cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated With Clinically Significant Patient-Reported Outcomes After Primary Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to establish minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) after meniscectomy and factors associated with achieving these goals. Methods A prospectively maintained institutional registry was retrospectively reviewed for all patients undergoing isolated arthroscopic partial meniscectomy from 2014 through 2017. MCID, SCB, and PASS were calculated for the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscores by using the anchor-based methodology and nonparametric receiver operating characteristic curves. Subscores included joint replacement (JR), physical function (PF), symptoms (Sx), pain, activities of daily living (ADL), sport, and quality of life (QOL). Results A total of 269 patients were analyzed in the study, which reported outcomes between 6 and 7 months after surgery. The average age of our population was 48.9 ± 12.4 years. Twenty patients reported no change, 53 reported minimal improvement, and 137 reported substantial change after surgery; whereas 59 patients reported worse outcomes. One hundred seventy-seven patients were satisfied and 92 were not satisfied with the outcome of surgery. Established MCID/SCB/PASS for the IKDC, KOOS JR, KOOS PF, KOOS Sx, KOOS Pain, KOOS ADL, and KOOS QOL were 10.6/25.3/57.9, 10.7/13.2/68.3, -8.2/-11.3/26.2, 8.9/7.1/71.4, 9.7/22.2/76.4, 11.0/16.9/89.0, 12.5/27.5/55.6, and 15.6/34.4/46.9, respectively. Higher preoperative scores were associated with reduced odds of achieving MCID and SCB but greater odds of achieving PASS for nearly all scores (P Conclusions Clinically meaningful outcomes were established by patient self-assessment. Variables associated with achieving these outcomes include preoperative score (positively correlated with MCID/SCB, negatively correlated with PASS); workers' compensation; degenerative, medial-sided tears; and root tears (remaining negatively correlated with MCID/SCB/PASS). These variables should be accordingly measured for confounding in future outcome reporting.
Development of language, cognition and spatial hearing abilities in children with bilateral cochlear implants

Cochlear implants (CIs) provide access to sound and the opportunity to communicate through spoken language for individuals who are deaf. Children who receive CIs most often have had little to no acoustic hearing; they have developed, learned, and communicated only via electrical auditory stimulation. In contrast, the majority of adults who receive CIs have had some access to acoustic hearing, either through normal hearing or through amplification via hearing aids. Our work investigates the development of language, cognition, and spatial hearing abilities in children who have bilateral CIs (BiCIs), many from an early age. The following will be discussed: (1) factors that may predict better and faster language development and cognition in children with CIs and (2) development of the ability to use cues for spatial hearing with degraded electrical signals. Our results thus far indicate that children with BiCIs are able to develop the ability to use spatial cues to aid in source segregation, particularly if they receive BiCIs at an early age. In addition, preliminary results reveal that maternal education and IQ may predict development of improved language scores over time for children with BiCIs.
Dietary Brown Seaweed Extract Supplementation in Small Ruminants

Brown seaweed (BSW; Ascophyllum nodosum) extract supplement has been reported to positively affect antioxidant activity, vitamin E status, immune cell response, and carcass characteristics in farm animals. Preharvest diet containing BSW has also been reported to reduce fecal shedding of E. coli and other enteric bacteria in livestock. This review focuses on the effects of brown seaweed extract supplementation on small ruminants.
Multiculturalism or Cultural Nationalism? Representation of Ellie Kameyama as a Conduit and the Other in the NHK Morning Drama Massan

NHK’s decision to depict the story of Ellie and Masaharu Kameyama in the drama Massan seemed to suggest its desire to reflect Japan as a more multicultural society. Combined with positive represent...
Is green rural transformation possible in developing countries

Abstract Green transformation offers the promise of attaining increased productivity, higher incomes and wealth creation through structural change while simultaneously reducing overexploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation. This promise, however, does not materialize automatically. The key question addressed by this article is how a green transformation can be successful as an alternative to a more conventional growth-oriented development strategy. The analysis of policies and case study evidence shows that it must satisfy two important criteria. First, to be relevant to low and middle-income economies, green growth must be compatible with the most important development goal, which is poverty alleviation, and second, it must be accompanied by policies that address the key structural features of natural resource use and poverty in these countries. These criteria are especially relevant for green rural transformation in poor countries. Improving the efficiency and sustainability of primary production for economy-wide gains entails resource-enhancing technological change in primary production activities, strong forward and backward linkages between the resource-based primary production sector and the rest of the economy, and substantial knowledge spillovers in primary production and across resource-based activities. Controlling land use expansion by commercial primary product activities requires a combination of environmental regulations to control deforestation, regional policies that encourage agglomeration economies, and market-based incentives to reduce forest loss and degradation. Targeting research, extension, marketing services, and land tenure arrangements to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor in remote land-abundant regions also show promise. Facilitating greater dissemination and adoption of renewable energy and improved energy efficiency technologies in rural areas also depends on overcoming key obstacles, such as the lack of long-term financing schemes, poor private sector participation, inadequate institutional structure, lack of coordination between local and national governments, and the weak purchasing power of rural communities.
The Twistor Method

Let N be an oriented 2n—dimensional Riemannian manifold and also let SO(N) → N denote the SO(2n)—principal bundle of oriented orthonormal frames over N. The associated fibre bundle $$ SO(N){{ \times }_{{SO(2n)}}}SO(2n)/U(n) = SO(N)/U(n) $$ is called the orthogonal twistor bundle over N. The fibre at x ∈ N parametrizes the set of all orientation-preserving orthogonal complex structures of the vector space TxN. T= SO(N)/U(n) can be made into an almost complex manifold. In fact there are 2γ, γ = n(n−1)/2, many natural almost complex structures on T. (See §2 for the description.) And one attempts to study minimal surfaces in N in terms of complex curves in T.
Increased biologic utilization in Latino patients with psoriasis.

Introduction Hispanic/Latino populations are more likely to have extensive psoriasis than the non-Hispanic/Latino population. Biologics are indicated for moderate/severe psoriasis or psoriasis with comorbidities. No studies have assessed ethnicity as a predictor of biologic utilization. We aimed to determine if biologic utilization differs between Latinos and non-Latinos with psoriasis. Methods This study utilizes data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) from 2003 to 2016. Psoriasis visits were selected by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth or Tenth Revision (ICD-9/ICD-10) classification. The primary outcome is biologic use at the time of visit. Results Of 1202 psoriasis visits, Latinos consisted of 9.7% (95% Confidence Interval 7.3-12) of the study population and 65% (95%CI 61-69) used private insurance. Multivariate analysis reveals the increased likelihood of biologic utilization in Latinos compared to non-Latinos (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.4, p = .03). Independently, private insurance status is associated with increased biologic use compared to public insurance (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-5.0, p = .02). Private insurance status did not differ between Latinos and non-Latinos with psoriasis (OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.5-1.9, p = .98). Conclusions Hispanic/Latino ethnicity and private insurance status are independent predictors of biologic utilization, suggesting that biologic mechanisms may influence the increased use of biologics in Latinos with psoriasis.
Myocardial infarction in pregnancy.

Myocardial infarction occurring during pregnancy or the puerperium is a rare condition, occurring in about 1 per 10 000 deliveries, and carries a mortality of approximately 30%. As a consequence of its rarity, symptoms of impending infarction may be easily mistaken by physicians for much more common and innocuous conditions, especially those (such as gastroesophageal reflux) typically associated with pregnancy. Two cases of infarction in pregnant women are presented, with a discussion of risk factors which may predispose towards development of coronary artery disease or thrombosis in this population. Other, more uncommon, causes of myocardial infarction during pregnancy are also addressed.
Initiating and Sustaining Student Professionalization through Grant Writing

This experience report examines how grant writing helps students to meaningfully engage in the project management and technical communication skills needed to sustain practical and ethical professional development. Our case study demonstrates this practice and its successes in an interinstitutional, interdisciplinary research team.
Performance-based assessment of social skills in a large sample of participants with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and healthy controls: Correlates of social competence and social appropriateness.

Abstract Introduction Performance-based assessments of social skills have detected impairments in people with severe mental illness and are correlated with functional outcomes in people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The most common of these assessments, the Social Skills Performance Assessment (SSPA), has two communication scenarios and items measuring both social competence and appropriateness. As real-world competence and appropriateness appear to have different correlates, we hypothesized that SSPA Items measuring competence and appropriateness would be distinct and have different correlations with other outcomes. Methods We aggregated data from 557 people with schizophrenia, 106 with bipolar disorder, and 378 well controls from 4 separate research studies. All participants were assessed with both SSPA scenarios and other performance based and clinician-rated measures. A single expert rated the SSPA interactions for competence and appropriateness while blind to participant diagnoses. Results Participants with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia performed more poorly on every item of the SSPA than healthy controls. Items measuring social competence and appropriateness in communication were intercorrelated across scenarios, as were elements of socially competent communication, although the items measuring competence did not correlate substantially with appropriateness. Items assessing social competence, but not social appropriateness, correlated with better cognitive and functional performance and residential and financial independence. Discussion Social competence and social appropriateness were distinct elements of performance-based social skills with potential differences in their functional correlates. As both social competence and appropriateness impact functional outcomes, improvement in the measurement and treatment of appropriate communication seems to be an important goal.
Does urbanization ameliorate the effect of endoparasite infection in kangaroo rats

Urban development can fragment and degrade remnant habitat. Such habitat alterations can have profound impacts on wildlife, including effects on population density, parasite infection status, parasite prevalence, and body condition. We investigated the influence of urbanization on populations of Merriam's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami) and their parasites. We predicted that urban development would lead to reduced abundance, increased parasite prevalence in urban populations, increased probability of parasite infection for individual animals, and decreased body condition of kangaroo rats in urban versus wildland areas. We live trapped kangaroo rats at 5 urban and 5 wildland sites in and around Las Cruces, NM, USA from 2013 to 2015, collected fecal samples from 209 kangaroo rats, and detected endoparasites using fecal flotation and molecular barcoding. Seven parasite species were detected, although only two parasitic worms, Mastophorus dipodomis and Pterygodermatites dipodomis, occurred frequently enough to allow for statistical analysis. We found no effects of urbanization on population density or probability of parasite infection. However, wildland animals infected with P. dipodomis had lower body condition scores than infected animals in urban areas or uninfected animals in either habitat. Our results suggest that urban environments may buffer Merriam's kangaroo rats from the detrimental impacts to body condition that P. dipodomis infections can cause.
Neuropilin-1, a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, promotes chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer cell lines

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 4879 Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a novel co-receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and increases the affinity of VEGF for its tyrosine kinase receptors VEGFR-1 and –2. NRP-1 expression has recently been demonstrated in various tumor cell lines, including a majority of malignant pancreatic cell lines, but not in non-malignant pancreas tissues. METHODS: To determine the role of NRP-1 in pancreatic cancer cells, we stably transfected the cDNA for NRP-1 into the human pancreatic cell lines, FG and Panc-1, with empty vector transfectants serving as controls. We also utilized siRNA technology to reduce the endogenously high NRP-1 expression in Panc-1 cells. Effects of overexpression of NRP-1 on signaling were assessed by Western blot analysis. MTT assays were carried out to assess the effects of NRP-1 levels on sensitivity to the chemotherapeutic agents gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). RESULTS: Overexpression of NRP-1 led to an upregulation of constitutive MAPK signaling, suggesting the possibility of induction of survival pathways. Overexpression of NRP-1 in FG, a cell line with low endogenous NRP-1 expression, increased survival by >40% after exposure to gemcitabine. It also protected FG cells against apoptosis secondary to 5-FU, increasing the IC50 by greater than two log-fold. In contrast, knockout of NRP-1 in Panc-1 cells by siRNA markedly increased their sensitivity to gemcitabine, inducing over 50% cell death at clinically relevant doses. The Panc-1 cells with reduced NRP-1 expression due to siRNA treatment showed a trend toward greater chemosensitivity in response to 5-FU, although the results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: NRP-1 overexpression in pancreatic cancer cell lines is associated with chemoresistance to various types of chemotherapy, whereas NRP-1 knockout by siRNA is able to enhance sensitivity to chemotherapy. Since we have previously shown that NRP-1 also enhances resistance to detachment-induced apoptosis (anoikis) in FG cells, it may protect cancer cells against multiple stressors. Targeting NRP-1 in pancreatic cancer cells may potentially downregulate survival signaling pathways that increase sensitivity to chemotherapy and apoptosis.
Directional Spectra from Wave Gage Arrays.

The ocean surface may be considered to be composed of many waves traveling at different directions with different frequencies A graphical plot showing the allocation of wave energy to the different component frequencies and directions is the directional spectrum Directional spectrum has many applications in Coastal Engineering Herein an analytical procedure is developed to obtain the directional spectrum from records of an array of wave gages The two methods developed are the "locked phase method" and the "random phase method The locked phase method can be used to obtain the distribution of both phase as well as energy of the waves with respect to frequency and direction and is a deterministic approach The random phase analysis, on the other hand, is more suitable for wind waves in the ocean and yields just the distribution of energy alone as in most other procedures of spectrum analysis The procedures programmed for computers are checked using simulated data and laboratory data Wave records of the Pacific Ocean obtained off Point Mugu, California, on a 5-gage array were analyzed using the method developed and examples of the directional spectra obtained are presented.
Modeling of carbon nanotube Schottky barrier reduction for holes in air

A model is proposed for the previously reported lower Schottky barrier for holes /spl Phi//sub Bh/ in air than in vacuum at a metallic electrode-semiconducting carbon nanotube (CNT) junction. We consider that there is a transition region between the electrode and the CNT, and an appreciable potential can drop there. The role of the oxidation is to increase this potential drop with negatively charged oxygen molecules on the CNT, leading to lower /spl Phi//sub Bh/ after oxidation. The mechanism prevails in both p- and n-CNTs, and the model consistently explains the key experimental findings.
Structure of the carbohydrate units of IgE immunoglobulin. II. Sequence of the sialic acid-containing glycopeptides.

Abstract In the preceding paper (Baenziger, J., Kornfeld, S., and Kochwa, S. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 1889) it was shown that an IgE myeloma protein has 4 oligosaccharide units per heavy chain, 1 of which contains only mannose and N-acetylglucosamine while the other 3 contain sialic acid, fucose, galactose, mannose, and N-acetylglucosamine in the ratio of 1 to 2:1:2:3:4. The data in this paper establish the structure of the three sialic acid-containing glycopeptides, designated B-1, B-2, and B-3. Glycopeptides B-2 and B-3 are branched structures containing two nonreducing termini with the sequence sialic acid (α2,6)/→ Gal (β1,4)/→ GlcNAc (β1,2)/→ Man (α)/→, while B-1 has one nonreducing terminus with the above structure and another with the sequence Gal (β1,4)/→ GlcNAc (β1,2)/→ Man (α)/→. The core of all three B-glycopeptides is identical and has the sequence: [see PDF for sequence] The branch of B-1 terminating in sialic acid originates from position 3 of the β-linked mannose in the core while the branch terminating in galactose originates from position 6 of this mannose.
Training nurses in the treatment of tobacco use and dependence: pre- and post-training results

sheffer c.e., barone c. & anders m.e. (2010) Training nurses in the treatment of tobacco use and dependence: pre- and post-training results. Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(1), 176–183. Abstract Aim This paper is a report of a study conducted to examine the effects of a brief training in the treatment of tobacco use and dependence on the tobacco use intervention-related knowledge and attitudes of nurses. Background Nurses are the largest group of healthcare providers and they have an extended reach into the population of tobacco users. Thus, increasing the number of nurses who deliver brief evidence-based interventions for tobacco use and dependence, such as that prescribed by the Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline in the United States of America, is likely to expose more tobacco users to evidence-based treatments and lead to more successful quit attempts. Effective training is key to improving provider proficiency in delivering evidence-based interventions for tobacco use and dependence. Method A 1-hour didactic training was delivered to 359 nurses from 2006 to 2007, including 54 Advanced Practice Nurses, 250 Registered Nurses and 55 Licensed Practical Nurses. Pre- and post-training tests assessed attitudes, knowledge and behaviours. Paired samples t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-test results. Results Statistically significant increases on nearly all measures were achieved, with Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses realizing the largest gains. Conclusion Given the overwhelming impact of tobacco use on patients, all nurses should be provided with training in the delivery of brief, evidence-based interventions for tobacco use. As the most trusted healthcare provider group with an extended reach into the tobacco using population, nurses have a large potential impact on the prevalence of tobacco use.
Long-lived bone marrow plasma cells are inhibited by protein A in Staphylococcus aureus infection. (VAC6P.955)

Long-lived plasma cells are now recognized as major contributors to protection against bacterial infection through their constitutive secretion of antibody. Staphylococcus aureus is a growing concern due to expansion of antibiotic resistance and causes recurring infections without inducing long-lived immunity. Little is known about the nature and longevity of the adaptive response to S. aureus. Protein A on the surface of S. aureus promotes virulence and inflammation which can alter B cell function and hinder long-lived plasma cell development. Although similar B cell responses were induced by WT and protein A-deficient infection and secondary challenge, long-term antigen-specific antibody levels waned after challenge with WT S. aureus, but were maintained after challenge with the protein A-deficient mutant. This suggests that long-lived B cell immunity is disrupted by protein A. We developed an ELISpot assay to detect S. aureus-specific antibody secreting cells and found that they accumulated in the bone marrow niche after protein A-deficient, but not WT challenge. The absence of bone marrow plasma cells after WT challenge was not a result of defects in germinal center or memory B cell formation. Our work indicates that protein A interferes with migration and/or survival of long-lived bone marrow plasma cells after S. aureus infection. It also provides insight into the requirements for successful development of long-lived immunity to bacterial pathogens.
Rapid direct conversion of Cu2−xSe to CuAgSe nanoplatelets via ion exchange reactions at room temperature

The use of template nanostructures for the creation of photovoltaic and thermoelectric semiconductors is becoming a quickly expanding synthesis strategy. In this work we report a simple two-step process enabling the formation of ternary CuAgSe nanoplatelets with a great degree of control over the composition and shape. Starting with hexagonal nanoplatelets of cubic Cu2−xSe, ternary CuAgSe nanoplatelets were generated through a rapid ion exchange reaction at 300 K using AgNO3 solution. The Cu2−xSe nanoplatelet template and the final CuAgSe nanoplatelets were analyzed by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that both the low temperature pseudotetragonal and the high temperature cubic forms of CuAgSe phase were created while maintaining the morphology of the Cu2−xSe nanoplatelet template. Thermal and electronic transport measurements of hot-pressed pellets of the synthesized CuAgSe nanoplatelets showed a drastic reduction in the thermal conductivity and a sharp transition from n-type (S = −45 μV K−1) to p-type (S = +200 μV K−1) semiconducting behavior upon heating above the structural transition from the low temperature orthorhombic to the high temperature super-ionic cubic phase. This simple reaction process utilizing a template nanostructure matrix represents an energy efficient, cost-efficient, and versatile strategy to create interesting materials with lower defect density and superior thermoelectric performance.
Exercise Performance in Patients with D-Loop Transposition of the Great Arteries After Arterial Switch Operation: Long-Term Outcomes and Longitudinal Assessment

The first patients to undergo a successful arterial switch operation (ASO) for d-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) are now entering their fourth decade of life. Past studies of ASO survivors' exercise function have yielded conflicting results. We therefore undertook this study to describe the current function of ASO survivors, to identify factors related to inferior exercise performance and to determine whether their exercise function tends to deteriorate over time. A retrospective cohort study was designed examining all patients with D-TGA after the ASO who underwent comprehensive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Patients with palliative surgery prior to ASO, ventricular hypoplasia or severe valvar dysfunction were excluded from the study. Data from CPETs in which the peak respiratory exchange ratio was <1.09 were also excluded. We identified 113 patients who met entry criteria and had 186 CPX at our institution between 1/2002 and 1/2013; 41 patients had at least 2 qualifying CPX. Mean age at the time of the initial test was 17 ± 1 year. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2) averaged 84 ± 2 % predicted. Peak VO2 was lower among patients with repaired ventricular septal defects (82 ± 4 vs. 86 ± 3 % predicted; p < 0.05) and among patients with ≥ moderate right-sided obstructive lesions (77 ± 5 vs. 87 ± 3 % predicted; p < 0.05). Surgery prior to 1991 was also associated with a lower peak VO2 (81 ± 3 vs. 87 ± 3 % predicted; p < 0.01). The mean % predicted peak heart rate was 92 ± 1 %, with no significant difference between any of the subgroups. Non-diagnostic exercise-induced STT changes developed in 10 patients (12 studies). In the subgroup with at least 2 exercise tests, the annual decline in % predicted peak VO2 was quite slow (-0.3 % points/year; p < 0.01 vs. expected normal age-related decline). The exercise capacity of ASO survivors is well preserved and is only mildly reduced compared to normal subjects. Moreover, there is only a slight deterioration in exercise capacity over time. VSD repair, residual right-sided obstructive lesions, and earlier surgical era are associated with worse exercise performance. Peak heart rate was preserved with no significant change in follow up testing.
Critical Legal Studies

This brief encyclopedia entry, written for the Oxford International Encyclopedia of Legal History, discusses the origins and implications of critical legal studies as a political movement and an intellectual tendency. The entry attempts to chart the intellectual forerunners, the intellectual contributions, the politics, and the legacies of critical legal studies. It also describes the attacks on cls and the anti-intellectual consequences of these attacks for the American legal academy.
UTERINE CONTRACTILITY IN FUNCTIONAL DYSMENORRHEA1

FUNCTIONAL DYSMENORRHEA is not a serious disorder in the sense that cancer, M pneumonia or diabetes is. But it is so common and causes so much suffering JL and invalidism that it merits more scientific consideration than it has received in the past. What is the nature of this strange malady that incapacitates so many young women each month for several hours or days and then leaves most of them little the worse for all their suffering? Many theories have been proposed but com-paratively little is known. Significance of uterine contractility. Whatever the ultimate etiology may prove to be, it is now generally agreed that the pain of functional dysmenorrhea results from contractions of the uterus (1-6). The similarity of the pain to abortion and labor pain suggests a common origin. The introduction of a sound into the uterus at any time during the menstrual cycle frequently produces the characteristic pain and attendant symptoms.
The Factor Structure of the Mikulecky Behavioral Reading Attitude Measure

The Mikulecky Behavioral Reading Attitude Measure (MBRAM) was designed to measure secondary and postsecondary respondents' attitudes toward reading based on Krathwohl's model of affective developme...
34 GROUP EDUCATION OF PARENTS IN A PEDIATRIC PRACTICE TO PROMOTE CHILD DEVELOPMENT

To determine if a group educational program for parents would be an effective approach in promoting the development of children in a general pediatric practice, 2 pediatricians and a nurse practitioner collaborated with 4 local professionals in child development. Parents of all 65 children born and entering the practice between August and November 1976 were invited to participate at no charge in bimonthly evening meetings beginning when their children were 5 months old. 35% of invited parents attended the meetings and average attendance was 23% of invited parents. 69% of parents in the highest social position participated, but only 8% in the lowest did (p<.01). 60% of college graduates, but only 14% of parents who did not complete high school participated (p<.05). There was no significant difference between participants and nonparticipants in marital status, number of children, sex of the child, distance of home from the office, frequency or duration of breast feeding, or infant temperament. This study suggests that group educational programs in child development for parents, aimed at improving cognitive stimulation of their children, will not enlist the participation of the poor or less educated unless special attempts are made to recruit them.
“Out” in International Relations: Why Queer Visibility Matters

Generally speaking, theorists of IR imagine states as heterosexual. To the extent that some feminist scholars have posited essentialist roles for “men” and “women” in the (re)production of nations, they too have imagined states as heterosexual, even if patriarchal. Queer studies scholars have begun to posit something different: Queer states that are not inherently “straight” or heterosexual (Weber 1999, 2014a; Canaday 2011) are “gay-friendly,” and in some significant cases paradoxical, simultaneously promoting and opposing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) liberation. It is this latter category that I find most relevant to and useful for understanding the current global fascination with and concurrent disdain for LGBTI rights; a paradox observed both within and among nations, a paradox notable for how LGBTI rights get mapped onto a myriad of other political struggles involving sovereignty, westernization, modernity, (de)colonization, and globalization. On the one hand, we are witnessing joyous celebrations of “gay pride” and same-sex partner recognition around the world unlike ever before. Yet there are numerous virulent homophobic and transphobic responses to queer visibility, including where states promote the criminalization of queers, as in the case of Uganda's proposed “Kill the Gays” bill or Russia's “gay propaganda” bill. Increasingly, states have become vocal and visible actors in constructing homophobic as well as homopositive strategies related to homosexuality and gender identity, and it is this paradoxical queer visibility that I address here. Specifically, in this essay, I examine how queer visibility, especially LGBTI rights discourse, has been used as a tool of hegemony and empire by states as they struggle for power. On the one hand, states that recognize LGBTI rights bring much-needed visibility to oppressive situations. Yet when states equate LGBTI rights with a particular, typically racialized brand of democracy, development, or progress, they are often pitting their own ideology against …
Medical and Economic Costs of Psychologic Distress in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Objective To determine the effect of psychologic distress, measured with a commonly used screening questionnaire, on 6-month morbidity and rehospitalization costs in coronary patients. Design Psychologic distress was determined by screening with the Symptom Checklist-90—Revised (SCL-90-R) self-report inventory during the second week of cardiac rehabilitation. Costs associated with cardiovascular rehospitalization during a 6-month follow-up period were recorded, and differences between "distressed" and "nondistressed" patients were analyzed statistically. Material and Methods The study cohort consisted of 381 patients (311 men and 70 women) referred for cardiac rehabilitation after an index hospitalization for unstable angina, myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty, or coronary bypass procedure. Patients with SCL-90-R scores above the 90th percentile for outpatient adults were considered distressed (N = 41); patients with scores below this level were considered nondistressed (N = 340). Results The 6-month follow-up was complete in all but 1 of the 381 patients. Distressed patients had significantly higher rates of cardiovascular rehospitalization, any recurrent events, and recurrent "hard events" (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or cardiac arrest and resuscitation) within 6 months after dismissal from their index hospitalization in comparison with nondistressed patients. Adjustment for other factors associated with a risk of early rehospitalization and recurrent events did not reduce the strength or significance of the association between psychologic distress and early cardiovascular rehospitalization or recurrent events. The mean rehospitalization costs were significantly higher in the distressed than in the nondistressed patients ($9,504 versus $2,146). Conclusion These data add support to the hypothesis that psychologic distress adversely affects the prognosis in coronary patients, confirm the added morbidity and rehospitalization costs attributable to psychologic distress, and suggest the potential for improving the prognosis in selected coronary patients by identification and appropriate treatment of psychologic distress.
Improved modeling of C-block actuators

A new class of bimorph actuators, called C-block actuators for their curved shape, have recently been proposed to provide improved performance characteristics over conventional straight bimorph actuators. Existing mathematical models of these actuators are based on classical curved beam theory which neglects transverse shear effects. The paper presents an improved mathematical model for C-block actuators of arbitrary thickness. The new model accounts for through-the-thickness transverse shear deformations using refined displacement fields. The results from this theory are compared to the existing classical model and experimental data. Both free and forced end conditions are investigated. An exact elasticity solution is also developed which provides a framework for comparison of the developed theory and other approximate theories.
Impaired myocardial lipid metabolism in phosphate depletion

Impaired myocardial lipid metabolism in phosphate depletion. This study examines the effects of phosphate depletion on myocardial carbohydrate, lipid, and phospholipid metabolism. Rats were studied after 4 (short-term) and 8 to 12 weeks (long-term) of selective dietary phosphate restriction. Myocardial biopsy samples were examined for glucose-6-phosphate and glycogen to evaluate carbohydrate pathways, and for glycerol phosphate and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and phospholipid contents to evaluate lipid and phospholipid turnover. The fall in cellular inorganic phosphorus was associated with a fall in myocardial glycogen, glucose-6-phosphate, glycerol phosphate, and cytidine triphosphate, as well as the contents of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and total phospholipid phosphorus. These observations demonstrate impaired phospholipid metabolism, probably at the biosynthetic level. The oxidation of long-chain and short-chain fatty acids is also impaired in phosphate depletion, further demonstrating impaired lipid metabolism. The abnormal phospholipid metabolism may be compatible with the changes in cellular membrane described in phosphate depletion. Alteration du metabolisme lipidique myocardique lors d'une depletion phosphatee. Cette etude examine les effets d'une depletion phosphatee sur le metabolisme myocardique des hydrates de carbone, des lipides et des phospholipides. Des rats ont ete etudies apres une reduction phosphatee alimentaire selective de 4 (court terme) et de 8 a 12 (long terme) semaines. Des biopsies myocardiques ont ete etudiees pour leur contenu en glucose-6-phosphate et en glycogene afin d'evaluer les voies metaboliques des hydrates de carbone et pour leur importance en glycerol-phosphate, en oxydation mitochondirale des acides gras et en phospholipides pour evaluer le renouvellement lipidique et phospholipidique. La chute du phosphore inorganique cellulaire etait associee a une baisse du glycogene, du glucose, du glucose-6-phosphate, du glycerol-phosphate et de la cytidine-triphosphate myocardiques, ainsi qu'a une baisse des contenus en phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine et en phosphore total phospholipidique. Ces observations demontrent l'alteration du metabolisme phospholipidique probablement au niveau de la biosynthese. L'oxydation des acides gras a longues et a courtes chaines est egalement alteree lors de la depletion phosphatee, ce qui demontre encore l'anomalie du metabolisme lipidique. Ce metabolisme phospholipidique anormal pourrait etre compatible avec les modifications de la membrane cellulaire decrits au cours de la depletion phosphatee.
Aminoacylation of Coenzyme A and Pantetheine by Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases: Possible Link between Noncoded and Coded Peptide Synthesis†

Isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS) catalyzes transfer of isoleucine from the enzyme-bound Ile-AMP and Ile-tRNA to the thiol group of coenzyme A, forming a thioester, Ile-S-CoA. Identity of Ile-S-CoA has been confirmed by several enzymatic and chemical tests. The synthesis of Ile-S-CoA, like the synthesis of other isoleucyl thioesters, is strongly shifted toward products. Other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, such as MetRS, AspRS, and SerRS also use CoA-SH as an acceptor for their cognate amino acids. Pantetheine also serves as an amino acid acceptor in reactions catalyzed by AspRS, IleRS, and MetRS, forming corresponding aminoacyl-S-pantetheine thioesters. It appears that CoA-SH reacts with activated amino acids by binding to each synthetase at a site, separate from the tRNA and ATP binding sites, that includes the thiol-binding subsite. These and other data support a hypothesis that the present-day aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases have originated from ancestral forms that were involved in noncoded thioester-dependent peptide synthesis, functionally similar to the present-day nonribosomal peptide synthesis by multi-enzyme thiotemplate systems.
The optical imaging TES detector array: Considerations for a cryogenic imaging instrument

Abstract A Stanford/NIST collaboration is developing an imaging detector suitable for IR/optical/UV astronomical observations based on the Transition Edge Sensor, a cryogenic quantum microcalorimeter. Currently, the 32 pixel detector can in time and energy resolve single photons with high event rates ( Δ t 1 μ s and Δ E FWHM ∼ 0.16 eV at 2.33 eV and more than 10 kHz/pixel). We report on current progress with the first imaging TES instrument, focusing on recent advances in instrumentation including focusing, reflection masking and infrared filtering.
SU‐GG‐T‐338: Recent Improvements in the Geant4 Monte Carlo Simulation Toolkit for Medical Physics Applications

Purpose: Rapid growth of the medical user base for the Geant4 Monte Carlo Simulation Toolkit over the past few years has led to major improvements in the code addressing specific needs of the medical physics community. Problems in applying the toolkit to the energy domain of medical physics have been indicated by users (e.g. by the paper by Poon et al. [1]) and subsequently addressed by the code developers. Consequently, many recent papers show greatly improved results for simulations [2,3]. The purpose of this presentation is to update the medical physics community about key improvements in the Geant4 toolkit for radiotherapy physics applications. Method and Materials: A recent Technical Note published by the SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator) Geant4 team has provided the first and most useful summary of code improvements in the energy regions of interest to radiation therapy. We have analyzed this information and assessed the impact on simulations in electron and photon therapy. Further, we have expanded the information to issues affecting proton and ion therapy as well as imaging applications. Results: The original multiple scattering model in Geant4 was based on the Lewis formalism. Results from Poon et al. and others showed that the approach was insufficiently precise. In response to these findings, modifications were made to the model based on ideas from Penelope and EGSnrc including: limit the particle step size near geometry boundaries, use correlations between lateral displacement and scattering angle and add options to use single or plural scattering near boundaries (instead of multiple scattering). Single Scattering processes were added which can be used to entirely replace multiple scattering if desired. Models for energy loss fluctuations were substantially revised. Conclusion: This presentation summarizes significant recent improvements in Geant4, which may lead to an even more widespread acceptance of this toolkit in radiation therapy.
Investigating graphical representations of slope and derivative without a physics context

By analysis of student use of mathematics in responses to conceptual physics questions, as well as analogous math questions stripped of physical meaning, we have previously found evidence that students often enter upper-level physics courses lacking the assumed prerequisite mathematics knowledge and/or the ability to apply it productively in a physics context. As an extension from this work on students' mathematical competency at the upper level in physics, we report on a preliminary investigation of mathematical understanding of fundamental concepts of slope and derivative among students in a third-semester multivariable calculus course. Among the first published findings of physics education research are investigations on students' understanding of kinematics, with particular attention to graphical representations of position-, velocity-, and acceleration-versus-time graphs. Underlying these physical quantities are relationships that depend on derivatives and slopes. We report on our findings as we attempt to isolate students' understanding of these mathematical concepts.
A method for converting nonautonomous systems with periodic coefficients to autonomous systems

A new method that eliminates time dependent periodic coefficients of nonautonomous equations to time independent autonomous systems and computes stability boundaries is developed. This simplifies the solution of complex nonautonomous rotodynamic equations with periodic coefficients encountered on rotating machines. The method collects all of the periodic coefficients in the equations into a unitary matrix, U, and writes the equations as x + Uy = 0, where x and y are vectors with dimension n. In this form, the matrix of periodic coefficients is readily eliminated by transposition to yield x*x – y*y = 0. This method is applicable in the rotating and stationary frames of reference. The method combines with algorithms may provide the first step towards selecting actuators for remotely piloted helicopter's air unit rotors and other autonomous rotating applications.
Non-adaptive multiple-input, multiple-output radar techniques for reducing clutter

Multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) radars enhance performance by transmitting and receiving coded waveforms from multiple locations. This paper describes MIMO techniques that can be used to improve radar performance, especially in airborne Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) applications. The authors begin by showing how MIMO techniques can lower airborne radar clutter to noise ratios (CNRs). This results in smaller losses when observing stationary or low-velocity targets. Next, the authors consider the implementation of MIMO radar modes using electronically scanned arrays (ESAs). Specifically, the authors show how MIMO techniques, applied to subarray-based ESAs, can cause high grating lobes and/or reduced search rates. To address this problem, the authors describe new space-time waveform coding techniques that can be used to improve performance. Two space-time waveform encoding approaches are proposed: (i) an overlapped virtual transmit subarray approach, and (ii) a beamspace MIMO approach. A third approach, involving conventional MIMO waveforms and irregular subarrays, is also briefly considered.
Suppression of Lymphoproliferation and Autoimmunity by Elimination of a Radiosensitive Bone Marrow Cell in Mice Bearing the lpr Gene

The autosomal recessive lpr gene (lymphoproliferative) has been bred into several normal strains of mice. Although the time of disease onset may vary, all of these lpr mice develop hypergammaglobulinaemia, antibodies to nucleoproteins, and massive lymphoproliferation. The abnormalities do not appear in their normal congenic counterparts, which lack the lpr gene. We studied the effects of sublethal whole-body X-irradiation (300 rads) on disease features and lymphocyte subpopulations by using flow cytometry. H-2k strains, C3H and MRL/++ and their autoimmune lpr counterparts, were killed at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 weeks after irradiation, which was given at 6-8 weeks of age. In the lpr mice, lymphoproliferation, autoimmunity, mortality and number of Ia+ cells were greatly reduced in the irradiated mice compared with nonirradiated controls. Abnormal cytofluorometric patterns seen with lpr thymocytes were corrected by the low-dose irradiation treatment. In addition, lethally irradiated lpr mice reconstituted with syngeneic bone marrow from low-dose irradiated mice exhibited retarded development of autoimmune disease. We conclude that the lymphoid alterations induced by X-irradiation reflect a recovery of immunologic control associated with suppression of autoimmune manifestations.
Urodynamic assessment of anterior urethral constrictions Studies with micturitional vesicourethral static pressure profile

Abstract Urodynamic evaluation consisting of urethral closure pressure profile (UCPP) and micturitional vesicourethral static pressure profile (MUPP) was carried out in male patients who had obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms. The studies revealed that 12 patients had varying degrees of anterior urethral constrictions. Seven from this group of patients had coexistent posterior urethral obstructions. All patients who demonstrated anterior urethral constrictions in the UCPP (resting state) had abnormal MUPP configurations during voiding.
Pathogenesis of fibrosis in acute lung injury.

Abstract The anatomic changes that occur in response to acute lung injury significantly impair gas exchange. As is the case with skin wounds, a fibroproliferative response follows lung injury. In the lungs, however, this can result in life-threatening obliteration of alveolar air spaces. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in lung repair may allow the development of therapies that regulate the fibroproliferative response. Studies from our laboratory have identified a peptide in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with acute lung injury that promotes the migration and replication of lung fibroblasts. This peptide is related to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) antigenically as well as by receptor-binding criteria; its molecular weight is 14 kilodaltons (kDa) as compared to 29 kDA for PDGF. Despite the potent activity of the 14 kDa peptide, however, such a growth signal may not be absolutely required for tissue granulation. The possibility that lung fibroblasts from patients with acute lung injury might be capable of dividing without exogenous stimulation will be examined. Another theoretical consideration is the signals that regulate termination of the fibroproliferative response. Insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in lung repair may result in therapies that modulate the sometimes maladaptive fibroproliferative response following acute lung injury.