cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Active control of helicopter blade stall

AIAA, Dynamics Specialists Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, Apr. 18, 19, 1996 This paper describes the numerical analysis of an automatic stall suppression system for helicopters. The analysis employs a FEM and includes unsteady aerodynamic effects (dynamic stall) and a nonuniform inflow model. The stall suppression system, based on a transfer matrix approach, uses blade root actuation to suppress stall directly. The results show that stall can effectively be suppressed using higher harmonic blade root pitch at both cruise and high speed flight conditions. The control amplitude was small, less than 1 deg. In a high thrust, low speed flight condition, stall is fairly insensitive to higher harmonic inputs. In general, stall suppression does not guarantee performance improvements. The results also show the distinction between stall suppression and performance improvement with active control. When the controller aims to reduce the shaft torque, rotor performance improvement can be achieved with a small degradation in stall behavior. (Author)
Axis for Dynamic Measurement of Flexion and Extension Torques About the Lumbar Spine A Computer Simulation

Most reports of trunk testing with an isokinetic dynamometer describe the axis of the machine aligned with the lumbosacral junction. A computerized mathematical simulation of motion of the lumbar spine under three conditions was performed, representing variations on the physiologic motion of the lumbar spine. The instantaneous center of rotation of the T12 vertebral body moving about a fixed pelvis was calculated and displayed. Under normal conditions, the center of rotation started close to the center of the L3 vertebral body and moved in an arc similar to that of L3 during flexion and extension. Dynamic testing of the trunk musculature in the lumbar region, therefore, should be performed with the axis of the isokinetic dynamometer aligned with the L3 vertebral body, and motion of the pelvis and thoracic spine should be minimized. This position of the axis provides the best approximation of the fixed axis of the testing machine to the physiologic axis. Failure to observe these precautions would tend to make the motion of the lumbar spine nonisokinetic and, thus, interfere with angular measurement of the spinal motion.
Carotid artery distensibility: a reliability study.

Arterial distensibility is a measure of the arterial ability to expand and contract with cardiac pulsation and relaxation.1 A decrease of arterial distensibility (increased artery wall stiffness) seems to be a common pathologic mechanism for many factors that lead to the occurrence and progression of the vascular changes associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD).2,3 Functional impairment of the arterial wall may occur in an early stage of the atherosclerotic process before structural wall changes become detectible as well as before the occurrence of clinical symptoms of CVD.3 Early detection of this impairment can lead to more effective strategies for the prevention of CVD. This concept that early changes in functional properties of the arterial wall precede the clinical stage of atherosclerosis has been investigated in peripheral arteries (femoral and brachial) and in the aorta for many years. Recent development of high-resolution and high-definition sonography has focused new investigations on the carotid arteries. With these techniques, arterial wall and vessel diameters can be assessed in a dynamic fashion through-out the cardiac cycle as the artery expands and contracts with each cardiac pulsation and relaxation.2,3 Arterial distensibility is, however, only an estimate of the mean strain and modulus at best because the entire soft tissue surrounding the vessel is responding to the change in the volume of the vessel, and the standard boundary identification methods of the vessel wall may not be as reliable as speckle-tracking methods.4 Carotid distensibility (CD) has been introduced as a novel risk factor for CVD in cross-sectional study designs from population-based cohorts, including Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC), Second Manifestations of Arterial Disease (SMART), the Rotterdam Study, the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), and the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).5–9 Nevertheless, the value of CD in predicting future stroke is currently under debate.10,11 The discrepancy over CD and its relationship to atherosclerosis seems to arise from several plausible factors, such as small sample sizes, different clinical characteristics of the study populations, analyses of CD restricted to different vascular beds, and measurement variability. Additionally, there is a lack of information regarding the reliability of CD measures. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the inter-reader reproducibility of the common carotid artery (CCA) diameters and distensibility measurements in a sample of 118 stroke-free subjects derived from a multiethnic population of northern Manhattan.
When Faith Fails: Why Nurturing Purpose and Meaning Are So Critical to Student Learning and Development in College

To learn and grow in college, students must be able to question their convictions, explore new pathways, and cope with crisis without disconnecting from a deep ballast of faith that these challenge...
Collider Dipole Magnet Test Program From Development Through Production

Verification of CDM performance, reliability, and magnet production processes will be accomplished during the development phase of the program. Key features of this program include thorough in process testing of magnet subassemblies, verification of the magnetic field quality, and demonstration of the CDM performance during the formal qualification program. Reliability demonstration of the CDM design includes component tests and an accelerated life test program. The Prototype magnet phase will address achievement of magnet performance goals through a program of fabrication, test, analysis, redesign as required and procurement of modified parts for a second fabrication run. This process would be repeated again if necessary, and would conclude with a final design for the production magnets. Production process validation will address the effects that key production processes have upon magnet performance, using the magnets produced during the Preproduction phase.
Tolerating Alternative Voices in Islam: Prospects for Pluralism and Democracy in the Muslim World

Are there limits to the expression of Islam in Muslim majority countries? This paper presents evidence from Muslim-majority countriesﾗfocusing in particular on Turkey and Central Asiaﾗto demonstrate that minority Muslim movements are restricted in both secular and religious Islamic countries due to official restrictions against religious expression. I find that intolerance of dissenting or alternative Muslim voices is a result of state-centered policies that attempt to control all aspects of religious expression by formulating a single official version of Islam. I thus conclude that religious conflicts in majority Muslim countries are less a result of sectarian tensions and instead indicative of the nature of power relations. Struggles over the distribution of resources in the developing world contribute to the unequal treatment of both Muslim and non-Muslim minorities, and continue the pattern of authoritarian rule that persists across much of the Muslim world.
Neoproterozoic stratigraphy of the Zavkhan terrane of Mongolia: The backbone for Cryogenian and early Ediacaran chemostratigraphic records

The Neoproterozoic Tsagaan-Olom Group is exposed in the Zavkhan Terrane of southwestern Mongolia and hosts unique geochemical, paleoclimate, and paleontological records that have become central to our understanding of this pivotal interval of Earth history. New sedimentological, stratigraphic, geochronological, and geochemical data provide context for and further develop these records. Detrital zircon provenance indicates that Neoproterozoic strata of the Zavkhan Terrane were derived from basement with age peaks between 1950 to 2100 and 2400 to 2600 Ma. At ∼800 Ma, the Zavkhan Terrane transformed from an active arc and back-arc complex to a rifted ribbon continent with passive margins on both sides. Deposition was accommodated by extension, which is recorded with syn-sedimentary normal faulting and alluvial fan deposition in the Zavkhan and Khasagt formations. Passive margin sedimentation in the overlying Tsagaan-Olom Group begins with the glacigenic Maikhan-Uul Formation, which consists of two massive diamictite units separated by clast-poor graded beds of the middle member. Detrital zircon at the base of the middle member of the Maikhan-Uul Formation were dated with U-Pb chemical abrasion isotope-dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry and constrained its age to
Dual-specificity protein tyrosine phosphatase VHR down-regulates c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)

The JNK group (for c-Jun N-terminal kinase) of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) is activated in cells in response to environmental stress and cytokines. Activation of JNK is the result of dual phosphorylation by specific upstream kinases which phosphorylate the TxY motif. Much less is known concerning the down-regulation by protein phosphatases. Here, we demonstrate that the tyrosine-specific and constitutively-expressed phosphatase VHR (for VH1-Related) down-regulates the JNK signaling pathway at the level of JNK dephosphorylation. VHR was shown to efficiently dephosphorylate JNK and to form a tight complex with activated JNK when the catalytically-inactive C124S VHR mutant was employed as an in vivo substrate trap. Utilizing an in vitro assay, the transcription factor c-Jun specifically inhibited the ability of VHR to dephosphorylate JNK, likely by sterically blocking access to the phosphorylation sites when JNK and c-Jun form a complex. c-Jun has no effect on the ability of VHR to inactivate the ERK MAP kinases or to hydrolyze artificial substrates. The c-Jun inhibition results are discussed in terms of the resistant-nature of JNK dephosphorylation in cellular extracts and in terms of a general model in which VHR may be a general MAP kinase phosphatase whose specificity and activity are dictated by the presence of MAP kinase-associated proteins that inhibit dephosphorylation.
High Cervical Carotid Artery Dissection: Spontaneous Resolution

The radiologic hallmark of intramural dissection of the high cervical internal carotid artery is asymmetric stenosis of the vessel lumen, The region of stenosis is generally centered at the C1-C2 level of the cervical spine, although the length of involvement may be considerably longer. Spontaneous dissection occurs unilaterally and is usually unrelated to atherosclerotic changes in the involved vessel. When the patient survives the initial event and its accompanying neurologic deficit, this diagnosis can be determined angiographically. This form of carotid artery dissection, occurring without pseudoaneurysm formation, generally resolves with conservation management.
The disempowered development of Tibet in China: a study in the economics of marginalization

In recent years, dramatic and desperate protests of self-immolation have once again turned the world's attention to Tibet. Although Chinese state authorities have deployed both economic and militar...
Validation of the greater trochanter method with radiographic measurements of frontal plane hip joint centers and knee mechanical axis angles and two other hip joint center methods.

Several motion capture methods exist for predicting hip joint centers (HJC). These methods include regression models, functional joints, and projections from greater trochanters. While regression and functional methods have been compared to imaging techniques, the TROCH method has not been previously validated. The purpose of this study was to compare frontal-plane HJCs and knee mechanical axis angles estimated using the greater trochanter method with a regression (Bell) and a functional method against those obtained using radiographs. Thirty-five participants underwent a long-standing anteroposterior radiograph, and performed static and functional motion capture trials. The Bell, functional, and trochanter HJCs were constructed to predict mechanical axes and compare HJC locations. One-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to compare mechanical axes and HJC locations estimated by motion capture methods and measured using radiographs (p<0.05). All methods overestimated mechanical axes compared to radiographs (<2°), but were not different. Mediolateral HJC locations and inter-HJC widths were similar between methods; however, inter-HJC widths were underestimated (average 3.7%) compared to radiographs. The Bell HJC was more superior and anterior to both functional and trochanter methods. The trochanter HJC was more posterior to both methods. The Bell method outperformed the other methods in leg length predictions compared to radiographs. Although differences existed between methods, all frontal-plane HJC location differences were <1.7 cm. This study validated the trochanter HJC prediction method mediolaterally and vertically (with small respective correction factors). Therefore, all HJC methods seem to be viable in predicting mechanical axes and frontal-plane HJC locations compared with radiographs.
Comparison of central core and radially separated models of renal inner medulla

In this paper we describe the effect of partitioning exchange of ascending thin limb (ATL) and collecting duct (CD) between a central vascular space (CORE) and a radially separated capillary node (NODE) in a mathematical model of the concentrating mechanism of the renal inner medulla. A detailed description of the model has been provided [J. L. Stephenson, J. F. Jen, H. Wang, and R. P. Tewarson. Am. J. Physiol. 268 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 37): F680-F692, 1995]. We define a partition coefficient theta, which denotes the fractional exchange of CD and ATL with the NODE. Thus with theta = 0 we have a central core model, in which the ATL and CD exchange with the CORE only, and with theta = 1 we have a totally radially separated model, in which the ATL and CD exchange with the NODE only. Decreasing the partition coefficient from 1 to 0 effects a continuous transition from a totally radially separated model to a central core model. As this transition progresses with increasing exchange with the CORE, the osmolalities in all structures become nearly the same at the papilla, and the ability to transport salt uphill is lost. This is true even with no radial diffusion. However, radial diffusion and direct exchange with the CORE act synergistically in decreasing osmolality differences at the papilla and the capacity for convective uphill transport. These are lost in a more or less parallel way. There is, however, no significant concomitant change in concentrating ability. These results indicate that models with radial mixing of the interstitial vascular space are probably reasonably good approximations for the inner medulla.
Smolensk under the Nazis: Everyday Life in Occupied Russia By Laurie R. Cohen.

Oftentimes, histories of World War II devolve into studies of hordes of faceless people who are both the victims and perpetrators of great and awful violence—the terrible power and the deep-rooted ...
Management of Complications of Acute Otomastoiditis in Solid Organ Transplant Patients.

Background There are over 183,000 patients living with a functioning solid organ transplant in the United States, and almost no data exist discussing complications of acute otomastoiditis in this vulnerable population. Early recognition and treatment of acute otomastoiditis is essential in patients whose immune system is not normal, as progression can lead to sepsis, meningitis, brain abscess, Bezold's abscess, sigmoid sinus thrombosis, or other potentially fatal sequelae. Methods Case report with extensive literature review. Results A 63 year-old man presented 3 years after cadaveric renal transplant with otorrhea and altered mental status. His acute otitis media progressed to meningitis with sigmoid sinus thrombosis and sepsis, and management included IV and otic antibiotics, tympanostomy tube placement, and cortical mastoidectomy. The patient made a full recovery without residual neurologic deficit. Conclusion Extrapolating data from patients immunosuppressed for other reasons, patients immunosuppressed after solid organ transplant should receive prompt recognition and aggressive treatment of acute otomastoiditis to prevent or address potentially devastating intracranial or systemic complications.
CHAPTER 6 – Basics of Imaging Theory and Statistics

Imaging theory is concerned with the mathematical description of the imaging process, accounting for the deterministic and random degradations, so that their effects on image quality can be characterized and, if possible, corrected for. This chapter provides an overview of the basic imaging theory, including an introduction to deterministic linear systems, statistical characterizations of random processes, and fundamental theories of interpolation, filtering, smoothing, estimation, and detection. In addition to blur, noise, and sampling, nonlinear degradations can also occur in the imaging process. However, this chapter focuses on the linear systems because they describe the main characteristics of most imaging systems and form the basis of many image-processing techniques. It emphasizes on only 2D images and systems, but principles can be easily extended to other dimensions. The chapter also considers only the cases in which the inputs and outputs of the linear systems and operators are defined on the same space. Finally, the material presented is concerned to principles and techniques that are relevant to nuclear medicine imaging.
The Principle of Legality in International and Comparative Criminal Law: Constitutional and Other National Provisions Implementing the Principle of Legality Today

Constitutional provisions and translations are taken from Constitutions of the Countries of the World (Rudiger H. Wolfrum, Rainer Grote & Gisbert H. Flanz eds., Oxford Univ. Press, various dates, including both paper version and online subscription version at http://www.oceanalaw.com) [hereinafter CCW], unless otherwise indicated. Texts quoted herein are constitutional texts unless noted as statutes or other texts. Non-derogability provisions may be noted but not quoted. Headings or article titles are generally omitted unless they are particularly useful to understanding the provision in question or its place in the law. The material herein was generally verified for the last time in September–October 2007. A few more recent developments have been taken into account, particularly the imposition and subsequent lifting of emergency rule in Pakistan in November–December 2007, the coming into force of the Revised Arab Charter of Human Rights on 15 March 2008, and the presentation of the proposed Kosovo Constitution on 7 April 2008. The texts are formatted as uniformly as reasonably possible. Thus, in some cases the typesetting here might not exactly match the source material. Notations at the beginning of each country's entry summarize the material from Appendix A and some other information collected and discussed in Chapter 5: NC = Nullum crimen – Retroactive criminalization of acts prohibited by constitution, statute, or treaty (Appendix A, Column 2) NP = Nulla poena – Retroactive increase of penalties prohibited by constitution, statute, or treaty (Appendix A, Column 3)
Role of Cop Coats and GTPases in Transport of Cargo Through the Early Secretory Pathway

The secretory pathway of eukaryotic cells comprises a series of sequential compartments whose compartmental boundaries are bridged through the activity of small 60–80 nm transport vesicles. Cargo selection and vesicle formation is now recognized to be mediated by export signals and cytosolic coat component. Vesicle formation involves the recruitment of cytosolic proteins which form in combination with membrane-associated components the vesicle coat which drives membrane deformation and which are likely to play a critical role in cargo selection (2). The assembly and disassembly of these coat complexes are regulated by the activity of small GTPases belonging to Ras superfamily and include Sarl, ARF and Rab proteins. There are now three well-characterized and structurally unrelated coats participating in vesicle formation. These include: (1) clathrin-coated vesicles which facilitate protein transfer between the plasma membrane, endocytic and trans-Golgi compartments (49); (2) COPI (coatomer) coated vesicles which have an important role in retrograde transport from the Golgi to the ER (24, 28, 30) and COPII vesicles which participate in the anterograde transport of cargo from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi (10, 48). The activity of the COPII and COPI coats and their respective GTPases are briefly examined below.
Recent advances in therapeutics and drug delivery for the treatment of inner ear diseases: a patent review (2011-2015)

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Inner ear disorders such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere’s disease significantly impact the quality of life of affected individuals. Treatment of such disorders is an ongoing challenge. Current clinical approaches relieve symptoms but do not fully restore hearing, and the search for more effective therapeutic methods represents an area of urgent current interest.Areas covered: Thirty four patents and patent applications published from 2011 to 2015 were selected from the database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), covering new approaches for the treatment of inner ear disorders described in the patent literature: 1) identification of new therapeutic agents, 2) development of sustained release formulations, and 3) medical devices that facilitate delivery of such agents to the inner ear.Expert opinion: The search for effective treatments of inner ear disorders is ongoing. Increased understanding of the molecular me...
Recurrence Quantification Analysis of Sentence-Level Speech Kinematics

Purpose Current approaches to assessing sentence-level speech variability rely on measures that quantify variability across utterances and use normalization procedures that alter raw trajectory dat...
The Associations Between Preceptor Team Lead Relationships and Resident Wellness in an Academic Medicine Setting: An Exploratory Study.

Background Lack of wellness among physicians has been associated with increased risk for physical and mental illness, interpersonal discord, and occupational liability. In academic primary care practices, physician wellness and self-care behaviors have been associated with improved patient outcomes. With the increase in team-based care structures in primary care clinics and residencies there may be opportunities to promote wellness among primary clinicians, particularly among resident physicians who are at increased risk for decreased well being. The primary objective of the study was to test an a priori hypothesis that family medicine residents' perception of support from preceptor team leads would be associated with well being. A secondary objective of the study was to test a post hoc hypothesis that examined whether the relationship between residents' perception of support from their preceptor team leads would be associated with residents' well being, while controlling for self-care behaviors. Methods Our study utilized a prospective cross-sectional design with purposive sampling to survey family medicine residents. Data were collected in February 2016. The survey was sent out to 58 family medicine residents across three family medicine residencies at Mayo Clinic. The survey response rate was 55% (n=32); Ten (31.3%) residents reported being in their PGY-1, 11 (34.4%) in PGY-2; and 11 (34.4%) in PGY-3; participants included 19 (59.4%) women and 13 (40.6%) men. The Brief Resident Wellness Profile (BRWP) was utilized to assess family medicine residents' perceived sense of professional accomplishment and mood in the past week. Results In bivariate correlational analyses, increased perception of support from preceptor team leads (r=.40, P<.01) and reporting a male gender (r=.43, P<.01) was associated with increased resident wellness. In exploratory multivariate analysis, results suggested that while controlling for gender, frequency of self-care behaviors, and perceived preceptor team lead support, a one-point change on rating of perceived team leader support is associated with a 1.69 increase in resident wellness score on the BRWP. Conclusions Our results provide preliminary evidence to support the relationship between preceptor team lead support and resident wellness in team-based care, above and beyond the impact that self-behaviors have on wellness. Our findings suggest evidence for the subsequent study of the impact of preceptor team lead relationship quality on resident wellness.
Efficacy of fulvestrant (F) ± anastrozole (A) in highly endocrine-sensitive (HES) and moderately endocrine-sensitive (MES) advanced breast cancer (BC): A retrospective study.

e12022Background: High-dose For F+A is associated with improvement in survival as compared to A, in patients (pts) with advanced hormone receptor-positive BC, as shown in S0226 and FIRST trials. Th...
Software for objective comparison of vocal acoustic features over weeks of audio recording: KLFromRecordingDays

Abstract KLFromRecordingDays allows measurement of Kullback–Leibler (KL) distances between 2D probability distributions of vocal acoustic features. Greater KL distance measures reflect increased phonological divergence across the vocalizations compared. The software has been used to compare *.wav file recordings made by Sound Analysis Recorder 2011 of songbird vocalizations pre- and post-drug and surgical manipulations. Recordings from individual animals in *.wav format are first organized into subdirectories by recording day and then segmented into individual syllables uttered and acoustic features of these syllables using Sound Analysis Pro 2011 (SAP). KLFromRecordingDays uses syllable acoustic feature data output by SAP to a MySQL table to generate and compare “template” (typically pre-treatment) and “target” (typically post-treatment) probability distributions. These distributions are a series of virtual 2D plots of the duration of each syllable (as x -axis) to each of 13 other acoustic features measured by SAP for that syllable (as y -axes). Differences between “template” and “target” probability distributions for each acoustic feature are determined by calculating KL distance, a measure of divergence of the target 2D distribution pattern from that of the template. KL distances and the mean KL distance across all acoustic features are calculated for each recording day and output to an Excel spreadsheet. Resulting data for individual subjects may then be pooled across treatment groups and graphically summarized and used for statistical comparisons. Because SAP-generated MySQL files are accessed directly, data limits associated with spreadsheet output are avoided, and the totality of vocal output over weeks may be objectively analyzed all at once. The software has been useful for measuring drug effects on songbird vocalizations and assessing recovery from damage to regions of vocal motor cortex. It may be useful in studies employing other species, and as part of speech therapies tracking progress in producing distinct speech sounds in isolation.
Functions of a Real Variable

The function f : (a, b) → ℝ is differentiable at x if $$\mathop {\lim }\limits_{x \to x} \frac{{f\left( t \right) - f\left( x \right)}}{{t - x}} = L$$ exists. By definitions this means L is a real number and for each ∈ > 0 there exists a δ > 0 such that if 0< |t —x| < δ then the differential quotient above differs from L by < ∈. The limit L is the derivative of f at \(x,f'\left( x \right)\). In calculus language, Δx = t — x is the change in the independent variable x, while Δf = f (t) — f (x) is the resulting change in the dependent variable y = f (x). Differentiability at x means that $$f'\left( x \right) = \mathop {\lim }\limits_{\Delta x \to 0} \frac{{\Delta f}}{{\Delta x}}.$$ We begin by reviewing the proofs of some standard calculus facts.
New results on low energy exclusive hadronic final states from BABAR

The 3.6 standard deviation discrepancy between the standard model (SM) prediction for the muon anomalous magnetic moment gμ - 2 and the corresponding experimental measurement is one of the most persistent and intriguing potential signals in particle physics for physics beyond the SM. The largest uncertainty in the SM prediction for gμ - 2 arises from the uncertainty in the measured low energy inclusive e + e - → hadrons cross section. New results from the BABAR experiment at SLAC for the e + e- → π + π - π 0 π 0 and e + e - → KK ππ cross sections are presented that significantly reduce this uncertainty. New BABAR results for other low energy exclusive hadronic processes are also discussed.
Transition Research Using Flight Experiments

The relationship between aerodynamic results obtained in wind tunnels and their counterparts in flight is one that continues to command the attention of the aerodynamics community (Ref. 1). This is especially true for a phenomenon that is as environmentally sensitive as boundary layer transition. It is well established for example for supersonic Mach numbers from about 1.5 to 8, acoustic radiation from the turbulent boundary layers developing on wind tunnel walls causes an early transition on test models that has no flight counterpart (see presentation by Sam Pate). Only the “quiet” tunnels described by Ivan Beckwith offer relief from this phenomenon in ground test facilities. Because of this, the transition community has looked to flight experiments as a means of obtaining proper transition information in an uncontaminated environment.
Promises, Oaths, and Vows: On the Psychology of Promising

Considering that getting along in civil society is based on the expectation that (most) people will do what they say they will do, i.e., essentially live up to their explicit or implicit promises, it is amazing that so little scientific attention has been given to the act of promising. A great deal of research has been done on the moral development of children, for example, but not on the child’s ability to make and keep a promise, one of the highest moral achievements. What makes it possible developmentally, cognitively, and emotionally to make a promise in the first place? And on the other hand, what compels one to keep a promise (or vow or threat) when there seems to be no personal advantage in doing so, and even when harm can be predicted? How do we know when a promise is offered seriously to be taken at face value, and how do we understand that another is only a polite gesture, not to be taken seriously? In Promises, Oaths, and Vows: On the Psychology of Promising, Herbert Schlesinger addresses these questions, drawing on the literature of moral development in children; the psychotherapy of a patient who regularly broke promises that were unnecessary in the first place; those who were regarded as "promising youngsters" who did not fulfill their "promise"; and those who feared making a promise, a commitment, or a threat out of fear that, once made, the utterance would take on a life of its own and could never be taken back. Furthermore, he illustrates his conclusions by examining the widespread use of promising in classical literature, such as Greek drama and the plays of Shakespeare, as well as the motivating and reifying power of the promise in Western religious traditions. With a style honed over the penning of two previous books, Schlesinger once again produces a work grounded in a firm analytic sensibility, but which also retains the wit and candor of the seasoned analyst. His seminal investigation of this all but neglected topic in the clinical literature is as timely as it is scholarly, and – with the title firmly in mind – Promises, Oaths, and Vows is assured to be a worthy addition to any clinician’s library and a provoking investigation into Nietzsche’s notion of man as "the animal who makes promises."
Religious Inequality in America

Sociology has largely ignored class differences between American religious groups under the assumption that those differences “are smaller than they used to be and are getting smaller all of the time” (Pyle & Davidson, 2014, p. 195). This article demonstrates that profound class differences remain amongst American religious groups. These differences are as large as—or larger than—commonly examined forms of inequality such as the gender pay gap and the race achievement gap. Using the most popular categorization of American religious groups, we find that regardless of the particular measure examined (years of education, income, socioeconomic index score, and proportion of members with at least a bachelor’s degree) Jews and Mainline Protestants are at the top of the socioeconomic ladder and Evangelical Protestants, both black and white, are at the bottom. Furthermore, religious group significantly predicts both years of education and the overall socioeconomic standing of respondents by itself with basic controls. Likewise, both socioeconomic indicators and education significantly predict the likelihood of being in a specific religious tradition on their own with basic controls. Some religious groups, namely Evangelical Protestants at the low end and Jews and the high end, are relatively educationally homogeneous. Others, such as Catholics, Mainline Protestants and the nonreligious are much more educationally heterogeneous. The picture is the same when socioeconomic heterogeneity is examined, except that Mainline Protestants emerge as more clearly advantaged socioeconomically. In sum, religious inequality remains in America, it is robust, and it appears to be quite durable.
Electronic structure of transition-metal chalcogenides and their intercalation compounds

Intercalation compounds are solids where host atoms provide a structure into which guest atoms can be inserted. Generally, charge is transferred between the outer orbitals of the guest atoms and the electron bands of the host during intercalation. In the transition-metal chalcogenides, the guest gives up charge to become a positive ion, and the electrons donated by the guests enter the host band structure. Thus the electronic structure of the host should, together with the sites available for the guest ions, determine whether a given guest can be inserted, and to what extent.
Oscillations of oocyte nuclei in the ovarioles of the grasshopper Melanoplus differentialis differentialis (Orthoptera, Acrididae).

Abstract 1. 1. Oscillatory movements of the nucleus of the grasshopper oocyte have been observed directly and recorded cinematographically. 2. 2. In young oocytes from first and second instar grasshopper nymphs, independent movements of the chromosomes occur. Arrhythmic movements of the nucleus are first observed in oocytes from third instar females. In older oocytes these movements become rhythmic and oscillatory with a period of from 5 to 45 seconds at 28 °C and with an excursion of from 5 to 20 degrees. The motion resembles that of the balance wheel of a watch. The axis of rotation lies perpendicular to the long axis of the egg. 3. 3. The nuclear oscillations are affected by temperature and pressure but the plane of oscillation is not influenced by natural gravitational forces.
Dementia and Psychiatric Disorders

The consequences of dementia resulting from some structural changes in the brain would seem to be sufficient penalty for both patient and caregiver. There exists, however, the possibility that psychological disorders that may already be present will become aggravated. An example of this would be an exaggeration of anxiety states in a person already subject to worry. Further, dysfunctional conditions new to the individual may develop, in part as a reaction to negative events accumulating in the life of the person and in part as an attempt to adapt to difficult events. In this case, we might see a patient and caregiver become increasingly depressed as the patient’s status worsens and introduces new problems that seem impossible to remedy. There is the additional possibility that structural and/or chemical changes in the brain may alter the personality. Thus the psychological dimensions should not be underestimated or ignored because there is suffering that may be unnecessary if diagnosed and treated.
Gene Expression in Normal Aging Brain

Underlying normal age-related cognitive and motor deficits are gene expression changes that define the aging brain. Specific changes in gene expression occur in each type of brain cell, a process which contributes to subtle dysfunctions in brain activities. A comparison of gene classes in the different species supports the belief that the aging brain experiences progressive increases of inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, resulting in the accumulation of altered or damaged proteins that interrupt normal synaptic functions. The current status of age-related gene expression supports an important role for glia in orchestrating these age changes in the brain.
Avian anthrophobia? Behavioral and physiological responses of house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) to human and predator threats across an urban gradient

Abstract Urban environments present animals with many novel experiences, not the least of which is the physical presence of humans. However, most studies on urban predation do not take human presence into account. We examined behavioral and physiological responses of a songbird species (the house finch, Haemorhous mexicanus) that is abundant in both natural and urban areas to the presence of humans and to a native predator model to distinguish whether urban birds show consistently bolder behavior or if they differentially respond to a threatening native predator versus a potentially more benign human. During three field seasons (winter 2012, summer-fall 2012, and winter 2013), we captured birds at six sites (urban, suburban, and rural) and measured breath rate (an indicator of stress). We then tested behavioral reactions of caged finches to an approaching human and both a hawk (predator) and dove (control-bird) flyover. We found that rural birds had lower breath rates than urban birds, but that urban birds showed fewer activity behaviors (e.g., hops, flights) than rural birds in response to an approaching human. Urban and rural birds did not differ in their behavioral responses to either the hawk or dove mount, though there were seasonal differences. Because house finch behavioral responses varied as a function of type of stimulus presented, our results point to an example of plasticity rather than to a generalized bold urban phenotype and also implicate tolerance of human proximity as a key factor driving urban success in some avian species.
Identifying self-reported neurocognitive deficits in the adult with congenital heart disease using a simple screening tool.

Objective Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and adults with acquired heart disease are at an increased risk of neurocognitive impairment. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-reported neurocognitive impairment and its risk factors in the adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population. Design The Wisconsin Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program recently began screening ACHD patients to identify those with significant self-perceived neurocognitive impairments. Screening consists of using a validated neuro-oncology screening instrument that has been modified for the ACHD population. Patients who answer this survey in a predetermined fashion consistent with significant self-perceived neurocognitive deficits are referred for a formal neurocognitive evaluation. Demographic and clinical information are obtained by chart review. Results Three hundred ten patients (49% males) completed the screening process. The average age was 30 years (range: 17-69 years). For the cohort, 57 (18%) patients had no prior cardiac surgeries, 85 (28%) one surgery, 77 (25%) two, and 91 (29%) at least three surgeries. Of those screened, 106 (34%) met criteria for a formal neurocognitive evaluation. Patients who were referred had undergone a greater number of prior cardiac surgeries (2.2 vs 1.7, P = .008) and were more likely to have severe complexity CHD (P = .006). Of those patients who were referred, the worst perceived functioning was in math and attention. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of ACHD patients with significant self-perceived neurocognitive deficits. Simple screening questionnaires may help identify those patients at high risk and allow for timely and appropriate referral for formal neurocognitive evaluation, diagnosis, and therapy.
Derivative Estimation in Random Design

We propose a nonparametric derivative estimation method for random design without having to estimate the regression function. The method is based on a variance-reducing linear combination of symmetric difference quotients. First, we discuss the special case of uniform random design and establish the estimator’s asymptotic properties. Secondly, we generalize these results for any distribution of the dependent variable and compare the proposed estimator with popular estimators for derivative estimation such as local polynomial regression and smoothing splines.
Hereditary Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Diagnosis, Questions, and Controversies.

To review the diagnosis of individuals with hereditary hematopoietic malignancies (HHMs) that predispose to myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, barriers to HHM diagnosis, and unaddressed questions and controversies within the HHM field. Pathogenic germline mutations in approximately a dozen genes predispose to HHMs, and many more genes are likely to be involved. Many of these HHM genes have only been identified recently. HHM phenotypes are diverse, but may be categorized as “purely” myeloid syndromes, syndromes with abnormal platelet number/function, and HHMs with additional organ system involvement. A number of questions remain unanswered in this emerging field, including the ideal diagnostic approach for patients at risk for HHMs, the optimal surveillance of unaffected carriers, and how to personalize care for individuals with HHMs. The field of HHMs is evolving rapidly. Ongoing research in this area will eventually inform the care of patients with both somatic and hereditary cancer syndromes, but much work remains to be done.
Phase II of Single-Agent Ibrutinib in Recurrent/Refractory Primary (PCNSL) and Secondary CNS Lymphoma (SCNSL)

Abstract BACKGROUND PCNSL is an aggressive primary brain tumor with median progression free survival (PFS) after upfront methotrexate-based chemotherapy of 2-3 years. Outcome and treatment options are poor for recurrent/refractory (r/r) disease. Ibrutinib has shown promising clinical response in various B-cell malignancies. This trial investigates Ibrutinib in patients with r/r PCNSL and SCNSL. METHODS Eligible patients had r/r PCNSL or SCNSL, age≥18, ECOG≤2, normal end-organ function, and unrestricted number of CNS directed prior therapies. In patients with SCNSL, systemic disease needed to be absent. All patients needed to have at least one prior CNS directed therapy. RESULTS Forty-four patients were enrolled; 3 received ibrutinib at 560mg and 41 at 840mg. Median age was 68 years (range 21-90); 20 were women. Median ECOG was 1 (0: 11, 1: 22, 2: 11); 29 had PCNSL and 15 SCNSL; 61% had recurrent disease. Twenty-four had isolated parenchymal disease, 4 isolated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) involvement and 16 both. No grade 5 event has been observed. Eleven patients experienced 12 grade 4 adverse events: neutropenia (in 5 patients), lymphopenia (2), ALT elevation (1), combined ALT/AST elevation (1), sepsis (1), and pneumonitis (1). Seventeen patients experienced 35 grade 3 adverse events (most common: lymphopenia in 4, ALT elevation (3), hyperglycemia (3), urinary tract infection (3), decreased WBC (2), lung infection (2), and thrombocytopenia (2)). Treatment was stopped due to adverse events in 3 patients (grade 4 pulmonitis, grade 4 liver toxicity, grade 3 infectious encephalitis). Twenty-four patients did not experience ≥3 grade adverse events. The most common toxicities at any grade were thrombocytopenia (73%), hyperglycemia (55%), anemia (43%), hypercholesterolemia (43%) and hypertriglyceridemia (43%) of which most were grade 1/2. Only 1 Aspergillus infection has been observed in a patient with chronic steroid use. After a median follow-up of 22 months (range 1.5-39), 40/44 patients were evaluated for response (4 did not complete at least 15 days of drug treatment due to deteriorating clinical status or withdrawal from study). Overall response was 78% (31/40; 81% (22/27) in PCNSL; 69% (9/13) in SCNSL) with 17 CR, 14 PR, 4 SD and 5 PD as best response. The median PFS is 4 months (5.4 months in patients that completed at least 15 days of drug treatment; longest: 16.5 months). The median overall survival is 19.5 months. CONCLUSION Patients with CNS lymphoma tolerate Ibrutinib with manageable adverse events. Clinical response was seen in 78% of CNS lymphoma patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Corpse to Cadaver: From Body Snatching to Body Worlds

In this opening chapter, I explore how cultural practices during the Age of Anatomy reveal a profound shift from corpses as objects of reverence or revulsion to a specialized understanding marked by the term “cadaver.” This shift toward the dead body as something useful signals a sharp rise in medical authority and required the growing concept of a depersonalized cadaver that served as a resource for public good. Over a century later, Gunther von Hagens’s wildly popular Body Worlds exhibition offers a modern instance of the eighteenth-century anatomy theater. By bookending these historical and contemporary examples of public dissection, we can see how the logic of medical authority, disintegration, depersonalization, and public good contributes to a cultural acceptance of a practice as radical as transplantation.
Elevated Lipoprotein(a) Levels Lower ABCA1 Cholesterol Efflux Capacity.

CONTEXT Elevated serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages may be an antiatherogenic process. Plasminogen (PLG) is a driver of ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux, and its action is inhibited by purified human Lp(a). OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of Lp(a) in human serum on ABCA1 cholesterol efflux. METHODS Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) was measured with two different cell-culture models using serum from 76 patients with either low ( 50 mg/dL) Lp(a) levels. RESULTS Using cAMP-stimulated J774 macrophages or baby hamster kidney fibroblasts overexpressing human ABCA1, we show that CEC was lower in patients with high Lp(a) levels compared with patients with low levels (-30.6%, P = 0.002 vs -24.1%, P < 0.001, respectively). Total-serum CEC negatively correlated with Lp(a) levels (r = -0.433, P = 0.0007 vs r = -0.505, P = 0.0011, respectively). These negative associations persisted after adjusting for serum cholesterol, age, sex, and statin use in a multiple linear regression model (adjusted R2 = 0.413 or 0.405, respectively) and were strengthened when further adjusting for the interaction between Lp(a) and PLG levels (adjusted R2 = 0.465 and 0.409, respectively). Total-serum and isolated Lp(a) from patients with high Lp(a) inhibited PLG-mediated ABCA1 cholesterol efflux. CONCLUSION Total-serum CEC is reduced in patients with high Lp(a) levels. This is in part due to the inhibition of PLG-mediated ABCA1 cholesterol efflux by Lp(a). Our findings suggest an atherogenic role for Lp(a) through its ability to inhibit CEC.