cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Defense of the Liberal Justice Theory of Torts: A Reply to Professors Goldberg and Zipursky

For years, instrumentalist theorists - representing a loose confederation of pragmatists, realists and economists - have dismissed the corrective justice theory of tort law as a rather quaint anachronism. Now, the instrumentalists have been joined by a couple of unlikely allies: Professors John C.P. Goldberg and Benjamin C. Zipursky. Although Goldberg and Zipursky have professed an affinity for corrective justice theory and have described their work as building on its insights, both theorists currently seem more determined to marginalize or discredit it. Indeed, in a tandem of articles recently published in the Georgetown Law Journal, these corrective justice insiders have not just challenged the theory they claim to support, they have virtually left it for dead. Goldberg and Zipursky wage a comprehensive assault against corrective justice theory, attacking it at virtually every level. They question its substantive content, denouncing its vapid and misleading account of tort law's core concept of wrongdoing. They critique its structural framework, decrying its inability to account for key tort characteristics like compensatory, punitive and nominal damages; injunctive relief; and jury participation. They even challenge its scope and purpose, bemoaning its lack of practical limits and questioning its practical value. These are powerful indictments. They are persuasive because they reach wider and dig deeper than any of the criticisms previously offered by the instrumentalists. They are all the more compelling because they come from supposed sympathetic critics. If these insiders cannot come to the defense of corrective justice - or worse still, if they are willing to join its detractors - why should anyone continue to take it seriously? In this article, I attempt to answer that question. In doing so, I not only point out the weaknesses in the insider critique, I present and defend an alternative, liberal justice theory of torts. This theory incorporates, but does not exclusively rely upon, corrective justice concepts. Instead, it argues that corrective justice is an integral part of a larger ethical and political system committed to protecting and promoting individual rights.
Student Views of Class Projects as Learning Experiences.

Group projects have long been an important element of higher education classes. Class projects involve additional cooperation and coordination among students. Student perceptions are an important f...
Effect of a pellagra-producing diet on herbivora.

SummaryLambs developed normally on a ration that causes cessation of growth and produces pellagra-like symptoms in pigs and black tongue in dogs. From this it appears that nicotinic acid is either not a dietary essential for this species or that the requirements are much lower than for the pig, dog, or human.
Responses of Tomato to Simulated and Real Herbivory by Tobacco Hornworm (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Damage by tobacco hornworm larvae, Manduca sexta (L.), was simulated with artificial clipping techniques. No significant change in photosynthesis per unit area of leaf was detected in response to damage by tobacco hornworm or clipping techniques. Whereas significant negative regressions were obtained between plant growth and percent defoliation, the effects of tobacco hornworm and clipping were not significantly different. Peak effects of defoliation on all growth parameters appeared on day 36, yet the effects were starting to diminish. The effects of each type of defoliation regime were not statistically different from each other for dry-weight accumulation within any plant part. Defoliation treatments caused reductions in total dry weight attributable to decreased accumulation, primarily within existing vegetative and root structures. Leaf dry-weight accumulation was the most sensitive aboveground variable to defoliation. Ecologists contemplating techniques to simulate herbivory are urged to compare real and simulated herbivory for specific variables of interest. Studies that address the adequacy of particular herbivore-model pairings may ultimately prove cost-effective and allow for proper testing of questions that cannot be addressed with real herbivory.
Abstract 3079: Loss of β2-spectrin may lead to the activation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and hepatocellular cancer formation

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Background and Aims: Telomerase is a specialized reverse transcriptase (TERT) that synthesizes repeat DNA sequences at telomeres- the specialized ends of chromosomes is suppressed in normal cells by multiple proteins that include TGF-β and Smad3 resulting in the progressive shortening of telomeres with each cell division, ultimately leading to chromosomal instability and cellular replicative senescence or growth arrest. Emerging evidence indicates that β2-spectrin (β2SP), a Smad3/Smad4 adaptor protein required for TGF-β signaling, is a powerful tumor suppressor. β2SP+/−, β2SP+/−/Smad3+/− and β2SP+/−/Smad4+/− mice dramatically develop Hepatic cancers. Because TERT is markedly activated in β2SP+/−/Smad3+/− hepatocellular cancer tissues compared to Smad3−/− tissues, we hypothesized that β2SP interaction could be involved in the interaction with Smad3 to suppress TERT expression in normal tissues, and the loss of β2SP may lead to telomerase gene activation resulting in HCC. Results: We tested human TERT (hTERT) expression levels in several HCC cell lines that have different levels of β2SP. hTERT expression levels negatively correlate with β2SP by Western Blot analysis. Loss of β2SP in β2SP+/− and β2SP−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) significantly activated mTERT expression. Co-transfection of a β2SP expression plasmid and hTERT promoter-luciferase construct significantly inhibited the hTERT promoter in β2SP-deficient SNU-398 cells. Depletion of Smad3 by in vitro RNAi and the expression of hTERT-luciferase in Smad3 depleted cells upon co-transfection with Smad3 and/or β2SP expression plasmids suggest that both Smad3 and β2SP are required for the suppression of hTERT. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay suggests binding of Smad3/β2SP protein to hTERT promoter. Conclusions: Taken together our data suggest that divergent pathways converge on β2SP and Smad3 for the regulation of TERT. Activation of the TGF-β signaling pathway with suppression of TERT provides a strong strategy for generating targeted therapeutics to these lethal human cancers. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3079.
Non-flattening Delta Front Sheet Sand--Evidence from Outcrops and Subsurface

Delta front sheet sand on Yanchang profiles is a sheet on a plane, it is a sand-shale interlayer vertically. Sandstone lenticular bodies of different sizes in distributary channels can be seen on the profiles. It is found by dissecting the delta front sheet sands in Daqing Oilfield that though it is at outer front facies belt, there exists obvious characteristics of a water course in sheet sands. Because lake basin delta is slightly influenced by waves and tides and is strongly influenced by rivers, thus the distributary channel is extended forward to the front end of delta, it looks like a flattening sheet sand, but actually different sizes of distributary channels are arranged on it. Delta front sheet sands superposed by symmetric or non-symmetric lenticular units with great wide-thick ratio are formed by the migration of the channels. The architectural analysis of the delta front sheet sands shows that a looking-like flattening and simple sheet sand are actually a complicated heterogeneous body, the heterogeneous changes of reservoir physical properties are controlled by the architectural structures of sandbodies with obvious hierarchical rules.
Summary on Power System Security Problems on 2004 IEEE PES Meeting and Recommendation for Developing Defence Measures

The latest research results of large-area blackouts and the defense measures proposed in the 2004 IEEE PES Meeting are summarized. In addition, the future trend of the development on this topic is analyzed. Suggestions for developing new technologies to prevent blackouts in China are presented.
Role of Subtypes of Rh in Hemolytic Transfusion Reactious and in Erythroblastosis

The occurrence of hemolytic transfusion reactions in patients receiving blood of their own group has been explained in the main by the demonstration of the role of the Rh factor. • 2 In the typical case, the patient is Rh-negative and becomes sensitized to the Rh factor either as a result of previous transfusions of Rh-positive blood or by pregnancy with an Rh-positive fetus. The existence of sensitization to the Rh factor can often be detected by demonstrating the presence of anti-Rh isoagglutinins in the patient's serum. However, in many cases, isoantibodies cannot be detected even though the patient has had a severe intragroup hemolytic reaction. That the Rh factor is nevertheless involved in the great majority of these instances has been established statistically, since up to 90 per cent of such patients are Rh-negative in contrast to the low incidence (about 15 per cent) of Rh-negative individuals in the general population..3,4,5,6 As I have shown before, moreover, while transfusions of Rh-positive blood cause hemolytic reactions, Rh-negative blood is well tolerated and beneficial in these instances. The cases in which the patient is Rh-positive offer a special problem, since here several alternative possibilities exist: (1) The hemolysis is not related to the transfusion at all but is coincidental and due to other hemolytic agents, e.g., sulfonamide therapy, hemolytic crisis of acholuric jaundice or sickle-cell anemia, etc. (2) The hemolysis is due to the use of a "dangerous universal donor". (3) Isoimmunization to some factor unrelated to Rh, e.g., A1; M or P, has occurred, and this is responsible for the reaction. The diagnosis of hemolytic transfusion reactions has been dealt with in detail in previous communications.' 8 ' 9 1 0 However, there still remains a group of cases of intragroup hemolytic transfusion reactions in which the patient is Rh-positive but has no demonstrable isoantibodies in the serum, so that the cause of the reactions is not apparent. The transfusion of compatible blood to infants with hemolytic disease of the newborn offers the identical problem, because in such instances the patients have been sensitized by the passage of maternal immune isoantibodies through the placenta. Here'also, as Levine et al.' have shown, and as has been amply corroborated by other workers,w. " . « . is, 19 ^ n e j ^ f a c t 0 r is the antigen involved in about 90 per cent of the cases. In fact, in hemolytic disease of the newborn the same problems arise as in intragroup hemolytic transfusion reactions, except that the former patients are passively, and the latter actively sensitized. Accordingly, findings with regard to the pathogenesis of erythroblastosis, obtained from the study of the patients with Rh-positive mothers, should be applicable also to the solution of the puzzling instances of intragroup
Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, status of knowledge, attitude and practice among residents in Shaoguan city

Objective To understand prevalence of hypertension and diabetes and investigation of knowledge attitude and practice Baseline among residents in Shaoguan city, provide background information to carry out the comprehensive prevention and control chronic diseases and effect assessment for community. Methods Using three phase stratified random sampling method, select 3 counties(city, area) in all 10 counties(city, area), select two towns / street in each county(city, area), select two village(house) appoint in each towns / street, randomly selected 70 households in each village(house) appoint,questionnaires and body measurements of residents aged 15 and above, survey data by SPSS software for statistical analysis.Results To investigate 778 family,total survey of 1 794 people.Shaoguan city aged 15 and above the permanent residents of hypertension, diabetes prevalence of 24.9%, 9.7%, the standardized prevalence of 21.1%, 6.4%. Hypertension, diabetes prevalence increased with age(P0.05), the hypertension prevalence was higher among males than females(P0.05). There was no statistically significant difference to hypertension, diabetes prevalence in different regions and between males and females(P0.05). Basic health knowledge awareness for an average of 34.6%. Health belief formation rate was 72.9%, to participate in regular physical exercise accounted for 45.1%. 13.8% smoking 5 or more cigarettes a day, excessive drinking for11.1%. Conclusion Hypertension, diabetes prevalence in a rising trend, must take strong effective measures to contain a high incidence of chronic disease situation as soon as possible.
Targeting BET bromodomain proteins in solid tumors.

// Vaibhav Sahai 1 , Amanda J. Redig 2 , Katharine A. Collier 3 , Frank D. Eckerdt 4 and Hidayatullah G. Munshi 3,4,5 1 Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 2 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 3 Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA 4 The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA 5 Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA Correspondence to: Hidayatullah G. Munshi, email: // Keywords : NUT midline carcinoma, breast and prostate cancers, lung cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, brain tumors Received : April 09, 2016 Accepted : May 29, 2016 Published : June 05, 2016 Abstract There is increasing interest in inhibitors targeting BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) proteins because of the association between this family of proteins and cancer progression. BET inhibitors were initially shown to have efficacy in hematologic malignancies; however, a number of studies have now shown that BET inhibitors can also block progression of non-hematologic malignancies. In this Review, we summarize the efficacy of BET inhibitors in select solid tumors; evaluate the role of BET proteins in mediating resistance to current targeted therapies; and consider potential toxicities of BET inhibitors. We also evaluate recently characterized mechanisms of resistance to BET inhibitors; summarize ongoing clinical trials with these inhibitors; and discuss potential future roles of BET inhibitors in patients with solid tumors.
Early changes in glucose utilization of individual tissues after endotoxin administration.

Administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin (100 micrograms/100 g, i.v.) to conscious rats induces transient hyperglycemia and a sustained increase in whole body glucose turnover. To identify the tissues responsible for the increase in glucose utilization, the glucose metabolic rate (Rg) of peripheral tissues was determined in vivo by the 2-deoxyglucose tracer technique during and after the hyperglycemic phase. Rg was markedly increased in spleen, liver, intestine, epidydimal fat, gastrocnemius muscle, and skin during the early hyperglycemic period (80 min after endotoxin) and remained elevated in the subsequent euglycemic period (220 min). Combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade, achieved by the primed continuous infusion of phentolamine and propranolol, prevented the transient hyperglycemia that followed endotoxin injection. Adrenergic blockade also prevented or considerably attenuated the early increases in tissue glucose utilization that were induced by endotoxin. The results indicate that the early increase in Rg can be mainly attributed to adrenergic stimulation and the resultant hyperglycemia, while the sustained elevation is due to mechanisms independent of hyperglycemia.
Enzymatic carboxyl methyl esterification of proteins: Studies on sickle erythrocyte membrane

It is increasingly evident that several covalent post-translational modifications of proteins play important regulatory roles in many cellular functions (Uy and Wold, 1977; Paik and Kim, 1980). These reactions occur on preformed proteins by group transfer reactions on specific amino acid side chains and thus have the capacity to modulate protein function post-synthetically. Among these modifications, carboxyl methylations of proteins are being studied in membranes of prokaryotes and eukaryotes in relation to their effects on membrane functions: Thus, the role of membrane methylation in motile bacteria has now been established as the biochemical sensory input signal in chemotactic action (Springer et al., 1979; Springer and Koshland, 1977). In the case of eukaryotes, methylation is studied in various membrane systems involving secretion/excitation and motility/chemotaxis (Diliberto et al., 1976b; Gagnon et al., 1979; O’Dea et al., 1978).
Grassroots for Hire: Participatory and policy impacts

Introduction The preceding chapters have developed an account of how civic and political change made possible the development of the field of public mobilization consultants. But while the evidence assembled thus far shows rather clearly that a market has indeed developed for these services and that these consultants are used widely by diverse organizations, the account has thus far left aside the question of the effectiveness of these campaigns in both mobilizing the public and also in generating policy change. Although the prevalence of these practices provides some indication that these grassroots campaigns are seen as effective, it remains possible that, like many other well-established organizational practices, usage is decoupled from efficacy. That is, organizations often adopt practices believed to be effective even when they may be fruitless or even counterproductive. Studies by scholars of social movements and organized advocacy draw attention to a variety of factors that tend to be influential in the mobilization and policy outcomes of grassroots campaigns: the resources that groups can bring to bear, their skill in making alliances with policy elites, and their ability to carefully craft and frame their message. Although these factors tend to be applied to informal citizen advocacy groups and those who lack routine access through existing channels of policy influence, I argue in this chapter that many of the same explanations can be applied to “grassroots for hire” campaigns in which elite political consultants target key public audiences for mobilization on behalf of their paying clients.
Rehabilitation Protocols After Isolated Meniscal Repair: A Systematic Review:

Background:Current postoperative rehabilitation protocols after isolated meniscal repair vary widely. No consensus exists with regard to the optimal amount of weightbearing, range of motion, or speed at which the patient progresses through the rehabilitation phases. Confounding factors including concomitant ligamentous or cartilaginous injuries have made studying isolated meniscal tears problematic.Purpose:To systematically review and evaluate the influence of range of motion and weightbearing status during the postoperative rehabilitation period after isolated meniscal repair on clinical efficacy and outcome scores.Study Design:Systematic review.Methods:A search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted. The selection criteria for inclusion were English-language in vivo clinical studies reporting on isolated meniscal repairs utilizing an arthroscopically assisted technique that outlined the postoperative rehabilitation protocol and included at least a 2-year foll...
Broad-sense heritability and genetic gain for powdery mildew resistance in multiple pseudo-F2 populations of flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida L.)

Abstract Powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe pulchra is one of the most destructive diseases of flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida L.). Control of powdery mildew relies heavily on chemical fungicides. Developing genetic resistance and planting powdery mildew resistant cultivars is a desirable long term control strategy for the disease. Information on inheritance characteristics associated with powdery mildew resistance in C. florida is needed to facilitate development of breeding strategies for a new generation of powdery mildew resistant cultivars. The objectives of this study were to determine broad-sense heritability, genetic gain and minimum number of effective genes associated with resistance to powdery mildew in C. florida. Progeny segregating for powdery mildew resistance were developed through controlled crosses between susceptible cultivar [Cherokee Princess (CP)], resistant selection (R14) and moderately resistant cultivars [MI9 and Cherokee Brave (CB)]. The parents and progeny were evaluated for resistance/susceptibility to powdery mildew under greenhouse conditions and estimates for broad-sense heritability, genetic gain and minimum number of effective genes was determined. Broad-sense heritability ranged from 60% to 88% while corresponding narrow-sense heritability ranged from 53% to 86.6%. The highest predicted genetic gain for powdery mildew resistance was obtained in the R14x CP (78%) and CB x MI9 (61%) crosses while the lowest genetic gain was observed in the CP x MI9 (34%) and MI9x CB (36%) crosses. These results indicate that CB x MI9 and R14x CP crosses are best parental lines for developing resistance to powdery mildew among the genotypes tested. Use of these parental lines and understanding the gene flow of resistance to powdery mildew in dogwoods will help researchers to develop a targeted breeding approach in generating new generation of resistant cultivars.
Malchow, Howard LeRoy History and International Relations: From the Ancient World to the 21st Century London: Bloomsbury Academic 328 pp., $35.95 ISBN 978-1-4411-0625-4 Publication Date: November 2015

This book is a critical examination of the discipline or purported political science of international relations (IR). Science is understood as universal knowledge with predictive power and potentia...
Achieving teaching quality in sub-Saharan Africa: empirical results from cascade training

Historically, teacher quality has been a continuing concern in any education system. Improving teacher quality lies at the heart of the goal to achieve quality education, which is also the focus of...
Isotonic contraction of temp-step activated muscle fibers with varied tonicity: effects of cell volume and the degree of activation

These studies on intact fibers describe the effects of calcium, ionic strength and volume on the contraction properties. The results provide firm evidence that cell volume affects the speed but not the force. On the other hand, sarcoplasnic ionic strength affects the force development, with no effect on unloaded speed of shortening. These results suggest that there are essential differences in the rate limiting steps for isometric and isotonic properties of the cross-bridge mechanism. The studies at various degrees of activation indicate that Ca acts as a simple “on-off” switch for cross-bridge activation, in intact fibers.
Proceedings of the ACM SIGCOMM workshop on Future directions in network architecture

Greetings, and welcome to the ACM SIGCOMM 2003 Workshop on Future Directions in Network Architecture.Our Call solicited contributions on the broad topic of new developments in network architecture-topics such as new architectural principles for complex, decentralized networks, the relationship of technical architecture to social and economic issues, architecture of highly scalable systems, architecting robustness and trustworthiness, and architectures for sensor-nets and similar data-driven networks were all fair game. We solicited papers in two phases-as dual submissions with the 2003 SIGCOMM conference, and in a second, later phase with a submission deadline in mid-March.The workshop received roughly 45 submissions, split nearly evenly between the two phases. Submission was anonymous, and papers were reviewed following the SIGCOMM conference rules for double-blindness and avoiding conflicts of interest. For those papers that originated as SIGCOMM conference dual submissions, reviewing was shared by the SIGCOMM and FDNA committees, with members of each acting as outside reviewers for the other.We accepted nine submissions as full papers, and invited the authors of six additional papers to present aspects of their work as short talks. The accepted full papers appear in these proceedings. Short talk presenters have prepared extended abstracts for distribution at the workshop and conference, and have also been invited to submit their papers, after the workshop discussions, to a fast-track review process for publication in SIGCOMM's newsletter, Computer Communication Review.
Sub-band-gap absorption in Ga 2 O 3

β-Ga2O3 is a transparent conducting oxide that, due to its large bandgap of 4.8 eV, exhibits transparency into the UV. However, the free carriers that enable the conductivity can absorb light. We study the effect of free carriers on the properties of Ga2O3 using hybrid density functional theory. The presence of free carriers leads to sub-band-gap absorption and a Burstein-Moss shift in the onset of absorption. We find that for a concentration of 1020 carriers, the Fermi level is located 0.23 eV above the conduction-band minimum. This leads to an increase in the electron effective mass from 0.27–0.28 me to 0.35–0.37 me and a sub-band-gap absorption band with a peak value of 0.6 × 103 cm–1 at 3.37 eV for light polarized along the x or z direction. Both across-the-gap and free-carrier absorption depend strongly on the polarization of the incoming light. We also provide parametrizations of the conduction-band shape and the effective mass as a function of the Fermi level.
Chapter 14 – Terrorism

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses terrorism, which is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom. The chapter distinguishes terrorism between international terrorism and domestic terrorism. Emergency response services may become involved in terrorist acts in two ways: by responding to any community emergency, whatever it causes, and may themselves become the object of terrorist acts or otherwise unwittingly become pawns in terrorist strategy. Response services can become the objects of terrorist violence for several diverse reasons as they are high-profile targets of opportunity, and are dependant to response in an emergency situation that makes them predictable and susceptible. Field operations necessarily entail physical disruptions of normal traffic flows and occupies the attention of other community services and the public where they can be used both as tactical bottlenecks, and feints in many-layered stratagem for city-wide destruction.
Perceived risks and enjoyment of access-based consumption: identifying barriers and motivations to fashion renting

Access-based consumption, a growing trend in today’s society, provides the consumer with an opportunity to have access to new and diverse products without the burden of ownership. As one form of access-based consumption in the fashion industry, fashion renting still lacks development and popularity. The purpose of this study is to identify how perceived risks and frugal shopping affect the attitudes, perceived enjoyment and further behavioral intention toward the adoption of fashion renting. An online survey was conducted with 452 participants in the United States. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The results confirmed the negative influences of three perceived risks (financial risk, performance risk, psychological risk) and the positive influences of frugal shopping on attitude toward and perceived enjoyment of fashion renting. Additionally, perceived enjoyment and attitudes were both found having positive influences on consumers’ intention toward fashion renting. This study contributes to existing literature by discovering the effects of perceived risks on attitude and perceived enjoyment of fashion renting and further fashion renting intentions. Managerial suggestions are also provided to promote fashion renting in the future.
Comparison of model and observed nearshore circulation

Results from a two-dimensional numerical model for nearshore circulation induced by waves and wind are compared with observations made during two storms at a beach on Lake Michigan. Model-input data include bathymetry, offshore wave characteristics, wind histories, and local water-level changes. The predicted locations of the breaker zone are in rough accord with those observed during the storms. Data for comparison with model results consist of wave and current observations across the surf zone, especially those acquired by using a towed, instrumented sled. The comparisons show that the model often predicts peak currents near the breaker zone quite well, but underestimates the decay of wave height and the strength of longshore currents across the surf zone. Wave breaking on the bar-trough beach structure prevalent in this study apparently is not well represented by the model. An improved breaking criterion, treatment of breaking waves as traveling bores, and inclusion of horizontal mixing of momentum might add to better simulation of surf-zone currents.
Metastases, Resectability, and Margins

Liver lesions, enlarged lymph nodes, and suspicious peritoneal nodules may be biopsied in an attempt to diagnose metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and help determine resectability. Small, radiologically inapparent liver metastases are often subcapsular and must be distinguished from benign liver lesions such as bile duct adenoma, bile duct hamartoma (von Meyenburg complex), focal scarring, or reactive bile duct proliferations.
Low-chloride versus high-chloride hypertonic solution for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage-related complications (The ACETatE trial): study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a life-threatening condition that results from a ruptured cerebral vessel. Cerebral edema and vasospasm are common complications and frequently require treatment with hypertonic solutions, in particular hypertonic sodium chloride (NaCl). We have previously shown that hyperchloremia in patients with aSAH given hypertonic NaCl is associated with the development of acute kidney injury (AKI), which leads to higher morbidity and mortality. Our current trial aims to study the effect of two hypertonic solutions with different chloride content on serum chloride concentrations in patients with aSAH who are at risk for AKI. A low ChloridE hyperTonic solution for brain Edema (ACETatE) is a single center, double-blinded, double-dummy pilot trial comparing bolus doses of 23.4% NaCl and 16.4% NaCl/Na-Acetate for the treatment of cerebral edema in patients with aSAH. All patients will be enrolled within 36 h following admission. Randomization will occur once patients who receive hypertonic treatment for cerebral edema develop hyperchloremia (serum Cl− concentration ≥ 109 mmol/L). Subsequent treatment will consist of either NaCl 23.4% or NaCl/Na-Acetate 16.4%. The primary outcome of this study will be the change in serum Cl− concentrations during treatment. Secondary outcomes will include incidence of AKI, mortality, changes in intracranial pressure, and extent of hypernatremia. In patients with aSAH, hyperchloremia is a known risk factor for subsequent development of AKI. The primary goal of this pilot study is to determine the effect of two hypertonic solutions with different Cl− content on serum Cl− concentrations in patients with aSAH who have already developed hyperchloremia. Data will be collected prospectively to determine the extent to which the choice of hypertonic saline solution affects subsequent serum Cl− concentrations and the occurrence of AKI. This approach will allow us to obtain preliminary data to design a large randomized trial assessing the effects of chloride-sparing hypertonic solutions on development of AKI in patients with SAH. This pilot study is the first to prospectively evaluate the relationship between hypertonic solution chloride content and its effect on serum electrolytes and renal function in aSAH patients at risk of AKI due to hyperchloremia. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03204955 . Registered on 28 June 2017.
Understanding Biophotocurrent Generation in Photosynthetic Purple Bacteria

Establishing an efficient extracellular electron transfer (EET) process between photoelectroactive microorganisms and an electrode surface is critical for the development of photobioelectrocatalysis. Soluble and immobilized redox mediators have been applied with the purple bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus for this purpose. However, detailed information on its EET with an electrode surface is not available and, therefore, choice of mediators has been by trial and error. Herein, we experimentally evaluated the capability of different soluble, quinone-based redox mediators to support EET and compared the experimental data with a computational model based on density functional theory calculations. We show that computed electrochemical redox properties of redox mediators in a lipophilic environment correlate to EET processes of Rhodobacter capsulatus, suggesting that intermembrane mediator characteristics are more diagnostic than redox properties of the mediators in an aqueous solution, and that the limiting e...
Unlocked disinfection by-product formation potential upon exposure of swimming pool water to additional stimulants

Anthropogenic organics are known to be responsible for the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in swimming pool water (SPW). The research explored an important scenario of SPW with no additional anthropogenic organic input. With stimulations by residual chlorine or additional chlorine and extended incubation, the formation of DBPs, especially chloroform, was significantly induced. Similar observations were found by investigating synthetic SPW made with sweat and urine. The presence of urine led to a massive formation of chloroform, as noted by an approximate 19-fold increase after 165-day incubation with a shock chlorine dose. The research suggests that consistent residual chlorine and long water retention as two typical features of SPW could unlock the DBP formation potential of anthropogenic organics. Thus, limiting the introduction of anthropogenic organics may not have an immediate effect on reducing DBP levels, because their reactions with chlorine can be slow and long-lasting. Pool management should prioritize on control of urine and improving air ventilation. This work is useful to deepen understandings about DBP formation in SPW and provide implications for pool management and prospective legislation.
Locoregional Cancer Recurrence after Breast Reconstruction: Detection, Management, and Secondary Reconstructive Strategies.

Background Locoregional recurrence of the previously reconstructed breast poses a diagnostic and operative challenge. This study examines detection, management, and reconstructive strategies of locoregional recurrence following postmastectomy breast reconstruction. Methods A retrospective review of records was performed on patients treated within the health system for breast cancer from January of 2000 to July of 2014. Of these patients, descriptive factors and operative details were collected for those that developed locoregional recurrence. Subsequent reconstructive operations were also examined. Using a multidisciplinary team, a surveillance/management algorithm was generated. Results A total of 41 patients with locoregional recurrence were identified (mean time to recurrence, 4.6 years). Two- and 5-year survival following locoregional recurrence was 88 percent and 39 percent, respectively. Locoregional recurrence was found to occur in the following tissue planes: subcutaneous (27 percent), subcutaneous/pectoralis (24 percent), chest wall (37 percent), and axillary (12 percent). The most frequent method of detection was patient concern leading to examination. Older age at the time of locoregional recurrence (p = 0.028), increased time to recurrence/detection (p = 0.024), and chemotherapy before locoregional recurrence (p = 0.014) were associated with the need for a secondary salvage flap. Patients who experienced a subcutaneous recurrence were far less likely to undergo a secondary flap (p = 0.011). Factors associated with loss of the index reconstruction included lower body mass index (p = 0.009), pectoralis invasion (p = 0.05), and implant reconstruction (p = 0.03). Conclusions Detection and management of locoregional recurrence requires appropriate physical examination and imaging. Significant factors associated with failure to salvage the initial reconstruction included body mass index, plane of recurrence, and type of initial reconstruction. Clinical question/level of evidence Risk, III.
Transport and transformations of organic chemicals in the soil-air-water ecosystem

The dissemination of soil-applied organic compounds through the environment stems in large part from the old concept of soil as a safe waste repository. The early conventional wisdom assumed that organic chemicals would either degrade into harmless byproducts as a result of microbial or chemical reactions, immobilize completely by binding to soil solids, or volatilize to the atmosphere where dilution to harmless levels was assured. This false assurance led to years of agricultural chemical use and chemical waste disposal with no monitoring of soil, atmosphere, or groundwater in the vicinity of application or storage sites.
Scaling R Shiny Apps to Multiple Concurrent Users in a Secured HPC Environment Using Open OnDemand

Open OnDemand is an open source project to provide web based access to HPC resources (https://openondemand.org). OnDemand's "Interactive Apps" support launching web applications like Jupyter and RStudio on cluster compute nodes, proxying HTTP requests to those apps, and secure user separation of both app and data access enforced at the OS level [5]. This paper describes leveraging OnDemand to enable the deployment of R Shiny applications that can be launched in OnDemand's interactive HPC environment by multiple analysts at the same time to visualize different datasets. Dataset and app authorization is managed using network file system (NFS) file access lists (ACLs). A custom OnDemand app was built to enable admins to manage who has access to specific apps and what datasets can be loaded by those apps. By using OnDemand to facilitate the use of an HPC batch scheduler as the process manager and OnDemand as the proxy we can support multiple analysts launching Shiny apps to access their data in a scalable and secure manner without the need for managing a separate dedicated installation of RStudio or Shiny Server.
Speaking Clearly for Older Adults with Normal Hearing: The Role of Speaking Rate.

Purpose Talkers typically use a slow speaking rate when producing clear speech, a speaking style that has been widely shown to improve intelligibility over conversational speech in difficult commun...
Graphene Size and Morphology: Peculiar Effects on Damping Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites

Nanomaterials with their extremely high free surfaces can effectively augment damping in nanocomposites via frictional sliding along the interface of nanomaterials and a matrix. Despite this potential, existing state of knowledge about the damping behavior of graphene reinforced nanocomposites is at an embryonic stage. In particular, it is not clear how various morphological parameters of graphene contribute to damping. We aim to reveal the mechanical damping behavior of graphene-reinforced polymer nanocomposites as a function of the surface morphology of graphene nanoplatelets through combined experiments and continuum modeling. The vibrational damping behavior of graphene nanocomposites was studied via dynamic mechanical analysis via cycling tension-compression tests. Two graphene types, “single-layer graphene” (SLG) and “graphene nanoplatelets” (GNP), with different aspect ratios in polystyrene (PS) matrix were used. We developed a micromechanical model which relates damping in nanocomposites to filler-matrix frictional sliding. The experimental work demonstrated that the addition of GNP will increase the damping properties of the nanocomposites by up to ~70%. The model predictions for PS-GNP were in good agreement with experimental data. However, contrary to the model predictions, the damping coefficient of nanocomposites with lower aspect ratio particles (PS-SLG) was lower than PS-GNP. Further experimental studies showed that the surface roughness of the SLG (owed to their small thickness) has a negative effect on damping properties as they delay interfacial debonding and frictional sliding. Flat (less rough) graphene triggers intrinsic friction mechanism earlier and may be more beneficial to enhance damping. Surface undulation of the nanoparticles, which can happen for atomically thin particles, will delay damping.
Representation of molecular structures with persistent homology for machine learning applications in chemistry

Machine learning and high-throughput computational screening have been valuable tools in accelerated first-principles screening for the discovery of the next generation of functionalized molecules and materials. The application of machine learning for chemical applications requires the conversion of molecular structures to a machine-readable format known as a molecular representation. The choice of such representations impacts the performance and outcomes of chemical machine learning methods. Herein, we present a new concise molecular representation derived from persistent homology, an applied branch of mathematics. We have demonstrated its applicability in a high-throughput computational screening of a large molecular database (GDB-9) with more than 133,000 organic molecules. Our target is to identify novel molecules that selectively interact with CO2. The methodology and performance of the novel molecular fingerprinting method is presented and the new chemically-driven persistence image representation is used to screen the GDB-9 database to suggest molecules and/or functional groups with enhanced properties. The choice of molecular representations can severely impact the performances of machine-learning methods. Here the authors demonstrate a persistence homology based molecular representation through an active-learning approach for predicting CO2/N2 interaction energies at the density functional theory (DFT) level.
Tolerance and Intolerance in the History of Religious Liberty Jurisprudence in the United States and the Implementation of RFRA and RLUIPA

Although a grand secularization theory with its assumed secularization-toleration nexus gained prominence in the mid-twentieth century, the history of the relationship of secularization and toleration in the United States is more complex. Religious actors and others have wielded and shaped the law, swinging the secularization-desecularization pendulum over time in response to major demographic and ideational shifts. Such actors have participated in structural changes that eventually supported a pluralizing project since the late twentieth century, which has advanced religious liberty, particularly with the enactment of two statutes: RFRA and RLUIPA. This chapter explores how tensions involving the meaning and scope of toleration, religious liberty, and secularization-desecularization in the U.S. converge in this jurisprudential history.
A Strategy for the Exact Solution of Multiparametric/Explicit Quadratically Constrained NMPC Problems

Abstract Multiparametric programming has proven to be an efficient strategy to alleviate the computational burden of solving model predictive control problems online. Recently, it has been shown that through a second-order Taylor approximation to the Basic Sensitivity Theorem, the exact solution of multiparametric/explicit quadratically constrained nonlinear model predictive control problems is enabled. As a result, the state space is nonlinearly partitioned, and the optimal control actions are expressed as nonlinear functions of the states of the system. In this work, an algorithm for the complete exploration of the parameter space and the derivation of the parametric solution of the aforementioned problem is provided. The proposed strategy is utilized to implicitly explore the parameter space by identifying the unique and optimal active sets which describe the parametric solution. The applicability of the presented methodology is demonstrated on a regulation problem of a nonisothermal continuously-stirred tank reactor near an unstable steady-state.
Introduction of robotic surgery does not negatively affect cardiothoracic surgery resident experience

The objective of this study was to evaluate the educational impact following the implementation of a robotic thoracic surgery program on cardiothoracic (CT) surgery trainees. We hypothesized that the introduction of a robotic thoracic surgery program would adversely affect the CT surgery resident experience, decreasing operative involvement and subsequent competency of surgical procedures. CT surgery residents and thoracic surgery attendings from a single academic institution were administered a recurring, electronic survey from September 2019 to September 2020 following each robotic thoracic surgery case. Surveys evaluated resident involvement and operative performance. This study was exempt from review by our Institutional Review Board. Attendings and residents completed surveys for 86 and 75 cases, respectively. Residents performed > 50% of the operation independently at the surgeon console in 66.2 and 73.3% of cases according to attending and resident responses, respectively. The proportion of trainees able to perform > 75% of the operation increased with each increasing year in training (p = 0.002). Based on the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills grading tool, third-year residents averaged higher scores compared to first-year residents (22.9 versus 17.4 out of 30 possible points, p < 0.001), indicating that more extensive prior operative experience could shorten the learning curve of robotic thoracic surgery. CT surgery residents remain actively involved in an operative role during the establishment of a robotic thoracic surgery program. The transition to a robotic thoracic surgery platform appears feasible in a large academic setting without jeopardizing the educational experience of resident trainees.
Revolution in Syria: Identity, Networks, and Repression

How does protest advancing diverse claims turn into violent conflict occurring primarily along ethnic lines? This book examines that question in the context of Syria, drawing insight from the evolution of conflict at the local level. Kevin Mazur shows that the challenge to the Syrian regime did not erupt neatly along ethnic boundaries, and that lines of access to state-controlled resources played a critical structuring role; the ethnicization of conflict resulted from failed incumbent efforts to shore up network ties and the violence that the Asad regime used to crush dissent by challengers excluded from those networks. Mazur uses variation in the political and demographic characteristics of locales to explain regime strategies, the roles played by local intermediaries, the choice between non-violent and violent resistance, and the salience of ethnicity. By drawing attention to cross-ethnic ties, the book suggests new strategies for understanding ostensibly ethnic conflicts beyond Syria.