cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analytical model for the interaction between an insoluble particle and an advancing solid/liquid interface

Most models that describe the interaction of an insoluble particle with an advancing solid-liquid interface are based on the assumption of steady state. However, as demonstrated by experimental work, the process does not reach steady state until the particle is pushed for a while by the interface. In this work, a dynamic mathematical model was developed. The dynamic model demonstrates that this interaction is essentially non-steady state and that steady state eventually occurs only when solidification is conducted at sub-critical velocities. The model was tested for three systems: aluminum-zirconia particles, succinonitrilepolystyrene particles, and biphenyl-glass particles. The calculated values for critical velocity of the pushing/engulfment transition were in same range with the experimental ones.
The silicon-controlled rectifier as an input latch for digital laboratory computer interfaces

Several standard solutions have been developed for problems encountered when monitoring laboratory response sensors with microcomputers. These problems include voltage-level translation, power-supply isolation, contact debouncing, and temporary data storage. Data storage has typically been accomplished through the use of edge-sensitive devices, which introduce difficulties when a researcher wishes to monitor the duration of a response. A circuit is described that includes an optoisolator with a silicon-controlled rectifier at its output stage. The circuit acts as a latch for the detection of brief responses, and, because it is not edge-sensitive, it can also be used to record the duration of sustained responses.
Prenatal Sonographic Diagnosis of Abdominal Mesenteric Lymphangioma

ymphangiomas are benign tumors of the lymphatic system, with the potential for expansion and infiltration into surrounding structures.1 They are histologically divided into 3 categories: lymphangioma simplex, cavernous lymphangioma, and cystic lymphangioma.1 Histologically, mixed lesions can be found within the same tumor. The etiology of lymphangiomas is controversial, but most authorities think that they stem from a developmental malformation of the lymphatic tissue that leads to the absence of normal communication of the lymphatic system.2–4 Prenatal diagnosis is not uncommon, and early diagnosis facilitates proper planning and prompt postnatal resuscitation, which improves survival.1 Nonetheless, lymphangiomas can lead to complications at birth or shortly after birth. Once diagnosed, focal lymphangiomas must be carefully monitored because they have the potential to develop into generalized lymphangiomatosis.2 We present a case of an abdominal mesenteric lymphangioma diagnosed prenatally on the basis of sonography, which remained confined to the abdomen and became less prominent on serial sonography but became symptomatic with continued surveillance through the postnatal period, resulting in the infant’s subsequent surgery.
Self-Defense Among Women With Disabilities: An Unexplored Domain in Domestic Violence Cases

Women with disabilities are frequent victims of domestic violence, yet scant research has examined self-protective mechanisms that could mitigate this abuse. This article reviews prevalence and types of intimate partner violence against women with disabilities and explores the factors that leave this population at higher risk for abuse than nondisabled women. Barriers to self-protection against domestic violence for women with diverse disabilities are highlighted and the use of nonfatal force as self-defense is explored. A case example and considerations for enhancing self-protection strategies for women with disabilities experiencing intimate partner violence are provided.
Optimization of 3-D organotypic primary colonic cultures for organ-on-chip applications.

Background New advances enable long-term organotypic culture of colonic epithelial stem cells that develop into structures known as colonoids. Colonoids represent a primary tissue source acting as a potential starting material for development of an in vitro model of the colon. Key features of colonic crypt isolation and subsequent colonoid culture have not been systematically optimized compromising efficiency and reproducibility. Here murine crypt isolation yield and quality are optimized, and colonoid culture efficiency measured in microfabricated culture devices.
Learning From High-Reliability Organizations

What does it mean to build a culture of quality? Culture refers to the attitudes, values, and behaviors of individuals when acting in a group or an environment in which individuals are encouraged to work proactively as part of a team [1]. As part of the organizational culture of medicine and radiology, individuals should feel empowered to speak up and look beyond their own boundaries to ensure safe patient handoffs between disparate care teams [2]. The concepts from management science known as high-reliability organization (HRO) design can teach us a great deal about building a culture of quality [3]. Specific examples of HROs include aircraft carriers, forest firefighting teams, and trauma centers. These groups need to be flexible and respond to a variety of complex and ever-changing situations with little to no margin of error. This requires 2 different mind-sets. The first, anticipation, focuses on preparedness and scenario planning that should allow one to think first and then act. The second mind-set is containment, which is directed at what happens subsequent to an event and is geared toward thinking while acting (or acting to allow clear thought).
Morphologic assessment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms for endovascular treatment.

Background: Aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) trifurcation region are underrepresented in large series of endovascularly treated aneurysms. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the incidence of specific morphologic features of MCA bifurcation aneurysms that may affect suitability for endovascular treatment. Methods: We evaluated 53 consecutive patients with 58 bifurcation or trifurcation MCA aneurysms seen for angiographic evaluation during a 4-year period at our institution. All angiograms were reviewed for: aneurysm size (largest dimension, dome and neck size), branch vessels originating from the aneurysm sac, straightening of the aneurysm wall to suggest intramural thrombus, calcification in the region of the aneurysm, stenosis of the parent vessel, and presence of daughter sacs. Results: Of 58 aneurysms, 51 (88%) had a dome to neck ratio less than 2:1. Branch vessel incorporation in the aneurysm sac was seen in 23/58 (40%), straightening suggestive of thrombus in 14/58 (24%), calcification in 2/58 (3%), parent vessel stenosis in 1/58 (2%), and daughter sacs in 4/58 (7%). Conclusions: The majority of MCA aneurysms have morphologic features such as a dome to neck ratio less than 2:1 or branch vessel incorporation that may make them unsuitable for endovascular treatment using conventional intra-aneurysmal coiling.
Hydrogen peroxide formation by cells treated with a tumor promoter.

To determine whether oxidants capable of DNA modification are produced by cells treated with tumor promoters, we adapted a fluorometric method to our needs. HeLa cells were preincubated with 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFdAc), treated with various agents, sonicated, centrifuged and fluorescence of the oxidized product (DCF) was determined in supernatants. When cells were exposed to H2O2 in the presence of azide (catalase inhibitor) or o-phenanthroline (a lipophilic Fe chelator), an increase in fluorescence was observed. These results show that some Fe ions were interacting with the H2O2 which entered the cells, thus decreasing its levels available for oxidation of the substrate and potentially increasing formation of .OH, known DNA-damaging species. Glutathione (GSH), which is present in cells in substantial amounts, was found to reduce DCF whereas azide counteracted GSH-mediated reduction. Treatment of HeLa cells with 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in the presence of DCFdAc and azide resulted in dose- and time-dependent formation of DCF. Even when cells were sonicated prior to incubation with TPA, DCF was formed at levels proportional to the number of cells as well as dose of TPA. Flow cytometry of TPA-treated cells confirmed these findings. These results demonstrate that tumor promoters can cause oxidative activation of HeLa cells, which produce active oxygen species, most likely H2O2, that ultimately contribute to the formation of oxidized bases such as 5-hydroxymethyl uracil in cellular DNA. They also show that this fluorometric method can be utilized for determination of cellular H2O2 formation at nM concentrations.
Cellular and Viral Control over the Initial Events of Human Cytomegalovirus Experimental Latency in CD34+ Cells

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) persists for the life of its host by establishing a latent infection. The identification of viral and cellular determinants of latency is the first step toward developing antiviral treatments that target and might clear or control the reservoir of latent virus. HCMV latency is established in CD34 cells when expression of viral immediate early (IE) proteins that initiate lytic infection is silenced. Viral IE gene expression during lytic infection is controlled by a cellular intrinsic immune defense mediated by promyelocytic leukemia nuclear body (PML-NB) proteins such as Daxx and histone deacetylases (HDACs). This defense is inactivated at the start of lytic infection by the HCMV virion tegument protein pp71, which upon viral entry traffics to the nucleus and induces Daxx degradation. Here we show that a similar defense is present, active, and not neutralized during experimental latency in CD34 cells infected in vitro because tegumentdelivered pp71 remains in the cytoplasm. Artificial inactivation of this defense by HDAC inhibition or Daxx knockdown rescues viral IE gene expression upon infection of CD34 cells with a laboratory-adapted viral strain but not with clinical strains. Interestingly, coinfection of CD34 cells with clinical viral strains blocked the ability of an HDAC inhibitor to activate IE1 and early protein expression during infection with a laboratory-adapted strain. This suggests that in addition to the intrinsic defense, HCMV clinical strains contribute an HDAC-independent, trans-acting dominant means of control over viral gene expression during the early stages of experimental HCMV latency modeled in vitro in CD34 cells.
Ab initio studies of a proposed mechanism for N‐Nitrosamine formation

The geometry of a proposed intermediate (α-dialkylamino nitrite ester) of N-nitrosamine synthesis from nitrites is studied by ab initioSCF methods. The energy of a zwitterion is calculated and found to be high.
A Communication Perspective of a School Bond Failure

Voters have been rejecting school bond tax levies with increasing regularity. A communication perspective was utilized to examine one school district that three times voted down funds for much-needed school facilities. Acceptance of the bond proposal was found to be significantly related to voter attitudes towards school officials, the nature of the campaign contact, and voter's involvement in the school system.
Neural Decoding of Hand Motion Using a Linear State-Space Model With Hidden States

The Kalman filter has been proposed as a model to decode neural activity measured from the motor cortex in order to obtain real-time estimates of hand motion in behavioral neurophysiological experiments. However, currently used linear state-space models underlying the Kalman filter do not take into account other behavioral states such as muscular activity or the subject's level of attention, which are often unobservable during experiments but may play important roles in characterizing neural controlled hand movement. To address this issue, we depict these unknown states as one multidimensional hidden state in the linear state-space framework. This new model assumes that the observed neural firing rate is directly related to this hidden state. The dynamics of the hand state are also allowed to impact the dynamics of the hidden state, and vice versa. The parameters in the model can be identified by a conventional expectation-maximization algorithm. Since this model still uses the linear Gaussian framework, hand-state decoding can be performed by the efficient Kalman filter algorithm. Experimental results show that this new model provides a more appropriate representation of the neural data and generates more accurate decoding. Furthermore, we have used recently developed computationally efficient methods by incorporating a priori information of the targets of the reaching movement. Our results show that the hidden-state model with target-conditioning further improves decoding accuracy.
Robust and efficient algorithms for rank join evaluation

In the rank join problem we are given a relational join R1 x R2 and a function that assigns numeric scores to the join tuples, and the goal is to return the tuples with the highest score. This problem lies at the core of processing top-k SQL queries, and recent studies have introduced specialized operators that solve the rank join problem by accessing only a subset of the input tuples. A desirable property for such operators is instance-optimality, i.e., their I/O cost should remain within a factor of the optimal for different inputs. However, a recent theoretical study has shown that existing rank join operators are not instance-optimal even though they have been shown to perform well empirically. The same study proposed the PBRJRRoverFR operator that was proved to be instance-optimal, but its performance was not tested empirically and in fact it was hinted that its complexity can be high. Thus, the following important question is raised: Is it possible to design a rank join operator that is both instance-optimal and computationally efficient? In this paper we provide an answer to this challenging question. We perform an empirical study of PBRJRRoverFR and show that its computational cost can offset the benefits of instance-optimality. Using the insights gained by the study, we develop the novel FRPA operator that addresses the efficiency bottlenecks of PBRJRRoverFR. We prove that FRPA is instance-optimal in general and more specifically that it never performs more I/O than PBRJRRoverFR. FRPA is the first operator that possesses these properties and is thus of interest in the theoretical study of rank join operators. We further identify cases where the overhead of FRPA becomes significant, and propose the FRPA operator that automatically adapts its overhead to the characteristics of the input. An extensive experimental study validates the effectiveness of the new operators and demonstrates that they offer significant performance improvements (up to an order of magnitude) over the state-of-the-art.
Predictors of citations in the urological literature

To assess the factors associated with increased citation rates in the urological literature by reviewing articles published in the four major urological journals to help authors improve the impact of their work. A random sample of 200 original research articles published between January and June 2004 was analysed from The Journal of Urology, Urology, European Urology and BJU International. Study information was abstracted by two independent reviewers and citation counts within 4 years of publication were collected using Web of Science(TM) . Study characteristics and citation rates were analysed using median and interquartile ranges (IQRs), and logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate which factors predicted greater citation rates. The overall median number of citations per published article was 6.0 (IQR 3-12). After univariate analysis, we found that study design, study topic, continent of origin and sample size were associated with greater median citation rates. In a multivariate linear regression model, study design and study topic (oncology) predicted increased citation rates. Randomized controlled trials were cited a median of 13.5 times and were the strongest predictor of citation rates with an odds ratio of 115.5 (95% confidence interval 9.4-1419.6). Citation rates are associated with study design and study topic in the urological literature. Authors may improve the impact of their work by designing clinical studies with greater methodological safeguards against bias.
Mit Strategien zum Erfolg

Im ersten Kapitel haben wir einige der allgemeinen strategischen Prinzipien dargestellt, die durch Untersuchungen an der PIMS-Datenbank erarbeitet und dokumentiert wurden. Wie konnen nun Manager diese eher allgemeinen Beziehungen auf spezifische Probleme der Unternehmensfuhrung anwenden? Betrachten wir dazu zwei Beispiele aus der Praxis: Der Geschaftsfuhrer eines grosen diversifizierten Unternehmens mit Sitz in Europa prufte ein Angebot uber den Erwerb eines Geschaftszweigs eines amerikanischen Unternehmens. Dieser Kauf wurde eine Zusammenfassung der auf dem Weltmarkt zweit- und viertgrosten Wettbewerber bedeuten. Es handelte sich um einen Markt mit einem starken, aggressiven Marktfuhrer. Die Investition konnte nur gerechtfertigt werden, wenn die Rentabilitat der neuen, kombinierten Geschaftseinheit wesentlich hoher sein wurde als die der Geschaftsbereiche der beiden einzelnen. Wie sah ein angemessenes Gewinnziel fur die angestrebte fusionierte Geschaftseinheit aus? Die Planungsexperten des Unternehmens nahmen Datenbank und Modelle von PIMS zu Hilfe und simulierten damit den Erfolg der fusionierten Geschaftseinheit. Diese Analyse gab den Ausschlag fur die endgultige Entscheidung zur Investition. Die Unternehmensleitung eines fuhrenden Herstellers von Arzneimitteln und Korperpflegepro-dukten benutzte PIMS fur die Abstimmung der ihr durch die Leiter der Produktionsabteilungen unterbreiteten Planungen. Die Unternehmensfuhrung uberprfte die Planungen anhand von in der Datenbank gespeicherten Ergebnissen ahnlicher Geschaftseinheiten. Nach ihrer Aussage gibt ihr dieser Ansatz mehr Sicherheit bei der Beurteilung der Prognosen der Produktionsabteilungen.
Development of contingency plans for use against exotic pests and diseases of trees and timber: 4. Forest insect and disease protection in New Zealand: an integrated approach

Summary The integration of quarantine, contingency planning and forest health surveillance is seen as the major strength of forest insect and disease protection in New Zealand. A Forest Disease Contingency Plan, the most recent addition to the forest protection system, facilitates rapid and considered response to new pest and disease outbreaks without compromising the quality of decision making. Its recent use against the leaf blister sawfly, Phylacteophaga froggatti, well illustrates the benefits of such a plan.
Role of Place in Explaining Racial Heterogeneity in Cognitive Outcomes among Older Adults

Racially patterned disadvantage in Southern states, especially during the formative years of primary school, may contribute to enduring disparities in adult cognitive outcomes. Drawing on a lifecourse perspective, we examine whether state of school attendance affects cognitive outcomes in older adults and partially contributes to persistent racial disparities. Using data from older African American and white participants in the national Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the New York based Washington Heights Inwood Cognitive Aging Project (WHICAP), we estimated age-and gender-adjusted multilevel models with random effects for states predicting years of education and cognitive outcomes (e.g., memory and vocabulary). We summarized the proportion of variation in outcomes attributable to state of school attendance and compared the magnitude of racial disparities across states. Among WHICAP African Americans, state of school attendance accounted for 9% of the variance in years of schooling, 6% of memory, and 12% of language. Among HRS African Americans, state of school attendance accounted for 13% of the variance in years of schooling and also contributed to variance in cognitive function (7%), memory (2%), and vocabulary (12%). Random slope models indicated state-level African American and white disparities in every Census region, with the largest racial differences in the South. State of school attendance may contribute to racial disparities in cognitive outcomes among older Americans. Despite tremendous within-state heterogeneity, state of school attendance also accounted for some variability in cognitive outcomes. Racial disparities in older Americans may reflect historical patterns of segregation and differential access to resources such as education.
Variation in Prescription Drug Coverage Enrollment Among Vulnerable Beneficiaries With Glaucoma Before and After the Implementation of Medicare Part D

Importance It is important to understand in more detail how patients with glaucoma were affected by the implementation of Medicare Part D, which was designed to provide beneficiaries with near-universal prescription drug coverage. Objectives To determine changes in prescription drug coverage and out-of-pocket spending after the implementation of Medicare Part D across income strata and to identify characteristics of beneficiaries associated with prescription status. Design, Setting, and Participants Longitudinal observational study in the general community using the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (pooled 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008 data). Participants were noninstitutionalized Medicare beneficiaries who filled at least 1 glaucoma prescription during the survey years. The dates of this analysis were January 2004 to December 2009. Main Outcomes and Measures Effect of the implementation of the Medicare Part D drug benefit, including prescription drug coverage and risk-adjusted out-of-pocket spending related to glaucoma medications. Results Respondents included 12 079 participants in the 2004 survey, 11 089 participants in the 2005 survey, 11 995 participants in the 2007 survey, and 11 723 participants in the 2008 survey. The sample included 19 045 glaucoma prescriptions, and 2519 Medicare beneficiaries filled at least 1 glaucoma prescription during the study years. Overall 574 (22.8%) beneficiaries reported living below the poverty level, and 795 (31.6%) had incomes consistent with near-poor status. The implementation of Medicare Part D resulted in increased rates of prescription drug coverage across all economic strata, with reductions in beneficiaries without coverage from 22.8% to 4.0%, 29.1% to 7.3%, and 19.9% to 3.7% among poor, near-poor, and higher-income beneficiaries, respectively. Despite these gains, near-poor status remained a risk factor for lack of prescription drug coverage after the implementation of Medicare Part D (odds ratio, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.26-4.55; P = .04). No differences were identified in adjusted out-of-pocket prescriptions drug costs between the near poor and those with higher income, although out-of-pocket costs were 37% (95% CI, 26%-49%; P Conclusions and Relevance Medicare Part D enrolled most beneficiaries with glaucoma who previously lacked prescription drug coverage. The results of this study suggest that coverage gains lagged among the near poor. While these data evaluated changes in coverage among cohorts of beneficiaries and not from longitudinal follow-up of patients, targeted efforts to improve prescription drug coverage among vulnerable beneficiaries would likely improve access to prescribed ocular hypotensive medications.
Inhibition of NAPDH Oxidase 2 (NOX2) Prevents Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Abnormalities Caused by Saturated Fat in Cardiomyocytes

Obesity and high saturated fat intake increase the risk of heart failure and arrhythmias. The molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. We hypothesized that physiologic levels of saturated fat could increase mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiomyocytes, leading to abnormalities of calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial function. We investigated the effect of saturated fat on mitochondrial function and calcium homeostasis in isolated ventricular myocytes. The saturated fatty acid palmitate causes a decrease in mitochondrial respiration in cardiomyocytes. Palmitate, but not the monounsaturated fatty acid oleate, causes an increase in both total cellular ROS and mitochondrial ROS. Palmitate depolarizes the mitochondrial inner membrane and causes mitochondrial calcium overload by increasing sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak. Inhibitors of PKC or NOX2 prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and the increase in ROS, demonstrating that PKC-NOX2 activation is also required for amplification of palmitate induced-ROS. Cardiomyocytes from mice with genetic deletion of NOX2 do not have palmitate-induced ROS or mitochondrial dysfunction. We conclude that palmitate induces mitochondrial ROS that is amplified by NOX2, causing greater mitochondrial ROS generation and partial depolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane. The abnormal sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak caused by palmitate could promote arrhythmia and heart failure. NOX2 inhibition is a potential therapy for heart disease caused by diabetes or obesity.
Ethanol metabolism in rats after microsomal metabolizing enzyme induction.

SummaryThe ability of a number of microsomal drug-metabolizing enzyme inducers to alter ethanol metabolism was examined. Phenobarbital, chlordane, chlorcyclizine, and 3-methylcholanthrene significantly increased drug metabolism as measured by a decrease in zoxazolamine paralysis time. Control rats metabolized ethanol at a rate of 44 mg/100 ml/hr and the rate was not altered when rats were treated with the various microsomal enzyme inducers. Therefore, it appears that agents which increase the miccrosomal metabolism of many drugs have little quantitative importance in determining the rate at which ethanol is metabolized by the rat.The author wishes to acknowledge the very able technical assistance of Mr. W. H. Whittley.
Abstract A20: Differential rates of proliferation and apoptosis observed in human cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cell lines, in response to treatment with 9-cis UAB30, a novel rexinoid analog

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) designates a heterogeneous group of malignancies, characterized by the infiltration and detection of transformed T-cell lymphocytes in the skin. Although there is no cure for CTCL, a wide range of treatment options have been developed for use in the clinical setting. Bexarotene, a retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist or rexinoid, is a commonly used treatment modality for CTCL. However, documented increases in the levels of triglycerides of CTCL patients, resulting from treatment with bexarotene, point to concerns over the long-term use and efficacy of this anticancer agent. We have recently synthesized a novel rexinoid, 9-cis UAB30, which does not elevate triglycerides in vivo and have begun evaluating its use as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of CTCL. In this study, we compared the efficacy of 9-cis UAB30 to that of bexarotene in reducing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis, in the three human CTCL cell lines HH, MJ, and Hut78. A standard XTT assay was used to determine the rate of cell proliferation of CTCL cells. In all three lines, 9-cis UAB30 was equally and sometimes more effective than bexarotene at suppressing cell proliferation. Using an annexin V binding assay, we next analyzed the rate of apoptosis in these human CTCL lines. Interestingly, we observed the MJ cell line to be resistant to apoptosis, when treated with either compound. The HH cell line exhibited a similar increase in apoptosis, whether treated with 9-cis UAB30 or bexarotene. Finally, the Hut78 cell line showed a greater sensitivity to apoptosis, when treated with 9-cis UAB30 as compared to bexarotene. Taken together, these preliminary results indicate that 9-cis UAB30 appears to be equally if not more effective than bexarotene at suppressing cell proliferation and appears to exert differential effects on the rate of apoptosis that may be cell-line specific. These differential responses of human CTCL cells have implications for the development of next-generation, rexinoid-based therapies and reveal that 9-cis UAB30 may be a better alternative for the treatment of CTCL. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr A20.
Microstructural Variations in Sol-Gel Processed Lithium Niobate thin Films

LiNbO 3 thin films were deposited by dip coating Li-Nb alkoxide solutions onto silicate glass substrates and single crystal sapphire substrates. Microstructural characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed significant differences in film microstructures dependent on the initial solution chemistry. Fully crystalline films could be obtained after heat treatments at 400°C in air. The grain size and porosity were dependent on the amount of water of hydrolysis in the alkoxide sol. The higher the water content, the larger the grain size and porosity. Crystallization studies of nucleation and growth of LiNbO 3 for films heat treated from 300–600°C indicated that higher temperatures or long soak times generated large facetted grain structures. Single crystalline films were obtained on (0001) sapphire substrates.
Linking dispersal and resources in humans

Competition for resources is one of the main evolutionary explanations for dispersal from the natal area. For humans this explanation has received little attention, despite the key role dispersal is thought to play in shaping social systems. I examine the link between dispersal and resources using historical data on people from the small farming town of Oakham, Massachusetts (1750–1850). I reconstruct individual life histories through a variety of records, identifying dispersers, their age at dispersal, and their destinations. I find that sex, father’s wealth and social status, and age at father’s death were all significantly associated with one or more dispersal variables. Birth order and number of siblings were not significantly associated with any of the dispersal variables. I also use wills and deeds to study transfers of land from fathers to sons. More stayers than dispersers acquired Oakham land from their fathers, but some sons who acquired Oakham land later dispersed. I discuss the causality underlying the relationship between dispersal and resource acquisition, as well as implications for a general understanding of human dispersal.
Knickpoint and knickzone formation and propagation, South Fork Eel River, northern California

The South Fork Eel River, northern California (United States), displays a prominent knickzone in its longitudinal profile that may represent a perturbation that is propagating upstream. We investigated two tributary basins (Standley and Bear Pen Creeks) located downstream from this major trunk-stream knickzone to document the presence of knickzones within tributary and subtributary streams and to explore their correlation to the South Fork Eel River knickzone. We utilized LIDAR (light detection and ranging) derived digital elevation models to identify more than 100 major knickpoints and knickzones along 103 streams within these 2 tributary basins. Major knickpoints are located at clear inflection points separating two reaches of concave-upward stream profiles. These knickpoints can be delineated at breaks in the regression relation of channel slope versus drainage area for these two tributaries. Using the slope-area relation, we recreate paleolongitudinal profiles to represent the pre-incision profile of main stem tributary channels, as well as the pre-incision elevations of subtributary outlets. Knickpoint distribution throughout the two basins indicates that the channels are responding to pulses of incision initiated through base-level fall along the South Fork Eel River. However, most of the major knickpoints identified do not correlate with the current, prominent knickzone along the South Fork Eel River. Rather, knickpoint distribution within the study area indicates that there have been multiple instances of base-level fall along the South Fork Eel River, each triggered by the upstream passage of knickzones that are no longer preserved in the South Fork Eel River profile.
A Property Law Instructor Looks at the Contract Law Course

This essay acknowledges the similarities between teaching courses in contract and property law, particularly in the opportunities the two courses offer to explore non-adversarial dispute resolution techniques, as well as ethics and professional responsibility issues confronted daily by transactional lawyers. Exposing first year students to such issues early on and providing them with an opportunity to engage in dialogue about resolving problems peacefully is why the author encourages beginning a contracts course at the front end of a transaction with promises, rather than remedies. Placing the initial focus on promises is also a useful way of emphasizing the importance of careful reading of cases and careful drafting of legal documents. The essay contains specific examples of how alternative dispute resolution techniques can be added to a course by highlighting the case, Pigg v. Haley. Also, the author suggests introducing students to the variety of roles lawyers play by working with negotiation and mediation exercises in the area of landlord-tenant lease transactions.
Influence of Pollution Manners on DC Pollution Flashover Characteristics of Porcelain Insulators

The IEC recommended some different artificial contamination methods to investigate the pollution flashover characteristic,but no difference between the methonds was described.Thus,to investigate the difference,taking an XZP-300 porcelain insulator as a test sample,we experimentally studied the pollution flashover characteristic and frequency distribution of different pollution manners,and analyzed the reasons of the difference between the pollution flashover voltages obtained by different pollution manners based on Obenaus model.The results show that the test results obtained by different pollution manners are approximately normally distributed.The 50% withstand voltage can be calculated by the average value of the two methods.Meanwhile,the pollution flashover voltage obtained by the brushing method is about 2%~6% higher than that obtained by the dipping method.The reason is that the equivalent salt deposit density(ESDD) of contaminated insulator surface of the dipping method is more uniform and the flashover voltage of uniformly contaminated surface is higher than that of uneven-contaminated surface which can be proved by basic formulas of the Obenaus model.
Pentaxial access platform for ultra-distal intracranial delivery of a large-bore hyperflexible DIC (distal intracranial catheter): A technical note

Abstract Background Intracranial access techniques in modern neurointervention are shifting towards more robust access platforms. We present in this report a novel method of navigating a 5 French distal intracranial catheter (DIC) deep within the intracranial circulation in an atraumatic fashion via a pentaxial access system. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all neurointerventions performed at two author institutions identifying all aneurysm treatments where the pentaxial system was used to build the catheter support for intracranial positioning of a 5 French DIC. Procedural data collected include parent artery tortuosity, use of vasodilator, intra-procedural DIC position, and peri-procedural complications. Results The pentaxial access platform provided ultra-distal intracranial navigation of the 5 French DIC in the following 11 neurointerventions for treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms: Pipeline embolization device (PED) for anterior communicating artery (ACom) aneurysm, n = 2; surpass for large internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm, n = 4; Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device for ACom aneurysm, n = 5. Mean patient age was 55 ± 11 years (range 40–75 years). Mean aneurysm size was 6.7 mm ± 3.8 mm (range 2–16 mm). Mean fluoroscopy time was 29 ± 16.7 min. Intra-procedural DIC positions achieved included supraclinoid ICA (n = 6), M1 (n = 4), and A1 (n = 1). No significant catheter-related complications occurred. Conclusion Distal intracranial catheters can achieve ultra-distal intracranial positions safely with the pentaxial access platform. This technique is a near no step-off, atraumatic method of navigating a DIC in a stepwise fashion over de-escalating smaller diameter catheters via a microwire. Familiarity with catheter specifications including diameters and length is essential for the success of this system.
Inbreeding in Fresh Water Fish Populations Using Transferrins and Esterases as Markers

A species of fresh water fish, Tilapia macrochir was examined for biochemical polymorphism, and transferrin and esterase polymorphism were found. Phenotype frequencies were examined on several occasions from three different regions of a reservoir. No difference in phenotype distribution between areas was found in either system. However, a consistent excess of presumed homozygotes in both the transferrin and esterase systems was obtained, suggesting population structuring. Estimates of the inbreeding coefficient from both systems were consistent and averaged 0.42.
The Essence of Christianity

What is the essence of Christianity? As I have just asked it the question is ambiguous and in need of clarification. For there are two different things that we might be looking for. We might be looking for that which is most important in Christianity. Or we might be looking for that which is uniquely christian and not paralleled in any other faith. In other words we might be asking for the essence of Christianity in the sense of that which is most significant in it, or in the sense of that which is uniquely peculiar to it; and these are two different questions. For that which is peculiar to Christianity may or may not turn out to be the same as that which is most important in it. And so it is well to be clear at the outset what it is we are seeking.
Understanding the Risk Mitigation Decision: Homeowners and Environmental Risks

The relationship between what people know about various types of risks and to what degree they will act to mitigate any given risk has been the subject of much research across numerous disciplines (Lepesteur, et al. 2008; Lindell and Prater 2002; Mulilis and Duval 1995; Slovic, et al. 1987; Weinstein, et al. 1998). Understanding the factors that influence individuals’ decision of whether or not to engage in risk reduction behaviors provides homeowners with important information that increases their likelihood to protect themselves and their property from the risk (Slovic et al. 1987). The objective of our research is to better understand the underlying process that motivates individuals to adopt private risk reduction strategies to protect themselves and their property from natural hazards, specifically wildfire. Understanding this process will aid policy makers in untangling the factors that directly influence the risk perceptions of various stakeholders, in developing effective communication strategies, and in influencing actual behavior on private property while designing incentives aimed at mitigating the risk to individuals and communities. This is based on the assumption that risk reduction behaviors are undertaken as part of a dynamic and adaptive process where consumers and social factors interact (MacGregor et al. 2008). The importance of an improved understanding of these relationships in the context of wildfire was highlighted with the devastating wildfire in Australia in early 2009 and in Greece in 2008 as well as the continuing threats in the U.S.
What Is the Cyber Offense-Defense Balance?: Conceptions, Causes, and Assessment

Most scholars and policymakers claim that cyberspace favors the offense; a minority of scholars disagree. Sweeping claims about the offense-defense balance in cyberspace are misguided because the balance can be assessed only with respect to specific organizational skills and technologies. The balance is defined in dyadic terms, that is, the value less the costs of offensive operations and the value less the costs of defensive operations. The costs of cyber operations are shaped primarily by the organizational skills needed to create and manage complex information technology efficiently. The current success of offense results primarily from poor defensive management and the relatively simpler goals of offense; it can be very costly to exert precise physical effects using cyberweapons. An empirical analysis shows that the Stuxnet cyberattacks on Iran's nuclear facilities very likely cost the offense much more than the defense. The perceived benefits of both the Stuxnet offense and defense, moreover, were li...
Outcomes of patients with syringomyelia undergoing spine deformity surgery: do large syrinxes behave differently from small?

Abstract Background Context A paucity of data exists studying outcomes of patients with syringomyelia undergoing spinal deformity correction. The literature does not stratify patients by syrinx size, which is likely a major contributor to outcomes. Purpose The study aimed to compare differences in outcomes between patients with large (≥4 mm) and small syrinxes ( Design This is a retrospective review. Patient Sample The sample included 28 patients (11 with large syrinx [LS, >4 mm] and 17 with small syrinx [SS, Outcome Measures The outcome measures were radiographic, operative, and neurophysiological measures. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 28 patients with syringomyelia who underwent spine deformity surgery with 2-year follow-up. Demographic, surgical, and radiographic data were collected and compared preoperatively and at 2 years. Results The LS group (11 patients) trended toward more left-sided thoracic curves (36% vs. 18%, p=.38) and was more likely to have had a Chiari decompression (45% vs. 12%, p=.08). The LS patients had larger preoperative major curves (LS=66° vs. SS=57°, p=.05), more thoracic kyphosis (LS=42°, SS=24°, p Conclusions Outcomes of patients with syringomyelia undergoing spine deformity surgery are dependent on the size of the syrinx. Those with large syringomyelia are fused longer with more EBL and less correction. Spine surgeons should be aware that these patients are more likely to have less reliable neuromonitoring, with a higher chance of experiencing a change.
An Abbreviated Protocol for High-risk Screening Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Impact on Performance Metrics and BI-RADS Assessment.

Rationale and Objectives Annual breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended to screen high-risk populations for breast cancer, although costs are significant. This study assesses the performance of an abbreviated MRI protocol as a resource-efficient approach for screening patients at high-risk of breast cancer, and assesses whether the abbreviated protocol alters the assigned Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category. Materials and Methods This is a prospective paired cohort study performed in an academic ambulatory setting. MRI images of women at high risk of breast cancer were reviewed using an abbreviated MRI protocol, followed by an immediate review of additional sequences included in a full diagnostic protocol. BI-RADS assessments, including all changes and interpretation times, were recorded for both the abbreviated and full protocol reviews. Cancer detection rate, positive predictive value 3 (PPV3), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated. Results A total of 1052 MRI cases were reviewed. The cancer detection rate was 13.3 per 1000 with a PPV3 of 30.4% based on the full protocol. Review of sequences included in the full protocol resulted in a change in the final BI-RADS assessments in 3.4% of the cases, the majority of which did not change clinical management with respect to biopsy. The sensitivity and specificity of the abbreviated and full protocols were not significantly different. Conclusions This pilot study of an abbreviated MRI protocol demonstrates effective performance in cancer detection. BI-RADS assessments were rarely altered with the additional information afforded by the full protocol. The abbreviated protocol holds promise for resource-efficient breast cancer screening in high-risk women.
Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of Restenosis

Recurrent lumen narrowing has been a significant limitation of open and percutaneous methods of arterial reconstruction from their inception. The term restenosis, used in the 1950s in reference to recurrent heart valvular stenosis, was later adopted to define recurrent lumen narrowing after open arterial reconstruction such as carotid endarterectomy (1,2). With the development of peripheral angioplasty by Dotter in the 1960s (3) and then percutaneous approaches to angioplasty of renal, coronary, and iliac arteries by Gruentzig and colleagues (4)–(7) the problem of restenosis grew exponentially. Now millions of procedures to reconstruct occlusive vascular lesions are performed worldwide each year (8)–(10). In contrast to many hurdles overcome by the pioneers of open and percutaneous revascularization, restenosis remains a major limitation of virtually every form of arterial reconstruction (Table 1) (2),(10)–(23). The morbidity from restenosis, largely in the form of repeat interventions, has generated a health care burden presently measured in billions of dollars (8).
Smoking and risk of atrial fibrillation in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study.

Abstract Background Whether smoking increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains debatable due to inconsistent reports. Methods We examined the association between smoking and incident AF in 11,047 participants from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study, one of the largest biracial, population-based cohort studies in the USA. Baseline (2003–2007) cigarette smoking status and amount (pack-years) were self-reported. Incident AF was determined by electrocardiography and history of a prior physician diagnosis at a follow-up examination conducted after a median of 10.6 years. Results During follow-up, 954 incident AF cases were identified; 9.5% in smokers vs. 7.8% in non-smokers; p Conclusions The association between smoking and AF is possibly mediated by a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in smokers, but there is marked heterogeneity in the strength of this association among subgroups which may explain the conflicting results in prior studies.
A Transhumanist Moral Bioenhancement Program: A Critique from Barth and Bonhoeffer

Daly examines Ingmar Persson and Julian Savulescu’s program for moral bio-enhancement through genetic engineering and pharmacology from within the Christian tradition framed by the doctrines of creation, sin, and redemption. By drawing on the theological insights of Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Daly argues that Persson and Savulescu misdiagnose the root of our moral problem, which is human sin. As such, their proposed solution can at best mediate a form of behavioral modification, which falls short of the transformation mediated in and through the resurrected Christ.
Immunomodulation of pembrolizumab (pembro) treated metastatic melanoma patients (pts) after progression with sequential temozolomide (TMZ): A case series.

123Background: Regulatory T cells are increased in melanoma pts and are postulated to impair objective response to immune therapies. Pembro blocks programmed death receptor-1, reverses T-cell suppr...
Radiology and the Dialysis Patient: Collaboration and Quality of Care

Abstract This article will discuss the value of collaboration between nephrology and interventional radiology in the care of the dialysis patient.