cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
G. H. MEAD'S SOCIAL BEHAVIORISM VS. THE ASTRUCTURAL BIAS OF SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM*

Symbolic interactionism has been criticized for having an astructural bias. This paper presents a response to that criticism by examining the ontological stance contained in Mead’s social behaviorism and contrasting it with the ontological stance of symbolic interactionism’s chief architect, Herbert Blumer. Mead’s social behaviorism is shown to be a nondualist philosophy of conduct based solidly on conceptions of the human community and of individual conduct as organized on the basis of social acts-a view not shared by Blumer. Symbolic interactionists have been criticized in recent years for their predominately qualitative approach to empirical inquiry and for their failure to deal adequately with social structure. Many criticisms imply that these biases are inherent in the perspective of symbolic interactionism. McPhail and Rexroat (1979) systematically consider the charge of an epistemological bias favoring qualitative forms of empirical inquiry. They contend that criticisms of a qualitative bias are more appropriately leveled against Blumer’s (1969) version of symbolic interactionism than against Mead’s social behaviorism. Stryker (1980) addresses the charge that symbolic interactionists inadequately deal with the facts of social structure and power, implying that these criticisms are more true of Blumer than Mead. We examine Mead’s social behaviorism and its ontological stance in order to assess the criticism of an astructural bias in symbolic interactionism. We contend that Mead’s philosophy of conduct-social behaviorism-does not entail an astructural bias such as that found in Blumer’s symbolic interactionism. The argument proceeds in two main steps: 1) an exposition of Mead’s social behaviorism, its aims and concerns, central
A proposal for a standard terminology of anatomical notation and orientation in fossil vertebrate dentitions

There is little consistency in the notation and orientation terminology used in discussions of non- mammalian fossil vertebrate dentitions. The standardization of this terminology, as done in the medical and dental sciences, would facilitate all future research on fossil teeth. For mammals, we recommend following convention, where incisors, canines, premolars, and molars are abbreviated as In, Cn, Pn, and Mn (n 5 tooth number) in upper jaws and as in, cn, pn, and mn in lower jaws. Right, left, and deciduous teeth are indicated by R, L, and D (e.g., DP4, Rp2). For non-mammals, which can have dentigerous premaxillae, maxillae, and dentaries, as well as additional tooth-bearing bones (e.g., vomers, palatines, pterygoids, ectopterygoids, sphenoids, splenials, and even parasphenoids), we encourage identifying teeth using the bone abbreviation (e.g., pmn, mxn, dn, vn, paln). A number and slash (/) combination can be used to distinguish between multiple tooth rows (e.g., Pal1/n, Pal2/n), and specimen-specific maps can be created for very complicated dentitions. We suggest the use of the terms mesial and distal to designate tooth surfaces and directions facing toward and away from the mandibular symphysis. Labial is offered for those surfaces and directions facing the lips or cheeks and lingual for those facing the tongue. We offer the terms basal for the direction toward crown bases, apical for the direction toward crown tips, occlusal for views of the occlusal surfaces, and basal and root apical for views of crown bases and roots, respectively.
An Inherited P53 Point Mutation in a Cancer Prone Family with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

Somatic cells derived from members of a cancer-prone family representing three generations were used to assess mutations in selected regions of p53. Fibroblast DNAs from four family members--the proband, his brother, their father and a paternal aunt, yielded an identical point mutation in codon 245 in only one allele of the p53 gene. This mutation, involving G to A transition (GGC -> GAC) leads to substitution of aspartic acid for glycine at that codon in p53 protein and is not present in NSF DNAs of the proband’s mother or his paternal grandfather, neither of whom are in the cancer-prone lineage. Despite the observed mutation, the level of p53 protein detected in these fibroblasts is comparable to low levels observed in normal control fibroblasts. This is in contrast to the high levels of mutant p53 usually found in tumor cell lines. Thus the mutant p53 in these fibroblasts appears to behave differently as compared to the mutant p53 previously detected in transformed cells. Given the inherited nature of this p53 mutation, the demonstrated role of p53 in tumorigenesis and the location of mutation in a region of the gene known to be critical for its function, it appears that we have identified a primary genetic alteration in this Li-Fraumeni family, a defect which may predispose them to increased susceptibility to cancer.
A Public Empire: Property and the Quest for the Common Good in Imperial Russia

Ekaterina Pravilova's wide-ranging and scrupulous study of property and the idea of a public domain in Imperial Russia is without doubt a landmark contribution to our understanding of the legal reg...
Confidence Intervals for Ocean Wave Spectra

The random nature of ocean wave records introduces statistical variability into the wave spectrum estimates based on these records. This may cause inaccuracy in subsequent calculations such as the prediction of the primary wave direction or the estimation of structural response. Confidence intervals on such estimates are needed to evaluate whether adequate estimate accuracy has been obtained. The chi-squared confidence interval commonly used for wave spectra is based on the assumption of a Gaussian sea surface. Its applicability for hurrican size waves has been open for question. Therefore, after a brief outline of the relevant statistical relations basic to the chi-squared procedure, wave data from Hurrican Carla is empirically analyzed and compared with the theoretical conclusions. A simulation procedure is used to proceed from the data to probability interval statements. A comparison of these with the correponding chi-squared statements shows the chi-squared relations to be fairly reasonable approximations for spectral estimates averaged over bands of at least eight values. The empirical simulation procedure can be extended to subsequent calculations based on the spectral estimates while the chi-square method encounters difficulty for such problems.
Clean intermittent catheterization revisited

Catheterization is the insertion of a hollow flexible tube (called a catheter) to drain the urine from the bladder and is probably one of the oldest urologic procedures, dating back 3000 years. Since 1972, when urologist Dr Jack Lapides described a procedure for performing clean intermittent catheterization, this method of bladder management has become lifesaving for an individual who cannot empty their bladder independently. If the bladder is not emptied regularly, elevated storage pressures can develop which may put the upper tracts at risk of subsequent deterioration. Intermittent catheterization (IC) has become the first-line and preferred method of drainage in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, as long as dexterity or available caregiver support and body habitus allow access. However, over the past 20 years, an evolution has occurred in the technology of catheters used for IC. But with these advances, so has controversy arisen. This article is a review of the current application of IC, the current technology in catheter material and systems, differences between reusable and one-time, or single-use catheters, the cost benefit of doing IC, and the infectious benefit.
Rogues, unrulies, and nomads: Disrupting the casual tyranny of the schoolroom:

In many primary school classrooms, there exists a casual tyranny of control and separation that distorts the bodied humanity of schoolchildren. The intent of this article is to make more visible and so, more actionable, the school structures that devalue and oppress the spirited needs and desires of schoolchildren. This article is directed toward examining the nature of schooling as manifested in the day-to-day lives of children while looking askance at the under-challenged state of those school-lives. Relevant to every aspect of our lives, the potential conflict between rule-following and morally/humanly motivated disobedience is a major theme in this work, leading us to consider the spiritual aspects of childhood—such as wonder, joy, and being in the moment—and how they can be repressed, even denied, by the often arbitrary exercises of power and control inherent in schoolrooms. In this article, classroom-based narratives will rhizomatically meander and intersect with/in a diverse range of texts (includi...
Radiotelegraphy to Broadcasting: Wireless Communications in Porfirian and Revolutionary Mexico, 1899–1924

This essay explores the development of wireless communications from radiotelegraphy to broadcasting. An under analyzed and important topic, Porfirian and revolutionary wireless officials and policies laid the foundation for Mexico’s powerful broadcasting and telecommunications industries. From the beginning, communications specialists used radio for state and nation building, especially in the hinterlands. The Revolution briefly shifted the focus of wireless experts away from the frontiers and toward warfare; however, the upheaval actually expanded the number of wireless devices and technicians. These professionals subsequently became essential figures in communications projects carried out during the presidencies of Venustiano Carranza and Alvaro Obregon, as well as during the rise of broadcasting in the 1920s. El presente ensayo analiza el desarrollo de las radiocomunicaciones, desde la radiotelegrafia hasta la radiodifusion. El tema ha sido poco analizado, pero es importante: los oficiales y las politicas de radiocomunicacion porfiristas y revolucionarios sentaron las bases de las poderosas industrias de la radio y la telecomunicacion en Mexico. Desde un principio, especialistas en comunicaciones utilizaron la radio para la construccion del estado y la nacion, especialmente en las fronteras del pais. La revolucion desplazo brevemente la atencion de los expertos lejos de las fronteras y hacia la guerra; sin embargo, el levantamiento no hizo sino aumentar el numero de aparatos y tecnicos de radiocomunicacion. Mas adelante, estos profesionales se convertirian en figuras esenciales en proyectos de comunicacion emprendidos durante las presidencias de Venustiano Carranza y Alvaro Obregon, asi como durante el florecimiento de la radiodifusion en la decada de 1920.
Recent Advances in Measurement and Understanding of Volitional Muscular Strength

Abstract In this account, advances in the measurement and understanding of volitional muscular strength of the human organism are presented. Some liberty is exercised in delimiting the report to the following four major aspects of this field: strength measurement, body position and application of strength, certain strength relationships, and strength-decrement fatigue patterns. While brief historical orientation may be made occasionally, the primary emphasis is on recent developments.
Economic and Environmental Analysis of Retrofitting a Large Office Building with Energy-Efficient Lighting Systems

An evaluation of the economic and environmental costs and benefits that would result if the Zorinsky Federal Building, located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, converted its current lighting system to a more energy-efficient system (i.e., joined the EPA's Green Lights Program) was conducted. Lighting accounts for 20–25 percent of all electricity sold in the United States. Costs considered in the study included the cost of retrofitting the building's existing lighting system and the cost of disposal of the current lamps and ballast fixtures. Benefits included a reduction of electric utility costs and a reduction of emissions of SO2, NO x , CO2, and CO from electric utility power plants. Environmental and health issues for air pollutant emissions were also addressed. The results showed that significant reductions in utility bills as well as reductions in air emissions would result from a major building converting to a more energy efficient lighting system. The results showed that conversion of this large building would reduce SO2 emissions by 14.6 tons/yr and NO x emissions by 6.3 tons/yr. In addition, the conversion would reduce annual energy costs by approximately $114,000.
An Integrated Virtual Validation System for Parallel Kinematic Machine Analysis Design

Selecting a configuration for a machine tool that will best suit the needs of a forecast set of requirements can be a difficulty and costly exercise. This problem can now be addressed using an integrated virtual validation system. The system includes kinematic/dynamic analysis, kinetostatic model, CAD module, FEM module, CAM module, optimization module and visual environment for simulation and collision detection of the machining and deburring. It is an integration of the parallel kinematic machines (PKM) design, analysis, optimization and simulation. In this paper, the integrated virtual system is described in a detail, a prototype of a 3-dof PKM is modeled, analyzed, optimized and remote controlled with the proposed system. Some results and simulations are also given. Its effectiveness is shown with the results obtained by NRC-IMTI during the design of the 3-dof NRC PKM.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
The Effect of Age on the Synthesis of Two Heat Shock Proteins in the HSP70 Family

Hepatocytes isolated from male F344 rats were exposed to elevated temperatures (40 degrees C to 45 degrees C), and the incorporation of [35S]-L-methionine into proteins was measured from fluorograms of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. The synthesis of two proteins was induced by temperatures of 40 degrees C to 42.5 degrees C; however, 45 degrees C inhibited the synthesis of all proteins. Based on their apparent molecular weights and pI values and their recognition by a monoclonal antibody to the HSP70 gene family, the two proteins induced by hyperthermia were found to be the highly heat-inducible hsp70 and the constitutive hsc70. Because a heat shock of 42.5 degrees C for 30 minutes had very little effect on cell viability and induced the synthesis of hsp70 and hsc70, this heat shock was used to study the effect of age on the ability of hepatocytes to respond to the stress of hyperthermia. Neither hepatocytes isolated from young adult (5-7 months) nor old (25-27 months) rats synthesized detectable amounts of hsp70 when incubated at 37 degrees C. However, heat shock induced the synthesis of both hsp70 and hsc70 in hepatocytes isolated from young adult and old rats. The induction of hsp70 synthesis was significantly lower (37%) for hepatocytes isolated from old rats compared to hepatocytes isolated from young adult rats. However, neither the basal level nor the induced level of hsc70 synthesis changed significantly with age. Thus, aging resulted in a decrease in the ability of hepatocytes to synthesize hsp70 in response to hyperthermia; this effect, however, was specific for hsp70.
Alterations of Overall Histone Acetylation During Cellular Replicative Senescence and Premature Senescence of Human Embryonic Lung Fibroblasts

Objective This study was aimed to examine changes of whole histone acetylation in human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HEFs) undergoing cellular replicative senescence and premature senescence induced by hydrogen peroxide.Methods Overall histone acetylation level was detected by immunofluorescence assay.The activity of deacetylases was measured with an ELISA-like reaction.The level of mRNA expressions of acetylases was determined by Q-PCR, and the expression of deacetylases was analyzed by both Q-PCR and western blot.The changes of acetylases and deacetylases induced by TSA were evaluated.Results During cellular senescence, the overall acetylation level of histone H3 and H4 was reduced gradually, and the activity of HDACs was also down-regulated gradually.The mRNA expression of P300 was decreased in mid-aged or replicative senescent cells compared with young cells, while PCAF was slightly up-regulated in mid-aged cells and down-regulated in replicative senescent cells.Both P300 and PCAF were increasingly expressed in premature senescence initiation group, whereas P300 in premature senescence persistence group was lowered.HDAC1 in mid-aged cells and HDAC2 in replicative senescent cells were observed to be slightly decreased, while HDAC3 was decreased in both mid-aged and replicative senescent cells.In premature senescence initiation group, HDAC1 and HDAC3 were increased to different extent.In premature senescence persistence group, both HDAC2 and HDAC3 were decreased, whereas HDAC1 was obviously increased.TSA induced mRNA expression of P300 and PCAF, but reduced the expression of HDAC2 and HDAC3.Conclusion Cellular senescence is accompanied with overall hypoacetylation of H3 and H4.Differential regulation mechanisms exist between two types of senescence-replicative senescence and premature senescence.
Cytosolic free calcium regulation in response to acute changes in intracellular pH in vascular smooth muscle

This study examined the mechanisms whereby alterations of intracellular pH (pHi) impact on free cytosolic calcium (Cai2+) in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) assayed in the p...
MUM Effect, The

The MUM effect describes a messenger's hesitation to share bad news, relative to good news, with a recipient for whom the news is bad. Some MUM effects are dysfunctional to bad news disclosure situations, while others may be functional. Common explanations for MUM effects include messenger's self-concerns, messenger's concerns about the recipient, and concerns about norms regarding bad news sharing. More research is needed to explain MUM effects, as well as to determine the conditions under which MUM effects are harmful and/or helpful. Such research benefits those who routinely deliver bad news, e.g., healthcare practitioners, supervisors, clergy, and police. Keywords: bad news; hurtful communication; interpersonal communication; negative communication; organizational communication; politeness; self; social influence; relational communication; uncertainty
Investigative probabilistic inferences of smokeless powder manufacturers utilizing a Bayesian network

Abstract Chemical and physical characteristics for 169 smokeless reloading powders were utilized in the development of a Bayesian network for inference of the powder manufacturer. The chemical characteristics of the smokeless powders were encoded using the most intense ions in their total ion spectra from gas chromatography-electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS), which were previously determined from agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis. Physical characteristics included as network nodes were the average kernel diameter and length, shape, color, luster, absence/presence of a bias cut and absence/presence of a perforation, which are commonly considered in casework. A Bayesian network was compiled using R code, written in-house. Performance of the network was validated by 100 iterations of stratified cross validation, withholding 10% of the data for testing and using the remaining 90% of the data to develop probability tables for the network. Posterior probabilities of the powder manufacturers were calculated for each test sample, and manufacturer inferences were made based on the highest posterior probability. The sensitivity and specificity of the fully instantiated network was examined for each manufacturer. Other performance metrics, including the positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), which take into account the prevalence of each manufacturer, were also examined. The PPV ranged from 0.59 to 0.81 for individual manufacturers when all nodes of the network were instantiated. The NPV for fully instantiated networks ranged from 0.82 to 0.99 for individual manufacturers.
Chemical Risk Assessment: Traditional vs Public Health Perspectives

Preventing adverse health effects of environmental chemical exposure is fundamental to protecting individual and public health. When done efficiently and properly, chemical risk assessment enables risk management actions that minimize the incidence and effects of environmentally induced diseases related to chemical exposure. However, traditional chemical risk assessment is faced with multiple challenges with respect to predicting and preventing disease in human populations, and epidemiological studies increasingly report observations of adverse health effects at exposure levels predicted from animal studies to be safe for humans. This discordance reinforces concerns about the adequacy of contemporary risk assessment practices for protecting public health.It is becoming clear that to protect public health more effectively, future risk assessments will need to use the full range of available data, draw on innovative methods to integrate diverse data streams, and consider health endpoints that also reflect t...
Principles of Inter-Societal Dynamics

World-system dynamics are re-conceptualized as inter-societal systems with some de-emphasis on the notions of core, periphery, and semi-periphery. This tri-part division has been useful in forcing sociology to rethink macro-level sociological analysis and in establishing the importance of considering inter-societal systems as a fundamental unit of human social organization, but this Weberian-like ideal type is constraining theoretical analysis. Moreover, core, periphery, and semi-periphery are not consistently found across a broad range of inter-societal systems, beginning with those among hunting and gathering societies and moving to the current capitalist inter-societal system. Furthermore, the often-implied view that the current geo-economic global system has replaced geo-political systems is overdrawn because geo-economics and geo-politics constantly intersect and interact in all inter-societal systems. Some illustrative general models are drawn for geo-political systems, while abstract principles for geo-political and geo-economic inter-societal relations are articulated. The goal of the paper, then, is to move current world-system analysis back, in a sense, to earlier conceptualizations of geo-economics and geo-politics and empire formations that have always existed among human populations and that now drive the dynamics of the globe today. In this analysis, the seminal work of Christopher Chase-Dunn is referenced as a source of inspiration for this small, but important, shift in analysis and modes of theorizing.
Physical Health Problems as a Late-Life Suicide Precipitant: Examination of Coroner/Medical Examiner and Law Enforcement Reports.

Background and objectives In light of high late-life suicide rates, we compared older suicide decedents with and without physical health problems as a suicide precipitant with respect to their clinical characteristics and suicide means. We also examined health-related concerns noted in summary coroner/medical examiner or law enforcement (CME/LE) reports. Research design and methods The National Violent Death Reporting System, 2005-2014, provided data (N = 16,924 aged 65 or older). Quantitative data were analyzed using logistic regression models with physical health problems as a suicide precipitant as the dependent variable and depressive symptoms, other precipitating/risk factors, and suicide means as the independent variables. CME/LE reports were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results Physical health problems were recorded as a suicide precipitant for 50% of the older decedents. Compared to those without, those with physical health problems as a precipitant were older and more likely to have had depressed mood (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.21-2.59 for men and AOR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.50-2.14 for women), disclosed suicide intent, left a suicide note, and used a firearm as suicide means. In CME/LE reports, pain and cancer were mentioned most frequently (29% and 28%, respectively). Dementia-related functional decline, fear of becoming a burden to loved ones, refusal of nursing homes, and loss of independence were also mentioned. Discussion and implications Study findings call for more targeted, intensive suicide prevention strategies for older adults suffering from debilitating and painful health conditions. Training health care providers and informal support systems to assess suicide risk and in evidence-based intervention plans/guidelines is needed.
Why women choose compounded bioidentical hormone therapy: lessons from a qualitative study of menopausal decision-making

In recent years, compounded bioidentical hormone therapy (CBHT) has emerged as a popular alternative to manufactured, FDA approved hormone therapy (HT)—despite concerns within the medical community and the availability of new FDA approved “bioidentical” products. This study aims to characterize the motivations for using CBHT in a U.S. sample of ordinary midlife women. We analyze data collected from 21 current and former users of CBHT who participated in a larger qualitative study of menopausal decision-making among U.S. women. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using an iterative inductive and deductive process. Although women’s individual motivations varied, two overarching themes emerged: “push motivations” that drove women away from conventional HT and from alternative therapies, and “pull motivations” that attracted women to CBHT. Push motivations focused on (1) fear and uncertainty about the safety of conventional HT, (2) an aversion to conjugated estrogens in particular, and (3) and overarching distrust of a medical system perceived as dismissive of their concerns and overly reliant on pharmaceuticals. Participants also voiced dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of herbal and soy supplements. Participants were attracted to CBHT because they perceive it to be (1) effective in managing menopausal symptoms, (2) safer than conventional HT, (3) tailored to their individual bodies and needs, and (4) accompanied by enhanced clinical care and attention. This study finds that women draw upon a range of “push” and “pull” motivations in their decision to use CBHT. Importantly, we find that women are not only seeking alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals, but alternatives to conventional care where their menopausal experience is solicited, their treatment goals are heard, and they are engaged as agents in managing their own menopause. The significance of this finding goes beyond understanding why women choose CBHT. Women making menopause treatment decisions of all kinds would benefit from greater shared decision-making in the clinical context in which they are explicitly invited to share their experiences, priorities, and preferences. This would also provide an opportunity for clinicians to discuss the pros and cons of conventional HT, CBHT, and other approaches to managing menopause.
TOWARD A CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE STUDIES: Black Lives Matter as an Environmental Justice Challenge

In this paper I expand upon the recent use of the term “Critical Environmental Justice Studies.” This concept is meant to capture new developments in Environmental Justice (EJ) Studies that question assumptions and gaps in earlier work in the field. Because this direction in scholarship is still in its formative stages, I take this opportunity to offer some guidance on what Critical Environmental Justice (CEJ) Studies might look like and what it could mean for theorizing the relationship between race (along with multiple additional social categories) and the environment. I do so by (1) adopting a multi-disciplinary approach that draws on several bodies of literature, including critical race theory, political ecology, ecofeminist theory, and anarchist theory, and (2) focusing on the case of Black Lives Matter and the problem of state violence.
Nanofibrous Nerve Conduits with Pre-seeded Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and Cultured by Bioreactor for Enhancing Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) remains one of the most common causes of disability or loss of sensations. Schwann cells (SCs) seeded synthetic nerve conduits have been widely studied for treating PNI. However, this approach is limited by poor accessibility of SCs and lack of dominance by seeded cells. In this study, a novel polycaprolactone (PCL)-based nerve conduit was seeded with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), and the cells were differentiated into Schwann cell-like cells (BMSC-SCs) as a replacement for SCs. The influences of initial cell seeding density on cell proliferation were evaluated. A rotary cell culture system (RCCS) was adopted to dynamically culture the BMSCs seeded on PCL nerve conduits to further improve cell proliferation, differentiation, and neurite extension. The initial cell seeding density of 1 × 105 cells per conduit resulted in the highest proliferation of BMSCs on the PCL nerve conduits. Based on the results of MTS and RT-qPCR, substantial improvements in the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs were achieved by culturing the BMSCs pre-seeded on PCL nerve conduits in RCCS at the rotating speed of 16 rpm. The neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells was significantly enhanced on nerve conduits pre-seeded with BMSCs and pre-cultured in RCCS. This study demonstrated that dynamic culturing condition provided a better environment for the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs on novel PCL nerve conduits than that of the static culturing condition. The combination of PCL nerve conduit, BMSCs, and dynamic culture in RCCS could be potentially used as an alternative solution to treat PNI. Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is one of the leading cause of disabilities. Therapeutic strategies involving cell transplantation showed great promise from previous studies. However, the lack of a reliable cell source and poor culture condition compromise the healing outcome. In this study, a novel polymer-based nerve conduit was seeded with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and cultured with a rotary cell culture system (RCCS). The influences of initial cell seeding density and the rotating speed of RCCS were investigated. The results indicated that the proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs on nerve conduits were significantly increased in the RCCS with the rotating speed of 16 rpm. The neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells was significantly enhanced on the nerve conduits pre-seeded with BMSCs and pre-cultured in RCCS. This new strategy could potentially be a promising treatment for PNI. In the future, the nerve conduits could be further modified by incorporation of extracellular matrix proteins and growth factors. Moreover, the in vivo animal studies are needed for evaluating the efficacy of the nerve conduits for the treatment of PNI.
Mechanical and electronic properties of graphene nanomesh heterojunctions

Abstract It is well known that introducing periodic holes into graphene can be used to obtain semiconducting graphene nanomeshes (GNM). Using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations as well as semi-empirical Extended Huckel (EH) method, the mechanical and electronic properties of GNM heterojunction are studied. In this study the mechanical and electronic properties of graphene nanoribbons with different hole sizes and different hole shapes (circular, square and equilateral triangle) were studied. Midgap states were observed near the Fermi level, which are also affected by the geometries of the holes. Dependence of the properties on the density (ρ) was also investigated for each geometry. It has been found that GNM is significantly brittle compared to pristine graphene nanoribbons. It is observed that the relationship between the hole shape and size and the band gap is different for armchair and zigzag chirality.
Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus and Cancer

The retrovirus mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) was discovered in the 1930s as a milk-transmitted agent that causes breast cancer in mice. MMTV causes mammary tumors by insertional activation or mutation of cellular oncogenes. Some of the oncogenes activated by MMTV insertion have been also associated with human breast cancer. In addition to allowing the identification of oncogenes associated with this disease, the MMTV long terminal repeat has been used to create numerous strains of transgenic mice with genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Thus, this virus has provided one of the most useful models for understanding human breast cancer.
A hidden cost of virtualization when scaling multicore applications

As the number of cores in a multicore node increases in accordance with Moore’s law, the question arises as to whether there are any “hidden” costs of a cloud’s virtualized environment when scaling applications to take advantage of larger core counts. This paper identifies one such cost, resulting in up to a 583% slowdown as the multicore application is scaled. Surprisingly, these slowdowns arise even when the application’s VM has dedicated use of the underlying physical hardware and does not use emulated resources. Our preliminary findings indicate that the source of the slowdowns is the intervention from the VMM during synchronization-induced idling in the application, guest OS, or supporting libraries. We survey several possible mitigations, and report preliminary findings on the use of “idleness consolidation” and “IPI-free wakeup” as a partial mitigation.
Model-Based Mining of Remotely Sensed Data for Environmental and Public Health Applications

There is a growing interest in automatically identifying environmental factors that contribute to public health risks, such as epidemic disease and air pollution. Better understanding of these factors will enable more precise prediction of the location and time of high risk events. The recent rapid advances in information and knowledge discovery technologies (e.g., object-relational database, data mining techniques, and Internet), as well as the availability of various remotely sensed data, have made it feasible to derive better models to predict epidemic disease. In this chapter, we describe the basic framework for combining existing environmental model heuristics with models derived from observed data through data mining techniques.
The Physical Mechanism in Epilepsy – Understanding the Transition to Seizure

The occurrence of seizures is a rare event with a very low probability of incidence. Therefore, a new paradigm is required to understand how epileptic seizures are generated. Specifically, analytical models and experimental data analysis show that the process underlying seizure generation is a severe dysfunctional regulation of neuronal activity inside the epileptogenic region. Translated into significant changes of endogenous electric field, this dysfunction acts at fundamental level of charge dynamics and leads to chaotic diffusion and electrical resonances within clustered regions with high frequency oscillations (HFO). Since the altered regulation can be modeled by perturbed Hamiltonian systems with many degrees of freedom that describe the motion of charged particles in electric field, the Kolmogorov Arnold Moser theory (KAM) provides a physical model for the mechanism of epileptogenesis. Contrary to common belief, either inhibitory or excitatory function models of chronic epilepsy are incomplete and inconsistent.
Applications in the Life Sciences

In Chapter 1 we introduced simple advection and diffusion models to describe the motion of organisms, cells, and chemicals in a biological science context. In this chapter we extend these ideas to more complicated phenomena involving age structure of a population, the propagation of epidemic waves, and the relationship between spatial pattern formation and chemical instability. These advanced models show why PDEs have vast applications in the life sciences. The mathematical methods we introduce to analyze these problems extend the ideas and techniques presented in the earlier chapters. The topics include age structure of a population, traveling wave fronts, and reaction-diffusion equations with diffusive driven instabilities.
The Long Shadow of the Adversarial and Inquisitorial Categories

This chapter maintains that the adversarial and inquisitorial categories have been more central to comparative criminal procedure than it has been previously acknowledged because they have contributed to constitute it as a transnational field by reflecting and restricting its main theoretical trends and thematic interests. The chapter identifyies the main theoretical traditions of this field by mapping commentators’ and courts’ uses of the adversarial-inquisitorial distinction, and shows that even the main alternative comparative criminal procedure approaches are operating within these same theoretical traditions. The chapter suggests that the adversarial-inquisitorial dichotomy has also contributed to limit the type of themes that the field has covered. Finally, the chapter sketches a number of ways in which this field may transcend the long theoretical and thematic shadow of the adversarial and inquisitorial categories and thus expand the type of positive and normative insights it can bring to our understanding of the criminal process.
Indefinite Integration Operators Identities and their Approximations

The integration operators (*) \(({\mathscr J}^+\,g)(x) = \int _a^x g(t) \, dt\) and (**) \(({\mathscr J}^-\,g)(x) = \int _x^b g(t) \, dt\) defined on an interval (a, b) ⊆R yield new identities for indefinite convolutions, control theory, Laplace and Fourier transform inversion, solution of differential equations, and solution of the classical Wiener–Hopf integral equations. These identities are expressed in terms of \({\mathscr J}^\pm \) and they are thus esoteric. However the integrals (*) and (**) can be approximated in many ways, yielding novel and very accurate methods of approximating all of the above listed relations. Several examples are presented, mainly using Legendre polynomial as approximations, and references are given for approximation of some of the operations using Sinc methods. These examples illustrate for a class of sampled statistical models, the possibility of reconstructing models much more efficiently than by the usual slow Monte–Carlo \(({\mathscr O}(N^{-1/2})\) rate. Our examples illustrate that we need only sample at 5 points to get a representation of a model that is uniformly accurate to nearly 3 significant figure accuracy.
A Hybrid Weighted Compound Motion Compensated Prediction for Video Compression

Compound motion compensated prediction that combines reconstructed reference blocks to exploit the temporal correlation is a major component in the hierarchical coding scheme. A uniform combination that applies equal weights to reference blocks regardless of distances towards the current frame is widely employed in mainstream codecs. Linear distance weighted combination, while reflecting the temporal correlation, is likely to ignore the quantization noise factor and hence degrade the prediction quality. This work builds on the premise that the compound prediction mode effectively embeds two functionalities - exploiting temporal correlation in the video signal and canceling the quantization noise from reference blocks. A modified distance weighting scheme is introduced to optimize the trade-off between these two factors. It quantizes the weights to limit the minimum contribution from both reference blocks for noise cancellation. We further introduces a hybrid scheme allowing the codec to switch between the proposed distance weighted compound mode and the averaging mode to provide more flexibility for the trade-off between temporal correlation and noise cancellation. The scheme is implemented in the AV1 codec as part of the syntax definition. It is experimentally demonstrated to provide on average 1.5% compression gains across a wide range of test sets.
Benchmarking Subspecialty Practice in Academic Anatomic Pathology: The 2017 Association of Pathology Chairs Survey

Assessment of physician workloads has become increasingly important in modern academic physician practice, where it is commonly used to allocate resources among departments, to determine staffing, ...
Do Vaccines Cause Autism

Vaccines do not cause autism. The Institute of Medicine (IOM), now called the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), concluded that the body of evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between autism and MMR vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccine. MMR vaccine also prevents rubella disease, thus preventing congenital rubella syndrome and its associated cases of autism.
Variation in the utilization of robotic surgical operations

The appropriate use of the robot in surgery continues to evolve. Robotic operations (RO) are particularly advantageous for deep pelvic and retroperitoneal procedures, but the implementation of RO is unknown. We aimed to examine regional variation for the most commonly performed RO in general, gynecologic, and urologic surgery. A three-state inpatient database from 2008 to 2011 was used. Nine common robotic inpatient general, gynecologic and urologic surgery procedures were analyzed. States were divided into hospital service areas (HSAs). The percentage of RO was calculated for each operation. Hospital service areas that had 150% of the RO average were outliers. Hospital service areas were compared based on demographics, patterns of adoption, variation in usage, and association with population, physician and hospital density. Hysterectomies were the procedure that was performed most often robotically. Over 50% of radical prostatectomies were performed robotically. Procedures with the highest rate of RO performance were performed with the least variation. Characteristics that were significantly correlated with RO included provider and hospital density. Variation in the utilization of RO is common and differs by operation. Physician density impacts access to care and is associated with the variation in use of RO depending on procedure type. Further research is needed to understand the causes of variation and adoption of RO.
Chapter 44 – Meningeal Tumors

Meningeal tumors comprise a diversity of neoplasms that develop in the meninges with a variety of behaviors and imaging presentations. These include meningothelial tumors such as meningiomas as well as less common nonmeningothelial tumors, including hemangiopericytomas, mesenchymal tumors, melanocytic tumors, lymphomas, and histiocytic lesions. Angiographic methods have a special application with many meningeal tumors in evaluating their vascularity, their effect on adjacent vascular structures, and their preoperative embolization. This chapter reviews imaging characteristics of meningeal tumors.
Self‐Stigma Toward Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury: An Examination of Implicit and Explicit Attitudes

Objective Evidence suggests that individuals without a history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) are likely to view NSSI as a stigmatized behavior. However, there is limited evidence evaluating the presence of self-stigma among individuals who have engaged in NSSI. Methods We recruited a university sample (n = 351) and employed implicit and explicit measures to examine the degree of stigmatization toward those with NSSI scarring, as compared to nonintentional disfigurement (i.e., accidental scarring) and to tattoos (i.e., a culturally sanctioned form of intentional tissue alteration). We examined the extent to which bias is related to indicators of NSSI severity among those with a history of NSSI. Results We provide evidence that negative biases toward NSSI may represent the effects of self-stigma. However, findings suggest that biases were generally attenuated among participants with a history of NSSI as compared to those without. Participants who had lower levels of NSSI explicit bias were more likely to have a history of more severe engagement in NSSI; however, no significant relationships were found between implicit bias and NSSI severity indicators. Conclusions We present a theoretical rationale for attenuated biases among individuals with a history of NSSI and discuss implications of this research for NSSI recovery.
Investigating Low-Dose Image Quality in Whole-Body Pediatric 18F-FDG Scans Using Time-of-Flight PET/MRI.

In this study we investigate the diagnostic performance of whole-body F18-FDG imaging using a simultaneous PET/MRI scanner with Time-of-Flight (TOF) capability for low-dose clinical imaging of pediatric patients. In addition to clinically acquired image data using a dosing regimen of 3.7 MBq/kg, images from simulated low-dose regimens (1.9 MBq/kg – 0.41 MBq/kg) were evaluated using several metrics: standardized uptake value (SUV) quantitation, qualitative image quality and lesion detectability. Methods: Low-dose images were generated by truncating the list-mode PET data. A total of 60 image volumes were analyzed, generated from 12 patient scans. Changes in PET quantitation for low-dose images were assessed using ROI analysis of healthy tissue and suspected lesions. Three pediatric radiologists reviewed the image volumes blinded to the dose level. Qualitative image quality was assessed based on Likert scoring. Radiologists were also asked to identify suspected lesions within the liver for PET-only and fused PET/MR images. The lesion detectability was measured using a receiver operator characteristic study and quantified using a free response receiving operator characteristic (FROC) methodology to assess changes in performance for low-dose images. Results: Our analysis of ROI quantitation shows that SUV values remain stable down to 1/3 dose (1.2 MBq/kg). Likert scoring of fused PET/MRI images showed no noticeable trend with dose level, however scores of PET-only images were lower for low-dose scans, with a 12% reduction for 1/3 dose images compared to full-dose. There was minimal change in lesion total lesion count for different does levels, however all three readers had an increase in false-negatives for 1/3 dose images compared to full-dose. Using the FROC methodology to quantify human observer lesion detection performance, no significant differences were observed for the three dosing levels when using the averaged reader data (all p values > 0.103). The FROC performance for fused PET/MR images was higher for all readers compared to PET alone. Conclusion: Reductions to the lowest recommended pediatric dosing regimens are possible when using PET/MR. Data suggests that administered dose can be decreased to 2.6 MBq/kg, a 30% reduction in PET activity leading to a corresponding reduction in absorbed dose.
Longitudinal Associations Between Body Mass Index During Young Adulthood, Subsequent Weight Change, and Incident Diabetes During Mid- and Older-Adulthood in Non-Hispanic White and African American Populations: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background: Excess body mass index (BMI) and weight gain are well-known risk factors for diabetes. Nevertheless, the associations of BMI and weight gain in young adulthood with subsequent diabetes ...