cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1503: Cancer testis antigen SPANXB2 and prostate cancer progression: Human prostate stroma promotes SPANXB2 expression

A critical problem in prostate cancer is our inability to reliably distinguish indolent from aggressive disease. Recent evidence has implicated a class of genes, termed Cancer Testis Antigens (CTA) that uniquely expressed on malignant tissue, in cancer progression. CTA SPANXB2 was reported to be associated with aggressive and metastasis of melanoma and other cancers. The role of SPANXB2 in prostate cancer is still uncertain. In preliminary studies, we observed that the CTA SPANXB2 is up-regulated in mRNA level in metastatic prostate cancer xenograft models (PC3 cells injected in mouse dorsal prostate with Matrigel). Compared with other injection sites, mouse dorsal prostate enriched prostate stroma. Therefore, we further tested whether prostate stroma is the key factor to influence SPANXB2 expression and enhance the metastasis potential of prostate cancer cells. We validated this through an in vitro epithelial-stroma interaction models: GFP labeled PC3 cells were placed on the top of human prostate stromal cells (HPS-19I); two days later PC3-GFP cells were isolated through flow cytometry with high purity (> 99%). By real time PCR, the expression level of SPANXB2 in these purified PC3-GFP cells was found to be upregulated up to 10 folds. We also tested DU145 and LNCaP in this same model, and similar results were obtained. We further examined the migration and invasion ability of these cells and found that stromal exposed cells gained an enhanced ability to migrate and invade. Interestingly, we also observed that the stem cells marker, CD24 was highly up -regulated up to 6 folds in PC3 cells after co-culture with HPS-19I. In addition, we treated PC3 cells with TGF-β1 and TGF-β2, and noted that SPANXB2 and CD24 were significantly increased in PC3 cells after 24 hours treatment with TGF-β2. Our results reveal that i) the interaction between human prostate stromal cells and prostate cancer cells promote CTA-SPANXB2 and CD24 expression in prostate cancer cells, ii) these interactions further enhance the migration and invasion ability of prostate cancer cells and iii) TGF-β2 may regulate SPANXB expression relevant cells. These data provide rationale for studying SPANXB2 in stromal-epithelial interactions and may be potentially used to pinpoint druggable targets that drive metastasis and that distinguish indolent from aggressive prostate cancer. Keywords: Cancer testis antigen, SPANXB2, Prostate cancer, Metastasis, Stoma Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1503. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1503
The Influence of Seasonal Sex Ratio on the Number of Annual Generations of Aedes triseriatus

The sex ratio of emerging Aedes triseriatus (Say) strongly favored males during the early part of the season. This factor is partly responsible for delaying the beginning of oviposition until late June, leaving open a narrow time gate for development of a partial 2nd generation before onset of egg diapause in late July. Comparison of emergence patterns from treeholes alternately open to current season's oviposition with those closed to current oviposition indicated that ca. 15–28% of adults emerging from the former represented a partial 2nd generation, this yielding an estimate of 1.2–1.4 adult generations during 1977 and an estimate closer to 1.2 for years when May temperatures and July rainfall are more normal than they were in 1977. Of 12 treeholes monitored over a 2-yr period 3 accounted for 58% of the adult A. triseriatus produced.
Separation of transfer ribonucleic acids by reverse phase chromatography.

Numerous experimental techniques for the separation of transfer ribonucleic acids have been successful in preparing partially purified fractions of several specific t-RNAs. Many of the existing methods have depended upon the differential solubility of specific t-RNAs in complex two-phase systems (1-6) and the separation was achieved by means of counter-current extraction techniques. Column chromatography experiments using cellulose exchangers, (7,8) methylated albumin (9,10) or with solvent phases supported on inert material (11-13) have also shown partial separation of specific t-RNAs. Paper chromatographic procedures have produced partial resolutions of t-RNA.14 Methods involving chemical treatment of specific t-RNAs have been reported (15-19).
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) Conjunctivitis, and Mycoplasma spp. Isolated from North American Wild Birds, 1994-2015.

Abstract Sampling wild birds for mycoplasma culture has been key to the study of House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) conjunctivitis, yielding isolates of Mycoplasma gallisepticum spanning the temporal and geographic ranges of disease from emergence to endemicity. Faced with the challenges and costs of sample collection over time and from remote locations for submission to our laboratory for mycoplasma culture, protocols evolved to achieve a practical optimum. Herein we report making M. gallisepticum isolates from House Finches almost every year since the disease emerged in 1994, and we now have 227 isolates from 17 states. Our wild bird host range for M. gallisepticum isolates includes Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria), Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus), Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus), and herein first reports for Western Scrub-jay (Aphelocoma californica), and American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). By collecting and ide...
Macromolecular synthesis: effects of vitamin K and warfarin on macromolecular synthesis in Escherichia coli.

At 2 × 10−3M, vitamin K1 increased E.coli protein synthesis more than two fold but decreased the incorporation of glucosamine into acid insoluble material (74% lipopolysaccharide) to 1% the control rate; DNA and RNA rates of synthesis were unaffected. Warfarin at 2 × 10−3M inhibited RNA synthesis to 25% the control rate, DNA synthesis to 87%, protein synthesis to 24% and the incorporation of glucosamine into acid insoluble material to 40% the control rate. In the presence of 250 ωg/ml of chloramphenicol vitamin K1 at 2 × 10−3M increased the rate of protein synthesis in E.coli three fold over the rate with chloramphenicol alone.
Part 7. Very Low Pressures and Ultra Low Pressures (below 10−6 Torr)

Pressures below 10−6 Torr are measured almost exclusively with ionization gages. These gages have the advantages of high sensitivity, potentiality for measuring pressures as low as 10−18 Torr, and relative simplicity of the gage and its electronic controls. The attendant disadvantages are rather poor absolute accuracy, serious interactions between the gage and the system being measured, and the need for considerable skill and knowledge on the part of the operator to obtain reproducible, accurate results. Other types of gage have been developed which do not require ionization of the gas and which are potentially capable of measuring pressures in the ultrahigh vacuum (u.h.v.) range (< 10−9 Torr) which may not suffer from the disadvantages of ionization gages. None of these gages has been developed to the point where it is a serious competitor to the ionization gage at pressures below 10−6 Torr, nor have the operational problems of these gages been clearly established. This chapter will concentrate its attention on ionization gages with only very brief reference to other types.
Strategies to Promote the Maintenance of Behavior Change: Moving from Theoretical Principles to Practice

There is strong consensus that efforts to promote and improve people’s health will depend, at least in part, on people’s behavioral decisions; decisions that cross a broad range of domains.
Electroporation of a multicellular system: asymptotic model analysis

Quantitative understanding of electroporation in a multicellular system has been limited. The transient aqueous pore theory describes electroporation as the stochastic formation of hydrophilic pores in the presence of an applied electric field. We have used an asymptotic model for local membrane electroporation in a transport lattice system model to predict effects of a electrical pulse on a didactic multicellular model. We show that pulses of amplitude 0.2 to 2 kV/cm and duration 100 /spl mu/s can cause extensive electroporation resulting in significant redistribution of transmembrane voltages.
NOTES Pancreatic Debridement

Recent refinements in the nomenclature have attempted to simplify previous classification schemes regarding acute pancreatitis and its sequelae. Our understanding of the natural history of acute pancreatitis and its sequelae continues to evolve. A subset of patients with acute pancreatitis develops peripancreatic collections that, over time, may evolve into walled-off necrosis (WON). The currently available literature suggests that endoscopic management of WON is the preferred management strategy in the majority of cases. Treatment strategies range from simple drainage of liquefied contents to repeated direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) of a complex necrotic collection, with each method requiring a variety of techniques and tools necessary to achieve success. In this chapter, we focus on the indications, techniques, and outcomes for endoscopic therapy of WON.
Stresses Caused by too much Wheat and Sugar

The metabolism of gluten protein which produces zonulin, which in turn is a key factor in controlling permeability in the intestinal walls, is a proven scientific fact. There are many papers associating this particular phenomenon to many autoimmune diseases. These recently published works about wheat and previous ones about sugar lead to the deduction that wheat and sugar are suspected in many autoimmune diseases. As diseases go, there is a range of ‘sickness’ associated with each disease. The symptoms which are frequently present are chronic aches and pain; many of the symptoms have been captured by brain imaging technology. Depending on the level of sickness, people may turn up for work as normal but not be at their best. Many different persons with various autoimmune diseases, not sick enough to stay home, would evidently cause a work environment that is more stressful for everyone.
Julian Smith 1901–1975

(1975). Julian Smith 1901–1975. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 46, No. 7, pp. 10-12.
Therapeutic Management of CNS Vasculitis

Purpose of review The management of primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) can be very challenging due to multitude of reasons. Despite the many challenges, a tremendous progress has been made at many levels in PACNS. Here we review how to approach PACNS including our own experience at the specialized center. Recent findings Now, most of experts agree that glucocorticoids are the foundation of the initial treatment for PACNS with or without an additional cytotoxic agent such as cyclophosphamide depending on severity of the disease. Recent studies suggested maintenance therapy likely reduces a risk of relapse and there might be disease subcategories with different prognostic implications. Summary There are still significant unmet needs in this arena. To advance the field, it is necessary to establish consensus on disease subcategories and research outcome tools for PACNS. Additional deeper molecular understanding of PACNS as well as clinical therapeutic research will not be fruitful without them and a consorted international effort is crucial.
Thulium-doped distributed feedback and distributed Bragg reflector lasers on silicon chips

We report on high-power CMOS-compatible thulium-doped distributed feedback and distributed Bragg reflector lasers with single-mode output powers up to 267 mW and 387 mW, and slope efficiencies of 14% and 23% respectively. More than 70 dB side-mode suppression ratio are achieved for both lasers. This work extends the applicability of silicon photonic microsystems into the 2 μm region.
Methodological Challenges in Evaluating Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs: “Through Measuring to Knowledge”

Abstract The quantification of the impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) is a challenge. Disentangling the true effect from the impact of bias, confounding, and random time effects has proven difficult. In this chapter, we explain about the different sources of confounding and the most common types of biases in this field. This is followed by a discussion of advantages and disadvantages of various common study designs. Finally, the most suitable analytical methods for each study design are described. In general, cluster randomized controlled trials should be considered the golden standard for evaluation of ASPs. If only few clusters are available, controlled interrupted time series should be the design of choice. The statistical method of choice should acknowledge the structure of the data (multilevel analysis), and individual-level data should be preferred over aggregate data analyses. We are optimistic that the quality of future endeavors will benefit from these insights.
Intrapulpal injection: factors related to effectiveness.

Abstract The intrapulpal injection is commonly used when conventional anesthetic techniques fail during endodontic procedures. Objectives. This was a double-blind clinical study conducted to determine whether anesthetic solution was related to an effective intrapulpal injection. Study design. Thirty-five intrapulpal injections were given, all with back-pressure and either saline solution or anesthetic (2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine). Results. Thirty-three of the 35 injections were effective. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two solutions. Conclusions. Data indicate that an effective intrapulpal injection depends on back-pressure and is independent of the solution used.
The Quark-Gluon Plasma: Search for The Holy Grail

As everybody knows, the first step in the solution of a physics problem is to find the best set of variables. In particle physics these are often imagined to be quantized fields subject to various symmetry requirements. In QED one finds that photons and electrons suffice with little attention to other types of interactions. The edifices of chemistry and condensed matter physics are largely built out of QED using electrons and ions. In this case the most economical description is in terms of collective variables known as quasiparticles. The original coordinates: electrons and ions, are clumsy in comparison with the quasiparticles (for example, phonons, plasmons and almost free electrons in a metal).
Problems in sampling the Native American and Alaska Native populations.

Selecting a scientific national sample of Native Americans and Alaska Natives is difficult for at least four reasons: (1) they are a small proportion of the total population, (2) they are not so segregated that geographic oversampling can reach most of the population, (3) criteria for deciding who is a member of the Native American and Alaska Native population are not well defined, and (4) they are so culturally diverse that subclass estimates may be of equal or greater importance than overall estimates. The goal of this paper is to identify key design choices a statistician must face when selecting a sample of these populations, and to discuss alternative strategies. I also provide commentary on sampling plans that have been used for previous surveys, and explain why these plans, while sufficient for the purposes of their particular surveys, do not provide general solutions. Of particular importance is a careful definition of the study population. For example, some studies would focus on the reservation population, others would focus on persons listed on tribal rolls, and still others on persons eligible for coverage by the Indian Health Service. The numbers of persons included in all of these groups is far short of the two million Native Americans and Alaska Natives counted in the 1990 Census. I conclude that there is no sampling strategy that is appropriate for all surveys, but also provide suggestions for certain survey situations.
The tear film and defense against infection.

Our research program concerns the pathogenesis of bacterial corneal infection. We are studying the early events occurring when bacteria interact with the corneal surface, since it is these events that determine whether infection ensues or if the cornea can resist disease. Our long-term goals are two-fold: (1) to understand why certain factors, such as contact lens wear or preexisting trauma/disease, promote infection, and (2) to develop new approaches for prevention and therapeutics. How our research goals relate to tear film homeostasis is the subject of this paper.
Abstract 5643: TCRβ repertoire analysis from a prophylactic MUC1 cancer vaccine trial

Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a large transmembrane glycoprotein that is overexpressed and hypoglycosylated in many adenocarcinomas, including colon cancer. In the hypoglycosylated state, the peptide core of the 20aa variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) region is exposed, allowing it to function as an altered-self ligand for antibodies and T cells. VNTR peptides have been previously used as antigens in therapeutic cancer vaccines. A clinical trial was conducted to test immunogenicity and safety of a MUC1 100mer VNTR peptide+polyICLC adjuvant vaccine in a prophylactic setting in patients with premalignant colon adenomas who were at high risk for later developing colon cancer. In this premalignant setting, where patients were expected to have fewer immunosuppressive countermeasures usually present in patients with cancer, nearly half of the individuals generated IgG antibodies with no noted adverse effects. Because the antibody response was isotype-switched, it suggested simultaneous T cell activation. To determine whether changes in T cell clonal abundance following immunization could be detected, we sequenced and analyzed TCRβ repertoires from PBMCs of 21 antibody-responders collected before and after both primary and one-year booster vaccinations. Of the patients analyzed, we identified 8 TCRβ sequences from three patients that were significantly elevated after both priming and boosting immunizations, potentially identifying T cell clones that expanded in response to the vaccine. 16 TCRβ sequences from four individuals were significantly decreased at both time points, potentially identifying T cell clones that left circulation to participate in immune responses in secondary lymphoid organs or tissues. The timing of blood collection at two weeks post immunization may have been too late to allow us to detect all of the vaccine-expanded clones before they left circulation. In summary, we found 24 TCRβ CDR3 sequences from 7/21 vaccine responders that significantly changed in frequency after both primary and booster vaccinations. TCR sequencing studies from patients9 T cells expanded in vitro with MUC1 peptide will be performed to determine if they overlap with those sequenced ex vivo. Citation Format: Michelle L. Miller, Jason Lohmueller, John R. McKolanis, Robert Schoen, Olivera J. Finn. TCRβ repertoire analysis from a prophylactic MUC1 cancer vaccine trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5643.
Abstract WP69: Guideline-Based Intravenous rPA for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: A Case Series and Systematic Review

Introduction: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) rapidly leads to irreversible retinal damage with spontaneous visual recovery in only 10-20%. IV tPA may improve visual outcomes in CRAO, but p...
Willingness to consume insect-containing foods: A survey in the United States

Abstract Entomophagy, consuming insect as food, is a rising topic in western societies due to its positive attributes on the environment, food security, and nutrition. However, this practice has not established popularity in the United States (US). The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that affect willingness to consume insect-containing foods (ICF) in the US. A questionnaire consisting of 26 questions regarding demographics, exposure, knowledge, and willingness to consume ICF was developed and administered to Survey Monkey (n = 397). ANOVA and independent t-test were performed using SPSS. Results suggested that participants were more willing to consume ICF if they were familiar with the concept, were aware of the benefits of entomophagy, or had tried ICF prior to this study (p
Nine-thousand years of optimal toolstone selection through the North American Holocene

Stone was a critical resource for prehistoric hunter-gatherers. Archaeologists, therefore, have long argued that these groups would actively have sought out stone of ‘high quality’. Although the defining of quality can be a complicated endeavour, researchers in recent years have suggested that stone with fewer impurities would be preferred for tool production, as it can be worked and used in a more controllable way. The present study shows that prehistoric hunter-gatherers at the Holocene site of Welling, in Ohio, USA, continuously selected the ‘purest’ stone for over 9000 years.
Ultrasonographic assessment of quadriceps and patellar tendon thicknesses in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to compare ultrasonographically measured quadriceps and patellar tendon thicknesses between Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Methods Among patients who presented to physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic in January–December 2016, 61 volunteers (28 men and 33 women; mean age: 30.79 ± 6.55 years) who were eligible considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. 30 were diagnosed with PFPS, and the remaining were age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. Mean age was 30.03 ± 5.67 years in healthy subjects and 45.2% were of male gender. The patient group had mean age of 31.57 ± 7.37 years and 46.7% of the patients were male. Q angles were measured at standing, supine and sitting positions. Patellar and femoral tendon thicknesses and areas were measured ultrasonographically. Kujala questionnaire were used to evaluate the functional status of the participants. Results No significant difference was detected between groups regarding profession, educational background, and body mass indices (BMI) (p > 0.05). Q angle values were significantly higher in the patient group when compared to controls at standing (17.03 ± 3.84 vs. 13.87 ± 1.75°, p 0.05). Patellar tendon thickness values of ≥0.35 cm were found to have 66.7% sensitivity and 67.7% specificity for PFPS diagnosis in the ROC curve analysis (area under curve: 0.771, 95% confidence interval: 0.655–0.887, p Conclusion Our study demonstrates that ultrasonographically measured patellar and quadriceps tendon thicknesses are significantly higher in subjects with PFPS and particularly, quadriceps tendon thickness may be used for the diagnosis. Level of Evidence Level III, Therapeutic Study.
Learning for Sustainability

Human capacities and beliefs tend to lead us to construct systems that are inherently unsustainable. With the modern capability of humankind to extract more and more resources globally, resources are rapidly depleting and the effects are escalating. The human capacity for reflection and conscious action seems not to have kept pace with the capacity and desire to use more and more resources. Further, the emerging problems appear to be global, not solvable locally. This gives rise to a feeling of disempowerment that is a basic dysfunctional belief system. It may lead either to paralysis of decision-making, or too rushed action in which each stakeholder lobbies for their own solution and competes with others. This is part of the challenge of sustainable development: to bring back the sense that action, especially cooperative action, can bring results, also in the context of the need for transformational rather than marginal change. A second key challenge is to enable much more effective learning from experience. This paper documents an action research journey that took its departure point in this second challenge, expanded to include consideration of dysfunctional belief systems (patterns), and converged to prioritize a key question: how to design a process that will significantly enhance learning from experience, in the short and long term. The resulting methodology—a workshop format and toolbox—are the major focus of this paper. It can be used in any context, though conceived for initiatives for sustainable development. It has been designed to support conscious decisions of where and how to act, including an improved capacity to choose for transformational change.
Understanding H2 Evolution from the Decomposition of Dibutylmagnesium Isomers Using in-Situ X-ray Diffraction Coupled with Mass Spectroscopy

Alkylmagnesium compounds such as dibutylmagnesium can be effectively decomposed to produce MgH2 and Mg metal for applications such as hydrogen storage, single site catalysis, and powder metallurgy ...
Education About Religious Diversity and Interfaith Engagement: A Handbook for Student Affairs

AbstractInterfaith engagement provokes discomfort and concern for many student affairs professionals who feel unprepared to facilitate constructive, interactive initiatives regarding the challengin...
Improvement in Snoring-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes After Functional Nasal Surgery.

Importance: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) represents a spectrum of sleep-related disorders associated with significant medical comorbidities. Nasal airway surgery has been shown to improve SDB b...
Biotin-Conjugated Cellulose Nanofibers Prepared via Copper-Catalyzed Alkyne-Azide Cycloaddition (CuAAC) "Click" Chemistry.

As potential high surface area for selective capture in diagnostic or filtration devices, biotin-cellulose nanofiber membranes were fabricated to demonstrate the potential for specific and bio-orthogonal attachment of biomolecules onto nanofiber surfaces. Cellulose acetate was electrospun and substituted with alkyne groups in either a one- or two-step process. The alkyne reaction, confirmed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, was dependent on solvent ratio, time, and temperature. The two-step process maximized alkyne substitution in 10/90 volume per volume ratio (v/v) water to isopropanol at 50 °C after 6 h compared to the one-step process in 80/20 (v/v) at 50 °C after 48 h. Azide-biotin conjugate “clicked” with the alkyne-cellulose via copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC). The biotin-cellulose membranes, characterized by FTIR, SEM, Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and XPS, were used in proof-of-concept assays (HABA (4′-hydroxyazobenzene-2-carboxylic acid) colorimetric assay and fluorescently tagged streptavidin assay) where streptavidin selectively bound to the pendant biotin. The click reaction was specific to alkyne-azide coupling and dependent on pH, ratio of ascorbic acid to copper sulfate, and time. Copper (II) reduction to copper (I) was successful without ascorbic acid, increasing the viability of the click conjugation with biomolecules. The surface-available biotin was dependent on storage medium and time: Decreasing with immersion in water and increasing with storage in air.
The control of antibiotics in milk through a sound test program.

The application of a steady field test program along with proper fieldman supervision markedly reduced the antibiotic incidence in milk at one large New York State fluid milk and cream dairy firm. ...
Two Stretching Regimes in the Elasticity of Bottlebrush Polymers

The elasticity of highly branched polymers, known as bottlebrush polymers, is integral to understanding their physical properties in a wide variety of applications; bottlebrush polymers undergo sig...
Theoretical analysis of the transition from field emission to space-charge-limited emission in liquids and gases

Discharge formation and breakdown in liquids have critical implications for water purification, medicine, and combustion, thereby motivating characterization of liquid behavior under high voltages. While several experiments with dielectric liquids have demonstrated that current transitions from Fowler–Nordheim (FN) scaling for field emission to Mott–Gurney (MG) scaling for space-charge-limited emission (SCLE) with increasing voltage, there is no common model linking electron emission from the liquid to gas phase. We show that applying a theory unifying FN, MG, and the Child–Langmuir law (CL) for SCLE at vacuum as a function of electron mobility and gap distance [Darr et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 114, 014103 (2019)] yields excellent agreement with dielectric liquid emission experiments [Dotoku et al., J. Chem. Phys. 69, 1121 (1978)]. Specifically, current follows FN scaling at lower voltages before space charge contributions dominate, although none of the dielectric liquids considered achieve MG scaling in the experimental regime of interest. Considering a higher mobility representative of a vapor in the theory demonstrates the feasibility of achieving CL scaling for the gaps of the size considered experimentally at reasonably achievable applied voltages. Increasing the gap distance by an order of magnitude eliminates the contribution of space charge; decreasing gap distance by an order of magnitude causes a transition to MG. The implications of these results on electron emission in liquids and during a phase change to vapor and gas will be discussed.
Chapter 11's Descent into Lawlessness

The bankruptcy courts that compete for big cases frequently ignore the Bankruptcy Code and Rules. This Article documents that lawlessness through a detailed examination of the court file in the Belk one-day Chapter 11 and a series of empirical studies. Chapter 11’s lawlessness reached a new extreme in Belk. Belk filed in Houston on the evening of February 23, 2021. The court confirmed the plan at ten o’clock the next morning, and the parties consummated the plan that same afternoon. Almost none of Chapter 11’s procedural requirements were complied with. The court did not give the creditors notice of the disclosure statement or plan confirmation hearings until after those hearings were held. Belk filed no list of creditors’ names and addresses, no schedules, no statement of financial affairs, and no monthly operating reports. No creditors’ committee was appointed, no meeting of creditors was held, and none of the professionals filed fee applications. The ad hoc groups that negotiated the plan failed to file Rule 2019 disclosures. Because no schedules were filed, no proofs of claim were deemed filed. Only eighteen of Belk’s ninety-thousand creditors filed proofs of claim, and Belk apparently just made distributions to whomever Belk considered worthy. The procedural failures in Belk are just the tip of the iceberg. The competing courts are looking the other way on retention bonuses, refusing to appoint mandatory examiners, failing to monitor venue or transfer cases, granting every request to reject collective bargaining agreements, and providing debtors with critical-vendor slush funds.
Adverse childhood experiences, risk of opioid misuse and its pathway among students at a public university.

OBJECTIVE We examine role of ACEs and pathways to risk of opioid misuse among young adults. Participants and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of validated measures of ACEs, risk of opioid misuse, and health conditions with a sample of 1,402 students from a large public university followed by multivariate logistic regression and pathway analysis. Results: Majority (61%) of participants reported at least one ACE. A dose-response relationship between numbers of ACEs with risk for opioid misuse was present. Compared to participants with no ACEs, participants with ≥4 ACEs and 0-3 ACEs were 2.93 (95% CI: 1.95, 4.39; p < 0.001) and 1.96 (95% CI: 1.46, 2.65; p < 0.001) times more likely to be at risk for opioid misuse, respectively. Having at least one existing or past health condition significantly mediated the association. Conclusions: Our findings suggest need to include assessment of ACEs as a screening criterion for opioid prescription and administration among college-aged individuals.
Control of water and nutrients using a porous tube: a method for growing plants in space.

A plant nutrient delivery system that uses a microporous, hydrophilic tube was developed with potential application for crop production in the microgravity of space. The tube contains a nutrient solution and delivers it to the roots. Pumps attached to the tubing create a very small suction that holds the solution within the tube. This system was used to grow wheat for 107 d in a controlled environment at suctions of 0.40, 1.48, or 2.58 kPa. The water absorbed through the pores of the tube by baby diaper sections decreased as suction increased. Correspondingly, final plant biomass, seed number, and spikelet number also tended to decrease as suction increased. The reduced yield at higher suction suggests that the plants experienced water stress, although all suctions were below those typical of soils at field capacity.
Costing Human Resources

The costs of human resources vary across industries, but in knowledge organizations, they typically comprise more than half of total operating costs. The costs of benefits and overhead easily can add another 75 percent to base pay. Although organizations incur HR costs in a number of key areas, one of the most common ones is employee absenteeism. The total cost absenteeism is comprised of three broad categories of costs: those associated with absentees themselves, the costs of managing absenteeism problems, and all other relevant costs. Free, Web – based software is available to do these calculations. Keywords: absenteeism, costs of; benefits, costs of in U.S.; costs, overhead; costs, of labor; human resources, costs of; labor-cost multiplier; software, to tally HR costs
STATE CONFIDENTIALITY LAWS: The Illinois Act as Model for New Legislation in Other States

Confidentiality laws of most states are in need of a thorough review. They lack consistency in the treatment of recipients of mental health services, and they frequently provide no guidelines at all on significant issues. The newly adopted Illinois Act serves as an example of the work of mental health professionals in the passage of new legislation; it is suggested as a model for those seeking to draft new confidentiality codes for other states.
TU-EF-BRD-04: Summing It Up: The Future of Quality and Safety Research

Research related to quality and safety has been a staple of medical physics academic activities for a long time. From very early on, medical physicists have developed new radiation measurement equipment and analysis techniques, created ever increasingly accurate dose calculation models, and have vastly improved imaging, planning, and delivery techniques. These and other areas of interest have improved the quality and safety of radiotherapy for our patients. With the advent of TG-100, quality and safety is an area that will garner even more research interest in the future. As medical physicists pursue quality and safety research in greater numbers, it is worthwhile to consider what actually constitutes research on quality and safety. For example, should the development of algorithms for real-time EPID-based in-vivo dosimetry be defined as “quality and safety” research? How about the clinical implementation of such as system? Surely the application of failure modes and effects analysis to a clinical process would be considered quality and safety research, but is this type of research that should be included in the medical physics peer-reviewed literature? The answers to such questions are of critical importance to set researchers in a direction that will provide the greatest benefit to our field and the patients we serve. The purpose of this symposium is to consider what constitutes research in the arena of quality and safety and differentiate it from other research directions. The key distinction here is developing the tool itself (e.g. algorithms for EPID dosimetry) vs. studying the impact of the tool with some quantitative metric. Only the latter would I call quality and safety research. Issues of ‘basic’ versus ‘applied’ quality and safety research will be covered as well as how the research results should be structured to provide increasing levels of support that a quality and safety intervention is effective and sustainable. Examples from existing peer-reviewed research will be used to highlight the main points. Historical, medical physicists have leveraged many areas of applied physics, engineering and biology to improve radiotherapy. Research on quality and safety is another area where physicists can have an impact. The key to further progress is to clearly define what constitutes quality and safety research for those interested in doing such research and the reviewers of that research. Learning Objectives: 1. List several tools of quality and safety with references to peer-reviewed literature. 2. Describe effects of mental workload on performance. 3. Outline research in quality and safety indicators and technique analysis. 4. Understand what quality and safety research needs to be going forward. 5. Understand the links between cooperative group trials and quality and safety research.
What's in a Name: “Dual Diagnosis” vs. “Co-Occurring Disorders”

In parallel to the complexity of the topic on which this journal is about, the issue of what terminology we should use to describe it remains a complex and sometimes controversial point. As for thi...
Fine structural and growth characteristics of cultured rat liver cells: Insulin effects

Abstract The structural characteristics of an established epithelial cell line (RLC), derived from adult rat liver are described. Some similarities with hepatocytes were found. This cell line can be adapted to grow in serum-free medium provided insulin is added to the medium. Besides having a growth effect insulin also induced the formation of polyribosomes. The cells grown in serum-free medium have a fibroblastic morphology which reverts to an epithelial one upon the addition of medium plus serum.
Recent Realignment? The Case for 1992-1996 as a 'Critical Period' in American Elections

This paper finds that the period from the 1992 and 1994 elections to the present is characterized by an unusually high level of sub-national persistence in party alignments, a resurgence in the strength of party identification as an influence on vote choice, a decline in the rate of aggregate split-ticket voting, and the emergence of social and cultural issues as a significant second policy dimension. For these reasons, it seems appropriate to characterize the post-1992 period as a "seventh party system" in which the dealigning trends of the 1960s and 1970s have effectively been reversed.
Managing Duplicated Code with Linked Editing

We present linked editing, a novel, lightweight editor-based technique for managing duplicated source code. Linked editing is implemented in a prototype editor called Codelink. We argue that the use of programming abstractions like functions and macros - the traditional solution to duplicated code - has inherent cognitive costs, leading programmers to chronically copy and paste code instead. Our user study compares functional abstraction with linked editing and shows that linked editing can give the benefits of abstraction with orders of magnitude decrease in programming time
Arguing for Embodied Consciousness

What Science Offers the Humanities . Integrating Body and Culture. By Edward Slingerland . Cambridge University Press, New York, 2008. 388 pp. $85, £45. ISBN 9780521877701. Paper, $24.99, £18.99. ISBN 9780521701518. The author argues that findings from the natural sciences, especially research on human cognition, are critical to progress in the humanities and studies of culture.
Resolving the Russo-Japanese Territorial Dispute: Hokkaido-Sakhalin Relations

Introduction 1. Tokyo, Moscow and the Disputed Islands 2. Determinants of Russian and Japanese Subnational Diplomacy and the Rise of the 'Sakhalin Factor' 3. Hokkaido-Sakhalin Transnational Relations 4. The Sakhalin Political Elite and the South Kuril Islands 5. Sakhalin Public Opinion and the South Kuril Islands 6. Sakhalin's Commercial Environment and Local Trade. Conclusion. Postscript: Putin and the 'Sakhalin Factor'
A comparative analysis of functional outcomes in adolescents and young adults with lower-extremity bone sarcoma.

Background Comparison of functional mobility and quality of life is performed in patients with lower-extremity bone sarcoma following either amputation, limb-sparing surgery, or rotationplasty with four different types of outcome measures: (1) an objective functional mobility measure that requires patients to physically perform specific tasks, functional mobility assessment (FMA); (2) a clinician administered tool, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Scale (MSTS); (3) a patient questionnaire, Toronto Extremity Salvage Scale (TESS); and (4) a health-related quality of life (HRQL) measure, Short Form-36 version 2 (SF-36v.2). Procedure This is a prospective multi-site study including 91 patients with lower-extremity bone sarcoma following amputation, limb-sparing surgery, or rotationplasty. One of three physical therapists administered the quality of life measure (SF-36v.2) as well as a battery of functional measures (FMA, MSTS, and TESS). Results Differences between patients who had amputation, limb-sparing surgery, or rotationplasty were consistently demonstrated by the FMA. Patients with limb sparing femur surgery performed better than those patients with an above the knee amputation but similarly to a small number of rotationplasty patients. Several of the more conventional self-report measures were shown to not have the discriminative capabilities of the FMA in these cohorts. Conclusion In adolescents with lower-extremity bone sarcoma, it may be advantageous to consider the use of a combination of outcome measures, including the FMA, for objective functional mobility assessment along with the TESS for a subjective measure of disability and the SF-36v.2 for a quality-of-life measure. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:964–969. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Increasing Informativeness in Temporal Annotation

In this paper, we discuss some of the challenges of adequately applying a specification language to an annotation task, as embodied in a specific guideline. In particular, we discuss some issues with TimeML motivated by error analysis on annotated TLINKs in TimeBank. We introduce a document level information structure we call a narrative container (NC), designed to increase informativeness and accuracy of temporal relation identification. The narrative container is the default interval containing the events being discussed in the text, when no explicit temporal anchor is given. By exploiting this notion in the creation of a new temporal annotation over TimeBank, we were able to reduce inconsistencies and increase informativeness when compared to existing TLINKs in TimeBank.
Satisfiability Modulo Theories: An Appetizer

Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) is about checking the satisfiability of logical formulas over one or more theories. The problem draws on a combination of some of the most fundamental areas in computer science. It combines the problem of Boolean satisfiability with domains, such as, those studied in convex optimization and term-manipulating symbolic systems. It also draws on the most prolific problems in the past century of symbolic logic: the decision problem, completeness and incompleteness of logical theories, and finally complexity theory. The problem of modularly combining special purpose algorithms for each domain is as deep and intriguing as finding new algorithms that work particularly well in the context of a combination. SMT also enjoys a very useful role in software engineering. Modern software, hardware analysis and model-based tools are increasingly complex and multi-faceted software systems. However, at their core is invariably a component using symbolic logic for describing states and transformations between them. A well tuned SMT solver that takes into account the state-of-the-art breakthroughs usually scales orders of magnitude beyond custom ad-hoc solvers.
Effects of Questions, Personalized Communication Style, and Pauses for Reflection in Children's Educational Programs

AbstractSix program versions of a televised children's story were produced to represent all combinations of two stimulus factors. The first factor varied communication style employed in presenting pertinent information by using (a) interspersed curiosity-arousing questions, (b) the same questions addressed directly to the viewer (through the use of “you”), or (c) no questions. The second factor varied the time available to reflect on materials presented by providing either (a) a pause, or (b) no pause following the presentation of pertinent information. Kindergarten and first-grade students were exposed to one of the six versions. Visual attention to the program versions, information acquisition of the pertinent materials, and hedonic reactions to the programs were measured. No appreciable differences due to grade or gender were observed. Independent of time allowed for reflection, the use of personalized questions produced levels of information acquisition significantly above those in the no-question con...
Ascorbate infusion increases skeletal muscle fatigue resistance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with systemic oxidative stress and skeletal muscle dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of intravenous ascorbate administration (AO) on biological markers of antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress, and subsequently skeletal muscle function during dynamic, small muscle mass exercise in patients with COPD. Ten patients with spirometric evidence of COPD performed single-leg knee extensor (KE) trials matched for intensity and time (isotime) following intravenous ascorbate (2 g) or saline infusion (PL). Quadriceps fatigue was quantified by changes in force elicited by maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and magnetic femoral nerve stimulation (Qtw,pot). AO administration significantly increased antioxidant capacity, as measured by the ferric-reducing ability of plasma (PL: 1 ± 0.1 vs. AO: 5 ± 0.2 mM), and significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels (PL: 1.16 ± 0.1 vs. AO: 0.97 ± 0.1 mmol). Additionally, resting blood pressure was significantly reduced (PL: 104 ± 4 vs. AO: 93 ± 6 mmHg) and resting femoral vascular conductance was significantly elevated after AO (PL: 2.4 ± 0.2 vs. AO: 3.6 ± 0.4 ml·min−1·mmHg−1). During isotime exercise, the AO significantly attenuated both the ventilatory and metabolic responses, and patients accumulated significantly less peripheral quadriceps fatigue, as illustrated by less of a fall in MVC (PL: −11 ± 2% vs. AO: −5 ± 1%) and Qtw,pot (PL: −37 ± 1% vs. AO: −30 ± 2%). These data demonstrate a beneficial role of AO administration on skeletal muscle fatigue in patients with COPD and further implicate systemic oxidative stress as a causative factor in the skeletal muscle dysfunction observed in this population.
Excitation of an optical fiber by a Gaussian beam

In this paper we present the results of an in-depth analysis of the problem of Gaussian beam excitation of optical fibers at normal incidence. The method entails the application of the continuity conditions at the interface located at the fiber end using Gaussian beams with different spot sizes as our excitation source. Next, the simultaneous set of equations obtained is numerically solved for the reflected, guided, and radiated modal coefficients and their corresponding powers.