for dural-based masses of the cavernous sinus presumed to be meningiomas. The mean patient age was 55.5 years. The mean tumor volume was 10.2 mL; the mean tumor margin dose was 15.9 Gy. The mean follow-up was 58 months (range, 16–144 months). Results: No tumor enlarged after radiosurgery. Twelve of 38 patients (26%) with preexisting diplopia or facial numbness/pain had improvement in cranial nerve function. Five patients (10%) had new ( n = 3) or worsened ( n = 2) trigeminal dysfunction; 2 of these patients (4%) underwent surgery at 20 and 25 months after radiosurgery despite no evidence of tumor progression. Neither patient improved after partial tumor resection. One patient (2%) developed an oculomotor nerve injury. One patient (2%) had an ischemic stroke related to occlusion of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery. Event-free survival was 98%, 85%, and 80% at 1, 3, and 7 years after radiosurgery, respectively. Univariate analysis of patient and dosimetric factors found no analyzed factor correlated with postradiosurgical morbidity. Conclusions: Radiosurgery was an effective primary management strategy for patients with an imaging defined cavernous sinus meningioma. Except in situations of symptomatic mass effect, unusual clinical presentation, or atypical imaging features, surgery to confirm the histologic diagnosis is unlikely to provide clinical benefit.
Interoperation of heterogeneous CAD tools in Ptolemy II

Typical complex systems that involve microsensors and microactuators exhibit heterogeneity both at the implementation level and the problem level. For example, a system can be modeled using discrete events for digital circuits and SPICE-like analog descriptions for sensors. This heterogeneity exist not only in different implementation domains, but also at different level of abstraction. This naturally leads to a heterogeneous approach to system design that uses domain-specific models of computation (MoC) at various levels of abstractions to define a system, and leverages multiple CAD tools to do simulation, verification and synthesis. As the size and scope of the system increase, the integration becomes too difficult and unmanageable if different tools are coordinated using simple scripts. In addition, for MEMS devices and mixed-signal circuits, it is essential to integrate tools with different MoC to simulate the whole system. Ptolemy II, a heterogeneous system-level design tool, supports the interaction among different MoCs. This paper discusses heterogeneous CAD tool interoperability in the Ptolemy II framework. The key is to understand the semantic interface and classify the tools by their MoC and their level of abstraction. Interfaces are designed for each domain so that the external tools can be easily wrapped. Then the interoperability of the tools becomes the interoperability of the semantics. Ptolemy II can act as the standard interface among different tools to achieve the overall design modeling. A micro-accelerometer with digital feedback is studied as an example.
Eukaryotic chemotaxis at a glance.

Chemotaxis is a fundamental process in which cells migrate directionally when they are exposed to external chemical gradients. It is exhibited by a wide variety of cell types and involves distinct strategies that depend on the environmental conditions. For example, the migration of fibroblasts or
What non-proliferation policy for the soviet anti-plague system?

This article analyzes the proliferation challenges posed by the Soviet AP system and discusses possible nonproliferation strategies to prevent these threats.
Massively parallel structured direct solver for equations describing time-harmonic qP-polarized waves in TTI media

ABSTRACTWe considered the discretization and approximate solutions of equations describing time-harmonic qP-polarized waves in 3D inhomogeneous anisotropic media. The anisotropy comprises general (tilted) transversely isotropic symmetries. We are concerned with solving these equations for a large number of different sources. We considered higher-order partial differential equations and variable-order finite-difference schemes to accommodate anisotropy on the one hand and allow higher-order accuracy — to control sampling rates for relatively high frequencies — on the other hand. We made use of a nested dissection based domain decomposition in a massively parallel multifrontal solver combined with hierarchically semiseparable matrix compression techniques. The higher-order partial differential operators and the variable-order finite-difference schemes require the introduction of separators with variable thickness in the nested dissection; the development of these and their integration with the multifrontal ...
Security-Constrained Optimal Coordination of Generation and Transmission Maintenance Outage Scheduling

The proposed approach to the optimal coordination of midterm planning can be used by vertically integrated utilities as well as the ISOs in electricity markets. The approach coordinates the optimal maintenance scheduling of generating units and transmission lines, within the outage scheduling horizon of weeks to months, with the security-constrained unit commitment of available components. The proposed model provides hourly schedules for maintenance outages, generation unit commitment, and transmission flows based on hourly load curves. In addition, the approach calculates the optimal allocation of fuel and emission allowance for thermal units in a vertically integrated utility, and energy allocation in electricity markets. This paper discusses that a seamless coordination of midterm and short-term optimization schemes will effectively improve the security of electricity services and reduce the chance of blackouts in aging power systems. The proposed approach highlights a trade-off between calculation speed and accuracy for large-scale implementations. A six-bus system is used for detailed analyses, and further results presented for the IEEE-118 system exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed midterm planning approach.
Telephoned BRCA1/2 Genetic Test Results: Prevalence, Practice, and Patient Satisfaction

While the traditional model of genetic evaluation for breast cancer risk recommended face-to-face disclosure of genetic testing results, BRCA1/2 testing results are increasingly provided by telephone. The few existing studies on telephone genetic counseling provide conflicting results about its desirability and efficacy. The current study aimed to (1) Estimate the prevalence among genetic counselors of providing BRCA1/2 genetic test results by phone (2) Assess patient satisfaction with results delivered by telephone versus in-person. A survey was sent to members of the Familial Cancer Risk Counseling Special Interest Group via the NSGC listserve and was completed by 107 individuals. Additionally, 137 patients who had received BRCA genetic testing results either by phone or in-person at UNC Chapel Hill Cancer Genetics Clinic were surveyed regarding satisfaction with the mode of their BRCA1/2 results delivery. The genetic counseling survey revealed that the majority of responding counselors (92.5%) had delivered BRCA1/2 genetic test results by telephone. Patients having received results either in person or by phone reported no difference in satisfaction. Most patients chose to receive results by phone and those given a choice of delivery mode reported significantly higher satisfaction than those who did not have a choice. Those who waited less time to receive results once they knew they were ready also reported higher satisfaction. This study found supportive results for the routine provision of BRCA1/2 genetic test results by telephone. Results suggest that test results should be delivered as swiftly as possible once available and that offering patients a choice of how to receive results is desirable. These are especially important issues as genetic testing becomes more commonplace in medicine.
Pentobarbital-induced Changes in Drosophila Glutathione S-Transferase D21 mRNA Stability

The Drosophila glutathione S-transferase (gstD) genes are a family of divergently transcribed, intronless genes and pseudogenes. Under control conditions, the steady-state level of gstD1 mRNA is 20-fold higher than that of the gstD21 mRNA despite a lower transcription rate of the gstD1 gene. The GST D1 protein level is four times as abundant as the GST D21 protein. The gstD1 and gstD21 genes responded rapidly to pentobarbital (PB) as changes in mRNA levels were detectable within 30 min of treatment. Maximal induction of gstD1 and gstD21 resulted in 3-fold and 20-fold elevation of their respective mRNA levels. The major mechanism for the increase in gstD1 mRNAs appears to be transcriptional activation. The 2-fold increase in the rate of gstD21 transcription, however, cannot fully account for the 20-fold increase in the steady-state level of gstD21 mRNA. Therefore, post-transcriptional mechanism(s) should also be responsible for the increase of gstD21 mRNA by PB. Because the gstD21 mRNA is relatively unstable under control conditions, induction of the intronless gstD21 mRNA by PB occurs mainly at the level of enhanced mRNA stability. The GST D1 protein level in adult Drosophila was increased approximately 2-fold after PB treatment, whereas the GST D21 level remained relatively the same. Thus, an increase in gstD21 mRNA stability by PB treatment is probably coupled to a regulatory effect at the translational level.
Nonlinear modification of positive-real LQG compensators for enhanced disturbance rejection and energy dissipation

A general framework for the feedback interconnection of passive nonlinear systems is used to investigate the effectiveness of modifying positive-real LQG compensators with nonlinearities to enhance disturbance rejection and energy dissipation. The primary purpose of the nonlinear modifications is to spread the spectrum of the compensator states, and thereby enhance the energy flow from the plant to the compensator. This framework is also used as a basis for the active emulation of vibration absorbers.
The Social Psychology of Trauma

Both laboratory-based and naturalistic research findings suggest that situational factors, rather than personality traits and characteristics, are more likely to influence whether or not we will help someone in distress. An understanding of these powerful situational determinants, typically outside of one’s conscious awareness, can greatly aid patients in the midst of crisis or trauma counseling.
The bird of Chavín: a parrot?

A key to the understanding of ancient iconography is knowing just what the pictures are pictures of. That is not always an easy question: in this case, a classic collection of Peruvian depictions, it is at least clear the pictures are of birds. But what kind of bird, and why?
Nominal Compound Interpretation by Intelligent Agents

This paper presents a cognitively-inspired algorithm for the semantic analysis of nominal compounds by intelligent agents. The agents, modeled within the OntoAgent environment, are tasked to compute a full context-sensitive semantic interpretation of each compound using a battery of engines that rely on a high-quality computational lexicon and ontology. Rather than being treated as an isolated “task”, as in many NLP approaches, nominal compound analysis in OntoAgent represents a minimal extension to the core process of semantic analysis. We hypothesize that seeking similarities across language analysis tasks reflects the spirit of how people approach language interpretation, and that this approach will make feasible the long-term development of truly sophisticated, human-like intelligent agents. The initial evaluation of our approach to nominal compounds are fixed expressions, requiring individual semantic specification at the lexical level.
Translating the Untranslated Region

Gene expression programs undergo constant regulation to quickly adjust to environmental stimuli that alter the physiological status of the cell, like cellular stress or infection. Gene expression is tightly regulated by multilayered regulatory elements acting in both cis and trans. Posttranscriptional regulation of the 3' untranslated region (UTR) is a powerful regulatory process that determines the rate of protein translation from mRNA. Regulatory elements targeting the 3' UTR include microRNAs, RNA-binding proteins, and long noncoding RNAs, which dramatically alter the immune response. We provide an overview of our current understanding of posttranscriptional regulation of immune gene expression. The focus of this review is on regulatory elements that target the 3' UTR. We delineate how the synergistic or antagonistic interactions of posttranscriptional regulators determine gene expression levels and how dysregulation of 3' UTR-mediated posttranscriptional control associates with human diseases.
Nanoscale Imaging of Fundamental Li Battery Chemistry: Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Formation and Preferential Growth of Lithium Metal Nanoclusters

The performance characteristics of Li-ion batteries are intrinsically linked to evolving nanoscale interfacial electrochemical reactions. To probe the mechanisms of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and to track Li nucleation and growth mechanisms from a standard organic battery electrolyte (LiPF6 in EC:DMC), we used in situ electrochemical scanning transmission electron microscopy (ec-S/TEM) to perform controlled electrochemical potential sweep measurements while simultaneously imaging site-specific structures resulting from electrochemical reactions. A combined quantitative electrochemical measurement and STEM imaging approach is used to demonstrate that chemically sensitive annular dark field STEM imaging can be used to estimate the density of the evolving SEI and to identify Li-containing phases formed in the liquid cell. We report that the SEI is approximately twice as dense as the electrolyte as determined from imaging and electron scattering theory. We also observe site-specific location...
Control of mating type heterokaryon incompatibility by the tol gene in Neurospora crassa and N. tetrasperma.

The mating-type of Neurospora crassa (A and a) have a dual function: A and a individuals are required for sexual reproduction, but only strains of the same mating type will form a stable vegetative heterokaryon. Neurospora tetrasperma, in contrast, is a naturally occurring A + a heterokaryon. It was shown previously that the mating-type genes of both species are functionally the same and are not responsible for this difference in heterokaryon incompatibility. This suggests that a separate genetic system determines the heterokaryon incompatibility function of mating type. The mutant tolerant (tol) in N. crassa, unlinked to mating type, acts as a specific suppressor of A + a heterokaryon incompatibility. In the present study, the wild-type alleles at the tol locus were introgressed reciprocally, from N. crassa into N. tetrasperma and from N. tetrasperma into N. crassa, to investigate the action of these alleles in the A + a heterokaryon incompatibility systems of these species. The wild-type allele from N. ...
Does Increased Light Absorption Cause Increased Egg Production in the Fowl

Abstract RECENT experiments carried out upon starlings, ferrets, voles, and some other animals have demonstrated an intimate connection between the onset of sexual activity and light. From these experiments it would appear possible that the increased egg producion of the domestic fowl, which is observed when the day is artificially lengthened, may not be directly due to increased opportunity for obtaining feed or exercise or to a shorter period without feed, but to a direct effect of the longer periods of illumination upon the birds, which, by a process not yet fully understood, stimulates the reproductive organs to increased activity and consequent need for larger quantities of food. Therefore, it may be proper to ask whether increased light absorption or increased food consumption is the primary cause of increased egg production in the fowl. Of course, it is not possible to answer this question now; but, since the experiments on the . . .
Cardiolipin Reorganization and Phase Transition Induced by Dynamin-Related Protein 1 Facilitates Mitochondrial Membrane Fission

Cardiolipin (CL) is a unique, dimeric phospholipid essential for mitochondrial dynamics in eukaryotic cells. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a member of the dynamin superfamily of large GTPases, maintains the balance of mitochondrial division and fusion by rapidly catalyzing mitochondrial fission. Although recent studies have indicated a role for CL in stimulating Drp1 self-assembly as well as GTPase activity on the mitochondrial surface, the exact mechanism by which CL functions in membrane fission remains unclear. Here we use a variety of fluorescence spectroscopic and imaging approaches, together with model membranes, to demonstrate that Drp1 and CL function cooperatively in effecting membrane fission in three distinct steps: (i) Drp1's preferential association with unconstrained, fluid-phase CL molecules located at a high spatial density in the membrane bilayer, (ii) CL's reorganization in concert with Drp1 self-assembly, and (iii) CL's rapid phase transition from a lamellar, bilayer structure to an inverted hexagonal, non-bilayer configuration in the presence of Drp1 and GTP, resulting in the creation of localized membrane constrictions that are primed for fission. We propose that Drp1 thus catalyzes mitochondrial division.
A STUDY OF GROUND SIMULATION FOR WIND TUNNEL TESTING OF FULL-SCALE NASCAR's

A road simulation system has been developed at the Langley Full-Scale Tunnel (LFST) to support the aerodynamic testing of road vehicles, particularly NASCARclass race cars. The leading edge of the existing ground board was recontoured to alleviate a separation bubble and an active suction boundary layer control system, incorporating a bleed slot and axial flow blower, has been implemented. Performance evaluations include boundary layer surveys at various locations in the vicinity of the car balance with the empty tunnel as well as force measurements with a representative vehicle both with and without the boundary layer control system operating.
Simultaneous Estimation of Target Pose and 3-D Shape using the FastSLAM Algorithm

A solution is presented to the problem of estimating recursively the 6-DOF pose and 3-D shape of a target, using insights from the SLAM community. The algorithm in this paper is referred to as ‘SLAM-inspired Pose Estimation and Reconstruction’ (or ‘SPEAR’), and is based on the FastSLAM algorithm. In particular, FastSLAM’s use of Rao-Blackwellized particle lters is emulated. SPEAR tracks the target with measurements from cameras; this paper focuses on the monocular case. No a priori knowledge of the target is required. This paper discusses the end-to-end implementation of SPEAR in detail, including the algorithm itself, feature initialization steps, and the image processing step (which uses SIFT). Also, specics are given on what is needed computationally to perform SPEAR in real-time. The rationale for applying Rao-Blackwellized particle lters is discussed. Compared with a solely EKF-based approach to solving SPEAR, particle lters allow for more ecient measurement updates and are not constrained by the assumption of unimodal probability distributions. Results are given for several targets in the lab and in the eld, demonstrating successful estimation of each target’s pose along with the 3-D locations of features on the body.
Analysis of therapeutic effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on the ovarian function and infertility of patients with declinein ovarian reserve

Objective To observe therapeutic effects of dehydroepian drosterone(DHEA) on the ovarian function and infertility of patients with decline in ovarian reserve.Methods Twenty-eight patients with failure in inducing ovulation and decline in ovarian reserve confirmed by ovarian indexes were selected,and tried to receive induced ovulation again 3 months after oral administration of DHEA.The changes of ovarian reserve indexes before and after oral administration of DHEA were compared,and clinical outcomes of infertility were observed.Results On the 3rd day of menstrual cycle, follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),FSH/ lutenizing hormone(LH) and estradiol (E2) obviously decreased,while antral follicle count(AFC) significantly increased,suggesting that the ovarian function of patients markedly improved.After 3 cycles of treatment,the ovulation rate came to 78.3%,accumulated clinical pregnancy rate to 46.4% and abortion rate to 15.4%.All other 11 cases delivered 1 live birth at full-term time,with no oafs.Conclusion DHEA can effectively ameliorate the ovarian function and reproductive outcomes.
Suppression of Regenerative Instabilities by Means of Targeted Energy Transfers

Regenerative effects in machining arise from the fact that the cutting force exerted on a tool is influenced not only by the current position but also by that in the previous revolution. Hence, the equation of motion for the tool appears as a delay differential equation, and the regenerative instability results in steady-state periodic motions, called limit cycle oscillations. We study targeted energy transfers for suppressing regenerative instabilities by applying a nonlinear energy sink (NES) to a single-degree-of-freedom machine tool model. A series of bifurcation analysis by means of numerical continuation techniques demonstrate that there are three distinct suppression mechanisms; that is, recurrent burstouts and suppressions, and partial and complete suppressions of regenerative instabilities. We characterize each suppression mechanism numerically by means of wavelet and Hilbert transforms and analytically by means of the complexification-averaging (CX-A) technique. Furthermore, we extend the CX-A analysis to perform asymptotic analysis by introducing a reduced-order model and partitioning slow-fast dynamics. The resulting singular perturbation analysis yields parameter conditions and regions for the three suppression mechanisms, which exhibit good agreement with the bifurcations sets obtained from numerical continuation methods. The results will help design NESs for passively controlling regenerative instabilities in machine tools.
Neuroanatomy and Neurochemical Mechanisms of Time-Dependent Sensitization:

Time-dependent sensitization (TDS) is a phenomenon described in rodents as an enhancement in the behavioral and neurochemical responses to intermittent exposure to psychostimulant drugs. Time-dependent sensitization also occurs after repeated encounters with environmental stress. Several features of TDS parallel those of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) in humans, and these similarities have led to the hypothesis that MCS may be explained in part by a similar sensitization process that occurs in rodents. In the studies presented here, we discuss some of the critical features of TDS following repeated exposure to cocaine and environmental stress, including the anatomical and neurochemical pathways utilized in expressing TDS. In addition, we discuss the possible neurochemical basis for individual differences in responsiveness to stimuli, including novelty and cocaine. The striking similarities between TDS and MCS suggest it may be possible to develop an animal model of MCS, using TDS in rodents as its basis.
Armed Peacebuilding: The Peacebuilding Aspects of the Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan

This chapter discusses the peacebuilding aspects of the counterinsurgency strategy implemented by Coalition Forces in Afghanistan. With a focus on the use of Religious Engagement Teams, the author shows how tactics of the counterinsurgency strategy resemble tactics which have been proposed by religiously motivated peacebuilders as to how to build peace in areas devastated by religiously motivated violence. Like religious peacebuilders, Coalition Forces in Afghanistan have attempted to engage in dialogue with religious leaders as a tool to bring about peace. This chapter focuses on an aspect of the war in Afghanistan often ignored and offers a way that religious peacebuilders and standing militaries can work together to achieve a common goal of peace.
Privacy and Data Phantoms

"She sends my body through the fax machine because I contain vital information that might make or break the bureaucrats on the other end, but when I arrive through the wires I am stored in a box and put in a basement and a few months later the basement floods and I am stuck forever amid boxes of flooded data." (2015, p. 69) Daniel Borzutzky describes the dematerialization of embodied data in his poem The Data Harbor. As patients we produce data in excessive amounts, information that is often collected and constructed into data commodities. This chapter explores the process that private health data undergoes to become commodities.
Solid State Drives And The Sort-Merge

This paper discusses the history of the sort-merge routine and the impacts of hardware limitations on the performance of sort-merge processing. The results of comparing a single-step sort-merge with a two-step sort-merge in a hard-disk drive (HDD) environment are presented to show that a two-step sort-merge can reduce total processing time. An evaluation is made of the total transfer time of three sort-merge variations without reference to seek time or rotational delay. This evaluation prepares the statistics for application to the solid-state drive (SSD) environment, and the conclusion is that sort-merge routines that are optimized for the HDD environment are sub-optimal if applied to the SSD environment. In addition, the sizes of the work files used by the three sort-merge routines are analyzed, and it is demonstrated that sort-merge routines that are optimized for the HDD environment will generate unnecessary wear if applied to the SDD environment. Further, it is demonstrated that the key sorting routine should be preferred over the other sort-merge routines in a SSD environment.
The Impact of Transcription Writing Interventions for First-Grade Students.

ABSTRACTWe examined the effects of transcription instruction for students in 1st grade. We selected students in the lowest 70% of the participating schools for the study. We randomly assigned these 81 students to (a) spelling instruction, (b) handwriting instruction, (c) combination spelling and handwriting instruction, or (d) no intervention. Interventionists provided intervention in small groups of 4 students, 25 min a day, 4 days a week for 8 weeks. Students in the spelling condition outperformed the control group on spelling measures, with moderate effect sizes noted for curriculum-based writing measures (e.g., correct word sequences; gs = 0.34–0.68). Students in the handwriting condition outperformed the control group on correct word sequences, with small to moderate effects on other handwriting and writing measures (gs = 0.31–0.71). Students in the combined condition outperformed the control group on correct word sequences, with a small effect on total words written (gs = 0.39–0.84).
Ion sampling and transport in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Abstract Quantitative accuracy and high sensitivity in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) depend on consistent and efficient extraction and transport of analyte ions from an inductively coupled plasma to a mass analyzer, where they are sorted and detected. In this review we examine the fundamental physical processes that control ion sampling and transport in ICP-MS and compare the results of theory and computerized models with experimental efforts to characterize the flow of ions through plasma mass spectrometers' vacuum interfaces. We trace the flow of ions from their generation in the plasma, into the sampling cone, through the supersonic expansion in the first vacuum stage, through the skimmer, and into the ion optics that deliver the ions to the mass analyzer. At each stage we consider idealized behavior and departures from ideal behavior that affect the performance of ICP-MS as an analytical tool.
Consolidation Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Patients with High-Risk Neuroblastoma Using Busulfan/Melphalan, Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Anti-GD2 Antibody, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony–Stimulating Factor, Interleukin-2, and Haploidentical Natural Killer Cells

Abstract The treatment of pediatric high-risk neuroblastoma is intensive and multimodal. Despite the introduction of immunotherapy for minimal residual disease, survival rates remain suboptimal and new therapies are needed. As part of a phase 2 trial, we are using a consolidation therapy regimen that combines a busulfan/melphalan conditioning schema, autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT), and experimental immunotherapy with hu14.18K322A (a humanized anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody), granulocyte-macrophage colony–stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL-2, with or without the adoptive transfer of haploidentical natural killer cells (NKs). Here we report on 30 patients who have undergone AHCT with this experimental immunotherapy regimen, 21 of whom received haploidentical NKs. The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 13 days (range, 10 to 28 days) and to platelet engraftment of at least 20 × 103/mm3 was 36.5 days (range, 0 to 102 days); no clinical difference was seen in those who did or did not receive NKs. Eight patients developed veno-occlusive disease, with 3 having multiorgan dysfunction. Toxicities were similar for patients who did or did not receive NKs. We conclude that this consolidation regimen is feasible and has an acceptable acute toxicity profile.
Endobronchial hamartoma; a rare structural cause of chronic cough

Pulmonary hamartomas are rare benign tumors consisting of multiple mesenchymal cell lines like cartilage, bone and fat. We discuss an interesting case of a 53-year-old male patient, who was referred to our clinic for persistent cough. Chest X-ray revealed a left suprahilar density associated with plate like atelectasis, which on chest CT was found to be a densely calcified nodule, causing narrowing of the left upper lobe (LUL) bronchus with calcified bilateral hilar lymph nodes. A bronchoscopy revealed a smooth endobronchial mass with calcification, which was removed. Histopathology revealed pulmonary hamartoma.
Iris Melanoma Outcomes Based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer Classification (Eighth Edition) in 432 Patients

Purpose The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification was updated to the eighth edition in January 2017, providing staging for iris melanoma. This study evaluated outcomes of iris melanoma per the AJCC classification, eighth edition. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Four hundred thirty-two patients with iris melanoma. Methods Management including tumor resection, plaque radiotherapy, or enucleation. Main Outcome Measures Local tumor recurrence, melanoma-related systemic metastasis, and melanoma-related death. Results Of 432 patients with iris melanoma, AJCC classification was category T1 (n = 324 [75%]), T2 (n = 83 [19%]), T3 (n = 2 [ P P = 0.01; HR, 4.09), and T4 category (vs. T1; P P = 0.008; HR, 2.16 per 10-year increase), T2 category (vs. T1; P = 0.005; HR, 8.07), and T4 category (vs. T1; P Conclusions The AJCC eighth edition classification provides prognostic stratification of iris melanoma. By multivariate analysis, the ratio for melanoma-related metastasis was 4 times greater in category T2 and 31 times greater in T4 compared with T1. The ratio for melanoma-related death was 8 times greater in category T2 and 20 times greater in T4 compared with T1. The cohort size for T3 was too small to provide useful information.
Stalin’s terror and the long-term political effects of mass repression:

Repression has a long-term negative effect on political participation. Using millions of arrest records from archival documents, and polling station-level election results, we examine how exposure ...
Surface-Initiated Polymer/Ionic Liquid Gel Films

We report the preparation of polymer/ionic liquid (IL) gels by incorporating ILs into surface-initiated poly(dicyclopentadiene) (pDCPD) films using a simple immersion method. In the method, a surface-initiated pDCPD film was exposed to a solution of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6]) in dichloromethane, which led to incorporation of the IL within the film. The volume ratio of the incorporated [bmim][PF6] to the original pDCPD film was adjusted as high as 0.5, and it is strongly dependent on the solvent, IL solution concentration, and the sample immersion time. The maximum IL loading is affected by the swellability of pDCPD films in the solvent, the solubility of the IL in the solvent, and interactions between the IL and the polymer. The method is also proven to be feasible in preparing pDCPD-IL gels with different IL species. The incorporated ILs dramatically change the properties of the pDCPD films. The pDCPD-IL gel film has a higher shear loss modulus than that of the pure pDC...
Fates Aligned: Origins and Mechanisms of Ventricular Conduction System and Ventricular Wall Development

The cardiac conduction system is a network of distinct cell types necessary for the coordinated contraction of the cardiac chambers. The distal portion, known as the ventricular conduction system, allows for the rapid transmission of impulses from the atrio-ventricular node to the ventricular myocardium and plays a central role in cardiac function as well as disease when perturbed. Notably, its patterning during embryogenesis is intimately linked to that of ventricular wall formation, including trabeculation and compaction. Here, we review our current understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for the development and maturation of these interdependent processes.
Big Data in Supply Chain Management

“Big data” has become ubiquitous. It is impacting every aspect of how companies organize and manage their supply chains. Supply chains are evolving into digital networks connected via devices and sensors revolutionizing how data is generated, shared, and communicated. It is also unlocking new research streams. In this study, we introduce papers in this issue and showcase Big Data research trends across supply chain management.
Reproducible evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) using the recommendations of International TILs Working Group 2014.

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer play an important role in predicting the outcome of breast cancer. The goal of our current study is to investigate the consistency and reproducibility of the recommendations published by the International TILs Working Group 2014 among pathology trainees and pathologists. Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) slides from 129 breast cancer cases (one slide each) from 2009 to 2014 were evaluated. Each case was blindly and independently reviewed by two observers following the International TILs Working Group 2014 recommendations. Three pathology trainees (PGY2, PGY3 and PGY4) and three pathologists (2 general pathologists and 1 breast pathologist) were involved in this study. Of the 129 cases, 10 (10/129, 7.8%) cases had TILs >50%, 90 (90/129, 69.8%) cases had 50%). Our study showed that the recommendations and instructions for TILs evaluation by the International TILs Working Group 2014 were sufficiently detailed to be applied for TILs evaluation in breast cancer.
Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among US Adults Aged 65 or Older With Chronic Kidney Disease.

INTRODUCTION Falls are among the leading causes of injury and death among adults aged 65 or older. People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of falling and of having a serious injury from falls. However, information is limited about risk factors for falls and fall-related injuries among people with CKD. METHODS We performed a secondary analysis of 157,753 adults (6.1% with CKD) aged 65 or older surveyed in the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. RESULTS People with CKD were at increased risk of falls (odds ratio [OR] = 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63-2.01) and fall-related injuries (OR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.27-1.78) even after adjusting for differences in demographic characteristics, health conditions, and lifestyle factors (P < .05 for all). Among people with CKD, women, people diagnosed with diabetes, diabetes duration, and arthritis were all significant predictors of falls and fall-related injuries (P < .05 for all). Lifestyle factors, such as engaging in recent exercise (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56-0.81) and limited physical function (assessed as difficulty in climbing stairs) (AOR = 2.84; 95% CI, 2.30-3.44), were most closely associated with falls and fall-related injuries. CONCLUSION Adults aged 65 or older with CKD were at increased risk of falling and of suffering an injury as a result of a fall compared with adults in the same age range without CKD. Potentially modifiable factors such as physical function and recent exercise were most closely related to reduced risk for falls and fall-related injuries and may be an appropriate target for fall prevention and rehabilitation programs in people with CKD.
The Effect of Alkalinizing Agents and Chelating Agents on the Dissolution of Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones

An attempt has been made to elucidate the role of alkalinization and chelation in the dissolution of both calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals and stones. Dissolution by these agents has been, measured at various concentrations over the pH range from 4 to 8. The alkalinizing agents used were sodium orthophosphate and sodium bicarbonate. The chelating agents were sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and sodium citrate.
Environmental Exposure Fields and Their Health Effects

Environmental science is concerned with the study of natural cycles and systems and their component natural processes. The state of the environment can be described in terms of fields (§I.4) that represent spatiotemporal distributions of natural processes. It is welldocumented that the state of the environment affects the state of human health in the following way.
The Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Pain Management

Pain is one of the most common symptoms that leads to medical evaluation. The international association for the study of pain, IASP, defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage” (Merskey and Bogduk 1994). Numerous national and international surveys have demonstrated that 60–90% of patients with cancer develop pain in the natural history of disease. Some cancer pain syndromes tend to be intractable secondary to the nature of pain, and also due to comorbid medical as well as psychological factors associated with serious illness, terminal prognosis, and dying (Reddy and Shanti 2004).
Investigation of Elastic Modulus and Thermal Conductivity of Rough Silicon Nanowires

While the search for clean alternative energy sources has become a worldwide phenomenon, thermoelectric energy harvesting technology showcase the potential to generate reliable energy by converting abundant sources of waste heat in industrial processes back into useful electricity. In particular, silicon nanowires with engineered roughness have shown great success in increasing the thermoelectric figure of merit. Previous studies have shown that the surface roughness can induce up to a two orders of magnitude reduction in the thermal conductivity of rough silicon nanowires without sacrificing crystallinity or other thermoelectric properties. However, the fundamental mechanisms regarding the impact of surface roughness on thermal transport remain elusive. Recent studies have shown that the elastic modulus of nanostructures can reveal information about phonon dispersion relations and offer insights into thermal conductivity reduction mechanisms. Here this research aims to investigate the relationship between the elastic modulus and thermal conductivity of rough silicon nanowires through theoretical and experimental approaches. Our hypothesis is that as the elastic modulus decreases due to confinement effects, the thermal conductivity will decrease due to a softening effect of elastic properties. This study will provide further insight on phonon dispersion relations in rough silicon nanowires and guide future designs of artificial nanostructures for thermoelectric applications.
Outcomes in Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Objective To test the hypothesis that the etiologies of bilateral vocal fold mobility impairment (BLVFI), bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP), and posterior glottis stenosis (PGS) have distinct clinical outcomes. To identify patient-specific and procedural factors that influence tracheostomy-free survival. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Johns Hopkins Medical Center from 2004 to 2015. Subjects and Methods Case series with chart review of 68 patients with PGS and 17 patients with BVFP. Multiple logistic regression analysis determined factors associated with airway prosthesis dependence at last follow-up and the procedural burden (defined as number of operative procedures per year). Results PGS comprised the majority of BLVFI (76%). PGS injury arose primarily after endotracheal intubation (91%), while BVFP most commonly was due to iatrogenic surgical injury to bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves (88%, P < .001). Overall in BLVFI, 66% were tracheostomy free at last follow-up (62% in PGS, 82% in BVFP). Of those who underwent an operative intervention to be decannulated, 88% were decannulated (90% PGS, 80% BVFP). Patients with PGS required higher procedural burden to achieve decannulation compared with the BVFP cohort (3.1 ± 5.2 vs 0.71 ± 1.4, P = .002). In multivariate analysis of PGS, smoking was a risk factor for tracheostomy dependence ( P = .026). Conclusions BLVFI is primarily an iatrogenic complication. There are high rates of tracheostomy dependence in BLVFI, with procedural intervention needed for decannulation. Compared with BVFP, patients with PGS had a higher procedural burden overall and to achieve decannulation. Patients with PGS should be counseled that smoking, a modifiable risk factor, may increase the risk of tracheostomy dependence.