cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of alternative therapies for children with cancer, compared with a general pediatric population 652

Alternative therapy (AT), also known as complementary, non-allopathic, unconventional, or holistic therapy, refers to healing practices that have become increasingly popular with the general public, but are not widely accepted by the medical profession. While studies have investigated AT use in healthy children and children with cancer, no comparison of the incidence of its use between these two populations has been published. We hypothesized that AT was used more commonly in pediatric cancer patients. Using a prevalence survey design, we interviewed 81 parents of cancer patients attending a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic, and 80 parents of children attending a continuity care clinic for routine check-ups and acute care. We explored the types of AT being used, the reasons for its use, and the frequency with which it was discussed with the patient's physician. We found; 1) Overall, 67% of the cancer group were using AT, compared with 51% of the control group. This was not statistically significant; 2) When prayer was excluded, 45% of the cancer group and 42% of the control group were using AT; 3) Prayer and exercise were used more by the cancer group, and massage and folk remedies more by the control group; 4) Discussion of AT use with the physician varied according to income level, with 59% of parents in the higher-income group discussing its use, compared with 24% in the lower-income group. AT use is common in pediatrics and is not limited to children with life-challenging illnesses, but is also used by those with routine problems. Pediatricians need to be aware that their patients may be using AT in addition to remedies they have prescribed, but may not volunteer this information.
Unequal equal intervals: a paradox in the measurement of intelligence.

In psychology's effort to achieve the rigor of the physical sciences, attempts have been made co develop measurements in terms of interval scales. One of the salient areas in which widely accepted interval scale measures have been developed is the area of incelligence. Both rigor and refinement characterize the developmenc of the Scanford-Binec (Terman & Merrill, 1937,1960) and Wechsler's tests (Wechsler, 1944, 1958). Perhaps che degree of success in chis endeavor has led to che assumptions of interval scale measurement remaining unquestioned. While from the standpoint of mental cesc theory this position is perhaps unassailable, from the psychologiczl standpoint (or, alternately, thac of the judge who makes decisions using chese data) very liccle investigation has been done. The hypotheses for this study derive mainly from intuition and introspection and are inductive only in the sense of representing a synthesis of experience from working in clinical and counseling settings. Experienced clinicians do not seem to discuss impa~rment and improvement (as measured by changes in intellectual functioning) as ~f n shift of, say, ten IQ points at one level of intelligence is the same as an equal shift at another level of intelligence. It seems, too, thac the traditional categories (Normal, Borderline, ecc.) also influence the judgmenc process. Considerations such as chese led us to formulate che following hypotheses. ( 1 ) Uneqz~al interval hy.po~he~is: Psychometrically equal intervals from different parts of the range of measured intelligence will be judged to be unequal and in a consistent manner. (2) Boundary hypothesis: Given two equal intervals of intelligence as stimuli for comparison, one of which crosses a boundary (e.g., from Retarded to Dull Normal) and one which does not, che one which crosses the boundary will be judged phenomenally larger. Or restated more sim
Ventromedial hypothalamic damage and sexual proceptivity in female rats

Abstract Sexual proceptivity is indicated by behaviors which reflect feminine initiation with respect to the occurrence of mating behavior. In this study we used ovariectomized female rats, and tested for sexual behavior in a relatively large arena with a sexually active male tethered in one corner. This testing situation gave the unrestrained female control over the occurrence of sexual interaction, and the frequency with which a female approaches a sexually active male provides a measure of sexual proceptivity. We find that administration of estrogen and progesterone to neurologically intact female rats induces sexual receptivity and increases the frequency with which they approach a sexually active male. Bilateral destruction of the ventromedial hypothalamus renders females non-receptive and virtually eliminates the tendency for females to approach males. Bilateral sagittal knife cuts which bracket the ventromedial region produce similar effects. Apparently, the ventromedial hypothalamus is importantly involved in the control of both receptive and proceptive components of feminine sexual behavior.
Management of inherited thrombophilia: guide for genetics professionals

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common source of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Heritable risk factors for VTE (thrombophilias) can be identified in 30-50% of affected patients. Factor V Leiden, prothrombin 20210G>A, and deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C and protein S increase the risk of a first VTE. However, an individual's thrombotic risk is determined by a complex interplay of genetic, acquired and circumstantial risk factors. At least 50% of VTE events in thrombophilic individuals are provoked by predisposing factors such as immobility, surgery, trauma, cancer, hormonal therapy and pregnancy. Non-modifiable risk factors such as advancing age and family history also increase thrombotic risk. An evidence-based risk factor evaluation is an essential step in VTE prevention. This review will educate genetics professionals about inherited and acquired risk factors for VTE and discuss recommendations for management of asymptomatic individuals with thrombophilia.
Combined Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Imaging of Orbital Lymphoma

Purpose To report a case of orbital lymphoma with systemic dissemination that was identified and localized by combined positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography. Design Case report. Methods A 75-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of painless, progressive fullness of her right upper eyelid. A PET/computed tomography was obtained to provide functional and anatomic assessment of the orbits. An orbitotomy was performed with sub-total excision of the lesion to obtain histologic diagnosis. Results The PET/computed tomography scan revealed intensive uptake of tracer in a right orbital mass measuring 2.3 × 1.8 × 2.6 cm. Foci of abnormal tracer uptake were also noted in the right neck, right hilar region, and central abdomen. Histopathologic findings were consistent with follicular cell lymphoma. Conclusions The combination of PET/computed tomography provides accurate and precise information in an expedited manner not offered by alternative imaging modalities. PET/computed tomography imaging should be considered in the evaluation of orbital neoplasms, especially if lymphoma is suspected.
Defective regulation of immune responses in croup due to parainfluenza virus

In order to determine if defects in regulation of immune responses play a role in the pathogenesis of croup, we studied 37 infants and children with either croup or upper respiratory illness alone due to parainfluenza virus (PV). PV-specific IgE responses were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell-mediated immune responses to PV antigen were studied by in vitro lymphocyte transformation assays, and suppressor cell function was determined by addition of histamine to lymphocyte transformation assays. In comparison to patients with upper respiratory illness alone, patients with croup had increased production of PV-specific IgE antibody, increased lymphoproliferative responses to PV antigen, and diminished histamine-induced suppression of lymphocyte transformation responses to PV. These results suggest that a defect in suppressor function exists among croup patients. Similar defects have been demonstrated in bronchiolitis and atopic diseases, providing an immunologic link between the three illnesses.
Attempts to silence firearm injury prevention

p On June 2, 2011, the Governor of the state of Florida signed into law “An Act Relating to Privacy of FirearmsOwners.” The bill reads in part as follows: “inquiries regarding firearm ownership or possession should not be made by licensed health care practitioners or health care facilities.” Medical providers are allowed to make inquiries about firearms if there are concerns for the safety of the patient or others (e.g., if the patient is actively suicidal), but otherwise asking about firearm ownership violates the principle of this new law, including such inquires during a primary care visit, and asking in these settings will “constitute grounds for disciplinary action.” This bill limits physicians’ ability to inquire about unsafe firearm storage and use, which are important behavioral risk factors for injury and death. The open and confidential nature of the physician– patient relationship is fundamental and has long enabled doctors to talk effectively with their patients about a wide range of social issues such as smoking, alcohol use, health insurance, and intimate partner violence. As early as the 1890s, physicians havemade recommendations about the ownership and safe handling of firearms. The phy-
Steroid hormone receptors in breast cancer management.

Estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) have now been studied in clinical breast cancer for more than 20 years. Positive receptor status correlates with favorable prognostic features including a lower rate of cell proliferation and histologic evidence of tumor differentiation. During the first several years after diagnosis, patients with ER-positive tumors tend to have a lower recurrence rate; however, this is balanced by a higher recurrence rate in subsequent years so that the overall prognostic significance of receptor status is modest. ER and PR have their greatest utility in predicting response to hormonal therapy, both in the adjuvant setting and for advanced disease. When the assay is done properly and cut-offs for ER-negativity and positivity are defined by clinical studies of patients treated with endocrine therapy, receptor status is very helpful in identifying groups of patients who are very unlikely to benefit from hormonal therapy. Tumors that express both ER and PR have the greatest benefit from hormonal therapy, but those containing only ER or only PR still have significant responses.
Fast Relief: Buying Time with Medications

The experience of time famine in contemporary U.S. culture affects household decisions about self-care and the use of pharmaceuticals for selfmedication. This article examines the manner in which time demands shape lay interpretations of medicine efficacy and drive increases in medication use for adults as well as children. Medicines, like other time-saving commodities, appear to shift the time-power differential in favor of individuals, placing them in control of how time is spent. When there is "no time to be sick,”allopathic medicines become time-saving devices that enable women to fulfill responsibilities at work or home while they attend to sick children or to being ill themselves. Medicines are used to beat the clock by increasing one's own capacity to be productive, [self-medication, domestic health care, United States, time]
Looking for the German Revolution in Weimar Films

C C f ^X Gott, o Gott?ist das Revolution?" a wide-eyed Frau Dreissiger I lasks her husband, her pearl necklaces rising and falling with ^*->^ her heaving bosom, as chants of the angry crowd of weavers penetrate the sequestered drawing room. In this scene in Friedrich Zelnik's 1927 film Die Weber, Frau Dreissiger's question is far less naive than the impatient look of her nervous husband suggests. It resounds, rather, with the fears and expectations of Germans ofthe 1920s, convinced they were living in an era of revolutionary transformation, yet besieged by a cacophony of arguments as to whether or how an actual German revolution would come about. Historians of the Weimar era have posed comparable questions about which upheavals and ideas constituted a German revolu? tion. Spurred by debates over whether an authoritarian German Sonderweg bypassed a bourgeois revolution, invigorated since unification by new perspectives on German democratization, and enriched by new approaches, they have considered an extraordinarily wide range of phenomena. The resulting studies have revealed myriad interactions between political ide? ologies, social groupings, economic practices, and external pressures.1 They also have shown how the concept of the German revolution became diffused during the 1920s, invoked by journalists, political figures, industri? alists, cultural critics, and the populace at large for wildly differing purposes.
Empirically understanding trust in medical technology

Abstract Researchers across disciplines have developed measures of interpersonal trust, system trust, and trust in technology and sought to determine if measures of trust in technology should use the same trust factors as interpersonal trust measures. Studies have found evidence to support the notion that trust and distrust are considered opposites, negating the need for two separate measures to be developed and that participants rate concepts of generalized trust, interpersonal trust, system trust, and trust in technology similarly. It is not apparent if trust in medical technology is the same as trust in general technology; if the two constructs are different, existing trust in technology models may not be useful in discussions about medical technology. The studies involved in the development of a framework of trust in medical technology provide evidence to determine that trust in medical technology is empirically different from trust in technology. The methods described in the studies are based on research methods used to empirically define the constructs trust and comfort and were chosen to extend previous trust in technology models and to offer comparison and validation of findings and methods used in previous studies. Relevance to industry Understanding how users construct trust in medical technology provides insight to how medical technologies may be used, misused, disused or abused [Parasuraman, R., Riley, V., 1997. Humans and automation: use, misuse, disuse, abuse. Human Factors 39 (2), 230–253] by patients and health care providers and health system issues such as error, malpractice, adoption and satisfaction. The factors of trust in medical technology generated in these studies may be used for the development of trust in medical technology measurement tools. As will be shown, medical technology generalizes in many ways to other technology so the methods and results presented here have broader implications.
Temperature‐dependent Energy Transfer in Mn‐doped CdS/ZnS Nanocrystals#

Temperature dependence of the exciton and luminescence intensities in Mn-doped CdS/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) emitting both exciton and dopant luminescence simultaneously was studied in the temperature range 77–320 K. With increasing temperature, exciton luminescence intensity decreased as a result of the increased charge carrier trapping, similar to the usual undoped QDs. In contrast, the sensitized Mn luminescence intensity increased with increasing temperature despite the decrease in the exciton population available for the sensitization. The observed opposite temperature dependence of the exciton and Mn luminescence indicates that the exciton–Mn energy transfer rate should increase with temperature significantly more rapidly than the charge carrier trapping. Temperature shift of the bandgap of the host QD and the energy of accepting d–d transition, resulting in the variation of the donor–acceptor spectral overlap, is considered responsible for the large temperature dependence of the energy transfer rate in Mn-doped QDs.
Atomization patterns and breakup characteristics of liquid sheets formed by two impinging jets

ligament, are studied. The circumferentially space drops were shed from the periphery of the sheet, as well as the ligaments were fragmented from the leading edge of the sheet and then broke into droplets following the Rayleigh mechanism. The periodic waves from the point of impingement were apparent on the surface of the sheet. The impact waves caused early breakdown of the sheet downstream of the impingement point, whereas waves amplied by aerodynamic stresses controlled the breakdown of the rest of the sheet and the ligaments. The impinging jets for non-Newtonian uid are also investigated, two dierent ow patterns are observed.
In vitro measurement of particle margination in the microchannel flow: effect of varying hematocrit.

It has long been known that platelets undergo margination when flowing in blood vessels, such that there is an excess concentration near the vessel wall. We conduct experiments and three-dimensional boundary integral simulations of platelet-sized spherical particles in a microchannel 30 μm in height to measure the particle-concentration distribution profile and observe its margination at 10%, 20%, and 30% red blood cell hematocrit. The experiments involved adding 2.15-μm-diameter spheres into a solution of red blood cells, plasma, and water and flowing this mixture down a microfluidic channel at a wall shear rate of 1000 s−1. Fluorescence imaging was used to determine the height and velocity of particles in the channel. Experimental results indicate that margination has largely occurred before particles travel 1 cm downstream and that hematocrit plays a role in the degree of margination. With simulations, we can track the trajectories of the particles with higher resolution. These simulations also confirm that margination from an initially uniform distribution of spheres and red blood cells occurs over the length scale of O(1 cm), with higher hematocrit showing faster margination. The results presented here, from both experiments and 3D simulations, may help explain the relationship between bleeding time in vessel trauma and red blood cell hematocrit as platelets move to a vessel wall.
The relationship between internal audit and information security: An exploratory investigation

Abstract The internal audit and information security functions should work together synergistically: the information security staff designs, implements, and operates various procedures and technologies to protect the organization's information resources, and internal audit provides periodic feedback concerning effectiveness of those activities along with suggestions for improvement. Anecdotal reports in the professional literature, however, suggest that the two functions do not always have a harmonious relationship. This paper presents the first stage of a research program designed to investigate the nature of the relationship between the information security and internal audit functions. It reports the results of a series of semi-structured interviews with both internal auditors and information systems professionals. We develop an exploratory model of the factors that influence the nature of the relationship between the internal audit and information security functions, describe the potential benefits organizations can derive from that relationship, and present propositions to guide future research.
Mechanical properties of Bombyx mori silkworm silk subjected to microwave radiation

Microwave irradiation has the potential to affect the mechanical properties of natural silks. We explored several tensile properties of Bombyx mori silkworm cocoon fibers (yield stress and strain, breaking stress and strain, Young’s modulus, toughness) as a function of microwave exposure time; samples were stored in a desiccating environment prior to tensile testing. Microwave radiation did not significantly affect any of these properties. We conclude that silk can be incorporated as a reinforcing fiber—without significant deterioration in properties—into materials that are subjected to microwave processing and/or in-service microwave radiation. Microwave exposure decreased the Weibull modulus of fibers, indicating that fracture becomes less predictable as a result of the exposure. Since microwave exposure affects failure predictability but not the average breaking strength of fibers, silk is best suited for use in composite materials if microwave exposure is likely, so that load can be transferred from weaker to stronger fibers.
Supporting real time VBR video using dynamic reservation based on linear prediction

Variable bit rate (VBR) video traffic is expected to be one of the major applications that need to be supported by broadband packet-switched networks. A dynamic bandwidth allocation strategy used to support VBR video traffic is proposed. This strategy predicts the bandwidth requirements for future frames using either adaptive or non-adaptive least mean square (LMS) error linear predictors. The adaptive technique does not require any prior knowledge of the statistics, nor assumes stationarity. Several reservation schemes are also presented. Analysis using six one-half hour video traces indicate that prediction errors for the bandwidth required for the next frame are almost white noise. By reserving a bandwidth equal to the predicted value, only the prediction errors need to be buffered. Because the errors are almost white noise, a small buffer size, high utilization, and a small delay are achieved. Simulation results for 1-step linear predictor show that for the same expected cell loss, the buffer size is reduced by more than a factor of 100 and the network utilization is increased by more than 250% as compared to a fixed service rate.
A Low-Cost Patch Antenna Phased Array With Analog Beam Steering Using Mutual Coupling and Reactive Loading

In this letter, a low-cost patch antenna phased array is demonstrated with analog beam steering without using phase shifters. This novel technique can greatly reduce the cost of a phased-array system and will enable the wide-scale deployment of phased arrays in low-end commercial products. In the presented three-element phased array, the center (driven) antenna is fed by an RF source and the two neighboring (passive) antennas are excited through the mutual coupling from the center antenna. The phase shifts between the antenna elements are achieved by changing the reactance of the capacitors loading the two passive antennas. A phased array using this novel technique is designed, fabricated, and measured at 3 GHz with a bandwidth of 1.8%. This phased array is shown to be able to steer the antenna beam from 20 to 20 degrees in an analog fashion. The measured radiation patterns of this phased array closely match the theoretical calculation and full-wave simulation results.
Correlates of health attitudes among homosexual and bisexual men.

Abstract There is increased emphasis on physician attention to the overall health and wellness of homosexual and bisexual men, though little is known about the health-related attitudes of these groups. This study determined factors associated with the health attitudes of homosexual and bisexual men and identified preferred sources of health information. For this study, the 2008 ConsumerStyles panel survey was used to create three health attitude scales and to determine factors associated with each scale. The three scales were labeled: (1) health motivation; (2) relationship with health care provider; and (3) self-perception of health literacy. In addition to other factors, higher scores for health motivation and relationship with health care provider were associated with black compared with white men. In contrast, lower scores for self-perception of health literacy were associated with black compared with white men. For information on an unfamiliar health condition, most homosexual and bisexual men chose the Internet. Black homosexual and bisexual men reported being motivated to be healthy and working well with their health care provider to manage their health. However, their perception of their own health motivation was low compared with the white men. Attempts to improve health literacy through Internet sites may be helpful in improving health attitudes and reducing negative health outcomes.
The Genetics of Adaptive Coat Color in Gophers: Coding Variation at Mc1r Is Not Responsible for Dorsal Color Differences

The genetics of adaptation is a key problem in evolutionary biology. Pocket gophers of the species Thomomys bottae provide one of the most striking examples of coat color variation in mammals. Dorsal pelage color is strongly correlated with soil color across the range of the species, presumably reflecting the selective pressure exerted by predation. To investigate the genetic basis of coat color variation in T. bottae, we cloned and sequenced the melanocortin-1 receptor locus (Mc1r), a candidate pigmentation gene, in 5 dark and 5 light populations of the species. Our results show that, in contrast to many other species of mammals and other vertebrates, coding variation at Mc1r is not the main determinant of coat color variation in T. bottae. These results demonstrate that similar phenotypic variation may have a different genetic basis among different mammalian species.
Equilibrium Fermi's Golden Rule Charge Transfer Rate Constants in the Condensed Phase: The Linearized Semiclassical Method vs Classical Marcus Theory

In this article, we present a comprehensive comparison between the linearized semiclassical expression for the equilibrium Fermi's golden rule rate constant and the progression of more approximate expressions that lead to the classical Marcus expression. We do so within the context of the canonical Marcus model, where the donor and acceptor potential energy surface are parabolic and identical except for a shift in both the free energies and equilibrium geometries, and within the Condon region. The comparison is performed for two different spectral densities and over a wide range of frictions and temperatures, thereby providing a clear test for the validity, or lack thereof, of the more approximate expressions. We also comment on the computational cost and scaling associated with numerically calculating the linearized semiclassical expression for the rate constant and its dependence on the spectral density, temperature, and friction.
Monte Carlo testing and verification of numerical algorithm implementations

We develop a statistical test to assess correctness of a numerical algorithm implementation. We propose a Monte Carlo method to estimate the accuracy of an approximation algorithm without knowing a true value to be computed. The methodology is illustrated on computation of partial volumes in breast tissue simulation.
The Iraqi-British War of 1941: A Review Article

The events that took place in Iraq in 1941, commonly called Rashid Ali al-Kaylani or the Revolution of 1941 by the Iraqis, were very important to the subsequent political development of that country. They led Iraq to war with Britain, and most of what happened after that date, including the July 14, 1958, Revolution, can be explained in one way or another as an extension of what happened in May 1941.
Levels of Processing and the Retention of Paired-Associates

The effect of self-reference, semantic, and rote processing on the retention of paired-associates was examined at intervals of 5 min. and 2 wk. 25 subjects per group were given 120 sec. to process each of 15 paired-associates by self-reference, semantic, or rote. The pairs were a low meaningful nonsense word and a high meaningful English noun. At both retention intervals, self-reference and semantic processing produced significantly higher retention than rote processing and there was no difference in retention between self-reference and semantic processing. The results were compared with those of similar studies.
Monitoring the Quality of Laboratory-Reared Insects: A Biological and Behavioral Perspective

Tests used to monitor the quality of laboratory-reared insects must be reproducible, economical and simple if they are to be widely applied. A standard of quality must be established with which the laboratory-reared population may be compared. The wild insect of the species being monitored is deemed to be the best standard even though its application may often be difficult. Comparisons of the wild-standard and laboratory-reared insect populations (monitoring) should include those components of the biology and behavior of the species which are most important to its survival. These components are identified as life history, dispersal, survival, locating of mating sites, courtship and mating, oviposition and larval survival. Each component in this sequence is composed of identifiable traits which are subject to monitoring. The possible sources and types of variation in these traits, the means by which the variations have been measured, and the ways in which the experimental processes have been reduced to simple monitoring systems are discussed in this review.
Chenodeoxycholic Acid: The Mayo Clinic Experience

When clinical studies of potential gallstone-dissolving agents began, it was thought that all the natural bile components might be suitable and that the goal of pharmacologic dissolution might be achieved through expansion of the bile acid pool. But the experience described here showed that only chenodeoxycholic acid dissolved stones, that it dissolved only cholesterol gallstones, and that it acts by rendering bile unsaturated in cholesterol.
Investigation of Students’ Attitudes about Patients with Substance Use Disorders before and after Completing an Online Curricular Module

Substance use disorders are often missed when patients present for medical care. The purpose of this report is to describe the pilot implementation of a curriculum module designed to influence medical student beliefs and attitudes toward patients with substance use disorders. Third-year medical students rotating through the two-month Ambulatory Primary Care clerkship (N = 99) were contacted by email and directed to a brief survey addressing students’ personal views regarding patients with substance use disorders. After the survey was submitted, students were directed to the Drexel University College of Medicine Doc.com online module about substance use. After one week, students received another email asking them to complete the same survey. Results from the pre- and postmodule surveys were compared using paired samples t-tests. Statistically significant changes were detected in 5 of13 items. The results of this study indicate that the one-hour, online Doc.com module can effectively influence medical student beliefs and attitudes toward patients with substance use disorders.
Treat-to-target approach in daily clinical practice in Pakistani patients with early Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective To determine the frequency of patients with early Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) achieving disease remission and/or low disease activity after 6 months of treatment with conventional Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) by using treat-to-target approach in routine clinical practice. Study design Descriptive study. Place and duration of study Division of Rheumatology, Fatima Memorial Hospital (FMH), College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore, from March 2011 to February 2012. Methodology Patients with early RA defined as disease duration ² 1 year were enrolled by purposive sampling, diagnosed as per American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 criteria. Treat-to-target approach was defined as per European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2010 guidelines for treatment of RA with conventional DMARDs. Outcome measures of remission and low disease activity were defined as per DAS 28 score criteria. Patient response to treatment was also determined by EULAR response criteria. Results Out of 67 patients, 50 patients completed the 6 months study period, rest were lost to follow-up. All patients were started on Methotrexate and mean weekly dose at 6 months was 18.9 ± 3.8 mg. Remission was achieved in 17 (34%) and target of low disease activity was achieved in 29 (58%) of patients. EULAR good response was seen in 28 (56%), moderate response in 21 (42%) and no response to treatment in 1 (2%). Conclusion By applying treat-to-target approach in early RA, achievement of clinical remission or low disease activity with conventional DMARDs is a realistic goal in routine practice.
The Voice of a New China: Democratic Behaviours in the Chinese Reality Shows Super Girl and Happy Girls

China’s media have long served the Communist Party’s political purposes, and China’s television has always been under government censorship. One of China’s first reality shows, Super Girl, showed too much of the “democratic” idea according to the Communist Party, which then banned it in 2006. Nevertheless, the show, in effect, introduced the participatory audience, and Chinese audiences became consumers who not only actively sought new information but also actively participated in a given show. Now, because of today’s new media technologies and their convergence, the relationship between producers and consumers has been both reshaped and consolidated, empowering the rights of the participatory audience and spurring democratic ideas in Chinese society. The Chinese consumers nowadays are thus able to participate in both creating the media text and at the same time collectively making their own meaning in that text. Because of such an empowered audience, China’s reality shows have become a powerful platform and conduit that allow the voice of the Chinese people to be heard. Therefore, in this paper, I will examine four aspects of the Chinese reality shows in an era of “media convergence”: first, the new relationship between China’s government and media producers; second, the intense cooperation between Chinese new media producers and consumers; third, the public voice created by new Chinese audiences on new media platforms on the Internet; and fourth, the limitations and possibilities of democratic participation in Chinese reality shows.
Medullary neuronal loss is not associated with α-synuclein burden in multiple system atrophy.

Background Accumulation of α-synuclein in multiple system atrophy (MSA) affects medullary autonomic and respiratory control areas, including the rostral ventrolateral medulla and raphe nuclei. Relative neuronal vulnerability and its relationship to α-synuclein accumulation in these areas are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of loss of adrenergic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla and serotonergic neurons in the ventrolateral medulla and raphe nuclei and its relationship with α-synuclein accumulation. Methods Medullary sections from 7 MSA and 6 control subjects were processed for tyrosine hydroxylase, tryptophan hydroxylase, and α-synuclein immunoreactivity. Neuronal counts were performed stereologically, whereas α-synuclein burden in oligodendrocytes and neurons was quantified using object detection density (area/mm2). Results All MSA cases had orthostatic hypotension; 5 had laryngeal stridor. There was marked neuronal loss in the rostral ventrolateral medulla and medullary raphe in all cases. Most severely affected were tyrosine hydroxylase ventrolateral medulla (C1) neurons (83% reduction), followed by tryptophan hydroxylase neurons in the ventrolateral medulla (70%), raphe obscurus (56%), pallidus (57%), and magnus (47%). α-Synuclein accumulation occurred predominantly as glial cytoplasmic inclusions with rare α-synuclein accumulation occurring within the remaining neurons. Density of α-synuclein did not correlate with neuronal loss in any of the areas analyzed, and there was no correlation between α-synuclein density and disease duration for any regions of interest. Conclusions These findings indicate that in MSA adrenergic neurons are more susceptible than serotonergic neurons in the medulla. Further, loss of medullary monoaminergic neurons may progress independently from α-synuclein accumulation in MSA. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Alienation and Fetishization: A Critical Analysis of “‘Radicalism and Innovation’ in the New World Group’s Approach to and Rejection of Metropolitan Intellectual and Political Hegemony

The New World Group (NWG)2 comprised mainly male academics, writers, professionals and other intellectuals. Norman Girvan described NWG as a “loosely knit group of Caribbean intellectuals whose aim is to develop an indigenous view of the region” (Girvan 1971: 27). NWG did not converge around a coherent body of philosophical ideas and theories of historical change: ideologically and politically, the range of outlook ran from conservative and radical black nationalist ideas to social democratic and neo-Marxist tendencies. NWG, whose impact extended beyond the University of the West Indies (UWI) academic community, emerged in a cultural environment where political parties and other political and social movements and progressive organizations lacked deeply rooted traditions in revolutionary theory and practice. The BWI working class was rather small, at best semi-industrial and heavily mired in religious obscurantism and naturalistic materialism at best. The progressive social and political movements led by the middle strata intelligentsia and rank and file workers stressed mainly anti-colonial and anti-imperialist reformism that was not anti-British in sentiment or orientation. NWG did not become an integral part of the struggles of the working classes in any systematic way, though its ideas might have had impacts that helped to condition social and popular movements around the struggle of the working classes.
Application of double asymptotics and random matrix theory in error estimation of regularized linear discriminant analysis

The theory of double asymptotics and random matrices has been employed to construct a nearly unbiased estimator of true error rate of linear discriminant analysis with ridge estimator of inverse covariance matrix in the multivariate Gaussian model. In such a scenario, the performance of the constructed estimator, as measured by Root-Mean-Square (RMS) error, shows improvement over well-known estimators of true error.
Congenital cataracts: de novo gene conversion event in CRYBB2.

Purpose To identify the cause of congenital cataracts in a consanguineous family of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
Colorectal cancer: A new innate immune sensor - functions from inside the colonic epithelium.

Chronic inflammation is a well-known risk factor for developing colitis-associated colorectal cancer. A new study reports that aberrant activation of innate immune responses increases susceptibility to colitis and colorectal cancer. These findings identify an epithelial cell-intrinsic mechanism by which the innate immune system promotes tumorigenesis through the activation of PI3K–mTOR signalling.
The Supreme Court and Gender-Neutral Language: Splitting La Difference

Following the first term with three women on the United States Supreme Court, this article analyzes the extent to which the justices used gender-neutral language. The article presents background about the meaning, history, and importance of gender-neutral language. It then examines both biased and gender-neutral phrasing in the justices’ opinions for the 2010 term. It concludes that some justices, with Justice Ginsburg in the forefront, frequently use gender-neutral language, others use it some of the time, and still others, especially Justice Scalia, seldom use it. The article presents unobtrusive ways to avoid biased language and suggests that the justices, as leaders in the legal profession, could easily apply them.
Evidence for the construct validity of two grammatical tasks to screen for language impairment in Spanish speaking children1

Are the sentence repetition task and the morphology elicitation task from the Spanish Screener for Language Impairment in Children valid measures of grammatical skills in Spanish speaking children ...
Compositional signatures in acoustic backscatter over vegetated and unvegetated mixed sand-gravel riverbeds†

Multibeam acoustic backscatter has considerable utility for remote characterization of spatially heterogeneous bed sediment composition over vegetated and unvegetated riverbeds of mixed sand and gravel. However, the use of high-frequency, decimeter-resolution acoustic backscatter for sediment classification in shallow water is hampered by significant topographic contamination of the signal. In mixed sand-gravel riverbeds, changes in the abiotic composition of sediment (such as homogeneous sand to homogeneous gravel) tend to occur over larger spatial scales than is characteristic of small-scale bedform topography (ripples, dunes, and bars) or biota (such as vascular plants and periphyton). A two-stage method is proposed to filter out the morphological contributions to acoustic backscatter. First, the residual supragrain-scale topographic effects in acoustic backscatter with small instantaneous insonified areas, caused by ambiguity in the local (beam-to-beam) bed-sonar geometry, are removed. Then, coherent scales between high-resolution topography and backscatter are identified using cospectra, which are used to design a frequency domain filter that decomposes backscatter into the (unwanted) high-pass component associated with bedform topography (ripples, dunes, and sand waves) and vegetation, and the (desired) low-frequency component associated with the composition of sediment patches superimposed on the topography. This process strengthens relationships between backscatter and sediment composition. A probabilistic framework is presented for classifying vegetated and unvegetated substrates based on acoustic backscatter at decimeter resolution. This capability is demonstrated using data collected from diverse settings within a 386 km reach of a canyon river whose bed varies among sand, gravel, cobbles, boulders, and submerged vegetation.
Reverse Engineering and Its Applications

Abstract Commonly described as the reversal of the traditional approach of product development, reverse engineering is a putative concept of the field of engineering that has found numerous applications in diverse fields. Reverse engineering can be used to capture a three-dimensional product or model in digital form, remodeled, and exported for rapid prototyping/tooling or rapid manufacturing. A salient feature of reverse engineering approach is the ability to speed up the manufacturing process, as the production is typically based on prototypes that have already been manufactured and undergo desired modifications. This chapter gives an account of the application of reverse engineering in diverse fields of biological sciences such as bioinformatics, biosystems, human regulatory networks, medical device design, software design, pharmaceutical product design, and therapeutic protein production. From a legal and economic standpoint, reverse engineering has a long-standing history of being an acceptable practice, as it often endorsed as an appropriate way of obtaining information about another product and utilizing this information to develop another product that is directly in competition to the existing product. However, with an increase in the number of products being reverse engineered, several conflicts of legal origin have arisen, which highlight the need for the development of specific legislature governing the practices of reverse engineering that serve a regulatory purpose.
The Role of Reproductive Genetics in Modern Andrology

Proper care of the infertile male includes a diagnosis of the underlying etiology and counseling regarding the known ramifications for the patient and potential offspring. This necessitates a thorough screening of potential genetic anomalies, including karyotype abnormalities, Y chromosome microdeletions, and relevant gene mutations. Additionally, the sperm may possess aneuploidies, independent of the patient’s somatic karyotype, or DNA strand breaks that can decrease the potential of successful embryogenesis. The novel field of sperm epigenetics has indicated that sperm epigenetic anomalies, in the form of DNA methylation, chromatin, and RNA alterations, can also affect fertility potential and may be moderated by lifestyle and environmental influences. These genetic anomalies not only affect the fertility of the patient, but may also be reflective of general health concerns in the patient and offspring.
Insights into individual and cooperative invasive plant management on family forestlands

Abstract Invasive species are reaching epidemic proportions, greatly altering global biomes. The role of private landowners in controlling invasive plants in forest ecosystems has been well recognized, although limited research has investigated their awareness, actions, needs and concerns. Building upon a broader literature on family forest owner decision making and invasive weed management in non-forested landscapes, we conducted 23 semi-structured interviews with family forest owners and forestry professionals in Indiana, USA. We documented and discussed (1) their knowledge and awareness of invasive plant management, (2) current invasive plant management actions, (3) issues surrounding cooperative invasive plant management, (4) how they understand the responsibility of invasive plant control across the landscape, and (5) an information challenge facing invasive plant management. Our results suggest that future education and outreach efforts should broaden to include urban and suburban residents, as well as forestry professionals who are often assumed to be supportive of and knowledgeable about invasive plant management. Our results also suggest that forestry professionals can help motivate family forest owners toward invasive plant management by providing positive psychological reinforcement such as social approval. Further, our results highlight a gap between the recognized importance of cooperative invasive plant management and a lack of on-the-ground practices mainly due to a family forest owner culture of independence. Overcoming the cultural stigma associated with cooperative management requires forestry professionals’ willingness and ability to cultivate a social environment conducive to collective actions by playing the role of community organizers. Together, these insights can be used to inform the development of future invasive plant communication strategies and private forest landowner assistance programs.
Sparus II AUV—A Hovering Vehicle for Seabed Inspection

This paper proposes the use of path-planning algorithms for hovering autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in applications where the robot needs to adapt online its trajectory for inspection or safety purposes. In particular, it proposes the platform Sparus II AUV and a set of planning algorithms to conduct these new AUV capabilities. These algorithms generate trajectories under motion constraints, which can be followed without deviations, to ensure the safety even when passing close to obstacles. View planning algorithms are also combined to decide the movements to be executed to discover the unexplored seabed or target, and to cover it with a camera or sonar. Online mapping with profiling sonars and online planning with fast sampling-based algorithms allow the execution of missions without any previous knowledge of the 3-D shape of the environment. Real 2-D results in an artificial harbor structure and simulated natural rocky canyon demonstrate the feasibility of the approach for avoiding or inspecting the underwater environment. These new AUV capabilities can be used to acquire images of the environment that can be used to inspect and map the habitat.