cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproducing vulnerability: a Bourdieuian analysis of readers who struggle in neoliberal times

AbstractThe neoliberal agenda promotes education as a route toward success in university and career. However, a neoliberal economy requires large numbers of workers willing to accept low-paying, dead-end jobs. The students most likely to take these jobs are those who have struggled with literacy and so schools must, in Bourdieu’s terms, re/produce, vulnerable readers. This paper tracks the ways in which the neoliberal economy depends on these readers and how schools participate in this process of re/production: from educational policy, to instructional context, to reader identity. In contrast, from a radical democratic viewpoint, the primary goal of schooling is civic engagement and such engagement is bolstered by universal literacy. The paper concludes with alternatives in the realms of policy and classroom practice that are more likely to support teachers and students and foster radical democratic views.
Spectral Geometry of Riemannian Foliations

Throughout this chapter M is oriented, closed and Δg is the Laplacian associated to a metric g on M. All this will not be explicitly stated as a hypothesis in our theorems below.
The application of a modified Blech product to aluminum-based metallization for increased current density

An investigation into the Blech effect on aluminum-based metallization shows that modifying the Blech product (jL) to j2L allows electromigration lifetimes for short line segments to be extrapolated to operating conditions. The use of this modified Blech product in calculating current acceleration provides good correlation with n from Black's equation.
Effects of Acute and Chronic Treatments with Dopamine D2 and D3 Receptor Ligands on Cocaine versus Food Choice in Rats.

Dopamine D3 receptor ligands are potential medications for psychostimulant addiction. Medication assessment may benefit from preclinical studies that evaluate chronic medication effects on choice between an abused drug and an alternative, nondrug reinforcer. This study compared acute and chronic effects of dopamine D2- and D3-preferring ligands on choice between intravenous cocaine and palatable food in rats. Under baseline conditions, cocaine maintained dose-dependent increases in cocaine choice and reciprocal decreases in food choice. Acutely, the D2 agonist R-(−)-norpropylapomorphine (NPA) and antagonist L-741,626 [3-[[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-l-yl]methyl-1H-indole] produced leftward and rightward shifts in cocaine dose-effect curves, respectively, whereas the partial agonist terguride had no effect. All three drugs dose-dependently decreased food-maintained responding. Chronically, the effects of R-(−)-norpropylapomorphine and L-741,626 on cocaine self-administration showed marked tolerance, whereas suppression of food-reinforced behavior persisted. Acute effects of the D3 ligands were less systematic and most consistent with nonselective decreases in cocaine- and food-maintained responding. Chronically, the D3 agonist PF-592,379 [5-[(2R,5S)-5-methyl-4-propylmorpholin-2-yl]pyridin-2-amine] increased cocaine choice, whereas an intermediate dose of the D3 antagonist PG01037 [N-[(E)-4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]but-2-enyl]-4-pyridin-2-ylbenzamide] produced a therapeutically desirable decrease in cocaine choice early in treatment; however, tolerance to this effect developed, and lower and higher doses were ineffective. D3 ligands failed to significantly modify total cocaine intake but caused persistent decreases in food intake. Thus, D2-and D3-preferring ligands showed distinct profiles, consistent with different pharmacological actions. In addition, these results highlight the role of acute versus chronic treatment as a determinant of test drug effects. With the possible exception of the D3 antagonist PG01037, no ligand was promising in terms of cocaine addiction treatment.
CARMAN G. BLOUGH'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACCOUNTING: AN OVERVIEW

A focus on the years of Carman G. Blough's life in which he made significant contributions to the accounting profession.
Enrollment and Retention in 34 United States Pregnancy Registries Contrasted With the Manufacturer's Capture of Spontaneous Reports for Exposed Pregnancies

Pregnancy registries and spontaneous reports are essential pharmacovigilance tools to evaluate drug safety during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate postmarket capture of exposed pregnancies. Pregnancy registries for drugs and biologics were identified in a systematic review. Through a standardized questionnaire, manufacturers provided information on (1) pregnancy registry enrollment and retention, and (2) worldwide receipt of spontaneous reports for exposed pregnancies. A validated algorithm for live-birth pregnancies allowed calculation of exposure rates per 100,000 live births using claims data. Among 34 products with a pregnancy registry, median (interquartile range) registry enrollment was 36 pregnancies (5–258) and median spontaneous report capture was 450 pregnancies (89–1192). Products used in >20/100,000 live births had a median registry enrollment of 490 pregnancies and median capture of 1061 spontaneously reported exposed pregnancies. Lower median registry enrollment and spontaneous report capture was observed for products used in 0.5–20/100,000 live births (36 from registries, 541 spontaneous reports) and <0.5/100,000 live births (3 from registries, 41 spontaneous reports). Among 24 registries enrolling ≥10 pregnancies, median capture of pregnancy outcomes (e.g. live birth, spontaneous abortion) was 83.9%. For 19 registries enrolling ≥10 infants, the median proportion of infants achieving protocol-specified follow-up was 89.9% for up to 4 weeks post-birth, 75.0% for 1–5 months, and 57.1% for ≥6 months. Relatively higher product utilization among pregnant women predicted greater pregnancy registry enrollment. For products rarely used during pregnancy, registry enrollment was low and differences in registry enrollment compared with worldwide spontaneous report receipt were most pronounced. Products with very low utilization levels during pregnancy may require a combination of worldwide pharmacovigilance, pregnancy registries, and additional study methods to achieve adequate surveillance.
Effect of Particulate Matter Mineral Composition on Environmentally Persistent Free Radical (EPFR) Formation

Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs) are newly discovered, long-lived surface bound radicals that form on particulate matter and combustion borne particulates, such as fly ash. Human exposure to such particulates lead to translocation into the lungs and heart resulting in cardio-vascular and respiratory disease through the production of reactive oxygen species. Analysis of some waste incinerator fly ashes revealed a significant difference between their EPFR contents. Although EPFR formation occurs on the metal domains, these differences were correlated with the altering concentration of calcium and sulfur. To analyze these phenomena, surrogate fly ashes were synthesized to mimic the presence of their major mineral components, including metal oxides, calcium, and sulfur. The results of this study led to the conclusion that the presence of sulfates limits formation of EPFRs due to inhibition or poisoning of the transition metal active sites necessary for their formation. These findings provide a pathway toward understanding differences in EPFR presence on particulate matter and uncover the possibility of remediating EPFRs from incineration and hazardous waste sites.
Primary Adrenal Failure in the Emergency Department.

Abstract Background Primary adrenal failure is considered to be an extremely rare disease presenting in the ED, with an incidence reported to be as low as 50 cases per 1,000,000 persons (Klauer, 2017). I would like to present a case of a young man who presented to the ED, with what I suspected to be this rare entity. Case report A 26 year old otherwise healthy male presented to our ED with complaints of weakness, nausea, vomiting, and hiccups of 1.5-day duration. He also complained of lightheadedness, describing it as if he was going to pass out. Other than slight tachycardia (100) and darkened skin, his physical exam, ROS, PMH, Family and Social History, were all unremarkable. His sodium returned at 111, and he was later noted to become more confused in the ED prompting the emergent use of Hypertonic Saline. Why should an emergency physician be aware of this? Albeit a rare disease entity, EPs need to keep this life threatening disease process in the back of their minds when presented with a patient with vague symptoms such as weakness or fatigue, electrolyte abnormalities and darkening of their skin.
Comparison of shear velocity dispersion in viscoelastic phantoms measured by ultrasound-based shear wave elastography and magnetic resonance elastography

Pathological processes in soft tissues cause changes in mechanical properties. Elastography methods have emerged to make quantitative measurements of the shear modulus or shear wave velocity (SWV) as a noninvasive way to provide diagnostic information. In an effort to standardize ultrasound-based measurements of SWV, the Radiological Society of North America Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance (RSNA QIBA) has established working groups to develop profiles for different biomarkers including the use of SWS for staging of patients with liver fibrosis. To understand how ultrasound-based measurements vary with tissue viscoelasticity, measurements were made in viscoelastic phantoms with ultrasound-based shear wave elastography (US-SWE) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) over a wide frequency range. Three different viscoelastic phantoms were tested with US-SWE and MRE and analysis was considered over a range of frequencies (60–600 Hz). MRE was performed with an electro-mechanical driver driven with continuous vibration at various frequencies. Shear wave motion was measured with a phase-sensitive pulse sequence and the complex modulus and SWS at each frequency was estimated. The SWV in each phantom were fit with a power-law. US-SWE was performed with a Verasonics system and curved array transducer. An acoustic radiation force push of 800 μs was focused at 30, 45, and 70 mm and shear wave motion was measured and two-dimensional Fourier analysis was used to measure SWS dispersion. The agreement was generally good and the percent differences for a focal depth of 45 mm ranged from − 6.35–11.99% over the range of 60–300 Hz. The results for a focal depth of 30 mm had percent differences ranging from −4.37–12.17% from 60–300 Hz, and for a focal depth of 70 mm −1.05–16.46% from 80–200 Hz. The percent differences were typically above 15% at frequencies of 400–600 Hz. These measurements showed very good agreement between US-SWE and MRE methods in viscoelastic phantoms as MRE is being considered as a QIBA reference standard for US-SWE methods for liver SWE measurements.
The study of process and the nature of explanation in developmental science.

The question of “how” occupies center stage in the explanatory efforts of developmental science and establishes the study of process as the field's defining mission. In line with this mission, rece...
THE EFFECT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA ON IN-HOSPITAL OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Although association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and atrial fibrillation (AF) is known, there is scarce evidence about the outcomes of patients with OSA hospitalized for atrial fibrillation Retrospective analysis using the 2014 Nationwide Inpatient Sample identifying patients with a
A Hispanic mother’s beliefs about stuttering aetiology: A systemic functional linguistic analysis

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to identify the linguistic resources a Hispanic mother used to convey her beliefs about the aetiology of her adult son’s stuttering. A qualitative research paradigm was adopted for data collection and analysis. An Ecuadorian mother and her adult son who stutters recorded a conversation in Spanish about the son’s stuttering. Tools derived from systemic functional linguistic (SFL) theory were used to analyse conversation transcripts and to describe the word choices and sentence structures the mother used to talk about her son’s stuttering. The mother deflected community-assigned blame for causing her son’s stuttering by configuring her ‘strong’ temperament as a separate, uncontrollable entity. She structured the pervasiveness of stigma, lack of resources and misinformation within the community as causes for her inability to identify and seek help for her son’s stuttering, which also served as a means for deflecting blame. SFL-based analyses were appropriate tools for the in...
Unscheduled DNA Synthesis in Hamster Tracheal Epithelium Exposed in Vitro to Chemical Carcinogens and Environmental Pollutants

The Syrian golden hamster has been used extensively for studies of respiratory carcinogenesis (Saffiotti, 1969; Nettesheim, 1972; Becci et al., 1978). Using organ cultures of the target tissue (i.e., respiratory epithelium) obtained from the hamster, a middle ground has been established between animal experiments and the use of cell cultures for carcinogenesis research (Saffiotti and Harris, 1979). Metabolic studies on environmental chemical carcinogens have been conducted with tracheas of hamsters (Harris et al., 1973; Kaufman et al., 1974). Some carcinogens can be metabolically activated in the tracheal epithelium, and their interaction with cellular macromolecules can be localized at the molecular level by biochemical techniques or at the cellular level by autoradiography. Studies in cultured human bronchus have shown that the metabolic pathway leading to the major benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P)-DNA adducts is similar to that found in hamsters (Harris et al., 1978). Sixty-five percent of the B(a)P bound to DNA in human cells was removed after 10 days in culture. Since a variety of mammalian cells, including human, can repair damage to DNA caused by chemical carcinogens, it was speculated that DNA repair was responsible for this observation. Thus, by using hamster tracheas in organ culture maintaining specific metabolic enzymes, we may obtain a system relating to human respiratory carcinogenesis that is useful for screening environmental chemicals and complex mixtures capable of damaging DNA.
On the behavior of slackline webbings under dynamic loads and the simulation of leash falls

Slackline is a new and rapidly expanding sport, which has had minimal research published on it in terms of sport physics and engineering. Slackline dynamics strongly depend upon the elastic respons...
Examining the relationship between educational attainment and recovery of adults with serious mental illnesses.

Objective The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between education and recovery-oriented outcomes among adults with serious mental illnesses (SMIs). Method Data from 623 adults with SMIs were combined from 6 separate studies, using baseline measures prior to any intervention. An independent samples t test was conducted on recovery scores and overall quality of life (QOL) to compare participants with more than high school education to those with less. Additionally, a multivariate analysis of variance was run on each of the individual items of the QOL index to further investigate differences in QOL by education group. Results Contrary to expectations, individuals with higher levels of educational attainment reported lower scores on recovery and several domains compared with individuals with lower levels of educational attainment. Conclusions and implications for practice The results of the current study indicate that people with SMIs with higher educational attainment may actually be at greater risk for experiencing poor recovery-oriented outcomes. Rehabilitation efforts should focus not only on increasing educational attainment, but managing other factors that potentially interfere with recovery, such as self-stigma and demoralization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Rabbit Model of Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy Toxicity Demonstrates Retinopathy and Vasculopathy Related to Drug and Dose, Not Procedure or Approach.

Purpose To use our intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) rabbit model to assess the impact of IAC procedure, drug, dose, and choice of technique on ocular structure and function, to study the nature and etiology of IAC toxicity, and to compare to observations in patients. Methods Rabbits received IAC melphalan (0.4-0.8 mg/kg), carboplatin (25-50 mg), or saline, either by direct ophthalmic artery cannulation, or with a technique emulating nonocclusion. Ocular structure/function were assessed with examination, electroretinography (ERG), fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography, prior to and 5 to 6 weeks after IAC. Blood counts were obtained weekly. We reviewed our last 50 IAC treatments in patients for evidence of ocular or systemic complications. Results No toxicity was seen in the saline control group. With standard (0.4 mg/kg) melphalan, no vascular/microvascular abnormalities were seen with either technique. However, severe microvascular pruning and arteriolar occlusions were seen occasionally at 0.8 mg/kg doses. ERG reductions were dose-dependent. Histology showed melphalan dose-dependent degeneration in all retinal layers, restricted geographically to areas of greatest vascular density. Carboplatin caused massive edema of ocular/periocular structures. IAC patients experienced occasional periocular swelling/rash, and only rarely experienced retinopathy or vascular events/hemorrhage in eyes treated multiple times with triple (melphalan/carboplatin/topotecan) therapy. Transient neutropenia occurred after 46% of IAC procedures, generally after triple therapy. Conclusions IAC toxicity appears to be related to the specific drug being used and is dose-dependent, rather than related to the IAC procedure itself or the specific technique selected. These rabbit findings are corroborated by our clinical findings in patients.
Risks and Benefits of Opioid Use in Treatment of Chronic/Cancer Pain in Patients with Substance Use Disorder

Moderate-to-severe pain normally warranting consideration of opioid analgesics may occur in patients with substance use disorder (SUD) or an SUD history. If opioid analgesics are considered, consideration should also be given to enhanced monitoring practices during the course of pain management. Additionally, care should be coordinated with providers of SUD-related care, such as therapists and other mental health consultants, and prescribers of medication-assisted therapies (e.g. naltrexone, buprenorphine, methadone).
Difficult Asthma: Unmet Needs and Future Directions

Despite advances in asthma management, many patients continue to suffer from uncontrolled asthma. In the United States alone, ten patients per day die from asthma, and for several decades, the prevalence and economic burden of asthma have been increasing. This has placed greater emphasis on the need to develop new therapeutic approaches to control asthma that are also cost-effective. Evidence indicates that asthma is a heterogeneous disease; therefore, a “one-size-fits-all” approach may not be effective in all patients. The availability of new anti-IL5 biologics has made a significant progress in treating severe eosinophilic asthma (type 2); however, no such therapies have been developed to target non-eosinophilic asthma (non-type 2). In addition, a subset of these type 2 asthma patients continues to have exacerbations despite treatments targeting IL5. Therefore, there is a significant unmet need for identifying different asthma phenotypes and developing precision medicine therapies targeting each phenotype to improve patient outcomes. One such approach could be based on an “omics” diagnostic panel to stratify patients’ molecular phenotypes and consider targeted treatments based on these phenotypes. Additional approaches to optimize asthma control include developing novel therapeutics, new technologies to aid in asthma management, and more effective and safer drug delivery systems.
Feasibility of a Critical Care Ultrasound Curriculum Delivered Through Facebook.

Purpose To investigate the feasibility of adjunct critical care ultrasound (CCUS) curriculum via Facebook, and evaluate its impact on fellow's interest and knowledge acquisition. Materials and methods All University of Southern California (USC), Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine (PCCM) fellows were provided the usual CCUS curriculum. The intervention group provided access to an adjunct CCUS curriculum delivered via Facebook. Results Out of a total of 21 fellows, 10 (47.6%) participated in the Facebook group. The mean number of posts viewed was 24 with a range of 8 to 36 (total 41). Of those who responded, 56% responded Facebook was effective, 89% felt the content was moderate to very useful, 56% responded it enhanced their CCUS education, and 44% stated it motivated them to learn. Pre- and post-testing was done using paired t-tests; the average pre and post-intervention raw score means (of a total of 41 questions) for controls were 35.4±2.9 and 38.2±1.75 (p=0.005). Intervention scores were 37.56±1.94 and 38.0±1.50 (=0.602). Conclusions Evaluating the feasibility of the adjunct CCUS curriculum using social media, we found that Facebook may be acceptable to fellows, however, there was no significant improvement in knowledge. For learners, social media is easily accessible, widely available, and may motivate increased interest in learning and its potential uses warrants further study.
Quantitative Recovery of 14C-labeled Carbon Monoxide (14CO) From Viable Heme-labeled Red Blood Cells in the Rat

Long-term recovery of 14C-labeled carbon monoxide (14CO) from labeled, transfused red blood cells (RBC) was studied in buffalo rats. Donor RBC (labeled with 14C-2-glycine) were transfused into host rats, and the 14CO formed from degradation of labeled hemoglobin heme was collected over the next 110+ days. The heme-equivalent 14CO recovery in 13 animals averaged 102.1 ± 2.1% (mean ± SE) of activity in hemoglobin heme of donor RBC. This confirms that heme of circulating RBC destroyed by random hemolysis and senescence is quantitatively converted to CO.
The Power of a Hymn

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph. "Growing up I attended a Roman Catholic parish that was relatively small. I knew the people that went to my parish my whole life. The comfortable atmosphere at my church was created from a lifetime of Sundays. When I came to Fisher my freshman year, I would see familiar faces at mass in Murphy Chapel. Upon graduating from Fisher in May of 2010, I decided to take an internship at Disney World in Orlando. For the first time I was in an unfamiliar place where I didn‟t know a soul. I had a difficult time finding a church because they were scarce. Orlando is a tourist area, so there are mainly attractions like malls, restaurants and amusement park and few living necessities like churches, post offices and Laundromats." This alumni corner is available in Verbum: http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/verbum/vol8/iss2/13
Alkaline-Earth Rare-Earth Upconverting Nanoparticles as Bio-Compatible Mechanical Force Sensors

We measure the color ratio-metric response of alkaline-earth rare-earth upconverting nanoparticles with a diamond anvil cell. We find ensembles of SrLuF particles detect 32.8 MPa in pressure change corresponding to 24 nN of force.
Experiments in the EpiDerm 3D Skin In Vitro Model and Minipigs In Vivo Indicate Comparatively Lower In Vivo Skin Sensitivity of Topically Applied Aneugenic Compounds.

Risk management of in vitro aneugens for topically applied compounds is not clearly defined because there is no validated methodology to accurately measure compound concentration in proliferating stratum basale keratinocytes of the skin. Here, we experimentally tested several known aneugens in the EpiDermTM reconstructed human skin in vitro micronucleus assay and compared the results to flow cytometric mechanistic biomarkers (phospho-H3; MPM2, DNA content). We then evaluated similar biomarkers (Ki-67, nuclear area) using immunohistochemistry in skin sections of minipigs following topical exposure the potent aneugens, colchicine and hesperadin. Data from the EpiDerm™ model showed positive micronucleus responses for all aneugens tested following topical or direct media dosing with similar sensitivity when adjusted for applied dose. Quantitative benchmark dose-response analysis exhibited increases in the mitotic index biomarkers phospho-H3 and MPM2 for tubulin binders and polyploidy for aurora kinase inhibitors are at least as sensitive as the micronucleus endpoint. By comparison, the aneugens tested did not induce histopathological changes, increases in Ki-67 immunolabeling or nuclear area in skin sections from the in vivo minipig study at doses in significant excess of those eliciting a response in vitro. Results indicate the EpiDermTM in vitro micronucleus assay is suitable for the hazard identification of aneugens. The lack of response in the minipig studies indicates that the barrier function of the minipig skin, which is comparable to human skin, protects from the effects of aneugens in vivo. These results provide a basis for conducting additional studies in the future to further refine this understanding.
The association of vertically integrated care with health care use and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether vertically integrated hospital and skilled nursing facility (SNF) care is associated with more efficient use of postdischarge care and better outcomes. DATA SOURCES Medicare provider, beneficiary, and claims data from 2012 to 2014. STUDY DESIGN We compared facility characteristics, quality of care, and health care use for hospital-based SNFs and "virtually integrated" SNFs (defined as freestanding SNFs with close referral relationships with a single hospital) relative to nonintegrated freestanding SNFs. Among patients admitted to integrated SNFs, we estimated differences in health care use and outcomes for patients originating from the parent hospital (ie, receiving vertically integrated care) versus other hospitals using linear regressions that included SNF fixed effects. We estimated bounds for our main estimates that incorporated potential omitted variables bias. DATA EXTRACTION METHODS We identified hospital-based SNFs based on provider data. We defined virtually integrated SNFs based on patient flows between hospitals and SNFs. We identified SNF episodes, preceding hospital stays, patient characteristics, health care use, and patient outcomes using Medicare data. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Consistent with prior research, integrated SNFs performed better on quality measures and health care use relative to nonintegrated SNFs (eg, hospital-based SNFs had 11-day shorter stays compared with nonintegrated SNFs adjusting for patient characteristics, P < .001). Stroke patients admitted to hospital-based SNFs from the parent hospital had shorter preceding hospital stays (adjusted difference: -1.2 days, P = .001) and shorter initial SNF stays (adjusted difference: -2.7 days, P = .049); estimates were attenuated but still robust accounting for potential omitted variables bias. For stroke patients, associations between vertically integrated care and other outcomes were either statistically insignificant or not robust to accounting for potential omitted variables bias. CONCLUSIONS Vertically integrated hospital and SNF care was associated with shorter hospital and SNF stays. However, there were few beneficial associations with other outcomes, suggesting limited coordination benefits from vertical integration.
Nephrology and Palliative Care Collaboration in the Care of Patients With Advanced Kidney Disease: Results of a Clinician Survey.

Rationale & Objective Despite calls for integrating palliative care into chronic kidney disease (CKD) care, uptake remains low. The study aim was to describe clinicians' perceptions of the clinical and research priorities in CKD care and the main barriers to collaboration. Study Design This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using an online survey developed by clinicians and researchers as the primary data collection method. Setting & Participants Clinicians in nephrology and palliative care departments (N = 195) at an academic health center in Virginia were invited to participate. Of the 48.7% (n = 95) who responded, most were registered nurses (65.3%) in nephrology (80%) with more than 15 years' experience (40%). Predictors Factors including discipline (nursing, social work, and physician) and practice area (palliative care or nephrology) were assessed. Outcomes Main outcomes of interest included clinicians' perceptions of the role of palliative care, barriers to collaboration, and the top clinical and research priorities for patients with advanced CKD. Analytic Approach Survey data were analyzed using SPSS using descriptive statistics. Results Respondents reported being comfortable caring for patients near the end of life and endorsed advance care planning and collaboration between nephrology and palliative care teams. However, both rarely happen. Fragmentation, or poor coordination of care, was perceived to be the main barrier to collaboration. Perceptions regarding collaboration facilitation differed; nephrology clinicians identified patient/family education as the most important facilitator while palliative care clinicians identified clinician education as most important. Top clinical priorities differed. Palliative care clinicians reported pain/symptom management as taking priority while nephrology clinicians identified caregiver/family support. Developing interventions to support treatment-related decision making was the top research priority. Limitations Results reflect perceptions of about half the clinicians at 1 academic health center. Conclusions Additional studies to capture patients' and families' perspectives and examine end-of-life care processes are needed. Results may inform future targeted interventions.
Attrition during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastric adenocarcinoma is associated with decreased survival: A United States Safety-Net Collaborative analysis.

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is standard management for localized gastric cancer (GC). Attrition during NAC due to treatment-related toxicity or functional decline is considered a surrogate for worse biologic outcomes; however, data supporting this paradigm are lacking. We investigated factors predicting attrition and its association with overall survival (OS) in GC. METHODS Patients with nonmetastatic GC initiating NAC were identified from the US Safety-Net Collaborative (2012-2014). Patient/treatment-related characteristics were compared between attrition/nonattrition cohorts. Cox models determined factors associated with OS. RESULTS Of 116 patients initiating NAC, attrition during prescribed NAC occurred in 24%. No differences were observed in performance status, comorbidities, treatment at safety-net hospital, or clinicopathologic factors between cohorts. Despite absence of distinguishing factors, attrition was associated with worse OS (median: 11 vs. 37 months; p = 0.01) and was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-15.2; p = 0.02). Fewer patients with attrition underwent curative-intent surgery (39% vs. 89%; p < 0.001). Even in patients undergoing surgical exploration (n = 89), NAC attrition remained an independent predictor of worse OS (HR: 50.8, 95% CI: 3.6-717.8; p = 0.004) despite similar receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION Attrition during NAC for nonmetastatic GC is independently associated with worse OS, even in patients undergoing surgery. Attrition during NAC may reflect unfavorable tumor biology not captured by conventional staging metrics.
The role of catalytic iron in enhancing volumetric sugar productivity during autothermal pyrolysis of woody biomass

Abstract Passivation of naturally occurring AAEM in biomass enhances sugar yields from the fast pyrolysis of biomass by preventing these metals from catalyzing the fragmentation of pyranose rings in cellulose and hemicellulose. However, because AAEM also catalyzes lignin depolymerization, its passivation can be accompanied by undesirable char agglomeration. Pretreatment of biomass with ferrous sulfate both passivates AAEM and substitutes ferrous ions as lignin depolymerization catalysts. This pretreatment has been particularly successful for high ash biomass like corn stover, but of limited value for low ash biomass like wood. This study explores the reasons for this discrepancy and offers a combined pretreatment of ferrous sulfate and ferrous acetate pretreatment to overcome char agglomeration in wood. This new pretreatment increased sugar yields from 4.4 wt% to 15.5 wt% and 5.4 wt% to 19.0 wt% for hardwood and softwood biomasses, respectively. This pretreatment produces an iron-rich biochar that catalyzes oxidation of the biochar under the oxygen-rich conditions of autothermal pyrolysis, which is preferentially consumed to provide the enthalpy for pyrolysis, preserving bio-oil as a more desirable energy product. Instead of producing carbon monoxide, which dominates oxidation of biochar from untreated biomass, the iron catalyzes oxidation to carbon dioxide, producing more energy per mole of oxygen consumed. In fact, oxygen demand to support autothermal pyrolysis of red oak and southern yellow pine was reduced 15% by the presence of iron in the biochar.
The wind-shear theory of temperate zone sporadic E.

Wind-shear theory of sporadic E layer at temperate zone with single ion and many ions, noting electron density
A comparison of higher-order finite-difference shock capturing schemes

Abstract The efficiency of computational fluid dynamics simulations can be greatly enhanced by employing higher-order accurate numerical schemes which provide superior accuracy for a given cost. For unsteady turbulent flow simulations involving shocks, contacts, and/or material discontinuities, various higher-order shock capturing schemes are available in the literature. The desired numerical scheme should be free of spurious numerical oscillations across discontinuities and it should obtain higher-order accuracy in smooth flow regions in an efficient manner. Sufficient robustness is necessary for effectively utilizing these numerical methods in engineering and science applications. Three classes of higher-order shock capturing schemes are compared in this paper: (1) central finite-difference schemes with explicit artificial dissipation, (2) a compact centered finite-difference scheme with localized artificial diffusivity and (3) weighted essentially non-oscillatory schemes in both explicit and compact finite difference forms. Multiple variations of these methods were implemented and tested using a block-structured Cartesian mesh solver. The current paper assesses shock capturing capabilities as well as effects on the accuracy in smooth flow regions using a variety of test cases that range from canonical shock problems to homogeneous isotropic turbulence at a turbulent Mach number of 0.5 where shocklets are formed. Finally, a computational cost breakdown for each scheme is provided and the overall computational efficiency of the different schemes are compared to each other.
ON A NAME CHANGE FOR THE JOURNAL

Membership of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA) was polled to ascertain the strength of support for changing the name of the Southern Journal of Agricultural Economics (SJAE) to eliminate the regional connotation. The general view was that a name change is unwarranted. The overall impression of our profession is that the SJAE is a high quality journal and that the name is not the crucial factor in promulgating this image but rather the continued striving for excellence. A number of profiles were developed to show that the ordered-response model may be used in predicting probabilities for those who would or would not likely favor a name change.
Acculturation and Blood Pressure in a Community-Based Sample of Chaldean-American Women

With the steady increase of non-European, non-English speaking immigrants to the United States, the relationship between acculturation and risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an issue of growing importance to researchers interested in the health of new immigrant populations. The influence of acculturation processes on adverse changes in blood pressure (BP), a major risk factor for CVD, has been examined in Hispanic-Americans and AsianAmericans. Published studies on this relationship in Arab-Americans are lacking, however, despite their growing numbers. With a specific focus on Chaldean-Americans, a major subgroup of the large Arab-American population located in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan, the current study investigates the influence of level of acculturation on BP in a community probability sample of 130 Chaldean-American women. Study participants were interviewed in their homes (92% response rate). Physical measurements included BP, body mass index (BMI), and waist‐hip ratio. Demographic and acculturation data were obtained through a standardized questionnaire. The crude hypertension prevalence in the sample was 16%. Three dimensions of acculturation were identified through content and factor analysis: English language preference, parental school involvement, and ethnic identity. In unadjusted analyses, both English language preference and Chaldean-American ethnic identity were associated (p 0.01) with lower mean BP, but these differences became nonsignificant when age, BMI, and waist‐hip ratio were statistically controlled. Parental school involvement was not associated with BP in any analyses. In this study, the strongest predictors of BP were BMI and waist‐hip ratio, both of which were inversely correlated with age, education, English language preference, employment outside the home, and parental school involvement. Future studies of acculturation and BP in Chaldean-Americans (and other Arab-American populations) should use improved measures of acculturation, broader assessments of behavioral and socioeconomic status, and larger samples that includes both genders.
Floats, glides and indicators : A comparison of methods for changing exchange rates

Abstract A model of the spot market for foreign exchange is used to study the behavior of exchange rates, official reserves, and speculators' profits when exchange rates are flexible, pegged, and regulated by gliding-parity rules based on averages of spot rates, levels and changes in reserves, and the basic balance. The behavior of the spot rate and efficacy of various gliding-parity rules is shown to depend on the way that speculators form expectations. Some rules, however, are more efficient in minimizing fluctuations of exchange rates and trade volume, especially rules based on changes in reserves and averages of past market rates. Rules based on levels of reserves prove to be least efficient.
Genomic organization of the human PMS2 gene family.

Abstract The hPMS2 gene (HGMW-approved symbol PMS2 ) encodes a mutL homolog that causes hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) when inherited in mutant form. We have here characterized the genomic structure of the hPMS2 gene to facilitate its analysis in HNPCC kindreds. The hPMS2 genomic locus was found to encompass 16 kb and consist of 15 exons. During its analysis, we identified a family of hPMS2 -related genes located on chromosome 7 at bands 7p12–p13, 7q11, and 7q22. Exons 1 through 5 of these homologs shared a high degree of identity with hPMS2. We present the sequence of seven novel genes that represent the hPMSR ( hPMS2 -related) gene family. The similarity and number of these genes made specific amplification of hPMS2 problematic, but knowledge of them aided the successful design of oligonucleotides for this purpose.
Secular Changes in the Importance of Neritic Carbonate Deposition as a Control on the Magnitude and Stability of Neoproterozoic Ice Ages

We hypothesize that secular evolution in the control of calcium carbonate deposition dictated the severity of Neoproterozoic ice ages. In the modern ocean, reduction in carbonate deposition on the continental shelves can be compensated for by the increased preservation in deep sea sediments of biogenic carbonate originating from planktic calcifiers living in the open ocean. The result is that ocean carbonate chemistry is strongly buffered and the carbon-climate system relatively stable. However, before the advent of metazoan biomineralization in the Cambrian and proliferation of calcareous plankton during the Mesozoic, carbonate deposition would have been largely restricted to shallow water photic environments in the Neoproterozoic. A fall in sea level acting to restrict the photosynthetic area within Precambrian seas would necessarily initially decrease the global rate of carbonate deposition without being compensated by the typical Phanerozoic deep sea sedimentary 'buffer'. Ultimately, carbonate precipitation would reestablish itself at a greater local rate throughout the more areally restricted seas. The resulting higher degree of ocean saturation translates to substantially lower atmospheric CO 2 and colder terrestrial conditions. Ice ages of near-global extent and multi million-year duration can thus be understood as a direct consequence of the weak 'buffering' of the Precambrian carbon cycle, amplified by feedbacks involving CO 2 and climate. Both the widespread occurrence and observed thickness of 'cap' (dolostone) carbonate deposited during postglacial flooding of the shelves are explicit predictions of this hypothesis, and record the rapid removal from a highly oversaturated ocean of excess alkalinity accumulated during the glacial.
Brassinosteroids. Plant counterparts to animal steroid hormones

Brassinosteroids are polyhydroxylated derivatives of common plant membrane sterols such as campesterol. They occur throughout the plant kingdom and have been shown by genetic and biochemical analyses to be essential for normal plant growth and development. Numerous reviews have detailed the recent progress in our understanding of the biosynthesis, physiological responses, and molecular modes of action of brassinosteroids. It is clear that like their animal steroid counterparts, brassinosteroids have a defined receptor, can regulate the expression of specific genes, and can orchestrate complex physiological responses involved in growth. This review summarizes the current status of BR research, pointing out where appropriate the similarities and differences between the mechanism of action of brassinosteroids and the more thoroughly studied animal steroid hormones.
Abstract 1580: Age-related difference in the susceptibility phthalate-induced injury in Sprague-Dawley rat

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a commonly used plasticizer of synthetic polymers causes liver tumorigenesis, and both short and long-term effects on the reproductive system of male rats. Whether initial exposures to DEHP in early developmental stage affect the susceptibility to injury by subsequent exposures later in life remain unknown. Pregnant dams of Sprague Dawley rats were gavage with vehicle, 100 or 750 mg/kg bw/day of DEHP from Gestational Day 14 (GND14) until birth. After resting for twenty days, at postnatal day 21 (PND21) male offspring were gavage with vehicle, DEHP (100 or 750 mg/Kg/d) for 14 days (PND21-35). On PND35, offspring were sacrificed, serum testosterone (T) levels, body and organ (testis, liver and kidney) weight were examined. The data reveals that DEHP 750 mg/Kg/d but not 100mg/Kg/d treatment were sufficient to cause damage to testis when exposures occurs during either gestational or peripubertal (PND21-35) period. Interestingly, our data also indicated that subsequent exposures to DEHP (100 mg/Kg/day) in utero and at peri-pubertal stage were also effective to causing significant injury to testis. The serum T levels were reduced in all DEHP treatment groups. Next, we investigated the effects of peripubertal exposure to DEHP on the susceptibility to injury by subsequent exposure during adulthood. PND21 rats were subjected to oral administration of Oil, DEHP (100mg/kg/day or 750mg/kg/day) for 14 days (PND21-35). The rats were allowed to rest for 25 days until PND60. At PND60, rats were divided into groups and subsequently exposed to oil or DEHP (100 or 750 mg/Kg/d) for 14days (PND60-74). At PND74 the rats were sacrificed, serum T levels, body and organ weights were determined. Interestingly, no significant injury was observed in any of the treatment groups. Instead, and enhanced serum T levels were observed in DEHP-treated adult rats compared to control. Together, this study shows that the susceptibility to injuries following subsequent DEHP exposure is age-dependent, with immature male rats more susceptible while adults are resistant. In addition, the data also indicated that injuries sustained during peri-pubertal exposure are at least in part reversible. This work was supported by NIH-NIGMS-SCORE 2 grant SC2GM099578. Citation Format: Kassim Traore. Age-related difference in the susceptibility phthalate-induced injury in Sprague-Dawley rat. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1580. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1580
CREATING THE JOURNAL METAPHILOSOPHY

: This brief article describes the circumstances that led to the creation of the journal Metaphilosophy in autumn 1968. A year after I had left graduate school, an unfortunate accident left me flat on my back for several weeks with nothing to do while recuperating from eye surgery. Bored, I decided to do something constructive, so I created a scholarly journal devoted to articles about the nature of philosophy, or how the different schools or branches of philosophy relate to each other, or how philosophy relates to other disciplines. I made up the word “metaphilosophy” to describe such content, and I decided to call the journal by that name. With help from my wife, from my best friend, and from my undergraduate philosophy mentor, the journal Metaphilosophy was launched.