cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sport diplomacy between the United States and Iran

America and Iran have not had diplomatic relations for two decades. In May 1997 the election of Mohammad Khatami, a reformist, to Iran's presidency provided an opening for a cautious rapprochement. Khatami advocated people‐to‐people contacts between the two nations to break the ice, and the United States agreed. After critically evaluating the idea of people‐to‐people contacts and discussing the role of the large Iranian diaspora in America as a mediator between the peoples of the two countries, this article examines the sports diplomacy that resulted from Khatami's initiative. It concludes with a comparison with the ping pong diplomacy that heralded the thaw in US‐Chinese relations.
Risk Factors for Spinal Cord Injury During Surgery for Spinal Deformity

Background: Spinal cord monitoring is now considered standard care during surgery for spinal deformity. Combined somatosensory and motor evoked potential monitoring allows the detection of early spinal cord dysfunction in most patients. The purpose of the current study was to identify clinical factors that increase the risk of intraoperative electrophysical changes and to provide management recommendations. Methods: The records of 162 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for the treatment of spinal deformity at a tertiary referral center were reviewed. Electrophysical monitoring of these patients was considered to have been successful if reproducible signals had been obtained. Relevant electrophysical changes included a reduction, as compared with baseline, of >50% in the amplitude of the somatosensory evoked potentials; an increase, as compared with baseline, of >10% in the latency of the somatosensory evoked potentials; a loss of motor evoked potentials; and an abrupt decrease of >75% in the motor evoked potentials. Results: One hundred and fifty-one (93%) of the 162 patients were monitored successfully. Four of the eleven patients with unsuccessful monitoring had neuromuscular scoliosis. Twelve of the 151 successfully monitored patients had a true electrophysical event, and two of them were found to have new postoperative neurologic deficits that represented a change from the findings of their preoperative neurologic examination. The determined causes of these electrophysical events included curve correction in eight patients, hypotension in two, direct cord trauma in one, and malposition of a pedicle screw in one. The patients with a true electrophysical event had a significantly higher rate of neurologic events than did the patients who did not have a true electrophysical event (p < 0.001). The rate of true electrophysical events was significantly higher in the patients with cardiopulmonary comorbidities than it was in the patients with no comorbidities (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Combined somatosensory and motor evoked potential monitoring effectively prevents neurologic injury in most children undergoing surgery for spinal deformity. Despite the potential for false-positive results, we recommend setting a low threshold for defining relevant electrophysical changes. Rapid intervention can reverse these changes and avoid potentially serious neurologic complications. Patients with cardiopulmonary comorbidities may be at a higher risk for having relevant electrophysical events. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Review of Tal Becker, Terrorism and the State: Rethinking the Rules of State Responsibility

Finally, an insider’s take on State responsibility today. Tal Becker’s Terrorism and the State: Rethinking the Rules of State Responsibility, is a systematic and original assessment of the international enforcement of counter-terrorism obligations.
A role for the dorsal column in nociceptive visceral input into the thalamus of primates

Al-Chaer, Elie D., Yi Feng, and William D. Willis. A role for the dorsal column in nociceptive visceral input into the thalamus of primates. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 3143–3150, 1998. A possible role of...
Seed versus soil: the importance of the target cell for transgenic models of human leukemias.

T HE ASSOCIATION of several characteristic chromosomal translocations with various subtypes of acute and chronic myelogenous and lymphocytic leukemias has facilitated the cloning of a number of unique leukemia-associated fusion genes. Characterization of these fusion genes has in turn led to the
Natural killer group 2D and CD28 receptors differentially activate mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin to alter murine effector CD8+ T‐cell differentiation

Memory CD8+ T cells are an essential component of anti-tumour and anti-viral immunity. Activation of the mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has been implicated in regulating the differentiation of effector and memory T cells. However, the mechanisms that control mTOR activity during immunity to tumours and infections are not well known. Activation of co-stimulatory receptors, including CD28 and natural killer group 2D (NKG2D), activate phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and subsequently may activate the mTOR pathway in CD8+ T cells. This study compared the activation of the mTOR signalling pathway after co-stimulation through CD28 or NKG2D receptors in murine effector CD8+ T cells. Compared with CD28 co-stimulation, activation through CD3 and NKG2D receptors had weaker activation of mTORc1, as shown by decreased phosphorylation of mTORc1 targets S6K1, ribosomal protein S6 and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1. NKG2D co-stimulation also showed increased gene expression of tuberous sclerosis protein 2, a negative regulator of mTORc1, whereas CD28 co-stimulation increased gene expression of Ras homologue enriched in brain, an activator of mTORc1, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor-α, pro-angiogenic factors downstream of mTORc1. Strong mTORc1 activation in CD28-co-stimulated cells also increased expression of transcription factors that support effector cell differentiation, namely T-bet, B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein (BLIMP-1), interferon regulatory factor 4, and inhibitor of DNA binding 2, whereas low levels of mTORc1 activation allowed for the expression of Eomes, B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6), and inhibitor of DNA binding 3 during NKG2D stimulation, and increased expression of memory markers CD62 ligand and CD127. These data show that compared with CD28, co-stimulation through the NKG2D receptor leads to the differential activation of the mTOR signalling pathway and potentially supports memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
Is self myofascial release an effective preexercise and recovery strategy? A literature review

The use of self myofascial release (SMR) via a foam roller or roller massager is becoming increasingly popular both to aid recovery from exercise and prevent injury. Our objective was to review the literature on SMR and its use for preexercise, recovery, or maintenance. PUBMED, EBSCO (MEDLINE), EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched for variations and synonyms of "self myofascial release" and "foam rolling." Data from nine studies were examined, and overall quality varied based on study protocol, muscle group targeted, and outcomes measured. Despite the heterogeneity of these studies, SMR appears to have a positive effect on range of motion and soreness/fatigue following exercise, but further study is needed to define optimal parameters (timing and duration of use) to aid performance and recovery.
Characterization of Aircraft Trim Points Using Continuation Methods and Bifurcation Analysis

The knowledge of a set of feasible trim points becomes important to control aircraft under the effect of adverse conditions and failures. In this paper, continuation methods and bifurcation analysis are employed to determine the family of feasible level flight trim points of a military aircraft as a function of elevator deflection. Measures to quantify the range of elevator deflections under which stable and unstable trim points exist are introduced. Further, the variation of these measures and hence trimmability of the aircraft under different settings of the thrust and leading edge flap are presented.
Immune function in pheasants experimentally infected with marble spleen disease virus.

SUMMARY. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of marble spleen disease virus (MSDV) infection on the immune response of pheasants. In the first, 15 ringnecked pheasants were inoculated orally with cell-culture-propagated MSDV and 15 received saline (controls). On days 7, 21, and 35 postinoculation (PI), all birds received sheep erythrocytes intravenously. Hemagglutination titers to sheep erythrocytes were determined for serum samples collected weekly for 6 weeks. The virus-inoculated group had significantly (P < 0.05) lower hemagglutination titers than the control group. In the second experiment, 30 pheasants were allotted into two groups as above. Whole blood was collected from each bird weekly for 5 weeks. The blood was cultured in microtiter plates with or without optimum concentrations of concanavalin A. Five of 10 MSDV-inoculated pheasants had significantly depressed T lymphocyte transformation on either day 7 or day 14 PI. Overall, the depression of T lymphocyte transformation was transient and mild.
Enabling Performance Optimization of CFD Applications with Source-to-Source Compiler Technology

This paper presents a new programming approach of applying source-to-source compiler technology to parallelize a computational uid dynamics ow solver. It is becoming increasingly di cult for programmers to optimize large scale applications for modern computer architectures, due to the increasing complexity of these architectures. This is especially a concern when the application uses large amounts of legacy code. Instead of tediously optimizing the parallel implementation for each new architecture, translators based on a source-to-source compiler are designed to perform the implementation. The translators allow for construction of custom programming models; these custom models are more effective on complex architectures because they can incorporate more domain-speci c knowledge, versus general-purpose programming models. We apply this concept to a multi-stage multigrid nite-volume algorithm. The translator, written with the ROSE compiler, will replace sequences of instructions in the serial algorithm with QUARK tasks. QUARK is a dynamic run time system that executes tasks asynchronously while avoiding data hazards. Using a dynamically-scheduled task-based parallel method allows for easier load-balancing of complex algorithms on complex computer architectures. The overall strategy is shown to increase the performance, programmability, and portability of CFD applications.
Influence of surface-attachment functionality on the aggregation, persistence, and electron-transfer reactivity of chalcogenorhodamine dyes on TiO2.

Chalcogenorhodamine dyes bearing phosphonic acids and carboxylic acids were compared as sensitizers of nanocrystalline TiO2 in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The dyes were constructed around a 3,6-bis(dimethylamino)chalcogenoxanthylium core and varied in the 9 substituent: 5-carboxythien-2-yl in dyes 1-E (E = O, Se), 4-carboxyphenyl in dyes 2-E (E = O, S), 5-phosphonothien-2-yl in dyes 3-E (E = O, Se), and 4-phosphonophenyl in dyes 4-E (E = O, Se). All dyes adsorbed to TiO2 as mixtures of H aggregates and monomers, which exhibited broadened absorption spectra relative to those of purely amorphous monolayers. Surface coverages of dyes and the extent of H aggregation varied minimally with the surface-attachment functionality, the structure of the 9-aryl group, and the identity of the chalcogen heteroatom. Carboxylic acid-functionalized dyes 1-E and 2-E desorbed rapidly and completely from TiO2 into acidified CH3CN, but phosphonic acid-functionalized dyes 3-E and 4-E persisted on TiO2 for days. Short-ci...
Motivational Climate in United States Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Physical Training: Implications for Leadership Development, Retention, and Intervention

Abstract Physical training (PT) is a significant element of Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs, used for fitness enhancement and leadership development. Despite this latter emphasis, there is little known about how leadership development is promoted. Additionally, little research addresses the motivational climate in ROTC programs. Grounded in achievement goal theory, this study investigated structures and perceptions of the motivational climate, an important factor in leadership development, in one United States (U.S.) ROTC PT setting from multiple perspectives (i.e. cadre and cadets). Data collection included field observations of PT sessions over a five-month period ( n =30) and semi-structured interviews with cadets ( n = 20) and cadre ( n = 5). Data was used to obtain views of how to increase cadet motivation during PT. Interview transcripts and field notes were analyzed using inductive analysis and constant comparison methods. Analysis revealed a motivational climate that fostered leadership development emphasizing camaraderie and personal-growth through tough physical challenges (e.g., ruck marches) and normative performance-based critiques (e.g., ability group runs) that emphasized self-improvement. Cadre and cadet leadership were expected to “lead by example” (i.e. show high effort during PT and provide social support for cadets under their command). Based on these findings, it appears that the motivational climate of the ROTC PT environment may contain a combination of task- and ego-involved structures, both of which are perceived as facilitating high levels of motivation and improvement in both PT and leadership. Changing the evaluative structures to better facilitate individual improvement could be used by cadre to facilitate more robust teaching techniques, emphasizing cadet leadership development throughout the battalion's hierarchical chain of command. For example, utilizing both task- and ego-involved structures in tandem to manipulate PT tasks and instruction could elicit a stronger motivation in cadets and thus potentially bolstering program retention rates.
Chicana/Latin American Feminist Epistemologies of the Global South (within and outside the North): Decolonizing El Conocimiento and Creating Global Alliances

Our current global/local state requires a move beyond ideological geographic territorialities of North and South to combat imperialist White supremacist capitalist patriarchy (hooks, 2013) and create global alliances. A survey of decolonial Latin American and Chicana feminist works emphasize an array of issues and concepts of which two are discussed in this article. The focus on epistemologies of the South (within and outside the North) and global solidarity are attempts at recentering local epistemologies that extend transborderly and a move towards feminist global alliances and collectivized politics. Ultimately, I argue that recentering local knowledge and generating global alliances have implications for glocal relations, transborder understandings, and research.
Renaissance Rensselaer

"For the purpose of instructing persons, who may choose to apply themselves, in the application of science to the common purposes of life".
Micronodular thymoma with lymphoid stroma: two cases of report and literature review

Purpose To investigate the clinico-pathological characteristics and differential diagnosis of micronodular thymoma with lymphoid stroma. Methods Clinical manifestations,pathological features,immunohistochemistry,treatment and prognosis were analyzed in two cases of micronodular thymoma with lymphoid stroma with a review of the literature. Results Patient one is a 62-year-old woman and Patient two is a 56-year-old man. Both patients were asymptomatic and their thymic tumors were discovered grossly partially cystic and located in the anterior mediastinum. Histologically,the tumors were characterized by a proliferation of small neoplastic nodules separated by abundant lymphoid stroma with prominent germinal germinal centers. The nodules were composed of neoplastic spindle cells containing bland,oval nuclei without mitotic activity or necrosis. The adenoid growth pattern was noted in one tumor. Immunohistochemical studies showed strong positivity of the spindle tumor cells for CKpan,CK19,p63 and CK5 /6. Stains for EMA were negative in the spindle tumor cells. Cystic lining cells showed a strong linear immunoreativity for of EMA and foci of glandular differentiation. Many lymphocytes in the stroma,including germinal centres,were positive for CD20. The BCL-2 immunoreactivity was also detected in many lymphocytes in the stroma,especially in the mantle zone of lymphoid follicles. In contrast,many lymphocytes positive for CD3 and CD5 were evenly dispersed in the stroma. The reticulin stain decorated tumor nests,but not individual neoplastic cells,surrounded by reticulin fibers. Conclusion Micronodular thymoma with lymphoid stroma is very rare but can be diagnosed with a characteristic morphology and immunoreactivity to p63 and CK5 /6. We speculate MNT is derived from the thymic medulla.
Developments of Hot Galvanizing Process and Zinc Alloy Coating

In this paper,developments of hot galvanizing process and property characteristics of zinc alloy coating were reviewed;several zinc alloy coatings which had been investigated intensively both at home and abroad currently were briefly introduced;properties and anti-corrosion mechanism of the coating were described.Finally it was pointed that the hot galvanizing process research for zinc alloy coating would become one main developmental direction in the future.
Homeless Adolescents' Perceptions of Positive Development: A Comparative Study.

While some recent research has addressed homeless youth from a strengths-based approach, comparative studies of homeless and non-homeless youth from a strengths perspective are few; research that includes youth’s views on positive youth development are also limited. Addressing these gaps and using an inductive approach, adolescents’ views on positive development and their strengths were solicited. This study investigated the qualitative differences in views on doing well, strengths and positive development from two youth samples: youth who were homeless and resident youth involved in a 4-H program. Thirty-eight adolescents participated in focus groups, including five groups from a homeless shelter and five groups from a 4-H program. Content analysis of the narrative responses was conducted. Differences between homeless and 4-H adolescents were found in the areas of happiness, family support, identity, personal strengths, and risk avoidance. Homeless youth revealed adaptation to limiting ecologies (e.g., non-supportive parents) as they sought out other supportive relationships instead and adjusted their views of happiness. Homeless adolescents demonstrated more internal self-awareness compared to 4-H adolescents. By recognizing and capitalizing on the unique perspectives and strengths of adolescents from divergent environments, positive youth development and strengths-based programs and theory can more effectively benefit youth from diverse backgrounds. Understanding youth’s views that have normative and non-normative experiences (i.e., non-homeless and homeless) helps further expand the boundaries of developmental models and address how to promote thriving in youth from various contexts.
The molecular neuropathology of the muscular dystrophies: a review and update.

> The disease is one of the most interesting and at the same time most sad of all those with which we have to deal; interesting on account of its peculiar features and mysterious nature; sad on account of our powerlessness to influence its course … our powerlessness may not be permanent, and we, or those who come after us, may be able to speak of it in very different terms. > > W. R. Gowers, Clinical Lecture on Pseudo-Hypertrophic Muscular Paralysis , 1879 The molecular pathology of the muscular dystrophies is evolving at an intimidatingly rapid pace; within the last 6 months a new muscular dystrophy gene, several likely candidate genes for muscular dystrophies, and a new chromosomal locus for a limb-girdle dystrophy have appeared in the literature. The modern era of genetic analysis begins in 1987 with the identification of dystrophin, the gene mutated in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and since the mid-1990's has focused on the “dystrophin-associated complex” (1–3). Genetic analysis of the more heterogeneous dystrophic myopathies has proceeded from chromosomes to specific chromosomal locations, and in some cases to genes. This review touches on the major points in the “dystrophin story” and then reviews these more recent developments. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the best studied of the muscular dystrophies (4). The disease is usually diagnosed at 2 to 3 years of age, often because of delayed ambulation, followed by proximal weakness and relentless myopathy. Enlargement of the calves, and sometimes other muscles, is seen in about half of the cases giving the disease the obsolete descriptive name “pseudohypertrophic paralysis.” Patients are usually wheelchair-bound by 6 years of age and die in the second to third decade of life. Serum creatine kinase (CK) is dramatically increased—typically greater than 10 times normal. They show severe wasting of all skeletal muscle with …
SU-F-T-606: Monte Carlo Evaluation of Tissue Inhomogeneity Corrections in the Treatment of Liver Cancer Patients Using Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric performance of X-ray Voxel Monte Carlo(XVMC) algorithm in effort to clinically validate Monte Carlo-approach in heterogeneous liver phantom and liver SBRT plans. Methods: An anthropomorphic RPC liver phantom incorporating a liver structure with two cylindrical targets and organs-at-risk (OARs) was used in phantom validation. Subsequently, five patients with metastatic liver cancer were treated using heterogeneity-corrected pencil-beam(PB-hete)algorithm were analyzed following RTOG-1112 criteria .ITV was delineated on MinIP and OARs were contoured on MeanIP images of 4D-CT. PTV was generated from ITV with 5-10mm uniform margin. Mean PTV was 81.3±46.4cc. Prescription was 30–45Gy in 5 fractions, with at least PTV(D95%)=100%. Hybrid SBRT plans were generated with noncoplanar/3D-conformal arcs plus static-beams at Novalis-TX consisting of HD-MLC and 6MV-SRS. SBRT plans were re-computed using XVMC algorithm utilizing identical beam-geometry, MLC-positions, and monitor units and subsequently compared to clinical PB-hete plans. Results: Our results using RPC liver motion phantom validation were all compliance with MD Anderson standards. However, compared to PB-hete, average target volume encompassed by the prescribed percent isodose (Vp) was 9.1% and 8.5% less for PTV1 and PTV2 with XVMC. For the clinical liver SBRT plans, PB-hete systematically overestimated PTV dose (D95, Dmean and D10) within ±2.0% (p<0.05) compared to XVMC. Mean value of Vp was about 3.8% less with XVMC compared to PB-hete (ranged 2.9–5.7% (p<0.003)). However, mean liver dose (MLD) was 3.2% higher (p<0.003), on average, with XVMC compared to clinical PB-hete (ranged −1.0to−3.9%). OARs doses were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Results from our XVMC dose calculations and validation study for liver SBRT indicate small-to-moderate under-dosing of the tumor volume when compared to PB-hete. Results were consistent with phantom validation and patients plans. However, Vp was less by up to 5.7% for some liver SBRT patients with XVMC–suggesting under-dosing of the target volume and overdosing of MLD by up to 3.9% occurred with PB-hete plan. These differences between PB-hete and XVMC dose calculations may be of clinical interest.
Emotional Support for Health Care Professionals: A Therapeutic Role for the Hospital Ethics Committee

Hospital ethics committees (HECs) are typically charged with addressing ethical disputes, conflicts, and dilemmas that arise in the course of patient care. HECs are not widely viewed as having a therapeutic role for health care professionals who experience psychological distress or anticipatory grief in the course of discharging professional duties. A case is presented in which an ethics consultation was requested, chiefly, to secure emotional support for health care professionals who had been asked by a patient to discontinue life-sustaining treatments. As the case demonstrates, HECs may be called upon to provide emotional support and reassurance to health care professionals who willingly carry out psychologically difficult actions, even though these actions may be ethically uncontroversial. In providing this service, the HEC may not necessarily engage in its customary activity of deliberating an ethics issue and resolving a conflict but may still provide valuable assistance, as in the case presented.
The partial discharge and breakdown characteristics of insulating tapes immersed in liquid nitrogen

Electrical power apparatus operating at cryogenic temperatures offers advantages over conventional equipment and research is continuing to produce superconducting generators and cables in addition to cryoresistive cables. Although there have been a limited number of studies of the behaviour of electrical insulation for such equipment,1,2 the operating stresses have not been evaluated and little is known of the ageing mechanisms. This paper describes the initial results of a project to determine suitable operating stresses and to study the deterioration of polymeric tapes immersed in a cryogenic fluid while subjected to high electric stresses. Partial discharge and breakdown characteristics of fibrous insulating sheets with and without artificial cavities are reported.
A Markov model for planning and permitting offshore wind energy: A case study of radio-tracked terns in the Gulf of Maine, USA.

Quantifying and managing the potential adverse wildlife impacts of offshore wind energy is critical for developing offshore wind energy in a sustainable and timely manner, but poses a significant challenge, particularly for small marine birds that are difficult to monitor. We developed a discrete-time Markov model of seabird movement around a colony site parameterized by automated radio telemetry data from common terns (Sterna hirundo) and Arctic terns (S. paradisaea), and derived impact functions that estimate the probability of collision fatality as a function of the distance and bearing of wind turbines from a colony. Our purpose was to develop and demonstrate a new, flexible tool that can be used for specific management and wind-energy planning applications when adequate data are available, rather than inform wind-energy development at this site. We demonstrate how the tool can be used 1) in marine spatial planning exercises to quantitatively identify setback distances under development scenarios given a risk threshold, 2) to examine the ecological and technical trade-offs of development alternatives to facilitate negotiation between objectives, and 3) in the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to estimate collision fatality under alternative scenarios. We discuss model limitations and data needs, and highlight opportunities for future model extension and development. We present a highly flexible tool for wind energy planning that can be easily extended to other central place foragers and data sources, and can be updated and improved as new monitoring data arises.
Pathogenic anti-Müllerian hormone variants in polycystic ovary syndrome

Context Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine condition, is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. Objective Given that common disease-susceptibility variants account for only a small percentage of the estimated PCOS heritability, we tested the hypothesis that rare variants contribute to this deficit in heritability. Design, Setting, and Participants Unbiased whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 80 patients with PCOS and 24 reproductively normal control subjects identified potentially deleterious variants in AMH, the gene encoding anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Targeted sequencing of AMH of 643 patients with PCOS and 153 control patients was used to replicate WGS findings. Main Outcome Measures Dual luciferase reporter assays measured the impact of the variants on downstream AMH signaling. Results We found 24 rare (minor allele frequency < 0.01) AMH variants in patients with PCOS and control subjects; 18 variants were specific to women with PCOS. Seventeen of 18 (94%) PCOS-specific variants had significantly reduced AMH signaling, whereas none of 6 variants observed in control subjects showed significant defects in signaling. Thus, we identified rare AMH coding variants that reduced AMH-mediated signaling in a subset of patients with PCOS. Conclusion To our knowledge, this study is the first to identify rare genetic variants associated with a common PCOS phenotype. Our findings suggest decreased AMH signaling as a mechanism for the pathogenesis of PCOS. AMH decreases androgen biosynthesis by inhibiting CYP17 activity; a potential mechanism of action for AMH variants in PCOS, therefore, is to increase androgen biosynthesis due to decreased AMH-mediated inhibition of CYP17 activity.
Impact of the distance from a radiation oncology treatment facilty on initiation of therapy and its influence on survival in patients with stage III and IV NSCLC.

e17594 Background: Patients with stage III and IV lung cancer require multidisciplinary care. The Milwaukee VA is the only center within the Veterans Health Administration in the state that has a r...
Ethical Issues in Organ Donation from Brain-Dead Donors

Organ donation and transplantation are value-laden enterprises. The relative scarcity of transplantable organs is commonly presumed to be the source of ethical dilemmas in transplantation. Accordingly, considerable emphasis has been placed on increasing the availability of organs for transplantation. The focus on supply and demand misses the fundamental human questions that necessarily shape our understanding of the donation and transplantation of organs, especially from deceased donors. The moral language of transplantation and the public policy framework for organ donation in the USA highlight some of the values underlying organ donation and transplantation practice and policies: gift, altruism, autonomy, and stewardship. Ultimately, donor organs are gifts unlike most other gifts, and they necessarily require an elaborate social context (including organ recovery and sharing infrastructure, as well as the expertise of transplant teams) to realize their value as gifts. The social context of transplantation points to the intersection of donor autonomy and the communal values informing transplant policies. This chapter examines ethical issues arising in the context of organ donation and transplantation generally, and specifically those associated with various proposals to increase the supply of transplantable organs, primarily through a critical analysis of the values shaping transplantation, as suggested by our moral language.
Reactivity of iPrPCPIrH4 with para-benzoquinones

Abstract In the interest of investigating new hydrogen acceptors for pincer–iridium catalyzed dehydrogenations with the ability to be catalytically recycled, a series of para-benzoquinones have been reacted with iPrPCPIrH4 in various solvents and conditions. Preliminary results indicate that a wide range of quinones are capable of dehydrogenating iPrPCPIrH4, and that several turn-overs in alcohol dehydrogenation by iPrPCPIr are possible at room temperature using benzoquinone acceptors. However, strong acceptor–catalyst interactions are inhibitory toward catalysis when the acceptor is used in excess. A new class of (bis)-η2 pi-adducts, formed between iPrPCPIr and benzoquinones, nicknamed “barber-chairs”, has been identified and 3 examples have been characterized.
Nitrite Differently Activates cGMP versus cAMP

Nitrite is an established signaling molecule that regulates mitochondrial function in hypoxia by inhibiting respiration and mitochondrial oxidant production, but its effects on mitochondrial function in normoxia remain unclear. We hypothesize that nitrite mediates differential signaling in hypoxia and normoxia leading to modulation of mitochondrial function. Here, we demonstrate that nitrite switches from stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase-dependent cGMP generation in hypoxia to cAMP production in normoxic conditions. Nitrite (unlike nitric oxide) increases cAMP levels in H9C2 cardiomyocytes and in isolated mitochondria in normoxia leading to protein kinase A (PKA) activation outside and inside the mitochondria. This increase in cAMP levels is due to nitrite-dependent inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDE2A and PDE4A), which degrades cAMP. In addition to increasing PKA activation, we observed that nitrite increases the expression of A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP1), which tethers PKA to the mitochondrial membrane. Consistent with the mitochondrial targeting of PKA, we show that nitrite induces the phosphorylation of Ser58 on mitochondrial complex IV-1 (a known PKA target) and increases its activity by 86%, leading to augmented basal and maximal respiration (48% and 29%, respectively compared to control). Pharmacological inhibition of PKA attenuates nitrite-dependent increase in respiration, complex IV activity and phosphorylation. These data demonstrate that nitrite is a unique signaling molecule able to increase cAMP levels in normoxia and show a novel mechanism by which nitrite selectively modulates mitochondrial PKA-dependent signaling. Further, these data show that nitrite is a versatile signaling molecule that not only modulates nitrogen dependent post-translational modification, but also modulates phosphorylation.
Reseña de: Timothy Williamson, Yo tengo razón y tú te equivocas. Filosofía en el tren

Resena de:Williamson, Tymothy, Yo tengo razon y tu te equivocas. Filosofia en el tren. Madrid: Tecnos, 2017. 219 pp. ISBN 978-84-309—7078-0
Simplification, LOD and MultiresolutionPrinciples and Applications

These tutorial notes provide an introduction, review, and discussion of the state-of-the-art on simplification methods, Level Of Detail, and multiresolution models for surface meshes, and of their applications. The problem of approximating a surface with a triangular mesh is formally introduced, and major simplification techniques are classified, reviewed, and compared. A general framework is introduced next, which encompasses all multiresolution surface models based on decomposition, and major multiresolution meshes are classified, reviewed, and compared in the context of such a framework. Applications of simplification methods, LOD, and multiresolution to computer graphics, virtual reality, geographical information systems, flight simulation, and volume visualization are also reviewed.
Fault-Adaptivity in Hard Real-Time Component-Based Software Systems

Complexity in embedded software systems has reached the point where we need run-time mechanisms that provide fault management services. Testing and verification may not cover all possible scenarios that a system encounters, hence a simpler, yet formally specified run-time monitoring, diagnosis, and fault mitigation architecture is needed to increase the software system’s dependability. The approach described in this paper borrows concepts and principles from the field of ‘Systems Health Management’ for complex aerospace systems and implements a novel two level health management architecture that can be applied in the context of a model-based software development process.
Human Bone Marrow Microvascular Endothelial Cells Support Long-Term Proliferation and Differentiation of Myeloid and Megakaryocytic Progenitors

Endothelial cells are a major component of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment that regulate the trafficking and homing of hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. In this paper, we provide evidence that BM endothelial cells (BMECs) also support multilineage hematopoiesis by elaboration of soluble cytokines. Hematopoietic progenitor cells incubated in direct contact with BMEC monolayers, or physically separated by microporous membrane, expanded five-fold to sevenfold at 7 days, in the absence of exogenous cytokines. Flow cytometric analysis of proliferating progenitor cells grown in the presence of BMEC monolayers showed that by day 14 of coculture, 70% to 80% of hematopoietic cells were myeloid, expressing CD15 or CD14, and 14% to 19% were megakaryocytic, expressing GPIIb/IIIa or GPIb. CD34+ cells derived from umbilical cord blood, cultured in the upper chamber of transwell culture plates, as well as the cells grown in direct contact with BMEC monolayers, generated progenitors for up to 70 days. Unstimulated BMEC monolayers constitutively produce interleukin-6, Kit-ligand, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These data suggest that BMEC regulate proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and long-term culture initiating cells by elaboration of lineage-specific cytokines.
DHE-Induced Peripheral Arterial Vasospasm in Primary Raynaud Phenomenon: Case Report

Dihydroergotamine (DHE) is primarily a serotonin 5HT1B and 5HT1D receptor agonist used for acute migraine treatment. It is associated with acute vasoconstriction mediated through the 5HT1B receptor and is contraindicated in patients with history of cardiac disease and peripheral vascular disease. We present a case of acute peripheral arterial vasospasm in a patient with primary Raynaud phenomenon while receiving inpatient treatment for status migrainosus with intravenous (IV) DHE. The patient is a 35-year-old female with a history of chronic migraine and primary Raynaud phenomenon. After 15 doses of IV DHE, the patient reported paresthesias of the right hand and was noted to have absent right radial and ulnar pulses to palpation. Portable arterial Doppler study demonstrated abnormal flat line pulse volume recordings (PVRs) in the right second, third, and fourth digits, with markedly dampened PVR in the right thumb and fifth finger along with no ulnar PVR detectable at the wrist. Duplex revealed bilateral severely diminished flow in the right ulnar and radial arteries without acute occlusions. Computed tomography angiogram of right upper extremity visualized arteries through the mid-forearm but not distally. Dihydroergotamine was discontinued, and the patient was started on oral amlodipine and aspirin. Repeat Doppler ultrasound 3 days later revealed normal arm and digital waveforms bilaterally consistent with resolution of vasospasm. This case highlights a potential complication of IV DHE therapy. Risk may be increased in patients with primary Raynaud phenomenon. We suggest cautious use of IV DHE in this population.
International Human Resource Management

In this chapter, we see that when a firm expands into international markets, intelligent changes must be made in its human resource management (HRM) practices. This begins with changes in managerial attitudes and corporate culture to accommodate the cultural diversity of multinational company personnel.
Successful use of arterio‐venous graft for hemodialysis in patient with hemophilia

Hemodialysis (HD) is not the preferred approach for dialysis in patients with hemophilia. HD in such patients can possess a high risk of bleeding from arterio-venous cannulation and hence peritoneal dialysis is the first choice in patients with hemophilia. The bleeding risk can be overcome by the prophylactic administration of factor VIII, which is a very costly solution. Here, we present a case of hemophilia with successful HD using an arterio-venous graft averting the need for factor VIII. We review the literature on epidemiology and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in patients with hemophilia. We also discuss the dialysis and arterio-venous graft options. In patients with hemophilia who are not candidates for peritoneal dialysis, tri-layered arterio-venous grafts offer distinct advantages.
Agradās and Rām Rasik Bhakti Community: The Politics of Remembrance and the Authority of the Hindu Saint

The paper examines the memory and hagiography of the important but little-researched late sixteenth-century bhakti saint Agradās. After introducing this influential Vaiṣṇava devotional poet and the Rām rasik tradition he is said to have founded, the paper explores the political realities and motivations behind the molding of Agradās’s hagiography in particular ways in the nineteenth century and how his saintly authority has been drawn upon in modern times. Through a case study of Agradās, the paper makes an argument about the totemic function of the Hindu saint as a tangible expression of the intangible values and sentiments that bond and mobilize religious communities.
Haunted Objects: English Paranormal Investigation and the Material Mediation of Doubt

In contemporary England, paranormal investigation has emerged as a popular means of seeking knowledge about reportedly ghostly phenomena. Paranormal investigators are self-fashioned experts who aim to balance scientistic and spiritual perspectives in the hope of proving or disproving the existence of ghosts from an objective perspective. Despite their collective goal to understand the paranormal, many investigators experience profound doubt of its reality and nature. Drawing on long-term ethnographic fieldwork with English paranormal investigators, this essay examines how investigators’ engagement with material culture mediates their experience of doubt. Ultimately, this essay argues that material culture, in the form of haunted objects, helps mitigate, produce, and extend investigators’ doubts about the nature of the paranormal and the meaning of materiality itself.
The effects of mood and retrieval cues on semantic memory and metacognition.

We investigated whether the previously established effect of mood on episodic memory generalizes to semantic memory and whether mood affects metacognitive judgments associated with the retrieval of semantic information. Sixty-eight participants were induced into a happy or sad mood by viewing and describing IAPS images. Following mood induction, participants saw a total of 200 general knowledge trivia items (50 open-ended and 50 multiple-choice after each of two mood inductions) and were asked to provide a metacognitive judgment about their knowledge for each item before providing a response. A sample trivia item is: Author - - To kill a mockingbird. Results indicate that mood affects the retrieval of semantic information, but only when the participant believes they possess the requested semantic information; furthermore, this effect depends upon the presence of retrieval cues. In addition, we found that mood does not affect the likelihood of different metacognitive judgments associated with the retrieval of semantic information, but that, in some cases, having retrieval cues increases accuracy of these metacognitive judgments. Our results suggest that semantic retrieval processes are minimally susceptible to the influence of affective state but does not preclude the possibility that affective state may influence encoding of semantic information.
THE SOCIAL COST OF CONTRACT

When private parties perform contracts, the public bears some of the costs. But what happens when society confronts unexpected contractual risks? During the COVID-19 pandemic, completing particular contracts-such as following through with weddings, conferences, and other large gatherings-will greatly increase the risk of rapidly spreading disease. A close reading of past causes illustrates that when social hazards sharply increase after formation, courts have sometimes rejected, reformed, and reinterpreted contracts so that parties who breach to reduce external harms are not left holding the bag. We describe these cases as a sort of contractual anticanon: where social, and not private, ends are the focus of contract judges. This Essay builds on that observation in making two contributions. Theoretically, it characterizes contracts as bargains that always implicitly involve the public. Law has three tools at hand to govern contract's social cost: delineating subject matter about which parties can bargain, interacting with parties as a regulator, and, finally, interpreting and reforming in court. Post hoc consideration of social costs is the least well known, and most unsettled, mode of governing contract externalities. We ground that technique in its history as a specialized application of the law of contract public policy. Practically, this Essay advises parties negotiating whether and how to perform to consider the public's health, since history teaches that, at least some of the time, courts will too.
Intra-aortic balloon pump placement in coronary artery bypass grafting patients by day of admission.

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps (IABPs) can be utilized to provide hemodynamic support in high risk patients awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). There are many indications for IABP and institutional practice patterns regarding the placement of IABPs is variable. As a result, the preoperative placement of an IABP in a patient awaiting CABG is not standardized and may vary according to non-clinical factors. We hypothesize that the rate of IABP placement varies by day of the week. A retrospective cohort analysis of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database from 2006 to 2010 was performed. All patients admitted for CABG were included. Patients who died within 24 h of admission and those who had absolute contraindications to IABP placement were excluded. The primary outcome was preoperative IABP placement versus non-placement. A multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of IABP placement was performed, adjusting for patient demographics, clinical factors, and system variables. A total of 46,347 patients underwent CABG, of which 7695 (16.60%) had an IABP placed preoperatively. On unadjusted analysis, IABP rates were significantly higher on weekends versus weekdays (20.83% vs. 15.70%, p < 0.001). On adjusted analysis, patients awaiting CABG were 1.30 times more likely to have an IABP placed on weekends than on weekdays (OR: 1.30, 95% CI 1.20–1.40, p < 0.001). The odds of preoperative IABP placement prior to CABG is significantly increased on weekends compared to weekdays, even when controlling for clinical factors. Further exploration of this phenomenon and its associations are warranted.
Silicon Micro Gas Chromatography with Silk Screen Heater and Polyimide Capillary Insertion

We have designed and fabricated a silicon microchip capable of gas chromatography. The microchips feature onboard heaters and direct interfacing with silica capillaries for the lowest possible thermal mass and are capable of operating at over 300°C.